Rural and urban disparities in oral hygiene practices among Peruvian children aged less than 12 years: Demographic and Family Health Survey 2018.

INTRODUCTION: The adoption of adequate oral hygiene practices is important for the maintenance of good oral health in children. Rural-urban differences in the achievement of this important issue in Peru remain unknown. The objective of this study was to assess rural-urban differences in the proportion of adequate oral hygiene practices in Peruvian children aged less than 12 years, as well as associated sociodemographic factors. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of the 2018 Peruvian Demographic and Family Health Survey. Data from 41 330 children aged 1-11 years and their caregivers with complete information on oral hygiene practices were included in the study. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated as measures of association between adequate oral hygiene practices (defined as toothbrushing two or more times a day, having a toothbrush for individual use and changing toothbrushes every 3 months) and sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of adequate oral hygiene practices was 38.3% in the rural area and 57.3% in urban areas. The greatest rural-urban disparities for adequate oral hygiene practices were observed in the age group of 6-11 years (43.4% v 64.1%), those in families in which the head of the household had no formal education (28.1% v 47.3%) or primary education (36.8% v 53.0%), those who had used dental services in the previous 6 months (46.4% v 64.4%) and those residing in the highlands (31.5% v 48.2%). All independent variables were significantly associated with adequate oral hygiene practices in rural areas, except for the jungle region variable and the richest wealth index. CONCLUSION: Four out of ten Peruvian children living in rural areas perform adequate oral hygiene practices compared to six out of ten children in urban areas. Furthermore, inequalities in the adoption of oral hygiene practices favor urban children according to sociodemographic factors. Strengthening of oral health promotion strategies is urgently needed in order to decrease inequalities in the adoption of adequate oral hygiene in children living in rural areas of Peru and countries with similar sociodemographic characteristics.

Towards the integration of prevention and control of oral diseases within child primary healthcare: The case of Peru.

OBJECTIVES: The Peruvian public health norm of primary healthcare (PHC) for growth and development medical check-ups (CRED, Spanish acronym) of children under 5 years of age was updated in 2017 with the inclusion of interdisciplinary prevention and control actions for oral diseases, such as dentist referral. The aim of this study was to explore the association between CRED and oral health services utilization (OHSU), throughout the heterogeneous Peruvian territory. METHODS: A population-based cross sectional study was conducted using the 2021 Demographic and Family Health Survey of Peru and included data from 15 836 children aged 12-59 months. Poisson generalized linear models were used to evaluate the association between any CRED and OHSU, in the 6 months prior to the survey, including sociodemographic characteristics of the children and their mothers as confounding variables. A possible effect modification by natural region of residence (Metropolitan Lima/rest of the Coast/Highlands/Jungle) was evaluated. To examine the robustness of the regression model, a sensitivity analysis was performed using the cumulative number of CRED. RESULTS: Children who had at least one CRED were almost twice as likely to report OHSU (aPR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.73-2.21), which was greater in the regions of rest of the Coast (aPR: 2.56; 95% CI: 2.00-3.17) and Jungle (aPR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.64-2.56). The sensitivity analysis showed consistent results for the association CRED-OHSU. Nevertheless, within the last 6 months, attendance at CRED and OHSU were only achieved by 43.7% and 13.7% of the children respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Integrating oral health into Peruvian Child PHC seems to be a promising public health intervention to increase children's OHSU. For a greater scope, it is crucial to drive greater attendance at CRED and continuous monitoring and strengthening of CRED-based oral health promotion in all Peruvian natural regions with an equity-focused approach.

Interventions to Improve the Oral Hygiene of Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review evaluates published evidence on oral hygiene interventions conducted in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, and Web of Science were searched for articles published up to 19 April 2021. The main outcomes of interest were the Plaque index score (PI), oral health knowledge of participants or their caregivers, and behaviors and attitudes towards oral hygiene. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies of the National Institutes of Health. The study was conducted under PROSPERO registration code CRD42021247733. Two studies met the inclusion criteria. One was a pre-post study conducted in Brazil, and the other was a prospective cohort study carried out in China. The sample sizes of these studies were 29 and 168, respectively. Both studies were carried out in institutionalized patients and presented a significant loss to follow-up. The PI and gingival index scores both improved after the application of the respective interventions, yet the differing methodologies used precluded further comparisons. The studies were deemed to be of good and regular quality, respectively. Despite the need for more comprehensive interventions to ensure a better oral health status and a higher quality of life for AD patients, an alarming lack of studies have been conducted in this population.

