Brazilian adolescents’ oral health trends since 1986: an epidemiological observational study

Abstract

BackgroundOral health is part of general health, and in adolescence, it represents a good individual health indicator. Three country-based oral health epidemiological studies have been developed in Brazil (1986, 2003 and 2010). The objective of this study was to analyze oral disease trends among Brazilian adolescents and to compare these trends to the World Health Organization’s goals with a focus on public health policies implemented between 1986 and 2010.MethodsThis is an epidemiological observational study performed with secondary data from Brazilian Oral Health surveys (1986, 2003 and 2010). The DMFT (number of decayed, missing and filled teeth) index was used for the 12-year-old and 15- to 19-year-old groups, and periodontal disease (CPI) and the percentage of individuals who needed and/or had prostheses were evaluated in the 15- to 19-year-old group.ResultsBetween 1986 and 2010, DMFT decreased from 6.65 to 2.07 (68.9 % reduction) in the 12-year-old group and from 12.68 to 4.25 (66.5 % reduction) in the 15- to 19-year-old group. In all groups, the missing component had the strongest decrease. Adolescents had a reduction of 20.3 % in access to dental care. In 2003, in the 15- to 19-year-old group, 89.5 % of teenagers had at least one decayed tooth, while in 2010, the value was 76.1 %. In 2010, the percentage of adolescents without gingival problems varied among different regions of Brazil, with 30.8 % in the North and 56.8 % in the Southeast. Regarding DMFT, the difference between the North and Southeast Regions was 84 %.ConclusionsImprovement trends regarding adolescent oral health were observed, which seem to be supported by health education and promotion activities along with the reorganization of the Brazilian health system.

Periodontal condition of adolescents and associated factors

“…Oral health in adolescence represents a good individual health indicator and it is crucial to understand it at this age in order to subsidize health promotion actions [1]. However, oral health problems are highly prevalent in this population [2].…”

“…Several potential risk factors for periodontal disease have been reported in oral health epidemiological surveys, namely being male, of black origin, low socioeconomic status and low educational level, smoking, alcoholism, poor oral hygiene, biological factors, genetic factors, psychosocial conditions such as stress and depression and diabetes [2,3,[11][12][13][14][15][16]. Measures like oral hygiene education, patient empowerment for self-care, dental care and intersectoral and interdisciplinary actions and the establishment of public policies are critical to the prevention and treatment of this disease [1,5,7,13,14].…”

“…p=0,047) utilizaram os serviços públicos/filantrópicos (OR=1,7; p=0,002), que fumavam (OR=1,6; p=0,003), que consumiam bebida alcoólica (OR=1,6; p=0,016) e que autoperceberam auto perceberam sua saúde bucal como péssima/ruim (OR=2,4; p=0,032) e regular (OR=1,5;p=0,023). Conclusão: Cerca de um terço dos adolescentes possui alterações periodontais, que foram associadas ao tipo de escola e ao tipo de serviço odontológico que frequentam, tabagismo, consumo de bebida alcoólica e autopercepção da saúde bucal.…”

Need of Dental Prosthesis in Older People and the Offer of Specialized Care in the Unified Health System, Brazil

“…The difficulties in expanding supply in the neediest places can be translated into a lack of change in the health situation and in the quality of life of the elderly, who do not have the time to wait for some change. Considering the trend of tooth loss reduction, [21] the timing of structuring a suitable care network in the dental prosthesis specialty to offer care to these individuals may remain without some effective solution. Priority should also be given to the most vulnerable areas, where basic care needs greater matrix support [17] and reduction in edentulism occurs more slowly [22].…”

Impact of oral health on the quality of life and personal satisfaction of adolescents from urban and rural areas from a city in brazil: a cross-sectional study.

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Although some studies showed a significant reduction of the disease, even among adolescents, 6,7 in Brazil, the last national survey showed that caries index continued to be high in this age group. 8,9 In addition, the rate of caries lesions progression was reported as higher at adolescents, when compared to young adults participants. 10 It is also worth noting that dental caries in advanced stages can have a negative impact on the quality of life, due to pain, discomfort and infection.…”