Socioeconomic and clinical factors associated with traumatic dental injuries in Brazilian preschool children

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to assess the epidemiology of traumatic dental injury (TDI) in preschool children and its relation to socioeconomic and clinical factors. This study was carried out in Santa Maria, Brazil, during National Children's Vaccination Day, and 441 children aged 12 to 59 months were included. Data about socioeconomic status were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire administered to parents. Calibrated examiners evaluated the prevalence of TDI, overjet, and lip coverage. Data were analyzed with a Poisson regression model (PR; 95% confidence intervals). The TDI prevalence was 31.7%. The maxillary central incisors were the most frequently traumatized teeth. The most common TDI was enamel fracture. No association was found between TDI prevalence and the socioeconomic status of children. After adjustments were performed, the eldest children with an overjet > 3 mm were more likely to have TDI than their counterparts. The data indicated a high prevalence of TDI. Only overjet was a strong predictor for TDI, whereas socioeconomic factors were not associated with TDI in this age group.

Association between anterior open bite and impact on quality of life of preschool children

“…6 However, previous studies have found an association between overjet greater than 3 mm and TDI. 22,23 This reinforces the importance of evaluating increased overjet, considering a cutoff point of > 3 mm. Another Brazilian study reports a 69.9% prevalence rate of malocclusion in the anterior region, using a cutoff point of > 2 mm for determining increased overjet.…”

Influence of clinical and socioeconomic indicators on dental trauma in preschool children

“…9 Studies have also investigated associations with socioeconomic indicators, but have reported divergent results. 5,10,11 Studies addressing the influence of socioeconomic indicators on the occurrence of TDI have mainly involved the permanent dentition. 12 In the primary dentition, studies have investigated the association between TDI and proxy measures of socioeconomic status.…”

“…While some investigations have found that household income 13 and a mother's education level 7,14,15 exert an influence on the occurrence of TDI in preschoolers, others have not found such associations (Table 1). 1,5,6,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20 declaration of interests: The authors certify that they have no commercial or associative interest that represents a conflict of interest in connection with the manuscript.…”

“…Parents' schooling was evaluated based on the education level of both parents in some studies 11,12 and the education level of the mother alone in others. 1,5,7,14 Socioeconomic status has been evaluated based on household income 1,11,12,13,14,15,16 or on different validated indices.…”

“…Parents' schooling was evaluated based on the education level of both parents in some studies 11,12 and the education level of the mother alone in others. 1,5,7,14 Socioeconomic status has been evaluated based on household income 1,11,12,13,14,15,16 or on different validated indices. 6,7,15 The lack of a consensus regarding the influence of socioeconomic indicators on the occurrence of TDI underscores the need for further studies that can test this association to allow susceptible children to be identified and preventive measures to be established.…”