Traumatic dental injuries and related factors among sixth grade schoolchildren in four Palestinian towns

BACKGROUND

Traumatic dental injuries (TDI) are recognized as an important dental public health issue among children. The West Bank, a part of the Palestinian Authority, is in immediate neighborhood to Israel. There are inadequate epidemiologic data among the Palestinian people, on dental health issues.

AIM

To determine the occurrence of TDI to permanent teeth among sixth grade Palestinian schoolchildren living in four large towns of the West Bank and to investigate associations with anatomic and demographic factors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eight hundred and four children were sampled and examined in Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron and Jericho. Data collection included clinical examinations in schools and questionnaires for demographic and socio-economic background.

RESULTS

The prevalence of traumatic dental injuries was 17.7%. Enamel fractures and injuries involving dentine accounted for 41% and 42.5% of all injuries, respectively. The most affected teeth (89%) were upper central incisors. Only 5% of the injured teeth were treated. Results of multiple logistic regression confirmed that TDI were significantly (P < 0.001) more prevalent among boys, children presenting incisal overjet larger than 5 mm, and incompetent lip coverage.

CONCLUSIONS

The relative high prevalence and very low levels of treated TDI identified in this study suggested that both prevention and treatment of TDI in the West Bank were inadequate.

Impact of Behçet's syndrome on health-related quality of life: influence of the type and number of symptoms

OBJECTIVE

To assess the overall impact of Behçet's syndrome (BS) on quality of life and the specific impact of the type and number of symptoms on the quality of life of adults with BS.

METHODS

A questionnaire was mailed to the 641 adult members of the Behçet's Syndrome Society in the UK. Participants provided information on socio-demographic characteristics, disease duration, current symptoms (mouth ulcers, genital ulcers, skin lesions, fatigue, joint problems, stomach/bowel problems, eye problems, pathergy reaction, headaches and other neurological problems), symptom control and quality of life (the EQ-5D index). Linear regression was used to test the associations of the type and number of symptoms with the EQ-5D index.

RESULTS

Of the 447 members, 400 who returned the questionnaires had a confirmed diagnosis of BS. Of them, 362 had information on the variables selected for this analysis (76% females and 94% white British). The mean EQ-5D index was 0.47 (S.D. 0.38). Of the 10 symptoms assessed, joint problems had the strongest impact on quality of life, followed by neurological problems, pathergy reaction and stomach/bowel problems (adjusted coefficients of -0.15, -0.13, -0.11 and -0.18, respectively). Furthermore, the number of symptoms was significantly related to the EQ-5D index after adjustment for socio-demographic characteristics, disease duration and symptom control. The EQ-5D index decreased by -0.05 U for every additional symptom reported.

CONCLUSIONS

BS has a considerable impact on quality of life. Both the type and number of symptoms affect the quality of life of adults with BS.

Trends in dental caries in 1- to 4-year-old children in a Brazilian city between 1997 and 2008

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess trends in dental caries prevalence and severity in 1- to 4 year-old children living in Diadema, Brazil, over a 11-year period, from 1997 to 2008.

METHODS

In 2008 an epidemiological oral health survey was carried out and the results on caries were compared with five cross-sectional studies carried out using the same methods and criteria in 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, and 2006 in the same city. In all surveys, children were randomly selected from those attending a National Day of Children's Vaccination. Calibrated dentists carried out the clinical examination using WHO criteria. Caries trends were assessed by time-lag analysis. In total, 5348 children were examined in the six surveys over the 11-year period.

RESULTS

Time-lag analysis showed a marked and statistically significant decline in the prevalence (chi(2) for trends: P < 0.001) and severity (Kruskal-Wallis: P < 0.001) of dental caries between 1997 and 2008.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the last cohort of preschool children in Diadema had much better dental caries status than those in 1997.

Activities related to the occurrence of traumatic dental injuries in 15- to 18-year-olds

OBJECTIVE

To assess the activities related to the occurrence of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in order to establish the relationship between gender, socio-economic status (SES) and major TDI related events, using classification and examination procedures suitable for epidemiological purposes, in a sample of 15- to 18-year-old students in Taiwan.

METHODS

A random sample of 6312 15- to 18-year-old senior high school students in southern Taiwan was selected. Each was examined with standard clinical procedures and a questionnaire.

RESULTS

The prevalence of TDI was 19.9%. The major TDI related events included sports and leisure activities (30.8%), eating (20.5%), falls (19.4%), traffic accidents (10.2%) and collisions (7.1%). Within TDI victims, sports and leisure related TDI were more prevalent among males (P = 0.001, OR = 1.640, 95% CI = 1.225, 2.195) and high SES adolescents (P = 0.014, OR = 1.991, 95% CI = 1.149, 3.449). The occurrence of non-accidental TDI was not related to age, gender and SES (P > or = 0.643).

CONCLUSION

Traumatic dental injuries have become an important issue in public health and dentistry. Prevention and treatment of TDI should be emphasised to the public, the health professional and the policy maker. Future investigations into the relationship between TDI related events and their determinants are indicated.

Maxillary anterior caries as a predictor of posterior caries in the primary dentition in preschool Brazilian children

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess the use of maxillary anterior (MA) caries as a predictor of posterior (PO) caries at different dmf thresholds in Brazilian preschoolers.

METHODS

Clinical examinations were carried out during a National Day of Children Vaccination in Diadema, S.P.,Brazil. Caries experience was measured using dmfs index (WHO criteria), including white spots (D1). Odds ratio (OR), specificity (Sp), sensitivity (Se), and positive and negative prediction values (PV+, PV-) were calculated at different dmfs thresholds for maxillary anterior teeth. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used as a measure of the discriminant ability of MA caries on posterior caries.

RESULTS

A total of 987 children 5 to 59 months old were examined: 33% had caries; 22% had MA caries; and 68% had PO caries. In children older than 36 months, an association was found between MA and PO caries. Presence of MA caries increased the chances of children presenting PO caries at all dmfs thresholds. Predictive values (Sp, Se, PV+, PV-) varied according to dmfs thresholds. The total AUC was 0.75.

CONCLUSIONS

Caries in the anterior maxillary region was positively associated with posterior caries in 5- to 59-month-old children. Early onset of caries in maxillary anterior teeth may be a good predictor of the development of caries in posterior teeth in preschoolers.

A life-course approach to assess psychosocial factors and periodontal disease

BACKGROUND

Several models have been used to suggest the role of psychosocial factors in periodontal disease. None have adopted the life-course approach, which emphasizes the importance of exposures over time and at critical points of a person's life.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between psychosocial factors at two periods of life and periodontal diseases in Brazilian adult females.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study design was a cross-sectional survey of 330 women randomly selected from a larger sample of mothers whose children participated in a study on chronic oral disease using a life-course framework. Each woman was clinically assessed for the presence of periodontal disease. An interview collected information on socioeconomic, behavioural and family-related factors at two periods of the participant's life (childhood and adulthood). The main outcome variable was loss of periodontal attachment. Data analysis used logistic regression.

RESULTS

High levels of periodontal disease were predicted by <4 years of education, past and present smoking, high levels of paternal discipline in childhood and low levels of emotional support in adulthood. The influence of childhood factors was not attenuated by adulthood circumstances.

CONCLUSION

Psychosocial factors in childhood and adulthood were associated with high levels of periodontal disease in adulthood.

The independent contribution of neighborhood disadvantage and individual-level socioeconomic position to self-reported oral health: a multilevel analysis

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between neighborhood disadvantage and individual-level socioeconomic position (SEP) and self-reported oral health.

METHODS

A population-based cross-sectional study conducted in 2003 among males and females aged 43-57 years. The sample comprised 2915 individuals and 60 neighborhoods and was selected using a stratified two-stage cluster design. Data were collected using a mail survey (69.4% response rate). Neighborhood disadvantage was measured using a census-based composite index, and individual-level SEP was measured using education and household income. Oral health was indicated by self-reports of the impact of oral conditions on quality of life (0 = none or minor, 1 = severe), self-rated oral health (0 = excellent-good, 1 = fair/poor) and missing teeth (measured as a quantitative outcome). Data were analyzed using multilevel modeling.

