Enfermedad periodontal en relación con la limpieza interdental en los estudiantes de pregrado de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Cuenca

Background. The greater accumulation of bacterial interdental biofilm can condition a greater predisposition to develop periodontal disease. Objective. To analyze the relationship between interdental cleaning and periodontal disease in undergraduate students of the University of Cuenca School of Dentistry in the period 2018. Methodology. A descriptive, transversal analytical study was carried out. A total of 305 undergraduate students were analyzed in relation to their demographic and clinical-odontological characteristics, including the periodontal status. The association between periodontal disease and clinical-demographic variables was evaluated using the chi square test, also calculating the ORs. Results. There was a statistically significant association between gingivitis and the percentage of interdental bacterial biofilm (p = <0.001, OR: 5.17, 95% CI 3.15-8.49). As well as the use of interdental cleaning with gingivitis (p = <0.009, OR: 2.35, 95% CI 1.40-3.94); dental floss is the most frequently used device (69.51%) and had a statistically significant association with gingivitis (p = 0.001, OR: 2.27, 95% CI 1.38-3.72). 59.67% of the students presented periodontal disease (41.96% gingivitis and 17.70% periodontitis). Conclusion. There is a moderate prevalence of periodontal disease in the study population associated with interdental hygiene deficiency.