Dental caries experience and its impact on quality of life in Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Saul Martins Paiva,Matheus França Perazzo,Gilberto Alfredo Pucca-Júnior,Gustavo Tello,Ninoska Abreu-Placeres,Antonio Carlos Frias,María Esther Irigoyen Camacho

doi:10.1590/1807-3107bor-2021.vol35.0052

Abstract

Robust epidemiological data allow for logical interventions taken in the interest of public health. Dental caries is a major public health problem driven by increased sugar consumption and various biological, behavioral, and psychosocial factors, and is known to strongly affect an individual's quality of life. This study aims to critically review epidemiological data on the prevalence of dental caries in Latin American and Caribbean countries (LACC) and its impact on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of the population. Although the majority of national surveys did not include all age groups and several countries reported a reduction in the prevalence of cavitated carious lesions, most nations still exhibited a high burden of decayed teeth. OHRQoL evaluation was limited to children and older adults only, and was not included in any national survey. Study heterogeneity and methodological issues hindered comparison of evidence between studies and over time, and updating national level data on caries prevalence and its impact on OHRQoL should be prioritized in LACCs.

Highlights

Epidemiological survey data is useful for the prevention, control, and eradication of various health problems, serving as an essential tool for development of public policy and planning of interventions aimed at promotion of health.[1]
This study aims to critically review epidemiological data on the prevalence of dental caries in Latin American and Caribbean countries (LACC) and its impact on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of the population
Data for Latin American countries The average DMFT score for 12 year old adolescents in Brazil was 2.1 in 2010,22 and this was 25% lower than the DMFT score (2.8) observed in 2003.23 There was a 29% reduction (1.7–1.2) in the untreated teeth component, and the proportion of caries-free children (DMFT = 0) increased from 31% in 2003 to 44% in 2010, indicating a significant reduction in the prevalence and severity of caries caused by widespread implementation of preventive measures and improved access to dental restorative services during this period

Summary

Introduction

Epidemiological survey data is useful for the prevention, control, and eradication of various health problems, serving as an essential tool for development of public policy and planning of interventions aimed at promotion of health.[1] Oral health plays a crucial role in the well-being of a population and, when compromised, can affect an individual’s quality of life by causing pain and loss of esthetics/function leading to absenteeism from work/schools and low self-esteem.[2] The dental caries pandemic is driven by an increase in the consumption of refined sugars and changes in eating patterns and social behaviors.[3]. Untreated carious lesions are one of the most frequently observed oral health problems globally, with prevalence rates being 100% and 80% among 12 year old adolescents in low-income and lower-middle-income countries, respectively.[4] such lesions often persist into adulthood, with disease burden increasing with the number of teeth in the oral cavity. The global burden of untreated caries lesions in permanent teeth

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