Impact of untreated dental caries on oral health of adolescents from cities in the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul

Introduction: Dental caries is a major public health problem around the world, because it can cause pain and suffering to individuals. Even with a decline in childhood disease in recent years, it is observed in many countries. Objective: The objective of this research is to analyze the mean of dental caries and the prevalence of untreated caries and associated factors in students from the southern region of Brazil. Methods: The approach of this study is quantitative, with a cross-sectional design. The research sample was composed of 77 adolescents from the state schools of the urban area of the municipalities of Ciríaco and David Canabarro, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. For the data collection, clinical exams were performed, using the DMFT index, and the application of two semistructured questionnaires to adolescents and their parents. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and inferential statistics to the Pearson chi-square test and ANOVA at a significance level of 5%. Results: The prevalence of untreated dental caries in the final sample was 40.3% and the DMFT index (decayed, missing and filled teeth) 2.32, there was no statistical difference between cities. There was a statistically significant relationship between the variable toothache in the last six months and the outcome of untreated caries (p = 0.012) with 76% of those who had pain. There was also an association between the variable perception of the treatment at the last visit and untreated caries (p = 0.021), with 84.6% of adolescents considering poor / regular treatment. Conclusion: Although the average dental caries has been low, many adolescents have decayed and untreated teeth, with toothache and lack of quality in dental treatment being the factors that most impacted.Introdução: A cárie dentária é um grande problema de saúde pública em todo o mundo, pois pode causar dor e sofrimento aos indivíduos. Mesmo com um declínio da doença em crianças nos últimos anos, é observado em muitos países. Objetivo: O objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar a média de cárie dentária e a prevalência de cárie não tratada e fatores associados em escolares da região Sul do Brasil. Método: A abordagem do estudo é quantitativa, cujo delineamento é de corte transversal. A amostra foi composta por 77 adolescentes das escolas estaduais da zona urbana dos municípios de Ciríaco e David Canabarro, RS. Para a coleta de dados, foram realizados exames clínicos, utilizando o índice CPOD, e a aplicação de dois questionários semiestruturados dirigidos aos adolescentes e a seus pais. Os dados foram analisados individualmente, primeiramente por estatística descritiva e, posteriormente, por estatística inferencial ao teste do qui-quadrado de Pearson e de ANOVA, ao nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: A prevalência de cárie dentária não tratada na amostra final foi de 40,3% e a média de dentes com experiência de cárie, medida pelo índice CPOD (média de dentes cariado, perdidos e obturados) foi 2,32, não havendo diferença estatística entre os municípios. Houve relação estatisticamente significativa entre a variável dor de dente nos últimos seis meses e o desfecho cárie não tratada (p=0,012) com 76% dos que tiveram dor. Também houve associação entre a variável percepção do tratamento na última consulta e cárie não tratada (p=0,021) com 84,6% adolescentes que consideraram o tratamento ruim/regular. Conclusão: A média de cárie dentária foi baixa, porém, muitos adolescentes possuem dentes cariados sem tratamento, sendo a dor de dente e a ausência de qualidade no tratamento   odontológico os fatores que mais impactaram

Prevalence of Oral Lesions Diagnosed at a Pathology Institute: A Four-year Analysis

Objective: To identify the most prevalent oral lesions based on reports from a pathology institute’s reports and associations between malignant and oral potentially malignant disorders with patient’s demographic variables and the anatomical location. Material and Methods: All 1,298 histopathological reports of oral lesions recorded in the database were reviewed. Demographic variables, anatomical location of the lesion, histopathological diagnosis of the lesions, and their biological behavior were analyzed. Results: Regarding the biological behavior of the identified lesions, benign lesions were predominant (70%), followed by lesions of undetermined behavior (14.3%), malignant lesions (14.2%), absence of histological alteration (1.2%), and finally, oral potentially malignant disorders (0.5%). The anatomical locations of the most prevalent oral lesions potentially malignant disorders and malignant were in the following structures of the oral cavity: gums, buccal mucosa, floor of the mouth and hard palate (p=49.2%), and tongue (p=48.7%). Conclusion: The probability of malignant and premalignant lesions was higher among males (PR= 4.21; 95% CI 2.08-6.22), the increase in age (PR = 1.06; 95% CI 1.05-1.08), and in the tongue region (PR = 5.48; 95% CI 1.67; 17.92). Identification of malignant and potentially malignant oral conditions is higher in older men and in tongue specimens

