Future perspectives in pediatric dentistry : where are we now and where are we heading?

Oral diseases in children are still a major public health problem that can negatively impact parents and their children’s quality of life. Even though oral diseases are largely preventable, initial signs of them can be detected in the 1st year of life, and its severity might increase with time if no preventive measures are taken. Based on this, we aim to discuss ”where is pediatric dentistry now?” and ”where is pediatric dentistry heading?” Early life oral health conditions are a good predictor of oral health status in adolescence, adulthood, and elderly people. A healthy childhood provides the foundation and opportunities for life; therefore, pediatric dentists have the unique opportunity to identify the presence of unhealthy habits in the 1st year of life and educate the parents and family members to change them for life. If all educational and preventive strategies fail or are not put into practice, the child might present oral health problems, such as dental caries, erosive tooth wear (ETW), hypomineralization, and malocclusion, that could have a great impact on other stages of life. At the moment, in pediatric dentistry, there are many alternatives to prevent and treat these oral health problems. However, if prevention fails, minimally invasive approaches, and new dental materials and technologies have been developed recently and will be important tools available in the near future in order to enhance children’s oral health

Ensino da cariologia para estudantes de graduação em odontologia no Brasil

This study sought to provide an overview of current cariology education for undergraduate Brazilian dental students. Data collection was via a Portuguese version of a 12-item questionnaire (Schulte et al., 2011) that was sent to all Brazilian dental schools (n = 219). The response rate was 57.0% (n = 125). Of the schools that returned the questionnaire, 84.8% supported the development of a Brazilian cariology curriculum. The units responsible for teaching cariology were predominantly operative dentistry (49.6%), pediatric dentistry (49.6%), dental public health (44.8%), and cariology (32%). Theoretical teaching of cariology (74.4%) and pre-clinical exercises (63.2%) were cited to occur mainly during the second year of the course, while clinical activities were placed in the third (71.2%) and fourth (64.8%) years. Among respondents, 76.8% of the schools included dental erosion and 86.4% included defects of dental hard tissues, such as abrasion, in teaching cariology. This survey was able to determine the panorama of cariology education in Brazil and to detect some differences among Brazilian geographic areas. The promotion of a workshop to discuss the topics that should be taught to undergraduate dental students and the development of a Brazilian core curriculum in cariology would be likely to reduce the differences in teaching cariology in Brazil.Este estudo teve como objetivo apresentar um panorama do ensino de cariologia nos cursos de graduação em Odontologia no Brasil. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de uma versão em Português Brasileiro de um questionário de 12 itens (Schulte et al., 2011) que foi enviado a todas as faculdades de Odontologia brasileiras (n = 219). A taxa de resposta foi de 57,0% (n = 125). Dentre as faculdades que responderam o questionário, 84,8% apoiam o desenvolvimento de um currículo brasileiro de cariologia. As disciplinas responsáveis por lecionar os conteúdos de cariologia são principalmente dentística (49,6%), odontopediatria (49,6%), saúde bucal coletiva (44,8%), e cariologia (32%). O ensino teórico de cariologia (74,4%) e os exercícios de pré-clínica (63,2%) são abordados principalmente durante o segundo ano do curso, enquanto as atividades clínicas ocorrem, em geral, no terceiro (71,2%) e quarto (64,8%) anos. Dentre os respondentes, 76,8% das faculdades incluem erosão dentária e 86,4% incluem defeitos dos tecidos dentários duros, como abrasão, no ensino da cariologia. Essa pesquisa foi capaz de determinar o panorama do ensino da cariologia no Brasil e detectar algumas diferenças de currículo entre as regiões do país. A promoção de um workshop para discutir os assuntos que devem ser ministrados aos estudantes de graduação em Odontologia e para desenvolver um currículo brasileiro de cariologia seria válida para reduzir as diferenças no ensino de cariologia no Brasil

Fluoride varnishes with calcium glycerophosphate: fluoride release and effect on in vitro enamel demineralization

The aims of this study were (1) to assess the amount of fluoride (F) released from varnishes containing calcium glycerophosphate (CaGP) and (2) to assess the effect of the experimental varnishes on in vitro demineralization. Six test groups using 5 varnishes: base varnish (no active ingredients); Duraphat® (2.26% NaF); Duofluorid® (5.63% NaF/CaF2); experimental varnish 1 (1% CaGP/5.63% NaF/CaF2); experimental varnish 2 (5% CaGP/5.63% NaF/CaF2); and no varnish were set up. In stage 1, 60 acrylic blocks were randomly distributed into 6 groups (n = 10). Then 300 µg of each varnish was applied to each block. The blocks were immersed in deionized water, which was changed after 1, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. Fluoride concentration in the water was analyzed using a fluoride electrode. In stage 2, 60 bovine enamel samples were distributed into 6 groups (n = 10), and treated with 300 µg of the respective varnish. After 6 h the varnish was removed and the samples were subjected to a 7-day in vitro pH cycle (6 h demineralization/18 h remineralization per day). The demineralization was measured using surface hardness. The results showed that both experimental varnishes released more fluoride than Duofluorid® and Duraphat® (p < 0.05), but Duraphat® showed the best preventive effect by decreasing enamel hardness loss (p < 0.05). Therefore, we conclude that even though (1) the experimental varnishes containing CaGP released greater amounts of F, (2) they did not increase in the preventive effect against enamel demineralization

Epidemiological study of traumatic dental injuries in 5- to 6-year-old Brazilian children

Monitoring traumatic dental injury (TDI) in primary teeth through epidemiological cross-sectional surveys provides descriptive information relevant to the development of public policies focused on the prevention of such injuries for the target population. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of TDI in 5- to 6-year-old Brazilian children and its association with biological and socioeconomic factors. A total of 684 children aged 5 to 6 years old, from 11 public schools in the city of Barueri (Brazil) were evaluated. Clinical examinations were carried out in the schools, by two trained and calibrated examiners. Gauze and a mouth mirror were used for the examinations. The reported TDIs were classified according to the Andreasen (2007) criteria for primary teeth. The results showed that 52.3% of the children had TDI. Enamel fracture (63.4%) was the most frequently observed sign of TDI, and the most affected teeth were the primary maxillary central incisors (26.9% maxillary right central incisor and 24% maxillary left central incisor). There was no association between the presence of TDI and biological or socioeconomic factors. In conclusion, the prevalence of TDI was high and had no statistically significant association with biological and socioeconomic factors

Epidemiological study of traumatic dental injuries in 5- to 6-year-old Brazilian children

Monitoring traumatic dental injury (TDI) in primary teeth through epidemiological cross-sectional surveys provides descriptive information relevant to the development of public policies focused on the prevention of such injuries for the target population. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of TDI in 5- to 6-year-old Brazilian children and its association with biological and socioeconomic factors. A total of 684 children aged 5 to 6 years old, from 11 public schools in the city of Barueri (Brazil) were evaluated. Clinical examinations were carried out in the schools, by two trained and calibrated examiners. Gauze and a mouth mirror were used for the examinations. The reported TDIs were classified according to the Andreasen (2007) criteria for primary teeth. The results showed that 52.3% of the children had TDI. Enamel fracture (63.4%) was the most frequently observed sign of TDI, and the most affected teeth were the primary maxillary central incisors (26.9% maxillary right central incisor and 24% maxillary left central incisor). There was no association between the presence of TDI and biological or socioeconomic factors. In conclusion, the prevalence of TDI was high and had no statistically significant association with biological and socioeconomic factors

Cariology education for undergraduate Brazilian dental students

This study sought to provide an overview of current cariology education for undergraduate Brazilian dental students. Data collection was via a Portuguese version of a 12-item questionnaire (Schulte et al., 2011) that was sent to all Brazilian dental schools (n = 219). The response rate was 57.0% (n = 125). Of the schools that returned the questionnaire, 84.8% supported the development of a Brazilian cariology curriculum. The units responsible for teaching cariology were predominantly operative dentistry (49.6%), pediatric dentistry (49.6%), dental public health (44.8%), and cariology (32%). Theoretical teaching of cariology (74.4%) and pre-clinical exercises (63.2%) were cited to occur mainly during the second year of the course, while clinical activities were placed in the third (71.2%) and fourth (64.8%) years. Among respondents, 76.8% of the schools included dental erosion and 86.4% included defects of dental hard tissues, such as abrasion, in teaching cariology. This survey was able to determine the panorama of cariology education in Brazil and to detect some differences among Brazilian geographic areas. The promotion of a workshop to discuss the topics that should be taught to undergraduate dental students and the development of a Brazilian core curriculum in cariology would be likely to reduce the differences in teaching cariology in Brazil

PATRONES DE LACTANCIA EN BEBÉS, SU PRIMER CONTACTO CON EL AZÚCAR Y EL DENTISTA

Objetivos: evaluar el patr&oacute;n de lactancia, primer contacto con el az&uacute;car y primera visita al dentista de losbeb&eacute;s con relaci&oacute;n al estado socioecon&oacute;mico familiar. M&eacute;todos: participaron 129 ni&ntilde;os de 0 a 36 meses, cuyos datos fueron obtenidos por medio de un cuestionario realizado a las madres y ex&aacute;menes cl&iacute;nicosbucales de los beb&eacute;s en ambulatorios p&uacute;blicos y privados. Resultados: la forma de lactancia m&aacute;s utilizadafue artificial (59%), siendo empleada desde el inicio de la vida y volvi&eacute;ndose m&aacute;s prevalente con elaumento de la edad. El primer contacto con el az&uacute;car ocurri&oacute; principalmente despu&eacute;s de los 3 meses deedad, sin embargo, 20% de las madres ofrecieron az&uacute;car a sus hijos antes de los tres primeros meses devida. El mayor n&uacute;mero de beb&eacute;s acudieron durante el primer a&ntilde;o de vida al dentista (43%) siendo laprevenci&oacute;n su principal motivo (65%). La prevalencia de actividad de caries para la muestra fue de 17%.Estos resultados correspondieron a madres que pose&iacute;an grado escolar secundario y superior completo yrecib&iacute;an de 1 a 3 salarios m&iacute;nimos. Conclusi&oacute;n: el patr&oacute;n de amamantamiento en beb&eacute;s es esencialmenteartificial en los primeros meses de vida, lo que contribuye para que ocurra el primer contacto con elaz&uacute;car muy precozmente. La primera visita al dentista ocurre generalmente durante el primer a&ntilde;o devida del beb&eacute;.&nbsp;ABSTRACT Purpose: to analyze the pattern of feeding, first contact with sugar and first babies visit to the dentistwith respect to family socioeconomic status. Methods: one hundred and twenty nine children, from 0 to36 months, participated in the study. The data was obtained through a questionnaire conducted for theirmothers and clinical oral exams of the babies in public and private outpatient departments. Results:bottle feeding was most widely used (59%), being employed since the beginning of the life and becomingmore prevalent with the increasing age. The first contact with sugar occurred mostly after 3 months oflife; however, 20% of mothers offered sugar for their children before the first three months of life. Mostof the babies visited the dentist within their first year of life (43%) and the main reason was prevention(65%). All these results corresponded to mothers who had completed high school and higher education,as well as perceive 1 to 3 minimum wages. Conclusions: the pattern of breastfeeding in babies isessentially artificial in the first months of life, which contributes to appear the first contact with the sugarvery early. The first visit to the dentist occurs during the first year of life of the baby.&nbsp