Severity of dental cavity experience in teenagers: a population-based study

Objective: To identify the factors associated with the severity of dental cavity experience among teenagers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 600 teenagers (10-16 years). The dependent variable – severity of the dental cavity - was classified in three categories: no dental cavity experience (DMFT = 0), low dental cavity experience (DMFT <4) and high dental cavity experience (DMFT = 4). The independent variables were grouped according to the theoretical model adapted from Andersen and Davidson (1997). The estimates were corrected by the effect of sample design and were conducted by Ordinary Logistic Regression. Results: It was observed that 48.7% had no dental cavityexperience, 34.2% had low dental cavityexperience and 17.9% had high dental cavityexperience. In the final model, the chances of having higher dental cavity severity were higher among older teenagers (OR = 2.08), who self-perceived the need of dental treatment (OR = 1.60) and who reported toothache in the last six months (OR = 2.83). On the other hand, it was lower among teenagers who had altered levels of total cholesterol (OR = 0.67). Conclusion: The severity of dental cavity was associated with sociodemographic, subjective conditions of oral health and objective of general health.