RESUMO
Abstract Background Although a trend towards dental caries reduction has been observed, further investigations on its pattern and development are still needed. Objective To investigate the influence of clinical, social and environmental variables on dental caries prevalence in adolescents from a Brazilian municipality supplied with fluoridated water in 2018. Method This study was conducted with a non-probabilistic sample of 277 adolescents aged 12 years of public schools in Nova Friburgo, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Clinical examinations were carried out by calibrated examiners to assess caries, periodontal disease, and fluorosis according to criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). Semi-structured questionnaires were applied to record socio-environmental information. Results Individuals living in regions supplied with fluoridated water below the minimum required levels (OR=3.60, p=0.0006), with low income (OR=1.90, p=0.0444), presence of gingivitis (OR=3.36; p=0.0016), and whose reason for visiting the dentist was dental treatment (OR=2.41; p=0.0203) were more likely to have dental caries. A significant reduction (p<0.0001) in dental caries indexes was observed between 2012 and 2018. Conclusion Fluoridation of public water supply at unsuitable levels, as well as other social and clinical variables can influence the caries pattern in adolescents.
Resumo Introdução A tendência de redução da cárie dentária tem sido constatada, apesar de maiores investigações sobre seu padrão e desenvolvimento serem ainda necessárias. Objetivo investigar a influência de variáveis clínicas, sociais e ambientais sobre a cárie em adolescentes de um município brasileiro com água fluoretada, no ano de 2018. Método Empregou-se uma amostra não probabilística de 277 adolescentes de 12 anos, de escolas públicas de Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Exames clínicos foram realizados por examinadores calibrados, para avaliação de cárie, doença periodontal e fluorose, sob critérios da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). Questionários semiestruturados foram aplicados para coletar informações socioambientais. Resultados Indivíduos residentes em regiões com flúor na água em subdoses (OR=3,60, p=0,0006), e aqueles com baixa renda (OR =1,90, p=0,0444), com presença de gengivite (OR = 3,36; p = 0,0016) e cuja razão para a visita ao dentista foi para tratamento dentário (OR=2,41; 0,0203), apresentaram mais chances de terem cárie. Uma redução significativa (p<0,0001) nos índices de cárie foi observada entre 2012 (primeiro levantamento epidemiológico) e 2018. Conclusão A fluoretação das águas de abastecimento público, quando em níveis não adequados, assim como outras variáveis sociais e clínicas, podem influenciar o padrão de cárie nos adolescentes.
RESUMO
Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the Brazilian School Health Program (SHP) on dental clinical disorders such as caries, gingivitis, and dental trauma as well as on the oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of adolescents in Nova Friburgo, RJ, Brazil. The study consisted of a non-probabilistic (convenience) sample comprising 319 12-year-old adolescents, both participants and non-participants of the SHP, for at least two years. Socio-demographic and OHRQoL questionnaires (CPQ11-14, the Child Perceptions Questionnaire) were applied as well as clinical examinations for caries, periodontal disease, and dental trauma following the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria by calibrated researchers. Mann-Whitney, chi-square tests, and multiple logistic regression models were used for the data analysis. Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups covered and not covered by the SHP for gingivitis (p = 0.0373) and OHRQoL on the social welfare subscale (p = 0.0265) and total scale (p = 0.0449) of CPQ11-14. Multivariate analysis showed that female adolescents were 1.74 times more likely to present a lower OHRQoL (OR = 1.74, 95%IC = 1.10-2.77, p = 0.0183) than males. In addition, non-SHP subjects were 1.56 times more likely to have poor OHRQoL (OR = 1.56, 95%IC = 0.94-2.59, p = 0.0873) than program participants. In conclusion, SHP positively influenced the OHRQoL of adolescents. However, follow-up studies are needed to verify the continued effectiveness of this Brazilian SHP in improving the oral health levels and quality of life of adolescents.