Brazilian Version Of The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale Research Articles

Impact of dental sedation treatment on the oral health-related quality of life of distressed young children: A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

Little is known regarding the impact of dental treatment under sedation on distressed young children's oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). To evaluate the impact of dental treatment under sedation on the OHRQoL of children and their families. Caregivers of two-to-six-year-old children answered the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS): (1) before treatment under sedation (T0), (2) two weeks (T1) and (3) 3 months after the completion of treatment (T2). A global transition judgment was included in the posttreatment evaluations to determine the perception of changes in OHRQoL after dental treatment. Bivariate analysis was performed. Changes in scores and effect sizes (ES) were calculated. Reductions were found at both posttreatment evaluations in the total B-ECOHIS scores (median [25th-75th percentile] at T0: 14 [9.8-21.7]; T1: 2.0 [0.0-5.1]; T2: 2.0 [0.0-6.7]); "child impact" section (T0: 8.8 [4.0-13.1]; T1: 0.0 [0.0-2.2]; T2: 0.0 [0.0-4.3]) and "family impact" section (T0: 6.0 [4.0-8.5]; T1: 0.0 [0.0-2.0]; T2: 0.0 [0.0-2.0]) (≤0.001; large ES). In 92.3% of cases at T1 and 88.3% at T2, caregivers reported that their child's oral health improved considerably. Dental treatment under sedation significantly improved the OHRQoL of the children and their families.

Impact of parental attributes on the oral health-related quality of life of Brazilian preschool children.

Considering the importance of parental attitudes and their influence on children's oral health, it is important to know which characteristics may impact it. The aim of this population study was to evaluate the impact of the parental sociodemographic characteristics on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschool children from southeastern Brazil. A population-based study was conducted with a sample of 321 children aged 2 to 5years old who underwent a calibrated clinical oral examination to assess oral health status and their parents were asked to answer the two following questionnaires: (1) sociodemographic conditions and (2) Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS). Descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests and adjusted Poisson regression models were used. Younger mothers (RP: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.11-1.95), lower household income (RP: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.11-1.96) and the presence of dental caries (RP: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.74-3.0) were more likely to have a negative impact on the OHRQoL B-ECOHIS total scores (P < 0.01). The characteristics of mothers, such as age, schooling and salary, influenced the mean B-ECOHIS total score; however, paternal attributes were not associated with a negative impact on the children's quality of life. Also, dental caries and household income influenced the children's oral health-related quality of life.

Mothers' sense of coherence and oral health-related quality of life of preschoolers: a 3-year cohort study.

The aim of the present study was to assess whether mothers' sense of coherence (SOC) was a predictor of decline in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschoolers. A 3-year cohort study was conducted in Diamantina, Brazil. At baseline, 162 preschoolers aged one to three years were randomly selected from among children registered in local Primary Healthcare Units. In the first stage, mothers completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS), and the Brazilian short version of the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13). The total score obtained from the SOC-13 was used to select exposed and unexposed children. Clinical examinations were performed to detect the presence of dental caries, traumatic dental injury, and malocclusion. At follow-up, mothers completed the sociodemographic questionnaire and the B-ECOHIS again. The incidence of severe dental caries and adherence to the proposed treatment at baseline were evaluated. A decline in OHRQoL was considered if there was an increase in the B-ECOHIS score of at least one unit. The chi-square test and Poisson regression were performed. A total of 151 preschoolers participated in the study, among whom 37.7% showed a decline in OHRQoL. Mothers' SOC was not associated with a negative impact on OHRQoL (RR = 1.24; 95%CI = 0.81-1.88), while the incidence of severe dental caries had a greater impact on the decline in OHRQoL (RR = 2.02; 95%CI = 1.29-3.16). Mothers' low SOC was not a predictor of decline in the OHRQoL of preschoolers after a 3-year follow-up period.

