How is the loss of a parent in youth related to attachment and adult separation anxiety among women?

This study aimed to examine attachment and adult separation anxiety (ASA) among women who lost a parent in their youth. We hypothesized that insecure attachment and increased ASA from a romantic partner would be found among women who have lost a parent in youth, compared to women whose parents were both alive. Sixty women who lost one or both parents in their youth and 60 who had living parents participated in the study (mean age: 32.3, range: 18-62 years). Participants filled out the ASA and Short Attachment questionnaires. Women who lost a parent reported higher levels of anxious attachment and ASA from partner; the two groups did not differ, however, in terms of avoidant attachment. Additionally, similar effects on ASA and attachment were found among adult women who lost a father or a mother in their youth. In conclusion, the loss of a parent early in life may be associated with an insecure attachment style and increased ASA.

Autosomal dominant genodermatoses in adults being heralded by superimposed skin lesions in children.

In autosomal dominant skin disorders, pronounced mosaic involvement may sometimes occur in the neonate, originating in a heterozygous embryo from early loss of heterozygosity, probably during the first week after fertilization. In biallelic phenotypes, such overlaying mosaic involvement may coexist with disseminated mosaicism, for example, in neurofibromatosis or tuberous sclerosis. In other phenotypes, however, classical nonsegmental involvement tends to appear much later, which is why the superimposed mosaic is a heralding feature. In Brooke-Spiegler syndrome (eccrine cylindromatosis), a large pedigree documented a 5-year-old boy with multiple, congenital small eccrine cylindromas along the lines of Blaschko. Disseminated cylindromas were absent because they usually appear in adulthood. ̶ In Hornstein-Knickenberg syndrome, an affected woman had an 8-year-old son with a nevus comedonicus-like lesion exemplifying a forerunner of the syndrome. ("Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome" represents a nonsyndromic type of hereditary perifollicular fibromas.) In glomangiomatosis, neonatal superimposed mosaicism is a heralding feature because disseminated lesions appear during puberty or adulthood. Linear porokeratosis is a harbinger of disseminated porokeratosis that develops 30 or 40 years later. ̶ Cases of superimposed linear Darier disease were forerunners of nonsegmental manifestation. ̶ In a case of Hailey-Hailey disease, neonatal mosaic lesions heralded nonsegmental involvement that began 22 years later.

Childhood adversity, symptoms, and cortisol in first episode psychosis: a cross-sectional, secondary, observational analysis of a subsample of FEP patients.

BACKGROUND: Although it has been proposed that childhood adversities (CAs) may affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity and psychotic symptoms severity, these associations have not been fully confirmed in first-episode psychosis (FEP). This study explored the association between CA, cortisol and psychotic symptoms in FEP patients. METHODS: 81 FEP patients were enrolled. CAs were evaluated by the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. Psychotic symptoms were evaluated by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Cortisol level was collected using saliva samples. ANCOVA and partial correlation analyses were run. RESULTS: FEP patients with childhood abuse reported severe positive symptoms than those without CA. FEP patients with at least one CA had higher levels of cortisol awaking, cortisol at 12 a.m., and cortisol at 8 p.m. Morning cortisol levels were negatively correlated with the severity of negative symptoms and positively correlated with the severity of general psychopathology. Evening cortisol levels were positively correlated with severity of general psychopathology. CONCLUSION: FEP patients with CAs, compared with those without CA, might report more severe positive symptoms and higher cortisol, even though these findings as prone to bias due to the small sample size, and should be seen in the larger perspective of conflicting evidence in the field.

Prevalence of Early Primary Teeth Loss in 5-9-year-old Schoolchildren in and around Melmaruvathur: A Cross-sectional Study.

