Poor Dental Status and Oral Hygiene Practices in Institutionalized Older People in Northeast Brazil

In this study we describe the dental status and oral hygiene practices in institutionalized older people and identify factors associated with poor dental status. A cross-sectional study was performed in a nursing home in Fortaleza, the capital of Ceará State (northeast Brazil). The number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) was assessed in the residents of the nursing home (n = 167; mean age = 76.6 years). The mean DMFT value was 29.7; the mean number of missing teeth was 28.4. Ninety-three (58.1%) were edentulous. Almost 90% practiced oral hygiene, but only about half used a toothbrush. Only 8% had visited a dentist in the preceding three months. Most of the variables regarding oral hygiene habits (such as the use of toothbrush, frequency of oral hygiene per day, regular tooth brushing after meals) did not show any significant association with the DMFT. In multivariate regression analysis, age, general literacy level, and practice of oral hygiene were independently associated with the DMFT (R2 = 0.13). Institutionalized older people in northeast Brazil have poor dental status, and oral hygiene practices are insufficient. Dental health education is needed focusing on the special needs of this neglected and socioeconomically deprived population to improve their quality of life

Oral diseases in 12-year-old schoolchildren in a capital city in northeast Brazil: rise or decline?

This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the distribution of oral diseases in 12-year-old schoolchildren in Fortaleza, Northeast, Brazil. Based on the SB Brasil 2010, 30 calibrated dentists evaluated 1,509 children. Data were submitted to Pearson's Chi-square or Fisher's Exact tests, considering p<0.05. It was observed that 67.3% of the children were caries free and the mean DMFT-D was 0.86, with a predominance of the carious component (69.8%) in its composition. Main needs found: restorations (33.5%), pulp treatment (4.8%) and extractions (4.1%). The prevalence of fluorosis was 32.5%. As for periodontal disease, 56.6% of the students did not present bleeding and the presence of calculus in the examined sextants. The prevalence of malocclusion was 40.3%. It is concluded that the Municipality of Fortaleza has low caries severity and low prevalence of periodontal disease. Fluorosis is more prevalent in the very mild form. The total number of children with normal occlusion was greater than those with malocclusion. Regarding the severity of malocclusion detected, defined malocclusion prevailed. A decline in caries disease was observed, however, fluorosis and malocclusion showed an increase when compared to previous epidemiological surveys

Prevalence of Dental Caries in 5-Year-Old Children in a Northeast Brazilian Capital

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of dental caries in children aged five years in a Northeast Brazilian Capital (Fortaleza, CE) and its association with sociodemographic conditions, presence of malocclusion, and gingival bleeding. Material and Methods: This is a quantitative, descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study carried out in a representative sample of 3,582 children aged five years in the city of Fortaleza-CE. Data was collected in public and private schools distributed in the city\u27s Regional Health Coordination (CORES). Each of the six CORES worked with five field teams, participating in inter-examiner training and calibration with a final KAPPA coefficient of 0.87. Data were collected using a clinical form adapted from the SB Brasil 2010 questionnaire on sociodemographic conditions. The indices of dmft, need for treatment, malocclusion, and gingival bleeding were used for oral health conditions. The data were submitted to Pearson\u27s Chi-square or Fisher\u27s Exact tests, and the variables that show values of p<0.05 were submitted to a multinomial logistic regression model (forward stepwise model). Results: 57.1% of children were caries-free, and the mean dmft-d was 1.65 (1.65±2.65). CORES I and VI were the ones that presented the most significant association with caries attacks in all primary molars. The highest percentage of caries in the 2nd upper molar (60.6%), 1st lower molar (59%), and 2nd lower molar (58.8%) were found in children with normal occlusion. There was a significant association between gingival bleeding and caries in all molars and the need for treatment. Conclusion: These results allow us to observe that the prevalence of dental caries in 5-year-old children in Fortaleza is low, although with a tendency to increase

Prevalence of Dental Caries in 5-Year-Old Children in a Northeast Brazilian Capital