Risk indicators of untreated dental caries incidence among preschoolers: a prospective longitudinal study.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of socioeconomic factors, oral conditions and the impact of OHRQoL as possible risk indicators related to the incidence of untreated dental caries in preschool children two years after an initial examination. A prospective longitudinal study was performed with a sample of 288 preschool children allocated to two groups at baseline (T0): caries free (n = 144) and with untreated dental caries (n = 144). Untreated dental caries was determined through clinical examinations performed by a calibrated dentist at T0 (Kappa > 0,89) and T1 (two years after the baseline) (Kappa > 0,91) using the dmft criteria. Parents/caregivers answered a socioeconomic questionnaire and the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS) at T0 and T1. Mann-Whitney test and hierarchically adjusted Poisson regression models were used (95%CI, p < 0,05). The incidence of untreated dental caries was 41.3%. Low (RR = 1.63; 95%CI:1.18-2.26; p < 0.001) and high severity of untreated dental caries (RR = 1.92; 95%CI:1.36-2.72; p < 0.001), monthly household income less than two times the Brazilian minimum salary (RR = 1.79; 95%CI:1.04-3.25; p = 0.042) and overall B-ECOHIS score (RR = 1.03; 95%CI:1.02-1.05; p < 0.001) at T0 were risk indicators for the incidence of untreated dental caries among the preschool children. In conclusion, the incidence of untreated dental caries was high and the higher severity of untreated dental caries, the lower monthly income and the higher the B-ECOHIS score (indicating a negative impact on quality of life) were risk indicators to the developing of new lesions of untreated dental caries after 2 years.

Dental caries severity and oral health‐related quality‐of‐life in Brazilian preschool children

The impact of dental caries on oral health-related quality-of-life (OHRQoL) may be influenced by disease severity. This study evaluated the impact of caries severity on OHRQoL in preschool children. A school-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with 205 children (aged 2-5years) in Southern Brazil. Parents answered the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS) and provided sociodemographic information. The Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment criteria were used to evaluate caries severity, and Poisson regression with robust variance estimation conducted to determine the rate ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the mean OHRQoL scores according to severity level. Most children had at least one tooth in the morbidity (37%) or pre-morbidity (35%) stages, and the prevalence of impacts on OHRQoL was 40%. Caries severity was associated with the impact scores: after adjustments, the mean B-ECOHIS scores were 6.31 (95% CI: 4.24-9.38) higher for children in the morbidity stage, and 10.84 (95% CI: 6.51-18.05) higher in the severe morbidity stage, than for healthy children [RR=10.84 (95% CI: 6.51-18.05)]. Children with carious lesions into dentine or with pulpally-involved or abscessed teeth had poorer OHRQoL than children without such lesions.

Impact of Dental Caries on the Quality of Life of Preschool Children in Salvador, Bahia

Dental caries affects most of preschoolers and has important consequences for the development and quality of life of affected children.&#x0D; Aim: To describe the epidemiological status of dental caries in preschoolers in Salvador-BA- Brazil and evaluate the impact of this oral disease on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), considering sociodemographic characteristics.&#x0D; Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study in a representative sample of preschool children in Salvador-BA- Brazil. Caries was assessed using dmft and the impact on quality of life used the B-ECOHIS (Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale). Data collection took place in 2018 through, thorough clinical examination and questionnaire application. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate analyzes were performed using robust Poisson regression, with a significance level of 5%.&#x0D; Results: 1591 children were examined, and the prevalence of caries was 36.46%. The presence of early caries (adjusted PR = 2.07; 1.82-2.34 95% CI), severe caries (PR = 2.07; 1.84-2.33 95% CI) and child oldest age (adjusted PR = 1.55; 1.36-1.77 95% CI) were associated with children's OHRQoL; child oldest age (adjusted PR = 1.42; 1.19-1.69 95% CI), the presence of early caries (adjusted PR = 2.65; 2.22-3.16 95% CI), severe caries (PR = 3.07; 2.63-3.60 CI 95%) and the number of people in the household (PR = 1.46; 1.22-1.73 CI 95%) were associated with Family OHRQoL.&#x0D; Conclusion: The children evaluated had a high prevalence and severity of early caries. Worst oral health and sociodemographic conditions had a negative impact on the OHRQoL of children and their families.

Factors associated with preschool children’s sleep bruxism

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the prevalence of sleep bruxism, related factors, and quality of life of preschool children and their families. Method The sample was 475 children between 4 and 5 years old enrolled in schools in the city of Bauru-Brazil. Parents/legal guardians answered two questionnaires, one to assess the presence of bruxism and related factors and another that was the validated Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS). Intraoral clinical examination was performed by two trained examiners (Kappa = 0.82) within the school environment. The data were analyzed using statistics and the Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman correlation coefficient. The significance level was p < 0.05. Results The prevalence of sleep bruxism was 47.4%. The highest prevalence was related to Class I canines and marked overjet, oral habits, such as nail biting, lip biting, chewing gum, and mouth breathing. Children with agitated sleep, reports of headache, and those considered aggressive, anxious, and/or shy were also more related. Conclusion: In the studied sample, sleep bruxism prevalence was high and related to important oral and general factors. Data also indicated SB as the main factor that interfered in the OHRQoL of children and their families.

Impact of dental treatment on the oral health-related quality of life of Brazilian schoolchildren.

This before-after experimental study evaluated the impact of dental treatment on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children aged 6-8 years from Paranoá, DF, considering the presence or absence of cavitated dentin carious lesions pre- and post-treatment. The responsiveness and sensitivity of the questionnaires were also investigated. Caries was detected by using the Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) instrument, while the impact of oral health on the children's health-related quality of life was assessed using the Brazilian version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ8-10), which was completed by the children and the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS), which was completed by their parents. Sociodemographic characteristics were also assessed. After the examinations, the children were categorized into two groups according to the presence (treatment/n = 34) or absence (control/n = 34) of cavitated dentin carious lesions. Restorative/curative care was provided to the treatment group, while the control group received preventive measures. OHRQoL was assessed at baseline and at four weeks post-treatment. No significant sociodemographic differences were observed between the groups. In the treatment group, the children and their families reported a greater impact of oral health on their OHRQoL in both questionnaires (p < 0.05). However, there was a significant reduction in the impact of oral health, with differences between the pre-treatment and post-treatment phases (p = 0.001). Good sensitivity and responsiveness were observed for both questionnaires. Dental treatment was found to reduce the negative impact of dental caries on OHRQoL in 6-8-year-old children, which was detected by both questionnaires (B-ECOHIS and CPQ8-10).

Impact of Oral Health on the Quality of Life of Preschoolers and Their Families.

The aim of this study was to evaluate how the oral hygiene condition can influence the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of preschoolers and their families. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 446 children aged 2 to 6 years from public schools located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The groups were dichotomized: regular/poor oral hygiene condition (RPOH) or good oral hygiene condition (GOH). The caregivers answered the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS). The average score in the RPOH group was 6.36 (6.35 DP) and GOH was 4.43 (5.35 SD) (P < .01). In the child subscale, the average of the RPOH and GOH group were, respectively, 4.12 (4.14 DP) and 3.13 (3.66 DP) (P = .01). In the family subscale, RPOH and GOH group were, respectively, 2.24 (3.12 DP) and 1.29 (2.52 DP) (P = .01). RPOH group had the greatest impact on OHRQoL.

Early childhood caries and oral health-related quality of life of Brazilian children: Does parents' resilience act as moderator?

Early childhood caries (ECC) is the most common chronic disease in childhood. Measures to reduce the prevalence of ECC cannot be taken without recognizing that oral health is influenced by biopsychosocial factors on individual and community levels. To evaluate the impact of ECC on OHRQoL and moderation effect of parents' resilience. Population-based, cross-sectional study with 497 children (4-6years old) at preschools in Ribeirão das Neves, MG, Brazil. Parents self-completed the Brazilian version of the early childhood oral health impact scale (B-ECOHIS), the Resilience Scale and questionnaires about socioeconomic and oral health behaviour factors. Calibrated dentists conducted examinations for ECC (ICDASepi) and pulp consequences (pufa). Data analysis used multivariate Poisson regression for complex sample (P<.05). Model#1, adjusted for parents' resilience and socioeconomic factors, revealed that preschoolers with pulp involvement had 2.36 (95% CI: 1.60-3.49) and fistula/abscess had 3.57 (95% CI: 2.23-5.72) more prevalence of negative impact on OHRQoL than preschoolers with ECC without pulp consequences. In Model#2, resilience was removed from the analysis and the strength of associations almost did not change (OHRQoL vs pulp involvement RP=2.33;95% CI: 1.58-3.43; OHRQoL vs fistula/abscess RP=3.65;95% CI: 2.22-5.99). Early childhood caries with pulp consequences had negative impact on OHRQoL of preschoolers and families, and it is not moderated by parents' resilience.

Case-control study examining the impact of oral health problems on the quality of life of the families of preschoolers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of dental caries, traumatic dental injuries (TDI), toothaches, and malocclusion on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of the families of Brazilian preschool children. A population-based, matched case-control study involving 415 pre-schoolers aged 3-5 years was conducted. The case (impact on OHRQoL) and control groups (no impact on OHRQoL) were matched for age, gender, and family income at an 1:4 ratio. Impact on the OHRQoL of a family was assessed using the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS). Dental caries, TDI, and malocclusion were diagnosed by three calibrated dentists (Kappa: 0.85-0.90). Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and conditional logistic regression analysis (p ≤ 0.05; 95%CI). There were no differences between the cases and controls regarding age, gender, and family income (p > 0.05). The most frequent responses on the B-ECOHIS among cases were "felt guilty" (68.6%) and "been upset" (48.2%). The following variables were significantly associated with negative impacts on family OHRQoL (cases): caries severity (OR = 6.680; 95%CI = 2.731-16.349), a history of toothache (OR = 2.666; 95%CI = 1.492-4.765), parental rating of the child's oral health as poor (OR: 1.973; 95%CI = 1.072-3.634), and parent's/caregiver's age (OR = 2.936; 95%CI = 1.077-3.478). Anterior open bite was positively associated with OHRQoL (OR = 4.050; 95%CI = 1.333-12.314). Caries severity, a history of toothache, parental rating of the child's oral health as poor, and younger parents/caregivers were associated with impact on the OHRQoL of the families of preschoolers.

Parental Perceptions of Oral Health Status in Preschool Children and Associated Factors.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate parental perceptions of oral health status in preschool children. A cross-sectional study was carried with 843 Brazilian children between 3 and 5 years of age. Parents/guardians answered a self-administered questionnaire on the health of their children and sociodemographic data. Parental perceptions of their child's oral health were determined by the responses to the following question: "How would you describe your child's oral health?" The Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS) was answered by parents/guardians and used to measure the impact of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) on preschool children and their families. Three examiners performed oral exams on the children (K= 0.85-0.90). Descriptive analytical statistics were carried out, followed by logistic regression for complex samples (α=5%). The following variables were significantly associated with parental perceptions of children's oral health: parental perception of general health as poor (OR=18.25; 95% CI: 3.36-98.96), negative impact on family's OHRQoL (OR=13.82; 95% CI: 4.27-44.72), child aged five years (OR=7.40; 95% CI: 1.49-36.63) and the interaction between history of toothache and dental caries (OR=10.02; 95% CI: 1.17-85.61). Thus, parental perceptions of oral health are influenced only by clinical conditions with symptoms, such as dental caries with toothache. Other oral conditions, such as malocclusion or traumatic dental injury, were not associated with parental perceptions of their child's oral health.

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

Oral diseases can negatively influence the quality of life causing harm in the development of routine activities, child development and their well-being. To investigate the impact of dental caries, malocclusion and developmental defects of enamel (DDE) on the oral health-related quality of life of preschool children and their parents. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 646 children aged 2-6 years in Diamantina, Brazil. Calibrated dental examiners performed the oral examinations. Parents answered the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS) and a questionnaire on socio-economic indicators. Statistical analyses involved the chi-square test and Poisson regression. Malocclusion and DDE did not cause a negative impact on the children's quality of life. Children with dental caries (PR: 1.92; 95%CI: 1.56-2.35) and those aged 5 (PR: 1.51; 95%CI: 1.13-2.02) and 6 years (PR: 1.51; 95%CI: 1.02-2.23) were more likely to have a negative quality of life impact on the total B-ECOHIS. Dental caries was associated with a negative impact on the quality of life of children. Malocclusion and DDE did not cause a negative impact on the children's quality of life. Older children had higher frequency of negative impact on OHRQoL.

Association between parental guilt and oral health problems in preschool children: a hierarchical approach.

