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

Abstract

Background/Aim: 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.

Material and Methods: 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> 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.

Results:

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.

Conclusion: The majority of adolescents with
dental trauma lived in the northeast and southeast regions, characterized by
high population density and higher social vulnerability.