SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CLINICAL TOOTH LOSS IN CHILDREN FROM A RURAL SCHOOL IN THE ALTO SERTÃO REGION OF PARAÍBA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Resumo

Dental caries is a multifactorial chronic disease whose progression can compromise the quality of life of children. Socioeconomic conditions can influence oral health, as they affect access to dental care and preventive practices. This study aimed to evaluate the association between socioeconomic factors and tooth loss in children from a rural public school in Paraíba, Brazil. This is a cross-sectional, analytical study conducted with 59 children aged 6 to 12 years. Caregivers answered a questionnaire about socioeconomic conditions and oral hygiene, while the children answered about their oral health. A clinical examination was performed, and the dmft/DMFT index was used as criteria. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact test, and Firth's penalized logistic regression as exploratory analysis. Tooth loss was identified in 5 children. In the bivariate analysis, low income was associated with tooth loss. Low education level of the caregiver, vulnerable location, and never having been to the dentist did not show a statistically significant association. In the adjusted exploratory model, low income showed a higher chance of tooth loss, although with a wide confidence interval. It is concluded that tooth loss was low, but socioeconomic vulnerability may be related to poorer oral health conditions in children.