Spatial density of adolescents aged 14 years old, victims of dental: a longitudinal study

<b>Abstract</b> <b>Background/Aim: </b>Knowledge about the spatial density of the domiciles of dental trauma victims can enable the identification of the most vulnerable areas and contribute to the planning of prevention, promotion, control and treatment actions, focusing on the most affected areas. The study aimed to analyze the spatial density of domiciles of 14-year-old adolescents, victims of dental trauma, in the city of Diamantina, southeastern Brazil, after two years of follow-up. <b></b> <b>Material and Methods: </b>This longitudinal study was carried out with 584 adolescents between 2013 and 2015. Dental trauma (Andreasen classification), overjet and lip protection (O'Mullane) were assessed by two examiners trained and calibrated (K&gt; 0.70). Information about binge drinking was collected among the adolescents through the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and sociodemographic indicators were obtained through a questionnaire answered by the adolescent’s caregivers. The spatial analyses were performed to evaluate the spatial density of adolescents with dental trauma and the independent variables of interest according to the domicile using the Ripley’s K function and Kernel Map. <b>Results</b>: The Ripley's K function showed spatial aggregation of the domiciles of adolescent victims of dental trauma in relation to males, binge drinking and overjet, with a confidence level of 95%. The higher density of domiciles with adolescents with two or more traumatized teeth was found in the northeast region of the city. Boys were the most affected, their homes were located in the north, northwest and southeast regions at the baseline and follow-up. The largest density of domiciles of adolescents with overjet greater than 5 mm and inadequate lip protection was in the northeast region. Similar spatial distribution was identified for binge drinking for both years. <b>Conclusion: </b>The majority of adolescents with dental trauma lived in the northeast and southeast regions, characterized by high population density and higher social vulnerability.<br>