RESULTS

After adjusting for age, sex, education, and household income, residents of socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods were significantly more likely than those in more advantaged neighborhoods to indicate negative impacts of oral conditions on quality of life, to assess their oral health as fair or poor, and to report greater tooth loss. In addition, respondents with low levels of education and those from a low income household reported poorer oral health for each outcome independent of neighborhood disadvantage.

CONCLUSIONS

The socioeconomic characteristics of neighborhoods are important for oral health over and above the socioeconomic characteristics of the people living in those neighborhoods. Policies and interventions to improve population oral health should be directed at the social, physical and infrastructural characteristics of places as well as individuals (i.e. the traditional target of intervention efforts).

Traumatic dental injuries and associated factors among Brazilian preschool children

The main objective of this study was to assess the epidemiology of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) to the primary teeth of preschool children and second, to investigate whether TDI were related to anterior open bite and, third, whether TDI are related to socio-economic circumstances in an urban Brazilian population. A clinical examination was performed during the National Day of Children's Vaccination. TDI were classified according to the modified classification proposed by Ellis. In addition to those criteria the presence of tooth discoloration was recorded. An interview was carried out with mothers or guardians. The data collected included mother's level of education and living conditions. The prevalence of TDI was 9.4%. The maxillary central incisors were the most affected teeth. Most children with a TDI experienced traumatic injuries to one tooth (6.3%), while 2.8% had two and 0.4% had three traumatized teeth. The most common crown fracture was in enamel only (68.8%), followed by crown fracture of enamel and dentin (13.8%). Missing teeth following trauma occurred in 10.9% of those with TDI. The prevalence of tooth discoloration was 5.1%. Children with anterior open bite had twice the level the level of TDI compared to those with normal occlusions (P = 0.001). Socio-economic factors were not statistically significantly associated with the occurrence of TDI. The prevalence of dental injuries in Brazilian preschool children was low. Children with anterior open bite experienced more dental injuries. Neither of the indicators of socio-economic status was related to the prevalence of TDI.

Demographic and socio-economic correlates of dental pain among adults in the United Kingdom, 1998

OBJECTIVE

To report the demographic and socio-economic correlates for dental pain in UK adults, and characterise those with dental pain who did not access dental services and perceived treatment need.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of the 1998 UK Adult Dental Health Survey data.

SETTING

Survey of random sample of UK households between September and December 1998.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Face-to-face interviews with community-dwelling adults, aged 16 years and over. MAIN: outcome measures Self-reported dental pain in the past 12 months. Dental attendance and perceived treatment need of those reporting dental pain.

RESULTS

Of the 4,942 valid responses, 46.1% were men, the proportion of subjects in each 10-year band age group up to 65 years ranged from 10 to 23%, and 42.6% were manual workers. Dental pain was reported by 28%. After controlling for gender and age, manual workers were more likely to report dental pain (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.06-1.37), non-utilisation of dental services (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.12-1.82), and perceived treatment need (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.03-1.60).

CONCLUSIONS

Inequality by social class, age and gender exists in the experience of dental pain, access to dental services and perceived treatment need in the UK adult population. Dental health services need to address the needs of this particular section of the population if the Government is to live up to its commitment to reducing oral health inequality and improving access.

Clinical correlates of oral health-related quality of life: evidence from a national sample of British older people

This study investigated the relationships between an oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) indicator and specific clinical dental measures, in a national representative sample of the British older population. A random subsample was drawn from the free-living sample of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (people aged >or= 65 yr). This subsample consisted of 407 dentate and 346 edentate participants, who were clinically examined and interviewed. The OHRQoL was assessed through the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) indicator. After adjusting for age, gender, and education, dentate subjects with up to 8 occluding pairs of teeth were 2.66 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08, 6.51) times, and those with up to 2 anterior occluding pairs were 3.00 (95% CI: 1.55, 5.81) times, more likely to report oral impacts when compared with those having more occluding pairs of teeth. Edentate participants with inadequate denture adaptation were 1.92 (95% CI: 1.04, 3.53) times, and subjects with inadequate denture retention were 2.04 (95% CI: 1.13, 3.69) times, more likely to report oral impacts than the remaining edentate sample in each case. OHRQoL in older British people is significantly related to the number of occluding pairs of natural teeth among the dentate and denture quality among the edentate.

