Monalisa Cesarino Gomes

Impact of oral health conditions on the quality of life of preschool children and their families: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundDental caries, traumatic dental injury (TDI) and malocclusion are common oral health conditions among preschool children and can have both physical and psychosocial consequences. Thus, it is important to measure the impact these on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of oral health conditions on the OHRQoL of preschool children and their families.MethodsA preschool-based, cross-sectional study was carried out with 843 preschool children in the city of Campina Grande, Brazil. Parents/caregivers answered the Brazilian Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale and a questionnaire addressing socio-demographic data as well as the parent’s/caregiver’s perceptions regarding their child’s health. Clinical exams were performed by three researchers who had undergone a calibration process for the diagnosis of dental caries, TDI and malocclusion (K = 0.83-0.85). Hierarchical Poisson regression was employed to determine the strength of associations between oral health conditions and OHRQoL (α = 5%). The multivariate model was run on three levels obeying a hierarchical approach from distal to proximal determinants: 1) socio-demographic data; 2) perceptions of health; and 3) oral health conditions.ResultsThe prevalence of impact from oral health conditions on OHRQoL was 32.1% among the children and 26.2% among the families. The following variables were significantly associated with a impact on OHRQoL among the children: birth order of child (PR = 1.430; 95% CI: 1.045-1.958), parent’s/caregiver’s perception of child’s oral health as poor (PR = 1.732; 95% CI: 1.399-2.145), cavitated lesions (PR = 2.596; 95% CI: 1.982-3.400) and TDI (PR = 1.413; 95% CI: 1.161-1.718). The following variables were significantly associated with a impact on OHRQoL among the families: parent’s/caregiver’s perception of child’s oral health as poor (PR = 2.116; 95% CI: 1.624-2.757), cavitated lesions (PR = 2.809; 95% CI: 2.009-3.926) and type of TDI (PR = 2.448; 95% CI: 1.288-4.653).ConclusionCavitated lesions and TDI exerted a impact on OHRQoL of the preschool children and their families. Parents’/caregivers’ perception of their child’s oral health as poor and the birth order of the child were predictors of a greater impact on OHRQoL.

Perceived Impact of Dental Pain on the Quality of Life of Preschool Children and Their Families.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the perceived impact of dental caries and dental pain on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among preschool children and their families. A cross-sectional study was conduct with 843 preschool children in Campina Grande, Brazil. Parents/caregivers answered a questionnaire on socio-demographic information, their child’s general/oral health and history of dental pain. The Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale was administered to determine the perceived impact of caries and dental pain on OHRQoL. The children underwent an oral examination. Logistic regression for complex sample was used to determine associations between the dependent and independent variables (OR: Odds ratio, α = 5%). The independents variables that had a p-value <0.20 in the bivariate analysis were selected for the multivariate model. The prevalence of dental caries and dental pain was 66.3% and 9.4%, respectively. Order of birth of the child, being the middle child (OR: 10.107, 95%CI: 2.008-50.869) and youngest child (OR: 3.276, 95%CI: 1.048-10.284) and dental pain (OR: 84.477, 95%CI: 33.076-215.759) were significant predictors of the perceived impact on OHRQOL for children. Poor perception of oral health was significant predictor of the perceived impact on OHRQOL for family (OR=7.397, 95%CI: 2.190-24.987). Dental caries was not associated with a perceived impact on the ORHQoL of either the children or their families. However, order of child birth and dental pain were indicators of impact of OHRQoL on preschool children and poor perception of oral health was indicators of impact on families.

Determinant Factors of Untreated Dental Caries and Lesion Activity in Preschool Children Using ICDAS

The aim of the present study was to investigate determinant factors associated with the presence of dental caries and lesion activity in preschool children. A population-based, cross-sectional study was carried out with 843 children of aged three to five years enrolled at public and private preschools in the city of Campina Grande, Brazil. A questionnaire addressing socio-demographic data and oral health care was self-administered by parents/caregivers. Three dentists previously calibrated examined the children for the diagnosis of dental caries and lesion activity using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). Nutritional status was evaluated based on the body mass index. Logistic regression analysis for complex samples was performed (α = 5%). The prevalence of dental caries was 66.3%. Among the children with caries, 88.0% had active lesions. Dental caries was more prevalent in girls (OR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.05–2.23), in children from families with a monthly household income ≤US

Predisposing Factors for Traumatic Dental Injury in Primary Teeth and Seeking of Post-trauma Care

312.50 (OR = 2.38, 95%CI: 1.65–3.43) and those whose mothers had up to eight years of schooling (OR = 1.55, 95%CI: 1.07–2.23). Lesion activity was significantly associated with mother’s schooling ≤ 8 years (OR = 2.15, 95%CI: 1.15–4.00). The prevalence rates of dental caries and lesion activity were high and mainly associated with a lower socioeconomic status and mother’s schooling.

Oral health-related quality of life and sense of coherence regarding the use of dental services by preschool children.

