Avaliação dos fatores de risco associados à doença cárie dentária que incidem sobre a população de escolares em Xerém – Duque de Caxias

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors involved in the prevalence of dental carie disease among school children aged between 6 and 10 years old (mean= 7,439), in Xerém, located in the District of Duque de Caxias (Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil), in 2006. The test sample included 212 children of both sexes (117 males and 95 females),enroled in both a public school (n=156) and a private school (n=56). The socio-economic variables, parent or guardian’s level of knowledge regarding buccal health and an evaluation of their dental conditions, and the eating habits of the children were obtained by means of a questionaire filled out by the parents or guardians. Tests for evaluating dental carrie disease were carried out using the dmf-t and DMF-T indices. An evaluation of buccal hygiene was also carried out by checking the visible plaque index and for the presence, or absence of bleeding gums. The data bank analysis and the interpretation of the results were obtained using the Epi Info, version 6.04 statistical program. The mean levels of the dmf-t and DMF-T indexes were 2,34 and 0,95 respectively, whilst 34,9% of the children did not present dental carie lesions. The prevalence of the presence of bacterial plaque and of gum bleeding were of 51,4 and 7,0% respectively. Incidence of dental carie desease was 36% greater in children whose mothers had studied up to the 4 th grade; children whose families had incomes less than one minimum wage presented a rate of 8 dental carie desease 57% greater than those whose families had incomes greater than 4 minimum wages; and those who consume candies 3 or more times a week had an incidence of dental caries deasese 28% greater than those whose consumption was above this frequency. The conclusion reached suggested that the risk factors for the prevalence of dental carie disease included: poor level of maternal education, low family income, high consumption of sweet foods and the presence of bacterial plaque.