Dental caries injuries in schoolchildren seeking for care at a university dental clinic in Southern Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the presence, severity, and consequences of dental caries lesions (DCL) in schoolchildren treated at the pediatric dental clinic of a public university. Children aged 8-11 years were included. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) was used to evaluate  DCL. Patients were classified by severity as: caries-free (sound surfaces); initial stage: at least one surface with a white spot; moderate stage: at least one surface with a cavitated lesion limited to the enamel or with the appearance of dentin shadowing; and advanced stage: at least one surface with cavitation and dentin exposure. Patients with at least one surface with active DCL were classified as having caries activity. The PUFA index (pulp involvement, ulcer due to root fragments, fistula, and abscess) was collected. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, and the Fisher's Exact test was used to analyze the association between severity and caries activity. Of the 119 patients included, n=9 (7.6%) were caries-free, and a large proportion of patients had DCL in the most severe stage n (39.5%). Among those with DCL, 57 (47.9%) had at least one restored tooth, 8 (6.7%) had at least one tooth lost due to DCL, and n (65.4%) had active lesions. The prevalence of the PUFA index was 5.9%. It was also observed that active lesions were more concentrated in children with higher caries severity. The profile of patients seeking dental care at this institution is characterized by children with high caries index and advanced-stage lesions.