Caries Prevalence in Bolivian Rural Communities

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the conditions of oral health in Bolivian rural communities, regarding: age, gender, water intake, education level, oral hygiene, and geographical location of the community. Methods: Three different rural communities near La Paz were studied; all of them with the same socio-economical background. However, they have differences in terms of educational background and access to basic services (i.e. water). The variables used for this study were: age, gender, water source (water well or pipe line drinkable water), education level, oral hygiene, and location of the community. The caries prevalence was calculated and compared between the communities. Results: 1) Community 2 has higher caries prevalence than the others, (ANOVA p>0.05). 2) Caries prevalence is lower in females than in males (p>0.05). 3) Considering age, children aged from 1 to 12 have higher caries prevalence 7.3 than those aged 13 to 55 with 6.0, and aged 55 to 72 with 6.25 (ANOVA p>0.05). 4) As for education those who have high school education have lower caries prevalence 6.05. 5) In terms of oral hygiene 38% do not have a toothbrush (group 0) and 62% has one, from the later 32.4% (group 1) brush their teeth one time a day, 23.1% (Group 2) 2 times a day, and only 0.9% (Group 3) 3 times a day. The caries prevalence for each group are 0=6.9, 1=6.4 2=5.6, 3=5 (ANOVA p>0.05). 5) Considering water source 86.1% (group A) has water from pipeline, and 13.9% (group B) from water well, the caries prevalence is higher for group B with 8.27 than group A with 6.22 (p<0.05). Conclusion: As conclusion water source was found to be an intervening factor in caries prevalence and oral health, the rest of the variables were not.