Prevalencia de gingivitis y factores asociados en niños chilenos de cuatro años

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence and distribution of gingivitis and its relation with socioeconomic, biological and local factors in Chilean children of 4 years-old.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was performed in pre-school children of 4 years old attended in Calbuco Hospital, Los Lagos Region, Chile. The sample consisted of 102 children of 4 years-old. An examiner, previously calibrated, realized clinical examination determining presence of visible plaque, dental decay and gingival bleeding.Results: The prevalence of gingivitis was 93.1%, being the sextants IV and IV the most affected, with a 90% and 92% of prevalence respectively. To performance the analysis of the correlation of gingivitis with other factors, a positive correlation was found with caries and plaque level, by sextant. There weren't significant correlations with genre, malocclusion, frequency of brushing and responsible of the brushing.Conclusion: The high prevalence founded, the sextants more affected and the little relation with data of the anamnesis of children, must be considered in the education that is given to the caregivers, particularly in the population of low socioeconomic level, who are more susceptible to oral diseases.