First steps towards healthy smiles: preliminary analysis of oral health in socioeconomically vulnerable youth in the Federal District

Introduction: Oral health is an essential indicator of general well-being and plays a fundamental role in the physical, social, and psychological development of children and adolescents. In socioeconomically vulnerable populations, the challenges of maintaining oral health can be even more significant due to barriers to access and specific risk factors. Objectives: This study aims to analyze the oral health profile in a sample of vulnerable children and adolescents in the Federal District. Methodology: The study was based on a cross-sectional observational survey, with clinical data collection. Clinical examinations were carried out to assess oral mucosa lesions, dental caries in primary and permanent teeth, and fluorosis. Additionally, questionnaires were administered to obtain demographic and behavioral data. Results: Data from 267 children (mean age: 6.7 years) were analyzed, with 40.4% identified as male and 59.6% as female. In terms of ethnicity, 52.4% identified themselves as brown, 39.7% as white, 7.5% as black, and 0.4% as indigenous. The initial analysis revealed that 18.7% of the children had caries experience in their deciduous teeth and 18% in their permanent teeth, while untreated caries lesions were present in 15.7% of deciduous teeth and 16.9% of permanent teeth. Regression analysis indicated that age was a predictor of caries in permanent teeth (R²: 16.22%, p<0.001) but not in deciduous teeth (R²: 1.67%, p=0.083). Differences by ethnicity were also observed. Conclusion: These findings highlight the prevalence of oral health issues in the studied population and underscore the need for targeted and continuous interventions.