[Relationship between tobacco smoke and dental caries in school children at the Valencian Country].

BACKGROUND Recently, it has focused the role of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in the etiology of dental caries, so we plan to evaluate the association between environmental tobacco smoke inhalation and caries experience in 10-15-years-old children. METHODS A transversal descriptive study was designed. Carried out in the Primary Dentistry Unit. 9th Health Department. Valencian Country (Spain). 380 children random sample was selected (following the inclusion criteria). Each participant was clinically explored, then answered a self-administered opinion test about contact with tobacco smoke. MEASUREMENTS DMF-T and df-t indexes and their components, plaque and gingival indexes, contact with tobacco smoke frequency (at home or not), own opinion about tobacco effects and present or future tobacco consumption. RESULTS Children living with smokers at home showed a decayed teeth average of 1,9 ± 2,34, while those not living with smokers had 1,03 ± 1,46 ( p<0,001). df and DMF average indexes for children exposed and not exposed to tobacco smoke were 0,27 ± 0,78 (df)and 1,62 ± 2,21 (DMF) and 0,10 ± 0,47 (df) and 0,92 ± 1,40 (DMF) respectively (p=0,039 y p<0,001). CONCLUSIONS In our study conditions, coexistence with environmental tobacco smoke is associated with a higher caries prevalence in both deciduous and permanent dentitions in 10-15-years-old children.