Objective: This research aimed to make a profile of the researches in an oral pathology post graduate program regarding to annual distribution, research subjects and financial support. Methods: The publications from the Annals Books from the Annual Session of the Brazilian Society of Research in Odontology (SBPqO) were analyzed, since 1984 until 2009. The sample was composed by 116 works, with the greater part (88) done after the doctoral program creation. Results: Seventeen (14.6%) works were made prior to creation of doctorate program, and the major part (n=99 / 85.4%) was done after that. The prevalent research subjects were: oral cancer (31.8%) and odontogenic cysts and tumors (18.2%). CNPq and CAPES were the most remarkable financial support agencies, with 30.8% and 24.8% each one, respectively. Conclusions: The program evaluated here exemplifies the scientific production of post graduation programs in oral pathology, showing its role in execution and publication of scientific works, also following the changes in research that occurred in Brazil in the last decades

Carvalho, Cyntia Helena Pereira de

Freitas, Roseana de Almeida

Galvão, Hebel Cavalcanti

Lima, Emeline das Neves de Araújo

Pereira, Joabe dos Santos

Souza, Evânia Leiros de

Repositório Institucional da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

Arquivo Brasileiro de Odontologia    v.8   n.2   2012 
 
 
 
Analysis of scientific production in oral pathology: a descriptive 
study 
 
Análise da produção científica em patologia oral: Um estudo descritivo  
 
Joabe dos Santos Pereira1 
Cyntia Helena Pereira de Carvalho1 
Emeline das Neves de Araújo Lima1 
Evânia Leiros  de Souza2 
Roseana de Almeida Freitas3 
Hébel Cavalcanti  Galvão3 
 
1 Doutorandos em Patologia Oral, Programa de Pós Graduação em Patologia Oral – 
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte 
joteibes@gmail.com  
2 Especialista, Professora de Metodologia Científica da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do 
Norte 
3 Doutora em Patologia Oral, Professora do Programa de Pós-graduação em Patologia Oral,  
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte 
 
RESUMO 
Objetivos: Este estudo teve por objetivo traçar um perfil das pesquisas realizadas em um programa de pós-
graduação em patologia oral quanto à sua distribuição anual, linhas de pesquisa e apoio financeiro. Métodos: 
Foram analisadas todas as publicações nos Anais da Reunião Anual da Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa em 
Odontologia, de 1984 até 2009, sendo a amostra composta por 116 trabalhos. Resultados: No período 
anterior à criação do curso de doutorado pelo programa foram produzidos 17 (14,6%) trabalhos e a maioria 
(n=99 / 85,4%) produzida depois. As linhas de pesquisa prevalentes foram: Câncer oral (31,8%), e Cistos e 
tumores odontogênicos (18,2%). Das agências financiadoras de pesquisa, o CNPq e a CAPES foram as mais 
proeminentes, com 30,8% e 24,8% de representação, respectivamente. Conclusões: O programa avaliado 
exemplifica a produção científica dos programas de pós-graduação em patologia oral do país, exibindo seu 
papel na execução e publicação de trabalhos científicos, acompanhando as mudanças em pesquisa que 
ocorreram no Brasil nas últimas décadas. 
Descritores: Pesquisa; pós-graduação; agências financiadoras de pesquisa; patologia oral  
 