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of dental caries in children aged five years in a Northeast Brazilian Capital (Fortaleza, CE) and its association with sociodemographic conditions, presence of malocclusion, and gingival bleeding. Material and Methods: This is a quantitative, descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study carried out in a representative sample of 3,582 children aged five years in the city of Fortaleza-CE. Data was collected in public and private schools distributed in the city's Regional Health Coordination (CORES). Each of the six CORES worked with five field teams, participating in inter-examiner training and calibration with a final KAPPA coefficient of 0.87. Data were collected using a clinical form adapted from the SB Brasil 2010 questionnaire on sociodemographic conditions. The indices of dmft, need for treatment, malocclusion, and gingival bleeding were used for oral health conditions. The data were submitted to Pearson's Chi-square or Fisher's Exact tests, and the variables that show values of p<0.05 were submitted to a multinomial logistic regression model (forward stepwise model). Results: 57.1% of children were caries-free, and the mean dmft-d was 1.65 (1.65±2.65). CORES I and VI were the ones that presented the most significant association with caries attacks in all primary molars. The highest percentage of caries in the 2nd upper molar (60.6%), 1st lower molar (59%), and 2nd lower molar (58.8%) were found in children with normal occlusion. There was a significant association between gingival bleeding and caries in all molars and the need for treatment. Conclusion: These results allow us to observe that the prevalence of dental caries in 5-year-old children in Fortaleza is low, although with a tendency to increase

Perceptions of dental fluorosis and evaluation of agreement between parents and children: validation of a questionnaire

This study aimed to validate the Child's and Parent's Questionnaire about Teeth Appearance and to evaluate concerns relative to fluorosis among 213 pairs of parents and 12-year-old children from two regions of Brazil. Reliability was assessed by Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient, and construct and criterion validity by Spearman's correlations. Student t-test was used to compare the two regions and to assess parent/child agreement. Internal consistency was acceptable, and test-retest reliability was moderate to excellent. Perception of moderate to severe fluorosis and clinical data were significantly correlated, as were perception of fluorosis and subjects' concerns. Although parents from Rafael Arruda, Ceará State, showed a higher perception of fluorosis, parental concern was greater in Piracicaba, São Paulo State. Parents were more worried and dissatisfied with their children's dental appearance than the children themselves. This version of the questionnaire proved to be valid and reliable for assessing children's and parents' perceptions of dental fluorosis.Objetivou-se validar o Child's and Parent's Questionnaire about Teeth Appearance, avaliando as preocupações relacionadas à fluorose em 213 pares de pais/crianças (12 anos) de duas regiões brasileiras. A confiabilidade foi avaliada pelo alfa de Cronbach e pelo coeficiente de correlação intraclasse; e a validade de constructo e de critério, pela correlação de Spearman. Para comparar as duas regiões e avaliar a concordância pais/filhos, foi utilizado o teste t de Student. A consistência interna foi aceitável, e a confiabilidade teste-reteste, moderada a excelente. Houve correlação significativa entre percepção da fluorose moderada e severa e os dados clínicos e entre percepção da fluorose e preocupações dos indivíduos. Embora os pais de Rafael Arruda, Ceará, Brasil, tenham tido maior percepção da fluorose, o incômodo e a preocupação com a aparência foram maiores em Piracicaba, São Paulo. Os pais se mostraram mais incomodados, preocupados e insatisfeitos com a aparência dentária das crianças do que elas mesmas. Essa versão é válida e confiável para avaliar a percepção da estética dentária em crianças e em seus pais.1493150

