Sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with dental caries in preschool children: Analysis using a decision tree.

BACKGROUND: Untreated dental caries can result a negative impact on oral health-related quality of life. AIMS: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of dental caries and associated factors in children enrolled in public preschools in the city of Recife, Brazil. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative random sample of 556 children aged 3-5 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected through clinical examinations using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System. The parents answered a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics. Two examiners underwent training and calibration exercise for the calculation of interexaminer agreement (Kappa index of 0.83). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: In addition to descriptive data, an inductive decision tree was constructed to analyze the results (Algorithm J48; α = 5%). RESULTS: The prevalence of dental caries was 92.1%. The following factors were associated with dental caries: brushing performed by the child (prevalence ratio [PR] = 4.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.57-7.51 P < 0.001), household income less than the minimum wage (PR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.18-2.72, P = 0.005), brushing frequency (PR = 1.50; CI 95%: 0.50-4.49; P = 0.001), and parent's/caregiver's school equal to an incomplete elementary school education (PR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.56-1.74, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of dental caries in children was high and was associated with brushing performed by the child, household income less than the monthly minimum wage, low brushing frequency, and low parent's/caregiver's schooling.

Traumatismo dentário em adolescentes entre 15 e 19 anos na cidade do Recife / PE e fatores associados - estudo preliminar / Traumatic tooth injuries and associated factors in adolescents aged 15 to 19 years in Recife/PE/Brazil - a preliminary study

Objetivo: avaliar a prevalência de traumatismo dentário e fatores associados em adolescentes de 15 a 19 anos da cidade do Recife/PE. Metodologia: a amostra foi composta por 148 adolescentes de ambos os sexos. Os dados foram coletados por meio de exames clínicos e entrevistas realizadas nos intervalos das aulas. Os testes Qui-quadrado de Pearson e Exato de Fisher foram utilizados para verificar a associação entre as variáveis. O nível de significância utilizado foi de 5%. A prevalência encontrada foi de aproximadamente 15%. Resultados: os dentes mais afetados foram os incisivos centrais superiores. A maioria dos adolescentes apresentou um único dente atingido por trauma. As principais causas de trauma dental foram: brincando com outras pessoas (45,5%) e quedas (18,2%). Não houve associação entre a presença de traumatismo dental e overjet acentuado e/ou cobertura labial inadequada. Não foi observada diferença estatística entre prevalência de traumatismo e o sexo dos adolescentes. O tipo de escola não foi associado à presença de traumatismo.Conclusão: a prevalência de traumatismo dental em adolescentes de 15 a 19 anos de idade da cidade do Recife foi relativamente alta, porém não foi observada associação entre overjet e cobertura labial...

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of traumatic tooth injuries and associated factors in Adolescents aged 15 to 19 years in the city of Recife, PE, Brazil. Method: The sample consisted of 148 adolescents of both genders. Data were collected by clinical examinations and interviews conductedbetween classes. Pearson?s chi-square and Fisher?s exact tests were used to assess the association among the variables. The significance level was set at 5%. The prevalence was approximately 15%. Results: The most affected teeth were the maxillary central incisors. Most adolescents had a single hit tooth trauma. The main causes of dental trauma were playing with someone (45.5%) and falls (18.2%). There was no association between dental trauma and severe overjetand/or inadequate lip coverage. There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between the prevalence of trauma and gender of the adolescents. The type of school was not associated with the presence of traumatic tooth injuries. Conclusion: The prevalence of dental trauma in adolescents aged 15 to 19 years in Recife was relatively high, but no association was foundbetween overjet and lip coverage...