AIM: The goal of this study was to determine the frequency of early primary tooth loss among school children in and around Melmaruvathur, Tamil Nadu, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving all the children aged between 5 and 9 years in and around Melmaruvathur, Tamil Nadu, India, from January 2022 to July 2022 was conducted. A total of 20 government schools were approached for participation in the study, study population consisted of 800 government school children (358 boys and 442 girls). All clinical assessments were done in the natural light by an experienced examiner. Age and missing teeth were among the data gathered. RESULTS: The findings revealed that 20.8% of the sample had lost their primary teeth before the age of 6 (p > 0.05), although no gender differences were seen, males (12.6%) were more commonly affected than females (8.2%). The mandibular arch (61.8%) was more commonly affected than the maxillary arch (38.2%). In accordance with the frequency of early loss of teeth relative to tooth type, the molars (98.2%) were the most commonly prematurely lost teeth followed by the incisors (1.5%) and the cuspids (0.3%). The left lower primary first molars (42.3%) were the most often missing teeth, and the frequency was highest in 8-year-old children (38.9%). CONCLUSION: It was shown that lower primary molars were the most often missing teeth in the current investigation, and that early loss was highly prevalent. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Early loss of primary teeth leads to lots of malocclusion problems mainly arch length discrepancies are seen. Early detection and management of the space problems associated with the early loss of primary teeth would help in reducing malocclusion problems.

Prevalence of Missing First Permanent Molars in a Selected Population in a University Dental Clinic Setting: A Retrospective Radiographic Study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of missing first permanent molars (FPMs) in the 7-29-year-old selected population of Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed 398 panoramic radiographs of patients aged from 7 to 29 years old for missing FPM. Patients were divided into two age-groups: 7-15 and 16-29 years old. Study variables including gender, age, missing FPM, dental arch, and right or left sides of the arch were recorded. The data were statistically analyzed using Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Of the total study sample, 23.1% of patients had only one missing FPM, 13.3% of patients had two, and 2.8% of them had three missing FPM teeth. No patient had four missing FPM teeth. A total of 60.8% (242) radiographs in the overall sample did not show any missing teeth. The mandibular FPMs (35.2%) were found missing more frequently than their maxillary counterparts (17.4%) and the left mandibular quadrant showed a higher rate of missing FPM (21.9%). No statistically significant association was seen between the missing FPM and the gender or age-group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence rates of missing FPM in the study population warrants attention. Further prospective studies are needed to comprehensively evaluate the effect of early loss of the FPM on space changes in the arch and subsequent reduction in complex orthodontic treatment needs. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Almugla YM. Prevalence of Missing First Permanent Molars in a Selected Population in a University Dental Clinic Setting: A Retrospective Radiographic Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(2):269-272.

Heat Generation at the Implant-Bone Interface by Insertion of Ceramic and Titanium Implants.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to record material- and surface-dependent heat dissipation during the process of inserting implants into native animal bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Implants made of titanium and zirconium that were identical in macrodesign were inserted under controlled conditions into a bovine rib tempered to 37 °C. The resulting surface temperature was measured on two bone windows by an infrared camera. The results of the six experimental groups, ceramic machined (1), sandblasted (2), and sandblasted and acid-etched surfaces (3) versus titanium implants with the corresponding surfaces (4, 5, and 6) were statistically tested. RESULTS: The average temperature increase, 3 mm subcrestally at ceramic implants, differed with high statistical significance (p = 7.163 × 10-9, resulting from group-adjusted linear mixed-effects model) from titanium. The surface texture of ceramic implants shows a statistical difference between group 3 (15.44 ± 3.63 °C) and group 1 (19.94 ± 3.28 °C) or group 2 (19.39 ± 5.73 °C) surfaces. Within the titanium implants, the temperature changes were similar for all surfaces. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of an in vitro study, the high temperature rises at ceramic versus titanium implants should be limited by a very slow insertion velocity.

Prevalence of early loss of primary molars among children aged 5-10 years in Chennai: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The early loss of primary teeth may reduce arch length required for the succeeding permanent tooth and thus result in crowding, rotation, and impaction of permanent teeth. The present study evaluates the prevalence of early loss of molars of primary teeth in children in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An experienced examiner performed all clinical examinations under natural light, a total of 1529 children (759 boys and 770 girls) ages between 5 and 10 years were selected for the study. Data including age and missing teeth were collected. The data collected was then subjected to statistical analysis. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Microsoft Excel/2000 (Microsoft office XP) data spreadsheet was used and later exported to the Statistical Package for Social Science for Windows (version 10.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago Ill., USA). RESULTS: The results showed that of the sample 34.46% had early loss of primary teeth with boys showing an increased incidence of loss of primary teeth (54.64%) and the greater prevalence was found among the age group of 8-9 years. The most common missing tooth was the first molar (43.8%) followed by second molars (33.2%). Early loss of teeth was common in the mandibular right side (36.81%). It can be concluded that the prevalence of early loss of the lower first primary molar was the most common in the present study. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of early loss of primary teeth was present in predominantly in male children (54.64%) when compared to female children (43.35%) which was statistically significant (P = 0.03). The most commonly affected were the mandibular teeth (58.63%), the most common tooth being the first molar (44%) followed by second molar (33%).

