Impact of parental attributes on the oral health-related quality of life of Brazilian preschool children.

PURPOSE: Considering the importance of parental attitudes and their influence on children's oral health, it is important to know which characteristics may impact it. The aim of this population study was to evaluate the impact of the parental sociodemographic characteristics on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschool children from southeastern Brazil. METHODS: A population-based study was conducted with a sample of 321 children aged 2 to 5 years old who underwent a calibrated clinical oral examination to assess oral health status and their parents were asked to answer the two following questionnaires: (1) sociodemographic conditions and (2) Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS). Descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests and adjusted Poisson regression models were used. RESULTS: Younger mothers (RP: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.11-1.95), lower household income (RP: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.11-1.96) and the presence of dental caries (RP: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.74-3.0) were more likely to have a negative impact on the OHRQoL B-ECOHIS total scores (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The characteristics of mothers, such as age, schooling and salary, influenced the mean B-ECOHIS total score; however, paternal attributes were not associated with a negative impact on the children's quality of life. Also, dental caries and household income influenced the children's oral health-related quality of life.

Risk factors for developmental defects of enamel in children from southeastern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Developmental Defects of Enamel (DDEs) comprise qualitative and/or quantitative changes to the enamel during amelogenesis. The aetiology of DDE remains inconclusive. AIM: To determine the association of pre, peri, and postnatal factors with the presence of DDE. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with 353 children (8 to 11 years-old) in a Brazilian town. METHODS: One calibrated dentist assessed DDE using the Developmental Defects of Enamel Index and a questionnaire collected medical and sociodemographic data. MAIN OUTCOMES: Children with at least one type of DDE were categorized into the DDE group. Subtypes of DDE were also recorded. RESULTS: 63.1% of children had at least one type of DDE. Diffuse opacity was present in 36.7%, demarcated opacity in 14.8%, and hypoplasia in 5.83% of the children. In multivariate analysis, demarcated opacities and hypoplasia were associated with birth weight ⟨ 2500g (OR = 4.82; 95% CI 1.23-1.95). CONCLUSION: Low birth weight predicted DDE.