PREVALENCE OF MALOCCLUSION IN BRAZIL AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG ADOLESCENTS 15-19 YEARS

Moreira, Rafael

INTRODUCTION: Malocclusion is considered a public health problem because of its high prevalence and may adversely affect the quality of life of individuals. It affects all ethnic groups, both sexes and occur in all social strata, appearing currently in third place in the scale of priorities among the dental problems of global public health. Thus, the objective was to assess the prevalence of malocclusion among brazilian adolescents and associated factors

METHODS: Data were collected from the National Survey of Oral Health (SB Brazil 2013). Data analysis was related to contextual level, individual, clinical, self-perception and access variables. The dependent variable was prevalence of malocclusion and the independent variables were classiﬁed according to the individual or contextual level. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (OD) were estimated by hierarchical logistic regression model with a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS: Higher prevalence of malocclusion was observed in individuals under 17 years (OD= 1.36, p = 0.041) and belonging to low-income families (OD= 1.67, p= 0.020 ). Statistical significance was found between the presence of bleeding (OD= 1.83, p = 0.001) and caries (OD= 1.53, p= 0.023). Individuals who had the last access to the dental office 1-2 years ago (OD= 1.93, p= 0.029), whose reason for consultation was tooth extraction (OD= 1.86, p= 0.001), dental impact on performance daily (OIDP) amended (OD= 1.65, p= 0.008) and greater self-perceived need for treatment (OD= 1.80, p= 0.002) were more likely to have occlusal disorders.

CONCLUSIONS: Malocclusion is more frequent in adolescents under 17 years-old and with low income. Furthermore, the perception of the aesthetic and the need for treatment, as well as dental caries and periodontal problems are more present in patients with malocclusion. Information about the epidemiology of malocclusion can help policy makers and public health to improve their interventions, solving health problems.