Traumatic dental injuries in Brazilian children and oral health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Population-based studies that investigate the impact of TDI on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among school children and its association with socioeconomic factors are scarce and offer conflicting results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of TDI on OHRQoL among school children and its association with socioeconomic status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 588 12-year-old children enrolled in public and private schools in the urban areas in the city of Diamantina (southeastern Brazil). Clinical examinations were performed for the diagnosis of traumatic dental injury based on Andreasen's classification. The Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11-14 ), which has been validated for the population in Brazil, was employed to evaluate oral health-related quality of life. Socioeconomic status and overjet were also analyzed. Statistical analysis involved the chi-square test and logistic regression.

RESULTS: A total of 29.4% of the students exhibited some type of trauma to at least one tooth. A negative impact on oral health-related quality of life was found in 53.1% of the sample. Traumatic dental injury was associated with a high impact on oral health-related quality of life [OR = 1.61 (95% CI: 1.08-2.39)] and overjet >3 mm [OR = 5.42 (95% CI: 3.66-8.02)]. However, no statistically significant associations were found between TDI and socioeconomic status.

CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of traumatic dental injury was high among the children who participated in the study, and it was associated with a high impact on oral health-related quality of life as well as overjet >3 mm.