Impact of Cash Transfers on the Use of Oral Health Services and Oral Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to summarize the evidence available on the impact of cash transfers on the use of oral health services and oral health outcomes. Materials and Methods: 9 databases were searched for studies on cash transfers and oral health: PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EconLit, Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS. We conducted a systematic review of studies that evaluated the impact of cash transfers on the use of oral health services and other oral health outcomes. Results: Three studies with more than 13,000 participants conducted in Brazil and Argentina were included. One study from Brazil found that participants in the Bolsa Familia Program (BFP) were more likely not to use oral health services (aPR: 6.18; 95% CI: 3.07-12.45; P < 0.001) and had a higher probability of presenting dental caries (aPR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.47-2.69) and severe caries (aRR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.18-2.00). Another study conducted in Brazil found that the BFP was associated with fewer dental caries among those enrolled in the first 2 years of the BFP as well as after six years. On the other hand, the Argentina study found that the Universal Child Allowance program did not have a statistically significant average treatment effect (ATE = -0.05; P > 0.05) on the use of dental health services. Conclusion: There is a lack of evidence about the impact of CT on the use of oral health services and oral health outcomes. The evidence suggests that cash transfers might not have a positive impact on the use of oral health services. The results regarding the impact of receiving cash transfers on dental caries are contradictory. However, more evidence is needed to draw stronger conclusions for policy taking. Registration: The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021268234).

[Tooth brushing and fluoride levels in toothpaste used by peruvian children under 12 years old]. / Cepillado dental y niveles de flúor en pastas dentales usadas por niños peruanos menores de 12 años.

Secondary analysis of data on 41,330 children aged one to 11 from the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) carried out in 2018. The frequency of brushing and the use of toothpaste were reported according to the level of fluoride (no brushing, adequate, inadequate, did not show/did not use toothpaste, and illegible), according to socioeconomic and geographical variables. The evaluation showed that 7.8% of children did not brush their teeth; there were significant percentage differences (p <0.001) in the use of toothpaste with inadequate fluoride concentration between the extreme categories of the variables: age (12.3%), use of dental services (7.7%), educational level of the person responsible (20.4%), wealth index (17.8%), geographical domain (11.3%), and area of residence (9.1%). A considerable percentage of Peruvian children do not brush their teeth; in addition, a large number of children who brush use toothpastes with a fluoride content that has no preventive effect.

Análisis secundario de los datos de 41 330 niños de uno a 11 años de la Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar (ENDES) 2018. Se reportó la frecuencia de cepillado y el uso de pasta dental según el nivel de flúor (no cepillado, adecuado, inadecuado, no mostró/no usa pasta, e ilegible), según variables socioeconómicas y geográficas. Un 7,8% de los niños evaluados no se cepillaba los dientes, se evidenció diferencias porcentuales significativas (p <0,001) en el uso de pasta dental con concentración inadecuada de flúor entre las categorías extremas de las variables edad (12,3%), uso de servicios odontológicos (7,7%), nivel educativo del responsable (20,4%), índice de riqueza (17,8%), dominio geográfico (11,3%) y área de residencia (9,1%). Un porcentaje considerable de niños peruanos no se cepilla los dientes; además, un gran número de niños que se cepillan emplean pastas dentales con contenidos de flúor sin efecto preventivo.

[Factors associated with the use of oral health services in older peruvian adults: secondary analysis of population survey, 2018]. / Factores asociados al uso de servicios de salud oral en adultos mayores peruanos: análisis secundario de encuesta poblacional, 2018.

OBJECTIVES: : To identify the prevalence and factors associated with the use of oral health services in Peruvian older adults (OA) during 2018. MATERIALS AND METHODS: . Secondary analysis of data on 4,874 Peruvian OAs from the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) carried out in 2018. The use of oral health services was considered (yes/no) based on the six months prior to the application of the survey as a dependent variable. The independent variables were sex, age, area of residence, educational level, marital status, geographical domain, physical limitation, health insurance, spoken language, and welfare index quintile. A descriptive analysis was performed using absolute frequencies and weighted proportions, and a multivariate analysis using generalized linear models (Poisson regression). RESULTS: . From the total of OAs, 52.6% were women, 52.9% belonged to the 60-69 age group, 77% belonged to the urban area, and 81.1% had a health insurance. The prevalence of the use of dental care services in the last six months was 24.9%. Multivariate analysis found association with area of residence (p<0.001), higher educational level (p=0.001), health insurance affiliation (p<0.001), geographic domain (p=0.019), and all welfare index quintiles (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: . The prevalence of the use of dental care services in OAs was low, and its associated factors were the area of residence, educational level, health insurance, geographic domain, and welfare index quintiles.

OBJETIVOS: Identificar la prevalencia y factores asociados al uso de servicios de salud oral en adultos mayores (AM) peruanos durante el 2018. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Análisis secundario de los datos de 4874 AM peruanos de la Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar (ENDES) 2018. Se consideró el uso de servicio de salud oral (sí/no) en razón de los seis meses previos a la aplicación de la encuesta como variable dependiente, las variables independientes fueron: sexo, edad, área de residencia, nivel educativo, estado civil, dominio geográfico, limitación física, afiliación a un seguro de salud, lengua hablada y quintil de bienestar. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo usando frecuencias absolutas y proporciones ponderadas, y un análisis multivariado empleando modelos lineales generalizados (familia Poisson). RESULTADOS: Del total de AM, 52,6% fueron mujeres, 52,9% pertenecían al grupo de 60 a 69 años de edad, 77% pertenecían al área urbana y 81,1% estuvieron afiliados a un seguro de salud. La prevalencia del uso de servicios odontológicos durante los últimos seis meses fue 24,9%. El análisis multivariado encontró asociación con el área de residencia (p<0,001), el nivel educativo superior (p=0,001), la afiliación a un seguro de salud (p<0,001), el dominio geográfico (p=0,019) y todos los quintiles de bienestar (p<0,001). CONCLUSIONES: : La prevalencia de uso de servicios de salud oral en AM fue baja, y sus factores asociados fueron el área de residencia, el nivel educativo, la afiliación a un seguro de salud, el dominio geográfico y los quintiles de bienestar.

[Access to oral health services in children under twelve years of age in Peru, 2014]. / Acceso a servicios de salud dental en menores de doce años en Perú, 2014.

The aim of the study was to explore the patterns of dental health services access in children under twelve years of age in Peru. Data from 25,285 children under 12 years who participated in the Demographic and Family Health Survey of 2014 were reviewed. An exploratory spatial analysis was performed to project the proportions of children with access to dental health services, according to national regions, type of health service and urban or rural place of residence. The results show that of the total sample, 26.7% had access to dental health services in the last six months, 39.6% belonged to the age group 0-4 years, 40.6% lived in the Andean region and 58.3% lived in urban areas. The regions of Huancavelica, Apurimac, Ayacucho, Lima and Pasco had the highest percentages of access nationwide. In conclusion, there is low access to dental health services in the population under 12 years of age in Peru. The spatial distribution of access to dental health services allows regions to be identified and grouped according to similar access patterns, in order to better focus public health actions.

Cepillado dental y niveles de flúor en pastas dentales usadas por niños peruanos menores de 12 años / Tooth brushing and fluoride levels in toothpaste used by peruvian children under 12 years old

RESUMEN Análisis secundario de los datos de 41 330 niños de uno a 11 años de la Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar (ENDES) 2018. Se reportó la frecuencia de cepillado y el uso de pasta dental según el nivel de flúor (no cepillado, adecuado, inadecuado, no mostró/no usa pasta, e ilegible), según variables socioeconómicas y geográficas. Un 7,8% de los niños evaluados no se cepillaba los dientes, se evidenció diferencias porcentuales significativas (p <0,001) en el uso de pasta dental con concentración inadecuada de flúor entre las categorías extremas de las variables edad (12,3%), uso de servicios odontológicos (7,7%), nivel educativo del responsable (20,4%), índice de riqueza (17,8%), dominio geográfico (11,3%) y área de residencia (9,1%). Un porcentaje considerable de niños peruanos no se cepilla los dientes; además, un gran número de niños que se cepillan emplean pastas dentales con contenidos de flúor sin efecto preventivo.

ABSTRACT Secondary analysis of data on 41,330 children aged one to 11 from the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) carried out in 2018. The frequency of brushing and the use of toothpaste were reported according to the level of fluoride (no brushing, adequate, inadequate, did not show/did not use toothpaste, and illegible), according to socioeconomic and geographical variables. The evaluation showed that 7.8% of children did not brush their teeth; there were significant percentage differences (p <0.001) in the use of toothpaste with inadequate fluoride concentration between the extreme categories of the variables: age (12.3%), use of dental services (7.7%), educational level of the person responsible (20.4%), wealth index (17.8%), geographical domain (11.3%), and area of residence (9.1%). A considerable percentage of Peruvian children do not brush their teeth; in addition, a large number of children who brush use toothpastes with a fluoride content that has no preventive effect.

