Caries prevalence of preschool age children in community homes of the Cauca Valle and related social factors

Abstract

ABSTRACT Dental caries represents a public health problem due to its high frequency in population and the cost it represents for society. Studies conducted in recent decades in children under the age of six have found prevalence in a 20 to 70% range. Objective The aim of the present study was to describe caries indicators such as DMF index and degree, caries history and caries prevalence found in children living in some community homes of six municipalities of Valle del Cauca in Colombia. Material and methods A cross-sectioned study was conducted in 982 children lodged in community homes of six municipalities. Classic index of DMF and modified DMF were recorded according to a clinical instrument provided by the Social Protection Ministry of Colombia. Estimators were calculated bearing in mind the design and using statistical program SPSS, Version 19. Results A 45.6% caries prevalence was found (caries with or without cavitation). Classic DMF was 1.7 (95% CI: 1.5-1.9) in the two to five year old population and increased to 2.3 when including the modification of caries without cavitation. In the simple regression analysis, type of social security, ethnicity and age were correlated to DMF teeth. Conclusion The present study found lesser prevalence and history of caries in pre-school age children than that reported in the third national oral health study in five year old population, as well as results reported in the fourth study for population aged 3-5 years.