Factors associated with caries: a survey of students from southern Brazil

Tássia Silvana Borges,Natalí Lippert Schwanke,Cézane Priscila Reuter,Léo Kraether Neto,Miria Suzana Burgos

doi:10.1016/j.rppede.2016.02.013

Tássia Silvana Borges, Natalí Lippert Schwanke + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rppede.2016.02.013

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo describe the factors associated with dental caries among students from Santa Cruz do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in a random sample of 623 students of both genders, aged 10–17 years old. Tooth decay was performed using the index of the World Health Organization (1997), DMFT (permanent dentition) that expresses the sum of decayed, missing and filled teeth per person. The maternal educational level was rated using criteria of the Brazilian Association of Market Research Companies. The remaining variables were obtained by a structured questionnaire. Poisson regression analysis was used to test the association between variables using robust models and a subsequently adjusted model. Data were expressed as prevalence ratio (PR). ResultsMultivariate analysis identified the following factors related to the experience of dental caries: residence in rural municipalities (PR: 1.15; 95%CI: 1.0–1.3), attending a city school (PR: 3.30; 95%CI: 1.1–9.4) or a state school (PR: 3.40; 95%CI: 1.1–9.6); and having an illiterate mother or a mother that only attended up to the 4th year of school (PR: 1.67; 95%CI: 1.1–2.4) or high school (PR: 1.54; 95%CI: 1.1–2.2). ConclusionsThe presence of caries in students in southern Brazil was associated with residence in rural areas, mother with little education and attendance to a public school.

Highlights

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of dental caries among schoolchildren is 90% in some countries.[1]
623 students with a mean age of 13.5 years were evaluated; among these students, 57.9% were female, 50.1% lived in the urban area, 65.3% studied in state schools, and 59.2% had mothers who were illiterate or who had four or less years of schooling
Students with mothers who completed no more than the 4th year of schooling were two times more likely to develop dental caries compared with children of mothers who had more education

Summary

Introduction

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of dental caries among schoolchildren is 90% in some countries.[1]. Dental caries is one of the most researched oral diseases[3,4] and results from a chronic process that occurs after a certain amount of exposure to a cariogenic diet and to tooth-susceptible microorganisms. Risk factors for dental caries include salivary flow and composition, cariogenic bacteria present, inadequate fluoride exposure, immune components and genetic factors.7---9. Other factors, such as lifestyle, behavior, hygiene, eating habits, social status and sociodemographic factors, contribute to the evolution of caries.6,10---12. Risk factors for dental caries include salivary flow and composition, cariogenic bacteria present, inadequate fluoride exposure, immune components and genetic factors.7---9 other factors, such as lifestyle, behavior, hygiene, eating habits, social status and sociodemographic factors, contribute to the evolution of caries.6,10---12 Oral diseases affect daily activities; among these activities, increased absenteeism[13] and decreased performance at school and work have widespread economic and psychological impacts and can lead to significant reductions in individual quality of life.[14,15] In this context, this study aimed to describe factors associated with caries among students in Santa Cruz do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

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