ABSTRACT 
Objective: This research aimed to make a profile of the researches in an oral pathology post graduate 
program regarding to annual distribution, research subjects and financial support. Methods: The publications 
from the Annals Books from the Annual Session of the Brazilian Society of Research in Odontology (SBPqO) 
were analyzed, since 1984 until 2009. The sample was composed by 116 works, with the greater part (88) done 
after the doctoral program creation. Results: Seventeen (14.6%) works were made prior to creation of 
doctorate program, and the major part (n=99 / 85.4%) was done after that. The prevalent research subjects 
were: oral cancer (31.8%) and odontogenic cysts and tumors (18.2%). CNPq and CAPES were the most 
remarkable financial support agencies, with 30.8% and 24.8% each one, respectively. Conclusions: The 
program evaluated here exemplifies the scientific production of post graduation programs in oral pathology, 
showing its role in execution and publication of scientific works, also following the changes in research that 
occurred in Brazil in the last decades.     
Descriptors: Research; post graduation; funding agencies of research; oral pathology 
16 
Arquivo Brasileiro de Odontologia    v.8   n.2   2012 
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
Research could be defined as the group 
of actions which have the aim to discover 
some solution for a problem, with systematic 
and rational proceedings. The research 
activity is made when a problem exists and 
somebody looks for solutions that are not 
available in that moment1. Such research 
influences investigators, and also influences 
the whole society, dictating the knowledge 
construction. It also guides the thoughts, 
reflections and attitudes, beyond molding the 
tasks in all fields of knowledge2.     
A researcher must have the qualities 
required to carry out their duties: knowledge 
of the subject, curiosity, creativity, intellectual 
integrity and social sensibility. Others 
characteristics are humility to accept 
criticism, disciplined imagination, persistence, 
patience and trust in experience2. 
In the last years, it has been noted the 
increase of scientific publication of Brazil and 
its impact in the world. This increase is mainly 
due to the expansion in number and in quality 
of strictu sensu post graduation programs. 
Therefore, the publication of any research in a 
scientific journal is an obligation, even if it is 
not the result of a master dissertation or a 
doctoral thesis. These studies could be results 
of a scientific initiation or an undergraduate 
course3.  
The post graduation in Brazil has 
acquired a great relevance in the education 
system, since last decade, experiencing a 
growth in that period4. Currently in Brazil 
there are 4.691 courses and post graduation 
programs that are recommended by 
Coordination of Improvement of Higher 
Education Personnel (CAPES), 141 in dentistry 
area5,6. 
Over the years, the presentation of 
scientific information at meetings of 
international profile has proven to be 
important for the dissemination of new 
scientific research and their results. In recent 
years, statistics show an increase in the 
number of scientific communities and 
meetings, as well as the number of abstracts 
presented at these meetings. A recent study 
states that the information contained in these 
abstracts is presumed to be subsequently 
published in scientific journals in its complete 
form7. 
The Brazilian Society of Research in 
Odontology (SBPqO) is the main 
representative entity of dental research in 
Brazil. It promotes annual meetings of 
researchers with works carried out in several 
areas of dentistry. Since its first edition, 
occurred in 1984, the entity publishes in its 
Annals Books all abstracts from works 
presented during the event. In these books, 
there are studies made by undergraduates, 
professionals and post graduate students 
from dentistry areas8.   
The oral pathology area, in a recent 
study, was in third place with regard to the 
most researched issues by doctors with a 
grant from Brazilian National Research and 
Development Council (CNPq). This fact 
emphasizes the importance of characterizing 
the researches from this area9.  Another study 
evaluated the presentation of research 
projects on “Universal Edicts” from 
Foundation for Research Support of Minas 
Gerais (FAPEMIG). It showed that the 
greatest amount of proposal presented was 
from oral pathology and restorative dentistry 
areas10.  
In view of previously cited data, the aim 
of this study was to analyze quantitatively and 
qualitatively the researches in the oral 
pathology post graduation program from 
Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. 
Therefore, all works presented by this 
program at annual meetings from SBPqO, 
since 1984 from 2009, were analyzed.     
 
METHODS 
 
This study was exploratory, 
retrospective, with bibliographical techniques 
and quantitative approach. 
All abstracts published in annual 
meetings from SBPqO were analyzed, since 
1984 from 2009. They are available on site of 
entity on internet (www.sbpqo.org.br). 
During this analysis, works developed by oral 
pathology post graduation program of UFRN 
(Federal University from Rio Grande do Norte) 
were selected, accounting 116 publications. 
17 
Arquivo Brasileiro de Odontologia    v.8   n.2   2012 
 
 
Then, the works were classified in accordance 
with six research themes: 1) oral cancer, 2) 
salivary glands, 3) odontogenic cysts and 
tumors, 4) inflammation and repair of oral 
tissues, 5) oral manifestations of systemic 
diseases, 6) benign neoplasms and 
proliferative lesions of oral cavity, 7) others, 
for works not classified in the others themes 
previously cited. After the classification of 
studies by subject, the occurrence of financial 
support was verified and the most frequent 
financial support entities were observed.  
Data were analyzed through Microsoft 
Excel software (2007), and the main 
characteristics were represented in graphics 
and tables using absolute and relative 
numbers.  
 
RESULTS 
 
Works were analyzed and classified 
according with year of publication, evidencing 
a major incidence of publication in 2002 (n=14 
/ 12%) and 2008 (n=14 / 12%) years. The 
quantity of works presented in this period is 
shown in Figure 01. 
 
