Abstract

CROVETTO MARTINEZ, Rafael et al. Risk assessment for childhood caries in a hospital emergency department. Enferm. glob. [online]. 2016, vol.15, n.41, pp.1-9. ISSN 1695-6141.

Dental caries is a destruction of the mineralized tissues of the tooth and is the most prevalent chronic disease of children. Objective: Determine, by a nurse study, the prevalence of high risk of dental caries among children treated at a hospital emergency room. Methods: We applied an adaptation of the form CAT (caries-risk assessment tool) proposed by the American Society of Pediatric Dentistry, consisting of 14 items for children over 7 years and 13 items for children under that age. The test has been applied considering the resorption time of the deciduous teeth in relation to the child's age studied. Results: The form has been completed in 101 children. 72.7% of children under 7 years old and 89.1% of those aged 7 years have one or more high risk factors for childhood caries. We found differences in the results, depending on the origin or ethnicity of the children studied. Conclusions: We determined the prevalence of risk for childhood caries. The Spanish nurses can and should play an active role in promoting children's oral health, actively applying their knowledge.

Keywords : Children; Dental caries; Prevalence.

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