Prevalence of traumatic dental injuries and associated factors among Brazilian schoolchildren.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries to permanent anterior teeth in 9- to 14-year-old schoolchildren attending public schools in Anápolis, Brazil, and to investigate the association between the occurrence of these injuries and the size of incisal overjet and type of lip coverage.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey and a two-stage cluster sampling technique were used. The sample size included 765 9- to 14-year-old schoolchildren. Data were collected through clinical examinations and interviews carried out by a trained, calibrated dentist. Oral examinations dealt with the type of traumatic dental injury (TDI), the treatment received, the size of incisal overjet and the type of lip coverage. The teeth examined were maxillary and mandibular incisors.

RESULTS

A 16.5% prevalence of dental trauma was found. Boys experienced double the number of girls' injuries. The maxillary central incisors were the teeth most affected, totaling 84.8%. The most frequent type of injury found was enamel fracture (66%), followed by enamel-dentin fracture (27%) and enamel cracks (5%). Only 26% of traumatised teeth were restored. Children with an overjet size > 3 mm were 1.78 times (CI= 1.18 - 2.69) more likely to have a dental injury than children with an overjet size <= 3 mm. Children with inadequate lip coverage were 2.18 times (CI= 1.27 - 3.76) more likely to experience dental trauma than children whose lip coverage was adequate.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries among schoolchildren in Anápolis, Brazil is similar to that of other regions in Brazil. The teeth most affected by dental trauma are the maxillary central incisors. Boys run a 2.03-times higher risk of crown fracture than girls, and children with an overjet size > 3 mm are 1.78 times more likely to have dental injuries. In addition, children with inadequate lip coverage are 2.18 times more likely to present traumatic dental injuries than children with adequate lip coverage.