Spatial Pattern of Dental Caries in 12-year-old Schoolchildren

Backgroud: Technological advances have enabled the incorporation information to the spatial structure when analyzing socioeconomic, cultural and environmental contexts by enabling the determination of the spatial distribution pattern of health problems. Objectives: Aims were to analyze the spatial distribution of dental caries based on the residences of affected individuals and determine associations with demographic factors in 12-year-old schoolchildren in Diamantina/Brazil. Methods: The addresses were georeferenced using program Google Earth. Dental caries was evaluated by the average index of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMF-T). Random trends and the density of points were analyzed using maps created based on Kernel interpolation. The residences were distributed in clusters in the urban space with a 99% confidence level. Results: Sample composed of 584 students, 45.7% had caries and significantly associated with demographics factors. In the maps, it was observed that students with DMF-T=1 reside in the southwest region, DMF-T=2 and DMF-T=3 northeast and DMF-T> 4 west. The residence clusters in schoolchildren converged particularly in two peripheral neighborhoods located in the northeastern and southeastern regions. Disparity was found in the distribution of dental caries among the different regions of the city, which reveals the importance of social and economic components in the victim profile. Mapping was fundamental to the visualization of more affected areas, in which peculiar factors may expose adolescents to greater risk. These findings can assist in the planning of prevention actions and public policies. Conclusions: Provide an efficient approach and improve the health impact of the population. Keywords: geoprocessing, traumatic dental injury, spatial distribution caries, oral health