Tomada de decisão clínica frente ao diagnóstico e tratamento de lesões em esmalte dentário

Introduction: In general, there are difficulties in the decision making regarding the differential diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment in the lesions that affect the dental tissues by dentists, due to the fact that lesions in enamel have similar clinical characteristics. Objective: To evaluate the correct decision making for the diagnosis and treatment of dental enamel lesions by professors and students of the Dentistry course. Methods: Descriptive quantitative study, whose sample was composed by 98 students enrolled in the disciplines of Dental Clinics from IV to VIII level and by 23 professors. The instrument of data collection was a questionnaire composed of photographs of four clinical cases, whose teeth presented different lesions in dental enamel: dental enamel hypoplasia, dental fluorosis, amelogenesis imperfecta and dental caries.Results: Of the 98 students, the predominant success was dental fluorosis, where 93.9% answered the diagnosis. While the predominant treatment success was that of caries lesions, where 86.7% opted for direct restoration. Of the 23 professors, the predominant diagnosis was caries lesion, 100% correct the diagnosis, while the treatment was the direct restoration in the case of dental enamel hypoplasia, where 95.7% chose this treatment option. Conclusion: Professors and students of the Dentistry course had difficulty in making treatment decisions on teeth with amelogenesis imperfecta, with mild dental fluorosis and ease on teeth with hypoplasia and dental caries. In addition, the students reported having difficulties in the differential diagnosis of dental enamel lesions presented in the cases because they had still little knowledge for such.Introdução: O tecido que recobre a coroa dos dentes é o esmalte dentário, que promove proteção e revestimento. Trata-se de tecido mineralizado e sensível às variações do ambiente em sua formação, sendo que não sofre remodelação ao longo de seu ciclo de vida. Objetivo: Avaliar a escolha mais adequada do diagnóstico e opções de tratamento de lesões de esmalte dentário pelos docentes e discentes do curso de Odontologia. Método: Estudo quantitativo descritivo, cuja amostra foi composta por 98 discentes matriculados nas disciplinas de Clínicas Odontológicas do IV ao VIII nível e por 23 docentes. O instrumento de coleta dos dados foi um questionário composto por fotografias de quatro casos clínicos, cujos dentes apresentavam diferentes lesões em esmalte dentário: hipoplasia do esmalte dentário, fluorose dentária, amelogênese imperfeita e cárie dentária. Resultados: Dos 98 discentes, o acerto predominante foi o da fluorose dentária, onde 93,9% acertaram o diagnóstico. Enquanto o acerto predominante em relação ao tratamento foi o das lesões de cárie, onde 86,7% optaram por restauração direta. Dos 23 docentes, o acerto predominante frente ao diagnóstico foi de lesão de cárie, 100% acertaram o diagnóstico, enquanto o tratamento foi o de restauração direta no caso de hipoplasia, onde 95,7% fizeram essa opção de tratamento.Conclusão: Ambos os grupos apesentaram dificuldade na tomada de decisão de tratamento nos dentes com amelogênese imperfeita e com fluorose dentária leve. Os discentes relataram possuir dificuldade no diagnóstico diferencial na prática clínica frente às diferentes lesões que acometem os tecidos dentários, além de terem pouco conhecimento sobre o diagnóstico das lesões abordadas