BackgroundDental caries and traumatic dental injury (TDI) can play an important role in the emergence of parental guilt, since parents feel responsible for their child’s health. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of oral health problems among preschool children on parental guilt.MethodsA preschool-based, cross-sectional study was carried out with 832 preschool children between three and five years of age in the city of Campina Grande, Brazil. Parents/caregivers answered the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS). The item "parental guilt" was the dependent variable. Questionnaires addressing socio-demographic variables (child’s sex, child’s age, parent’s/caregiver’s age, mother’s schooling, type of preschool and household income), history of toothache and health perceptions (general and oral) were also administered. Clinical exams for dental caries and TDI were performed by three dentists who had undergone a training and calibration exercise (Kappa: 0.85-0.90). Poisson hierarchical regression was used to determine the significance of associations between parental guilt and oral health problems (α = 5%). The multivariate model was carried out on three levels using a hierarchical approach from distal to proximal determinants: 1) socio-demographic aspects; 2) health perceptions; and 3) oral health problems.ResultsThe frequency of parental guilt was 22.8%. The following variables were significantly associated with parental guilt: parental perception of child’s oral health as poor (PR = 2.010; 95% CI: 1.502-2.688), history of toothache (PR = 2.344; 95% CI: 1.755-3.130), cavitated lesions (PR = 2.002; 95% CI: 1.388-2.887), avulsion/luxation (PR = 2.029; 95% CI: 1.141-3.610) and tooth discoloration (PR = 1.540; 95% CI: 1.169-2.028).ConclusionBased on the present findings, parental guilt increases with the occurrence of oral health problems that require treatment, such as dental caries and TDI of greater severity. Parental perceptions of poor oral health in their children and history of toothache were predictors of greater feelings of parental guilt.

Malocclusion and quality of life in Brazilian preschoolers

The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of malocclusion on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among preschool children and their families. This study involved 732 preschoolers. Parents/caregivers filled out the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS) and a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic data. Overbite, overjet, and crossbite were recorded during the clinical examination. Bivariate and multiple Poisson regression analyses were performed and prevalence ratio (PR) were calculated (α = 5%). The prevalence of negative impact from malocclusion on OHRQoL was 27.6% among the children and 22.3% among the families. Mother's schooling (PR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.10-1.70), parent's/caregiver's assessment of child's oral health (PR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.60-2.58), history of toothache (PR = 3.84; 95% CI: 2.34-6.30), and visits to the dentist (PR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.37-0.94) remained significantly associated with OHRQoL in the final model for the children, whereas parent's/caregiver's assessment of child's oral health (PR = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.71-3.14) and history of toothache (PR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.69-3.09) remained significantly associated with OHRQoL for the families. Malocclusion was not associated with a negative impact on OHRQoL. In contrast, parents'/caregivers' perceptions regarding the oral health of their children and a history of toothache were predictors of a negative impact on the OHRQoL.

Influence of traumatic dental injury on quality of life of Brazilian preschool children and their families

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of traumatic dental injury (TDI) on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of Brazilian preschool children and their families. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 1632 children of both sexes aged 60-71 months in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Data on OHRQoL were collected using the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS), which was self-administered by parents/caregivers to record their perceptions regarding the oral health of their children. A questionnaire addressing demographic and socio-economic data was also sent to parents/caregivers. Oral examinations of the children were performed by a single, previously calibrated dentist (intraexaminer and interexaminer agreement: kappa ≥ 0.83) for the assessment of the prevalence and type of TDI using the diagnostic criteria proposed by Andreasen et al. [2007]. Bivariate and multiple Poisson regression analyses were performed, with the level of significance set at 5%. The prevalence of negative impact from oral conditions on quality of life was 36.8% and 31.4% for children and families, respectively. TDI was not significantly associated with OHRQoL. Tooth avulsion remained in final multiple models of child OHRQoL [PR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.02-1.85] and family OHRQoL [PR = 1.55, 95%CI = 1.12-2.14]. Tooth discolouration remained in the final multiple models of family OHRQoL [PR = 1.23, 95%CI = 1.05-1.44]. The presence of TDI in Brazilian preschool children has no impact on quality of life of the children or their families. However, tooth avulsion is associated with a negative impact on OHRQoL in both groups, and tooth discolouration is associated with a negative impact on family OHRQoL.

