Oral health indicators of Las Guaitecas Municipality and Huichas Islands, Aysen Region, Chile

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate oral health indicators in the Municipality of Las Guaitecas and Huichas Islands, an area where oral health information is lacking.

Materials and Method: A total of 104 dental files were considered; 63from Guaitecas and 41 from Huichas Islands. Fourty-three were from the 6-year-program, 35 from the 12-year- dental program, and 28 from the regnant women’s program. DMFT and dmft (Decayed, Missing, Filled indices in teeth) were recorded as appropriate, calculating the Significance of Caries Index, Percent Caries Free, Caries Prevalence, Caries History and Care Index.

Results: DMFT and dmft indices, significance index, historical and actual prevalence of caries are high in both communities, while the care index is low.

Conclusions: We conclude that all indices are poor compared to those observed at regional, national and international levels. The care index shows a low estimated efficiency of the dental health system Both communities are far from achieving international standards of oral health. The percentage of the population without access to integral dental treatment is high in both islands.