Association Between Social Determinants of Health and Probable Bruxism in Schoolchildren: Cross-Sectional Study

Objective To evaluate the association between social determinants of health and probable sleep and wake bruxism in schoolchildren. Methods A cross-sectional study was designed in which schoolchildren aged 8 to 12 years were evaluated. Bruxism assessment involved a clinical examination and the application of the structured questionnaire which generated a bruxism score. Social determinants of health, such as sex, age, skin color, family income, caffeine consumption, physical activity and stress, were measured through a structured questionnaire and open-ended questions administered to parents or guardians. Unadjusted and adjusted Poisson regression analyses were used to assess the association of predictor variables (social determinants of health) with probable bruxism. Results Twenty-seven schoolchildren were evaluated. In the unadjusted analysis, male patients and those with a family income of less than one minimum wage had higher overall bruxism scores (p < 0.01). Patients who were stressed, consumed high amounts of caffeine, and did not regularly participate in sports also had higher overall bruxism scores (p < 0.01). In the adjusted analysis, stressed patients had bruxism scores 2.54 times higher than non-stressed (RR 2.54; 95% CI 1.38–4.68). Individuals from families with an income below the minimum wage had higher bruxism scores compared to those with a family income equal to or above the minimum wage (RR 2.47; 95% CI 1.41–4.32). Male individuals had bruxism scores 2.01 times higher than female schoolchildren (RR 2.01; 95% CI 1.05–3.82). Conclusion Schoolchildren with a family income of less than one minimum wage, who were stressed, and who were male had higher scores of bruxism.