Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective Understanding the individual and collective behavior of individuals about their oral health conditions is important to prevent and control of dental caries. This study aimed to seek evidence of the relationship between social capital and caries experience. Methods Using a systematic review with meta-analysis, we searched articles in PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, LILACS, IBECS, BBO, SCIELO, The Cochrane Library and MEDLINE databases. Studies with humans, of all ages and languages, published until July 2019, which related social capital to the caries experience, were included in this review. Results We identified 1163 articles evaluated considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, leaving 5 articles selected to compose the study sample, and only 3 included in the meta-analysis. In the final analysis p value was significant (p <0.001), showing that both social cohesion and neighborhood empowerment are associated with the caries experience. In the random model, the individual has 2.39 chances of not having the caries disease. The results reinforce the importance of community social capital in the caries experience of individuals. Conclusions The high level of community social capital is directly related to lower caries experience rates.
Highlights
To develop scientific research in oral health has elucidated the etiology, preventive factors, ideal conditions for diagnosis and treatment of caries disease, providing a significant decrease in the rates of involvement of this pathology in the world population; this was not enough to avoid the so-called polarization of the disease process, of which populations at risk and socioeconomic vulnerability have become the carriers of the largest number of cases [1].One of the main objectives of scientific research on caries is to promote a change in inequalities among populations.Health promotion measures restricted to individuals are ineffective in modifying their health-related behaviors, which showed a new perspective about it: the adoption of healthy behaviors is linked to environmental changes where people live and work
The number of studies that explore the interaction of social determinants of health (SDH) with the population’s caries experience have increased in the 21st century with positive results regarding socioeconomic and demographic components [4,5,6,7]
For the outcome of dental caries [8,9], in a multilevel study conducted in the Federal District, Brazil, we found negative association between neighborhood empowerment and caries experience in adolescents
Summary
Health promotion measures restricted to individuals are ineffective in modifying their health-related behaviors, which showed a new perspective about it: the adoption of healthy behaviors is linked to environmental changes where people live and work. This is essential considering the need to create conditions so that healthy choices are easier to be made [2,3]. The number of studies that explore the interaction of social determinants of health (SDH) with the population’s caries experience have increased in the 21st century with positive results regarding socioeconomic and demographic components [4,5,6,7]. For the outcome of dental caries [8,9], in a multilevel study conducted in the Federal District, Brazil, we found negative association between neighborhood empowerment and caries experience in adolescents
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