Mahmoud A. Hamdan

Traumatic dental injuries among 12-year-old schoolchildren in Jordan: prevalence, risk factors and treatment need

PURPOSEnTo assess the prevalence and related factors of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) among 12-year-old Jordanian schoolchildren.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnFor this cross-sectional study among schoolchildren, a sample of 2560 schoolchildren (1209 boys, 1351 girls) aged 12 years were randomly selected. The epidemiological classification adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and modified by Andreasen et al was used to record TDI on incisors.nnnRESULTSnOf the children examined, 5.5% showed TDI. The difference in prevalence between boys and girls was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Maxillary central incisors were the most affected and the most common type of crown injury was enamel/dentin fracture. The relationship between dental injuries and geographic location, area, and socioeconomic indicators was not statistically significant. Most of the TDI occurred at home, followed by school; the most frequent cause was falls. No statistically significant association was found between TDI and dental caries experience (P > 0.05). There was a tendency for boys (P < 0.01), children with an incisal overjet > 3 mm (P < 0.01) and incompetent lip closure (P < 0.001) to have experienced dental injuries. Treatment need due to dental injuries was very high.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe prevalence of traumatic injuries to permanent incisors in 12-year-old Jordanian schoolchildren was relatively low. TDI was associated with gender, overjet and lip competence, but was not influenced by dental caries experience. There was a great unmet treatment need.

Prevalence of traumatic dental injuries and associated factors among preschool children in Amman, Jordan

BACKGROUND/AIMSnDental trauma is a major public health problem. However, baseline data regarding traumatic injuries to primary teeth in Jordan are lacking. The study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries to primary anterior teeth among preschool children in Amman (Jordan), investigating the relationship between dental trauma and associated factors, and assessing the treatment provided and treatment need.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnAfter obtaining ethical approval and parental consent, a cross-sectional population-based study examined a total of 1198 children attending 39 preschools randomly selected from different areas of Amman. Chi-square test and stepwise logistic regression modeling were used for statistical analysis.nnnRESULTSnThe prevalence of traumatic dental injuries was 26.4%. The upper incisors were more likely to sustain dental trauma (91.7%). No statistically significant association was established between dental trauma and any of the socio-demographic variables. The most common type of dental trauma was enamel fracture (43.1%) followed by pulp injury (39.7%). The odds ratio suggested that the risk of dental trauma was 1.89 times greater if the overjet was >3xa0mm, 1.93 times greater if the child had an anterior open bite, and 2.56 times greater if the child had inadequate lip coverage. Only 25.3% of children diagnosed with a TDI visited a dentist following their trauma.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe prevalence of dental trauma among preschool children in Amman (Jordan) was high; therefore, it is highly recommended to plan campaigns targeting parents, children, and medical/dental care providers that stress the importance of preventing dental trauma and treating it promptly.

Prevalence of Preschool Caries among 6-Year-Old School Children from Different Socioeconomic Backgrounds in Amman , Jordan = دراسة لمدى انتشار نخر الأسنان لدى الأطفال من عمر ست سنوات و من بيئات اجتماعية ديموغرافية مختلفة في عمان ، الأردن

Objective: The objectives of the present study were to describe the dental health status among 6-year-old schoolchildren in Amman, Jordan, and to investigate the association between selected sociodemographic, oral health behaviour and attitude variables and the presence of dental caries. n nMethods: A cross-sectional sample of 838 (Male = 436, Female = 402) children were examined in primary schools; the prevalence and severity of dental caries were measured using World Health Organization criteria. A two-stage cluster sampling technique was used. Sociodemographic factors and oral health behaviours and attitudes were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. n nResults: The prevalence of dental caries in the primary dentition was 41.6%. The mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft) was 2.59 (SD=2.67). The decayed component (d) constituted 67% of the total number of decayed, missing (19%) and filled teeth (14%). The chi-square association test demonstrated that the variables: mother education and employment, type of dental care, type of school, tooth brushing, presence of dental plaque and family size were statistically significant in relation to the presence or absence of dental caries (P 0.05). Moreover, there was no significant difference between the number of children who had dental plaque on their teeth and others who did not (P>0.05). n nConclusions: The present study showed that dental caries level was higher than that of children in industrialized countries and lower than that in children of the Middle Eastern Arab countries. However, the early caries development seen in children from the lower socio-econo mic classes reinforces the need for preventive programs. Dental caries can be largely prevented or controlled in its early stages of development by simple and relatively cheap methods of personal care, involving attention to general nutrition, diet and oral hygiene. Dental care information and oral hygiene instructions should be given as early as possible to the expectant mothers at prenatal counselling. Access to dental care must be improved to enable any preventive care to be implemented.