Thresholds of restorative decision in dental caries treatment among dentists from small Brazilian cities

PURPOSE

To investigate the thresholds of restorative intervention in dental caries treatment, based upon the lesion depth seen in radiographs, among Brazilian dentists working in small cities. In addition, the threshold of restorative intervention was compared with demographic and work-related characteristics.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The studied population comprised dentists (n = 89) who were working in 2000 in 20 small cities of the Midwest region of the Southern Brazilian State of Santa Catarina. Four different radiographs were shown of extracted premolars fixed upon a plaster base. The criteria for the radiograph analyses were proposed by Nuttall et al (1993).

RESULTS

Of investigated dentists, 16.7% would restore a carious lesion confined to the outer half of the enamel and 33.3% would restore a carious lesion in the outer and inner half of the enamel, but without involving the enamel-dentine junction. The percentage that would restore lesions in the outer half of dentine was 91.7%. Dentists who had attended postgraduate courses in areas of interest of this study tended to adopt a more conservative treatment when compared with dentists who had not attended (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a great variation in the thresholds of intervention based upon lesion depth seen in radiographic images amongthe investigated Brazilian dentists. An interventionist attitude was observed, which could result in over-treatment. It is highly recommended to educate general practitioners from the studied region in performing early diagnosis of lesions and non-invasive care in order to treat initial carious lesions with only remineralisation and monitoring.

Relationship between IL-1A polymorphisms and gingival overgrowth in renal transplant recipients receiving Cyclosporin A

AIM

Levels of interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) are elevated in periodontal inflammation. IL-1A gene polymorphisms are associated with inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate IL-1A gene polymorphism in Cyclosporin A (CsA)-treated renal transplant patients and investigate the association between this polymorphism and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of several cytokines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-one renal transplant patients on CsA treatment (25 with and 26 without gingival overgrowth) and 29 healthy controls were recruited for the study. Demographic, pharmacological and periodontal parameters were recorded and gingival overgrowth was assessed.

RESULTS

Multiple regression analysis showed that genotype was significantly associated with gingival overgrowth (p=0.02). Carriage of the IL-1A (-889) T allele was strongly protective [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.046-0.77], although not significantly associated with IL-1alpha protein levels in GCF. IL-1alpha, IL-1beta and IL-8, but not IL-6, were detected in GCF of CsA-treated patients, but none of them was significantly associated with gingival overgrowth.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to associate a gene polymorphism as a risk factor for CsA-induced gingival overgrowth in renal transplant patients, demonstrating that IL-1A polymorphism might alter individual susceptibility to CsA. However, there was no association between GCF cytokine levels and the presence of gingival overgrowth or patient IL-1A genotype.

The shape of the socioeconomic-oral health gradient: implications for theoretical explanations

OBJECTIVES

The nature of the relationship between status and health has theoretical and applied significance. To compare the shape of the socioeconomic -oral health relationship using a measure of relative social status (MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status) and a measure of absolute material resource (equivalised household income); to investigate the contribution of behaviour in attenuating the socioeconomic gradient in oral health status; and to comment on three hypothesised explanatory mechanisms for this relationship (material, psychosocial, behavioural).

METHODS

In 2003, cross-sectional self-report data were collected from 2,915 adults aged 43-57 years in Adelaide, Australia using a stratified cluster design. Oral conditions were (1) < 24 teeth, (2) 1+ impact/s reported fairly often or very often on the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile; (3) fair or poor self-rated oral health, and (4) low satisfaction with chewing ability. Prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals (PR, 95%CI) were calculated from a logistic regression model. Covariates were age, sex, country of birth, smoking, alcohol use, body mass index, frequencies of toothbrushing and interdental cleaning.

