[en] The presence of caries is an important problem of public health. The aim of the present study was to assess dental health, both objective and perceived, in the population attending the Sisinio de Castro Health Care Centre in the province of Salamanca (CW Spain), and its relationship with healthy life styles and its effects on the quality of life of the patients.A transversal descriptive study was made in a sample of 518 patients (261 children and 257 adults). The information sources were as follows: i) A questionnaire requesting information about the life styles of the patients and the effects of dental health on the quality of life; ii) An objective physical exploration aimed at detecting the presence of caries.In the adults, we observed a DMFT index of 11.98 and a restoration index of 17%. The presence of caries was higher in men who had smoked at some time in their lives and in those who consumed alcohol. In the women, it was higher in those living a sedentary life, who did not consume fish or who consumed cereals and cool drinks daily. In general, the patients with dental pathology considered their health status to be good, although their desire to smile was reduced and they were unsatisfied with their aesthetics.In the young population, the overall DMFT index was 1.55 and the df index was 0.52, at 5.6 years, and 2.32 at 12 years. Dental pathology was related to the level of education, the consumption milk, fish, and fresh greens, the consumption of pastries, and involvement in fluorination programs.Conclusion: Caries continues to be an important problem related to determinant risk factors in general health that has repercussions in the quality of life of individuals. Surveillance systems should be set up to monitor these factors, allowing the planning of prevention and control programs.

[es] La caries es un importante problema de salud p?blica. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el estado de salud oral, objetiva y percibida, de la poblaci?n atendida en el Centro de Salud Sisinio de Castro de la provincia de Salamanca, as? como su relaci?n con los estilos de vida saludables y su influencia en la calidad de vida de los pacientes.Se realiz? un estudio descriptivo transversal en una muestra de 518 pacientes (261 ni?os y 257 adultos). Las fuentes de informaci?n fueron: 1) Cuestionario en el que se recog?a informaci?n sobre los estilos de vida y la influencia de la salud oral sobre la calidad de vida; 2) La exploraci?n f?sica objetiva para conocer la presencia de patolog?a.En adultos observamos un ?ndice CAOD de 11,98 y un ?ndice de restauraci?n del 17%. La caries fue mayor en varones que han fumado alguna vez y en consumidores de alcohol; en las mujeres fue mayor en las sedentarias, no consumen pescado ? consumen diariamente cereales y bebidas refrescantes. En general, los pacientes con patolog?a oral consideran buena su salud general, ven alterada el poder sonre?r, y est?n insatisfechos con su est?tica.En la poblaci?n infantil el ?ndice CAOD global fue de 1,55. y el ?ndice co de 0,52, a los 5-6 a?os, y de 2,32, a los 12 a?os. La patolog?a oral guarda relaci?n con el nivel de estudios, el consumo de leche, pescado y verduras, el consumo de pasteler?a y la realizaci?n de programas de fl?or.Conclusi?n: La caries sigue siendo un problema importante relacionado con factores de riesgo determinantes de la salud general que repercute sobre la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Es necesario establecer sistemas de vigilancia de estos factores que permitan planificar programas de prevenci?n y control.