Introduction: To determine the oral health situation in the infants admitted to a pro¬motional-preventive program in the municipality of Melipilla during the year 2018.
Material and methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with 860 infants between two to five years of age enrolled in 17 educational establishments in the community, located in urban and rural settings. The incidence of cavities as related to the variables of sex, age and geographical area of the educational establishment (urban-rural) as an independent variables were measured in a community context (in the classroom). Study approved by the Scientific Committee of Ethics of the Finis Terrae University and the Western Metropolitan Health Service.
Results: The study covered 88.5% of the enrolled children of 3.76 ± 1.06 years with an average age of 3,76 ± 1,06. 53.5% were girls. 34.1% (IC:95% 30,74:37,48) had cavities, without differences by sex or geographical area, but by age. The older you get, the more damage you get from tooth decay. Each toddler had on average one primary tooth with cavities (decayed tooth: 1.14 ± 2.28). One third of the population most affected by cavities presented on average three primary teeth with damage.
Discussion: The results show a high damage by cavities whose onset is early; This highlights the need to improve the development of public oral health policies aimed at early childhood.
Keywords:
preschool, cavities, oral health, prevention
Author Biographies
Catalina Maldonado, Universidad Finis Terrae. Facultad de Odontología
Catalina Maldonado: Estudiante Odontología. Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Finis Terrae.
Carolina Pavkovic, Universidad Finis Terrae. Facultad de Odontología
Carolina Pavkovic: Estudiante Odontología. Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Finis Terrae.
Patricia Moya, Universidad Finis Terrae. Facultad de Odontología
Patricia Moya: Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Finis Terrae; Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad Mayor.
Maldonado, C., Pavkovic, C., Moya, P., & Caro, J. C. (2021). Oral health situation of Chilean children in a community context. Revista Chilena De Salud Pública, 25(1), p. 8– 14. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-5281.2021.65187
