Relação entre fatores socioeconômicos, clínicos e saúde bucal em escolares da zona rural: um estudo longitudinal

Abstract

Objectives: The longitudinal study assessed: a) the impact of bimonthly actions for primary oral healthcare on the increase of caries and white spots, in a rural population; and b) associations among social and economic variables, and caries and white spots. Materials and method: Examination (baseline, after 6 and 12 months) and bimonthly educative and preventive actions (baseline, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months) were performed in 161 children. White spots were found in 42.82%, 33.33%, and 28.03% of children at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months, respectively. Univariate analysis (chi-square) was performed using DMFT, deft, and white spots as outcome variables (p<0.05). Results: Significant association was found, at baseline, between the mother's educational level (p=0.0040) and the number of people in the household (p=0.0068) for DMFT and deft outcomes, respectively. After 6 months, there was an association between DMFT and the mother's educational level (p=0.0059), deft and the number of people in the household (p=0.0173), and the father's educational level (p=0.0412), besides the association between white spots and water intake (p=0.0350). After 12 months, only the mother's educational level (p=0.0049) was statistically associated with DMFT. Conclusion: Despite the high level of caries experience, there was a substantial decrease of white spots after the application of a preventive program.