Effect of dark discolouration and enamel/dentine fracture on the oral health-related quality of life of pre-schoolers

Abstract

Aim: To determine the effect of different types of dental trauma on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among pre-school children.

Methods: Four hundred fifty-nine Brazilian pre-schoolers aged 3-5 years were submitted to an oral examination in the school environment for the evaluation of dental trauma using the criteria proposed by Andreasen et al. (2007). Parents answered a questionnaire on the OHRQoL of the children using the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) and another one on socio-demographic characteristics of the children and their families. The questionnaires were sent to the parents to be answered at home. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney test and Poisson regression were used for statistical analysis.

Results: Children with dark discolouration and enamel-dentine fracture without pulp exposure had higher mean ECOHIS scores than those without these alterations. The multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that pre-school children with dark discolouration (PR 1.79; 95% CI 1.24-2.58) and enamel-dentine fracture without pulp exposure (PR 1.89; 95% CI 1.22-2.92) had a higher impact on quality of life than those without these alterations.

Conclusion: Dark discolouration and enamel-dentine fracture without pulp exposure were associated with a negative impact on the life of pre-schoolers.

Keywords: Incisor; Pre-school children; Quality of life; Tooth injuries.