Introduction:

The oral health of students from rural areas is a priority public health problem in Peru.

Objective:

To determine socioeconomic factors in relation to oral health in students from a rural Peruvian area.

Methods:

Descriptive cross-sectional observational study. The sample consisted of 604 students from a rural Peruvian area selected for convenience, meeting criteria of inclusion and exclusion, following ethical standards in scientific research. Socioeconomic factors were assessed using a structured questionnaire and the oral health using an epidemiological record with the indicators: DMFT index, Significant Caries Index (SiC), Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), Index of clinical consequences of untreated dental caries (PUFA). The evaluation was performed with natural light by calibrated observers. The data was analyzed in the program STATA 14 through frequency distribution tables and graphics. The relationship of each of the socioeconomic factors with the experience of dental caries was evaluated by the simple binary logistic regression tests.

Results:

The prevalence of dental caries was 85, 26 % (DMFT = 6, 60 SiC=7, 23). The most frequent oral hygiene condition was regular, the prevalence of untreated tooth decay was 61.75 % .

Conclusions:

The level of illiterate instruction, family responsibility and independent parental occupation showed a statistically significant association with their children's dental caries experience in a rural Peruvian area. (p < 0.001).

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