Prediction factors for failure to seek treatment following traumatic dental injuries to primary teeth

• Published in: Brazilian oral research 2014, Vol.28 (1), p.1-7
• Main Authors: Firmino, Ramon Targino, Siqueira, Maria Betânia Lins Dantas, Vieira-Andrade, Raquel Gonçalves, Gomes, Genara Brum, Martins, Carolina Castro, Paiva, Saul Martins, Granville-Garcia, Ana Flávia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Distribution; Brazil - epidemiology; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Care; Dental Enamel - injuries; Dentistry; DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Parents; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Poisson Distribution; Risk Factors; Sex Distribution; Socioeconomic Factors; Tooth Injuries; Tooth Injuries - epidemiology; Tooth Injuries - therapy; Tooth, Deciduous - injuries
• ISSN: 1806-8324; 1807-3107; 1807-3107
• DOI: 10.1590/1807-3107BOR-2014.vol28.0005

The objective of this study was to evaluate prediction factors for failure to seek treatment following a traumatic dental injury (TDI) to primary teeth among preschool children in the city of Campina Grande, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 277 children 3 to 5 years of age, with TDI, enrolled in public and private preschools. Parents filled out a form addressing demographic data and whether or not they had sought treatment. Clinical examinations were performed by three dentists who had undergone a calibration exercise (Kappa: 0.85 to 0.90) for the evaluation of TDI. Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression models were constructed (α=5%). Enamel fracture was the most prevalent type of TDI (48.7%) and the upper central incisors were the most affected teeth (88.4%). The frequency of seeking dental treatment was low (9.7%). The following variables were associated with failure to seek treatment following TDI: a household income greater than one minimum wage (PR=1.170; 95%CI 1.018-1.341), parents/caregivers' perception of a child's oral health as poor (PR=1.100; 95%CI 1.026-1.176), and the non-perception of TDI by parents/caregivers (PR=1.250; 95%CI 1.142-1.360). In the present study, the frequency of seeking treatment following TDI was low, and parents/caregivers with a higher income, a poor perception of their child's oral health and a lack of awareness regarding the trauma were more likely to fail to seek treatment following TDI to primary teeth.