The prevalence of dental trauma and its association with illicit drug use among adolescents

Prevalence of dental trauma in Brazilian children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dental trauma in Brazilian children and adolescents. A systematic review was conducted considering eight databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), LILACS, BBO, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Open Access Theses and Dissertations, and OpenThesis. Only prevalence studies that used a probabilistic sampling method were included, without restriction on year or language of publication. The JBI critical appraisal tools for prevalence studies were used to assess the individual risk of bias. The individual studies were combined in the meta-analysis using the random-effects model. The heterogeneity between the studies was analyzed by Cochran's Q and the I-square statistics. A meta-regression analysis was performed to evaluate the sources of heterogeneity. The GRADE approach assessed the certainty of evidence across included studies. The search resulted in 2,069 records, of which 36 were included in the study. The eligible studies were published from 2000 to 2021, with a total sample of 40,194 children and adolescents. Most studies (75%) had a low risk of bias. In permanent teeth, the prevalence of dental trauma was 21% (95%CI: 16.0; 26.0) and in deciduous teeth; 35% (95%CI: 26.0; 44.0). The prevalence of dental trauma among boys was higher than among girls for both dentitions. Based on a low certainty, the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries in Brazilian children and adolescents is higher than that found worldwide both in deciduous and permanent teeth. Also, the prevalence of dental trauma among boys is higher than among girls.

Introduction of an interactive tool (the Dental Trauma Guide) in the undergraduate dental teaching to manage traumatic dental injuries

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Traumatic dental injuries (TDI) are complex problems where lack of proper care may result in serious complications. The need to improve the management of TDI is a frequently addressed concern. Methods of improvement in their diagnosis and management are continuously evolving. The interactive Internet tool, the Dental Trauma Guide (DTG), helps to simplify diagnostic and management dilemmas. However, it is not a freely available tool. The aim of the current study was to assess the knowledge and diagnostic skills of undergraduate dental students with access to the DTG compared with students without such access, in order to validate and promote this tool in dental education.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two groups of students were randomly selected where one group of final year dental undergraduate students were exposed to lectures, demonstrations, discussions and tutorials on the management of TDI according to the standard undergraduate curriculum in Sri Lanka. Another test group of 21 students were provided with access to DTG during their training in paediatric dentistry. At the end of the study period, students were assessed on their knowledge of TDI using MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) and OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examination), based on the DTG.

RESULTS

The students with access to the DTG were more knowledgeable in providing the correct answers to three out of the seven OSCE questions. Evaluation based on the MCQs did not reveal a significant difference (p = .913). However, users of the DTG showed a statistically significant difference with better overall knowledge based on their answers (p = .028). Following this period of evaluation, all of the students were provided with access to the DTG to supplement their learning experience.

CONCLUSION

The Dental Trauma Guide is a useful supplementary tool for undergraduate students to arrive at a correct diagnosis and treatment plan for TDI.

Impact of dental treatment and the severity of traumatic dental injuries on the quality of life of Brazilian schoolchildren

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Traumatic dental injuries (TDI) are most prevalent during adolescence and infancy, and they have an important impact on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of dental treatment and the severity of TDI on the OHRQoL of schoolchildren in public schools in Brazil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study evaluated schoolchildren aged 11 to 14 years in Brasilia, Brazil. The criteria used for the examinations were TDI-O'Brien criteria; Dental caries-DMFT criteria; and malocclusion-the Dental Aesthetic Index. The impact of oral health on the children's quality of life was assessed with the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ_11-14 ) that was completed by the children while on the school premises. Socio-demographic information was also collected from the parents. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric and association tests, as well as linear regression.

RESULTS

A total of 20.2% of the students had some TDI in their permanent anterior teeth; 20% of traumatized teeth were treated, and 80% were not treated. Sorting by severity, 75.1% of the schoolchildren had a TDI involving only the enamel, and 24.9% had a TDI extending beyond the enamel. Significant differences were observed between the severity of a TDI and the total scores of CPQ_11-14 (Kruskal-Wallis; p = 0.0026), emotional well-being (p = 0.0006), and social well-being (p = 0.0001) when the group with TDI extending beyond the enamel was compared with the other groups (control and with TDI involving only the enamel), even after adjustment for socio-demographic and clinical variables. For oral symptoms and functional limitation, no differences were observed among the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Dental trauma and fractures extending beyond the enamel, treated or not, have a negative impact on the OHRQoL of schoolchildren, suggesting effects on self-perception and in the social and emotional spheres.

