Dental caries experience and its impact on quality of life in Latin American and Caribbean countries

Abstract Robust epidemiological data allow for logical interventions taken in the interest of public health. Dental caries is a major public health problem driven by increased sugar consumption and various biological, behavioral, and psychosocial factors, and is known to strongly affect an individual's quality of life. This study aims to critically review epidemiological data on the prevalence of dental caries in Latin American and Caribbean countries (LACC) and its impact on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of the population. Although the majority of national surveys did not include all age groups and several countries reported a reduction in the prevalence of cavitated carious lesions, most nations still exhibited a high burden of decayed teeth. OHRQoL evaluation was limited to children and older adults only, and was not included in any national survey. Study heterogeneity and methodological issues hindered comparison of evidence between studies and over time, and updating national level data on caries prevalence and its impact on OHRQoL should be prioritized in LACCs.

Diagnóstico molecular de microorganismos periodontopatógenos en pacientes alcohó-licos - fumadores con periodontitis crónica de la ciudad de Loja, Ecuador / Diagnóstico molecular de microrganismos periodontopatogênicos em pacientes taba-gistas com periodontite crônica na cidade de Loja, Equador / Molecular diagnosis of microorganisms periodontopathogens in alcoholic - smoking patients with chronic periodontitis of the city of Loja, Ecuador

Los pacientes alcohólicos y fumadores presentan mayor predisposición de desarrollar enfermedad periodontal. Objetivo: Determinar la presencia de los microorganismos periodontopatógenos: Porphyromona gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia, Fusobacterium nucleatum y Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans mediante la Reacción en Ca-dena de la Polimerasa (PCR), en pacientes alcohólicos fumadores con periodontitis crónica. Materiales y métodos: El universo fue de 31 pacientes de 18 y 62 años de edad de sexo masculino alcohólicos y/o fumadores en los cuales fueron excluidos aquellos que consumían algún tipo de droga, dando una muestra de 23 pacientes con bolsas periodontales ≥ 6mm del Centro de Rehabilitación de la ciudad de Loja, Ecuador. Se realizó un examen periodontal completo y la toma de muestras en dos de los sitios más profundos de cada paciente. Las variables analizadas fueron: presencia de biofilm dental, sangrado al sondaje, profundidad al sondaje y nivel de inserción clínica. Los datos fueron analizados con la prueba de Kruskal Wallis con un nivel de significancia del 5%. Resultados: La periodontitis crónica estuvo en el 52,1% de los pacientes de 18 a 30 años, siendo más susceptibles los alcohólicos de riesgo y fumadores leves. El 91,04 % de alcohóli-cos y fumadores se encuentran asociados con la presencia de biofilm dental (p = 0,028) y en el diagnóstico molecular el 41,18% de los pacientes presentan más de 3 microorganismos (p = 0,039). Conclusión: Se evidenció la presencia de los periodontopatógenos estudiados en pacientes alcohólicos fumadores con periodontitis crónica.

Alcoholic and smoking patients have a greater predisposition to develop periodontal disease. Objective: To determine the presence of microorganisms periodontopathogens: Porphyromona gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), in alcoho-lic-smoking patients with chronic periodontitis. Materials and methods: The group was composed of 31 patients between the ages of 18 to 62-year-old, male alcoholics and/or smokers in which were excluded those who take some kind of drug, giving a sample of 23 patients with periodontal pockets ≥ 6mm from the Center of Rehabilitation of the city of Loja, Ecuador. A full periodontal examination and the sample taking were in two of the most profound sites of each patient. The variables analyzed were: the presence of dental biofilm, bleeding on probing, probing depth and clinical attachment level. The data were analyzed with the Kruskal Wallis Test with a significance level of 5%. Results: The chronic periodontitis was in the 52.1% of the patients between the ages of 18 to 30 years old, is more susceptible in risky alcoholics-smokers and low smokers. The 91.04 % of alcoholics and smokers are associated with the presence of dental biofilm (p = 0.028) and in the molecular diagnosis the 41.18% of patients exhibit more than 3 microorganisms (p = 0.039). Conclusion: That observed presence of the periodontopathogens in alcoholic-smoking patients with chronic periodontitis.

Os pacientes alcoólicos e fumantes apresentam uma possibilidade maior de desenvolver doença peridental. Objetivo: Determinar a presença do periodontopatógenos de microorganismos Porphyromona gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Fusobacterium nucleatum e Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans por meio da Reação em Cadeia de Polimerasa (PCR),em pacientes alcoólicos e fumantes com periodontite crônico. Materiais e métodos: O universo pertenceu a 31 pacientes de 18 e 62 anos de idade de sexo masculino alcoólicos e/ou fumantes nos quais foram excluídos aqueles que consumiram algum tipo de droga, tendo uma amostra de 23 pacientes com bolsas peridentais. 6mm do Centro de Reabilitação da cidade de Loja, Equador. Um exame periodontal completo e a amostragem foram realizados em dois locais profundamente localizados de cada paciente. As variáveis analisadas eram: presença de biofilm dental, sangrou ao sondaje, profundidade ao sondaje e nível de suplemento clínico. Os dados foram analisados com o teste de Kruskal Wallis com um nível de significancia de 5%. Resultados: O periodontite crônico estava em 52,1% dos pacientes de 18 para 30 anos, enquanto sendo mais suscetível os alcoólicos de risco e fumantes ligeiros. 91,04% de alcoólicos e fumantes são associados com a presença de biofilm dental (p = 0028) e na diagnose 41,18% molecular dos pacientes apresenta mais de 3 microorganismos (p = 0039). Conclusões: A presença do periodontopatógenos foi comprovada nos pacientes alcoólicos e fumantes com periodontite crônico.