Epidemiological study of traumatic dental injuries in 5- to 6-year-old Brazilian children

Monitoring traumatic dental injury (TDI) in primary teeth through epidemiological cross-sectional surveys provides descriptive information relevant to the development of public policies focused on the prevention of such injuries for the target population. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of TDI in 5- to 6-year-old Brazilian children and its association with biological and socioeconomic factors. A total of 684 children aged 5 to 6 years old, from 11 public schools in the city of Barueri (Brazil) were evaluated. Clinical examinations were carried out in the schools, by two trained and calibrated examiners. Gauze and a mouth mirror were used for the examinations. The reported TDIs were classified according to the Andreasen (2007) criteria for primary teeth. The results showed that 52.3% of the children had TDI. Enamel fracture (63.4%) was the most frequently observed sign of TDI, and the most affected teeth were the primary maxillary central incisors (26.9% maxillary right central incisor and 24% maxillary left central incisor). There was no association between the presence of TDI and biological or socioeconomic factors. In conclusion, the prevalence of TDI was high and had no statistically significant association with biological and socioeconomic factors.

Impacto dos problemas bucais na qualidade de vida em pré-escolares / Impact of Oral Problems on the Quality of Life of Preschool Children

Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto das condições clínicas bucais e fatores socioeconômicos na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal (QVRSB) de pré-escolares. Metodologia: A amostra consistiu de todas as crianças de seis a 72 meses de idade e pais residentes em Venda Branca, Casa Branca/SP. Foram aplicados dois questionários sobre QVREB (ECOHIS) e condições socioeconômicas. Um examinador calibrado avaliou a presença da doença cárie, maloclusões e lesões traumáticas. Utilizou-se análise de regressão de Poisson. Resultados: As prevalências observadas para o trauma dentário, mordida aberta anterior, selamento labial inadequado e doença cárie foram respectivamente 1,63%; 27,97%; 4,92% e 54,10%. A análise univariada mostrou associação entre a criança ter casa própria e melhor qualidade de vida. A mordida aberta anterior e a doença cárie foram associadas à pior qualidade de vida. A análise múltipla confirmou a análise univariada, na qual as variáveis casa própria, mordida aberta anterior e doença cárie foram associadas à melhoria da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal nas crianças. Conclusão: Fatores socioeconômicos e clínicos causam impacto negativo na qualidade de vida dos pré-escolares.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of oral clinical conditions and socioeconomic factors on the quality of life related to oral health (QLROH) of preschool children.Method: The sample included all children aged 6 to 72 months and their parents living in Venda Branca, in the city of Casa Branca, SP, Brazil. Two questionnaires on QLROH (ECOHIS) and socioeconomicconditions were applied. A calibrated examiner evaluated the presence of caries disease, malocclusions and traumatic injuries. Poisson?s regression analysis was used.Results: Prevalence of dental trauma, open anterior bite, inadequate lip seal and caries disease was respectively 1.63%, 27.97%, 4.92% and 54.10%. Univariate analysis showed association between living in an own house and having better quality of life. Open anterior bite and caries disease were associated with worse quality of life. Multiple analyses corroborated the univariate analysis, as the variables ownhouse, open anterior bite and caries disease were associated withimproved QLROH in the children.Conclusion: Socioeconomic and clinical factors were shown to have a negative impact on the preschool children?s quality of life.

Association between parental guilt and oral health problems in preschool children

Parents may feel guilty about their children's oral problems, which can affect their quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of parental guilt and its association with early childhood caries (ECC), traumatic dental injuries (TDI) and malocclusion (AMT) in preschool children. All 2 to 5 year-old children (N = 305), and their parents, seeking dental care at the University of São Paulo Dental School one-week Screening Programme, were asked to participate in the study, and 260 agreed. Children were examined by two calibrated dentists, and their parents answered a socioeconomic and ECOHIS questionnaire; the question on guilt was used as the dependent variable. Regression analyses examined the association between parental guilt and ECC, TDI, AMT and socioeconomic factors. A total of 35.8% of parents felt guilty. This was only associated with caries severity. No association was found between guilt and TDI, AMT or socioeconomic factors. ECC was present in 63.8% of the children; the mean (± sd) dmf-t score was 7.29 (± 2.78). Thus, the number of parents feeling guilty increases with the increase of their children's dental caries severity. Parental guilt is related to caries but is not associated with TDI or AMT.