Holistic view of the oral health in patients with primary teeth trauma

Abstract

Evaluation of the patient's profile in health programs con- tribute to detect possible factors that might influence the efficacy of such programs. The diagnosis of such factors helps on the esta- blishment of parameters which might make these programs more efficient. From this point of view, the aim of this study was to know the oral conditions, treatment ne- eds and characteristics of patients attending the primary teeth trau- ma program. Thirty-nine children aging 3 to 8 years were examined. DMFT and deft index, treatment needs, modified visible plaque in- dex (VPI), modified gum bleeding index (GBI) and stain plaque in- dex (SPI) were recorded. These indexes were recorded in trauma- tized region (VPIr, GBIr, SPIr). Nutritive and no-nutritive habits, socioeconomic levels and parents' scholarship were also assessed. Data from dental trauma were col- lected from the patients' records. It was found that 18 children (46.2%) have no-nutritive habits and 10 children (25.7%) have nutritive habits. Visible plaque index was seen in 38 children. The trauma region visible plaque index was ve- rified in only 10 children (35.6%). Thirty six children (92.3%) showed gingival bleeding on probing while the trauma region gingival index was present in only 6 children (21.4%). Mean of deft index was 2.6. Qui-squared test showed that there was no significant statistical difference between the VPIr, GBIr and type of trauma. The hygiene in trauma site does not depend on the trauma severity. It was con- cluded that children submitted to dental trauma need constant mo- tivation toward oral hygiene. Key words: tooth injuries, deci- duous tooth, comprehensive heal- th care, health promotion, pedia- tric dentistry.