Molar-incisor hypomineralization and dental caries: a hierarchical approach in a populational-based study

The last couple of decades has seen an increasing interest in molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) studies. Hypomineralized defects can have several consequences such as hypersensitivity, increased dental plaque accumulation, and consequently higher caries risk. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of MIH and its association with dental caries in schoolchildren from a city in southern Brazil. A random cluster sample of schoolchildren was selected. Clinical examinations were carried out to collect information on MIH (following the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry criteria), dental caries (using the DMF-T index) and gingivitis. Socioeconomic, demographic and behavior variables were collected using a standardized questionnaire answered by the children's parents/caregivers. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated using Poisson regression analysis with robust variance through a hierarchical approach (p<0.05). A total of 513 schoolchildren were included in the study. MIH and caries prevalence was 19.7% and 31.6%, respectively. The mean age was 11.6 (+1.9) years. Dental caries was more prevalent in children with MIH (PR 1.39; 95% CI 1.05 - 1.85). Older children and children whose families were enrolled in conditional cash transference programs (PR 1.97 95% CI 1.47 - 2.64), and children who did not have their mother or father as the head of the family (PR 1.56 95% CI 1.06 - 2.30) presented a higher prevalence of dental caries. Our findings suggest that children with MIH are more likely to have dental caries.Nas últimas duas décadas, observou-se um interesse crescente nos estudos de hipomineralização molar-incisivo (HMI). Os defeitos hipomineralizados podem ter várias consequências, como hipersensibilidade, aumento do acúmulo de placa dentária e, consequentemente, maior risco de cárie. Este estudo transversal teve como objetivo investigar a prevalência de HMI e sua associação com cárie dentária em escolares de um município do sul do Brasil. Uma amostra aleatória de alunos por conglomerado foi selecionada. Os exames clínicos foram realizados para coletar informações sobre HMI (seguindo os critérios da European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry), cárie dentária (usando o índice DMF-T) e gengivite. Variáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas e comportamentais foram coletadas por meio de um questionário padronizado respondido pelos pais / responsáveis pelas crianças. Razões de prevalência (RP) foram estimadas por meio de análise de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta por meio de abordagem hierárquica (p