Primer molar permanente: Historia de caries en un grupo de niños entre los 5 y 11 años frente a los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de sus madres

Abstract

Objective: To describe the caries history of the first permanent molar in children from 5 to 11 years old, patients at the Cali C.O.C for describing knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of their mothers. Introduction: Caries is a multifactorial origins' disease, beginning after the dental eruption and causing tooth's softening of hard tissues. The first permanent molar appears in the mouth from 5 to 7years old with no predecessor and it is one of the most affected teeth by this disease. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross section study was made. A total of 50 children from 5 to 11 years old and their mothers were selected. The COP Index was used to identify the caries' history of the first permanent molar. For data collection a semi-structured questionnaire of 21 items was used. Results: Among mothers 34% answered that the fist permanent molar erupts between the ages of six and seven years; 54% referred that the primary teeth have no importance because they will fall; 100% of the mothers said that it is important to take their children to the dentist every six months; 34% change the toothbrush of their children when the bristles have lost the shape. Conclusions: Most of the mothers don't know the importance of the first permanent molar, and its eruption time. A good number of children had a high frequency of fist permanent molars filled, decayed or lost. Although mothers' attitudes about oral hygiene are favorable, their practices are not. © 2005 Corporación Editora Médica del Valle.