RESUMO
This study aims to describe the prevalence of malocclusion and identify associated factors in preschool children. Completed in 2022-2023, this cross-sectional study included 523 children aged 26 to 80 months in municipal schools in Salvador. An oral examination was carried out on the children, and a questionnaire was self-administered by the parents. Descriptive analyses and multivariate logistic regression (the backward method, p-value ≤ 0.05, 95% CI) were conducted. The majority of children were female (51.82%), over 54 months old (52.2%), Black or mixed race (90.63%), and not affected by COVID-19 (92.35%). The prevalence of malocclusion was 43.21%, with open bite as the most common condition. There was a significant association between malocclusion and screen time (OR: 1.34; p: 0.116; CI: 1.0-1.94), physical/psychological aggression (OR: 2.55; p: 0.031; CI: 1.0-5.98), consumption of ultra-processed foods (OR: 1.77; p: 0.003; CI: 1.22-2.57), digital suction (OR: 3.1; p: 0.001; CI: 1.56-6.16), and the habit of biting objects (OR: 1.56; p: 0.121; CI: 1.0-2.73). The promotion of comprehensive health in early childhood and psychosocial interventions are recommended, aiming to reduce screen time, aggression, consumption of ultra-processed foods, thumb sucking, and the habit of biting objects to prevent malocclusion.
RESUMO
Resumo Introdução A mordida aberta anterior é um dos tipos de má-oclusão mais frequentes em pré-escolares, sendo considerada um dos problemas oclusais mais difíceis de tratar, principalmente por sua etiologia multifatorial e sua íntima relação com hábitos bucais deletérios. Objetivo Identificar a prevalência de mordida aberta anterior nos pré-escolares de Salvador-BA, bem como fatores potencialmente associados à mesma. Material e método Trata-se de um estudo de corte transversal em 1.577 crianças em idade pré-escolar (36 a 71 meses), que frequentavam creches públicas municipais de Salvador-BA. Resultado A média de idade das crianças foi aproximadamente 54 meses. A maioria pertencia ao sexo masculino (50,29%). A população de estudo foi predominantemente composta por negros e pardos (92,02%). A prevalência de má-oclusão foi de 40,46% e, destes, 14,02% possuíam mordida aberta. Com relação à escolaridade, a maior parte das mães (55,86%) e dos pais (50,08%) foi igual ou superior ao Ensino Fundamental II Completo. A sucção digital foi comum em 6,73% das crianças e 10,39% faziam sucção de chupeta. Foram identificados, como fatores de proteção à mordida aberta, a escolaridade do pai maior ou igual ao Ensino Fundamental II completo (RP= 0,62 IC= 0,41-0,95) e a onicofagia (RP= 0,34 IC= 0,21-0,56). Como fatores de risco, identificaram-se o uso de chupeta (RP= 17,98 IC= 10,91-29,62) e a sucção digital (RP= 11,04 IC= 6,0-20,32). Conclusão Medidas educativas direcionadas aos pais e responsáveis se fazem essenciais para a prevenção do desenvolvimento de hábitos deletérios nos pré-escolares. Outros estudos são necessários a fim de aprofundar o entendimento sobre os fatores de proteção identificados neste estudo.
Abstract Introduction The previous open bite is one of the most frequent types of malocclusions in preschoolers, being considered one of the most difficult occlusal problems to treat, mainly due to its multifactorial etiology and its intimate relationship with deleterious oral habits. Objective Identify the prevalence of anterior open bite in preschoolers in Salvador-BA as well as factors potentially associated with it. Material and method This is a cross-sectional study of 1577 preschool children (36 to 71 months) who attended municipal public daycare centers in Salvador-BA. Result The children's average age was approximately 54 months. Most were male (50.29%). The study population was predominantly composed of blacks and browns (92.02%). The prevalence of malocclusion was 40.46%, of which 14.02% of these children had an open bite. Regarding schooling, most mothers (55.86%) and fathers (50.08%) were equal to or higher than complete primary school. The digital sucking was common in 6.73% of the children and 10.39% used pacifiers. As protective factors for open bite were found the father's education level ≥ 1st complete degree (PR = 0.62 CI = 0.41-0.95) and nail-biting (PR = 0.34 CI = 0.21-0.56). As risk factors were found the use of pacifiers (PR = 17.98 CI = 10.91-29.62) and digital suction (PR = 11.04 CI = 6.0-20.32). Conclusion Educational measures aimed at parents and guardians are essential to prevent the development of harmful habits in preschoolers. Other studies are needed for in order to deepen the understanding of the identified protection factors in this study.