 
 
 
In accordance with date of publication 
of works, it could be observed that since year 
1997, the production of these studies by oral 
pathology post graduation program increased 
in number. This increase is constant from 
1999 until 2002, the year that showed the 
highest number of publications. Since then, 
the scientific production is growing only from 
2005 until 2008 and then decreasing again 
(Figure 01).  
From 1984 until 1998, when the 
doctoral course was implemented in the 
program, 17 (14.6%) researches were 
presented. After creation of that course, 99 
(85.4%) abstracts were published (Figure 02). 
Considering research subjects, the most 
prevalent was oral cancer, with 29.5% of 
works. The second was odontogenic cysts and 
tumors, with 19%, as is showed in Table 01. In 
accordance with financial support entities of 
scientific research, the works were classified 
into four categories. The most prevalent 
category was from works that did not 
mentioned financial support 49 (36.8%), 
followed by CNPq (n=41 / 30.8%) and CAPES 
(n=33 / 24.8%) as is showed in Table 02. 
Figure 01. Distribution of the sample according to the years. Natal/RN – 2011. 
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
1984 1990 1993 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
18 
Arquivo Brasileiro de Odontologia    v.8   n.2   2012 
 
 
Figure 02. Distribution of the sample in the period from 1984 until 1998 and 1999 until 2009.                             
Natal/RN – 2011. 
14,6%
85,4%
1984-1998
1999-2009
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 1. Distribution of the studies according to the research subjects. Natal/RN – 2011.  
Research subjects Frequencies n (%) 
Oral cancer 37 (31.8) 
Salivary glands 11 (9.4) 
Odontogenic cysts and tumors 21 (18.2) 
Inflammation and repair of oral 
tissues 
10 (8.7) 
Oral manifestations of systemic 
diseases 
10 (8.7) 
Benign neoplasms and proliferative 
lesions of oral cavity 
14 (12) 
Others 13 (11.2) 
Total 116 (100) 
19 
Arquivo Brasileiro de Odontologia    v.8   n.2   2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DISCUSSION 
 
The process of knowledge construction 
is named research. This process has, as main 
aims, the generation of new knowledge, or 
even refute or corroborate any pre-existing 
knowledge. The researcher and also the 
involved society are both learner in this 
system. Among authors, it is consensus that 
all research must be reported to scientific 
community, independently of their results11. 
Brazil has experienced an increase in scientific 
production in the last decades, mainly 
because of national post graduation system9.    
The establishment of post graduation 
courses in Brazil initiated the formation of a 
strong scientific community in this country 
that is exemplified by expressive increase in 
scientific production in the last 15 years6. 
These data corroborate the finds of this study: 
from 116 works, the greatest part was 
produced in last decade.    
Also in Brazil, as in other Latin 
American countries, there was a considerable 
increase in investment for science in the 70th 
and 80th decades, but it was in the last 
decades that the scientific production has 
grown significantly6. This increase was also 
verified in this research, considering the 
evident growth of scientific production in the 
post graduation program here analyzed, since 
90 years.  
From 1984 until 1998 only 17 works 
were presented by this program in a period of 
14 years. From 1999 to 1998, 99 works were 
presented, in a period of only ten years. This 
fact is due to the implantation of doctoral 
course in the program what occurred in 1999, 
causing a growth in scientific production. 
Thereby, it is known that Brazilian science 
also experienced a growth in scientific 
production in the last two decades, which is 
three times higher than global growth. These 
results are, without doubt, the consequences 
of investments made by the Science and 
Technology Ministry in the training of new 
doctors12. 
Concerning about research subjects of 
presented works, the most prevalent was oral 
cancer with 31.8%. This interest in oral cancer 
research is justifiable, since this type of cancer 
is the fifth in incidence worldwide, 
representing over than 50% of all cancers 
diagnosed in Asia, and the most incident 
malignant neoplasm in men and the third 
among women in India. In Brazil, this 
neoplasm is the fifth in incidence among men 
and the seventh in women. The National 
Cancer Institute (Brazil) estimates a rate of 
14.88 new cases of cancer per 100.000 
individuals in the near future. The literature 
Table 02. Distribution of the studies according to funding agencies. Natal/RN – 2011.  
Agencies Frequencies n (%) 
CAPES 33 (24.8) 
CNPq 41 (30.8) 
Others 10 (7.6) 
Not specified 49 (36.8) 
Total 133 (100) 
20 
Arquivo Brasileiro de Odontologia    v.8   n.2   2012 
 
