Oral Health of Schoolchildren in Ceuta. Influences of Age, Sex, Ethnic Background and Socioeconomic Level

Abstract

Methods: Prevalence survey of a multistage, stratified, random sample of schoolchildren 7, 12 and 14 years of age (n=347) in order to calculate DMFT and dmft indexes permanent and deciduous dentition, CPITN and malocclusion. Assessment of the statistical significance of the differences encountered according to age, sex, ethnic background and socioeconomic status using the Chi-Square, Student T and Snedecor F tests. To calculate, among schoolchildren ages 12 and 14, the odds ratios of showing a DMFT index over 4 and their 95% confidence intervals by gender, ethnic background and the socioeconomic status. Results: Dmft (decayed, filled and missing teeth) was 3.02 at 7 and DMFT was 3.91 at 12 and 4.46 at 14. Odds ratios of DMFT> 4 were 2.26 by gender (95% CI=1,27-4,05), 2.17 by ethnic group (95% CI= 1,18-3,99) and 1.8 by SES (95% CI=0,85-3,81). In schoolchildren of low SES unemployed fathers OR by ethnic group was 1,37 (95% CI=0,28-7,0). No statistically significant differences were found in the distribution of malocclusion and periodontal disease except by age. Conclusions: Dmft and DMFT values are in Ceuta higher than the mean national values and the proposed value of the WHO for the year 2000. Risk of DMFT higher than the median is 2.3 in girls compared with boys, 2.17 in Moslem compared with non Moslem and 1.8 in low SES schoolchildren unemployed fathers compared to other SES schoolchildren. The increased risk related to ethnic background is influenced by SES.