Satisfaction of Primary Healthcare Dentists after the Completion of a Distance Learning Course in Pediatric Dentistry

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the level of satisfaction of dentists working in primary healthcare (PHC) with a Distance learning (DL) course in pediatric dentistry offered by the TeleHealthRS cen-ter, and to the investigate possible associations between the variables indicative of their satisfaction and their performance on the questionnaires applied before and after the course. Methods: The course was offered in 2015 by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) together with the TeleHealthRS center in Brazil. Data were collected on the participants’ personal and professional pro-file, their pre- and post-course knowledge about pediatric dentistry, and their satisfaction with the course. Stu-dent's t-test and the ANOVA test were used to assess the possible associations between the variables indicative of their satisfaction and their performance on the questionnaires applied before and after the course. Results: Overall, the participants were satisfied with the course, however, no statistically significant association was found between the variables indicative of their satisfaction and the grades they earned on the pre- and post-course questionnaires. Conclusion: The available pediatric dentistry course received positive evaluations from the participants, consti-tuting a possible strategy for the qualification of primary care dentists. Future studies are warranted to further investigate the expectations of DL course participants, aiming to enhance the quality of future editions of this learning modality for pediatric dentistry contents

Evaluation of degree of conversion of high and mild flow resin composites at proximal cavities restorations

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o grau de conversão de resinas compostas de alto e médio escoamento na caixa proximal de restaurações Classe II. Para isso, foram realizados preparos Classe II, mésio-ocluso-distais, em catorze pré-molares humanos hígidos que foram divididos em dois grupos. O primeiro grupo recebeu restauração com resina composta de médio escoamento (Filtek Z350 XT Restaurador Universal – 3M ESPE) exclusivamente, já o segundo grupo recebeu uma camada intermediária de resina de alto escoamento (Filtek Z350 Flowable Restorative – 3M ESPE) na parede gengival da caixa proximal. Cada dente foi seccionado em fatias que receberam polimento com lixa de carbeto de silício. O grau de conversão dos materiais foi avaliado por microscopia vibracional Raman, pelo método de retroespalhamento. Os resultados apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significativa (p<0,05) entre o grau de conversão das resinas de alto e médio escoamento. A resina de alto escoamento apresentou maior grau de conversão, 85%, enquanto a resina de médio escoamento apresentou grau de conversão de 75%. O presente estudo concluiu que, apesar de a resina de alto escoamento ter apresentado maior grau de conversão, outros critérios devem ser considerados antes da escolha do uso ou não da camada intermediária em restaurações Classe II, pois um aumento no grau de conversão não significa, necessariamente, melhora nas propriedades da resina composta.The aim of the study was to evaluate the degree of conversion of high and mild flow composite resins at the proximal cavities restorations. For this, it was made Class II MOD preparations in fourteen sound human premolar teeth that were divided into two groups. The first group received restoration with mild flow resin composite (Filtek Z350 XT Restaurador Universal – 3M ESPE) exclusively, while the second group received an intermediate layer of high flow resin composite (Filtek Z350 XT Flowable Restorative – 3M ESPE) at the gingival wall of the proximal box. Each tooth was sectioned into slices that received polishing with silicon carbide sandpaper. The degree of conversion of the materials was evaluated by Raman vibrational microscopy by backscattering method. The results showed statistically significant difference (p <0.05) between the values of the degree of conversion of the high, 85%, and mild, 75%, composite resins. The study concluded that the high flow resin composite had a higher degree of conversion, but other criteria should be considered before choosing the use or not the intermediate layer in Class II restorations because an increase in the degree of conversion does not mean, necessarily, improves in the properties of the resin composite

Evaluation of degree of conversion of high and mild flow resin composites at proximal cavities restorations

