A federal sample of oral health status

Objectives: To evaluate oral health status of a population with middle or high education level. Materials and Methods: Oral health of attendants to a national cardiology meeting (representing the different provinces of the country) was evaluated. All enrolled subjects signed an informed consent form. The examination was performed by professionals of the Internal Medicine Department at the dental unit of the FOUBA. Dental examination included odontogram, periodontogarm and oral hygiene index, and was performed using a dental inspection set containing mirror, explorer, tweezers, periodontal probe (MARQUIS type). Clinical records were completed including information about systemic pathologies. The following were evaluated: years of schooling, risk factors for oral pathology, arterial hypertension (AHT), (treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors), smoking (SMK), diabetes (DM), dental visits, oral hygiene, DMFT, and information on oral health care. Statistical analysis: Nominal variables are expressed as percentages, continuous variables as mean and standard deviation; Chi2 was used for comparative analysis with an alpha error of 0.05. Results: A total 101 subjects were enrolled, age 35.97±14.79 years, 62.4% were women, ATH 13.9%, SMK 13.9%, DM 2%. Years of schooling 17.43±3.7; 57.4% had received information on oral health care at some time; the information was provided by the dentist in 48.5 % of cases. Oral hygiene index: excellent 33%, good 17.5%, fair 18.4%, bad 17.5%; 13.7% visited the dentist preventively; 34 % of participants had active caries; average T coefficient (DMFT) was 6.78, average M score was 1.99; F score was 3.74. Caries was more frequent in subjects with deficient hygiene p 0.04 and in those who did not visit the dentist preventively p 0.028; 2% had periodontal disease, 16% had localized and 6% had generalized gingivitis. Conclusion: Caries was the most frequently observed pathology. Despite subjects having a middle or higher education level, preventive dental behavior was low. Almost half the participants had never received instructions on oral health care from a dentist.