Clinical consequences of untreated dental caries and school performance in low‐income adolescents

Abstract

Background The possible link between dental status and school performance has been investigated. The influence of the clinical consequences of untreated dental caries in this association, however, has been minimally explored. Aim To assess the relationship between clinical consequences of untreated dental caries and school performance in adolescents, and to examine the demographics and socioeconomic status pathways by which clinical consequences of untreated dental caries is associated with school performance. Design A cross‐sectional study involving 363 low‐income school adolescents was conducted in the city of Manaus, Brazil. Dental clinical measures were registered by five calibrated examiners to evaluate dental caries experience (decayed, missing, and filled teeth index [DMFT]) and clinical sequelae of dental caries (PUFA/pufa index). School performance was assessed using school grade history obtained from official records. Statistical analysis was conducted using pathway analysis to estimate beta coefficients (β) of the direct and indirect effects between variables. Results DMFT and PUFA/pufa mean were 1.93 and 0.30, respectively. PUFA/pufa scores (β = −0.19) and male sex (β = 0.35) directly predicted poor school performance. DMFT was indirectly linked to poor school performance via PUFA/pufa scores (β = −0.03). Conclusions Dental caries and clinical consequences of dental caries were important predictors of poor school performance in low‐income adolescents via direct and indirect effects.

Effect of untreated dental caries on school performance and social life

“…On the other hand, it has been reported that neither family income nor skin color was significantly associated with school performance. 16 However, it should be noted that there is a significant discrepancy in these parameters among the different studies. For instance, some studies indicated that low socioeconomic status, low parental educational levels, and being non-white male were all significant factors associated with poor school performance.…”

“…Another cross-sectional investigation conducted by Quadros et al also demonstrated that the presence of untreated dental caries was significantly correlated with an inverse association on school performance among children from low socioeconomic communities. 16 Accordingly, it has been demonstrated that untreated dental caries can substantially predict the school performance of these children. Furthermore, more deteriorated school performance and higher frequencies of untreated dental caries were also significant among males than females in this investigation.…”

“…On the other hand, an indirect association was found between poor school performance and previous dental caries experience. 16 The clinical patterns of untreated dental caries, which might affect educational harvest, might include discomfort and pain. As previously mentioned, these manifestations are usually associated with issues regarding eating and chewing and sleep disturbances.…”

“…It has been furtherly demonstrated that gender can also predict the correlation between untreated dental caries and educational outcomes. 16 Most studies report that boys usually have higher frequencies of dental caries, and consequently, poorer school performance. This is because boys are less likely to use dental services and take care of their oral hygiene than females.…”

Association of Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference With Dental Caries and Consequences of Untreated Dental Caries Among 12- to 14-Year-old Boys: A Cross-Sectional Study

“… 35 Moreover, DC and U-DC clinical consequences have been found to be important predictors of poor school performance in low-income adolescents. 36 There is a variable relationship between DC and nutritional status, which is mainly determined by family sociodemographic characteristics. 37 Developed countries have an unequal distribution of DC than developing countries, which could modify the risk factors associated with DC.…”