Traumatic dental injury and oral health-related quality of life among 15 to 19 year old adolescents from Santa Maria, Brazil

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The literature is scarce on the association between traumatic dental injuries (TDI) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among adolescents, and there is no study assessing this relationship using clinical criteria for the assessment of TDI in this age group. The aim of this study was to assess the association between TDI and OHRQoL among 15 to 19yearold adolescents from Santa Maria, Brazil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted including a representative sample of 1197 15 to 19yearold adolescents attending 31 public and private schools. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) was used to evaluate the OHRQoL, and clinical examinations were performed to diagnose TDI based on the O'Brien classification. Demographic information, socioeconomic status, and clinical characteristics (caries experience, malocclusion, and gingivitis) were also collected as adjusting variables. Multilevel Poisson regression models were used to assess the association between TDI and OHRQoL. Rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of TDI was 17%, mild trauma was 12%, and severe trauma was 5%. In the adjusted models, adolescents with TDI had poorer OHRQoL than those without TDI (RR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.05-1.16). This negative effect was related to the psychological disability domain (RR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.02-1.32), to the social disability domain (RR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.13-1.59), and to the handicap domain (RR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.10-1.66).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite its low severity, TDI negatively affected the OHRQoL of 15 to 19yearold adolescents from Santa Maria, Brazil.

Are traumatic dental injuries greater in alcohol or illicit drugs consumers? A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Traumatic dental injuries (TDI), alcohol and illicit drugs consumption are highly-prevalent public health concerns. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between alcohol and/or illicit drugs consumption and the presence of TDI.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This review was performed in accordance with MOOSE and PRISMA guidelines. Electronic searches were performed to found observational studies that investigated subjects that consumed alcohol and/or illicit drugs associated with TDI. Data extraction and a risk of bias assessment were performed. Three meta-analyses (MA) were performed to evaluate the association between TDI and alcohol consumption (1^stMA), subgrouping the studies into alcohol intake and binge-drinking, alcohol-related problems (2^ndMA), and drugs (3^rdMA). The odds ratio (OR) were calculated (p ≤ 0.05) for all analyses. The evidence was certainty-tested using the GRADE approach.

RESULTS

Twelve articles met the eligibility criteria. Nine studies were methodologically sound, while three had some confounding factors. In the pooled MA, an association between alcohol consumption and TDI (OR 1.57[1.33,1.85],p = 0.00001) was determined with moderate certainty of evidence, confirmed in the subgroups of alcohol intake (OR 1.49[1.17,1.90],p = 0.001) and binge-drinking (OR 1.68[1.30,2.18],p = 0.0001). No associations were found between TDI and risk for alcohol-related problems and drug use (OR 0.75[0.50,1.14],p = 0.18, and OR 1.20[0.82,1.75],p = 0.27, respectively), with both analyses having a very low certainty of evidence.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

There is moderate evidence concerning the association between alcohol use and TDI. Despite the absence of an association between illicit drugs use, alcohol-related problems and the presence of TDI, these results should be viewed with caution, since they had very low-certainly-evidence.

Illicit drug use and traumatic dental injuries in adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between illicit drug use and traumatic dental injuries (TDI) among adolescents.

METHOD

We used data from 618 adolescents who participated in Phases I and III of Research with East Adolescents Community Health Survey (RELACHS), a longitudinal school-based study of adolescents in East London. Illicit drug use was collected when participants were 11-12 and 15-16 years old (Phases I and III, respectively). Clinical examinations for TDI were conducted in Phase III only. The association of lifetime prevalence of illicit drug use at ages 11-12 and 15-16 years with TDI was evaluated in crude and adjusted binary logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Overall, 6.3% and 25.4% of adolescents reported having ever used illicit drugs at ages 11-12 (Phase I) and 15-16 years (Phase III), respectively. Also, 8.7% of adolescents were found to have TDI at age 15-16 years. There was no significant association between lifetime prevalence of illicit drug use reported at age 11-12 years (Odds Ratio: 1.07; 95% Confidence Interval: 0.45-2.54) or age 15-16 years (OR: 1.19; 95%CI: 0.74-1.93) and TDI.

CONCLUSION

This study found no support for an association between illicit drug use and TDI among adolescents from East London.

Risk factors for traumatic dental injuries in the Brazilian population: A critical review

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Strategies for the prevention of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) should consider the risk factors involved for each population studied. The aim of this study was to perform a critical review regarding the risk factors for TDI in the Brazilian population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed in the MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, and BBO databases using MeSH terms, synonyms, and keywords, with no language or date restrictions. In the first step, all relevant studies identified, regardless of the type of statistical analysis performed, were grouped according to their geographic location. In a second step, the studies using Andreasen's criteria to classify the injuries and multivariate analysis to identify the risk factors for TDI in Brazilian subjects were included for data extraction.

RESULTS

The search strategy initially identified 3373 articles. However, only 108 articles assessed TDI with predisposing factors and were included in the first step. From those, 28 were deemed eligible for inclusion in the second step. No consensus related to the relationship between gender and TDI in the primary dentition was achieved. Nonetheless, males were found to be more prone to trauma in the permanent dentition. Overjet, inadequate lip sealing and anterior open bite increased the risk for TDI, both in primary and permanent dentitions. Social environment was related to trauma only in primary dentition. For permanent dentition, dental caries, obesity, binge drinking, and drug use were identified as considerable risk factors for TDI.

