Prevalence and severity of dental caries in schoolchildren of Porto, Portugal.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the prevalence and severity of dental caries in adolescents of the city of Porto, Portugal, and to assess socioeconomic and behavioural covariates of dental caries experience.


METHODS
A sample of 700 thirteen-year-old schoolchildren was examined. Results from the dental examination were linked to anthropometric information and to data supplied by two structured questionnaires assessing nutritional factors, socio-demographic characteristics and behaviour related to health promotion. Dental caries was measured using the DMFT index, and two dichotomous outcomes, one assessing the prevalence of dental caries (DMFT > 0); the other assessing the prevalence of a high level of dental caries (DMFT > or = 4).


RESULTS
Consuming soft drinks derived from cola (irrespective of sugared or diet) two or more times per week, attending a public school, being female and having parents with low educational attainment were identified as risk factors both for having dental caries and for having a high level of dental caries.


CONCLUSIONS
Caries levels were positively associated with frequency of intake of sweetened foods and drinks.
Mello
T
T
Porto Medical School, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Antunes
J
J
Waldman
E
E
Ramos
E
E
Relvas
M
M
Barros
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D002182:Candy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004037:Diet, Cariogenic; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools / Q000458:organization & administration; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires