Oral Hygiene in Secondary School Students in Ometepec, Guerrero: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Poor oral hygiene leads to a greater accumulation of dental biofilm, which can cause the development of oral diseases and physical, emotional, and psychological imbalances in individuals. Oral health is a key indicator of personal health. Objective: To estimate the frequency of poor oral hygiene and associated factors in secondary school students in Ometepec, Guerrero. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study conducted from October to December 2023 in students. Electronic devices were used to collect information through the ODK COLLECT application, on personal, sociodemographic data, whether they speak an indigenous language, eating habits and a section of questions about oral health practices. A clinical observation form was used to estimate the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S). Data were analysed using CIETmap software. Univariate analysis was performed to obtain simple frequencies; bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test to identify factors associated with OHI-S. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated. Results: A total of 774 students participated, 52% (400/774) were women, the rest were men. The 48% (373/774) had a poor OHI-S ≥1.3. The factors associated with poor OHI-S were: belonging to the first grade of school (aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.43-2.98), low socioeconomic level (aOR 1.96, 95% CI 1.43-2.68), frequent consumption of foods with high caloric value (aOR 1.87, 95% CI 1.22-2.86), not having received oral hygiene talks (aOR 1.69 95% CI 1.16-2.45), being male (aOR 1.52 95% CI 1.10-2.10), and having dental crowding (aOR 1.43, 95% CI 1.06-1.95). Conclusion: Five out of ten students presented a poor level of oral hygiene OHI-S ≥1.3. Oral health promotion actions are required to reduce biofilm and dental calculus levels, in order to improve the OHI-S in students.