Consequences of early extraction of compromised first permanent molar: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature to determine the sequelae of early extraction of compromised first permanent molars (FPMs) with regard to the skeletal and dental development of 5- to 15-year-old children. Meta-analysis was conducted when applicable. METHODS: Our research protocol included a search strategy, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and a data extraction plan. The search engines used were PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct. Study selection was performed independently by three reviewers. Articles published from 1960 to 2017 were reviewed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was performed to compare space closure between upper and lower arches. RESULTS: Eleven studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The consequences were decrease in post extraction space, accelerated development and eruption of second permanents molars (SPMs) and third molars, a decrease in caries and/or fillings on the proximal surfaces of adjacent teeth, lingual tipping and retrusion of incisors, and counter clockwise rotation of the occlusal plane. CONCLUSION: There were several consequences of early extraction of FPMs, which were related to skeletal and dental development. Our systematic review suggests that comprehensive evaluation of the compromised FPMs should be performed before planning an extraction. The ideal time for FPM extraction is when the SPM is at the early bifurcation stage in order to achieve complete closure of the extraction space by the SPM. Benefits should be weighed over the risks to decrease the risk of unfavorable outcomes as much as possible. However, due to the limited evidence on the outcomes and variables that influence them, high-quality prospective studies are needed.

Could Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis Be Misdiagnosed as Papillon-Lefèvre Syndrome?

Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by early loss of teeth with hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles. Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) is a disorder of decreased pain sensation, decreased sweating, recurrent infections, and fever. Here, we report a 5-year-old girl born to consanguineous parents with a family history of a similarly affected sibling. The girl presented with early loss of teeth and palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, hence, provisionally diagnosed as PLS. Further clinical examination and detailed history taking shifted the diagnosis to CIPA. CIPA could be misdiagnosed as PLS. Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis, although rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of PLS.

ATTACKS ON LINKING OR A DRIVE TO COMMUNICATE? TOLERATING THE PARADOX.

The notion of attacks on linking, as described by Bion, may depict a patient's drive to communicate the internalization of a destructive relationship between a primary object and an infant. This may be enacted between patient and analyst in the here and now of the analysis, whereby fragmentation and numbing of thinking may point to a primitive catastrophe relived in the psychoanalytic setting. The patient's material may seem incoherent, but incoherence might be the communication the patient is unconsciously trying to convey. Thus, the notion of attacks on linking depicts a paradoxical, caesural experience in which the attack on linking is itself a link.

Ortodontia na recuperação da estética após perda precoce de dente decíduo por trauma dental: relato de caso / Esthetic improvement with orthodontics after premature loss due to trauma of primary teeth: case report

O presente caso clínico tem por objetivo relatar a perda precoce do dente 51 devido a trauma e o restabelecimento estético do paciente após a recuperação do espaço perdido. Criança do sexo masculino com 4 anos de idade procurou atendimento após trauma no incisivo central superior decíduo com posterior exodontia, realizada há 8 meses. A mãe relatou incomodo causado pela ausência do elemento dental em relação à estética. No exame clínico observou-se ausência de lesões de cárie e perda de espaço devido à migração dos dentes laterais ao espaço do dente extraído. Foi proposto um recuperador de espaço removível com molas digitais e, após 45 dias, foi recuperado o espaço desejado. Na segunda etapa foi confeccionado um aparelho mantenedor de espaço estético fixo. A cor do dente 51 foi aferida clinicamente e os dentes 55 e 65 foram bandados. O modelo foi encaminhado a um laboratório para confecção de uma barra palatina soldada as bandas e um dente de acrílico na região do dente 51 foi acrescentado. Após cimentação do aparelho os responsáveis foram instruídos em relação à higiene e do acompanhamento a cada 6 meses. Os retornos do paciente ocorreram até verificarem-se sinais de erupção do dente permanente sucessor sendo, então, o aparelho removido. O paciente retornou para uma nova avaliação clínica após a completa erupção dos dentes 11 e 21 onde se verificou ausência de qualquer sequela. Conclui-se que o paciente e os pais ficaram satisfeitos com o reestabelecimento estético alcançado no tratamento quanto à estética, sendo o aparelho eficaz até a erupção do dente permanente.

This clinical case aims to report early tooth loss of the primary right maxillary central incisor due to trauma and the aesthetic reestablishment of the patient after recovery of the lost space. Male, 4 years old, after dental trauma, had the primary right maxillary central incisor extracted. The mother reported discomfort caused by the absence of the dental element in relation to aesthetics. In the examination there was no caries but there was space loss due to migration of the lateral teeth to space the extracted tooth. A removable orthodontic appliance has been proposed and, after 45 days, was recovered the loss space. In second step was made a maintainer aesthetic retainer appliance. The color of the teeth was clinically assessed and the primary maxillary second molars were banded. The model was sent to a laboratory for making a palatal bar welded bands and an acrylic tooth in the region of the primary right maxillary central incisor. After appliance cementing those responsible were instructed regarding hygiene and monitoring every six months. The patient returns occurred until there is an eruption sign of permanent tooth successor and then the aesthetic appliance was removed. The patient returned to a new clinical evaluation after complete eruption permanent successor tooth where there was absence of any sequel. We conclude that the patient and parents were satisfied with the aesthetic reestablishment until the eruption of the successor permanent tooth.

Perda precoce de molares decíduos em crianças atendidas na Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia / Early loss of deciduous molars in children assisted by the School of Dentistry of the University of Bahia

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a perda precoce de molares decíduos em crianças atendidas na Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia, nos anos de 2010 e 2011. Foram examinados 153 prontuários de crianças entre 03 e 09 anos de idade, onde destas, 35,3% apresentaram perda precoce de molares decíduos, sendo 59,25% do sexo masculino e 40,75% do feminino. A maior frequência de perda precoce de molares decíduos ocorreu em pacientes com nove anos de idade (37%). Quanto à distribuição das perdas em relação ao elemento dentário, observou-se que o segundo molar decíduo inferior esquerdo (75) foi o dente mais acometido, perfazendo um total de 17,1%. Em relação à arcada dentária, as perdas que ocorreram exclusivamente na mandíbula totalizaram 51,9% dos casos, enquanto que 12,9% ocorreram somente na maxila, e, em 35,2% dos prontuários avaliados, as perdas ocorreram em ambas as arcadas. Ressalta-se a fundamental importância de práticas e métodos educativos e preventivos no atendimento às crianças, para que a perda precoce de dentes decíduos seja reduzida, e, quando existente, mantenedores de espaço sejam instalados para prevenir possíveis consequências das perdas prematuras de molares decíduos, como a ocorrência de maloclusões.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the early loss of deciduous molars in children assisted by the School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Bahia (FOUFBA) in the years of 2010 and 2011. Data was collected through the exploration of the medical records of 153 children, between 03 and 09 years old. We found that 35.3% of the records evaluated had early loss of one or more deciduous molars, where 59,25% were males and 40.75% females. The higher frequency of early loss of deciduous molars occurred in patients who are nine years old (37%). The lower left second deciduous molar was the most frequently tooth lost (17.1%). With regard to the arcade, the losses that occurred exclusively in the mandible corresponded to 51.9%, whereas 12,9% occurred only in the maxilla and in 35.2% of the records accessed, the losses occurred in both arches. The results of this study emphasizes the fundamental importance of practices and methods in educational and preventive dental care for children, so that the early loss of deciduous tooth could be reduced, and, if it occurs, space maintainers should be installed to prevent unwanted consequences of premature tooth loss.

