Does the school environment exert influence on quality of life related to traumatic dental injury in children?

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess whether favorable factors related to school characteristics have a positive effect on the impact of traumatic dental injury (TDI) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). An epidemiological survey of oral health was conducted with 12-year-old schoolchildren from Quito, Ecuador. Children were examined for TDI, dental caries, and malocclusion. Individual socioeconomic data were also collected. Information on the physical environment, health practices, and occurrence of negative episodes at school was collected from the school coordinators. The Child Perceptions Questionnaire 11-14 (CPQ 11-14 ) was used to evaluate the OHRQoL (outcome variable). Multilevel Poisson regression analysis was conducted. Severe TDI was associated with higher CPQ 11-14 scores, even in the multiple model adjusted for oral health conditions, sex, individual socioeconomic variables, and school-related variables. Children from schools that had an appropriate tooth-brushing environment for their students exhibited a lower impact on OHRQoL, even after adjustment for the occurrence of TDI and other variables. A favorable school environment may exert a positive effect on OHRQoL, independent of the occurrence of TDI.

Sedentary behaviour and traumatic dental injuries in adolescents: A population‐based study

“…This divergence in the literature may be explained by the difficulty of this type of study without the interference of contextual settings. It is also necessary to consider the school environment 1 and the biopsychosocial path that adolescents undergo during their life cycle 4 …”

“…Traumatic dental injuries (TDI) have a higher prevalence in children and adolescents and currently present as a major public and oral health problem, which can cause irreversible damage to the element 1,2 . TDI can negatively influence the quality of life 2 and interpersonal relationships of affected individuals.…”

“…In this age group, the individual is inserted in several situations that can trigger dental trauma, such as falls from bicycles and skateboards, accidents and collisions 3 . Some individual and contextual factors 4 and others related to the school environment 1 have been associated with TDI. Inadequate lip coverage 6 and increased incisal overjet 2 are also factors that can increase the risk of TDI.…”

Association of children's oral health and school environment on academic performance in 12‐year‐old schoolchildren of Quito, Ecuador

“…Hence, it is crucial to consider the source of variability of the environment 17 . Previous studies have shown that schools with a supportive environment are associated with better oral health indicators, 18,19 better oral health‐related behaviour 20 and OHRQoL 21 of their schoolchildren. In this context, the school environment where children have group experiences and develop their learning should be considered.…”