Association between different stages of dental caries in preschoolers and familial socioeconomic factors

Abstract: This study evaluated the association between socioeconomic factors and stages of dental caries in children one to five years of age. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 759 children enrolled in preschools in Diamantina, Brazil. The parents/caregivers filled out a form addressing socioeconomic factors. Add to the end of this sentence: and categorized in caries free (code 0 and 1), no obvious decay (code 2 and 3) and obvious decay (code 4, 5 and 6). Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney test and multinomial regression. The prevalence of "no obvious decay" was higher among children from families with a larger number of income-dependent individuals (OR: 2.47; 95%CI: 1.41-4.31). The higher prevalence of "obvious decay" was associated with the child's age (OR: 1.36; 95%CI: 1.16-1.58), attending a public preschool (OR: 2.38; 95%CI: 1.31-4.34), a larger number of income-dependent individuals (four to five individuals: OR: 1.71; 95%CI: 1.09-2.74; more than five individuals: OR: 3.41; 95%CI: 1.95-5.94), no access to a dentist (OR: 2.14; 95%CI: 1.48-3.09), and lower income (OR: 1.72; 95%CI: 1.19--2.49). It was concluded that the variable of a larger number of income-dependent individuals was associated with both no obvious decay and obvious decay. Child's age, type of preschool, access to a dentist, and income were associated with obvious decay.

Risk indicators of untreated dental caries incidence among preschoolers: a prospective longitudinal study

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of socioeconomic factors, oral conditions and the impact of OHRQoL as possible risk indicators related to the incidence of untreated dental caries in preschool children two years after an initial examination. A prospective longitudinal study was performed with a sample of 288 preschool children allocated to two groups at baseline (T0): caries free (n = 144) and with untreated dental caries (n = 144). Untreated dental caries was determined through clinical examinations performed by a calibrated dentist at T0 (Kappa > 0,89) and T1 (two years after the baseline) (Kappa > 0,91) using the dmft criteria. Parents/caregivers answered a socioeconomic questionnaire and the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS) at T0 and T1. Mann-Whitney test and hierarchically adjusted Poisson regression models were used (95%CI, p < 0,05). The incidence of untreated dental caries was 41.3%. Low (RR = 1.63; 95%CI:1.18-2.26; p < 0.001) and high severity of untreated dental caries (RR = 1.92; 95%CI:1.36-2.72; p < 0.001), monthly household income less than two times the Brazilian minimum salary (RR = 1.79; 95%CI:1.04-3.25; p = 0.042) and overall B-ECOHIS score (RR = 1.03; 95%CI:1.02-1.05; p < 0.001) at T0 were risk indicators for the incidence of untreated dental caries among the preschool children. In conclusion, the incidence of untreated dental caries was high and the higher severity of untreated dental caries, the lower monthly income and the higher the B-ECOHIS score (indicating a negative impact on quality of life) were risk indicators to the developing of new lesions of untreated dental caries after 2 years.

Influence of breastfeeding duration on the incidence of dental caries in preschoolers: a cohort study / Influência da duração da amamentação na incidência de cárie dentária em pré-escolares: um estudo de coorte

Abstract Objectives: investigate the association between breastfeeding duration and the incidence of severe caries in preschoolers. Methods: a cohort study was conducted with 132 pairs of mothers and children in the city of Diamantina, Brazil. Data collection was performed in 2 moments: when the children were between two and three years of age (baseline- 2013/2014) and after three years (T1-2016/2017). In both moments, children were evaluated for dental caries (International Caries Detection and Assessment System - ICDAS) and a questionnaire was administered to the mothers addressing socioeconomic aspects and thee habits of children. The outcome evaluated was the incidence of severe caries (Dentin caries - ICDAS Codes 5 and 6). Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, chi-squared test and Poisson hierarchical regression with robust variance. Results: children who breastfed for more than 24 months (RR = 2.24 CI95%= 1.23-4.08), those whose parents were separated (RR = 1.73 CI95%= 1.11-2.69), and those with estab-lished/severe caries (RR = 2.74 CI95%= 1.37-5.49) at baseline were at greater risk of incidence of severe caries after three years. Conclusion: breastfeeding for more than 24 months is a risk factor for incidence of severe caries. In addition, family structure and established or severe baseline caries were associated.