Avaliação do conhecimento de profissionais de saúde sobre o uso de anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais em crianças / Evaluation of knowledge of health professionals on the use of anti-inflammatory drugs in children

Objetivando estabelecer qual anti-inflamatório não esteroidal é mais seguro para o uso infantil, foi realizada uma avaliação do conhecimento desse tipo de medicamento e seu uso clínico entre médicos e dentistas. Foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa de campo, utilizando-se um questionário único para médicos e dentistas em que os profissionais responderam se utilizavam ou não esse medicamento no paciente infantil. Havia alternativas de opções de anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais amplamente divulgados e utilizados. Observou-se grande divergência de escolha entre a classe médica e odontológica desses fármacos, tendo poucos profissionais optado pela não utilização desses medicamentos. Ao comparar as respostas dos profissionais com a revisão de literatura, concluiu-se que o medicamento que possui menos efeitos colaterais é o Ibuprofeno, razão por que se indica o uso desse fármaco diante de um processo inflamatório, quando há necessidade do controle da inflamação do paciente pediátrico.

The aim of this study was to establish which non-steroidal anti-inflammatory is safer for children use; it was made an assessment knowledge using this type of medication and its use among doctors and dentists. We conducted a survey, using a single questionnaire for doctors and dentists, where professionals responded whether they use this drug in children or not. There were also alternatives of non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs widely disseminated and used. We observed a large difference when choosing this kind of drug among doctors and dentists, and few have opted not to use it. By comparing the responses of professionals with the literature review, it was concluded that the drug which has fewer side effects is ibuprofen, therefore the use of this drug on the inflammatory process when there is a need to control the inflammation of the pediatric patient.

Pretreatment of donor islets with the Na(+) /Ca(2+) exchanger inhibitor improves the efficiency of islet transplantation.

Pancreatic islet transplantation is an attractive therapy for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. However, the low efficiency of this procedure necessitating sequential transplantations of islets with the use of 2-3 donors for a single recipient, mainly due to the early loss of transplanted islets, hampers its clinical application. Previously, we have shown in mice that a large amount of HMGB1 is released from islets soon after their transplantation and that this triggers innate immune rejection with activation of DC, NKT cells and neutrophils to produce IFN-γ, ultimately leading to the early loss of transplanted islets. Thus, HMGB1 release plays an initial pivotal role in this process; however, its mechanism remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that release of HMGB1 from transplanted islets is due to hypoxic damage resulting from Ca(2+) influx into ß cells through the Na(+) /Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX). Moreover, the hypoxia-induced ß cell damage was prevented by pretreatment with an NCX-specific inhibitor prior to transplantation, resulting in protection and long-term survival of transplanted mouse and human islets when grafted into mice. These findings suggest a novel strategy with potentially great impact to improve the efficiency of islet transplantation in clinical settings by targeting donor islets rather than recipients.

Uso de prótese fixa adesiva como mantenedor de espaço em dentes anteriores decíduos: um relato de caso / Use of fixed adhesive prosthesis as a space maintainer in anterior deciduous teeth: a case report

Apesar do curto período no qual os dentes decíduos permanecem na cavidade bucal, possuem um papel fundamental no crescimento e desenvolvimento da criança. A perda prematura dos dentes decíduos pode ocasionar vários problemas funcionais, psicológicos e sociais. Objetivo: O presente artigo relata um caso de perda precoce de incisivo central decíduo devido a um trauma. A criança possuía o hábito de colocar e pressionar a língua no espaço correspondente ao dente perdido. Foi proposta a manutenção do espaço com o auxílio de uma prótese fixa adesiva. Conclusão: A prótese fixa adesiva constitui uma solução prática para os casos de perda precoce de dentes anteriores decíduos, pois é de fácil execução, conservadora e preenche os requisitos funcionais e estéticos da criança...

Despite the short period that the deciduous teeth remain in the mouth, they have an important role in the growth and development of the child. The premature loss of deciduous teeth can cause several functional, psychological and social problems. Objective: This article reports a case of early loss of deciduous central incisor due to trauma. The child had a habit of pressing his tongue against the space corresponding to the missing tooth. It was proposed to maintain the space using a fixed adhesive prosthesis. Conclusion: The fixed adhesive prosthesis is a practical solution in cases of early loss of primary teeth since it is easy to perform, conservative and meets the functional and aesthetic requirements of the child...

