Dental trauma and associated factors in Brazilian preschoolers

This study aims to determine the prevalence of dental trauma and its relation to associated factors among preschool children in both private and state schools in the city of Recife, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted in which a total of 2651 preschool children were examined; out of this total, 1313 were enrolled in private schools and 1338 in state schools. The associated factors analyzed were: type of school, gender, age group and nutritional status. After a dental exam, the anthropometric measurements of weight and height were registered. Children that presented weight values above two Z scores were considered overweight/obese. The total prevalence of trauma was 36.8%. The most frequent type of trauma was enamel fractures (58.1%); the most affected subjects were the overweight/obese children; the males and the children in private schools. With regard to age group, the risk of trauma increases as children get older (P < 0.001). The high prevalence of dental trauma in preschoolers and its possible harm for permanent dentition, suggest that public health policies need to be implemented with a view to its prevention.