Prevalence of caries and its impact on oral health-related quality of life among brazilian children

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17765/2176-9206.2026v19e13368

Keywords:

Dental caries, Oral health, Quality Of Life

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dental caries and its impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in 5-year-old Brazilian preschoolers. A total of 481 children were assessed using the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth Index (dmft/DMFT ). Socioeconomic status and OHRQoL were measured through questionnaires (B-ECOHIS). Statistical analysis included chi-square or Fisher’s Exact tests and multiple logistic regression (stepwise method). The prevalence of caries (dmft > 0) was 42.2%, with 37.2% of children having untreated caries in the primary dentition and 4.0% in the permanent dentition. The average B-ECOHIS score was 4.68. Children with caries had significantly higher B-ECOHIS scores (mean: 7.42; SD: 8.20) than those without caries (mean: 2.98; SD: 5.58). Regression analysis showed that low socioeconomic status, previous or current dental treatment, presence of cavitated lesions, and restored or missing teeth were significantly associated with a higher negative impact on OHRQoL.

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Author Biographies

Bonny Solange Salva Saldaña, Universidade Estadual Paulista

Graduação em Odontologia pela Universidad Científica del Perú - Iquitos, Peru (2010-2016). Durante a graduação participou de palestras e cursos em áreas diversas como Endodontia, Dentística e Cirurgia. Possui uma habilitação em Laserterapia - Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic de Campinas(2019). Especialista em Odontopediatria - Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic (2018-2020). Mestre em Odontopediatria pela FOAr-UNESP (2023) Possui uma Menção Honrosa pela apresentação do trabalho: Efetividade e Eficácia do Diamino Fluoreto de Prata em Dentes Decíduos -Universidade de Brasília (2021). Atualmente realiza Doutorado em Ciências Odontológicas pelo Programa de Ciências Odontológicas na área de Odontopediatria da FOAr-UNESP. Tem experiência na área de Odontologia, com ênfase em Odontopediatria, atuando principalmente nos seguintes temas: defeitos de desenvolvimento do esmalte, prevenção e promoção da saúde.

Fabiana Fini Adário, Universidade Estadual Paulista

Dentist, graduated from the Undergraduate Course in Dentistry at the Faculty of Dentistry of Araraquara/FOAr - UNESP. Currently works as a general practitioner, focused on the area of ​​endodontics.

Fabiano Jeremias, Universidade Estadual Paulista

Graduated from the School of Dentistry of Araraquara-UNESP (2007). Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry from FOAr-UNESP (2010). Master (2010) and Doctor (2013) in Dental Sciences, from the Dental Sciences Program in the area of ​​Pediatric Dentistry at FOAr-UNESP and Researcher Fellow at the University of Pittsburgh, USA (2012). Post-Doctorate (2016) in Dental Sciences from FOAr-UNESP. Substitute Professor in the Department of Children's Clinic, Discipline of Pediatric Dentistry at FOAr-UNESP (10/2013-07/2017). Assistant Professor at the Center of Health Sciences of the University of Sagrado Coração-Bauru (08/2017-12/2018). Permanent Professor in the Postgraduate Program in Dentistry at USC Bauru (08/2017-12/2019). Qualification in Laser Therapy from Faculdade Innovare (2022). Specialization in Hospital Dentistry from FUNFARME São José do Rio Preto - in progress. He is currently Assistant Professor at the University Center of the Barretos Educational Foundation (UNIFEB) and Collaborating Professor in the Dental Sciences Program at FOAr-UNESP. He has experience in Dentistry, with an emphasis on Pediatric Dentistry, Public Health, Special Patients and Hospital Dentistry, working mainly on the following topics: epidemiology, quality of life, genetic polymorphisms, laser therapy, dental materials.

