Caries prevalence and socioeconomic factors in children with sickle cell anemia

• Published in: Brazilian oral research Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 43 - 49
• Main Authors: Luna, Ana Cláudia Alves E, Rodrigues, Maria José, Menezes, Valdenice Aparecida, Marques, Kátia Maria Gonçalves, Santos, Fabiano Almeida Dos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica - SBPqO 01.01.2012; Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica
• Subjects: Age Distribution; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Anemia, Sickle Cell - complications; Brazil - epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Caries; Dental Caries - epidemiology; Dentistry; DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE; DMF Index; Female; Humans; Male; Oral Health; Prevalence; Sex Distribution; Socioeconomic Factors; Brazil; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Oral Health; Dental Caries; Child; Socioeconomic Factors
• ISSN: 1806-8324; 1807-3107; 1807-3107; 1806-8324
• DOI: 10.1590/S1806-83242012000100008

The aim of the present study was to investigate caries prevalence and socioeconomic factors in children with sickle cell anemia. This study was conducted in 160 children with sickle cell anemia aged 3 to 12 years attending the Center for Hematology in Recife, Brazil. Data collection included interviews with guardians concerning social factors and oral examinations to determine the caries prevalence. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson's chi-square tests at a 5% significance level. The caries prevalence was 55.0%. The dmft index was 2.12, and the DMFT index was 1.50. Income significantly influenced dmft; the mean dmft was 4.57 in children whose family income was less than the Brazilian minimum wage (BMW), whereas in children with a family income three times the BMW or higher, the mean dmft was 2.27. No statistically positive association was found between the educational level of parents and guardians and the caries indices. A statistically significant association was found between dental caries prevalence and family income.