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Affiliation
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Unit of Oral Health, Dentistry and Society, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, UK. |
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Abstract
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BACKGROUND/AIMS: No previous epidemiological study has investigated the prevalence and associated factors of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) among Libyan children. Such information is required for the planning and evaluation of health services. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of TDIs and associated factors among 12-year-old schoolchildren in Benghazi, Libya.
METHODS: Data for this study was collected as part of a comprehensive, cross-sectional survey investigating oral health status and treatment needs of 12-year-old schoolchildren in Benghazi, Libya, between December 2016 and May 2017. Sociodemographic information was collected through a dental health questionnaire. The children were assessed for oral health status, including TDIs according to modified World Health Organisation (WHO) classification criteria, in their classroom by trained and calibrated examiners. Anthropometric measures, lip competence and overjet were all assessed and reported. History of TDIs was sought among those affected. Logistic regression models were applied for TDIs as an outcome variable. The statistical significance for all tests was ≤ 0.05.
RESULTS: Data from 1134 participants was included in this study. TDIs were observed in 10.3% of the sample. Most of these TDIs were enamel fractures only (55.6%) and enamel and dentine fractures (35.9%). 'Falling' was the most common cause of TDIs, accounting for 51% of cases. While increased overjet appeared to be associated with higher risk of TDIs (OR: 1.92; 95% CI:1.29-2.86), being female (OR: 0.34; 95% CI:0.22-0.53), and overweight (OR: 0.33; 95% CI:0.13-0.83) were also associated with lower risk of having TDIs.
CONCLUSIONS: This survey showed that a considerable proportion (10.3%) of 12-year-old Libyan children had TDIs, with relatively high unmet treatment needs. More efforts are required to develop effective prevention programs and to enhance the provision of dental treatment of TDIs for Libyan children.
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Language: en |