Prevalence of early loss of primary teeth in 5-10-year-old school children in Chidambaram town.

INTRODUCTION: The premature loss of primary teeth may reduce arch length required for the succeeding tooth and, hence, predisposes crowding, rotation and impaction of the permanent teeth. There are only limited studies carried out about the prevalence of early loss of primary teeth. AIM: The present study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of early loss of primary teeth in school children in Chidambaram town in Tamilnadu, India. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A total of 1121 school children (561 boys and 560 girls) between 5 and 10 years of age were selected for the study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An experienced examiner performed all clinical examinations under natural light. Data including age and missing tooth was collected. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Microsoft Excel/2000 (Microsoft Office XP) data spreadsheet was used and later exported to the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for Windows (version 10.0). Descriptive statistics was applied and, from the results, chi-square tests were applied at a level of significance of 5% (P < 0.05). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that 16.5% of the sample had early loss of primary teeth, but no differences were observed between genders (P > 0.05). The greatest prevalence was found among the 8-year olds (5.08%), and the most commonly missing teeth were the right lower primary first molars (16.82%). It can be concluded that the prevalence of early loss was high and that the lower primary molars were the most commonly missing teeth in the present study.

Perda precoce de molares permanentes e fatores associados em escolares de 9, 12 e 15 anos da rede pública municipal de Campina Grande, estado da Paraíba, Brasil / Early loss of permanent molars and associated factors in schoolchildren aged 9, 12 and 15 years attending public schools in Campina Grande, Paraíba state, Brazil

Este estudo avaliou a perda precoce de molares permanentes em escolares da rede pública de Campina Grande, Estado da Paraíba, com idades de nove, 12 e 15 anos. A amostra compreendeu 873 escolares, aleatoriamente selecionados. O instrumento de coleta consistiu de um questionário e de uma ficha clínica. As variáveis do estudo compreenderam os aspectos relativos à perda dentária (tipo de elemento dental, localização na arcada dentária e a região do arco), à prevenção e à autopercepção em saúde bucal. A análise estatística compreendeu a distribuição de frequências e os testes do Qui-quadrado e Exato de Fisher. Os resultados revelaram a prevalência de 17,2% de perda dentária, sem diferenças entre os sexos, frequência de escovação e palestra educativa (p > 0,05). Os elementos dentários 36 (42,5%) e 46 (33,9%) foram os mais frequentemente perdidos. Observou-se a associação positiva entre perda dentária e as variáveis idade, visita ao cirurgião-dentista (OR = 2,19; IC95%: 1,35-3,59), satisfação com o sorriso (OR = 0,40; IC95%: 0,24-0,65) e a dificuldade na mastigação (OR = 2,16; IC95%: 1,48- 3,16). Conclui-se que a prevalência da perda precoce de molares permanentes foi elevada, sendo necessária a imediata adoção de ações curativas a fim de reduzir a perda precoce desses elementos dentários.

This study evaluate the early loss of permanent molars in schoolchildren aged 9, 12 and 15 years attending public schools in the city of Campina Grande, Paraíba State, Brazil. The sample was composed of 873 randomly selected schoolchildren. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire and a clinical chart. The following variables were analyzed: tooth loss (tooth type, localization in the dental arch and region of the arch), prevention and selfperception of oral health. The statistical analysis was done by frequency distribution and the chisquare and fisher’s exact tests were used. The results showed a prevalence of 17.2% of tooth loss without differences between genders, toothbrushing frequency and attendance to educational lectures (p > 0.05). Teeth 36 (42.5%) and 46 (33.9%) were the most frequently lost. There was association between tooth loss and age, visit to the dentist (OR = 2.19, CI95% = 1.35-3.59), satisfaction with the smile (OR = 0.40, CI95% = 0.24-0.65) and chewing difficulty (OR = 2.16, IC95%: 1.48-3.16). It may be concluded that the prevalence of early loss of permanent molars was high. It is therefore necessary to adopt immediate curative actions to reduce early tooth loss.