Prevalence and factors associated to dental trauma in infants 1-3years of age

Abstract-The aims of this study were to assess the epidemiology of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) to primary teeth in infants and toddlers between 1 and 3years of age and investigate whether TDI was related to biological and social factors. A representative sample of infants and toddlers in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil (n=519) was examined during a vaccination campaign. The evaluation of clinical signs of previous dental trauma was performed by nine previously calibrated examiners (intra-examiner Kappa=0.95%; inter-examiner Kappa=0.88%). Data were analysed through descriptive analysis, the chi-squared test (P0.050). Children of mothers with low levels of schooling (0-6years of study) had a greater prevalence of TDI (P=0.001). The results of the logistic regression also demonstrated a significant association between dental injury and the Social Vulnerability Index (P=0.045). Children from families with high social vulnerability (worse living conditions) had a 1.51 (95% confidence interval 1.0-2.2) greater chance of exhibiting TDI. These results can help guide the implementation of health promotion policies.