title: [The potential financial impact of oral health problems in the families of preschool children].
abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the perception of parents/caregivers regarding the financial impact of oral health problems on the families of preschool children. A preschool-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with 834 preschool children in Campina Grande, Brazil. Parents/caregivers answered the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale. "Financial impact" was the dependent variable. Questionnaires addressing socio-demographic variables, history of toothache and health perceptions were administered. Clinical exams were performed by three dentists previously calibrated (Kappa: 0.85-0.90). Descriptive statistics were performed, followed by logistic regression for complex samples (α = 5%). The frequency of financial impact due to oral health problems in preschool children was 7.7%. The following variables were significantly associated with financial impact: parental perception of child's oral health as poor, the interaction between history of toothache and absence of dental caries and the interaction between history of toothache and presence of dental caries. It is concluded that often parents/caregivers reported experiencing a financial impact due to seeking treatment late, mainly by the presence of toothache and complications of the clinical condition.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brasil, anaflaviagg@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Gustavo Leite
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brasil, anaflaviagg@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Monalisa Cesarino
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Odontologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brasil.
authors.forename: Kenio Costa
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: de Lima
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Odontopediatria e Ortodontia, Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: Carolina Castro
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Odontopediatria e Ortodontia, Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: Saul Martins
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Paiva
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brasil, anaflaviagg@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ana Flávia
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Granville-Garcia
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health / Q000191:economics*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires