Prevalence and determinants of oral conditions and hygiene habits in children from traditional communities in northeastern Brazil: a cross-sectional study

Cecília Bezerra de Meneses Corbal  Guerra; Victor Arthur Rodrigues de Souza; Thialla Andrade  Carvalho; Janiele de Sá Ferreira; Gina Delia Roque-Torres; Lucas Alves da Mota Santana; Flávia Pardo Salata Nahsan; Paulo Ricardo Martins-Filho

doi:10.1590/SciELOPreprints.14948

##article.authors##

Cecília Bezerra de Meneses Corbal Guerra Federal University of Sergipe https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9105-6697
- Conceptualization
- Methodology
- Investigation
- Formal Analysis
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation
- Writing – Review & Editing
Victor Arthur Rodrigues de Souza Federal University of Sergipe https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6782-9831
- Investigation
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation
- Writing – Review & Editing
Thialla Andrade Carvalho Federal University of Sergipe https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3301-5060
- Formal Analysis
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation
- Writing – Review & Editing
Janiele de Sá FERREIRA Federal University of Sergipe https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1401-8611
- Formal Analysis
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation
- Writing – Review & Editing
Gina Delia Roque-Torres Loma Linda University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3848-4891
- Formal Analysis
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation
- Writing – Review & Editing
Lucas Alves da Mota Santana Federal University of Sergipe https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8261-1504
- Formal Analysis
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation
- Writing – Review & Editing
Flávia Pardo Salata Nahsan Federal University of Sergipe https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3547-8886
- Conceptualization
- Investigation
- Methodology
- Supervision
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation
- Writing – Review & Editing
Paulo Ricardo Martins-Filho Federal University of Sergipe https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8779-0727
- Conceptualization
- Methodology
- Supervision
- Investigation
- Formal Analysis
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation
- Writing – Review & Editing

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/SciELOPreprints.14948

Keywords:

dental caries, developmental defects of enamel, dental plaque, quilombola communities, rural population

Abstract

Abstract
Objective: To assess the prevalence of dental caries experience, developmental defects of enamel (DDE),
and visible plaque in children from two traditional communities in Brazil, and examine associated
sociodemographic, dietary, and clinical factors. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 40
children (≤18 years) from two traditional communities in Sergipe, Brazil. Oral examinations were performed
by calibrated examiners using World Health Organization (WHO) standard protocols. Sociodemographic,
dietary, and clinical data were obtained through structured interviews with caregivers. A composite outcome
was defined as the presence of dental caries experience, DDE, and/or visible plaque. Poisson regression with

robust variance was used to identify associated factors. Result: Overall, 65% of children presented dental
caries experience, DDE, and/or visible plaque. Significant predictors included clinical comorbidities
(adjusted Prevalence Ratio [aPR]: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.30–2.42), breastfeeding >12 months (aPR: 1.64; 95% CI:
1.10–2.44), <3 daily meals (aPR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.04–2.87), and cassava flour consumption (aPR: 1.83; 95%
CI: 1.04–3.25). Conclusion: Children from traditional communities showed a high burden of oral
conditions, reflecting social vulnerability and food insecurity. These findings highlight the need for early,
culturally appropriate preventive strategies focused on oral hygiene and nutrition.