Rui Arantes1, Lisa M Jamieson2, Paulo Frazão3. 1. Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 2. Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia. 3. Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare patterns of dental caries, periodontal disease and dental care among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Central-West Brazilian subpopulations. METHODS: Data were from two population-based cross-sectional studies involving 5-, 12-, 15-19- and 35-44-year-olds. The first examined were the Guarani, Kaiowá, Terena and Kadiwéu Indigenous groups from Mato Grosso do Sul Brazilian state and the second comprised a non-Indigenous population. Mean numbers of sound teeth, decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft/DMFT), prevalence of poor oral hygiene for adults (35-44 years) and of periodontal disease were estimated. Restorative dental service utilization was measured using the Care Index. RESULTS: The study populations comprised of 1830 Indigenous and 29 395 non-Indigenous people. The Kaiwoá ethnic group had the lowest DMFT among Indigenous groups for ages 12, 15-19 years; 0.9 (95% CI 0.7-1.1) and 2.4 (95% CI 1.9-2.9), respectively. The highest values were observed among the 12-year-old Terena ethnic group and 15- to 19-year-old Kadiwéo groups; 2.2 (95% CI 1.8-2.5) and 3.7 (95% CI 3.1-4.4), respectively. The mean DMFT values were significantly lower among Indigenous than non-Indigenous people for all age groups. The prevalence of bleeding and calculus was 70.3% (95% CI 64.5%-75.5%) and 80.1% (95% CI 74.8%-84.5%), respectively, for Indigenous people and 43.9% (95% CI 34.4%-50.7%) and 61.5% (95% CI 55.4%-67.2%), respectively, for the non-Indigenous population. Restorative services were higher among 5-year-old non-Indigenous children and adults than for Indigenous groups. Among Indigenous groups, the Terena had the highest level of restored teeth (38.0% at 12 years) and Kadiwéu the lowest level (8.8% at 12 years). CONCLUSION: In our study, Indigenous people had a lower caries burden, but less access to restorative services than their non-Indigenous counterparts. These disparities likely reflect differences in historical, socioeconomic, cultural, environmental and political determinants that both groups have experienced differently over time.
OBJECTIVE: To compare patterns of dental caries, periodontal disease and dental care among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Central-West Brazilian subpopulations. METHODS: Data were from two population-based cross-sectional studies involving 5-, 12-, 15-19- and 35-44-year-olds. The first examined were the Guarani, Kaiowá, Terena and Kadiwéu Indigenous groups from Mato Grosso do Sul Brazilian state and the second comprised a non-Indigenous population. Mean numbers of sound teeth, decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft/DMFT), prevalence of poor oral hygiene for adults (35-44 years) and of periodontal disease were estimated. Restorative dental service utilization was measured using the Care Index. RESULTS: The study populations comprised of 1830 Indigenous and 29 395 non-Indigenous people. The Kaiwoá ethnic group had the lowest DMFT among Indigenous groups for ages 12, 15-19 years; 0.9 (95% CI 0.7-1.1) and 2.4 (95% CI 1.9-2.9), respectively. The highest values were observed among the 12-year-old Terena ethnic group and 15- to 19-year-old Kadiwéo groups; 2.2 (95% CI 1.8-2.5) and 3.7 (95% CI 3.1-4.4), respectively. The mean DMFT values were significantly lower among Indigenous than non-Indigenous people for all age groups. The prevalence of bleeding and calculus was 70.3% (95% CI 64.5%-75.5%) and 80.1% (95% CI 74.8%-84.5%), respectively, for Indigenous people and 43.9% (95% CI 34.4%-50.7%) and 61.5% (95% CI 55.4%-67.2%), respectively, for the non-Indigenous population. Restorative services were higher among 5-year-old non-Indigenous children and adults than for Indigenous groups. Among Indigenous groups, the Terena had the highest level of restored teeth (38.0% at 12 years) and Kadiwéu the lowest level (8.8% at 12 years). CONCLUSION: In our study, Indigenous people had a lower caries burden, but less access to restorative services than their non-Indigenous counterparts. These disparities likely reflect differences in historical, socioeconomic, cultural, environmental and political determinants that both groups have experienced differently over time.