Encuesta de salud oral en la población infantil de la comunidad valenciana. 2018

Resumen

Oral Health Survey of the Child Population in Valencia Region 2018. Introduction: The present study has been carried out following the recommendations published in the report The Brussels Statement on the Future Needs for Caries Epidemiology and Surveillance in Europe - based on the position at 2015. On a representative sample of the child population of 6-, 12- and 15-years old. Field work has been carried out in schools, recording sociodemographic variables together with the oral health status with respect to caries, using ICDAS II criteria, the periodontal health status, using the simplified version of the Periodontal Index Community (IPC), dental fluorosis, estimation of assistance needs, as well as user preferences in the use of dental services. In addition, a self-completed questionnaire was collected by children of 12- and 15- years old about hygienic and dietary habits related to oral health. Objectives: To determine the oral health status in child population of Valencia Region at 6-, 12- and 15-years. To obtain caries prevalence, DMFT and dft data in 2018, to assess oral hygiene and dietary habits of children, to study the association between dental caries and social class and to compare current data with previous studies in the same region. Methods: A total of 1722 school children have been explored, which 828 are male and 894 are female. The sample size obtained for the 6-year cohort was 556, for the 12-years 632, and 534 for the 15-years. To ensure comparability between this study data and previous studies using the WHO criteria, the cut-off point for the ICDAS II codes was set at code 4, grades 4, 5 and 6 are considered equivalent to the WHO definition of caries. Results: In primary dentition at the age of 6 years, caries prevalence is 37.4% and dft index is 1.23. In permanent dentition at the age of 12 years caries prevalence is 30.1% and DMFT index 0.66, while at 15 years, caries prevalence is 44.6 and DMFT 1.21. The Restoration index in temporary dentition at 6 years is 27.6%, while for the permanent dentition it is 71.2% at 12-year and 85.1% at 15-years-old. Social class is still as a major risk factor for the prevalence of caries in the primary dentition, it’s 1.8 times higher in the low social class than in the high social class. Regarding the SCI (Significant Caries Index), at 12-years stands in 1.97. Community Periodontal index (CPI) average has been 0.38 at 12-years and 0.37 at 15-years old. 11.5% of children aged 6 have at least one tooth sealed, at 12-years 16.9% and at 15 years 16.3%. Dental fluorosis has only been evidenced in 5.7% of children of 12 years, predominating mild and very mild forms. Regarding the use of dental services, 57.9% and 69.5% of children aged 12 and 15 have gone to the private dentist. 84.3% of children aged 12 and 15 brush their teeth at least once a day. Conclusions: Temporary dentition shows a worsening both in the prevalence and caries indexes, while in the permanent dentition at 12- and 15-years values similar to those of the last survey carried out in 2010 are maintained. Significant increase in restoration index has been at three age groups studied. The social class continues to be a marked risk factor for caries in temporary dentition in the 6-year cohort, while in the cohorts of 12 and 15 years it is not so evident. Periodontal health has shown a clear improvement over the results of 2010, although it should continue to be strengthened to reach a greater number of children free of gingivitis or tartar (currently around 35%). Preventive treatments included in the benefits of the Public Oral Health Program of the Valencia region, has shown a decrease in the number of sealants average and in the percentage of children carrying them. On the other hand, there has been a slight increase in the percentage of children who perform weekly fluoride rinses in schools, although this practice only reaches 2 out of 3 children. Toothbrushing, as well as knowledge in oral health, have improved slightly compared to the results obtained in the previous study in 2010. At the three age groups analyzed, it should be noted that the 6-year cohort does not meet the health objectives regarding caries in temporary dentition set by the SESPO (Spanish Society of Epidemiology and Oral Public Health) for the Spanish school population in 2015/20, this and significant association with social class places them as a priority objective of community action. It should be encouraged the pit and fissure sealants application and health education in relation to toothbrushing.