Expectations and working concepts in old age in middle-aged men

This study aimed to analyze the expectations and conceptions of work in old age in middle-aged men. This is a qualitative research that included the participation of fifteen men between 50 and 59 years working in formal or informal activity. A semi-structured interview and the projective technique called Story-Drawing procedure with theme was held. For data analysis was used the content analysis technique. Categories were identified as expectations and representations before old age, work and retirement. It was observed that retirement expectations were associated with the desire to practice pleasurable activities, but financial instability and responsibilities with family members do not allow participants in middle-aged to stop their professional activities. This study shows that the expectations and conceptions of work in old age are generally associated with both continuity and its reinterpretation in this phase of life

Effects of light-curing time on the cytotoxicity of a restorative composite resin on odontoblast-like cells

This in vitro study evaluated the cytotoxicity of an experimental restorative composite resin subjected to different light-curing regimens. METHODS: Forty round-shaped specimens were prepared and randomly assigned to four experimental groups (n=10), as follows: in Group 1, no light-curing; in Groups 2, 3 and 4, the composite resin specimens were light-cured for 20, 40 or 60 s, respectively. In Group 5, filter paper discs soaked in 5 µL PBS were used as negative controls. The resin specimens and paper discs were placed in wells of 24-well plates in which the odontoblast-like cells MDPC-23 (30,000 cells/cm²) were plated and incubated in a humidified incubator with 5% CO2 and 95% air at 37ºC for 72 h. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by the cell metabolism (MTT assay) and cell morphology (SEM). The data were analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p<0.05). RESULTS: In G1, cell metabolism decreased by 86.2%, indicating a severe cytotoxicity of the non-light-cured composite resin. On the other hand, cell metabolism decreased by only 13.3% and 13.5% in G2 and G3, respectively. No cytotoxic effects were observed in G4 and G5. In G1, only a few round-shaped cells with short processes on their cytoplasmic membrane were observed. In the other experimental groups as well as in control group, a number of spindle-shaped cells with long cytoplasmic processes were found. CONCLUSION: Regardless of the photoactivation time used in the present investigation, the experimental composite resin presented mild to no toxic effects to the odontoblast-like MDPC-23 cells. However, intense cytotoxic effects occurred when no light-curing was performed.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

The Preference of Children and their Parents About the Pediatric Dentist’s Appearance

Objective: To analyze whether children and their parents prefer a particular professional coat worn by the dentist and whether these preferences are influenced by their gender or level of anxiety. Material and Methods: Standardized images of male and female models dressed with different coats were shown to 400 pairs of 5-12 year-old children and respective parents and they were asked to point their preference. Information about child's dental experience was collected and children's anxiety level was obtained using the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale. Results: Both children (55.5%) and parents (76.5%) preferred a female professional over a male one. Children preferred the dentist wearing a white coat, while adults preferred the dentist wearing a colored coat (p&lt;0.05). There was a tendency for the child to choose a dentist with the same gender as theirs, so boys chose more male dentists and girls more female dentists (p&lt;0.05), but there was no difference between the choice of the dentist’s coat between boys and girls (p=0.53). Conclusion: Children have strong preferences in relation to the appearance of their dentists. Children and parents preferred female dentists, but there was a tendency to choose the dentist with the respondent’s gender. Contrary to popular belief, children preferred their dentists wearing the conventional white coat, different from their parents who preferred dentists wearing a colored coat

Toxicity of chlorhexidine on odontoblast-like cells

Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) is recommended for a number of clinical procedures and it has been pointed out as a potential cavity cleanser to be applied before adhesive restoration of dental cavities. OBJECTIVE: As CHX may diffuse through the dentinal tubules to reach a monolayer of odontoblasts that underlies the dentin substrate, this study evaluated the cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of CHX on cultured odontoblast-like cells (MDPC-23). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cells were cultured and exposed to CHX solutions at concentrations of 0.06%, 0.12%, 0.2%, 1% and 2%. Pure culture medium (&#945;-MEM) and 3% hydrogen peroxide were used as negative and positive control, respectively. After exposing the cultured cells to the controls and CHX solutions for 60 s, 2 h or 60 s with a 24-h recovery period, cell metabolism (MTT assay) and total protein concentration were evaluated. Cell morphology was assessed under scanning electron microscopy. CHX had a dose-dependent toxic effect on the MDPC-23 cells. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was observed when the cells were exposed to CHX in all periods (