The scope of the paper was to evaluate dental caries severity as a function of some socio-economic and behavioural factors.
Materials and method: A transversal clinical study performed on 396 children with ages between 6 and 12 years, involving examination and interviewing of the subjects was developed. The DMFT/S and dmft/s indices were calculated and the habits related to hygiene, diet and some socio-economic factors were registered.
Results: Caries indices were statistically lower in children who brushed their teeth 2-3 times/day (DMFT/ S=1.5/2.6), in those using auxilliary hygiene means (DMFT/S=1.14/1.6) and also in those consuming predominantly meat (DMFT/S=0.88/1.19) and fruits/vegetables (DMFT/S=1.43/2.18). The indices were also lower in the children growing in families with a high socio-economic level (DMFT/S=1.47/2.08), whose mothers are employed (DMFT/S=1.41/2.14) and have universitary training(DMFT/S=1.35/1.67).
Conclusions: The indices of carious experience were influenced by certain socio-behavioural factors, which may provide explanations for the different types of carioactivity recorded
- Child
- Dental Caries
- socio-behavioural factors