The relationship between problem behaviour and traumatic dental injury amongst children aged 7-15 years old.

Aim: The aim of this study was to test whether dental injuries are related to problem behaviour. In addition, it aimed to confirm the relationship between dental injuries and size of overjet and type of lip coverage.

Methods: A hospital-based matched (age and sex) case-control design was adopted. Data were collected through clinical examinations and interviews. The informant-rated version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to identify problem behaviour. One parent of the child, most often the mother, was interviewed. Hierarchical modelling using conditional logistic regression was used to test the relationship between the five problem behaviours and traumatic dental injuries.

Results: The Odds ratio of having a dental injury increased 3.14 times if children have peer relationship problems (P = 0.032), whilst a prosocial behaviour showed a tendency to have a protective effect (OR = 0.25; P = 0.064). Emotional symptoms, conduct disorder and hyperactivity behaviours were not related to dental injury (P > 0.75). Results were adjusted by father's level of education, size of overjet and type of lip coverage, and these variables were significantly related to dental injury (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Problem behaviour may play an important role in the occurrence of traumatic dental injury.