Parenting styles and dental caries in Brazilian children and adolescents in foster care.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyse parenting styles as a possible factor associated with caries in foster children and adolescents who had been victims of domestic violence. METHODS: The study was carried out in nine foster shelters in Recife, Northeast Brazil, with a sample of 88 participants aged 8 to 17 years old. Data were collected through intraoral examinations to verify deft/DMFT indices, applying the Demandingness and Responsiveness Scales to determine parenting styles. In turn, sociodemographic data were retrieved from records filed at the institutions. Descriptive analysis was performed, with the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests being used to compare the categories of numerical variables. RESULTS: The mean deft/DMFT was of 3.78 in children (8 and 9 years old) and 1.93 in adolescents (10 years old and older). Overall, the index was of 2.31. Neglect was the main reason for the children's admission to foster care, while neglectful was the most prevalent parenting style. CONCLUSION: Children of indulgent parents had higher caries indices in both deciduous and permanent teeth, while children of authoritative (permanent teeth) and authoritarian parents (deciduous teeth) had the lowest caries indices. However, no significant associations were found between caries and parenting styles.

Does previous dental care experience make the child less anxious? An evaluation of anxiety and fear of pain.

PURPOSE: Evidence has shown an inverse correlation between previous dental care experience and anxiety levels in children. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental anxiety in Brazilian schoolchildren and to evaluate the association between previous experience with the dentist and anxiety and fear of pain. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in two cities in Brazil with 1191 schoolchildren aged 6-12 years. The data were collected through interviews and clinical examination. The interviews followed the Dental Anxiety Question (DAQ), the Fear of Dental Pain Questionnaire Short Form (S-FDPQ) adapted to children, and some sociodemographic questions. RESULTS: Dental anxiety was more prevalent in the younger group, with a higher prevalence of moderate and severe anxiety. The group with extreme anxiety showed a higher prevalence of extreme fear, whereas the group who did not present anxiety showed a higher prevalence of children with moderate fear of pain. Children who had not visited the dentist showed a higher prevalence of fear and a lot of fear (33.5%) as compared to those who had already experienced dental care (13.9%). The prevalence of severe anxiety and extreme fear of pain was higher in the group of female children aged 6-9 years, and with caries experience (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The experience with the dentist was associated with less anxiety and fear of pain. The age of the child was a determining factor for changes in their anxiety level. Severe dental anxiety influences fear of pain experienced by the child.

The opinion of children and their parents about four different types of dental restorations in a public health service in Brazil.

AIM: To investigate the opinion of children and their parents of four different types of restoration placed in primary molars. METHODS: A mixed method study in which both children and their parents were involved. In the quantitative study, children and parents gave their opinion using a face scale about four different types of restoration immediately after placement, evaluating how satisfied they were. In the qualitative part, children and their parents were interviewed to report their preference among the four types of restoration using dental models and photos. RESULTS: In the quantitative study, 1045 restorations were placed, being conventional restorations (198 with amalgam and 205 with composite resin) and atraumatic interventions [408 with glass ionomer: ART, atraumatic restorative treatment, and 234 with preformed metal crowns (PMCs): Hall technique]. Almost all participants (children and parents) gave a positive opinion (from 94.9 to 100%) on the four types of restoration placed in the children's teeth. There was no statistical significant difference in opinion in terms of acceptance of the four types of restoration placed (Chi square test, p value > 0.05). In the qualitative approach, 18 children and 11 parents were interviewed. If they could choose, children (16/18) preferred the PMCs, while parents (10/11) preferred aesthetic materials such as composite resin and glass ionomer cement. CONCLUSIONS: A high degree of satisfaction was observed with children and their parents in the four types of restoration after placement. However, if it could be chosen in advance, children prefer the PMCs and parents a tooth-coloured material.

Factors associated with dental anxiety in Brazilian children during the first transitional period of the mixed dentition.

AIMS: To determine the prevalence of dental anxiety in children during the first transitional period of the mixed dentition and associated factors. METHODS: A Cross-sectional study was performed with 1367 children of both genders aged 6-7 years old conducted in schools in Recife, Brazil in 2013. The data were collected through interviews and intra-oral examinations. Dental anxiety data were obtained using the dental anxiety questionnaire (DAQ). The associated factors considered were: age, gender, social group, child's experience with the dentist, history of dental pain, experience of caries and phase of exfoliation. RESULTS: The prevalence of children with some level of dental anxiety was 54.4%. Visit to the dentist and social group were associated with dental anxiety (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dental anxiety was high, although children attending private schools and those who had visited the dentist before had a lower prevalence of dental anxiety.

Anxiety related to dental care in children and adolescents in a low-income Brazilian community.

AIM: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of anxiety related to dental care and analyse associated factors in children and adolescents in a low-income community in Recife, Brazil. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 101 children and adolescents from both genders, aged from 6 to 16 years. METHODS: The dependent variable, anxiety related to dental care, was obtained by the dental anxiety questionnaire (DAQ). The independent variables were: the previous experience, the pain history and DMFT-dmft. STATISTICS: Chi square test was performed to analyse the associations. In the multivariate analysis, binary logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: The probability of females in the sample experiencing anxiety was 3.1 times higher compared to males (OR 3.1 [1.3-7.2]). Children and adolescents who had never visited a dentist showed a level of anxiety 5.6 times higher than those who did (OR 5.6 [1.3-22.7]). CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety related to the dental care presented a prevalence of 36.6 % in a population aged 6-16 years. Females in this group, as well as subjects who had never been to the dentist were more likely to present anxiety.

Dental anxiety and dental pain in 5- to 12-year-old children in Recife, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Dental anxiety is a common problem, related to dental pain, which contributes to irregular dental attendance and avoidance of dental care, resulting in poorer oral health during childhood. AIM: To evaluate anxiety, pain and/or discomfort related to dental treatment in 5- to 12-year-old children examined during a public holiday. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey study was carried out with parental permission in 970 children of both sexes. Socio-economic status, dental anxiety and dental pain experience data were obtained through a questionnaire answered by parents or guardians. Dental anxiety was measured using the dental anxiety questionnaire (DAQ). The statistical analyses were performed using Pearson's Chi-square test. The intra-examiner agreement was high (κ = 0.80) and the inter-examiner was κ = 0.79. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental anxiety was 39.4 % and that of a history of dental pain was 44.9 %. Dental anxiety among children was associated with the child never having had a dental appointment. STATISTICS: The anxiety correlated positively with a history of dental pain (p < 0.001), the mother's low level of schooling (p = 0.037), parents' dental anxiety (p < 0.001), and negatively with visits to the dentist (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A high percentage of children presented with dental anxiety and a history of dental pain.

The social impact of children's dentofacial appearance.

AIM: To assess the influence of dentofacial appearance of 10-year-old children on interpersonal attractiveness. STUDY DESIGN: Survey. METHODS: Four sets of photographs were prepared, having as their initial models facial portraits of four boys and four girls. In each set facial portraits were presented in four situations: the original, harmonic face and three versions produced by a graphic computing program, classified as the class II, class III and long face syndromes. These photographs were shown to 802 schoolchildren so that they could choose which one they would most and which one they would least, want to have as a friend. Also they were asked which one they considered the most and the least aggressive, the most and least intelligent and the most and the least good-looking. RESULTS: The harmonic face was the predominant choice in the friendship dimension (68.9%), as for intelligence (46.8%), and regarding attractiveness for males (55.4%) and females (61.7%); as regards aggressiveness, class III was the predominant choice (57.9%). CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between harmonic and unharmonic facial appearances and interpersonal attractiveness in 10-year-old Brazilian children.