Resumo

LANDIM, Jordania Rodrigues et al. Demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with dental caries in a low-income Northeastern community. RFO UPF [online]. 2013, vol.18, n.1, pp. 75-82. ISSN 1413-4012.

Objectives: this research aims to study the relationship between socioeconomic and demographic factors, and dental caries and their outcomes in adult and elderly residents of a Northeastern community. Methods: questionnaires were applied to characterize household and socioeconomic conditions. Oral examinations were held in 141 subjects, 83 (59%) of them aged 35 to 44, and 58 (41%) of the over 65 years old. Data analysis consisted on the calculation of means, confidence intervals of 95%, and median, minimum and maximum values. To test hypotheses about the association of the use and need of prostheses with age group, gender economic status, and race/ethnicity, the chi-square test was applied. The statistical significance level of 5% was used. Results: in the analysis of DMFT, there was no significant difference regarding genders, since both presented high prevalence. The black population studied presented less decayed teeth than white and Indian races in average, with values of 3.39, 4.60, and 6.50, respectively. Women more often use upper prosthesis when compared to men (p = 0.016). They, in turn, have increased need of that prosthesis (p = 0.008). Conclusion: thus, through this study we can conclude that gender, economic status, and race/color did not affect the DMFT.

Palavras-chave : Oral health; Health surveys; Dental caries; Social conditions.