Caries Res 2017;51:482-488
Abstract
The objective of this research was to verify the
association between verbal bullying and untreated dental caries. The
present cross-sectional study had a representative sample of 1,589
children, aged 8-10 years, from public schools. Information on verbal
bullying related to the oral condition was obtained through a
questionnaire directed to the students. Clinical data were collected by 4
calibrated examiners (kappa > 0.70) using the DMFT/dmft and
PUFA/pufa indexes for caries. Socioeconomic issues were answered by
those responsible. The prevalence of verbal bullying related to the oral
condition was 27%. The results of the Poisson regression, in an
adjusted multiple model, showed a significant association between
bullying and untreated caries lesions (prevalence ratio, PR: 1.27; 95%
CI: 1.07-1.52), PUFA/pufa index (PR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.11-1.61), pulp
involvement (PR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.09-1.67), and abscess (PR: 1.74; 95%
CI: 1.18-2.56). It was concluded that children with untreated dental
caries had a higher prevalence of verbal bullying when compared to
caries-free or disease-treated children.
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