DOES DENTAL TRAUMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO AFFECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES?

Diego Patrik Alves Carneiro,Patricia Rafaela Dos Santos,Silvia Amélia Scudeler Vedovello,Marcelo De Castro Meneghim,Heloísa Cristina Valdrighi

doi:10.1590/1984-0462/2021/39/2019329

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjective: To evaluate the influence of dental trauma on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children and their families.Methods: A total of 571 children aged five years were randomly selected at public schools. Trauma was clinically evaluated in accordance with the Andreasen classification. Caries experience in the anterior region and increased overjet were determined according to the World Health Organization criteria. The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) was answered by the parents and used to evaluate OHRQoL. In addition, this questionnaire has aspects related to socioeconomic status. Simple logistic regression was performed, and the raw Odds Ratios with the respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated. The variables with p<0.20 were tested in multiple logistic regression models, and those with p≤0.05 remained in the model and the adjusted odds ratio with respective 95%CI was estimated.Results: Income showed a magnitude of association of 1.56 and 2.70 with the OHRQoL of children and families, respectively. The avulsion variable showed 9.65- and 8.25-times greater chance of influencing the OHRQoL of children and families, respectively. The experience of caries showed 3.80- and 2.42-times greater chance of influencing the OHRQoL of children and families, respectively.Conclusions: Dental trauma did not influence OHRQoL of children and their families negatively. However, avulsion and caries experience in low-income families was associated with a negative perception of OHRQoL.

Highlights

Oral health-related quality of life indicators (OHRQoL) must be combined with clinical evaluation to establish priorities in Oral Health.[1]
In view of the relevant influence that dental trauma may cause on the quality of life of the families, especially of children in early childhood, this may be considered a public health question
There was no association between dental trauma and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL)

Summary

Introduction

Oral health-related quality of life indicators (OHRQoL) must be combined with clinical evaluation to establish priorities in Oral Health.[1]. Dental trauma may bring negative consequences to the child’s life, such as pain and difficulty in chewing, as well as affect dentofacial esthetics and, the individual’s social interaction, depending on the severity of the sequelae.[5,7,8,9] Enamel fracture is the most common dental trauma in early childhood, but this normally presents minimal consequences, and will rarely be the reason for esthetic complaints. Trauma has been studied to a larger extent in mixed dentition, but not in the deciduous dentition and under the perspective of the child’s family

Methods

Results

Conclusion