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o grau de conversão de resinas compostas de alto e médio escoamento na caixa proximal de restaurações Classe II. Para isso, foram realizados preparos Classe II, mésio-ocluso-distais, em catorze pré-molares humanos hígidos que foram divididos em dois grupos. O primeiro grupo recebeu restauração com resina composta de médio escoamento (Filtek Z350 XT Restaurador Universal – 3M ESPE) exclusivamente, já o segundo grupo recebeu uma camada intermediária de resina de alto escoamento (Filtek Z350 Flowable Restorative – 3M ESPE) na parede gengival da caixa proximal. Cada dente foi seccionado em fatias que receberam polimento com lixa de carbeto de silício. O grau de conversão dos materiais foi avaliado por microscopia vibracional Raman, pelo método de retroespalhamento. Os resultados apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significativa (p<0,05) entre o grau de conversão das resinas de alto e médio escoamento. A resina de alto escoamento apresentou maior grau de conversão, 85%, enquanto a resina de médio escoamento apresentou grau de conversão de 75%. O presente estudo concluiu que, apesar de a resina de alto escoamento ter apresentado maior grau de conversão, outros critérios devem ser considerados antes da escolha do uso ou não da camada intermediária em restaurações Classe II, pois um aumento no grau de conversão não significa, necessariamente, melhora nas propriedades da resina composta.The aim of the study was to evaluate the degree of conversion of high and mild flow composite resins at the proximal cavities restorations. For this, it was made Class II MOD preparations in fourteen sound human premolar teeth that were divided into two groups. The first group received restoration with mild flow resin composite (Filtek Z350 XT Restaurador Universal – 3M ESPE) exclusively, while the second group received an intermediate layer of high flow resin composite (Filtek Z350 XT Flowable Restorative – 3M ESPE) at the gingival wall of the proximal box. Each tooth was sectioned into slices that received polishing with silicon carbide sandpaper. The degree of conversion of the materials was evaluated by Raman vibrational microscopy by backscattering method. The results showed statistically significant difference (p <0.05) between the values of the degree of conversion of the high, 85%, and mild, 75%, composite resins. The study concluded that the high flow resin composite had a higher degree of conversion, but other criteria should be considered before choosing the use or not the intermediate layer in Class II restorations because an increase in the degree of conversion does not mean, necessarily, improves in the properties of the resin composite

Odontopediatria na Atenção Primária à Saúde : criação, desenvolvimento e avaliação de um curso EAD através do TelessaúdeRS

O objetivo do presente estudo foi desenvolver um curso à distância de Odontopediatria destinado a cirurgiões-dentistas atuantes na Atenção Primária à Saúde, chamado “Odontopediatria na APS” que foi ofertado através do TelessaúdeRS; além disso, objetivou-se também descrever o perfil pessoal e profissional de cirurgiões-dentistas inscritos neste curso; avaliar o conhecimento inicial dos participantes sobre Odontopediatria; avaliar o conhecimento adquirido após a realização do curso e fatores que podem influenciar neste aprendizado. O curso contendo 5 módulos foi ofertado na modalidade a distância (EAD) via Plataforma Moodle e teve duração de dois meses. Para a descrição do perfil do participante, foram utilizadas questões abertas e fechadas que abordavam dados pessoais e profissionais. Um questionário pré-teste contendo 15 questões do tipo “verdadeiro” ou “falso” foi utilizado para avaliar o conhecimento inicial dos participantes sobre os diferentes temas de Odontopediatria. Após a realização do curso, este mesmo questionário foi aplicado para avaliar o conhecimento adquirido (pós-teste). Foi realizada estatística descritiva, bem como utilizados os testes t pareado, ANOVA de uma via e