ABSTRACT
Objective:
This cross-sectional, observational study sought to ascertain the perception of parents vis-à-vis the presumption of a dentoalveolar trauma, with regard to the main sequelae, social relationships, expected reactions of the children, and the feelings of the child.
Methods:
A total of 74 parents were selected at random, who were presented with six color photographs taken from a book, having the clinical appearance of traumatic injury. The responses were recorded with the aid of a voice recorder and were transcribed and stratified using semantic approximation. The data were tabulated using the SPSS software program and evaluated using descriptive statistics.
Results:
The main sequelae ascribed to dentoalveolar trauma by the parents were as follows: loss of the tooth (43%) and damage to the permanent tooth (18%). The majority of parents believed there would be no change in terms of the children’s relationship with their parents (68.9%), while for 54.1%, there might be some alienation by children in the neighborhood, and for 90.5%, schoolchildren might tease or make fun of them. Of the expected reactions, 86.5% of parents believed their child would feel differently in relation to their friends, because of their appearance. With regard to feelings, for 85.1%, the trauma could lead to the children experiencing shame or embarrassment, 79.7% replied shyness or introversion, and 60.8% sadness.
Conclusion:
It was concluded that the loss of a tooth and the risk of involvement of the permanent successor tooth germ were the main sequelae ascribed by the parents. Dentoalveolar trauma may have a detrimental effect on the social relationships of the children with others in the neighborhood, and mainly at school, and they may feel differently towards their friends on account of their appearance. Moreover, the children may experience shame or embarrassment, shyness or introversion, and sadness.
Indexing terms
Child; Psychosocial impact; Tooth injuries
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