Oral diagnosis in preschool children living in a marginal urban area

Abstract

Introduction. Dental caries is a public health problem, in 2016 it affected 3500 million people. In children under six years of age, the progression of the lesion is faster, exposing them to early childhood caries and premature dental loss. Objective. To determine the health/disease status of the oral component of nursery school children from a school with social and economic vulnerability in the municipality of San Salvador, in 2018, according to the index and prevalence of dental caries disease. Methodology. The study is descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional, prospective. The units of analysis are children between four and five years of age, respecting all ethical aspects and confidentiality. The total of the universe made up of 96 children was taken. Results. The frequency of dental caries in the study population is 95 %, the decayed, missing and filled caries index is 6,38, which according to the World Health Organization is very high. The most affected tooth surface is occlusal, in the upper quadrants with approximately 40 % and in the lower quadrants with approximately 20 %. Conclusion. The majority of the population under study suffers from dental caries, being a minority that maintains the oral cavity in an optimal state.