Access and resolubility in oral health care in early childhood : an integrative literature review

Introdução: A cárie na primeira infância ainda é um problema de saúde pública no Brasil, expresso pelas pequenas reduções no índice ceo-d na idade de 5 anos ao longo do tempo. Esse panorama pode refletir dificuldade de acesso e resolutividade nas Redes de Atenção à Saúde (RAS) no que se refere ao atendimento odontológico infantil. Objetivo: Este trabalho apresenta uma revisão integrativa da literatura sobre o acesso e a resolutividade da atenção em saúde bucal na primeira infância nas RAS do Sistema Único de Saúde Brasileiro. Materiais e métodos: Foram consultadas as bases de dados do Medline/ Pubmed, SciELO e Google Scholar e selecionados artigos publicados nos idiomas inglês e português entre 2005 e 2021. Revisão da literatura: Foi observado baixo percentual de uso de serviços odontológicos por crianças em idade pré-escolar, sendo o acesso influenciado por variáveis socioeconômicas e aspectos relacionados aos serviços. Discussão: Adoção da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF), realização de busca ativa, inclusão da saúde bucal nas ações programáticas de saúde infantil e adequada comunicação entre os pontos de atenção são fatores positivos ao acesso à saúde bucal. O atendimento odontológico infantil ocorre majoritariamente na atenção básica, havendo pouca expressividade na atenção especializada, porém profissionais generalistas podem apresentar dificuldades em gerir o comportamento infantil durante o atendimento odontológico. Conclusão: Ações de educação permanente em Odontopediatria direcionadas aos profissionais da atenção primária são recomendadas, dada a capilaridade e o caráter familiar desse nível de atenção, porém a inclusão da especialidade de Odontopediatria nos Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas merece investimento e atenção dos gestores.Introduction: Early childhood caries is still considered a public health problem in Brazil, detected by small reductions in the 5-year dmf-t index over time. This panorama may reflect difficulties in providing access and resolubility by Health Care Networks (HCN) with regards to children’s dental care. Aim: This integrative review of the literature presents the access and resolubility of oral health care in early childhood in the HCN of the Brazilian Unified Health System. Materials and methods: The Medline/Pubmed, SciELO, and Google Scholar databases were consulted, and articles published in English and Portuguese between 2005 and 2021 were selected. Literature review: A low use rate of dental services by preschool children was observed, and access is influenced by socioeconomic variables and aspects related to services. Discussion: Adoption of the Family Health Strategy (FHS), actively going in search, inclusion of oral health in programmatic actions of children health and proper communication between the points of care are positive factors in the access to oral health services. Children dental care occurs mostly in the primary level, with little expressiveness in specialized care. General practitioners may have difficulties in managing child behavior during dental treatment. Conclusion: Continuing education program in Pediatric Dentistry aiming primary care professionals is recommended, given the capillarity and the familiar pattern of the care level. The inclusion of the Pediatric Dentistry specialty in the Dental Specialties Centers deserves investment and attention from managers

Integrality, absenteeism and resolubility of specialized care for pediatric patients : a cross-sectional study

Dental Specialties Centers (CEOs) are clinics representing part of the secondary oral health care system of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Pediatric dentistry is not a requirement for service accreditation. However, the CEO of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (CEO-UFRGS) has provided dental care for children aged 3–11 years since 2017. The utilization rates of health services are influenced by absenteeism. Therefore, evaluation of absences for dental appointments is of primary importance. This study aimed to evaluate referral characteristics, absenteeism, and resolubility of pediatric dentistry appointments at the CEO-UFRGS. This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Dental Teaching Hospital of the university and analyzed secondary data from referrals and medical records. From August 2017 to December 2019, 167 referrals and 96 medical records were reviewed, from which data of individual variables related to the referral process and treatment were collected. Data were collected by a single trained examiner and analyzed using SPSS software. The main reasons for referral to secondary care were dental caries and pulpal or periapical diseases associated with difficult-to-manage behavior. An absenteeism rate of 28.1% at the first pediatric dental visit and a resolution rate of 65.6% were found. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that each day of waiting for specialized care resulted in a 0.3% of higher chance of absence for appointment. This also increased the chance by 0.7% in child who attended the first visit to complete treatment, suggesting that the waiting time for attendance was associated with absenteeism and resolubility. Public policies that expand providing child dental care in secondary care are recommended to improve access to and resolubility of services

