Oral health outcomes: the association of clinical and socio-dental indicators to evaluate traumatic dental injury profile in low income Brazilian children.

OBJECTIVE

To use clinical and socio-dental indicators to evaluate traumatic dental injury (TDI) profile in Brazilian preschool children with low income.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out with children of low-income families, from 2 to 6 year-old, who attended public preschools. A clinical indicator to evaluate TDI and a socio-dental indicator to detect the impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) for preschoolers (Early Childhood Impact Scale - ECOHIS) were used. Impact means were obtained, and the chi-square test and odds ratio were used in order to evaluate the variables (P<0.05).

RESULTS

Of the 606 children evaluated, the results were obtained from a final sample of 446 children. The prevalence of TDI was 17%. Children from 37 to 60 months (P=0.04; OR=0.59 95% CI 0.34-1.01) were associated with TDI. The mean impact on OHRQoL in the group with or without TDI was low without a statistical difference (P=0.97).

CONCLUSION

Based on these findings, the association of clinical and socio-dental indicators showed low prevalence of TDI and the impact on OHRQoL was indifferent between groups with or without TDI.