Background and Objective: Gingivitis is the most prevalent oral disease in children, being strongly associated to social gradients. Many studies have reported different results concerning the extent and intra-oral distribution of gingivitis in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic parameters and socio-related risk factors of gingivitis in the 10–14-year-old schoolchildren population and to analyze its intra-oral distribution.
Maerial and Mehods: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 243 schoolchildren,
social condition being assigned using a simple questionnaire. Classes of students were used as clusters in a single-stage cluster sampling method. An intra-oral exam was performed for all the children included in this study. Loe and Sillness scores, prevalence and the extent of gingivitis were calculated.
Results: The gingival scores showed a mild inflammation and the prevalence of gingivitis was 91%. Boys had a higher gingival (0.19 vs. 0.18; p < 0.05) and plaquescores (0.71 vs. 0.59; p < 0.01) than girls. Children who did not live in overcrowded households, whose parents had a better education and those who had direct access to school dental services displayed better gingival conditions (p < 0.05). Gingivitis was more severe on the upper teeth, with the maximum score being reached at the right upper lateral incisor.