Assessment on Oral Health Knowledge, Attitude, and Behaviour and its Association with Sociodemographic and Habitual Factors of South Indian Population

Objective: To assess the oral health knowledge, attitude, behaviour, and its association with sociodemographic and habitual factors among South Indian Population. Material and Methods: A total of 288 adults living in a residential community situated in Chennai were selected by systematic random sampling method participated in this cross-sectional study. Data collection was carried out using a validated questionnaire. Results: About 97.9% of the participants in our study had good knowledge, 33.3% had a positive attitude and 48.2% had adequate oral health behaviour. Sociodemographic and habitual factors like diet (p=0.006), education (p=0.009), and employment (p=0.003) were significantly associated with knowledge. On the other hand, diet (p=0.012) was the only factor significantly associated with attitude. Ownership of house (p= 0.030) was significantly associated with behaviour and no factor was associated with all three KAB profiles. Absence of correlation were identified between Knowledge-Attitude (r=0.11, p=0.23), Knowledge-Behaviour (r= -0.037, p= 0.68) and Attitude-Behaviour (r =0.01, p=0.94). Conclusion: It has been found a massive number of participants possessed a high knowledge level towards oral health. On the other hand, less than half of the participants had a positive attitude and adequate behaviour towards oral health. No positive linear correlation was seen among knowledge, attitude, and behaviour towards oral health

Availability of Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Medicines in Primary Health Care

Objective: To describe and analyze the availability and factors related to the presence of analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the Brazilian public primary healthcare system. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that evaluated 17,903 health units that participated in the National Program for Primary Care Access and Quality Improvement (2013-2014). The dependent variable was defined as the presence of metamizole, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen in a sufficient amount. The independent variables included the type of primary health care unit, the presence of a medication disposal area, the number of physicians, nurses, and dental practitioners; and the number of primary care units with family and oral health teams. For statistical analysis, unadjusted and adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) (95% CI) were presented. Results: The three medicines were available in 62.4% of the units. Regarding Health Clinics, the Basic Health Units (OR= 1.31, CI95% 1.18-1.44), Polyclinic (OR= 2.00, 95% CI, 1.15 -3.48), and others (OR= 1.37; 95% CI 1.14-1.63) had higher chances of availability of all three drugs. The presence of a disposal area (OR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.51-1.77) and the number of physicians (OR= 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.08), nurses (OR= 1.08, 95% CI 1.03- 1.13), and dental practitioners (OR= 1.09, 95% CI 1.04-1.14) increased the availability odds of the analyzed drugs in the service. Conclusion: The structure of the healthcare units and the higher number of professionals were positively associated with the availability of these drugs

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Clear Communication Index to Brazilian Portuguese

OBJECTIVE: To perform a cross-cultural adaptation of the Clear Communication Index instrument from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC-CCI) from English to Brazilian Portuguese. METHODS: This study comprised initial discussion about the conceptual equivalence of the instrument by a committee formed by experts on health education. We performed translations, synthesis of translations, back-translations, revision by the committee, and linguistic revision. Semantic equivalence was obtained by analyzing the referential and general meaning of each item by the committee, resulting in a pre-final version of the instrument. Subsequently, thirty professionals with health sciences degrees performed a pre-test. These professionals used the pre-final version of the instrument to assess a health education material. A questionnaire was applied to evaluate the acceptability of the instrument, the understanding of each of the 20 items, as well as the individual and professional variables. We analyzed the scores attributed to the health education material, the variables related to healthcare professionals, the proportions of the acceptability of the instrument, and the comprehension of each item. RESULTS: After we obtained the conceptual equivalence of the instrument, the committee of experts, the instrument’s main author, and the linguist produced the pre-final version using two translations, a synthesis of the translations, and two back-translations. A general equivalence was maintained in 15 of the 20 items (75%), four of the items were slightly altered (20%), and one item was very altered (5%). Nineteen items presented referential equivalence or near equivalence (95%). We then carried out with the pre-test, in which the professionals used the pre-final version. Two items in the domains of “risks” and “main message” were unclear and needed to be revised. CONCLUSION: The process of cross-cultural adaptation of the Clear Communication Index provided an adapted version to the Brazilian Portuguese language

Dental Findings of Kidney and Liver Transplantation Patients from a Brazilian Oral Health Care Service

