Factors associated with the development of dental defects acquired in the extrauterine environment

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the association of sociodemographic, child health, healthcare service, and access indicators with developmental defects of enamel (DDE) acquired outside the uterus, based on gestational factors. A cohort of births was carried out, and 982 children aged 12 to 30 months were examined. A total of 1,500 women were followed up as of the 5th month of gestation, and the child's gestational age was evaluated at follow-up. The clinical examination was performed as recommended by the World Health Organization, and defects were classified using the modified DDE index. Six models were considered: presence of DDE (Model 1) or opacities (Model 4), number of teeth with DDE (Model 2) or opacities (Model 5), and incidence rate of DDE (Model 3) or opacities (Model 6). Associations were estimated by relative risk (RR) in Poisson regression models. In the adjusted analysis, the mother's lowest education level was associated with the highest occurrence of DDE in Models 1 (RR = 26.43; p = 0.002), 2 (RR = 9.70; p = 0.009), and 3 (RR = 5.63; p = 0.047). Breastfeeding for over 12 months (RR = 0.45; p = 0.030) and recent use of anti-infection drugs (RR = 0.20; p = 0.039) had a protective effect on DDE (Model 1). The factors associated with the highest incidence of opacities were not having health insurance (RR = 2.00; p = 0.043) (Model 5), and belonging to a family of poor social class (RR = 4.67; p = 0.007) (Model 6). Children in a situation of socioeconomic vulnerability have a higher risk of presenting extrauterine DDE. Breastfeeding was a protection factor for DDE development.

Comparación de la prevalencia de hipomineralización molar incisiva en niños con diferente cobertura asistencial en las ciudades de Buenos Aires (Argentina) y Montevideo (Uruguay) / Comparison of the prevalence of molar incisor hypomineralization among children with different health care coverage in the cities of Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Montevideo (Uruguay)

El objetivo fue comparar la frecuencia de la hipomineralización molar incisiva (HMI) entre niños con diferente cobertura de salud en Buenos Aires y Montevideo. Se diseñó un estudio transversal, observacional y descriptivo con los nacidos entre 1993-2003, asististidos en las Cátedras de Odontología Integral Niños (Universidad de Buenos Aires) y de Odontopediatría (Universidad de la República) y en cinco clínicas privadas, entre abril y diciembre 2010. Se conformaron dos grupos: A (Buenos Aires; n=1.090) y B (Montevideo; n=626). El diagnóstico clínico fue realizado por examinadores calibrados (Kappa: 0,94) con los criterios de Mathu-Muju y Wright. Los resultados mostraron una prevalencia de HMI en A del 16,1% y en B del 12,3% (p=0,03), con diferencias significativas entre los sectores público y privado en ambos grupos (A p=0,0008; B p=0,0004) y una correlación positiva entre la HMI y el año de nacimiento (A p=0,001; B p=0,005) Los resultados permiten concluir que la HMI es una patología emergente y su prevalencia se relaciona al año de nacimiento y al acceso al cuidado de salud.

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) among children with different health care coverage in Buenos Aires and Montevideo. An observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study was designed, considering children born from 1993-2003 who were seen in the Chairs of Comprehensive Children's Dentistry (Universidad de Buenos Aires) and of Pediatric Dentistry (Universidad de la República) and at five private dental offices between April and December 2010. Two groups were defined: A (Buenos Aires; n=1,090) and B (Montevideo; n=626). The clinical diagnosis was carried out with calibrated examiners (Kappa: 0.94) using the Mathu-Muju and Wright criteria. The prevalence of MIH was found to be 16.1% in A and 12.3% in B (p=0.03), with statistically significant differences between the public and private care sectors in both groups (A p=0.0008; B p=0.0004) and a positive correlation between MIH and year of birth (A p=0.001; B p=0.005). The results show that MIH is an emerging pathology and that MIH prevalence is related to year of birth and access to health care.