Estimación del riesgo a caries dental en escolares a través de evaluaciones clínicas, microbiológicas y radiológicas / Dental caries risk estimation in schoolchildren, trougth clinical, microbiological and radiological evaluation

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this epidemiological study was to find correlation among dental caries and S. mutans in schoolchildren from a Protection Center. Quantitative and semiquantitative methods were employed to determine salivary concentration of mutans streptococci. The results showed that 44 percent of children had 1-3 dental caries, while 23 percent had 4-7. A direct relationship was found with the concentration of mutans streptococci in saliva. Both methods employed showed that the caries risk level, can be stabilized approximately in 5 x 105 UFCf S. mutans/mL saliva. Biochemical and serological characterisation of the isolated streptococci mutans group revealed that 95 percent was of biotype I, serotype c (c, e, f) belonged to S. mutans specie, and of 5 percent was S. sobrinus biotype IV, serotype (d, g, h). A direct correlation between decalcified areas and the quantity of salivary S. mutans was also found. Based in these results, a prediction about people in risk of develop dental caries, can be made, and so adequate prevention programs, can be established