Oral Health of Indigenous People Xukuru Do Ororubá At Age 10 to 14 Years, Pernambuco - Brazil

Introduction: This study aims to fill the gap of lack of information on oral health condition of the Xukuru Ororubá, which is the largest ethnic Indian population in the state of Pernambuco - Brazil. Objective: To analyse the oral health condition of the indigenous people Xukuru Ororubá aged 10 to 14 years, Pernambuco - Brazil. Method: This is a cross-sectional study in which oral examinations were performed in 226 children. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee in Research of CPqAM / FIOCRUZ Nº 34/2011 and CONEP Nº 592/09. The data were structured in Epi-Info version 3.4, by using the SPSS 16.0^® for analysis of the database. The dependent variable was determined by the absence of dental caries DMFT=0. As independent variables were used age, sex, locality, dental pain, discomfort when brushing, shame of smile or talk and performing dental appointment. Were applied univariate and multiple logistic regression models. The measure of effect estimated was odds ratios and their confidence intervals. Results: We obtained the mean DMFT value of 2.4. There was no association of age, locality, discomfort when brushing, shame of smile or talk and performing dental visit with the absence of dental caries. Female sex was associated with absence of caries, increasing twice the chance of not having caries than males (CI = 1.11 to 3.84 and p<0,05). The absence of toothache was associated with absence of caries, increasing 4.9 times the chance of not having caries compared to those who had toothache (CI = 2.19 to 11.02 and p<0.05). Conclusion: Dental caries prevalence were slightly above average non-indigenous population of Brazil at the same age and being female and not having a toothache increases the chances of not having caries. It is critical to use this oral health standard identified as reference for planning health actions.