Oral Health Status of Ngäbe-Buglé Children in Panama: A Cross Sectional Study
Abstract
Background: Poor oral health is often more prevalent in rural and resource-limited areas. Evaluating oral health status in these communities is the first step in ensuring adequate future health care for the population. The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of children aged 6–12 years living in the indigenous Ngäbe-Buglé communities. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two rural indigenous communities of Ngäbe-Buglé on San Cristobal Island in Bocas del Toro, Panama. All children between 6 and 12 years of age and attending local schools were invited to participate, and those whose parents provided oral consent were enrolled. Dental examinations were performed by one trained dentist. To describe oral health, plaque index, DMFT/dmft (decayed, missing, and filled for permanent and primary teeth) index, and developmental defects of enamel index were recorded. Orthodontic characteristics were also evaluated, assessing the prevalence of different molar classes and the prevalence of open bite, lateral crossbite, and scissor bite. Results: A total of 106 children, representing 37.3% of the child population in the age range attending local schools, were included in this study. The mean plaque index of the entire population was 2.8 (SD 0.8). Caries lesions were more common in children living in San Cristobal (80.0%) compared to those living in Valle Escondido (78.3%), p = 0.827. The mean DMFT/dmft for the entire population was 3.3 (SD 2.9).…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 106 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Patient-Centered Pharmaceutical Design to Improve Acceptability of Medicines: Similarities and Differences in Paediatric and Geriatric Populations
- Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for irritable bowel syndrome 2020
- Phase 2b Study of Pimodivir (JNJ-63623872) as Monotherapy or in Combination With Oseltamivir for Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Seasonal Influenza A: TOPAZ Trial
- Gastrointestinal manifestations in COVID-19
- COVID-19 and Gastrointestinal Disease: Implications for the Gastroenterologist
- Persistent gut barrier damage and commensal bacterial influx following eradication of Giardia infection in mice
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.