Factores asociados al uso de servicios de salud oral en adultos mayores peruanos: análisis secundario de encuesta poblacional, 2018 / Factors associated with the use of oral health services in older peruvian adults: secondary analysis of population survey, 2018

RESUMEN Objetivos: Identificar la prevalencia y factores asociados al uso de servicios de salud oral en adultos mayores (AM) peruanos durante el 2018. Materiales y métodos: Análisis secundario de los datos de 4874 AM peruanos de la Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar (ENDES) 2018. Se consideró el uso de servicio de salud oral (sí/no) en razón de los seis meses previos a la aplicación de la encuesta como variable dependiente, las variables independientes fueron: sexo, edad, área de residencia, nivel educativo, estado civil, dominio geográfico, limitación física, afiliación a un seguro de salud, lengua hablada y quintil de bienestar. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo usando frecuencias absolutas y proporciones ponderadas, y un análisis multivariado empleando modelos lineales generalizados (familia Poisson). Resultados: Del total de AM, 52,6% fueron mujeres, 52,9% pertenecían al grupo de 60 a 69 años de edad, 77% pertenecían al área urbana y 81,1% estuvieron afiliados a un seguro de salud. La prevalencia del uso de servicios odontológicos durante los últimos seis meses fue 24,9%. El análisis multivariado encontró asociación con el área de residencia (p<0,001), el nivel educativo superior (p=0,001), la afiliación a un seguro de salud (p<0,001), el dominio geográfico (p=0,019) y todos los quintiles de bienestar (p<0,001). Conclusiones : La prevalencia de uso de servicios de salud oral en AM fue baja, y sus factores asociados fueron el área de residencia, el nivel educativo, la afiliación a un seguro de salud, el dominio geográfico y los quintiles de bienestar.

ABSTRACT Objectives : To identify the prevalence and factors associated with the use of oral health services in Peruvian older adults (OA) during 2018. Materials and Methods . Secondary analysis of data on 4,874 Peruvian OAs from the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) carried out in 2018. The use of oral health services was considered (yes/no) based on the six months prior to the application of the survey as a dependent variable. The independent variables were sex, age, area of residence, educational level, marital status, geographical domain, physical limitation, health insurance, spoken language, and welfare index quintile. A descriptive analysis was performed using absolute frequencies and weighted proportions, and a multivariate analysis using generalized linear models (Poisson regression). Results . From the total of OAs, 52.6% were women, 52.9% belonged to the 60-69 age group, 77% belonged to the urban area, and 81.1% had a health insurance. The prevalence of the use of dental care services in the last six months was 24.9%. Multivariate analysis found association with area of residence (p<0.001), higher educational level (p=0.001), health insurance affiliation (p<0.001), geographic domain (p=0.019), and all welfare index quintiles (p<0.001). Conclusions . The prevalence of the use of dental care services in OAs was low, and its associated factors were the area of residence, educational level, health insurance, geographic domain, and welfare index quintiles.

Acceso a servicios de salud dental en menores de doce años en Perú, 2014 / Access to oral health services in children under twelve years of age in Peru, 2014

RESUMEN El objetivo del estudio fue explorar los patrones de acceso a servicios de salud dental en menores de doce años en Perú. Se revisaron datos de 25.285 niños menores de 12 años que participaron en la Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar 2014. Se realizó un análisis exploratorio espacial para proyectar las proporciones de menores con acceso a servicios de salud dental según regiones a nivel nacional, tipo de servicio de salud y lugar de residencia urbana o rural. Los resultados muestran que el 26,7% de la muestra tuvo acceso a los servicios de salud dental en los últimos seis meses. El 39,6% pertenecía al grupo etario de 0 a 4 años, el 40,6% habitaba en la zona andina y un 58,3% residía en zonas urbanas. Las regiones de Huancavelica, Apurímac, Ayacucho, Lima y Pasco tuvieron los mayores porcentajes de población que accedió a servicios de salud dental a nivel nacional. En conclusión, existe un bajo acceso a los servicios de salud dental para la población menor de 12 años en Perú. La distribución espacial del acceso a los servicios de salud dental permitiría identificar y agrupar regiones según patrones comunes de acceso para enfocar acciones en materia de salud pública.

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to explore the patterns of dental health services access in children under twelve years of age in Peru. Data from 25,285 children under 12 years who participated in the Demographic and Family Health Survey of 2014 were reviewed. An exploratory spatial analysis was performed to project the proportions of children with access to dental health services, according to national regions, type of health service and urban or rural place of residence. The results show that of the total sample, 26.7% had access to dental health services in the last six months, 39.6% belonged to the age group 0-4 years, 40.6% lived in the Andean region and 58.3% lived in urban areas. The regions of Huancavelica, Apurimac, Ayacucho, Lima and Pasco had the highest percentages of access nationwide. In conclusion, there is low access to dental health services in the population under 12 years of age in Peru. The spatial distribution of access to dental health services allows regions to be identified and grouped according to similar access patterns, in order to better focus public health actions.