Oral hygiene, dietary habits and prevalence of dental caries in adolescents from rural and urban areas in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Tássia Silvana Borges,Silvia Isabel Rech Franke,Miria Suzana Burgos,Mixianni Justo Fortuna,Cézane Priscila Reuter,Moisés Zacarias Cardoso,Simone Imperatore

doi:10.1590/1981-863720170002000073255

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the condition of oral hygiene, dietary habits and prevalence of dental caries in adolescents, listing these habits and comparing residents from rural and urban areas. Methods: Cross-sectional study involving of 623 adolescents of both sexes, aged 12 to 17 year old in Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil. Data were collected through sociodemographic questionnaires and dental examination. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the exposure variables and outcome. A bivariate analysis was then performed using the Chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of caries was 63.6%, in which adolescents living in rural areas had a prevalence of 70.7% and 56.4% in the urban area. The level of mother’s education ≤4 years and socioeconomic class B1/B2 and C1/C2 showed statistically significant differences between the areas of residence. Among the demographic variables, the rural area showed a higher prevalence of caries. Conclusion: The results showed a high prevalence of dental caries among the adolescents studied and indicate a correlation between prevalence and the low level of mother’s education, socioeconomic status (low to medium) and residence in rural areas. It should be understood that, while the multifactorial nature and stratified caries actions are not taken into consideration, the actions implemented will continue to fail, frustrating the expectations set by government entities.

Highlights

Oral health is a complex concept that cannot be boiled down to the health of the teeth[1]
The prevalence of caries was 63.6%, in which adolescents living in rural areas had a prevalence of 70.7% and 56.4% in the urban area
The results showed a high prevalence of dental caries among the adolescents studied and indicate a correlation between prevalence and the low level of mother’s education, socioeconomic status and residence in rural areas

Summary

Introduction

Oral health is a complex concept that cannot be boiled down to the health of the teeth[1]. Oral diseases result in limitations on routine daily activities, causing impacts of a psychological, physical or social nature, with a significant reduction in the quality of life[2]. Given these implications and with a view to expanding the insertion of oral health into the scope of Brazil’s National Health System (SUS), a National Oral Health Policy, known as Brasil Sorridente (Smiling Brazil), was launched, and which is still in effect today[3]. Only the urban areas of municipalities were researched and only oral health condition and access to health services were surveyed, with no data collected on dietary or hygiene habits

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion