Prevalence of first permanent molar caries: an observational study in Ecuadorian pediatric population

Background: The present study investigates the prevalence of cavities in the first permanent molars in a sample of children aged 8 to 12 years in three provinces of Ecuador, focusing on the influence of geographical location (urban and rural areas) on cavity distribution. Methods: The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) was used for the clinical examination, allowing for the classification of carious lesions according to their severity. Additionally, the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index was employed to determine cavity distribution. The sample size was calculated with a 99% confidence level and a 2.5% margin of error, ensuring representativeness of the target population. Results: A high prevalence of caries in the First Permanent Molar (FPM) (60.5%) was found, with a greater incidence in older children and those residing in rural areas. Lower molars were the most affected, and significant associations were observed between caries presence and age, province and rural/urban environment. The DMFT index was 1.02 (1.02 ± 0.8), with a higher presence of treated teeth in 10- and 11-year-old children and more extractions in the Morona Santiago province. Caries prevalence increased with age and was higher in rural areas. Conclusions: The high prevalence of caries in the FPM highlights a significant challenge in the oral health of Ecuadorian children, emphasising the importance of preventive interventions and targeted treatments to address this issue. The study also underscores the utility of the ICDAS system for a detailed evaluation of caries, although caution is advised due to the lack of data on the effectiveness of implemented interventions.