Objective:

To assess the prevalence of dental caries among youth law offenders assisted by the Socioeducation Center of Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil,and to investigate associated socioeconomic and behavioral factors.

Material and Methods:

A sample composed of 107 young males was evaluated by using pretested forms and clinical examinations.

The variables included:

demographic and socioeconomic factors, behavioral factors -oral hygiene habits and use of licit and illicit drugs, self-perception of oral health -need for dental treatment and impact of oral conditions on quality of life measured by the OHIP-14 index (Oral Health Impact Profile). Caries was assessed by the DMFT index as recommended by World Health Organization. The associations were analyzed using non-parametric tests.

Results:

The mean age of adolescents was 16.5 years, and the sample was characterized as low education and low income. Use of illicit drugs was diagnosed as suggestive of abuse or dependence for 70.1% of individuals. Prevalence of dental caries was 95.3% (mean DMFT of 9.5), and there was a high prevalence of untreated decayed teeth (78% of DMFT). DMFT and number of untreated decayed teeth were inversely associated with schooling. Increased number of filled teeth was identified in those with higher income levels. The presence of caries was also related with greater impact of oral conditions on quality of life.

Conclusion:

It was concluded that oral conditions among these adolescents are precarious, with high impact on quality of life. Social determinants were associated with oral health in this population