[Polycaries in temporal dentition: a continuing problem].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the different factors related to the presence of multiple caries (polycaries) in children less than 6 years old.


METHODS
A study was carried out on 88 patients treated consecutively. The following factors were evaluated: age, sex, socioeconomic level, caries indices ("co" index), presence of protective factors, predisposition, dietary habits, and treatment performed.


RESULTS
Polycaries was not associated with the sex of the patient, but it was associated with unfavorable socioeconomic level (60%), the absence of preventative methods against the caries (100%), lack of oral hygiene (97.7%) and dietary errors (78%). The "co" index obtained was 9.54. Ninety percent of the patients had to be treated under general anesthesia.


CONCLUSIONS
Polycaries in the temporary teeth is an important pathology, avoidable with early preventative methods and hygiene and educating the parent about oral health.
Cahuana Cárdenas
A
A
Médico Adjunto Servicio de Odontopediatría y Ortodoncia, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Barcelona.
Capella Callaved
J
J
Cerdá Esteve
I
I
D001903:Bottle Feeding; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003818:Dentition, Mixed; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors