Analysis of the Dental Caries Epidemiological Profile in Children of Benguela city, Angola.

PURPOSE: To analyse the epidemiological profile of dental caries in children aged 5 and 12 years in the city of Benguela, Angola. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study conducted in 2019 with 190 12-year-old schoolchildren and 240 5-year-old schoolchildren from the public education system in Benguela, Angola. The relationship between dental caries and dental characteristics, sociodemographic factors, access to dental services, oral hygiene practices, and eating habits was analysed. Dental condition was evaluated using the dmft and decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) indices. RESULTS: It was found that 62.63% (n = 119) of 12-year-old students and 42.08% (n = 101) of 5-year-old students were free from dental caries. The average DMFT was 0.76 + 1.35 and dmft was 2.19 + 2.95. The majority of children (56.51%) had never been to the dentist, had no dental elements restored, and none of the students used dental floss. The proportion of students who consumed sweets every day was higher at 5 years of age (46.25%) than at 12 years of age (22.63%). There was a statistically significant association (P = 0.01) between the higher incidence of dental caries and peri-urban location among 5-year-old schoolchildren. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the prevalence of dental caries in the permanent dentition of schoolchildren in Benguela is very low; however, the situation is critical in the primary dentition, especially in the peri-urban area. The limited access to dental surgeons and lack of treatment for affected teeth highlight the need to implement and develop public policies to promote oral health.

Análise do perfil epidemiológico da cárie dentária em crianças na cidade de Benguela, Angola / Analysis of the epidemiological profile of dental caries in children in the city of Benguela, Angola

A prevalência de cárie dentária em países de baixa e média renda tem aumentado, tornando-se um problema de saúde significativo, em função de que os dentes cariados geralmente não são tratados e, portanto, desencadeiam dor e sofrimento nas crianças. Esta doença tem sido muito observada em função da dieta moderna e à mudança de estilos de vida. O objetivo neste trabalho foi analisar o perfil epidemiológico da cárie dentária em crianças de 5 e 12 anos de idade, na cidade de Benguela, Angola. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, analítico, transversal, realizado nas escolas do município de Benguela em Angola. Utilizou-se os códigos e critérios da OMS para a cárie dentária e uma ficha clínica. Foram examinados 430 escolares, sendo 190 de 12 anos e 240 de 5 anos de idade de ambos os sexos, das escolas urbanas, periurbanas e rurais. O índice CPOD e ceod foram calculados e as seguintes variáveis foram pesquisadas: gênero, localização geográfica da escola, idade, frequência ao dentista, número de lavagem dos dentes, uso de pasta de dentes, consumo de alimentos açucarados. Foram realizados testes estatísticos de Qui-quadrado e teste Exato de Fisher, com nível de significância de 5%. Calculou-se as "OR" e "IC". Os resultados da pesquisa demonstram que 62,63% (n=119) das crianças de 12 anos e 42,08% ( n=101)% das crianças de 5 anos apresentaram-se livres de carie dentária. O CPOD médio foi de 0,76 e o ceod foi de 2,19. Na análise dos componentes dos índices verificou-se que não havia dentes restaurados. Para as crianças de 5 anos, a cárie dentária esteve associada à variável localização periurba (p=0,01). As crianças de 12 anos que higienizam a boca 1 vez ao dia, correspondem a 80%. Não se verificou o uso do fio dental. Verificou-se ainda, em 75% das crianças o consumo de bebidas e alimentos sólidos açucarados industrializados uma vez por semana. Conclusão: Podemos concluir que a prevalência da cárie na dentição permanente foi muito baixa. Na dentição decídua a situação é crítica, em especial para as crianças da área peri-urbana e rural. A falta de acesso ao dentista e a total ausência de tratamento dos dentes afetados demonstram a necessidade de instituição de uma política pública de promoção de saúde bucal. A grande maioria escova os dentes, no entanto o uso do fio dental não é uma realidade. Os hábitos alimentares merecem atenção(AU)

The prevalence of dental caries in low and middle income countries has increased, becoming a significant health problem, due to the fact that decayed teeth are generally not treated and, therefore, trigger pain and suffering in children. This disease has been widely observed due to the modern diet and the change in lifestyles. The objective of this work was to analyze the epidemiological profile of dental caries in children aged 5 and 12 years, in the city of Benguela, Angola. This is an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study carried out in schools in the municipality of Benguela in Angola. WHO codes and criteria for dental caries and a clinical record were used. 430 schoolchildren were examined, 190 of whom were 12 years old and 240 of 5 years old, of both sexes, from urban, peri-urban and rural schools. The CPOD and ceod index were calculated and the following variables were researched: gender, geographic location of the school, age, dentist attendance, number of teeth washing, use of toothpaste, consumption of sugary foods. Statistical tests of Chi-square and Fisher's Exact test were performed, with a significance level of 5%. The "OR" and "CI" were calculated. The survey results show that 62.63% (n = 119) of 12 year old children and 42.08% (n = 101)% of 5 year old children were free of dental caries. The average CPOD was 0.76 and the ceod was 2.19. In the analysis of the index components, it was found that there were no restored teeth. For children aged 5 years, dental caries was associated with the variable periurban location (p = 0.01). Children aged 12 who clean their mouths once a day correspond to 80%. There was no use of dental floss. It was also found that 75% of children consumed sugary drinks and solid industrialized foods once a week. Conclusion: We can conclude that the prevalence of caries in the permanent dentition was very low. In the primary dentition the situation is critical, especially for children in the peri-urban and rural areas. The lack of access to the dentist and the total lack of treatment of the affected teeth demonstrate the need to institute a public policy to promote oral health. The vast majority brush their teeth, however flossing is not a reality. Eating habits deserve attention(AU)