Abstract

ROTEMBERG, Enrique et al. Evaluation of the periodontal status in an Afro-Uruguayan population living in Montevideo: a cross-sectional study. Odontoestomatología [online]. 2017, vol.19, n.30, pp.67-77. ISSN 0797-0374.  https://doi.org/10.22592/ode2017n30a8.

Abstract: The diversity approach in health focuses on recognizing and paying special attention to the different interests, demands, needs and health-disease processes specif to certain people. Ethnic-racial considerations in these cases become fundamental.In Uruguay, census data show that 8.1% of the population (approximately 255,000 people) consider themselves Afrodescendants, which makes them the main ethnic-racial minority of the country. To date, there are no surveys on the periodontal condition of Afrodescendant population in our country. Objective: to evaluate the oral and periodontal status of patients through health-disease process indicators. Materials and methods: descriptive, cross-sectional study of the Afro-Uruguayan population. Inclusion criteria: age range from 15 to 35, living in Montevideo. Exclusion criteria: pregnancy, having received periodontal treatment or treatment with antibiotics in the last 6 months. The size of each population sample with or without African origin was of 40 individuals each, half men, half women. The Rediente Clinical History was used, the periodontal parameters were recorded using a periodontal probe calibrated by millimeter, and six sites per tooth were examined in a full mouth. Results: the group of Afrodescendants have one less tooth, on average, than non-Afrodescendants, especially the first mandibular molars. They also show higher prevalence, depth and severity of attachment loss compared to the control group. No statistically significant differences were found in probing depth between the two groups. Conclusions: Afrodescendants became part of the popular sectors of society, which makes them more vulnerable. In the age range considered (15-35), Afrodescendants have higher prevalence, extension and severity of clinical attachment loss than non-Afrodescendants. No statistically significant differences were found in the considered age range regarding probing depth in the populations examined.

Keywords : Afrodescendants; adolescents and young adults; periodontal disease.

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