Study on prevalence of traumatic injuries in deciduous teeth of children aged from 6 to 60 months in the city of João Pessoa - Paraíba

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Traumatic injuries in anterior teeth are common in children and can cause serious consequences in subsequent permanent teeth, requiring professional intervention to minimize complications. Objective: To evaluate the traumatic injuries in anterior deciduous teeth of children enrolled in kindergartens and schools at the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba. Material and methods: The sample comprised 46 children, both genders, aged from 6 to 60 months. Data collection was based on X-rays, intraoral clinical analysis and the application of questionnaire with open and structured questions to obtain information on previous injuries, obtained by a calibrated examiner. Data was subjected to descriptive statistics by calculating absolute and relative frequencies, and to inferential statistics by Chi-square test (p < 0.05). Results: The results showed that 71.73% of children affected were male, 60.9% aged from two to three years, 63% of injuries occurred at home, 56.5 % had enamel fractures and 53.3% had injuries in the maxillary right central incisor. Conclusion: Trauma in deciduous teeth is common, especially in young children. Thus, preventive and corrective measures should be taken, both at private and public dental care.