[The prevalence of caries and associated factors in children 2-5 years old from the Almanjáyar and Cartuja Health Centers of the capital Granada].
OBJECTIVE
To estimate caries prevalence and associated factors in children 2-5 years old in a deprived community.


METHODS
Transversal, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Paediatric services. Health centres of Almanjáyar and Cartuja in Granada (Spain).


METHODS
173 children attending to a pediatric revision.


METHODS
Children's odontological examination and revision of clinical records followed by structured interview with the mother or tutor. Target variables were caries, sociodemographic factors, nutritional habits, oral hygiene, medical antecedents, familiar experience of caries and use of dentistry services.


RESULTS
Total prevalence of caries was 37%, but 29% among the majority population and 58% in the gipsy group. Statistically significant associated factors with caries were: increasing age (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.2-3.2), father unemployment (OR = 3.1, 95% CI = 1.3-9.9), high consumption of sweets (OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.1-8.5), deficient oral hygiene (OR = 9.3, 95% CI = 3.4-24.7), mother's consultation for toothache or tooth extraction (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.1-7.9) and not attendance to dentistry services due to high costs or fear (OR = 4.3, 95% CI = 1.5-12.4).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of caries in the gipsy population is very high, and it is probably associated with factors previously reported but not yet controlled. There is a need to initiate therapeutic and preventive measures in this community, and to detect barriers and facilitate the use of public dentistry services.
Mora León
L
L
Escuela Andaluza de Salud Pública, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, Granada.
Martínez Olmos
J
J
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D006178:Romani People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*