Validity of partial protocols to evaluate the prevalence of developmental defects of enamel in permanent dentition: a birth cohort study in Southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the validity of partial protocols (PP) to assess the prevalence of developmental defects of enamel (DDE) in permanent teeth and identify the strength of the association between DDE and some risk factors, using PP compared to the full-mouth (FM) exam. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in a population-based birth cohort of children born in 2004 in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. Socioeconomic, demographic, pre-, per-, and post-birth variables were collected. A subsample of 994 children was clinically examined for DDE in 2017, using the modified DDE index, using the "full- mouth" (FM) protocol. After FM had been performed, a dataset was created. Two different partial protocols (PP) were simulated from FM data: "only buccal surfaces (BS)" and "incisive and molars only (IM)." Sensitivity, absolute and relative bias, and inflation factors were calculated. RESULTS: For any DDE, FM had prevalence of 40.8%. The prevalence of DDE was 38.8% and 36.0%, for BS and IM protocols, respectively. When tested for any DDE, PP "BS" and "IM" showed high sensitivity. The underestimation of the true prevalence did not exceed 6.9% for PP "BS" and 16.1% for PP "IM." All protocols showed similar magnitude of association with the selected risk factors. CONCLUSION: Both PP "BS" and "IM" can be used to estimate the prevalence of DDE in epidemiological studies. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oral health surveys now have the option of using PP to collect DDE prevalence and investigate their association with risk factors, being less time-consuming, expensive, and labor intensive.

Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) and associated factors: A multilevel analysis in a cohort study in southern Brazil.

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) and their association with individual and tooth-related factors in adults from the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were interviewed and clinically examined at the age of 31. NCCL was defined as loss of dental tissue without bacterial involvement in the cervical region. Independent variables were the socioeconomic, demographic, behavioural, and clinical characteristics. Associations were tested using a multilevel Poisson regression model. RESULTS: Five-hundred and thirty-nine participants were clinically examined, with a 26% prevalence of NCCLs, which were more prevalent in the maxilla (56.5%) and in premolars (72.9%). In the multilevel analysis, women presented lower prevalence than men [prevalence ratio (PR) 0.59 (0.48-0.73)]; those who reported smoking at both 22 and 30 years of age had more NCCLs than those who never smoked [PR 1.65 (1.31-2.07)]; and high-frequency brushers presented higher prevalence than low-frequency brushers [PR 1.26 (1.03-1.55)]. Gingival recession increased 10 times the prevalence of NCCLs [PR 10.03 (8.15-12.35)], while the presence of periodontal pockets (≥4 mm) reduced the prevalence of NCCLs [PR 0.43 (0.28-0.66)]. CONCLUSIONS: NCCLs were more prevalent in males, smokers, and those with higher frequency of toothbrushing. While the presence of periodontal pockets was associated with a lower prevalence of NCCLs, gingival recession was a strong clinical indicator for the presence of NCCLs.

Randomized clinical trial to evaluate two methods of caries risk assessment in schoolchildren: the CARDEC-PEL 04 study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Caries risk assessment is an essential element for managing and preventing dental caries in children. Individual caries risk assessment can be conducted to evaluate the presence or absence of single factors, or using multivariate models, a combination of factors. The subject has been extensively studied, but no previous research has compared whether a more elaborate and individualized method of caries risk benefits the patient than more straightforward strategies. Thus, this protocol evaluates the efficacy of two risk assessment methods for caries control in children, a simplified method based on caries experience evaluation and a multivariate method described in the literature. METHODS: This is a randomized, double-blind, controlled, parallel-treatment trial protocol. Two groups will be tested for two forms of caries risk assessment: an individualized and detailed multivariate method based on the guidelines of the Caries Care International 4D and another simplified process, based only on caries experience in primary and/or permanent dentition, considering the presence of decayed, missing and filled teeth using the DMFT/dmft index. Participants will be children aged 8 to 11 years, followed up at 12 and 24 months. The primary outcome will be a composite outcome representing the number of tooth surfaces requiring operative intervention (account variable). In addition, the Shapiro-Wilk normality test and Student's t-test will be performed. A multivariate analysis using negative binomial regression will compare groups in the intention-to-treat population, considering a two-tailed significance level of 5%. DISCUSSION: This is the first randomized clinical trial aiming to compare dental caries-related treatment and follow-up based on a detailed, multivariate and individualized assessment of caries risk in school-age children to a simpler risk assessment strategy based on caries experience. This study will define whether there are essential benefits to the patient that justify the choice of one method over the other. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov registration: NCT03969628. Registered on May 31th, 2019.

Are maternal mental disorders associated with children's oral health? A systematic review.

Maternal mental problems may lead to a negative effect on children's oral health (COH). The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature to answer the question: Are maternal mental disorders (MMD) associated with COH from zero to 12 years old? Electronic searches were performed in five databases with no language restriction. Cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies were included. A total of 1183 references were identified, and seven studies were included. In relation to MMD studies investigated: Common Mental Disorders (n = 2), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (n = 2), symptoms of depression (SD) (n = 3), Alcohol-related diagnosis (n = 1), and symptoms of anxiety (n = 2). As outcome, the studies investigated dental caries (n = 5), gingivitis and periodontal diseases (n = 1), sleep bruxism (SB) (n = 1), and malocclusion (n = 1). Positive association was found between MDD and OH (SB and dental caries). There was no MMD associated with malocclusion. Alcohol-related diagnosis showed a positive association with gingivitis and periodontal diseases and no association with dental caries; anxiety had a positive association with dental caries and no association with SB. The heterogeneity of the data precluded precise conclusions to be drawn, but MMD may have influence on COH.

Prolonged Breastfeeding and Dental Caries In Children In the Third Year of Life.

PURPOSE: To assess the association between long-term breastfeeding and dental caries in children during the third year of life. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective longitudinal study consisted of children who were followed-up by the Maternal and Child Public Oral Health Program. Information regarding socio-economic class, demographic status, daily frequency of sucrose intake, breastfeeding duration and oral hygiene were collected with the aid of a questionnaire. Information on dental caries in the children was collected from dental records. Negative binomial regression models were used to assess the association between breastfeeding duration and dental caries. RESULTS: We included a total of 325 children in the study. The incidence of dental caries was found to be 12.92%. Even after adjustments, children who were breastfed for a period ≥24 months were more likely to have dental caries, when compared with children who were not breastfed or were breastfed for less than 6 months. Children who had a higher frequency of sucrose intake and those with dental plaque were more likely to have dental caries. CONCLUSION: In this study, a greater incidence of dental caries was found in children who were breastfed for a period ≥ 24 months..

Health-related quality of life of maltreated children and adolescents who attended a service center in Brazil.

PURPOSE: This study's aim was to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and associated factors of maltreated children and adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study consisted of individuals between 8 and 17 years of age who were victims of maltreatment. The KIDSCREEN-52 was used to measure their HRQoL. Socioeconomic and demographic data were collected, as well as information about the type of abuse, type of perpetrator, and psychological support adherence. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the scores of the KIDSCREEN-52 by the independent variables. RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen victims answered the questionnaire. Girls and adolescents had a lower overall HRQoL score (p < 0.05). Children who suffered from sexual abuse had a lowest score on the moods and emotions dimension than children who suffered from physical abuse (p < 0.05). There was a lowest score on the autonomy dimension among the children who suffered maltreatment by an extrafamilial perpetrator than those who were victimized by an intrafamilial perpetrator (p < 0.05). A lower score on the psychological well-being was observed among the children who adhered to the psychological support program provided by the service compared to those who terminated the service before completion (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents and girls were associated with lower HRQoL scores. There was no association between the overall HRQoL score and the characteristics of the maltreatment; however, the type of abuse and the victim's relationship with the perpetrator were only related to some dimensions. These findings may assist maltreatment care providers in planning strategies to reduce the consequences that violence may cause.

Perinatal health and malocclusions in preschool children: Findings from a cohort of adolescent mothers in Southern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy in adolescence has long-term consequences that can negatively influence oral conditions. In this study, we aimed to assess malocclusion in deciduous dentition and its association with prolonged breastfeeding, pacifier use, and perinatal health indicators pertaining to the periods immediately before and after birth. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was nested in a cohort of adolescent mothers who became pregnant from 13 to 19 years of age (mean age, 17.3 ± 1.6 years). A total of 509 mother-child dyads were included. Information on perinatal indicators, including Apgar score (0-10), which is a standardized assessment of the condition of the infant at birth (heart rate, breath rate, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and skin color), head circumference, birth weight, and need for intensive care unit admission were collected after delivery through interviews with the mothers. By the time the children were 24 to 36 months of age, malocclusion was assessed, and information on the use of pacifiers and breastfeeding was collected. Multivariate Poisson regression was used to assess the effect of independent variables on the outcome (malocclusion). RESULTS: The prevalence of malocclusion was 62.33%, and open bite was the most frequent one (47.45%). After adjustments, children with no need for intensive care unit admission had a lower risk of malocclusion (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.56-0.99), whereas those with an Apgar score less than 7 had a higher risk (PR = 1.32; 95% CI, 1.06-1.64). Children who had used a pacifier (PR = 1.82; 95% CI, 1.02-3.24) or were still using it (PR = 3.88; 95% CI, 2.65-5.68) had a higher chance of malocclusion compared with children who never used a pacifier. Children breastfeeding for 24 months or longer were less likely to have malocclusion (PR = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.34-0.73). CONCLUSIONS: Poor perinatal health and pacifier use may be risk factors for malocclusion development in deciduous teeth. Long duration of breastfeeding is associated with better occlusal conditions in children of adolescent mothers. Further studies are needed with other age groups.

Agreement between schoolchildren and their parents on rating the child's oral health-related quality of life.

The perceptions of parents/caregivers regarding their children's oral health can influence the standard of care and decision-making regarding oral health. The children's perspective on their own oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) may differ from the parents/caregivers' views. This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the agreement between the perceptions of parents/caregivers and schoolchildren regarding OHRQoL. It was conducted with a sample of children between 8 and 11 years old and their parents/caregivers from Pelotas. Children answered the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 8-10 (CPQ), and parents/caregivers answered the short form of the Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ). Socioeconomic data were also collected. Children's dental caries, traumatic dental injuries, and malocclusions were examined. The Spearman's correlation test was performed. A total of 119 parents/caregivers-children pairs were included. There was an agreement between the total scores of parents/caregivers and children (0.2770; p = 0.003), in the oral symptoms (0.1907; p = 0.038), and functional limitations (0.2233; p=0.015) domains. The Bland-Altman graph showed an agreement between children's and parents/caregivers' OHRQoL total score, but there was an underestimation of approximately two points in the parents/caregivers' perception compared to the children's score. There was an agreement between the reports of parents/caregivers and children regarding children's OHRQoL.

Translation and cultural adaptation of the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised for Dental to Brazil.

This study aimed to translate and to perform the cultural adaptation of the instrument Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised for Dental (IPQ-RD) into Brazilian Portuguese. The IPQ-RD consists of 34 items that assess the cognitive and emotional representation/perception of parents/caregivers of children with dental caries, with response options on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from "Strongly agree" (score 1) to "Strongly disagree" (score 5). The higher the score, the lower the perception of the disease. The protocol consists of translation into Brazilian Portuguese, back-translation into English, revision by an Expert Review Committee, and pre-test (application in parents/caregivers of children in dental care). For some questions, the translated versions were identical (T1 = T2); for others, one version was preferred (T1 or T2); for still others, it was decided to modify terms to obtain greater clarity on the item (T3). In the first pre-test, three questions were misunderstood by more than 15% of the sample, after which the items were reviewed by the Expert Review Committee. In the second pre-test, the adapted version was applied to a new sample of parents/caregivers (n = 15) and the questions were understood by more than 85% of the participants. The Brazilian Portuguese version of the IPQ-RD was well understood by the evaluated population.

Pre-, Peri-, and Postnatal Risk for the Development of Enamel Defects in Permanent Dentition: A Birth Cohort in Southern Brazil.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find potential risk factors associated with the occurrence of developmental defects of enamel (DDE) in permanent dentition of a birth cohort in Southern Brazil. Methods: This study is a 2004 birth cohort carried out in the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A subsample of 996 children was clinically examined at 12 to 13 years of age. The pre- and perinatal variables used for this study were: twin pregnancy; type of delivery; prematurity; birth weight; Apgar score in the first and fifth minute; health problems at birth; and intensive care unit admission at birth. Gender and family income variables were also collected. Some postnatal variables were collected: "hospitalization in the first 24 months"; "breastfeeding"; "respiratory diseases in the first 48 months"; "urinary infection in the first 48 months"; and "ear pain in the first 48 months." To assess an association between the presence of DDE and various risk factors, unadjusted and adjusted Poisson regression with robust variance was performed with a respective prevalence ratio. Results: The prevalence of DDE was 40.8 percent. The variables investigated did not present a statistical association with DDE. Conclusion: No association of developmental defects of enamel in permanent dentition with any of the factors investigated in this study was found.

Impact of dental caries severity and activity on oral health-related quality of life among children aged 8-11 years.

Caries disease can lead to strong impact in terms of pain and suffering, to functional impairment, and to negative effects on quality of life. Studies have demonstrated that the impact on quality of life increases with dental caries severity, and few studies have assessed the relationship between caries activity and children's oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the impact of dental caries severity and activity on the OHRQoL of schoolchildren. The study was conducted with a sample of children aged 8 to 11 years from Pelotas, southern Brazil. Children answered the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 8-10, and socioeconomic data were collected. Children's dental caries (Kappa value of 0.95), PUFA, traumatic dental injuries, and malocclusion were examined. The Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Poisson regression tests were performed. A total of 119 children were included. Children with initial (mean ratio (MR) of 1.92; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 1.05-3.48), moderate (MR: 2.66; 95%CI: 1.44-4.90), and severe carious lesions (MR: 2.65; 95%CI: 1.46-4.79) had a greater impact on OHRQoL compared with those without carious lesions (p =0 .047). Children with active carious lesions exhibited a greater impact on OHRQoL (MR:1.53 and 95%CI: 1.11-2.11) when compared to those without active lesions (p = 0.019). The findings demonstrate an association between dental caries severity and activity and the OHRQoL of school-aged children.

Are maternal factors predictors of a child's first dental visit? A birth cohort study in Brazil.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between maternal factors and dental visits of children within their first year of life. This study used data from the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort and included pregnant women and their children at 12 months of age, followed-up between May 2014 and December 2015. Socioeconomic and demographic data, information on the use of dental services during the last year, and information on dental fear were collected by interviewing the mothers. Information regarding dental caries and periodontal disease were collected during the mother's clinical examination. The date of each child's first visit to the dentist was recorded. Crude and adjusted Poisson regression models with robust variance were used. The sample comprised 2,287 mother-child dyads, of which 10.1% of children visited the dentist during the first year of life. Children whose mothers visited the dentist within the last year for preventive reasons (RR: 1.51; 95%CI: 1.12-2.03) or curative reasons (RR: 1.47; 95%CI: 1.08-2.01) were more likely to have visited the dentist during the first year of life compared to those whose mothers had not used dental services during this period. Maternal tooth loss was inversely associated with a child's visit to the dentist during the first year of life (RR: 0.69; 95%CI: 0.54-0.89). Considering the mother's history of using dental services, as well as their dental caries history, is necessary to understand and improve patterns of dental health care utilization and implement public oral health policies for young children.

Wich factors influencing the number of teeth at 12 months of age: a birth cohort study.

This study aimed to verify, through a longitudinal follow-up, the pre-, peri- and postnatal factors associated with the eruption of deciduous teeth. The study was nested in a Birth Cohort Study conducted in Pelotas, a Southern Brazilian city. Mothers were followed prenatally and their children were followed-up perinatally, at 3 and 12 months of age. The outcome was the number of teeth at 12 months, and exploratory variables included maternal habits and characteristics, anthropometric measures of children and mothers, and socioeconomic and demographic information. Data were collected through interviews with the mother and children's clinical exam. Poisson regression models were used for the analysis. Participants included 4,014 children with a mean number of erupted teeth at 12 months of 5.50. After adjustments, a lower mean number of teeth was observed in children from non-white mothers, early preterm children, and shorter children at birth and at 12 months. A higher number of teeth was observed for mothers with excessive weight gain during pregnancy, mothers who smoked during pregnancy, weightier children at birth and at 12 months, and for children with larger heads at birth and at 12 months. Our findings suggest that maternal and children characteristics influenced primary tooth eruption.

Efficacy of audiovisual distraction using eyeglasses during dental care: a randomized clinical trial.

