Marina Angulo1, Eduardo Cuitiño2, Nelly Molina-Frechero3, Claes-Göran Emilson4. 1. a School of Dentistry, University of the Republic , Montevideo , Uruguay. 2. b School of Engineering Bernard Polak, ORT University Uruguay , Montevideo , Uruguay. 3. c Department of Health Care, Autonomous Metropolitan University , Mexico City , Mexico. 4. d Department of Cariology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Göteborg , Sweden.
Abstract
Objective: This study investigates the association between the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis, the socio-economic status (SES) and area of residence among 12-year-old schoolchildren in Uruguay. Material and methods: The study was descriptive, cross-sectional, explanatory and observational. Subjects considered eligible were born in 1999 and had their parents' or guardian's prior consent. A questionnaire was used to identify SES according to Centro de Investigaciones Económicas Institute on four levels. Dental fluorosis was determined using the Thylstrup-Fejerskov (TF) index. Results: Of the 1544 students examined, 45.0% showed dental fluorosis. A TF index 1-2 was recorded in 29.3% of the subjects, TF 3 in 20.9%, TF 4 in 6.7% and TF 5-9 in 2.1%. In area 1 (the capital Montevideo city), 84.8% of the subjects had dental fluorosis, a value that was significantly higher than in the inland region (area 2, 24.4%) and border departments (area 3, 22.5%) (x2 = 27.92, p < .0001). Students from families with a low socio-economic level showed less prevalence of dental fluorosis than those with a high level (x2 = 14.58, p = .002). Conclusion: Significant differences exist in the prevalence of dental fluorosis in relation to place of residence and socio-economic level.
Objective: This study investigates the association between the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis, the socio-economic status (SES) and area of residence among 12-year-old schoolchildren in Uruguay. Material and methods: The study was descriptive, cross-sectional, explanatory and observational. Subjects considered eligible were born in 1999 and had their parents' or guardian's prior consent. A questionnaire was used to identify SES according to Centro de Investigaciones Económicas Institute on four levels. Dental fluorosis was determined using the Thylstrup-Fejerskov (TF) index. Results: Of the 1544 students examined, 45.0% showed dental fluorosis. A TF index 1-2 was recorded in 29.3% of the subjects, TF 3 in 20.9%, TF 4 in 6.7% and TF 5-9 in 2.1%. In area 1 (the capital Montevideo city), 84.8% of the subjects had dental fluorosis, a value that was significantly higher than in the inland region (area 2, 24.4%) and border departments (area 3, 22.5%) (x2 = 27.92, p < .0001). Students from families with a low socio-economic level showed less prevalence of dental fluorosis than those with a high level (x2 = 14.58, p = .002). Conclusion: Significant differences exist in the prevalence of dental fluorosis in relation to place of residence and socio-economic level.
Entities:
Keywords:
12-year-old students; Dental fluorosis; socio-economic status