Estilo de vida e saúde oral de adolescentes brasileiros residentes em assentamentos rurais Life style and oral health of Brazilian adolescents from rural settlements Estilo de vida y salud oral de adolescentes brasileños residentes en asentamientos rurales

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the behavior, habits and oral health status of Brazilian adolescents from rural settlements in view of the inequitable access to dental services. METHODS: In this epidemiological, cross-sectional study, 179 adolescents were interviewed and examined using the Global School-based Student Health Survey instrument . Data were collected on caries rates, oral health, access to dental services, dietary and hygiene habits, Body Mass Index (BMI), focusing on the DMFT Index (decayed, missing and filled teeth) and the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). BMI, focusing on DMFT and CPI. RESULTS: 53.3% of the interviewees had consulted a dentist in the last year. There was an association between pain and high prevalence of caries (p=0.0011). The consumption of high-calorie foods and tooth brushing performed once/day were associated with gingival bleeding (p = 0.0465; p = 0.0172, respectively), resulting in dissatisfaction with oral health (p = 0.0082). There was an association between caries and lack of tooth brushing (p = 0.0001), causing difficulty chewing (p = 0.0098) and embarrassment when smiling (p = .0098). CONCLUSION: Inequitable access to dental services resulted in high rates of caries and gingivitis. Obesity and low frequency of tooth brushing increased the risks of these diseases. Difficulty in access culminated in the worsening of dental conditions, impairing chewing and the social life of adolescents. There is a need for public health policies that prioritize this socially excluded population, as well as the improvement of health promotion strategies to help deal with oral problems.