AIM: To evaluate the influence of socioeconomic, clinical and demographic variables on caries experience in 5-year-old preschool children from Piracicaba. METHODS: The sample consisted of 728 children attending 22 public (n=428) and 18 private (n=300) preschools. Dental caries were measured using the dmft/dmfs indexes and by detecting initial caries lesion (IL). Gingivitis, crowding, spacing, fluorosis, and mouth breathing were also recorded. Socioeconomic variables (monthly family income, number of people living in the household, parents' schooling, home ownership, and car ownership) were collected by means of a parental semi structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) values for dmft and dmfs indexes were 1.30 (2.47) and 3.08 (7.55) respectively; and 62.2% of the children were caries-free. The mean (standard deviation) values for dmft+LI and dmfs+LI were 1.72 (3.36) and 3.45 (7.94), respectively and 59.7% were caries-free. By means of multiple logistic regression analyses, children with fluorosis (OR=0.40) or family income > 4 minimum wages (OR=0.49) were less likely to experience caries. Those with gingivitis (OR=1.87) were more prone to have the disease. Considering the diagnostic threshold including IL, the multiple logistic regression analyses showed that children with fluorosis (OR=0.39) or family income > 4 minimum wages (OR=0.52) were less likely to have caries. Those with gingivitis (OR=1.80), crowding (OR=2.63 e OR=1.01) or mouth breathing (OR=1.37) were more likely to have the disease. CONCLUSION: The preschool children who presented gingivitis, crowding, mouth breathing or monthly family income < 4 minimum wages were more likely to experience caries. In this way, planning preventive and operative actions targeted at these children would be essential for caries control.
Dental Caries; Preschool; Socioeconomic Factors
