Sandra Feitosa

The psychosocial effects of severe caries in 4-year-old children in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychosocial effects of severe caries in 4-year-old children in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. The clinical examination was conducted by a single examiner in order to select children with severe caries and caries-free (kappa = 1). Of the 861 children examined, 77 (8.1%) had severe caries and 225 (23.6%) were caries-free. Data were collected by applying validated questionnaires answered by the parents or guardians. Most of the parents or guardians of children with severe caries reported that their children complained of toothache (72.7%), and a significant portion stated that their children had problems eating certain kinds of food (49.4%) and missed school (26.0%) because of their teeth. Most of the parents or guardians of children with severe caries (68.8%) stated that oral health affects their childrens life, while the same was stated by 9.8% of the parents or guardians of the caries-free children. Severe caries was found to have a negative impact on childrens oral health-related quality of life.

Prevalência de cárie dentária em pré-escolares da rede pública de Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil, aos quatro anos de idade

The aim of this study was to determine caries prevalence in 4-year-old preschoolers of both sexes in municipal schools in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, in 2002, emphasizing their needs assessment. Data were collected by examining 861 preschoolers from 45 municipal schools. Examination was conducted by one examiner (Kappa = 1) in the school and after parental consent forms were obtained. Dental caries was recorded using the dmf-t (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) index. Data analysis showed caries prevalence of 47.00% and dmf-t of 2.06. Only 6.40% of the children had their teeth treated. The examined children showed high dental caries prevalence (47.00%), despite a low prevalence of severe caries (8.94%).