o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson, com um nível de significância de 5%. Dados dos participantes não-respondentes também foram analisados. De acordo com os dados coletados no questionário do perfil pessoal e profissional, as médias de idade, tempo de formado e tempo de atuação na APS dos participantes foram de 33,3, 9,2 e 6,5, respectivamente. A maioria da amostra foi composta participantes que se formaram em universidade pública, há até 10 anos, que possuíam título de especialista, atuantes na APS há até 5 anos e que consideraram o seu conhecimento em informática bom. A maioria era do sexo feminino. A comparação entre as notas médias do pré-teste e do pós-teste mostrou uma melhora estatisticamente significativa no desempenho dos participantes. Observou-se que as variáveis idade, tempo de formado e tempo de atuação na APS apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significativa quando correlacionadas à nota média do pré-teste. Esta diferença, entretanto, não foi observada quando estas variáveis foram correlacionadas à nota média do pós-teste. Pode-se concluir que houve uma melhora no conhecimento dos participantes sobre Odontopediatria com a realização do curso EAD de "Odontopediatria na APS", mostrando que a EAD pode ser uma ferramenta efetiva para a qualificação do profissional que atua na APS e que a idade, o tempo de formado e o tempo de atuação na APS foram fatores que interferiram no conhecimento inicial dos participantes.The aim of this study was to develop a distance learning course about Pediatric Dentistry intended for dentists working in primary health care (PHC), called "Pediatric Dentistry PHC", offered by TelessaúdeRS. Besides, other aims included the description of the personal and professional profile of dentists enrolled in the course; the evaluation of baseline participants' understanding in Pediatric Dentistry; the assessment of the knowledge acquired after the accomplishment of the course and factors that might have an influence on this learning. The course comprised 5 modules and was offered in a distance way. For a description of the participant's profile, a questionnaire with open and closed questions addressing personal and professional issues was used. A pretest questionnaire comprising 15 questions such as "true" or "false" was used to assess initial knowledge of the participants. After completion of the course, the same questionnaire was applied to assess the acquired knowledge (post-test). Descriptive statistic as well as paired t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation were used and a significance level of 5% was set. Data on the non-respondent participantes were also analyzed. According to the data collected in the questionnaire of personal and professional profile, the mean age, time since undergraduation and work experience in the PHC were 33.3, 9.2 and 6.5, respectively. The majority of the sample consisted of women who concluded their undergraduate courses in public schools, since up to 10 years, who have a specialization degree, active in PHC for up to 5 years and who considered their knowledge good on informatics. Analysis of the average scores of the pretest and posttest showed a statistically significant improvement in the participants’ performance. It was observed that the variables such as age, time since undergraduation and time of work in PHC showed a statistically significant difference when correlated to the average grade of pretest. This difference, however, was not observed when these variables were correlated to the average grade of the post-test. From these results, it is possible to conclude that there was an improvement in the participants' knowledge about Pediatric Dentistry after the completion of the distance course "Pediatric Dentistry in PHC," showing that distance education can be an effective tool for the qualification of professionals engaged in the PHC. Moreover, age, time since undergraduation and time of work in PHC were factors that interfered in the initial knowledge of the participants

