Prevalence of childhood caries and its association with risk factors in a health unit in Palmas-TO.

Abstract

Dental caries is a disease that affects the world's population, especially children, compromising their quality of life. Caries is considered a chronic, infectious disease whose etiology is complex and multifactorial. Despite studies demonstrating a reduction in the prevalence of dental caries in the world, this is still considered a public health problem. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between the severity of caries in childhood and risk factors for the development of the disease. This research is a descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional, quantitative study with children up to nine years old in a Family Health Unit, Palmas / Tocantins. Data collection resulted in a sample of 47 children. Three data collection instruments were adopted: a form containing socioeconomic data, behavioral habits and access to oral health services, an open interview with the parents/guardians of children classified as high risk, and a form for classifying the children's risk. The research findings showed that low maternal education, family income below the minimum wage, older children, previous history of caries and high consumption of foods and drinks high in sugar were the risk factors with the greatest influence on the development of caries in children. It is concluded that strategies aimed at preventive and curative interventions more targeted at these factors can lead to a reduction in the incidence of childhood caries and show the need for constant, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, which can trace local profiles of children's oral health and ensure more effective actions.