Prevalência, fatores associados e impacto da má oclusão na qualidade de vida de pré-escolares de Campina Grande-PB

Abstract

Malocclusion in the deciduous dentition is considered a public health issue, because of its high prevalence and treatment necessity, as well as its social impact. Thus, this study s objective is to evaluate malocclusion s prevalence, associated factors and impact on the quality of life of Campina Grande s (3 to 5 years old) preschool children. It was a populationbased transversal study conducted with a random sample of 732 preschool children that attend

both

public and private preschools in Campina Grande-PB, Brazil. Parents or guardians answered the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (BECOHIS),

as well as a survey with sociodemographic data. B-ECOHIS was applied to evaluate the parents /guardians perception about quality of life regarding their child s oral health (OHRQoL). Children s oral exams were conducted by three previously calibrated dental surgeons, with an intra and inter-examiner concordance degree varying between 0.85 and 0.90. The malocclusion clinical exame valuated aspects concerning overbite, overjet, and posterior crossbite, according to Foster and Hamilton (1969), and Grabowski et al. (2007) criteria. Bivariate analysis and Poisson regression were conducted (α=5%). The prevalence of malocclusion was 62.4%. The most frequent types were increased overjet (42.6%), anterior open bite (21%), and increased overbite (19.3%). It was observed correlation between malocclusion and age, with higher prevalence among 3-year-olds (PR=1.116; 95%CI=1.0491.187).

Anterior open bite was significantly associated with 3-year-olds (PR=1.376; 95%CI 1.236-1.532), with public school (PR=1.085; 95%CI 1.001-1.175), and with pacifier sucking time &#8805;36 months (PR=1.426; 95%CI 1.315-1.546). Posterior crossbite was associated with pacifier use (PR=1.112; 95%CI 1.057-1.170), and natural breastfeeding time <12 months (PR=1.050; 95%CI 1.003-1.100). The prevalence of oral conditions negative impact on the quality of life was 27.6% in the child section and 22.3% in the family section. Malocclusion was not associated with negative impact on the quality of life. Mother s schooling (PR: 1.397; 95%CI: 1.119 to 1.744), parent/caregiver s assessment of child s oral health (PR: 1.977; 95%CI: 1.540 to 2.538), history of toothache (PR: 3.799; 95%CI: 2.303 to 6.266) and visits to the dentist (PR: 0.600; 95%CI: 0.374 to 0.962) remained significantly associated with quality of life in the final model for the children, whereas parent/caregiver s assessment of child s oral health (PR: 2.243; 95%CI: 1.650 to 3.048) and history of toothache (PR: 2.345; 95%CI: 1.735 to 3.170) remained in the final model for the families. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that malocclusion affects preschool children regardless of their families socioeconomic status. Breastfeeding must be stimulated for long periods and pacifier use represents risks for the occurrence of anterior open bite and posterior crossbite, especially anterior open bite if it persists for more than 3 years. Although the prevalence of malocclusion in the deciduous teeth was high, this alteration did not affect negatively the quality of life of preschool children and their families in the city of Campina Grande-PB.