Dental trauma in Brazilian children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Assessing the frequency and factors associated with dental trauma in pediatric populations with cerebral palsy is important for the planning and implementation of prevention and health promotion programs. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with dental trauma in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study with a non-probabilistic sample of 80 patients aged 2-18 years was treated in a rehabilitation institution in northeastern Brazil. Caregivers completed a socioeconomic questionnaire, while oral exams were performed by a calibrated investigator (K = 0.75-1.00), with record of the Dental Trauma Index, DMFT and dmft, and Dental Aesthetics and malocclusion indices. Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression analyses (α = 0.05) were performed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 17.

RESULTS: The prevalence of dental trauma was 36.3%, enamel fracture was the most common trauma (89.1%), and the upper central incisors were the most affected dental elements (63.0%). Patients with dental trauma were male, aged 7-18 years, with family income more than one minimum wage, caregiver's education over 4 years, increased overjet, lip hypotonia, quadriplegia, epilepsy, oral breathing, and severe communication skills. The presence of dental trauma was not associated with socioeconomic characteristics (gender, age, family income, and caregiver's educational level), oral health perception, and systemic and oral conditions (dental caries, malocclusion, and lip hypotonia) were evaluated (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dental trauma was high, but not associated with clinical variables and evaluated socioeconomic indicators.