Prevalencia de caries en primeros molares permanentes en pacientes de 6 a 12 años de la clínica del niño y adolescente menor de la universidad finis terrae, desde el año 2018 a 2020

• Abarca Sullca, Angélica del Carmen

• Molares

Introduction: The first permanent molar (PMP) is considered the most important tooth for dentition, since it plays a key role in occlusion, maxillary growth and the physiology of the masticatory system. The consequences of its damage or loss have been widely reported in various studies, being harmful to the normal oral development of the infant. Objective: To know the prevalence of caries of the first permanent molars in patients from 6 to 12 years of age from the clinic for children and minor adolescents of the Finis Terrae University, from 2018 to 2020. Material and method: Cross-sectional design based on the data of clinical records of pediatric patients treated during the period 2018 to 2020 at the Faculty of Dentistry. A descriptive analysis of the variables studied: sex, age and caries prevalence was carried out using the COPD index recommended by the WHO for studies in communities. Results: The prevalence of caries in the PMP was 23.4%, a figure lower than that reported in other national studies. There were no statistically significant differences regarding the distribution by sex. An increase in the prevalence of caries was observed as age increased. The highest prevalence of caries in the PMP was 57.1% at 12 years. Conclusions: In Chile there are few studies with information regarding the situation of the First Permanent Molar and above all that are recent. This study is the first carried out at the School of Dentistry of the Finis Terrae University and is expected to be an incentive to continue conducting research regarding the health situation of the PMP using other methodologies that also involve treatment needs, thus approaching what as possible to the real situation of the country allowing the development and/or evaluation of public health measures in the dental field.

Tesis (Cirujano Dentista)--Universidad Finis Terrae, 2022