Racial inequality and periodontal condition in Brazilian adolescents

Abstract

Abstract Background Oral health, such as other health conditions, reflects social inequalities. These inequalities are fed back by oral diseases, generating a vicious and sustainable circle. Racial issues play a prominent role, once they are associated with oral diseases as risk markers. Among the different oral diseases, periodontal disease associated with racial inequalities in adolescents is emblematic. Thus, this study aimed to analyse the race differentials associated with the levels of periodontal disease, regardless of other risk factors. Methods Data from the 2010 national epidemiological survey on oral health were used, with 5445 adolescents (15 to 19 years old). Multinomial logistic regression models were used. Dependent variable was the Community Periodontal Index. Independent variable was self-declared race/colour, categorized as white, pardo (mixed-race identity) and preto (black). The effect of race was controlled in the presence of the covariates sex, years of study, decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth (DMFT index), toothache and self-reported need for dental treatment. Odds Ratio (OR) was estimated and sample weights were considered. Results The simple model showed preto with 2.7 (p < 0.05) and 8 (p < 0.05) times more likely to have shallow and deep periodontal pockets, respectively, compared to white. Pardo was 1.5 (p < 0.05) times more likely to have periodontal calculus. In the multiple model, even in the presence of all independent covariates, preto showed association with shallow pockets (OR = 2.51, p < 0.05) and pardo showed association with the presence of calculus (OR = 1.37, p < 0.05). Conclusions Regardless of sex, education, perception of pain and need for treatment and the DMFT index, race/colour was associated with periodontal problems. It should be noted that skin colour is not a biological risk factor for periodontal disease. However, the findings of this study revealed racial inequities regardless of socioeconomic variables. Key messages Raises the need to guarantee health as a resource for social development, with science having a fundamental role in recovering the citizenship of this historically forgotten population. The findings of this study revealed racial inequities regardless of socioeconomic variables.