Aylton Valsecki Junior, Universidade Estadual Paulista

Aylton Valsecki Júnior completed his PhD in Dentistry (Pediatric Dentistry) [Araraquara] from the Júlio de Mesquita Filho São Paulo State University in 1990. He is currently an Associate Professor (Full Professor) at the Júlio de Mesquita Filho São Paulo State University and has experience as an advisor/counselor at the Regional Health Directorate III Northeast of São Paulo, the Araraquara Regional Health Personnel Training Center, and advisor/preceptor at the Multiprofessional Residency in Family Health at the Botucatu Medical School - UNESP. He has published 34 articles in specialized journals and 123 papers in event proceedings. He has 1 technological product, 1 software, and 6 other technical production items. He has participated in 126 scientific events. He has supervised 127 students, including master's dissertations, doctoral theses, and scientific initiation in the areas of Dentistry, Psychology, Education, and Nutrition. She has received 18 awards and/or honors. She coordinates/collaborates in 3 extension projects associated with UNESP, of which she coordinates 1 and has coordinated 4 projects associated with the Ministry of Health and 1 with the State Health Department of the State of São Paulo. She works in the area of ​​Dentistry, with an emphasis on Preventive Dentistry and Public Health. In her professional activities, she has interacted with 73 collaborators in co-authorship of scientific papers. In her Lattes CV, the most frequent terms in the contextualization of scientific, technological and artistic-cultural production are: Prevention, Public health, Fluoride, Pregnant woman, Dental caries, Breastfeeding woman, Preventive methods, Health education, Health knowledge and University education (focus on teaching-learning processes and development of skills).

Silvio Rocha Corrêa da Silva, Universidade Estadual Paulista

He holds a degree in Dentistry from the University of São Paulo (1986), a master's degree in Public Health from the University of São Paulo (1994) and a PhD in Public Health from the University of São Paulo (1999). He is currently a collaborator at the University of São Paulo, a full professor at the University of Ribeirão Preto and an assistant professor at the Júlio de Mesquita Filho São Paulo State University. He has experience in the area of ​​Public Health, with an emphasis on Public Health, working mainly on the following topics: oral health, dental caries, geriatric dentistry, epidemiology and oral health conditions.

Elaine Pereira da Silva Tagliaferro , Universidade Estadual Paulista

Graduated in Dentistry from the School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto - USP (1995), Master's degree in PPG-Dentistry, area of ​​Cariology from the School of Dentistry of Piracicaba - UNICAMP (2004), PhD in the Postgraduate Program in Dentistry from the School of Dentistry of Piracicaba - UNICAMP (2008) and post-doctorate with the Department of Social Dentistry of FOP/UNICAMP (2012). Currently works as an associate professor at the Department of Social Dentistry of the School of Dentistry of Araraquara, FOAr/UNESP. Has experience in the area of ​​Dentistry in Public Health, with emphasis on Epidemiology; Cariology; Research Based on Dental Practice.

Fernanda Lopez Rosell, Universidade Estadual Paulista

Bachelor's Degree in Dentistry - FOAr- São Paulo State University Julio de Mesquita Filho (1994), Master's Degree in Dentistry/Periodontology Area - FOAr - São Paulo State University Julio de Mesquita Filho (1998) Specialist in Public Health - FCFAr- São Paulo State University Julio de Mesquita Filho (1997), Doctorate in Dentistry/Periodontology Area - FOAr- São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho (2001). Specialist in Family Health - School of Medicine - Federal University of São Carlos (2007). Tutor of the Dentistry Area in the Multiprofessional Residency Program in Family and Community Health at UFSCar (2011/2012). Tutor of PET-Saúde "Primary Care of the MS FCFAr/FOAr Project (2012-2014). Full Member of the Institute of Pedagogical Studies and Practices (IEP3)/UNESP (2018-2020) of FOAr. Tutor of PET-Health Interprofessionality (2019-2021). Coordinating Tutor of PET-Health Management and Interprofessional Assistance (2022-2023). Tutored PET-Health Equity (2024-present). Vice-President of the Primary Care League of FOAr/UNESP. Professor of the Postgraduate Program in Public Health in Dentistry at FOA - UNESP. Works as Assistant Professor Doctor - Araraquara School of Dentistry - UNESP, in the area of ​​Social and Preventive Dentistry, Family Health, Collective Health, Public Health and Geriatric Dentistry.

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Published

2026-02-25

How to Cite

Saldaña, B. S. S., Adário, F. F., Jeremias, F., Junior, A. V., Silva, S. R. C. da, Tagliaferro , E. P. da S., & Rosell, F. L. (2026). Prevalence of caries and its impact on oral health-related quality of life among brazilian children . Saúde E Pesquisa, 19, e13368. https://doi.org/10.17765/2176-9206.2026v19e13368

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Vol. 19 (2026)

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