Impact of traumatic dental injuries and malocclusions on quality of life of preschool children: a population‐based study

Few studies assessed the impact of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) and malocclusions on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in preschool children. To assess the impact of the presence of TDI and malocclusions, as well as its severity and types, respectively, on the OHRQoL of preschool children. The study was conducted in 1215 children aged 1-4years old who attended the National Day of Children Vaccination in Diadema, Brazil. Parents answered the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS) and socio-demographic conditions. Calibrated dental examiners performed the oral examinations for TDI and malocclusions. Poisson regression models adjusted by dental caries associated the clinical and socio-demographic conditions with the outcome. The multivariate adjusted models showed associations between some individual domains of the B-ECOHIS and clinical and socio-demographic conditions (P<0.05). The severity of TDI showed a negative impact on the symptoms domain and self-image/social interaction domain (P<0.05). Children with complicated TDI were more likely to experience a negative impact on total B-ECOHIS scores (PR=2.10; P=0.048). The presence of complicated TDI and dental caries were associated with worse OHRQoL of Brazilian preschool children, whereas malocclusions do not.

Effect of different protocols for treating cavities in primary molars on the quality of life of children in Brazil – 1 year follow-up

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the conventional restorative treatment (CRT) and the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) protocols, in comparison with the ultra-conservative treatment (UCT) protocol, would increase the quality of life of children over a period of 1 year. Cavitated primary molars of 302 children 6-7 years of age were treated according to the CRT, ART and UCT protocols at the school compound. Children's parents completed the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS) at baseline and one year later. Paired t-test, Chi-square test and ANOVA were applied in analysing the data. Questionnaires from 277 and 160 children were collected at baseline and after 1 year, respectively. A statistically significant difference in B-ECOHIS scores over the 1-year period was found for domains 'child symptoms' (P = 0.03) and 'child psychology' (P = 0.02). Treatment protocols did not statistically significantly influence the changes in B-ECOHIS scores over the 1-year period (P = 0.78). It can be concluded that the UCT protocol was as good as the two restorative protocols. All treatment protocols were effective in reducing children's experience of pain, their sleeping problems and their irritability and/or frustration levels over the 1-year period.

Untreated Cavitated Dentine Lesions: Impact on Children’s Quality of Life

The aim of the present investigation was to assess the impact of dental caries prevalence and the consequences of untreated cavitated dentine lesions on quality of life of 6- and 7-year-old Brazilian children. A total of 826 schoolchildren were assessed using ICDAS and pufa (to score consequences of dental caries on soft tissues) indices. History of extraction and toothache was recorded. Oral health-related quality of life was assessed using the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS). A multiple logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the prevalence of dentine carious lesions, pufa, history of extraction and toothache with the B-ECOHIS scores. A total of 587 questionnaires were analyzed. The prevalence of cavitated dentine lesions and pufa was 74.8 and 26.2%, respectively. Some 21.8% of children reported toothache and 9.2% had had at least one tooth extraction. The chance (OR) for children with cavitated dentine lesions, pufa ≥1, history of extraction and toothache of having higher B-ECOHIS scores than those not affected was 1.90 (95% CI: 1.18–3.06), 6.26 (95% CI: 3.63–10.83), 6.87 (95% CI: 2.75–17.16) and 3.68 (95% CI: 2.12–6.39), respectively. Children’s quality of life was negatively influenced by untreated cavitated dentine lesions and their consequences.

Validations of the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS)

This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). A total of 247 children aged 2 to 5 years and their parents/guardians participated in this study. A clinical oral examination was performed and the parents/guardians completed the ECOHIS questionnaire. Within a period of four-weeks, 20% of the participants repeated the ECOHIS questionnaire. Construct validity was determined using Spearman's rank correlation. Discriminant validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability were also evaluated. The children were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (with dental caries) and group 2 (caries-free). Children with caries showed higher mean ECOHIS scores than the caries-free children. The child impact section (p < 0.01), family impact section (p < 0.01) and total ECOHIS scores (p < 0.01) were significantly correlated with tooth decay. Cronbach's alpha coefficients demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency. The Brazilian version of the ECOHIS is a valid instrument for assessing oral health-related quality of life in preschool children with Brazilian Portuguese-speaking primary caregivers.