Resumo Objetivos: investigar a associação entre a duração da amamentação e a incidência de cárie grave em pré-escolares. Métodos: foi realizado um estudo de coorte com 132 pares de mães e crianças de Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brasil. As crianças foram avaliadas em dois momentos: dois e três anos de idade (baseline-2013/2014) e após três anos (T1- 2016/2017). Dados socioeconómicos e relativos aos hábitos das criançasforam obtidos por meio de entrevistas com as mães e a presença de cárie dentária foi diagnosticada segundo o protocolo "International Caries Detection and Assessment System - ICDAS". O desfecho foi a incidência de cárie grave (cárie em dentina - códigos ICDAS 5 e 6). Para análise dos dados empregou-se regressão hierárquica de Poisson com variância robusta. Resultados: crianças que amamentaram por mais de 24 meses (RR = 2,24 IC95%= 1,234,08), cujos pais viviam separados no baseline (RR = 1,73 IC95%= 1,11-2,69) e aquelas com cárie estabelecida ou grave no baseline (RR = 2, 74 IC950%= 1,37-5,49) estavam em maior risco de incidência de cárie grave após 3 anos. Conclusão: a amamentação por mais de 24 meses foi um fator de risco para a incidência de cárie dentária grave em pré-escolares. Além disso, estrutura familiar e cárie estabelecida ou grave no baseline estiveram associados.

Effects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder signs and socio-economic status on sleep bruxism and tooth wear among schoolchildren: structural equation modelling approach.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of both bruxism and attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) has increased in recent years. AIM: This study evaluated the direct and indirect effects of signs of ADHD, reported by parents/caregivers and teachers, with sleep bruxism. In addition, this study explores the effects of socio-economic status (SES) on sleep bruxism. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was performed in Diamantina, Brazil, with 851 randomly selected schoolchildren aged 6-12 years. The schoolchildren were underwent an oral examination for the evaluation of bruxism. Moreover, parents/caregivers fill out a form for the assessment of sleep bruxism and sociodemographic factors. Parents/caregivers and teachers responded to the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham scale - version IV (SNAP-IV) for the assessment of ADHD signs. The structural equation modelling approach was used, and standardized coefficients to direct, indirect and total effects were calculated. RESULTS: ADHD signs had a significant moderate (SC = -0.19, P < 0.01) effect on sleep bruxism. SES had a significant indirect effect on bruxism via sucking habits. Moreover, SES had a significant direct (SC = -0.16, P = 0.01) and total effect on tooth wear (SC = -0.17, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that signs of ADHD and SES have a complex direct and indirect effects on sleep bruxism among schoolchildren.

Degree of dental anxiety in children with and without toothache: prospective assessment.

BACKGROUND: Few prospective studies on the anxiety of children in the dental office have been published. AIMS: To monitor dental anxiety levels in children with and without previous experience with toothache over a period of six consecutive visits. DESIGN: A longitudinal study was carried out involving 167 children treated at a public dental service. Levels of anxiety in the dental setting were assessed in children without toothache (G1) and those with toothache (G2) using the modified Venham picture test (VPT). Data acquisition was carried out over a 6-week period, with each child treated in the dental office once a week. Six assessments of anxiety were performed in the waiting room prior to dental treatment. RESULTS: A significant reduction in anxiety scores occurred between appointments in both groups. In the inter-group comparison, G2 had significantly higher anxiety scores than G1. Although statistically significant reductions in anxiety scores occurred through to the fifth appointment, a tendency toward stagnation in anxiety scores was observed beginning with the fourth appointment. CONCLUSIONS: Dental anxiety scores were reduced over the course of six appointments. Children with toothache had higher levels of dental anxiety than those that had never experienced toothache.