title: Dental caries and its association with sociodemographics, erosion, and diet in schoolchildren from southeast Brazil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence of caries in a sample of Brazilian schoolchildren, test associotions between caries, sociodemographics, and erosion, and investigate potential dietary factors common to both conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Brazilian schoolchildren (13-14 years old) completed a questionnaire to provide dietary information and underwent dental examination. Sociodemographic characteristics were collected using a questionnaire completed by parents/guardians. Caries was assessed using decayed, missing, filled teeth/ surfaces (DMFT/DMFS) indices. Erosion was assessed using a previously validated index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 458 schoolchildren, 78% had caries experience. A statistically significantly lower prevalence of caries was observed in children from a higher economic class and whose parents had higher educational levels. Thirty-five percent of children with caries also had erosion, while 32% with a DMFT of 0 had erosion (P = .72). The frequency of consumption of drinks and foods was not statistically significantly associated with caries. The intake of sugared carbonated drinks was statistically significantly associated with erosion (P = .01). The mothers' educational level was the only variable independently associated with caries experience (P = .04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dental caries was associated with sociodemographics, but not with erosion. There were no dietary factors identified in common for caries and erosion.
authors: Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. smauadtc@gmail.com
authors: Sheyla Marcia
authors: SM
authors: Auad
authors: Paula Jane
authors: PJ
authors: Waterhouse
authors: June Heather
authors: JH
authors: Nunn
authors: Paula Jane
authors: PJ
authors: Moynihan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004522:Educational Status; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D019422:Dietary Sucrose