Caries prevalence and some associated factors in 6-9-yearold schoolchildren in Campeche, Mexico

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of caries in primary and permanent teeth, and to identify variables associated with experience of caries in the permanent dentition. Subjects and methods. Children (n=320) aged 6- 9 years (mean 6.99 +- 1.00) were examined from three public schools selected randomly in Campeche, Mexico in 2001. A questionnaire was sent to the children's parents to measure socioeconomic, socio-demographic, and behavioral variables. Dental caries was measured using the WHO indices. Caries experience (DMFT, dmft) and caries prevalence (% DMFT>0, % dmft>0) were calculated. We also created a multivariate binary logistic regression model. Results. Overall caries prevalence was dmft>0=53.1% (6-7 years old = 50.2%; 8-9 years old = 63.0%) and DMFT > 0 = 18.4% (6-7 years old = 13.8%; 8-9 years old = 34.3%). The overall mean dmft and DMFT index were 1.78 2.41 (6- 7 years old = 1.77 2.46; 8-9 years old = 1.83 2.22) and 0.34 0.83 (6-7 years old = 0.23 0.66; 8-9 years old = 0.71 1.17), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that older age (OR= 3.19), female sex (OR= 2.06), presence of enamel defects (OR= 4.11), and caries in the primary teeth (OR=2.95) were associated with DMFT>0. Discussion. This study confirmed that caries status in the primary teeth could be used as a risk indicator for caries in the permanent teeth of Mexican schoolage children. The collected epidemiological data may be used to improve public oral health service planning and resource allocation. (Rev Biomed 2006; 17:25-33)