Social determinants of health and the pufa index in children at the Costa Azul educational unit, Manta
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26871/killkana_salud.v9i3.1707Keywords:
Dental Caries, Oral Health, DMF Index, Social Determinants of Health, ChildrenAbstract
Introduction: Dental caries is the most prevalent oral disease in childhood, impacting oral health, general well-being, and quality of life. The PUFA/pufa index measures the clinical consequences of untreated caries. Objective: To determine the prevalence of untreated caries in children from a school in Manta. Methodology: An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of children from the Costa Azul Educational Unit in the canton of Manta. A structured survey was applied to collect information on sociodemographic variables, social determinants, and oral health habits. In addition, a clinical examination was performed to record the ceo and pufa indices. The data were processed using descriptive analysis of frequencies and percentages. Results: The prevalence of caries was 60.5%, with an average ceo index of 1.80. The pufa index presented an average value of 0.14, with 9% of children affected. Most children used toothbrushes (95.3%) and fluoride toothpaste (86%), but consumption of sugary foods was high. More than 70% of families reported financial difficulties, and almost half reported limited access to healthcare and food. Conclusions: Dental caries and its clinical complications continue to be a prevalent problem in the school population. It is necessary to implement school oral health programs that consider not only clinical care but also the social and economic conditions that affect children's oral health.
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