Risk Factors, Perception of Caregivers and Impact of Early Childhood Caries on Quality of Life Related to Oral Health of Preschool Children and their Families

Bruna Moreira Queiroz,Lucianne Cople Maia,Maria Da Encarnação Perez Requejo,Andréa Gonçalves Antonio,Nashalie Andrade De Alencar

doi:10.4034/pboci.2015.151.10

Bruna Moreira Queiroz, Lucianne Cople Maia + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4034/pboci.2015.151.10

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Abstract

Objective: To identify risk factors, feeling of guilt, perception of caregivers and to evaluate the impact of early childhood caries (ECC) on quality of life related to oral health of children and their families. Material and Methods: 40 preschoolers were included in this study. Data were collected through an interview with caregivers regarding sociodemographic data, risks factors and ECC. Data on perception of caregivers related to child’s oral health, as well of questionnaire to evaluate quality of life – BECOHIS were also collected thought interview. Results: Analysis of categorical variables investigated, such as the risk factors for ECC, was performed using Chi-square test. For numeric variables, such as the parents’ perceptions and the BECOHIS questionnaire score was performed with Mann Whitney test. Significance level was set at 5%. A difference was found between groups for the following investigated issues: “reason for seeking treatment”, and “type of feeding” (breastfeeding or milk bottle) (p< 0.05). Caregivers felt guilty in relation to the oral health of their children and also by perceiving changes in their oral health status such as the presence of pain. The feeling of guilt expressed by parents was observed when related to toothache (p=0.01). Association between presence of caries and perception of caregivers of the oral health condition was observed (p<0.05). ECC impacts quality of life related to oral health of children (p=0.003) and caregivers (p=0.003). Conclusion: Among the risk factors investigated, type of feeding is associated with ECC. ECC affects the quality of life related to oral health of children afflicted and their families.

Highlights

The early establishment of dental caries affects preschool children, being characterized by the presence of one or more decayed, lost or filled tooth surfaces [1]
Material and Methods Study Design. This is an observational controlled cross-sectional study where children with and without early childhood caries are compared under the following perspectives: 1 - risk factors for the onset of the disease; 2- feelings of guilt and perceptions of caregivers in relation to oral health status of their children; 3- impact of the disease on quality of life related to oral health of preschool children, caregivers and families
The presence of pain and dental caries accounted for 62.5% of the demand for care and after dental clinical examination, it was found that 30 (75%) preschool children had early childhood caries

Summary

Introduction

The early establishment of dental caries affects preschool children, being characterized by the presence of one or more decayed, lost or filled tooth surfaces [1]. It has multifactorial etiology and can be influenced by social and environmental factors, as well as by age, socio-economic level and general health conditions [2]. Dental caries early established in childhood interferes in the quality of life of children themselves and their families [4]. Specific instruments for children and adolescents aimed at measuring the impact of oral health on quality of life have been developed in the last years. The relevant aspects of quality of life addressed by ECOHIS involve many elements of life of individuals, including impacts on thelives of children andtheir families [7]

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Conclusion