THE ORAL HEALTH IN BRAZILIAN INDIGENOUS: THE PRESENCE OF PERMANENT TEETH IN ELDERLIES AND ADULTS BELONGING TO AN INDIGENOUS POPULATION IN THE NORTHEAST, BRAZIL

Moreira, Rafael

INTRODUCTION: The epidemiology of oral health among indigenous in Brazil is poorly known, which reflects a weak general framework of knowledge about the health of these vulnerable populations. However, most studies are concerned with studying diseases, instead of studying the health conditions. Thus, the objective was to assess the factors associated with the presence of natural permanent teeth among adults and elderly.

METHODS: This is a cross-secctional study aimed to analyze the factors associated with the presence of teeth in the Xukuru indigenous population. The study was conducted using a random sample (n=428) of adults (35 to 44 years) and the elderly (60 years and older) in Pesqueira, Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil, in 2010. Subjects completed a questionnaire and underwent dental examinations. The mean and odds ratios were calculated by zero-inflated negative binomial regression from which a hierarchical model was developed.

RESULTS: The average presence of permanent teeth teeth was 10.43 (± 9.79). The mean value for the adults was 17,91 teeth (CI 95%= 16.80-19.03) and for the elderly was 4.16 (CI 95% = 3.37-4.96). The associated factors associated with the presence of teeth were: being of adult age, being male, being dissatisfied with the teeth / mouth, having performed the last visit between 1 and 2 years ago and the visit to the dentist motivated by pain (all with p-value < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Knowledge about the presence of teeth and associated factors among these populations should serve as guidelines for the oral health of future generations, from one side to preserve the protective aspects, on the other to enhance attention and care for the unfavorable aspects to the maintenance of permanent teeth and oral health. It is necessary to develop and implement public policies in order to promote intervention strategies in oral health care and solving health problems.