Impact of Traumatic Dental Injury on the Quality of Life of Brazilian Preschool Children

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of traumatic dental injury (TDI) on the quality of life of preschoolers and their families. A cross-sectional study was carried out, with a sample of 814 children, aged three to five years old, in Campina Grande, Brazil. Parents/caregivers were asked to complete the Brazilian Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale and a questionnaire on socio-demographic data. Oral examinations of the children were performed by three previously calibrated dentists. Bivariate and multiple Poisson regression analyses were performed (α = 5%). The prevalence of negative impact from oral conditions on quality of life was 31.1% among the children and 24.7% among the families. TDI was not associated with a negative impact on quality of life. Parent/caregiver’s assessment of the child’s oral health (PR = 1.210; 95% CI: 1.027–1.426) and history of toothache (PR = 4.997; 95% CI: 2.943–8.493) remained in the final model for the child section, whereas only a history of toothache (PR = 2.791; 95% CI: 1.801–4.325) remained in the final model for the family section. TDI exerted no negative impact on quality of life in the present sample. A history of toothache was the only variable associated with a negative impact on the quality of life of the preschoolers and their families.

Impact of Caries Severity/Activity and Psychological Aspects of Caregivers on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among 5-Year-Old Children

“…With regard to parents/ caregivers, traumatic dental injury may not have been given importance or even perceived due to the fact that most cases were enamel fractures [Viegas et al, 2012;Siqueira et al, 2013]. For the children, however, traumatic dental injury may have exerted an influence on appearance, as children at this age have perceptions regarding aesthetics [Tsakos et al, 2012], or even pain (in case of a more serious traumatic dental injury).…”

“…Moreover, children may have memories of the time of the traumatic dental injury, even in cases of mild injuries. Previous studies that have discarded this association have only considered the perception of parents/caregivers [Viegas et al, 2012;Siqueira et al, 2013].…”

“…Potential confounders were identified a priori. Based on this rationale, the study comprised all sociodemographic [Pinto-Sarmento et al, 2016], psychological [Acharya and Sangam, 2008;Gururatana et al, 2014], and clinical (dental caries, traumatic dental injury, and malocclusion) factors as well as OHRQoL Siqueira et al, 2013;Gomes et al, 2014b Clementino et al, 2015]. Moreover, variables not investigated in the study (access to dental services, diet, and oral hygiene instructions) were also included [Shrier and Platt, 2008;Velentgas et al, 2013].…”

Dental caries, but not malocclusion or developmental defects, negatively impacts preschoolers’ quality of life

“…This type of study has involved primarily dental caries; there is a gap in the literature on the implications of malocclusion 5 and enamel defects on children's OHRQoL. Moreover, most studies have involved preschool children aged between 3 and 5 years of age 3,8,9 and there has been little research on younger children. Knowing that oral diseases, such as caries, are cumulative and tend to worsen with the increase in the age of the child, it is necessary to determine the occurrence of oral problems as early as possible to diminish the impact on children's quality of life.…”

“…Studies investigating the impact of malocclusion on the quality of life of preschool children have shown conflicting results. According to some cross-sectional studies, malocclusion is not associated with an adverse impact on the quality of life of preschool children and their families 5,8,9 . The apparent lack of sensitivity of available instruments to detect changes caused by malocclusion in the quality of life of preschool children may explain these results; however, other research conducted with children in southern Brazil revealed that malocclusion has a negative impact on a child's quality of life 7 .…”