Impacto psicosocial y percepción de la estética dental en estudiantes de odontología que sufren fluorosis dental

Abstract

Introduction. Dental Fluorosis is an endemic Public Health problem, identified as spots that follow the incremental lines of the enamel more or less noticeable depending on the degree of toxicity caused. It is also considered an aesthetic problem and therefore affects the psychological sphere of the individual, generating problems of self-esteem and negative social impact. Objective. To assess the level of psychosocial impact and perception of dental aesthetics related to the self-perception of the presence of dental fluorosis in students from the second to the eighth semester of the Faculty of Dentistry of the Santo Tomás University of Buacaramanga, enrolled in the first period of 2020. Materials and Methods. Observational, analytical, cross-sectional study. Applied to students of the Faculty of Dentistry. The eligibility criteria and the type of sampling was non-probabilistic for convenience according to the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. In this research, three questionnaires were used, one of them evaluating the basic knowledge about Dental Fluorosis, which was necessary to determine the number of students who are aware that they present this pathology, subsequently the OHIP-aesthetic questionnaire and PIDAQ were applied; only to those who claimed to have it to assess the psychosocial impact and perception of dental aesthetics. The data obtained in the Excel program were recorded, double typing to minimize bias. The data was exported to the STATA 14 statistical package for analysis. From there the results, conclusions and recommendations of the study were derived. Results. A total of 364 students, with a high percentage of women 76.92%, of urban origin 75.27% and 85.16% in the age range between 18 and 22 years were surveyed to determine the self-perception of dental fluorosis which was 16.21% (59). Of the students who accept suffering from dental fluorosis, the negative psychological impact was reported by 10.17% and 32.2% according to the answers given to questions that evaluate the condition. Dental aesthetics concern was detected between 18.64% and 22.033% of the students. Nearly 50% of the population does not report a negative psychosocial impact or concern about dental aesthetics, compared to having Dental Fluorosis. Conclusion. It was evidenced that the presence of Dental Fluorosis negatively affects the students of the Faculty of Dentistry in a low but symbolic percentage, since they report that the inappropriate appearance of the color of their teeth influences in a non-favorable way in social aspects, and therefore on quality of life.