Frequency of dental stains in schoolchildren of San Juan de la Costa, Chile, 2012

Abstract

Introduction: tooth stains are exogenous pigment substances distributed as parallel lines or points at the gingival margin. They firmly adhere to the cervical enamel of the dental crown. Their worldwide prevalence is between 6 and 19 %. An association between their presence and low caries experience has been observed. Objective: to determine the frequency of tooth stains of 6 to 12 years old in the district of San Juan de la Costa, Chile. Methods: an observational study measuring the presence and extension of tooth stains was carried out between April and June of 2012 in the district of San Juan de la Costa, Chile. The research’s randomized sample used was a group of 267 from a universe of 1 243 students from 6 to 12 years in the district of San Juan de la Costa, Chile. Participants were tested in schools in the area using sterile instrumentation. Variables were age, gender, ancestry Mapuche Huilliche (AMH), presence of stains and decay through the DMFT index. The result was analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: the frequency of tooth stains among schoolchildren is 11.6 %. Conclusion: the frequency of tooth stains among schoolchildren is 11.6 %, which is similar to the values figuring in the literature available worldwide.

Keywords

• tinciones dentales
• niños
• escolares.