Consulta odontológica no planejamento familiar: prevalência e fatores associados

Objective: The objective was to verify the prevalence of dental appointments during family planning and associated factors by pregnant women who underwent prenatal care in the basic network of a municipality in southern Brazil. Methods: Non-probabilistic sampling included 164 pregnant women with planned pregnancies. Data collection was carried out online, using an electronic questionnaire containing sociodemographic and pregnancy-related questions, based on the Women's Questionnaire, adapted from the 2006 National Demographic and Child and Women's Health Survey. analyzed, observing the relative and absolute frequencies of the variables. Results: The mean age of pregnant women who underwent family planning was 27.9 years (SD ± 5.85) and only 35.4% had a dental appointment during planning. Those who sought help to become pregnant were more likely to have a dental appointment (OR=2.089, 95%CI 1.047-4.168), as were those who had dental problems during pregnancy (OR=2.622, 95%CI 1.278-5.377) during planning familiar. Conclusions: The findings of this study showed a low prevalence of dental appointments in family planning. There was a significant association between pregnant women who looked for a professional to get pregnant and those who had dental problems during the gestational period and the outcome variable 'completion of the dental appointment' in family planning.Objetivo: verificar a prevalência das consultas odontológicas e fatores associados a esta decisão, durante o planejamento familiar, pelas gestantes que realizaram pré-natal na rede básica de um município do Sul do Brasil. Metodologia: a amostragem do tipo não-probabilística incluiu 164 gestantes com gravidez planejada. A coleta de dados foi realizada de forma virtual, por meio de um questionário eletrônico contendo questões sociodemográficas e referentes a gestação baseadas no Questionário da Mulher e adaptadas da Pesquisa Nacional de Demografia e Saúde da Criança e da Mulher de 2006. Os dados foram analisados relatando as frequências relativas e absolutas das variáveis. Na análise bivariada utilizou-se o teste qui-quadrado de Pearson e na análise multivariável teste de Regressão logística binária bruta e ajustada obtendo-se as Razões de Chances (RC) e respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%). Resultados: a idade média das gestantes que realizaram o planejamento familiar foi de 27,9 anos (DP ± 5,85) e somente 35,4% realizaram consulta odontológica durante o planejamento. As que procuraram ajuda para engravidar tiveram maior chancede realizar a consulta odontológica (RC=2,089, IC95% 1,047-4,168), assim como as que tiveram problemas dentários durante a gestação (RC=2,622, IC95% 1,278-5,377) durante o planejamento familiar. Conclusão: os achados deste estudo evidenciaram baixa prevalência da consulta odontológica no planejamento familiar. Houve associação significativa entre as gestantes que procuraram um profissional para engravidar e as que apresentaram problemas dentários durante o período gestacional e a variável desfecho ‘consulta odontológica’ no planejamento familiar

Apontamentos históricos e refl exões acerca do papel do bacharel em Direito na formação das instituições jurídico políticas brasileiras

O bacharelismo, além de fenômeno político e social, tem raízes históricas ainda em solo português. Isto porque o Brasil não herdou somente a cultura e os costumes de Portugal: também a educação ministrada em seus moldes, através dos padres jesuítas, e a forma de organização do Estado contribuíram para a relevância do papel de bacharel na sociedade brasileira. Assim, far-se-á uma sucinta alocução à estruturação do aparelho estatal português-brasileiro, onde o direito passa a ter papel determinante, para num segundo momento analisar a conjuntura e a implantação dos cursos jurídicos no Brasil. Por fim, cabe estabelecer um liame entre os assuntos anteriores e o bacharel em direito, a fim de compreender sua relevância na escala social

Apontamentos históricos e refl exões acerca do papel do bacharel em Direito na formação das instituições jurídico políticas brasileiras

O bacharelismo, além de fenômeno político e social, tem raízes históricas ainda em solo português. Isto porque o Brasil não herdou somente a cultura e os costumes de Portugal: também a educação ministrada em seus moldes, através dos padres jesuítas, e a forma de organização do Estado contribuíram para a relevância do papel de bacharel na sociedade brasileira. Assim, far-se-á uma sucinta alocução à estruturação do aparelho estatal português-brasileiro, onde o direito passa a ter papel determinante, para num segundo momento analisar a conjuntura e a implantação dos cursos jurídicos no Brasil. Por fim, cabe estabelecer um liame entre os assuntos anteriores e o bacharel em direito, a fim de compreender sua relevância na escala social

Emergence of cannabis as the second most commonly used psychoactive substance among students

