Oral Health of Hospitalized Brazilian Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the oral health conditions of hospitalized children, as well as describe the knowledge and practices of oral health care adopted by their parents/guardians. Material and Methods:The sample was composed of 46 children who had been hospitalized for at least five days, who had erupted teeth in the oral cavity and were accompanied by their parents/guardians. Information was collected in relation to theoral health status of children (DMFT/DEF), the socioeconomic profile and access to information on health and oral hygiene of the parents/guardians anddata regarding the hospitalization of the children. The data were analyzed using the Fisher, Pearson's and Mann Whitney's Chi-squared tests, with a confidence level of 95%.Results:47.8% of the hospitalized children had experienced caries, and the most relevant component for the determination of the experience of caries was the presence of decayed teeth (0.50 to 1.94). A total of 97.8% of parents/guardians said they had not received information on oral health and hygiene, 100.0% had not received guidance on the sugar contained in medicines or the salivary decrease caused by the medications. 34.8% of the children did not perform oral hygiene during hospitalization. According to medical records, 58.7% took liquid medication orally. Conclusion:The hospitalized children had precarious oral health conditions, with the occurrence of carious lesions of the teeth. The presence of risk factors for dental caries in hospitalized children was observed (poor oral hygiene, low schooling and income of parents/guardians, limited knowledge of parents/guardians regarding health care and oral hygiene, consumption of medicines with cariogenic potential) (AU).