Envelhecimento e bucalidade: suas múltiplas dimensões

O envelhecimento populacional do país constitui-se em fato consumado e, embora tenha cada vez mais despertado o interesse de pesquisadores e profissionais da área socail e da saúde, ainda muito pouco tem sido feito em resposta a essa evidência. Os objetivos deste estudo foram investigar o significado do processo de envelhecimento e suas repercussões no corpo e, em particular, na boca dos idosos; e como os efeitos da assistência odontológica durante a vida repercutem na saúde bucal do idoso. A boca foi compreendida na expressão da bucalidade, conceito desenvolvido por Botazzo (2000) relativo à propriedade do bucal nas dimensões psíquica e cultural. Trata-se, pois, de compreender a boca nestas dimensões enquanto território corporal. a pesquisa pe de abordagem qualitativa de fundamentação fenomenológica, sendo os sujeitos entrevistados escolhidos intencionalmente. Foram selecionados cinco idosos residentes em Araçatuba/SP/Brasil. Utilizou-se entrevista semi-estruturada e diário de campo para coletar os dados. Para procedermos à análise dos dados, escolhemos a técnica de análise de conteúdo categorial. Os resultados mostraram que a dificuldade na mastigação e a perda da capacidade de saborear os alimentos foram citadas como problemas enfrentados pelos idosos. A ausência de dentes está intimamente ligada à insatisfação estética e é determinante para desencadear estímulos negativos na auto-estima dos indivíduos com repercussão nas relações sociais. A falta de entendimento das doenças que ocorrem na boca, como a cárie dentária e doença periodontal contribuem para a manutenção da crença que perda dentária esta relacionada ao envelhecimento.The ageing of the Brazilian population as a whole is an incontestable fact, and although it has drawn the attention of researchers and professionals of health and social areas, very little has been done in response to this evidence. The aims of this study were to investigate the meaning of the ageing process and its repercussions in the body and, especially, in the mouth of the elderly; as well as how the effects of dental care during their lives affect the elderly's dental health. Mouth was understood in the expression of bucality, which is a concept that was developed by Botazzo (2000) and is related to oral features in the psychic and cultural dimensions. Therefore, this is about understanding the mouth through these dimensions while being corporal territory. This research has a qualitative approach of phenomenological basis, where the sample was intentionally decided. Five elderly people living in Araçatuba/SP/Brazil were selected. Recorded semi-structured interviews and report diary were used. To analyse the data collected, the technique of content analyses was chosen. The results showed that difficulty in chewing and loss of the ability of tasting food were mentioned as problems faced by the elderly. Teeth absence is closely related to aesthetics dissatisfaction and is a determinant fact to cause negative stimuli in the individuals' self-esteem with consequences in social relations. The lack of understanding about the diseases that happen in the mouth, as dental caries and periodontal disease, contribute for the maintenance of the false belief that tooth loss is related to ageing

Perfil epidemiológico da cárie dentária, doença periodontal, uso e necessidade de prótese em idosos residentes em uma instituição na cidade de Fortaleza, Ceará

No Brasil, a população de idosos está em crescimento contínuo, causando um aumento da demanda por instituições de longa permanência para idosos. Porém, estudos no nordeste brasileiro sobre a saúde bucal em idosos institucionalizados são praticamente inexistentes. Esse estudo objetivou analisar a condição dentária, a condição periodontal, o uso e necessidade de prótese em idosos institucionalizados em um município do nordeste brasileiro. Foi realizado um estudo transversal em 160 idosos (95,2% da população-alvo) idosos de 65 anos e mais, residentes em um asilo na cidade de Fortaleza/CE - Brasil, consistindo de consulta aos prontuários e exame bucal. A idade média foi de 76,6 anos. O índice CPO-D dos idosos asilados foi elevado com valor de 29,73. O componente dente perdido foi o que mais contribuiu para o alto valor do CPO-D, com 28,42 dentes; 109 (68,1%) idosos não possuíam nenhum dente hígido na boca. Dos 160 idosos, 93 (58,1%) eram totalmente desdentados e 56 (35,0%) apresentavam dentes com raízes expostas. Das raízes expostas, 16% estavam cariadas ou obturadas. Dos 573 dentes presentes, 256 (44,6%) necessitavam de algum tipo de tratamento, sendo 194 (75,8%) para extração dentária. Do total dos idosos investigados, 112 (70%) não usavam nenhum tipo de prótese superior (total e removível) e 130 (81,3%) de prótese inferior. Quanto à necessidade de prótese (total e removível) detectada, 135 (84,4%) necessitavam de algum tipo de prótese superior e 142 (88,7%) de prótese inferior. Dos 117 sextantes presentes nos 160 indivíduos, a maioria (83,8%) apresentava cálculo dentário. Os dados mostram que a maioria dos idosos apresenta saúde bucal precária. Assim, são indispensáveis medidas intervencionais focalizadas nessas populações como educação em saúde e tratamento precoce