Utilidade e satisfação de uma ferramenta digital de aprendizado para detecção de cárie utilizando ICDAS

Objective: this study aimed evaluate the usefulness and satisfaction of a digital learning tool (DLT) using ICDAS (International caries detection and assessment system) created for learning and training visual detection of carious lesions in a non-controlled setting. Material and Methods: the DLT containing 60 pictures of sound and carious surfaces was distributed through social media and professional associations, aiming at both dentists and dental students. Analysis was based on data collected through a personal, professional and satisfaction questionnaire and Google Analytics. Results: a total of 2300 users accessed the DLT and 1517 completed it, filling out the questionnaires. Users required 2.29 sessions to accomplish the DLT in an average time of 15 min and 14 seconds each. The satisfaction questionnaire showed that 84.8% of users found in the DLT exactly what they expected and 91.8% found it useful. Around 88.4% of users found that the DLT helped in discussion of ICDAS with colleagues and 88.9% with superiors; 88.3% found that the DLT provided immediate learning results. The DLT was most useful to dental students (83.7% of users), and overall satisfaction was 86%. Conclusion: users found the DLT useful for learning and training visual detection of carious lesions using ICDAS, and general satisfaction was high.Objetivo: o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a utilidade e a satisfação de uma ferramenta digital de aprendizado (FDA) utilizando o ICDAS (International caries detection and assessment system), criada para aprender e treinar a detecção visual desse índice de forma virtual. Material e Métodos: a FDA contendo 60 fotos de superfícies hígidas e cariadas foi distribuída por meio de mídias sociais, visando profissionais e estudantes de odontologia. A análise baseou-se nos dados recolhidos através de um questionário de satisfação da experiência e Google Analytics. Resultados: um total de 2.300 usuários acessaram a FDA e 1.517 a completaram até os questionários. Os usuários precisaram de 2,29 sessões para realizá-la em um tempo médio de 15 min e 14 segundos. O questionário de satisfação mostrou que 84,8% dos usuários encontraram exatamente o que esperavam e 91,8% a acharam útil. Cerca de 88,4% dos usuários acreditaram que a FDA ajudou na discussão do ICDAS com colegas e 88,9% com superiores; 88,3% acharam que foi fornecido resultados de aprendizagem imediatos. A FDA foi mais útil para estudantes de odontologia (83,7% dos usuários) e a satisfação geral foi de 86%. Conclusão: os usuários acharam a FDA útil para aprender e treinar a detecção visual de lesões cariosas utilizando o ICDAS. A satisfação geral alcançada foi considerada alta

Narratives about a stigma : attributing meaning to the early loss of deciduous teeth on children’s caregivers

Qualitative approach about the implications that occur succeeding the premature loss teeth is still insufficient. This study aimed to understand the experience of early loss of deciduous teeth in children's lives, from the perspective of their caregivers. Qualitative case study included 52 caregivers of children from an outpatient service of a public university in the south of Brazil. Early loss of deciduous teeth to trauma or caries was identified through analysis of health records, and afterwards, semi-structured interviews were performed. Textual material was interpreted through the content analysis proposed by Bardin, supported by the ATLAS.ti software. The theoretical perspective of stigma was guided according to the principles of the phenomenology of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, centred on the experience of early loss of deciduous teeth as a historic–cultural expression of a social group. According to caregivers, premature loss of deciduous teeth due to trauma or decay brings functional limitations with chewing and speaking, and impairments related to social interaction with other children. The repercussions of missing teeth were not limited to the child's image, but also brought changes in families’ daily lives. However, when early tooth loss was due to extraction because of pain and suffering, caregivers perceived the loss as ‘commonplace’ in children's lives. The understanding of how children see themselves without teeth in their social world for their caregivers, which also includes their family and friends, determines how much experiencing tooth loss affects their lives. Besides, caregivers’ perceptions related to early loss of deciduous teeth should be included in strategies of oral health promotion programs

