The relationship between oral health and dental caries in eight riverside communities - Pará, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the prevalence of dental caries among children and adolescents aged 0 to 15 years in eight communities in the state of Pará, located on the banks of the Maró River, a tributary of the Arapiuns River, and to establish a health promotion program for these communities. Material and Methods: a three-day visit to each community was carried out. On the first day, an epidemiological survey was carried out on dental caries and treatment needs (WHO criteria, 1997). On the second and third days, educational, preventive activities were carried out, as well as dental treatments in this population. Results: a total of 416 children/adolescents aged 0 to 15 years were examined, of whom 183 were from 0 to 6 years of age and 234 from 7 to 15 years old, 196 were female and 218 were male. The mean dmft for the age of 5 years was 5.3 (± 4.5) and the DMFT at 12 years was 4.0 (± 3.1), the predominant element being caries. Among the most prevalent treatment needs were the restoration of 1 or 2 faces and extractions in both age groups. It was observed that this population is under-risk, and dental caries activity is either from the lack of education of oral hygiene or from the difficulty of access to assistance provided from the health services of the region. Conclusion: it was verified by the present study that the indices evaluated are shown above those presented in the national epidemiological surveys (SB Brazil, 2010), demonstrating the need for access to dental services, as well as more actions promoting health in this population.