Dental caries and risk factors in adolescents of Ecatepec in the State of Mexico.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the prevalence of dental caries and to evaluate the risk cariogenic factors in adolescents of the State of Mexico.


METHODS
An observational, descriptive and transversal study was conducted. The sample consisted of 109 teenagers, with ages ranging from 14 to 16 years old, 50 male and 59 female. Their teeth were evaluated using the DMFS index (decayed, lost and filled on the surface); the study was conducted by a WHO criteria standardized dentist researcher, with an intraexaminator Kappa value of 0.96. A survey was also conducted to establish the risk factors related to dental caries.


RESULTS
The DMFS results found were of 4.05 +/- 3.47. In males the DMFS was of 3.50 +/- 3.56 with the following distribution: DS 3.22 +/- 3.54, MS 0.10 +/- 0.58 y FS 0.18 +/- 0.72, while with females the DMFS was of 4.51 +/- 3.35, DS 3.86 +/- 3.21, MS 0.15 +/- 0.61 and FS 0.51 +/- 1.19. Dental caries is related to the following variables: gender, frequency of toothbrushing, attendance to the dentist and intake of sugared products.


CONCLUSIONS
It is recommended to continue with the health promotion programs, as well as with the use of fluoridated products, emphasizing tooth brushing and a decrease in the intake of sugared products.
Departamento de Atención a la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, México. nmolina@correo.xoc.uam.mx
Nelly
N
Molina-Frechero
Enrique
E
Castañeda-Castaneira
María José
MJ
Marques-Dos-Santos
Alejandra
A
Soria-Hernández
Ronell
R
Bologna-Molina
D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors