Status of the First Permanent Molars in Students from the José Antonio Saco Elementary School

• Main Authors: Diosky Ferrer Vílchez, Ana Belkys Hernández Millán, Disney Tablada Peralta, Ana Ivis Betancourt García, Antonio Araujo Vílchez, Yenly Rodríguez Alonso
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Universidad de las Ciencias Médicas de Cienfuegos 2016-02-01
• Series: Revista Finlay
• Subjects: diente molar; caries dental; oclusión dental; estado de salud; niño; higiene bucal
• Online Access: http://revfinlay.sld.cu/index.php/finlay/article/view/372

<strong>Background:</strong> the first molars are among the first teeth affected by dental caries. Their premature loss leads to occlusion disorders. <strong><br />Objective:</strong> to determine the status of the first permanent molars in first-, fourth- and sixth- grade students from the Jose Antonio Saco elementary school in Cienfuegos. <br /><strong>Methods:</strong> a cross-sectional study was conducted in a universe of 227 students treated at the Raúl González Pediatric Dental Clinic of the health area number 1 in Cienfuegos from October 2014 to March 2015. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, application of Love’s index, oral health status, application of Clune's dent<br /><strong>Results:</strong> females (50.2 %) and the 5-9 age groups (60.4 %) predominated. Dental caries were most commonly found in the left mandibular first molar (37.5 %) and most fillings were placed on the right mandibular first molar (35.2 %). A history of dental caries was the risk factor with the highest impact on both sexes and age groups, with values between 35 and 61 %. <br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> the status of the first permanent molars can be generally classified as favorable, which was demonstrated through Clone’s index. A history of dental caries was a predisposing risk factor for the development of this condition; poor hygiene, presence of deep grooves and parental ignorance were also significant.