RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the behaviour of children aged 1 to 4 years during their dental appointment and the effectiveness of dental plaque removal by caregivers. METHODS: This longitudinal study with intervention had the participation of 146 children (mean age = 34.89 months), 75 of whom (51.4%) showed positive behaviour (+ and ++) and 71 (48.6%), negative behaviour (- and - -). The children were evaluated at the first dental appointment, according to the Frankl scale. They were subjected to an assessment of oral conditions, and their plaque level was recorded (Quigley-Hein Index modified by Turesky) using the Evince® device. Caregivers received oral hygiene guidance. The dental plaque assessment was performed before giving the oral hygiene guidance and 14 days later. The statistical analysis included a descriptive assessment and the Wilcoxon test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Mean dental plaque levels dropped significantly from the first to the second assessment (p < 0.001). The sample was divided according to the child's behaviour, observing that only the group of children with positive behaviour showed significantly less dental plaque in the second assessment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The positive behaviour of children aged 1 to 4 years during the first dental appointments is associated with more effective dental plaque removal by caregivers.
Assuntos
Placa Dentária , Humanos , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Estudos Longitudinais , Placa Dentária/prevenção & controle , Cuidadores , Higiene Bucal , Índice de Placa DentáriaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate whether the trajectory of family income, parental education and clinical variables are associated with the clinical consequences of untreated dental caries among children. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted with 439 children between one and three years of age, evaluated at baseline and re-evaluated after three years. Sociodemographic and economic variables, untreated dental caries and biofilm were investigated both at baseline and at the 3-year follow-up. The pufa index (pulpal involvement, ulceration, fistula and abscess) was used to diagnose the clinical consequences of untreated dental caries. RESULTS: The prevalence of pufa ≥1 was 18.2% in the follow-up. The following variables were associated with a higher risk of clinical consequences of untreated dental caries: mother's low schooling level at baseline and follow-up (RR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.04-2.18), incidence or baseline presence of biofilm (RR = 4.66; 95% CI: 2.02-10.74), cavitated dental caries at baseline (RR = 3.57; 95% CI:1.86 to 6.83) and incidence of cavitated dental caries (RR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.24-3.35). CONCLUSION: Low maternal schooling level, biofilm, cavitated dental caries at baseline, and incidence of dental caries were the factors determining the consequences of untreated dental caries.