RESULTS

There was an approximately linear relationship of decreasing prevalence for each oral condition across quintiles of increasing relative social status. In the fully adjusted model the gradient was steepest for low satisfaction with chewing (PR = 4.1, 95%CI = 3.0-5.4). Using equivalised household income, the shape more closely resembled a threshold effect, with an approximate halving of the prevalence ratio between the first and second social status quintiles for the adverse impact of oral conditions and fair or poor self-rated oral health. Adjustment for covariates did not attenuate the magnitude of PRs.

CONCLUSIONS

The nature of the relationship between social status and oral conditions differed according to the measure used to index social status. Perception of relative social standing followed an approximately straight-line relationship. In contrast, there was a discrete threshold of income below which oral health deteriorated, suggesting that the benefit to oral health of material resources occurs mostly at the lower end of the across the full socioeconomic distribution.

Prognostic factors in the treatment of generalized aggressive periodontitis: II. Effects of smoking on initial outcome

AIMS

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of smoking on the response to non-surgical treatment for aggressive periodontitis.

METHODS

Seventy-nine patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis were included in the study; 20 were smokers. All patients received a course of non-surgical periodontal therapy and outcomes assessed 10 weeks post-operatively. Non-responding patients were designated if they had 30% or more non-responding deep sites.

RESULTS

At baseline, bleeding scores were lower in smokers. There was no difference in baseline plaque, pocket depth (PD), recession or clinical attachment levels (CALs); when sites were selected by equal levels of CAL, increased recession was seen in smokers. Outcomes were poorer in smokers (mean PD change 1.75+/-0.56 versus 2.23+/-0.87 mm). The odds ratio for 30% of sites not responding in smokers was 2.9; for 40% non-responding it was 5.9. Smoking altered the distribution of site-specific responses to increase specifically the number of non-responding sites. There was no significant difference in responses between ex-smokers and never-smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that smoking is a major risk factor for poor response to initial treatment and emphasize the importance of smoking cessation in periodontal therapy.

Prognostic factors in the treatment of generalized aggressive periodontitis: I. Clinical features and initial outcome

AIMS

The aims of this study were to investigate prognostic factors for initial response to non-surgical periodontal treatment for generalized aggressive periodontitis.

METHODS

Seventy-nine patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis were included in this prospective follow-up intervention study. Patients' clinical and demographic parameters were collected at baseline and 10 weeks following a standard course of treatment (four visits of non-surgical root surface debridement together with OHI as required). The relationship between clinical variables and treatment outcome were analysed at site-specific level by chi(2) analysis and for patient-specific variables by logistic regression.

RESULTS

In general, there was a good response to the treatment provided. In deep sites the mean pocket depth reduction was 2.11+/-2.01 mm. Site-specific analysis showed that the presence of plaque had a small but significant predictive effect on outcome (odds ratio 1.4). Sites on teeth with grade II/III mobility showed a significantly reduced response to treatment. Twenty-five patients were classified as "non-responders". Current smoking was strongly associated with non-responding patients (odds ratio 3.8) in a logistic regression model; plaque, baseline bleeding and initial pocket depth were not significantly associated with treatment outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the results emphasize the importance of smoking as a negative prognostic factor, and suggest that treatment outcomes may be determined by a wide range of different determinants requiring further study.

Aetiology and rates of treatment of traumatic dental injuries among 12-year-old school children in a town in southern Brazil

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence, aetiology, place of occurrence and rates of treatment of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) among 12-year-old schoolchildren in Herval D'Oeste, Brazil. A cross-sectional survey was carried out through clinical examination of upper and lower permanent incisors and interviews with 297, 12-year-old schoolchildren enrolled in public and private schools. Intra-examiner diagnosis variability, measured by kappa values on tooth-by-tooth basis was above 0.7. The prevalence of TDI was 17.3% (95% CI 12.7-21.9). Children who had an incisal overjet size >5 mm were 3.5 (95% CI 1.5-8.1) times more likely to have TDI than children who had an incisal overjet of <5 mm (P = 0.005). The most common type of injury found was enamel fracture alone. Of the total of 87 traumatized teeth, only 27.6% were treated. Acid etch restorations were the most common treatment provided. Acid etch restorations were the most common type of treatment needed. The majority of the cases of TDI occurred at home (17.8%) and at school (17.8%). Collisions (24.5%), mainly with doors, and physical leisure activities (20.0%) such as cycling and playing soccer were the main activities related to TDI aetiology. It can be concluded that there is a great treatment need reflecting neglect of TDI treatment. The main causes of TDI were collisions and physical leisure activities.

