Epidemiologia (Jun 2024)

Investigation of Malocclusion and Associated Factors in Preschoolers: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study

  • Amanda Araújo de Carvalho,
  • Tatiana Frederico de Almeida,
  • Maria Beatriz Barreto de Sousa Cabral,
  • Maria Cristina Teixeira Cangussu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia5020019
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 2
pp. 275 – 288

Abstract

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This study aims to describe the prevalence of malocclusion and identify associated factors in preschool children. Completed in 2022–2023, this cross-sectional study included 523 children aged 26 to 80 months in municipal schools in Salvador. An oral examination was carried out on the children, and a questionnaire was self-administered by the parents. Descriptive analyses and multivariate logistic regression (the backward method, p-value ≤ 0.05, 95% CI) were conducted. The majority of children were female (51.82%), over 54 months old (52.2%), Black or mixed race (90.63%), and not affected by COVID-19 (92.35%). The prevalence of malocclusion was 43.21%, with open bite as the most common condition. There was a significant association between malocclusion and screen time (OR: 1.34; p: 0.116; CI: 1.0–1.94), physical/psychological aggression (OR: 2.55; p: 0.031; CI: 1.0–5.98), consumption of ultra-processed foods (OR: 1.77; p: 0.003; CI: 1.22–2.57), digital suction (OR: 3.1; p: 0.001; CI: 1.56–6.16), and the habit of biting objects (OR: 1.56; p: 0.121; CI: 1.0–2.73). The promotion of comprehensive health in early childhood and psychosocial interventions are recommended, aiming to reduce screen time, aggression, consumption of ultra-processed foods, thumb sucking, and the habit of biting objects to prevent malocclusion.

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