Abstract This study aimed to evaluate trends in the prevalence of dental caries in preschool children and associated factors considering different time variations. This is a time series study performed using data from three cross-sectional studies with pre-school children from southern Brazil in 2008, 2013 and 2019. This children group was born between the years of 2003 to 2018. Dental caries was evaluated by decayed, missing and filled deciduous teeth (dmft index). Demographic, socioeconomic, behavioural and psychosocial variables were also collected. Chi-square test for trends and a hierarchical age-period-cohort (HAPC) analysis using multilevel Poisson regression model for testing the associations between predictor variables and dental caries experience were used. A total of 1,644 pre-school children participated in all surveys. There was a significant difference in caries experience considering all APC effects. The prevalence of dental caries was 25.0% in 2008, 16.3% in 2013, and 19.4% in 2019 (p < 0.01) and no statistical difference was observed. An age effect showed that older children were more likely to experience dental caries. Considering the cohort effect, there is a significant difference between the generations, mainly between 2003 and 2018. Household income, use of dental services, and parent’s perception of child oral health were associated with dental caries experience no matter the time variation. Despite recent declines in dental caries prevalence among preschool children, caries levels increased with age and social inequalities persisted through the years, indicating a need of reviewing the policies to reduce the burden of this oral disease.

Abstract This study aimed to explore the pathways that can influence cigarette smoking among adolescents. This population-based cohort followed a random sample of 12-year-old adolescents from southern Brazil for 6 years. Regular cigarette smoking was assessed through a self-reported question, previously used in the Brazilian National Survey of Scholar Health. We also gathered data on bullying, dental caries at baseline, incidence of caries, sex, friend network, and Sense of Coherence (SOC). Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics were also collected. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the pathways. Of the 1,134 adolescents examined at baseline, 768 were re-evaluated (67.7% retention rate). The prevalence of smoking was 37.6%. This prevalence was directly affected by low SOC (SC: -0.14, p < 0.01), low household income (SC: -0.12, p < 0.01), and male sex (SC: 0.15, p < 0.01). Presence of dental caries at baseline indirectly influenced the occurrence of dental bullying at follow-up via the incidence of dental caries (SC: 0.01, p < 0.05). Dental bullying indirectly influenced cigarettes consumption via SOC (SC: 0.62, p < 0.05). Friend network also indirectly influenced the consumption of cigarettes via SOC (SC: 0.32, p < 0.05). Psychosocial factors influence adolescent cigarette consumption through its higher direct and indirect effects (via bullying). In addition, behavioral, sociodemographic, and clinical factors also influence the occurrence of smoking.

Abstract: This study evaluated the influence of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) on the consumption of alcohol and cigarette use in adolescents. This prospective cohort began in 2012 (T1) with an initial random sample of 1134 12-year-old adolescents followed for 6 years in Santa Maria, southern Brazil. The present study comprised data from the two cohort reassessments that took place in 2014 (T2) and 2018 (T3). OHRQoL was measured with the Brazilian short version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11-14) at T2. Socioeconomic, demographic, and oral health measures were also collected during this period. Alcohol and cigarette consumption (regular use) in the past 30 days was evaluated at T3 through questions in the of the National School Health Survey (PeNSE) questionnaire. A multilevel Poisson regression model was used to evaluate the influence of predictor variables on substance use. Of the 770 adolescents at T2, 575 and 576 adolescents were reassessed at T3 for alcohol and cigarette consumption, respectively. Adolescents with higher overall CPQ11-14 scores were at higher risk for regular consumption of alcohol (IRR 1.01; 95% CI 1.01-1.02) and cigarette (IRR 1.04; 95% CI 1.03-1.05). Non-white adolescents with low socioeconomic status, untreated dental caries, and who had not been to the dentist (last 6 months) were also associated with increased regular consumption of licit substances. Adolescents with worse OHRQoL presented a higher consumption of alcohol and cigarette. These findings are useful for planning public health strategies to improve adolescent OHRQoL and reduce the harmful substance use.