Development and validation of a dental pain-screening questionnaire

Dental pain, estimated to affect 12-40% of community-dwelling adults, is a symptom of a wide range of clinical conditions. A population screening instrument is needed to study their prevalence. This project aimed to develop a questionnaire for classifying a sample of dental pain patients into three groups of common dental pain conditions, i.e. Group 1 (Acute periapical periodontitis and Irreversible pulpitis), Group 2 (Reversible pulpitis and Dentine hypersensitivity) and Group 3 (Pericoronitis). Initial items were generated through a literature review, individual unstructured patient interviews and consultation with experts. Items generated were administered to a sample of dental pain patients for self-completion. Responses were subjected to a series of factor and discriminant analyses to identify questions capable of differentiating the sample into three groups, originally categorized by clinical diagnosis, with high classification rates. The selected items were administered to a further sample of dental pain patients to test for its sensitivity and specificity in classifying the sample into three groups against the gold standard of clinical diagnosis. The final 16-item Dental Pain Questionnaire (DePaQ) was capable of correctly classifying 89.7% of dental pain cases initially categorized by clinical diagnoses. The sensitivity of the questionnaire was 0.80-Group z1, 0.85-Group 2 and 0.59-Group 3. Specificity was 0.83-Group A1, 0.89-Group A2 and 0.90-Group 3. The DePaQ, which can easily be administered by non-clinical personnel, may be used to collect epidemiological data on common dental pain conditions, assess dental needs for a specified population, and triage of patients seeking treatment for dental pain.

The relationship between emotional intelligence and initial response to a standardized periodontal treatment. A pilot study

OBJECTIVES

Emotional intelligence (EI) is a psychological construct, which has been proposed as a measure of coping mechanisms. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the relationship between different domains of EI, and initial response to a simplified non-surgical treatment protocol in 29 patients with chronic periodontitis.

METHODS

Assessment of patients included socio-demographic and behavioural variables and assessment of EI. Clinical assessment included measurement of plaque and gingival bleeding. Patients received oral hygiene instruction (OHI) and supra-gingival scaling and polishing over two visits, and re-assessed after 3 weeks.

RESULTS

There was a significant overall reduction in plaque and bleeding. Plaque reduction was positively associated with the EI construct of intentionality, resilience, constructive discontent and personal power (Spearman's rank test). Reduction in bleeding was positively correlated with resilience, constructive discontent and intuition.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study demonstrated an association between EI domains and short-term changes in plaque and bleeding, and suggest that initial responses to standardized periodontal treatment may be partly related to EI.

Associations between socio-economic circumstances at two stages of life and adolescents' oral health status

There is a consistent association between unfavourable socio-economic circumstances and oral health. Although the effects of poor social circumstances in childhood are known to have lasting influences on general health, there is little information on their effects regarding chronic oral diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship between oral health status and socio-economic circumstances at two different periods of adolescents' life.

METHODS

A two-phase cross sectional study was carried out in Brazil. In Phase I, 652 13-year-olds were clinically examined and interviewed. In the second phase, 311 families were randomly selected for in-depth interviews. Information was collected on several indicators of socio-economic circumstances, family related variables, school grade level, and oral health behaviour, at two different life stages, at birth and at 13 years of age. The outcome variable was oral health status at the age of 13. It was constructed by counting the worst scores of DMFT, gingival bleeding, calculus and dental plaque. The data analysis used stepwise logistic regression.

RESULTS

The response rates for phases I and II were 85% and 94%. Boys, those at a lower grade level at school for their age, and those who experienced high levels of material deprivation at birth and at the age of 13 were more likely to have high levels of oral diseases; the odds ratios were 4.12 (1.86-9.16), 2.41 (1.01-5.76) and 4.61 (1.30-16.3), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Brazilian adolescents experiencing adverse socio-economic circumstances at birth and at the age of 13 had high levels of oral diseases.