Nayara Kelly Lyrio Ferraz1, Lilian Capanema Nogueira1, Marcos Luciano Pimenta Pinheiro2, Leandro Silva Marques3, Maria Leticia Ramos-Jorge4, Joana Ramos-Jorge5. 1. Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Brazil. 2. Department of Basic Sciences, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Brazil. 3. Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Brazil. 4. Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Brazil. mlramosjorge@gmail.com. 5. Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, University of Vale do Rio Verde (UNICOR), Brazil.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to assess the clinical consequences of untreated dental caries related to the occurrence of toothache among Brazilian preschool children. METHODS: A random sample of 540 two- to five-year-olds underwent a clinical oral examination for the assessment of early childhood caries (ECC) using the dmft (decayed, missing and filled primary teeth) index and pufa (carious lesions with pulpal involvement [p], ulceration of the mucosa due to root fragments [u], fistula [f], and abscess [a]) index to score consequences of dental caries in soft tissues. Parents/guardians were asked to answer a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic characteristics and toothache experience in the children. Descriptive analysis and hierarchically adjusted Poisson regression models were employed. RESULTS: The prevalence of ECC and pufa (≥1) was approximately 50 percent and 12 percent, respectively. A total of 25 percent of the children had toothache experience. Toothache was significantly associated with: an older age (prevalence ratio [PR]=3.70; 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.09-6.58); carious lesions with pulpal involvement (PR=3.93; 95% CI=3.09-5.01); ulceration of the mucosa due to root fragments (PR=2.73; 95% CI=1.52-4.89); fistula (PR=2.91; 95% CI=1.89-4.49); and abscess (PR=4.43; 95% CI=3.78-5.19). CONCLUSION: Toothache experience in preschool children was associated with untreated cavitated dentin lesions and their consequences.
PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to assess the clinical consequences of untreated dental caries related to the occurrence of toothache among Brazilian preschool children. METHODS: A random sample of 540 two- to five-year-olds underwent a clinical oral examination for the assessment of early childhood caries (ECC) using the dmft (decayed, missing and filled primary teeth) index and pufa (carious lesions with pulpal involvement [p], ulceration of the mucosa due to root fragments [u], fistula [f], and abscess [a]) index to score consequences of dental caries in soft tissues. Parents/guardians were asked to answer a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic characteristics and toothache experience in the children. Descriptive analysis and hierarchically adjusted Poisson regression models were employed. RESULTS: The prevalence of ECC and pufa (≥1) was approximately 50 percent and 12 percent, respectively. A total of 25 percent of the children had toothache experience. Toothache was significantly associated with: an older age (prevalence ratio [PR]=3.70; 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.09-6.58); carious lesions with pulpal involvement (PR=3.93; 95% CI=3.09-5.01); ulceration of the mucosa due to root fragments (PR=2.73; 95% CI=1.52-4.89); fistula (PR=2.91; 95% CI=1.89-4.49); and abscess (PR=4.43; 95% CI=3.78-5.19). CONCLUSION: Toothache experience in preschool children was associated with untreated cavitated dentin lesions and their consequences.