Oral Health of Children and Adolescents Victims of Maltreatment Housed in Foster Care: ACase-Control Study

Abstract

Objective: To compare the oral health condition of children and adolescents victims of maltreatment housed in foster care with that of children and adolescents that have not been victims of maltreatment. Material and Methods: This is a case-control study with children and adolescents that have not been victims of maltreatment. In Group 1, the population was composed of 56 children victims of abuse housed in foster care. Group 2 was composed of an equal number of children and adolescents attending pediatric dentistry clinic at UFPI. Both groups were matched for sex and age. Data collection was divided into two phases: questionnaire application to children's parents / guardians and clinical examination of the oral cavity. The questionnaire was composed of questions about socioeconomic variables, reasons for admission in the foster care and oral healthrelated habits. To assess the oral health condition, epidemiological indexes dmft, DMFT and Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) were determined and soft tissues were inspected to evaluate possible maltreatment sequelae. Results: Neglect was reported as the major cause of entry into the foster care (84%). There were no statistically significant differences between the mean dmft (p=0.240), DMFT (p=0.862) and GBI (p=0.275) values between groups evaluated. No sequelae or lesions characteristic of physical aggression were found; however, all individuals have been institutionalized for more than four months. Conclusion: Child and adolescents victims of maltreatment showed oral health condition similar to that of individuals that have not been victims of maltreatment.

Maxillofacial Injuries in Brazilian Children and Adolescents Victims of Physical Violence: A Single Forensic Center Analysis

“…The prevalence of injuries in the maxillofacial region was high, and a large part of injuries involved only soft tissues, confirming previous findings [14,25,30]. Children who are victims of physical violence may have intra-oral injuries ranging from minor injuries such as bruising on lips to more severe impairments such as dental fractures and in extreme cases, facial fractures [32,33]. The high frequency of soft tissue injuries deserves attention because it may also have negative physical, emotional and functional consequences to the victims [27].…”