Prevalence of dental trauma in Brazilian children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dental trauma in Brazilian children and adolescents. A systematic review was conducted considering eight databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), LILACS, BBO, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Open Access Theses and Dissertations, and OpenThesis. Only prevalence studies that used a probabilistic sampling method were included, without restriction on year or language of publication. The JBI critical appraisal tools for prevalence studies were used to assess the individual risk of bias. The individual studies were combined in the meta-analysis using the random-effects model. The heterogeneity between the studies was analyzed by Cochran’s Q and the I-square statistics. A meta-regression analysis was performed to evaluate the sources of heterogeneity. The GRADE approach assessed the certainty of evidence across included studies. The search resulted in 2,069 records, of which 36 were included in the study. The eligible studies were published from 2000 to 2021, with a total sample of 40,194 children and adolescents. Most studies (75%) had a low risk of bias. In permanent teeth, the prevalence of dental trauma was 21% (95%CI: 16.0; 26.0) and in deciduous teeth; 35% (95%CI: 26.0; 44.0). The prevalence of dental trauma among boys was higher than among girls for both dentitions. Based on a low certainty, the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries in Brazilian children and adolescents is higher than that found worldwide both in deciduous and permanent teeth. Also, the prevalence of dental trauma among boys is higher than among girls.

Dental trauma and oral health-related quality of life among 7th-grade students of public elementary schools

“…When studying the variables associated with trauma, only sex was significantly associated with injuries, which were more frequent in boys than in girls (p = 0.021; Table 2). Other studies have also shown a higher predisposition for men 10,[31][32][33] , which may be due to higher participation in contact sports, fights, automobile accidents, and more hyperactive habits and behavior 10,11 .…”

“…However, our results were lower than those of the last national epidemiological survey (20.5% 6 ) and other Brazilian studies (21.5% 7 ; 23.96% 8 ). Moreover, a meta-analysis showed an 18.1% 4 global dental trauma prevalence in 12-year-olds, and a recent systematic review found a 21% prevalence in Brazilian children and adolescents 10 . Distinct results may be due to regional differences, socioeconomic status, behavioral and phenotypic differences 10 , the criteria for recording dental trauma, sample size, study design, sampling, and randomization.…”

“…The most frequent risk factors associated with traumatic injuries in the permanent dentition of the Brazilian population have been sex (male), severe overjet, inadequate lip coverage, and obesity 11 . Two recent Brazilian systematic reviews also showed a higher dental trauma prevalence in male children and adolescents 10 and that lip coverage and overjet were the main risk factors 12 . Furthermore, contact sports practice has also represented a significant variable associated with traumatic injuries in permanent dentition 13,14 .…”

“…Thus, dental trauma has been considered a public health problem with a high prevalence and recurrence rate 5 . In Brazil, dental trauma prevalence at this age ranges from 11.9% to 24.0%, affecting the upper central incisor the most, especially with enamel fractures [6][7][8][9][10] .…”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental trauma attendance: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Many causes, such as falls, car accidents, sports, occupational accidents, or interpersonal violence can affect the dental arch and involve both teeth and their supporting tissues, causing functional, esthetic, and even psychological injury. [7][8][9][10][11] Each treatment is performed in accordance with the need of the case. Thus, the variability of traumatic injuries determines the diversity of treatments, which can be categorized as endodontic (pulpotomy, pulpectomy), restorative, periodontal (splinting of teeth), surgical (extractions), or as pharmacological interventions.…”