Study of the Traumatic Injuries in Children Aged 1 to 3 Years in the City of Barueri, SP, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of traumatic injuries in theprimary dentition, and to verify which are the most frequent typesof trauma and the most commonly affected teeth in these events.Method: 1042 1-3-year-old children of both genders living in thecity of Barueri - SP, regularly attending municipal daycare centerswere enrolled in the study. Clinical data were collected and tablesand graphics were prepared for statistical analysis. Chi-squaretest was used for comparison of categorical data displayed asfrequencies (p<0.05).Results: 398 children (38.2%) [x2 = 46.478 (p<0.001)] had sufferedsome type of dental trauma; enamel fracture was the most prevalenttype of fracture (69.8%) and the most frequently involved primaryteeth were 61 (44.3%) and 51 (41.4%).Conclusion: Educative and/or preventive measures should bepart of the routine practice of the pediatric dentist both in the privateoffice and in community health policies. Additionally, this approachmotivates a new insight on the importance of providing counselingand information regarding the possibilities of traumatic dentalinjuries and their undesirable sequelae in children at an early age.

Keywords

• Epidemiology
• Tooth injuries
• Primary teeth