The aim of the present study was to investigate predisposing factors for traumatic dental injury (TDI) in the primary dentition and seeking of dental care after the occurrence of TDI. A randomized population-based cross-sectional study was carried out with 814 children aged 3 to 5 years enrolled at public and private preschools in the city of Campina Grande, PB, Brazil. Parents were asked to fill out a questionnaire on demographic data and the childs history of TDI. TDI was evaluated by clinical examinations performed by three previously calibrated dentists (Kappa: 0.85 to 0.90). Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression models were constructed for TDI and the parent-reported search for dental care (α=0.05). The prevalence of TDI was 34.6%. The most common type of TDI was enamel fracture (55.0%). The central incisors were the most frequently affected teeth (87.5%). Predictors for TDI in the primary dentition were household income >U

Alcohol consumption among adolescents: attitudes, behaviors and associated factors

312.50 (PR: 1.355; 95% CI: 1.050-1.724) and overjet >2 mm (PR: 1.539; 95% CI: 1.219-1.942). The predictor for seeking dental care following TDI was parents age >30 years (PR: 1.753; 95% CI: 1.039-2.960). Household income and overjet were associated with TDI. Among children having suffered TDI, parents age is a crucial determinant for seeking dental care.

Oral problems and quality of life of preschool children: self-reports of children and perception of parents/caregivers

BACKGROUND There is a need for studies on the biopsychosocial factors that influence the use of dental services by preschoolers. AIM To evaluate the influence of the perceptions of parents/caretakers and children regarding oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) as well as the sense of coherence (SOC) of parents/caretakers on the use of dental services among Brazilian preschoolers. DESIGN A school-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with 768 preschoolers. Parents/caretakers answered a questionnaire addressing socio-demographic characteristics. The OHRQoL of the children was measured using the Scale of Oral Health Outcomes for Five-Year-Old Children. SOC among the parents/caretakers was evaluated using the Sense of Coherence scale. Clinical examinations were performed by examiners who had previously undergone a training exercise. Descriptive analysis was conducted, followed by Poissons regression analysis (α = 5%). RESULTS A total of 56.5% of the preschoolers had never used dental services. The following variables exerted a significant influence on the use of services: higher monthly household income (PR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.07-1.51), toothache (PR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.34-1.89), the absence of traumatic dental injury (TDI; PR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.01-1.40), and a strong SOC (PR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.01-1.42). CONCLUSIONS A higher monthly household income, history of toothache, the absence of TDI, and strong SOC of the parents/caretakers influence the use of dental services by preschoolers.

Impact of breathing patterns on the quality of life of 9- to 10-year-old schoolchildren.

The scope of this paper is to assess the attitudes and behaviors regarding alcohol use and analyze associated factors among schoolchildren in public schools of Campina Grande in the state of Paraíba. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 574 adolescents, with the application of a semi-structured questionnaire. The chi-square test and Fishers exact test were used (5% level of significance). Among the adolescents 54.5% had drunk alcohol and 6.7% of them were heavy drinkers. The majority of them drank alcohol between 11 and 14 years of age (42.8%); 26.3% of the adolescents purchased alcoholic beverages; and beer was the most drink most consumed (43.8%). The risk of alcohol drinking was higher between 16 and 19 years of age (OR = 4.44; p < 0.001), among those without religious affiliation (OR = 4.36; p = 0.002), among those who worked (OR = 2.13; p = 0.012) and among those who had a fair to poor relationship with their father (OR = 2.18; p = 0.010). The results of this study underscore the complexity of this issue and the need to pay particular attention to the adolescent population. Public policies alone are not sufficient. Support from family, school and society is essential to curtail early alcohol use and its consequences.

Development of a questionnaire for measuring health-related quality of life among children and adolescents with mouth breathing.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between oral health problems and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschool children according to both self-reports and the reports of parents/caregivers. A school-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with 769 preschool children and their parents/caregivers. The OHRQoL was evaluated using the Scale of Oral Health Outcomes for Five-Year-Old Children (SOHO-5). Based on logistic regression for complex samples, the following variables were found to be associated with poorer OHRQoL in the parent/caregiver version: toothache (OR = 6.77; 95% CI: 3.95-11.59); consequences of untreated dental caries (OR = 2.69; 95% CI: 1.27-5.70); and anterior open bite (OR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.13-3.56). The following variables were associated with poorer OHRQoL in the child self-report version: toothache (OR = 3.34; 95% CI: 2.11-5.29); cavitated lesions (anterior teeth) (OR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.26-3.84); occurrence of traumatic dental injury (OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.19-2.61); and anterior open bite (OR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.16-3.29). We conclude that children with dental caries (or its sequelae) had poorer OHRQoL. Having experienced a traumatic dental injury and having a malocclusion were also associated with a poorer OHRQoL.

Association between psychological factors, socio-demographic conditions, oral habits and anterior open bite in five-year-old children

Background Mouth breathing can cause a set of changes in craniofacial growth and development, with esthetic, functional, and psychological repercussions. Objective To determine the impact of mouth breathing on the quality of life of schoolchildren. Methods A school-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with 1911 children ages 9 and 10 years in the city of Recife, Brazil. The children answered the Mouth Breather Quality of Life questionnaire and a questionnaire that addressed sociodemographic data and health-related aspects. Clinical examinations were performed by an examiner who had undergone a training and calibration process for the diagnosis of mouth breathing (kappa = 0.90). Descriptive statistics were conducted to characterize the sample. Statistical analysis involved the Students t-test and the F test (analysis of variance) (alpha = 5%). Results The prevalence of mouth breathing was 54.81%. Children with oral breathing demonstrated a poorer quality of life in comparison with children with nasal breathing (p < 0.001). The following variables were significantly associated with a poorer quality of life among the children with mouth breathing: a younger age (p < 0.001) and the use of medication (p = 0.002). Conclusion Based on the present findings, children with the mouth-breathing pattern experience a greater negative impact on quality of life in comparison with those with the nose-breathing pattern. Thus, the early diagnosis and treatment of this clinical condition are fundamental to minimizing the consequences of mouth breathing on the quality of life of schoolchildren with respiration disorders.