PAIVA, Paula Cristina Pelli et al. Exploratory study on the prevalence of dental injuries and obesity among 12-years-old schoolchildren in Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Arq. Odontol. []. 2014, 50, 1, pp. 35-41. ISSN 1516-0939.

Aim: The present study sought to investigate the prevalence of traumatic dental injury (TDI) in the permanent dentition of 12-year-old schoolchildren in the city of Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil, as well as associations with demographic and clinical factors. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 101 schoolchildren (46.5% male and 53.5% female) selected from public and private schools. A clinical exam was performed by dentists who had been previously trained and calibrated, adopting the classification proposed by Andreasen et al. The socioeconomic condition was investigated by means of a Brazilian Advertisers Association (ABAABIPEME) questionnaire, as regards household income and mother's education level. Obesity was measured by the body mass index (BMI = weight [ kg ] / height [ m2 ]), by sex and by age. Frequency analyses and the associations tests were also performed (p<0.05). Results: The prevalence of traumatic dental injury was 33.7%, the main type of TDI was enamel fracture (57.7%), and the most prevalent treatment was aesthetic restoration using composite resin (5.9%). Most children presented only one affected tooth (94.1%), of which the central incisor tooth was the most commonly affected. The TDI in 77.8% of schoolchildren took place more than one year ago. Statistically significant associations were found among males as regards OR - 2.54 (95% CI=1.090-5.951) (p=0.029), overjet OR - 6.648 (95% CI=2.591-7.057) (p=0.001), inadequate lip coverage OR - 4.977 (95% CI=2.001-12.376) (p<0.0001), and traumatic dental injury. TDI proved not to be statistically associated with socioeconomic class (p=0.579), mother's education level (p=0.233), and BMI (p=0.776). Conclusion: The prevalence of TDI among 12-year-olds was high, associated mainly with gender, and the clinical factors of overjet and inadequate lip coverage, but no associations were found with socioeconomic status or nutritional standards.

: Dental injury.; Oral health.; Permanent dentition.; Adolescent.; Body mass index..