Abstract

MAIROBYS, Socorro et al. Hábitos de higiene bucal y el nivel socio-económico de niños entre 15 y 20 meses de edad.. Acta odontol. venez [online]. 2007, vol.45, n.2, pp.204-208. ISSN 0001-6365.

Tooth brushing and dentifrice use have been undoubtedly reported by several studies as the primary oral hygiene practices carried out to reduce and control caries development, observing differences among social levels. Objective: The aim of this study was to associate oral hygiene habits with the social levels of children among 15 to 20 months. Methods: One hundred and twelve children were selected from 10 different daycare centers. The criteria of selection included, children among 15 to 20 months, apparently healthy, with a consent form signed by the parent and attending the daycare. Questionnaires assessed tooth-brushing patterns and fluoride dentifrice use considering other possible oral hygiene practices developed at the moment and reporting when these were initiated. A socioeconomic form was also completed for each child. Results: According to Graffar, only 39.3% belonged to the lower social class and the rest of the children (21.4%-39.3%) were classified within the middle and the higher social levels, respectively.  The average age of introducing oral hygiene habits was 12.8 months.  From the 112 children evaluated, 42 (37.5%) developed any oral hygiene routine, 19.0% of the children's teeth were brushed or cleaned only with water, 76.2% of them used fluoridated dentifrice, and 81.3% of the mothers placed the dentifrice on the toothbrush. Conclusions: The results of this study showed the absence of a significant relationship between parents’ socioeconomic status and dental hygiene habits observed in children between 15 to 20 months of age.  An important finding was that a high percentage of the children at this age did not show any oral hygiene habit, as well as, mothers played the most important role.

Keywords : oral hygiene habits; children; socioeconomic status.