Acesso e resolutividade na atenção em saúde bucal na primeira infância: uma revisão integrativa da literatura

Introduction: Early childhood caries is still considered a public health problem in Brazil, detected by small reductions in the 5-year dmf-t index over time. This panorama may reflect difficulties in providing access and resolubility by Health Care Networks (HCN) with regards to children's dental care. Aim: This integrative review of the literature presents the access and resolubility of oral health care in early childhood in the HCN of the Brazilian Unified Health System. Materials and methods: The Medline/Pubmed, SciELO, and Google Scholar databases were consulted, and articles published in English and Portuguese between 2005 and 2021 were selected. Literature review: A low use rate of dental services by preschool children was observed, and access is influenced by socioeconomic variables and aspects related to services. Discussion: Adoption of the Family Health Strategy (FHS), actively going in search, inclusion of oral health in programmatic actions of children health and proper communication between the points of care are positive factors in the access to oral health services. Children dental care occurs mostly in the primary level, with little expressiveness in specialized care. General practitioners may have difficulties in managing child behavior during dental treatment. Conclusion: Continuing education program in Pediatric Dentistry aiming primary care professionals is recommended, given the capillarity and the familiar pattern of the care level. The inclusion of the Pediatric Dentistry specialty in the Dental Specialties Centers deserves investment and attention from managers.Introdução: A cárie na primeira infância ainda é um problema de saúde pública no Brasil, expresso pelas pequenas reduções no índice ceo-d na idade de 5 anos ao longo do tempo. Esse panorama pode refletir dificuldade de acesso e resolutividade nas Redes de Atenção à Saúde (RAS) no que se refere ao atendimento odontológico infantil. Objetivo: Este trabalho apresenta uma revisão integrativa da literatura sobre o acesso e a resolutividade da atenção em saúde bucal na primeira infância nas RAS do Sistema Único de Saúde Brasileiro. Materiais e métodos: Foram consultadas as bases de dados do Medline/Pubmed, SciELO e Google Scholar e selecionados artigos publicados nos idiomas inglês e português entre 2005 e 2021. Revisão da literatura: Foi observado baixo percentual de uso de serviços odontológicos por crianças em idade pré-escolar, sendo o acesso influenciado por variáveis socioeconômicas e aspectos relacionados aos serviços. Discussão: Adoção da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF), realização de busca ativa, inclusão da saúde bucal nas ações programáticas de saúde infantil e adequada comunicação entre os pontos de atenção são fatores positivos ao acesso à saúde bucal. O atendimento odontológico infantil ocorre majoritariamente na atenção básica, havendo pouca expressividade na atenção especializada, porém profissionais generalistas podem apresentar dificuldades em gerir o comportamento infantil durante o atendimento odontológico. Conclusão: Ações de educação permanente em Odontopediatria direcionadas aos profissionais da atenção primária são recomendadas, dada a capilaridade e o caráter familiar desse nível de atenção, porém a inclusão da especialidade de Odontopediatria nos Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas merece investimento e atenção dos gestores

Segmentation of dental restorations on panoramic radiographs using deep learning

Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) such as U-Net have been widely used for medical image segmentation. Dental restorations are prominent features of dental radiographs. Applying U-Net on the panoramic image is challenging, as the shape, size and frequency of different restoration types vary. We hypothesized that models trained on smaller, equally spaced rectangular image crops (tiles) of the panoramic would outperform models trained on the full image. A total of 1781 panoramic radiographs were annotated pixelwise for fillings, crowns, and root canal fillings by dental experts. We used different numbers of tiles for our experiments. Five-times-repeated three-fold cross-validation was used for model evaluation. Training with more tiles improved model performance and accelerated convergence. The F1-score for the full panoramic image was 0.7, compared to 0.83, 0.92 and 0.95 for 6, 10 and 20 tiles, respectively. For root canals fillings, which are small, cone-shaped features that appear less frequently on the radiographs, the performance improvement was even higher (+294%). Training on tiles and pooling the results thereafter improved pixelwise classification performance and reduced the time to model convergence for segmenting dental restorations. Segmentation of panoramic radiographs is biased towards more frequent and extended classes. Tiling may help to overcome this bias and increase accuracy

A infusão de cascas de romã é efetiva na desinfecção de escovas dentais?

Introdução: Os métodos de descontaminação ou desinfecção de escovas dentais têm sido questionados. Objetivo: Este estudo avaliou a eficácia da infusão de cascas de romã como um desinfetante de escovas dentais contra Streptococcus mutans. Material e método: Uma amostra de 16 escolares com idade entre 7 e 9 anos realizou escovação dentária cuidadosa, uma vez ao dia por 5 dias/semana durante 4 semanas. Após cada dia de escovação, as escovas foram lavadas e pulverizadas com uma solução desinfetante. Este procedimento foi repetido por 4 semanas utilizando uma das diferentes soluções por semana: água destilada (G1; grupo controle), infusão de casca de romã (Punica granatum Linn) (G2), hipoclorito de sódio a 1% (G3) e digluconato de clorexidina a 0,12% (G4). Após o quinto dia, as escovas foram coletadas para análise laboratorial. As cabeças das escovas foram agitadas em solução salina diluída em 10–1, 10–2,10–3, e 25μL de cada diluição foi semeada em meio de cultura agar mitis salivarius para contagem de unidade formadora de colônias (UFC) de S. mutans. Um examinador calibrado (Kappa = 0,91) realizou a contagem de UFC mL–1 × 104 . Os testes de Kruskal-Wallis e de Comparações Múltiplas de Dunn foram usados em um nível de significância de 5%. Resultado: G1 apresentou o maior número de UFC (3,9 ± 8,4), seguido de G2 (3,2 ± 4,0). Não foi observado crescimento de S. mutans em G3 e G4. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre G1 e G2 e entre G3 e G4 (p>0,05). Conclusão: A infusão de romã foi completamente ineficaz para a desinfecção de escovas dentais contra S. mutans quando comparada às soluções de hipoclorito de sódio a 1% e digluconato de clorexidina a 0,12%.Introduction: Methods of decontamination or sanitization of toothbrushes have been questioned. Objective: This study assessed the effectiveness of pomegranate peels infusion as a disinfectant of toothbrushes against Streptococcus mutans. Material and method: A sample of 16 schoolchildren aged between 7 and 9 years performed brushing 5 days/week, with a careful brushing once a day. After each day of brushing, the toothbrushes were washed and sprayed with one disinfectant solution. This procedure was repeated for 4 weeks using one of the different solutions per week: distilled water (G1; negative control), pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn) peels infusion (G2), 1% sodium hypochlorite (G3) and 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate (G4). After the fifth day, toothbrushes were collected for laboratory analysis. Toothbrushes heads were subjected to agitation in saline dilution of 10–1, 10–2,10–3, and 25 μL of each dilution were seeded in mitis salivarius agar culture medium for S. mutans colony-forming unit (CFU) counting. One calibrated examiner (Kappa = 0.91) performed the CFU (mL–1 × 104 ) counts. Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn Multiple Comparison tests were used at a significance level of 5%. Result: G1 presented the highest number of CFU (3.9 ± 8.4), followed by G2 (3.2 ± 4.0). No S. mutans growth was observed in G3 and G4. There was no statistically significant difference between G1 and G2 and between G3 and G4 (p>0.05). Conclusion: Pomegranate infusion was completely ineffective for the disinfection of toothbrushes against S. mutans when compared with 1% sodium hypochlorite and 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate solution

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