Objective: This study aimed to verify the prevalence of psychoactive substances consumed by dentistry students, as well as to analyze the influence of sociodemographic variables and identify the level of life satisfaction among Dentistry students. Methods: It is a cross-sectional observational study including 159 students of an educational institution in a city of southern Brazil enrolled in the eight course periods. They were anonymously asked to a self-administered questionnaire regarding sociodemographic variables and use of psychoactive substances (PAS), questions were  adapted by the validated instrument called Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), and the assessment of level of life satisfaction by the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Results: The use of PAS at some point in life had prevalence of 90.6%. Alcohol was the most used PAS by students, followed by cannabis. The use of drugs for depression showed association with alcohol and cannabis consumption, cannabis was predominately consumed by  male . The majority of students reported dissatisfaction with life. Conclusion: The prevalence of PAS use is high among the Dentistry students interviewed. The PAS most consumed  by students was alcohol, followed by cannabis, psychoactive drugs, and tobacco.

Effect of Recreational Intervention on the Approach of Pediatric Patients in Dental Treatment: Analysis of Salivary Cortisol

Objective: To verify whether recreational interaction with pediatric patient before dental care influences cortisol levels and anxiety. Material and Methods: Twelve children were selected and divided into two groups: 6 children who had not previously received recreational intervention (Group I) and 6 children who received recreational intervention before dental care (Group II). Saliva was collected with Salivettes™ kits before and soon after dental care for the measurement of cortisol. Wilcoxon test was applied to verify the difference in salivary cortisol levels before and after the dental visit in the whole sample, and the Mann- Whitney U test was used to analyze the difference between groups I and II. A significance level of 0.05 was considered. Results: Among patients from Group I, 3 had their cortisol levels increased after dental care, 2 had their cortisol levels decreased, and the other 1 patient remained constant. All participants from Group II had no significant difference in cortisol levels pre- and post-procedure. Mean salivary cortisol level was higher in Group I, pre- and post-procedure, compared to Group II. Conclusion: Pediatric patients who participated in an interactive activity prior to dental care have a lower level of anxiety according to the salivary cortisol levels obtained, compared to patients who did not participate in recreation. The techniques for the dentist to approach the child control the anxiety of the patient and make the procedure calmer and less stressful for both of them

Geographical distribution of dental caries in children in the southern region of Brazil

The objective was to investigate the experience and severity of dental caries, from the medical records of children who visited the Children's Dental Clinic of a Faculty of southern Brazil, for four years. A cross-sectional study was carried out by analyzing 262 medical records containing information sociodemographic, as well as clinical oral data, to investigate dental caries. Amongst all children included in study, 226 (86.3%) had some teeth with experience of dental caries and 161 (61.5%) had three or more dental caries. The mean dental caries in children aged between 6-8 years was 5.3 ± 3.1, and the average in children aged between 9-12 years was 2.0 ± 1.9. There was association between the severity of dental caries (more than three teeth) and not using dental floss, as well as with the geographical location of residence. Older children were considered to be protected from dental caries. In this study, the experience of dental caries was high, especially in primary teeth, and variables such as the geographical location of residence, absence of flossing were related to the greater severity of dental caries

Fingernails as a biomarker for dental fluorosis

Introduction: Biomarkers indicate levels of a particular chemical agent in the environment studied, which may be useful for monitoring health status, and nails may be major indicators of fluoride. Objective: To evaluate fluoride concentration in the fingernails of children as a biomarker for fluoride exposure. Methods: Twenty students were selected, aged 4-5 years old. Their nails were cut at 15 and 45 days (two collections), and the fluoride concentration in the nails was analyzed with the ion-specific electrode (Orion 9409) after rapid diffusion with HDMS.Results: The total fluoride mean of the samples was 3.68 μg F/g (sd 1.44), ranging from 1.39 μg F/g to 7.81 μg F/g. Eleven children (55%) brush their teeth three times a day, but only three children (15%) swallow toothpaste. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of fluoride exposure in the fingernails of the children studied, presenting risk of developing dental fluorosis in permanent teeth