Análise de voz e comunicação oral de professores de curso pré-vestibular Voice and oral communication analysis of preparatory school teachers

OBJETIVO: Realizar uma auto-avaliação com professores de curso pré-vestibular enfocando aspectos de voz, bem como analisar as características de voz, fala e recursos corporais utilizados em sala de aula. MÉTODOS: Participaram deste estudo 40 professores do sexo masculino de uma empresa de cursos pré-vestibulares. Os docentes foram avaliados no local de trabalho por meio de dois questionários. O primeiro referente à auto-avaliação vocal e do ambiente de trabalho e o segundo referente à avaliação perceptivo-auditiva e visual de parâmetros corporais. A avaliação perceptivo-auditiva e visual foi realizada pela pesquisadora durante aulas-padrão de 60 minutos. Os parâmetros analisados foram divididos em aspectos de voz e fala. Os parâmetros referentes à análise dos recursos corporais foram pontuados em uma escala analógica graduada de 0 a 10, sendo que nesta escala o extremo esquerdo (0) refere-se à inadequação e o extremo direito (10) à completa adequação. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos professores relatou usar microfone (77,5%) e apresentaram queixas de sinais e sintomas vocais, sendo os mais citados: falhas na voz, rouquidão, esforço para falar, secura na garganta e pigarro. Na análise perceptivo-auditiva observou-se que os professores apresentaram qualidade vocal discretamente alterada, sendo 35% do tipo rouca. Os aspectos de fala e recursos corporais foram utilizados na maior parte do tempo de forma adequada. CONCLUSÃO: Os professores de curso pré-vestibular apresentaram elevada incidência de sintomas vocais, mesmo com a utilização de microfone. Utilizaram diversos recursos corporais na tentativa de potencializar o aprendizado, sendo que o uso de gestos, contato visual direcionado e interação verbal com os alunos foram as estratégias mais utilizadas em sala de aula.<br>PURPOSE: To carry out a self-evaluation with preparatory school teachers regarding vocal aspects, as well as to analyze characteristics of voice, speech and corporal resources used during classes. METHODS: Forty male teachers from a preparatory school were selected for this study. They were assessed in their workplace using two questionnaires. The first questionnaire regarded the workplace and vocal self-evaluation, and the second concerned visual and auditory-perceptual assessment of corporal parameters. The visual and auditory-perceptual assessment was carried out by the examiner during regular 60-minute classes. The parameters analyzed were divided into voice and speech aspects. The parameters that regarded corporal resources analysis were scored on an analogical scale graduated from 0 to 10, where the far left (0) referred to inadequacy, and the far right (10), to complete adequacy. RESULTS: Most teachers (77.5%) used microphone during classes and reported vocal signs and symptoms, among which the most cited were: voice failures, hoarseness, speech effort, throat dryness and accumulation of mucus in the throat. Auditory-perceptual analysis showed that teachers had slightly altered vocal quality, being 35% characterized as hoarse. Speech and corporal resources were used adequately most of the time. CONCLUSION: Prep-school teachers showed high incidence of vocal symptoms even when using microphone. They used of several corporal resources in order to enhance learning, and use of gestures, directed eye contact, and verbal interaction with students were the most used strategies during classes

Quantifying the selection of maxillary anterior teeth using intraoral and extraoral anatomical landmarks

Background: One of the major hurdles in clinical prosthodontics has been the selection and replacement of maxillary anterior teeth in the absence of pre-extraction records. The aim of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between intraoral and extraoral facial measurements that could assist dental practitioners in selecting esthetically appropriate maxillary anterior teeth in the absence of pre-extraction records. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study design was used with a sample size of one hundred and twenty participants. A questionnaire was used to identify the selection criteria and a photograph was taken for facial measurements using digitally calibrated software. Ninety-eight participants met the selection criteria and were included in the study. Measurements of intraoral landmarks were taken from stone casts of maxillary impressions using calibrated digital calipers. Each measurement was completed by two assessors to obtain mean values. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 17 software. Data were assessed by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc (p < 0.05) to find any difference between tested groups. Pearson coefficients were used to determine whether correlation exists between measurements. Results: The mean values for intraoral maxillary landmarks were: Central incisor width = 8.39 mm, circumferential canine tip to canine tip distance = 34.89 mm, arch width = 48.24 mm, left arch length = 45.24 mm, right arch length = 45.56 mm. The mean values for extraoral landmarks were: Intercanthal distance = 33.24 mm, interpupillary distance = 60.68 mm, interalar distance = 38.27 mm, intercommissure distance = 50.61 mm. Differences existed within subgroups for all intraoral and extraoral measures. A weak positive correlation existed between intraoral (r < 0.4) and extraoral measurements (r < 0.38) that remained consistent when examined by gender. Conclusion: This study showed that the average length and width of the maxillary arch and interalar width were the anatomical landmarks that provided the strongest predictive relationship with anterior maxillary teeth (r = 0.38 - 0.4). Using these dimensions an average multiplying factor can be used to calculate maxillary incisor width or canine tip to canine tip distance. As the predictive strength is not strong, the authors recommend its use as a preliminary guide for determining the width of the maxillary anterior teeth during the initial selection of artificial teeth in the absence of pre-extraction records. Clinical Significance: The results of this study can be used to help dentists select the size of artificial maxillary anterior teeth in the absence of pre-extraction records