Body Image in Preschool Children Following Premature Loss of Primary Teeth: A Cross-sectional Study

JOURNAL TITLE: International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry

Author
1. Sonu Acharya
2. Raju Biswas
ISSN
0974-7052
DOI
10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2390
Volume
15
Issue
3
Publishing Year
2022
Pages
6
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
    1. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental Surgeon, Dr R Ahmed Dental College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
  • Article keywords
    Body image, Child, Premature loss, Psychology, Self-esteem, Self-image

    Abstract

    Introduction: Pediatric dentists often see a good number of children under 6 years of age and are likely to encounter a child with missing anterior teeth. Here the parents are more concerned about the facial esthetics of the child and also about the timing of permanent teeth to erupt. Aim: To know the impact on self-esteem or body image of preschool children following the premature loss of primary anterior teeth. Materials and methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 780 children in the age group of 4–6 years. The COHIP-SF 19 was utilized to know the social well-being of the child following the premature loss of anterior teeth. The descriptive and inferential analysis of the data was done by using IBM SPSS software. Results: There was a statistically significant association between gender and social well-being. More number of boys were concerned about their looks (p = 0.054). However, girls were found to be significantly more (p = 0.003) shy or withdrawn as compared to boys. There was a statistically significant association between a child's age and social well-being. More number of children between the ages of 4 years (23.1%) and 6 years (25.8%) were worried or anxious due to premature loss of an anterior tooth. Significantly more no of children of age 5 years (48.6%) was uncomfortable when asked about the missing tooth as compared to 4- and 6-year-old children. No statistically significant (p > 0.05) difference in the mean social well-being scores between boys and girls. No statistically significant difference in the mean social well-being scores between children of ages 4, 5, and 6 years (p > 0.05). Conclusion: There is an association between the self-image of younger children and missing anterior teeth.

    © 2019 Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.   |   All Rights Reserved