Relation between DMFT index and limitation to feed in 12-year-old schoolchildren from Huayna-Capac parish, Cuenca-Ecuador, 2016.

Abstract

The high prevalence of dental caries worldwide has captured the attention and concern of the health systems of governments and international health organizations. The objective of this study was to relate the DMFT index and the limitation to feed in school children in Huayna Capac parish. It was a descriptive-retrospective study; information was obtained from the Epidemiological Map database by the Research Department of Universidad Católica de Cuenca. The entire population made up of 152 12-year-old schoolchildren from Huayna-Capac parish, 2016. The statistical analysis was performed with the Kendall Tau b Concordance Coefficient to measure the degree of relationship between DMFT Index and limitations to feed. An average DMFT index was found in schoolchildren, however, DMFT is no relationship with limitations in eating food. Tooth decay in this group is a potential oral health problem that requires attention from the public health system.