Resumo A religiosidade tem sido associada a uma melhor condição dentária e autopercepção positiva de saúde, mas não há estudos sobre a relação entre a prática religiosa e qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal (QVRSB), especialmente entre escolares. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a associação entre religiosidade da família e a QVRSB em escolares de 12 anos de idade. Nós realizamos um estudo transversal em uma amostra representativa de escolares de 12 anos de idade de Santa Maria, uma cidade no sul do Brasil. Um total de 1.134 escolares foram avaliados em uma seleção aleatória em 20 escolas públicas da cidade. Os participantes foram examinados por 4 dentistas calibrados (valor mínimo do Kappa para concordância intra e inter-examinador foi de 0,79 e 0,77, respectivamente) de acordo com cárie dental (Índice de Dentes Cariados, Perdidos e Obturados) e sangramento gengival (Índice Periodontal Comunitário). QVRSB foi avaliada pela versão reduzida brasileira do Child Perceptions for Questionnaire (CPQ11-14). Os pais ou responsáveis responderam a um questionário estruturado sobre sua condição socioeconômica e prática religiosa. Os dados foram analisados usando análise de regressão de Poisson multinível para avaliar a associação de religiosidade e escores de QVRSB geral e por domínio específico. A prática religiosa menos de uma vez por semana foi associada com maior escore do domínio sintomas orais e maior média do escore total do CPQ 11-14 em escolares. Em conclusão, nossos achados demonstram que religiosidade familiar foi positivamente associada com a QVRSB dos escolares.

Abstract Religiosity has been associated with a better dental condition and positive self-perception of health, but there are no studies on the relationship between religious practice and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), especially among schoolchildren. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between family religiosity and OHRQoL in 12-year-old schoolchildren. We conducted a cross-sectional study in a representative sample of 12-year-old schoolchildren from Santa Maria, a city in southern Brazil. A total of 1,134 schoolchildren were assessed in a randomly selected in 20 public schools in the city. Participants were examined by 4 calibrated dentists (minimum Kappa-value for intra and inter-examiner agreement were 0.79 and 0.77, respectively) according to dental caries (Decayed, Missed, Filled Teeth Index), and gingival bleeding (Community Periodontal Index criteria). OHRQoL was assessed by the Brazilian short version of Child Perceptions for Questionnaire (CPQ11-14). Parents or guardians answered a structured questionnaire regarding their socioeconomic status and religious practice. Data were analyzed using multilevel Poisson regression analysis to assess the association of religiosity and overall and domain-specific CPQ 11-14 scores. Religious practice less than once a week was associated with higher mean symptoms domain scores and higher mean CPQ 11-14 overall scores in schoolchildren. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that family religiosity was positively associated with schoolchildren’s OHRQoL.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a associação de fatores socioeconômicos e condições clínicas na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal (COHRQoL) de crianças pré-escolares. Métodos: Um estudo transversal foi realizado com uma amostra representativa de 547 crianças de 0-5 anos de idade de Santa Maria, RS, Brasil, em 2013. Os dados foram coletados no Dia Nacional de Multivacinação Infantil por dentistas calibrados. Exames clínicos avaliaram a prevalência de cárie dentária e trauma dentário. Informações sobre as condições socioeconômicas das crianças foram coletados através de um questionário estruturado respondido pelos pais/cuidadores. A COHRQoL foi medida utilizando a versão brasileira da Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). Modelos de regressão multivariada de Poisson foram realizados para avaliar a associação entre as condições clínicas, condições socioeconômicas e COHRQoL. Resultados: A prevalência de cárie dentária e trauma dentária foi 16,42% e 22,49%, respectivamente. As maiores médias dos ECOHIS foram encontradas em crianças mais velhas, aqueles com dor de dente e aqueles cuja mãe tiveram menor nível de educação formal. As condições clínicas que foram associadas com um impacto negativo na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal foram experiência de cárie (RR 4,12; IC 95% 3,10-5,46) e trauma dentário (RR 1,37; IC 95% 1,01-1,86). Conclusão: Condições socioeconômicas e clínicas ruins tiveram um impacto negativo sobre a COHRQoL, indicando a necessidade de estratégias preventivas e políticas destinadas a melhorar a qualidade de vida da população estudada.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of socioeconomic factors and clinical conditions on the child oral health-related quality of life (COHRQoL) of preschool children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 547 children of 0-5-years-old from Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, in 2013. Data were collect in the National Children's Vaccination Day Program by calibrated dentists. Clinical examinations assessed the prevalence of dental caries and dental trauma. Information about children's socioeconomic status was collected through a structured questionnaire answered by parents/caregivers. The COHRQoL was measured using the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). Multivariable Poisson regression models were performed to assess the association between clinical conditions, socioeconomic status and COHRQoL. Results: The prevalence of dental caries and dental trauma were 16.42 % and 22.49%, respectively. Higher means of the ECOHIS were found in older children, those with toothache and those whose mother had lower level of formal education. The clinical conditions that have been associated with negative impact on oral health related quality of life were experience caries (RR 4.12; 95% CI 3.10-5.46) and dental trauma (RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.01-1.86). Conclusion: Poor socioeconomic and clinical conditions had a negative impact on the COHRQoL, indicating the need of preventive strategies and policies aiming at improving the quality of life of this sample.