Prediction factors for failure to seek treatment following traumatic dental injuries to primary teeth

Abstract

Prediction factors for failure to seek treatment following traumatic dental injuries to primary teeth abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate prediction factors for failure to seek treatment following a traumatic dental injury (TDI) to primary teeth among preschool children in the city of Campina Grande, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 277 children 3 to 5 years of age, with TDI, enrolled in public and private preschools. Parents filled out a form addressing demographic data and whether or not they had sought treatment. Clinical examinations were performed by three dentists who had undergone a calibration exercise (Kappa: 0.85 to 0.90) for the evaluation of TDI. Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression models were constructed (α = 5%). Enamel fracture was the most prevalent type of TDI (48.7%) and the upper central incisors were the most affected teeth (88.4%). The frequency of seeking dental treatment was low (9.7%). The following variables were associated with failure to seek treatment following TDI: a household income greater than one minimum wage (PR = 1.170; 95%CI 1.018-1.341), parents/caregivers' perception of a child's oral health as poor (PR = 1.100; 95%CI 1.026-1.176), and the non-perception of TDI by parents/caregivers (PR = 1.250; 95%CI 1.142-1.360). In the present study, the frequency of seeking treatment following TDI was low, and parents/caregivers with a higher income, a poor perception of their child's oral health and a lack of awareness regarding the trauma were more likely to fail to seek treatment following TDI to primary teeth.

Oral health‐related quality of life and sense of coherence regarding the use of dental services by preschool children

“…This finding may have been due to a greater prevalence of enamel trauma, which does not cause discomfort and therefore often goes unperceived by laypersons. Thus, parents/caretakers may not seek treatment following a tooth injury unless the symptoms are evident.…”

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

“…Dental caries is an international public health challenge, especially among young children [Arora et al, 2011]. Some researchers also stress the impact of tooth displacement or discoloration due to traumatic dental injury on OHRQoL in children [Viegas et al, 2012;Firmino et al, 2014]. In contrast, malocclusion was found to exert no impact on OHRQoL in this phase of life Sousa et al, 2014].…”

Maternal perception of the occurrence of traumatic dental injuries in children: a cohort study of south Brazil

“…Mothers who rated the oral health of their children as fair/poor sought the most care. Other authors found no association between parents/caregivers' perception of their child's oral health and seeking treatment for TDI. On the contrary, Firmino et al .…”

“…Although dental injuries require treatment or clinical follow up, parents are often ill‐informed about the risks and consequences of not seeking care, and the demand for treatment is dependent on parental perception and awareness of the oral health of the child. Parents or caregivers should be constantly alert, because some injuries occur in a caregiver's absence and mild injuries sometimes cannot be identified.…”