Abstract
Objective: To verify the relationship between developmental enamel defects (DED) in permanent incisors and socioeconomic conditions and dental caries in children within the life course context. Material and Methods: A total of 350 children aged 9-11 years from 13 public schools in the city of Bauru, Brazil were examined. Clinical exams were performed to observe the presence of caries and developmental enamel defects using the DMFT and DED indexes, respectively. In addition, information about family income and parental schooling was collected. Statistical analysis used the Spearman Correlation Coefficient and the Chi-square test to verify the association between DED, socioeconomic conditions and dental caries. The significance level adopted was 5%. Results: Association between presence of dental caries and DED (p=0.04), delimited opacity (p=0.02) and opacity (p=0.01) was observed. Inverse correlation for the decayed component with maternal schooling and family income was also verified. Regarding the types of development enamel defect (DED), correlation between delimited opacity, opacity and DED with the DMFT index was observed. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated association between enamel defects and caries, as well as correlation between income and parental schooling and dental caries.
Highlights
Dental caries is considered an important disease that affects children and young people and has repercussions in adult life [1]
Dental caries was significantly associated with developmental enamel defects (DED) (p=0.04), delimited opacity (p=0.02) and opacity (p=0.01)
The present study investigated the relationship between dental caries and presence of developmental enamel defects (DED) and socioeconomic conditions of the participating children's family
Summary
Dental caries is considered an important disease that affects children and young people and has repercussions in adult life [1]. The use of the life course approach in the context of this disease seeks to promote a better understanding of its etiology, risk factors and living conditions that influence the oral condition of children. Recent studies point to the decline of caries disease along with its polarization in disadvantaged groups. It is expected that the prevalence of the disease is high in low-income populations [2,3]. Oral diseases are more present in less egalitarian societies and socially disadvantaged groups [5], a phenomenon known as social gradient in health
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