Dental caries and its association with sociodemographics, erosion, and diet in schoolchildren from southeast Brazil.
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.
Auad
Sheyla Marcia
SM
Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. smauadtc@gmail.com
Waterhouse
Paula Jane
PJ
Nunn
June Heather
JH
Moynihan
Paula Jane
PJ
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*
D019422:Dietary Sucrose