Prevalencia de caries dental según el índice CPO-D en la clínica odontológica III de la Carrera de Odontología de la Uleam, periodo 2023-2.

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to determine the prevalence of dental caries in patients attending the Dental Clinic III of the Dentistry School of the Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí (ULEAM) during the period 2023-2. Dental caries represents a significant challenge to public health in Ecuador, with a high incidence that affects the quality of life of the population. The main objective is to evaluate the prevalence of caries using the CPOD index (decayed, missing and filled teeth), a standard in dental epidemiology. In addition, it seeks to analyze the distribution of this index according to variables such as age, gender and nationality, to identify risk groups and associated factors. The proposed methodology involves a retrospective study with a non-experimental crosssectional-retrospective design, in which an extensive amount of data from 286 people was analyzed. Clear inclusion and exclusion criteria are established to ensure the validity of the results. The study is justified by its potential to inform prevention and treatment strategies, improve the quality of care in the clinic, and contribute to the training of dental students in preventive and community oral health aspects. The results are expected to provide a solid basis for implementing more effective oral health programs, tailored to the specific needs of the population served at ULEAM. Furthermore, this project has the potential to influence oral health policies at local and possibly regional levels, thus contributing to the improvement of oral health in Ecuador.