en |
Dentistry for babies: caries experience vs. assiduity in clinical care
Lemos, Letícia Vargas Freire Martins; Barata, Terezinha Esteves de Jesus; Myaki, Silvio Issáo & Walter, Luiz Reynaldo de Figueiredo
Abstract
Aim: This study analyzed and compared the experience of dental caries in 300 children aged 0
to 48 months, who were participants and non-participants of a preventive program 'Dentistry for
babies', as well as the correlation between assiduity of dental visits and experience of dental
caries.
Methods: The subjects were randomly selected and divided into two groups: G1 'Non
participant children of the Program' (n=100) and G2 'Participant Children of the Program' (n=200).
Each group was subdivided in two subgroups: 0-24 months and 25-48 months. The collected
data from G2 were analyzed, relating the variation of the dmft index (dmft refers to primary teeth:
d = decayed, m = missing/extracted due to caries, f = filled, t = teeth) (C) and dental caries
prevalence (P) with the influence of assiduity factor in each subgroup. To collect data, clinical
examinations were performed using tactile and visual criteria by a single calibrated examiner.
The data were statistically analyzed using the 'paired t-test', 'Mann-Whitney' and 'Chi-Squared'
tests (p<0.05).
Results: It was found that prevalence and dmft index were statistically significant
(P=0.0001) with the greatest values observed in G1 (p=0.0001). The values were: PG1 (73%),
PG2 (22%), CG1 (3.45±3.84), CG2 (0.66±1.57). Assiduity was significant in G2 (p=0.0001).
The values observed were: P-Assiduous (2%), P-Non-assiduous (42%), C-Assiduous
(0.04±0.31), and C-Non-assiduous (1.29±2.01).
Conclusions: The participation in the program
had a positive influence on the oral health of babies. Complete assiduity to the program resulted
in the lowest rates and prevalence of dental caries.
Keywords
pediatric dentistry, dental caries, epidemiology, referral and consultation, dental care
|