Functional dentition in a clinical sample of Mexican adults

Introduction: Oral diseases, such as dental caries, periodontal diseases and their consequences, represent a global public health problem due to their high prevalence. Functional dentition, defined as having at least 21 natural teeth present in the mouth, is a key indicator of oral health and overall well-being. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of functional dentition (FD) and analyze its association with sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral variables in Mexican adults treated at clinics of a public university. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 277 consecutive patients. Clinical examinations were performed by dental students under faculty supervision. FD was defined as ≥21 natural teeth and served as the dependent variable. Through clinical examination and questionnaires, data were collected on age, education level, systemic diseases (diabetes, hypertension) and smoking habits. Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests using Stata 14. Results: The mean age was 47.6±15.5 years, and 65.7% were women. The prevalence of FD was 87%. Patients without FD were significantly older (61.2±11.5 vs. 45.6±15.0 years; p<0.0001) and had lower education levels (6.8±4.4 vs. 9.3±4.4 years; p=0.0027). No significant differences were found by sex, systemic diseases or smoking habits (p>0.05). Conclusions: FD was significantly associated with younger age and higher education levels, but not with comorbidities or smoking habits. These findings highlight the need for interventions targeting older adults and populations with low formal education to preserve functional oral health.

• Egile nagusia: Bernal-Sánchez, Karla Karen (author)
• Beste egile batzuk: Lara-Carrillo, Edith (author), Velázquez-Enriquez, Ulises (author), Morales-Valenzuela, Adriana Alejandra (author), Salmerón-Valdés, Elias Nahum (author), Veras-Hernández, Miriam Alejandra (author), Mendoza-Rodríguez, Martha (author), Navarrete-Hernández, José de Jesús (author), Islas-Zarazua, Rosalina (author), Medina Solis, Carlo Eduardo (author)
• Formatua: article
• Hizkuntza: spa
• Argitaratua: 2025
• Gaiak: salud bucal; dentición funcional; pérdida de dientes; desigualdades en salud bucal; adultos; México; oral health; functional dentition; tooth loss; oral health inequalities; adults; Mexico
• Sarrera elektronikoa: https://revistadigital.uce.edu.ec/index.php/odontologia/article/view/8268