This randomized parallel-group control trial tested the efficacy of distraction using audiovisual eyeglasses (AVE) during dental procedures [NCT03902158]. Forty-four 6-9 year-old children with low/moderate anxiety and who needed restorative treatment or exodontia of the primary molars were randomly allocated into two groups: the AVE (experimental) and the conventional behavior management techniques (control) groups. Motion sensors were used to measure the participants' body movements. Dental visits were video recorded, and their pain levels and behavior were assessed using the Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability Behavioral Pain Assessment Scale and the Venham Behavioral Scale, respectively. Anxiety was assessed via heart rate measurements. After treatment, the children scored their pain using the Faces Pain Scale. Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests were used to compare the groups. The mean score on the behavioral scale was 0.59 in the experimental group and 0.72 in the control group under local anesthesia (p = 0.73). During the procedure, the mean score was 0.41 in the experimental group and 1.32 in the control group (p = 0.07). The mean heart rate was similar in both groups (p = 0.47), but a significant increase during treatment was observed in the control group. There was no difference between the groups in terms of pain, behavior, and self-reported pain scores (p = 0.08). Children aged 6-7 who used the AVE had fewer wrist movements (435.6) than that of children in the control group (1170.4) (p = 0.04). The AVE achieved similar results to the basic behavior management techniques, with good acceptance by the children.

Comparative Study of Dental Pain Between Children With and Without a History of Maltreatment.

AIMS: To assess the presence of dental pain in child abuse victims and to compare the findings to children in the same age group with no history of abuse in a Southern Brazilian city. METHODS: This cross-sectional comparative study was carried out in a convenience sample of 68 child abuse victims from a center for psychologic support and in a comparative group of 204 students from public and private schools, all aged between 8 and 12 years. Data for socioeconomic and demographic variables were collected, and information regarding dental pain in the last 6 months was obtained via interviews with the children. World Health Organization criteria were used to assess the presence of decayed, missing, or filled teeth in primary and permanent dentition. Dental trauma was measured using the O'Brien Index, and gingival bleeding was assessed. Crude and adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between dental pain and history of abuse. RESULTS: Reporting of dental pain was higher among child abuse victims (54.41%) than in the comparative group (36.14%) (P < .01). After adjustment for clinical variables in the logistic regression analyses, the child abuse victims group had an odds ratio of 2.03 (95% confidence interval 1.13 to 3.64) for dental pain (P = .01). CONCLUSION: Child abuse victims presented a higher prevalence of dental pain than children with no history of maltreatment, regardless of oral health status.

The role of human milk and sucrose on cariogenicity of microcosm biofilms.

This study investigated the effect of human milk, alone and associated with sucrose, in the cariogenicity of biofilms in a microcosm biofilm model and compared with the cariogenicity of sucrose and bovine milk. Microcosm biofilms were grown in enamel discs in 24-well plates. Six growth conditions were studied: DMM (chemically defined artificial saliva - negative control), DMM with 1% of sucrose (DMM+s) (positive control), human milk with DMM, human milk with DMM+s, bovine milk with DMM, and bovine milk with DMM+s. After 5 days, the outcome variables surface hardness change (%SHC), microbiological composition of biofilms, and pH of supernatant were analyzed. All groups had significantly lower hardness loss compared to the DMM group with 1% of sucrose. Human and bovine milk associated with sucrose showed higher hardness loss. The supernatant pH values after 6 hours of different treatments were similar for the groups sucrose and human milk associated with sucrose (p>0.05). After 18 hours at rest in pure DMM, an increase in the pH of the supernatant was observed. Higher values of total microorganisms count were found for sucrose and bovine milk groups compared to the group supplemented only by DMM. Bovine milk group showed greater amount of total aciduric microorganisms in comparison to human milk group. Within the limits of this study, it can be infered that both human and cow milks have some cariogenic potential, although differing from sucrose in terms of mineral loss.

