Prevalence of Noncarious Cervical Lesions and Gingival Recession in Subpopulations of Guinea-Bissau.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs) and gingival recession (GR) in Guinea-Bissau and investigate their correlation with oral hygiene practices.

METHODS

Six calibrated examiners conducted intraoral examinations on individuals aged 12 years and above. A questionnaire gathered sociodemographic and oral hygiene information. NCCLs were identified through visual inspection of buccal and lingual/palatal tooth surfaces, while GR was assessed exclusively on buccal surfaces. The study adhered to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for oral health surveys.

RESULTS

A total of 233 participants took part, with 132 (56.9%) females and 100 (43.1%) males, of whom 165 (70.8%) lived in the capital and 68 (29.2%) on the Bijagós Islands. Age groups included 12-18 years (86; 36.9%), 19-34 years (67; 28.7%), and >34 years (80; 34.3%). GR was prevalent in 94.4% of the population, and NCCLs were present in 29.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no statistically significant difference in prevalence between the capital and the islands. The study did not find a significant association between NCCLs, GR, and oral hygiene practices. Nonetheless, both conditions showed correlations with age, gender, and treatment requirements, suggesting that individuals with GR are more predisposed to NCCLs.