Abstract

The high prevalence of caries in pregnant and study of risk factors are of importance in public health. The aim of this study is to identify factors that may be associated with higher caries prevalence in pregnant, beneficiaries of primary health centers in the district of Quillota and Calera. Methods: A cross-sectional study, 217 pregnant, who evaluated; sociodemographic factors and health factors through a self-administered questionnaire, caries experience with decayed index (DMFT); oral hygiene index, presence of streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli in saliva, saliva buffer capacity and frequency of food consumption. The study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Chile and has reported for participants consent. Results: of the 217 patients 55% had caries, with DMFT index of 8,60 95% CI [7.32: 8.89]. Risk factors that present significant for mean differences DMFT were age, condition multiparous, low buffering capacity of saliva, mothers without paid work and had lost teeth last year (p <0.05). Conclusions: This study shows a high prevalence of caries in the pregnant group, associated with socioeconomic factors (such as paid work mother) and biological factors such as buffering capacity of saliva