Odontopediatria na Atenção Primária à Saúde : criação, desenvolvimento e avaliação de um curso EAD através do TelessaúdeRS

O objetivo do presente estudo foi desenvolver um curso à distância de Odontopediatria destinado a cirurgiões-dentistas atuantes na Atenção Primária à Saúde, chamado “Odontopediatria na APS” que foi ofertado através do TelessaúdeRS; além disso, objetivou-se também descrever o perfil pessoal e profissional de cirurgiões-dentistas inscritos neste curso; avaliar o conhecimento inicial dos participantes sobre Odontopediatria; avaliar o conhecimento adquirido após a realização do curso e fatores que podem influenciar neste aprendizado. O curso contendo 5 módulos foi ofertado na modalidade a distância (EAD) via Plataforma Moodle e teve duração de dois meses. Para a descrição do perfil do participante, foram utilizadas questões abertas e fechadas que abordavam dados pessoais e profissionais. Um questionário pré-teste contendo 15 questões do tipo “verdadeiro” ou “falso” foi utilizado para avaliar o conhecimento inicial dos participantes sobre os diferentes temas de Odontopediatria. Após a realização do curso, este mesmo questionário foi aplicado para avaliar o conhecimento adquirido (pós-teste). Foi realizada estatística descritiva, bem como utilizados os testes t pareado, ANOVA de uma via e o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson, com um nível de significância de 5%. Dados dos participantes não-respondentes também foram analisados. De acordo com os dados coletados no questionário do perfil pessoal e profissional, as médias de idade, tempo de formado e tempo de atuação na APS dos participantes foram de 33,3, 9,2 e 6,5, respectivamente. A maioria da amostra foi composta participantes que se formaram em universidade pública, há até 10 anos, que possuíam título de especialista, atuantes na APS há até 5 anos e que consideraram o seu conhecimento em informática bom. A maioria era do sexo feminino. A comparação entre as notas médias do pré-teste e do pós-teste mostrou uma melhora estatisticamente significativa no desempenho dos participantes. Observou-se que as variáveis idade, tempo de formado e tempo de atuação na APS apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significativa quando correlacionadas à nota média do pré-teste. Esta diferença, entretanto, não foi observada quando estas variáveis foram correlacionadas à nota média do pós-teste. Pode-se concluir que houve uma melhora no conhecimento dos participantes sobre Odontopediatria com a realização do curso EAD de "Odontopediatria na APS", mostrando que a EAD pode ser uma ferramenta efetiva para a qualificação do profissional que atua na APS e que a idade, o tempo de formado e o tempo de atuação na APS foram fatores que interferiram no conhecimento inicial dos participantes.The aim of this study was to develop a distance learning course about Pediatric Dentistry intended for dentists working in primary health care (PHC), called "Pediatric Dentistry PHC", offered by TelessaúdeRS. Besides, other aims included the description of the personal and professional profile of dentists enrolled in the course; the evaluation of baseline participants' understanding in Pediatric Dentistry; the assessment of the knowledge acquired after the accomplishment of the course and factors that might have an influence on this learning. The course comprised 5 modules and was offered in a distance way. For a description of the participant's profile, a questionnaire with open and closed questions addressing personal and professional issues was used. A pretest questionnaire comprising 15 questions such as "true" or "false" was used to assess initial knowledge of the participants. After completion of the course, the same questionnaire was applied to assess the acquired knowledge (post-test). Descriptive statistic as well as paired t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation were used and a significance level of 5% was set. Data on the non-respondent participantes were also analyzed. According to the data collected in the questionnaire of personal and professional profile, the mean age, time since undergraduation and work experience in the PHC were 33.3, 9.2 and 6.5, respectively. The majority of the sample consisted of women who concluded their undergraduate courses in public schools, since up to 10 years, who have a specialization degree, active in PHC for up to 5 years and who considered their knowledge good on informatics. Analysis of the average scores of the pretest and posttest showed a statistically significant improvement in the participants’ performance. It was observed that the variables such as age, time since undergraduation and time of work in PHC showed a statistically significant difference when correlated to the average grade of pretest. This difference, however, was not observed when these variables were correlated to the average grade of the post-test. From these results, it is possible to conclude that there was an improvement in the participants' knowledge about Pediatric Dentistry after the completion of the distance course "Pediatric Dentistry in PHC," showing that distance education can be an effective tool for the qualification of professionals engaged in the PHC. Moreover, age, time since undergraduation and time of work in PHC were factors that interfered in the initial knowledge of the participants

Implementation of a Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional (BALANCE) Program for improvement on quality of diet and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events: A randomized, multicenter trial

Background: Appropriate dietary recommendations represent a key part of secondary prevention in cardiovascular disease (CVD). We evaluated the effectiveness of the implementation of a nutritional program on quality of diet, cardiovascular events, and death in patients with established CVD. Methods: In this open-label, multicenter trial conducted in 35 sites in Brazil, we randomly assigned (1:1) patients aged 45 years or older to receive either the BALANCE Program (experimental group) or conventional nutrition advice (control group). The BALANCE Program included a unique nutritional education strategy to implement recommendations from guidelines, adapted to the use of affordable and regional foods. Adherence to diet was evaluated by the modified Alternative Healthy Eating Index. The primary end point was a composite of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, stroke, myocardial revascularization, amputation, or hospitalization for unstable angina. Secondary end points included biochemical and anthropometric data, and blood pressure levels. Results: From March 5, 2013, to Abril 7, 2015, a total of 2534 eligible patients were randomly assigned to either the BALANCE Program group (n = 1,266) or the control group (n = 1,268) and were followed up for a median of 3.5 years. In total, 235 (9.3%) participants had been lost to follow-up. After 3 years of follow-up, mean modified Alternative Healthy Eating Index (scale 0-70) was only slightly higher in the BALANCE group versus the control group (26.2 ± 8.4 vs 24.7 ± 8.6, P <.01), mainly due to a 0.5-serving/d greater intake of fruits and of vegetables in the BALANCE group. Primary end point events occurred in 236 participants (18.8%) in the BALANCE group and in 207 participants (16.4%) in the control group (hazard ratio, 1.15; 95% CI 0.95-1.38; P =.15). Secondary end points did not differ between groups after follow-up. Conclusions: The BALANCE Program only slightly improved adherence to a healthy diet in patients with established CVD and had no significant effect on the incidence of cardiovascular events or death. © 2019 The Author