Marginalization and fluorosis its relationship with dental caries in rural children in Mexico: A cross-sectional study

• Published in: Community dental health
• Main Authors: García-Pérez, A, Perez Perez, N G, Flores-Rojas, A I, Barrera-Ortega, C C, González-Aragón Pineda, A E, Villanueva Gutiérrez, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.09.2020
• Subjects: dental caries; marginalization; rural children; dental fluorosis
• ISSN: 0265-539X
• DOI: 10.1922/CDH_00017Perez07

Examine the association between marginalization and fluorosis with caries experience in Mexican rural children aged 8-12, in Oaxaca, Mexico. Cross-sectional study of 283 rural schoolchildren selected from two locations with high and medium levels of marginalization where the water fluoride concentration ranged from 2.0 to 2.5 ppm/F. Caries was evaluated using the DMFT index and dental fluorosis with the Thylstrup-Fejerskov Index (TFI). Socioeconomic data were collected from participants' parents, with data on the children's characteristics collected from them via a questionnaire. The prevalence of caries was 72.4% (DMFT ≥1) in the permanent dentition. The prevalence of fluorosis was 98.0% (TFI ≥4=71.4%). 54.8% of the children brushed their teeth two or more times daily. In logistic regression children living in high levels of marginalization were more likely to present caries (OR=2.11, 95% CI 1.13 - 3.93) than children living in medium levels. Children with severe fluorosis (TFI ≥4) (OR=1.93, 95% CI 1.06 - 3.53) were more likely have caries than those with TFI ⟨3. Rural children with a high level of marginalization and fluorosis (TFI ≥4) were more likely to present caries. Poor oral hygiene and low dental service levels were found in both marginalized areas. Populations with medium/high marginalization are more susceptible to caries.