CONCLUSION

The risk factors for TDI in the Brazilian population are similar to those found worldwide. However, some differences can be observed, such as gender and socioeconomic indicators as predisposing factors.

Prevalence of traumatic dental injuries and its association with binge drinking among 12-year-olds: a population-based study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries and its association with binge drinking among 12-year-old schoolchildren.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 588 students from a medium-sized city in Brazil. Data were collected through a clinical examination and self-administered questionnaires. Andreasen's classification was used for the determination of traumatic dental injuries. The consumption of alcoholic beverages and binge drinking were evaluated using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test--Consumption. Socio-economic status, overjet, and inadequate lip seal were also analysed. Associations were tested using the multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence rates of traumatic dental injuries, alcohol consumption in one's lifetime, and binge drinking were 29.9%, 45.6%, and 23.1%, respectively. The prevalence of traumatic dental injuries was significantly higher among those who engaged in binge drinking (PR = 1.410; 95% CI: 1.133-1.754) and even higher among those with inadequate lip protection and accentuated overjet (PR = 3.288; 95% CI: 2.391-4.522 and PR = 1.838; 95% CI: 1.470-2.298, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

A higher prevalence rate of traumatic dental injuries was found among 12-year-olds who engaged in binge drinking. The high rate of alcohol intake among adolescents is worrisome considering the vulnerability of this population due to the intense transformations that occur in the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Is there an association between traumatic dental injury and social capital, binge drinking and socioeconomic indicators among schoolchildren?

OBJECTIVES

Traumatic dental injury is defined as trauma caused by forces on a tooth with variable extent and severity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of traumatic dental injury and its association with overjet, lip protection, sex, socioeconomic status, social capital and binge drinking among 12-year-old students.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 633 12-year-old students. Data were collected through a clinical exam and self-administered questionnaires. Socioeconomic status was determined based on mother's schooling and household income. The Social Capital Questionnaire for Adolescent Students and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) were used to measure social capital and binge drinking, respectively.

RESULTS

The prevalence of traumatic dental injury was 29.9% (176/588). Traumatic dental injury was more prevalent among male adolescents (p = 0.010), those with overjet greater than 5 mm (p < 0.001) and those with inadequate lip protection (p < 0.001). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, overjet [OR = 3.80 (95% CI: 2.235-6.466), p < 0.0001], inadequate lip protection [OR = 5.585 (95% CI: 3.654-8.535), p < 0.0001] and binge drinking [OR = 1.93 (95% CI: 1.21-3.06), p = 0.005] remained significantly associated with traumatic dental injury.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings suggest that a high level of total social capital and trust are not associated with TDI in adolescents, unlike binge drinking. The effects of social and behavioral factors on TDI are not well elucidated. Therefore, further research involving other populations and a longitudinal design is recommended.

Over two hundred million injuries to anterior teeth attributable to large overjet: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/AIM

The association between large overjet and traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) to anterior teeth is documented. However, observational studies are discrepant and generalizability (i.e. external validity) of meta-analyses is limited. Therefore, this meta-analysis sought to reconcile such discrepancies seeking to provide reliable risk estimates which could be generalizable at global level.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Literature search (years 1990-2014) was performed (Scopus, GOOGLE Scholar, Medline). Selected primary studies were divided into subsets: 'primary teeth, overjet threshold 3-4 mm' (Primary3); 'permanent teeth, overjet threshold 3-4 mm' (Permanent3); 'permanent teeth, overjet threshold 6 ± 1 mm' (Permanent6). The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were extracted. To obtain the highest level of reliability (i.e. internal validity), the pooled OR estimates were assessed accounting for between-study heterogeneity, publication bias and confounding. Result robustness was investigated with sensitivity and subgroup analyses.

RESULTS

Fifty-four primary studies from Africa, America, Asia and Europe were included. The sampled individuals were children, adolescents and adults. Overall, there were >10 000 patients with TDI. The pooled OR estimates resulted 2.31 (95% confidence interval - 95CI, 1.01-5.27), 2.01 (95CI, 1.39-2.91) and 2.24 (95CI, 1.56-3.21) for Primary3, Permanent3 and Permant6, respectively. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses corroborated these estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

Reliability and generalizability of pooled ORs were high enough and made it possible to assess that the fraction of global TDIs attributable to large overjet is 21.8% (95CI, 9.7-34.5%) and that large overjet is co-responsible for 235 008 000 global TDI cases (95CI, 104,760,000-372,168,000). This high global burden of TDI suggests that preventive measures must be implemented in patients with large overjet.