Prevalence of dental trauma among 6-7-year-old children in the city of Recife, PE, Brazil

ABSTRACT

Dental trauma has a great impact on quality of life, affecting children physically, esthetically andpsychologically. Aim: To assess the prevalence of dental trauma in 6-7-year-old northeasternBrazilian children and its correlation with gender. Methods: This cross-sectional study wascarried out with 1,791 children attending 20 public schools in the city of Recife, Brazil. Datacollection included oral examination to identify indicators of traumatic dental injury, such as crowndiscoloration in incisors, and was conducted by 4 previously trained Graduate students (Kappa> 0.8). Traumatic dental injuries were classified according to Andreasen’s criteria. Root fracturewas not recorded as no radiographs were taken. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’schi-square at a 5.0% level of significance. Results: The prevalence of dental trauma was 9.1%and males were significantly more affected. Crown discolorations followed by enamel fracturewere, respectively, the injuries indicators more frequently observed in primary and permanentdentition. The most affected teeth were the upper central incisors in both dentitions. Conclusions:The prevalence of dental trauma in primary teeth was low among 6-7-year-old children in the cityof Recife and showed association with gender.