Oral Health Behavior in a Cuban Dental Clinic

Abstract

Background: Oral health is a basic human right that, due to the high incidence and prevalence of oral diseases, represents a priority health problem. Oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontal disease and malocclusion are in high demand in dental services around the world. Aim: to describe the oral health behavior of an adult population attended in the last semester of 2022 at the Ciudad Libertad dental clinic, Havana province, Cuba. Material and Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out on oral health behavior in an adult population who came requesting dental care during the last semester of 2022 at the Ciudad Libertad dental clinic, Havana province, Cuba. A random sample of 100 adult patients over 20 years of age was taken. The variables used were: age, which was represented by age groups; sex, male and female; reason for consultation, review, prophylaxis, filling, pain, extraction and prosthesis; risk factors, poor oral hygiene, cariogenic diet, onychophagia, tongue dysfunction, consumption of hot food, mouth breathing and smoking; clinical diagnosis, dental caries, periodontal disease, masticatory dysfunction, pulp and periapical diseases, malocclusion. Conclusion: The female sex was the most represented, as well as the group from 20 to 34 years of age. The dental filling prevailed as the first reason for consultation. As risk factors, poor oral hygiene and cariogenic diet were the most present. Periodontal disease was the most diagnosed, affecting more than half of the population.