Incidencia de la pobreza en la salud oral de la población infantil en Latinoamérica. Revisión sistemática

Abstract

Proper oral health is essential for the general well-being of the population, with a particular focus on the child population. In Latin America, public health faces significant challenges, particularly in providing services to vulnerable communities. Objective: To determine the incidence of poverty on the oral health of the child population in Latin America. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of the topic was conducted using the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) question, using various keywords in the Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and SciELO databases to gather relevant information. Second, an analysis of the bias of the studies was conducted using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines for systematic reviews. Finally, a synthesis of the results obtained from the data was presented in an analytical table. Results: The research revealed that poverty is a barrier to oral health, especially for children. Studies show that children living in poverty have higher rates of dental caries and oral health issues due to limited access to dental care and education. There is a need for better public policies to address oral health and reduce inequalities. Conclusion: Poverty is directly related to poor oral health in Latin American children. The poorest children have less access to dental services and care, resulting in more cavities and oral health problems, ultimately affecting their quality of life and development.

Keywords: social class, poverty, dental caries