Caries and premature loss of the first permanent molar in grade school children, and parents’ knowledge level, in Vargas state, Venezuela.

Abstract

espanolLos primeros molares permanentes son los mas afectados debido a la edad de erupcion y a sus caracteristicas anatomicas. Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de caries y perdida prematura del primer molar permanente en un grupo escolares de 6 – 12 anos y el nivel de conocimiento en prevencion de los padres, Estado Vargas, Venezuela. Materiales y Metodos: estudio observacional con 182 ninos entre 6 y 12 anos a los que se les realizo una evaluacion clinica. Se interrogo a los padres sobre el nivel de conocimiento de la caries, metodos de prevencion y cronologia de erupcion del primer molar permanente. Se conto con el aval de Bioetica de la Facultad de Odontologia de la Universidad Santa Maria. Resultados: El 6,60% presento caries en la UD 16, el 6,08% en la UD26, el 24,85% en la UD 36 y el 15,62% en la UD 46. Respecto a la perdida prematura, el 0,55% habia perdido la UD 26, el 4,95% la UD 36 y el 4,40% la UD 46. Ninguno presento perdida de la UD 16. Se observo que el 90,11% de los padres tenia conocimiento sobre la caries dental y el 44,51% conocia los medios para prevenirlas. Sin embargo, solo el 12,09% conocia la edad de erupcion del primer molar y unicamente el 7,69% sabia que no tiene antecesor. Conclusiones: El mayor porcentaje de caries lo tuvo UD-36. Los molares inferiores fueron los mas extraidos. La mayoria de los padres demostro poseer escasos conocimientos sobre caries y primeros molares permanentes. EnglishThe first permanent molars are the most affected due to age of eruption and their anatomical characteristics. Objective: to determine the prevalence of caries and premature loss of the first permanent molar in a group of grade school children 6 - 12 years of age, and to determine the level of prevention knowledge of the parents, in Vargas state, Venezuela. Materials and Methods: observational study with 182 children between 6 and 12 years old who underwent a clinical evaluation. The parents were asked about their knowledge regarding caries, methods of prevention and chronology of eruption of the child’s first permanent molar. Study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Faculty of Dentistry at Universidad Santa Maria. Results: 6.60% of children presented caries in tooth 16, 6.08% in tooth 26, 24.85% in the tooth 36 and 15.62% in tooth 46. Regarding premature loss, 0.55% had lost tooth 26, 4.95% tooth 36 and 4.40% tooth 46. None presented loss of tooth 16. It was observed that 90.11% of parents had knowledge about dental caries and 44.51% knew how to prevent them. However, only 12.09% knew the age of eruption of the first molar and only 7.69% knew that it has no predecessor. Conclusions: The highest percentage of caries was in tooth 36. The lower molars were the most commonly extracted. The majority of parents demonstrated to have little knowledge about caries and permanent first molars.