Objective: To describe dental findings of kidney and liver, pre and post-transplant patients of an oral health care service from a Brazilian Southeast state. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was developed with a sample of patients attending the oral health care program for transplantation of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Participants were divided into two groups according to the kind of transplantation-kidney or liver. Characteristics of the sample, sex (male/female), age (18-44; 45-54; 55-80), living region (Belo Horizonte, or outside), phase of transplantation (pre-Tx or post-Tx), and self-report of diabetes mellitus and hypertension were presented by frequencies. Dental caries experienced was measured by Decayed, Missing and Filled-Teeth (DMF-T) index. Results: 185 patients, kidney (46; 24.9%), and liver (139; 75.1%) were included. Mean DMFT was 18.3 (20.0). DMFT scores of males (18.7; 20.0), females (17.2; 18.0), pre-transplanted (18.3; 20.0), and post-transplanted (18.1; 20.0) were similar. The liver transplantation group (19.3; 20.0) showed higher caries experience comparing to kidney´s (15.2; 17.0). Conclusion: Dental caries experience was high in kidney and liver patients under transplantation therapy. This highlights the demand for treatment need in this population

Dental Findings of Kidney and Liver Transplantation Patients from a Brazilian Oral Health Care Service

Objective: To describe dental findings of kidney and liver, pre and post-transplant patients of an oral health care service from a Brazilian Southeast state. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was developed with a sample of patients attending the oral health care program for transplantation of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Participants were divided into two groups according to the kind of transplantation-kidney or liver. Characteristics of the sample, sex (male/female), age (18-44; 45-54; 55-80), living region (Belo Horizonte, or outside), phase of transplantation (pre-Tx or post-Tx), and self-report of diabetes mellitus and hypertension were presented by frequencies. Dental caries experienced was measured by Decayed, Missing and Filled-Teeth (DMF-T) index. Results: 185 patients, kidney (46; 24.9%), and liver (139; 75.1%) were included. Mean DMFT was 18.3 (20.0). DMFT scores of males (18.7; 20.0), females (17.2; 18.0), pre-transplanted (18.3; 20.0), and post-transplanted (18.1; 20.0) were similar. The liver transplantation group (19.3; 20.0) showed higher caries experience comparing to kidney´s (15.2; 17.0). Conclusion: Dental caries experience was high in kidney and liver patients under transplantation therapy. This highlights the demand for treatment need in this population

Risk Factors for the Incidence of Dental Caries in Low, Very Low, and Extremely Low Birth Weight Children: A Cohort Study

Objective: To assess the incidence of caries in a two-year period among low birth weight (LBW), very low birth weight (VLBW), and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) children considering socioeconomic indicators, dietary factors and oral hygiene. Material and Methods: A convenience sample was formed of 42 low birth weight children aged two to five years at baseline. Two examiners diagnosed caries using the World Health Organization criteria. Birth weight, socioeconomic indicators and diet were collected from medical records and questionnaires. Binomial models were used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted rate ratios (RR) and respective 95% confidence intervals for the factors evaluated. Results: Thirty-six children were re-examined after two years. The incidence of dental caries was 36.7%. The dmft index was 0.44 (±1.25) at baseline and increased to 1.36 (±3.85) at follow-up. VLBW children (1,000 to 1,500 g) (RR=0.23; 95%CI: 0.08-0.72) and LBW children (1,500 to 2,500 g) (RR=0.06; 0.01-0.55) had fewer carious lesions compared to ELBW children (<1,000 g). Carious lesions were more frequent among children with a lower income (RR=6.05; 1.05-34.84) and less frequent among those who did not consume sweetened juice, tea or yogurt (RR: 0.21; 0.07-0.62). Conclusion: An inverse dose-response relation was found between birth weight and the incidence of caries. A lower income and the consumption of sweetened beverages were risk factors for the development of caries

Análise do estágio de desenvolvimento da rede de atenção à saúde bucal no sistema único de saúde em Minas Gerais–Brasil

Este estudo objetivou analisar o estágio de desenvolvimento da rede de atenção à saúde bucal do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) brasileiro no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Metodologia: Foi realizado um estudo transversal descritivo e analítico com 205 coordenadores municipais de saúde bucal de Minas Gerais. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de um questionário validado para analisar o estágio de desenvolvimento da rede de atenção à saúde bucal. Foram realizadas as análises descritiva e de cluster, que gerou dois clusters. Resultados: A mediana total de pontuação final dos questionários classificou Minas Gerais como um estado que apresenta redes de atenção à saúde incipientes, com uma capacidade básica para operar as redes de atenção à saúde bucal, refletindo a predominância do cluster 1 na amostra. Não houve associação quanto as variáveis idade, tempo de formado, e tempo de coordenação (teste de Mann-Whitney). As variáveis sexo e escolaridade do coordenador também não apresentaram associação estatística com os clusters (Teste X2 de Pearson e Teste Exato de Fisher, respectivamente). Conclusão: Os dados mostraram que uma organização dos serviços de acordo com as necessidades da população é necessária para garantir a efetividade da rede de atenção à saúde bucal em Minas Gerais. Isso pode ser feito através de melhorias em sua estrutura operacional, bem como investimento na formação da gerênciaFil: Ruy Carneiro, Natália Cristina. Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisFil: Lopes Leal, Daniele. Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisFil: Azeredo Furquim Werneck, Marcos. Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisFil: Henrique Nogueira Guimarães de Abreu, Mauro. Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisFil: Castro Martins, Renata. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerai

Impact of Periodontal Disease on the Quality of Life of Diabetics Based on Different Clinical Diagnostic Criteria

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of periodontal disease on the quality of life of individuals with diabetes according to different clinical criteria (I-AAP, II-Beck, III-Machtei, IV-Lopez, V-Albandar, VI-Tonetti, and VII-CPI). This cross-sectional study sampled 300 individuals in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The Oral Health Impact Profile was used to measure the impact of periodontal disease on quality of life. Prevalence of periodontal disease was 35.3%, 30.7%, 35.0%, 9.7%, 92.3%, 25.3%, and 75.3% using criteria I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII, respectively. The III-Machtei (P=0.043) and IV-Lopez (P<0.001) criteria were associated with OHIP-14; functional limitation was associated with IV-Lopez (P=0.006) and V-Albandar (P=0.018) criteria. Pain was only associated with V-Albandar criteria (P<0.001). Psychological discomfort was associated with the IV-Lopez (P=0.018) criteria. Physical disability was associated with the IV-Lopez (P=0.047) and V-Tonetti (P=0.046) criteria. Being handicapped was associated with the I-AAP (P=0.025) and II-Beck (P=0.041) criteria. Concepts of health and disease determined by clinical diagnostic criteria may influence the assessment of the impact of periodontal disease on diabetics' quality of life

Staff Knowledge and Attitudes Towards COVID-19 New Biosafety Practices at a Brazilian Dental School

Objective:&nbsp;To evaluate knowledge and attitudes towards biosafety recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic at a Brazilian dental school.&nbsp;Material and Methods:&nbsp;A cross-sectional study was performed in 2020 with the clinical staff of a Brazilian dental school. The whole clinical staff was sent pre-tested self-administered online questionnaires about knowledge and attitudes towards the recommendations for biosafety in dental settings in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistical analyses were carried out for proportion calculation.&nbsp;Results:&nbsp;Disposable head covering caps, isolation gowns, and gloves were the most frequently reported personal protective equipment (PPE). The rates ranged from 52.9% to 88.5% for N95 respirators, from 68.6% to 92.6% for face shields, from 47.4% to 67.5% for conventional eye protection shields, and 45.1% to 77.4% for eye protection with solid side shields. Chlorhexidine gluconate was the most frequent mouthwash indicated before clinical dental care. The percentage of agreement to provide clinical care to patients with suspected COVID-19 varied from 23.5% to 50.0%. The percentage of respondents who agreed that bioaerosol-generating procedures should be avoided was higher than 74.5%. Less than 50% knew the correct sequence for doffing of PPE.&nbsp;Conclusion:&nbsp;This study revealed important gaps in knowledge and attitudes towards prevention and control measures against infection in dental environments in the context of COVID-19, indicating the need for improvements

Socioeconomic status and family functioning influence oral health literacy among adolescents

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate socio-demographic, family and behavioral factors associated with oral health literacy (OHL) in adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted with adolescents aged 15 to 19 years in Campina Grande, Brazil. Parents/guardians answered a questionnaire addressing socio-demographic data. The adolescents answered validated instruments on family cohesion and adaptability (family adaptability and cohesion evaluation scale), drug use (alcohol, smoking and substance involvement screening test), type of dental service used for last appointment and OHL (Brazilian version of the Rapid Estimate of Oral Health Literacy in Dentistry). Two dentists were trained to evaluate OHL (K = 0.87–0.88). Descriptive analysis was performed, followed by Poisson regression analysis (α = 5%). A directed acyclic graph was used to select independent variables in the study. RESULTS: The following variables remained associated with better OHL: high mother’s schooling level (RR = 1.07; 95%CI: 1.03–1.12), high income (RR = 1.04; 95%CI: 1.01–1.09), white ethnicity/skin color (RR = 1.05; 95%CI: 1.01–1.10), married parents (RR = 1.04; 95%CI: 1.01–1.09), “enmeshed” family cohesion (RR = 1.21; 95%CI: 1.12–1.30), “structured” (RR = 1.06; 95%CI: 1.01–1.12) or “rigid” (RR = 1.11; 95%CI: 1.04–1.19) family adaptability, having more than five residents in the home (RR = 1.07; 95%CI: 1.01–1.14) and having used a private dental service during the last appointment (RR = 1.08; 95%CI: 1.03–1.13). CONCLUSION: Family functioning and socio-demographic factors influence the level of oral health literacy among adolescents