Defeitos de esmalte na dentição decídua: prevalência, distribuição e fatores associados

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of enamel development defects and associated factors in preschool children in Governador Valadares, MG. This is a cross-sectional study, with a convenience sample, carried out in two municipal daycare centers in Governador Valadares (ethic committee n° 2.740.143). Ninety-six children between 1 and 6 years of age participated in the study, whose parents or legal guardians signed an informed consent term. Two previously trained examiners performed clinical examinations to determine the presence of enamel defects using the International Dental Federation index. A previously tested questionnaire with sociodemographic and behavioral information was administered to the children's mothers. Statistical analysis was descriptive, bivariate by using Chi-square, Fisher and/or linear trend tests and multivariate using the Poisson regression. Variables with a p-value <0.30 in the crude analysis were included in the adjusted analysis. Prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals were obtained. Most children were female (53.6%), had 5 to 6 years old (42.6%), black or brown skin color (60.4%), family’s income below 1 minimum wage (56.5%), and mothers with 13 to 17 years of schooling (45.2%). Most mothers reported taking medicines during pregnancy (51.9%) and cesarean delivery (51.2%). In the first 3 years of life 25.3% of the children had infections, 38.6% took medicines, 54.0% visited the dentist, preventively (57.1%) or due to caries or dental trauma (32.7%). The prevalence of enamel defects was 40.5%. Most children had 1 or 2 lesions (31.7%). Demarcated defects (17.7%) and central incisors were the most affected lesions and teeth. The prevalence of enamel defects was associated with age 5 to 6 years (p=0.033) and with income (p<0.0001). In the deciduous dentition, the prevalence of enamel defects in the study population was high and was associated with age and income.