title: Esthetic dental anomalies as motive for bullying in schoolchildren.
abstract: Facial esthetics, including oral esthetics, can severely affect children's quality-of-life, causing physical, social and psychological impairment. Children and adolescents with esthetic-related dental malformations are potential targets for bullies. This study was aimed to present and discuss patients who suffered from bullying at school and family environment due to esthetic-related teeth anomalies. Providing an adequate esthetic dental treatment is an important step in their rehabilitation when the lack of esthetic is the main source of bullying. After dental treatment, we noted significant improvement in self-esteem, self-confidence, socialization and academic performance of all patients and improvement in parental satisfaction regarding the appearance of their children. It is imperative that both family and school care providers be constantly alert about bullying in order to prevent or interrupt aggressive and discriminatory practices against children and adolescents. Clearly, dental anomalies may be a motive for bullying.
authors: Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Araraquara School of Dentistry, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rua Humaitá, 1680, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Débora Lopes Salles
authors: DLS
authors: Scheffel
authors: Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Araraquara School of Dentistry, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rua Humaitá, 1680, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Fabiano
authors: F
authors: Jeremias
authors: Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Araraquara School of Dentistry, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rua Humaitá, 1680, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Camila Maria Bullio
authors: CMB
authors: Fragelli
authors: Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Araraquara School of Dentistry, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rua Humaitá, 1680, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Lourdes Aparecida Martins
authors: LAM
authors: Dos Santos-Pinto
authors: Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Araraquara School of Dentistry, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rua Humaitá, 1680, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Josimeri
authors: J
authors: Hebling
authors: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Araraquara School of Dentistry, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rua Humaitá, 1680, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Osmir Batista
authors: OB
authors: de Oliveira
keywords: Bullying; dental esthetic; tooth abnormalities