Oral health-related quality of life and risk factors associated with traumatic dental injuries in Brazilian children: A multilevel approach.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Among the diseases related to oral health, such as caries and oral cancer, dental trauma stands out as one of the major public health problems worldwide. The aim of this study was to verify the occurrence of factors associated with traumatic dental injuries (TDIs), including oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), sociodemographic characteristics, untreated caries, occlusal problems and contextual variables in 12-year-old Brazilian children.

METHODS

This study assessed a complex sample of the National Research in Oral Health (SBBrasil 2010) data on 7240 12-year-old children and contextual features of the municipalities where they lived.

RESULTS

TDI prevalence in 12-year-old schoolchildren was 23.96%. Being female was a protective factor for all trauma outcome variables. Non-white children were at risk of maxillary tooth fractures. Maxillary overjet greater than 3 mm was associated with all trauma outcomes. Crowding and spacing were risk factors for enamel trauma. TDI has a negative impact on OHRQoL. None of the contextual variables analysed (Gini coefficient, MHDI, family health strategy and water fluoridation) were associated with TDI in the multilevel approach.

CONCLUSIONS

TDI was better explained by individual factors, related to sociodemographic conditions and occlusal problems, with a negative impact on OHRQoL, adjusted for untreated caries. Contextual variables were not associated with TDI in 12-year-old Brazilian schoolchildren. Interdisciplinary actions for preventing dental trauma, such as stimulating the use of mouthguards, have to be encouraged by the family health strategy (FHS) and school health programme (SHP).