Trends in the prevalence of erosive tooth wear in Brazilian preschool children

Abstract

Objectives: To report trends in the prevalence of ETW in Brazilian preschool children.

Methods: Three cross-sectional surveys were carried out on boys and girls aged 3-4 years living in Diadema, in the years 2008, 2010 and 2012 following the same criteria and methodology. A total of 2801 children were systematically examined during a National Day of Children's vaccination. Examiners were trained and calibrated to diagnose ETW using a modified version of the O'Brien index.

Results: The prevalence of ETW was 51.6% (95% CI 48.4-55.0) in 2008, 53.9% (95% CI 50.7-57.0) in 2010 and 51.3% (95% CI 47.8-54.7) in 2012. There was no significant association between prevalence of ETW from 2008 to 2012 (χ(2) for trend: P = 0.92). There was no significant association in the severity of ETW during this study's period. Most lesions were confined to enamel in all three studies.

Conclusions: A high prevalence of ETW was found in this sample of preschool children in 2008, 2010 and 2012. No trends of increase or decrease in the prevalence and severity of ETW during this study's period.