Oral Health Situational Analysis in Preschoolers at Zacatecas Kindergarden

Objective: To evaluate oral health and caries risk level in preschoolers at Zacatecas kindergarten.

Method: There were included al children with informed consent form signed by their parents. Oral examination by two calibrated dentists was performed to determine caries prevalence and dmft according to WHO guidelines, fluorosis prevalence and severity by Dean’s criteria, and Simplified Oral Hygiene Index was recorded. Caries activity tests included Snyder’s test, and quantification of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in stimulated saliva. Mothers were asked to complete a dietary habits questionnaire, for three days, to evaluate cariogenicity of the diet. Children were weighed and measured to assess nutritional status processed with WHO Anthro software. 

Result: 119 preschoolers (47% girls and 53% boys) were incorporated. Caries prevalence was 60.5%, lower for females (24.3%) comparing to males (36.1%), and higher for 5 years old group. dmft average was 4.87 and SOHI was 1.59. Fluorosis prevalence was 4%, in very mild and mild codes. Caries activity was high and very high (58.7%) for mutans streptococci and 48.42% for lactobacilli salivary concentration, and 95.92% showed a marked caries activity according to Snyder test. It was observed a low intake of vegetables, fruits and water; and an elevated consumption of high calorie foods, 93.3% drank sweetened beverages at least once a day. 5% was wasted, 0.23% overweighed and 1.43% obese (weight for height); 4.8% stunted and 0.97% overgrown (height for age); 2.6% emaciated and 1.42 obese (BMI for age).

Conclusion: Study population showed high caries risk and poor oral health. Preventive programs have to be designed pointing to all risk factors detected