Caries experience in adolescents from a metropolitan region of the Brazilian Amazon

Authors

  • Thaissa Gabrielle Gióia Fonseca Universidade Federal do Amazonas
  • Márcia Cristina Lopes
  • Janete Maria Rebelo Vieira Universidade Federal do Amazonas
  • Rosana Cristina Pereira Parente Universidade Federal do Amazonas
  • Maria Augusta Bessa Rebelo Universidade Federal do Amazonas

Keywords:

Oral health, epidemiology, dental caries

Abstract

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of dental caries among adolescents from a poor metropolitan region of the Brazilian Amazon, and to identify the independent socioeconomic variables of access to dental services, oral hygiene habits, and self-perception of oral health. Method: The sample comprised 178 adolescents aged from 15 to 19 year-old, enrolled in schools in the Eastern zone of the city of Manaus, AM, Brazil. Primary data were collected using a standardized questionnaire and clinical examination. Result: The prevalence of dental caries was 92.7%, and the mean DMF-T index was 5.16 (SD: 0.28). The average number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth was 4.4, 0.87, and 0.75, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between DMF-T index and per capita household income. Most adolescents declared that they had had an appointment with a dentist at least once in their lifetime, had sought the public service, and that pain was the predominant reason for consultation. The perception of oral health of the majority was good/excellent. Conclusion: The data suggest lack of restorative dental treatment and high prevalence of dental caries in this socially disadvantaged sample, which evidences the need to implement strategies to improve delivery of oral health care. Key words: Oral health; epidemiology; dental caries

Author Biographies

Thaissa Gabrielle Gióia Fonseca, Universidade Federal do Amazonas

Estudante de graduação da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do Amazonas

Márcia Cristina Lopes

Cirurgiã-dentista

Janete Maria Rebelo Vieira, Universidade Federal do Amazonas

Professora Assitente da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do Amazonas, área Saúde Coletiva

Rosana Cristina Pereira Parente, Universidade Federal do Amazonas

Professora Titular do Departamento de Estatística da Universidade Federal do Amazonas

Maria Augusta Bessa Rebelo, Universidade Federal do Amazonas

Professor Associado da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do Amazonas. àrea de atuação: Cariologia; Epidemiologia.

Downloads

Published

2009-07-14

Issue

Section

Original Article