Frequency and factors associated with endodontic treatment in deciduous teeth: a study conducted at a Brazilian university

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the frequency of endodontic treatment in primary teeth performed at a Brazilian university and analyze associated factors. Material and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed dental records of children aged 2 to 10 years. Children whose first appointment occurred between January 2022 and December 2024 at the Pediatric Dentistry Clinics of the School of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil, were included. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of UFMG. The dependent variable was the performance of endodontic treatment (pulpectomy) in primary teeth. Independent variables included sociodemographic data, oral health care information, psychobehavioral data, and the presence of dental caries (ICDAS). Data were analyzed using unadjusted and adjusted Poisson regression (p < 0.05) with IBM SPSS, version 25.0. Results: Of the 872 records evaluated, 76 (8.7%) patients underwent endodontic treatment during the study period. Significant associations were observed between endodontic treatment and number of family income dependents (PR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.04–1.48), first dental visit for curative treatment (PR = 3.03; 95% CI = 1.09–8.33), presence of toothache (PR = 2.17; 95% CI = 1.02–4.60), presence of dental caries (PR = 8.41; 95% CI = 1.03–68.38), and child’s age up to 7 years (PR = 2.86; 95% CI = 1.35–5.88). Conclusion: The frequency of endodontic treatment in primary teeth was low and was associated with child’s age, toothache, dental caries, reason for first dental consultation, and number of family income dependents.

KEYWORDS

Child; Dental caries; Endodontics; Pulpectomy; Tooth, deciduous.