Geographic information system in assessing bruxism among school children

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution profile of childhood bruxism using Geographic Information System in the city of Alfenas, in southwest Brazil. The study included schoolchildren of both sex attending public schools in the city of Alfenas - Minas Gerais, Brazil. During clinical examination, the presence or absence of bruxism for each child was recorded. For statistical analysis, Chi-square test and t test was used to compare sex and age distribution according to the groups, with an established alpha of 5%. A Geographic Information System was used to perform the geoprocessing procedures. The home addresses were geocoded on a map to apply the kernel density estimator. The final sample includes 353 children, in which 44 presented signs of bruxism. Age and gender were not associated with bruxism (p>0.05). The spatial analysis of the distribution of childhood bruxism in the city of Alfenas indicated an occurrence of a hotspot. In conclusion, there is an intra­urban differentials in childhood bruxism in the city.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to Assess Dental Caries, Overweight and Obesity in Schoolchildren in the City of Alfenas, Brazil

“…Thus, to explore the interplay between the demographic characteristics of these two conditions (dental caries and a high body mass index) is necessary for intervention strategies in public health. In this context, the Geographic Information System (GIS) is a helpful tool to evaluate the geographic distribution of health conditions [14], allowing the examination of local geographic variations and the identification of hot spots. The GIS contributes also to quantifying the spatial distribution of a given condition, such as dental caries [15] and obesity [16], and to investigating differences in the spatial correlation between dental caries and obesity.…”