Abstract

MEDINA-SOLIS, Carlo Eduardo et al. TOOTH LOSS AND PATTERNS OF CARIES IN PRESCHOOLCHILDREN OF A SUBURBAN COMMUNITY OF CAMPECHE-2001. Acta odontol. venez [online]. 2004, vol.42, n.3, pp.165-170. ISSN 0001-6365.

Objectives: The dental caries is an infectious, chronic, multifactorial and transmissible illness. It’s very prevalent during infancy and the major cause of tooth loss among children.  The objectives of this study were to determine prevalence of tooth loss and to identify patterns of caries in the dentition of preschool children of a suburban community of Campeche , México.  Methods: A cross-sectional study in 109 preschoolers 5-6 years old was carried-out.  The criteria to diagnose dental caries were the index dmft (WHO) and "magnitude of lesion caries criteria". Dental loss is considered to be total absence of the tooth or grade 4 on the MLCC scale (a loss of more than ¾ parts of clinical crown).  The attack patterns of caries registered were: 1) anterior pattern, 2) posterior pattern and 3) anterior-posterior subsequent pattern.  All subjects were evaluated clinically by two examiners (kappa>0.85).  Statistical analysis consisted of calculation of frequency measures, central tendency and dispersion, according to the variables measurement scale.  Bivariant analysis was done using chi2 test. Results: 2041 temporary teeth were examined.  Thirteen (11.9%) of the 109 subjects had 34 (1.7%) teeth lost.  The lost were principally of the lower second molars. Of the subjects with caries (n=82), 47.6% presented the anterior-posterior patterns, 46.3% showed posterior pattern and 6.1% exhibited anterior pattern.  There was no significant difference between attack patterns and age and sex. Conclusions: The tooth loss in this population was high.  These children had a higher prevalence of anterior-posterior caries pattern.

Keywords : dental caries; primary dentition; tooth loss; caries patterns; preschoolers; epidemiology; Campeche; México.