Pacifier use modifies the association between breastfeeding and malocclusion: a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of breastfeeding and pacifier use on the occlusal status of preschool children. A cross-sectional study was conducted with children (n = 489) aged 2-5 years in private and public schools in Pelotas, South Brazil. Mothers answered a questionnaire on demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral variables, including breastfeeding and non-nutritive sucking habits. Malocclusion was classified as normal/mild and moderate/severe, according to WHO criteria. The association between breastfeeding and pacifier use with malocclusion was tested using multivariate logistic regression. The prevalence of malocclusion was 37.83% (95%CI 33.52-42.14), and 57.87% of the children used a pacifier. A total of 46.01% of the sample was exclusively breastfed for 6 months, and 24.74% were never breastfed. Malocclusion was associated with pacifier use, and with both non-exclusively breastfed and never breastfed. After adjustments for demographic and socioeconomic variables, the children who used a pacifier and were never breastfed (OR = 19.08; 95%CI 8.54-42.63), or who used a pacifier and were not exclusively breastfed (OR = 13.74; 95%CI 6.11-30.92), showed worse occlusal conditions, compared with the children who were exclusively breastfed and never used a pacifier. Pacifier use modifies the relationship between breastfeeding and occlusal status.

Oral health-related quality of life in Brazilian child abuse victims: A comparative study.

This study aims to assess and compare Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in child abuse victims and non-abused children in a Southern Brazilian city. The study compared two independent samples of children aged 8-10 years: 48 child abuse victims recruited from a centre for Child and Adolescent Psychological Support (NACA) for abused children, and 144 public and private school students. Data collection consisted of administration of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 8-10 (CPQ8-10) to measure OHRQoL (dependent variable), clinical examination (dental caries), and collection of socioeconomic and demographic information (age, sex, skin colour, family income, and type of school). Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the association between presence of abuse and OHRQoL and subscales. After adjustment for clinical and sociodemographic variables, child abuse victims were found to exhibit higher CPQ scores on the overall scale and on the oral symptoms and functional limitations subscales. In conclusion, child abuse victims have a higher impact on OHRQoL. Based on the results, it is possible to suggest that greater care should be taken of these children, not only in providing treatment for oral disorders, but also in providing interdisciplinary care.

Agreement between schoolchildren and their parents on rating the child's oral health-related quality of life

Abstract The perceptions of parents/caregivers regarding their children's oral health can influence the standard of care and decision-making regarding oral health. The children's perspective on their own oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) may differ from the parents/caregivers' views. This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the agreement between the perceptions of parents/caregivers and schoolchildren regarding OHRQoL. It was conducted with a sample of children between 8 and 11 years old and their parents/caregivers from Pelotas. Children answered the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 8-10 (CPQ), and parents/caregivers answered the short form of the Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ). Socioeconomic data were also collected. Children's dental caries, traumatic dental injuries, and malocclusions were examined. The Spearman's correlation test was performed. A total of 119 parents/caregivers-children pairs were included. There was an agreement between the total scores of parents/caregivers and children (0.2770; p = 0.003), in the oral symptoms (0.1907; p = 0.038), and functional limitations (0.2233; p=0.015) domains. The Bland-Altman graph showed an agreement between children's and parents/caregivers' OHRQoL total score, but there was an underestimation of approximately two points in the parents/caregivers' perception compared to the children's score. There was an agreement between the reports of parents/caregivers and children regarding children's OHRQoL.

Impact of dental caries severity and activity on oral health-related quality of life among children aged 8-11 years

Abstract Caries disease can lead to strong impact in terms of pain and suffering, to functional impairment, and to negative effects on quality of life. Studies have demonstrated that the impact on quality of life increases with dental caries severity, and few studies have assessed the relationship between caries activity and children's oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the impact of dental caries severity and activity on the OHRQoL of schoolchildren. The study was conducted with a sample of children aged 8 to 11 years from Pelotas, southern Brazil. Children answered the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 8-10, and socioeconomic data were collected. Children's dental caries (Kappa value of 0.95), PUFA, traumatic dental injuries, and malocclusion were examined. The Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Poisson regression tests were performed. A total of 119 children were included. Children with initial (mean ratio (MR) of 1.92; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 1.05-3.48), moderate (MR: 2.66; 95%CI: 1.44-4.90), and severe carious lesions (MR: 2.65; 95%CI: 1.46-4.79) had a greater impact on OHRQoL compared with those without carious lesions (p =0 .047). Children with active carious lesions exhibited a greater impact on OHRQoL (MR:1.53 and 95%CI: 1.11-2.11) when compared to those without active lesions (p = 0.019). The findings demonstrate an association between dental caries severity and activity and the OHRQoL of school-aged children.