 
affirms that the cultural characteristics of 
population, the social-economic level of 
society, the treatment accessibility and the 
technology in health public services are 
determinants for variation of this disease 
occurence. These factors influence the 
incidence in both developed countries and 
those in development13.  
The second highest frequency of 
presentation according to the research area 
was odontogenic cysts and tumors, with 
18.2%. Odontogenic cysts affect only the oral 
and maxillofacial region, and the developing 
cysts do not have a known etiology yet. 
Although some of these injuries are common 
and present simple diagnostic, others are rare 
and may be misdiagnosed. In such cases, an 
accurate diagnosis is essential, considering 
that some of these lesions are known for their 
aggressive behavior and recurrence14. 
Odontogenic tumors represent a group 
of lesions with diverse features. Some seem 
to be hamartomas, while others are truly 
benign or malignant neoplasms with different 
grades of aggressiveness. These lesions are 
rare, they occurs in mandible and maxilla and 
comprise 1% of all maxillary tumors15. Despite 
rarity of these tumors and good prognosis of 
the majority of odontogenic cysts, studies in 
this area are justifiable. This is due to the 
uncertain etiology of some of these lesions 
and the malignant features, aggressiveness 
and recurrence of some others.  
With respect to the funding agencies, 
CNPq was the most prevalent with 30.8% 
from funded works. CNPq is a Brazilian 
agency of Science and Technology Ministry 
that has the purpose of promoting scientific 
and technologic research and forming human 
resources for research in the country. Thus, 
the agency promotes research projects that 
contribute to the production of scientific 
knowledge and generation of new 
opportunities for the growth of the country6.  
CAPES was the second agency in 
financial support, with 24.8%. Expansion of 
scientific production and formation of human 
resources, through post graduation, produce 
an increase in financial resources. Most of 
these are for investigation works and 
productivity grants from CAPES9. 
Most of the analyzed works cited 
financial support (36.8%), and only 7.6% cited 
others funding agencies. These data are 
similar to other work which observed that 
most of the studies did not mention the 
funding agencies8. 
 
 
CONCLUSIONS 
 
The subject Oral Pathology has a 
considerable importance in the execution and 
publication of scientific works, following the 
changes in research that occurred in the last 
decades in Brazil. These changes are the 
support of researches provided by funding 
agencies like CNPq and CAPES, and the 
production of studies in themes like oral 
cancer and odontogenic cysts and tumors 
that present high complexity and necessity. 
The results of this research suggest that the 
creation of doctoral courses and the support 
from funding agencies are the main factors 
for the increase of scientific production in the 
program analyzed here. Thus, we suggest 
that an increase in the research investments 
will guarantee the scientific progress of our 
country in a global context. Finally, we 
emphasize the need for new studies about the 
role of funding agencies. 
 
REFERENCES 
 
1. Silva EL, Menezes EM. Metodologia da 
Pesquisa e Elaboração de Dissertação. 3 ed. 
Florianópolis: Laboratório de Ensino a 
Distância da UFSC, 2001. 
 
2. Amorim KPC, Alves MSCF, Germano RM. A 
construção do conhecimento na odontologia: 
a produção científica em debate. Acta Cir Bras 
2005; 20 Suppl 1:8-11 
 
3. Pitta GBB, Castro AA. A pesquisa científica. J 
Vasc Bras 2006; 5(4):243:4 
 
4. Velloso J. A pós-graduação no Brasil: 
formação e trabalho de mestres e doutores no 
país. Cad Pesqui 2004; 34(122):517 
 
 
21 
Arquivo Brasileiro de Odontologia    v.8   n.2   2012 
 
 
5. Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal 
de Nível Superior (CAPES). Relação de cursos 
recomendados e reconhecidos. Brasília: 
Ministério da Educação, 2008. 
 
6. Scarpelli AC, Sardenberg F, Goursand D, Paiva 
SM, Pordeus IA. Academic trajectories of 
Dental Researchers Receiving CNPq’s 
Productivity Grants. Braz Dent J 2008; 19(3): 
252-6. 
 
7. Dahllof G, Wondimu B, Maniere MC. 
Subsequent publication of abstracts 
presented at the International Association of 
Paediatric Dentistry meetings. Int J Paediatr 
Dent 2008; 18(2):91–7. 
 
8. Sampaio FC, Nunes FHC, Barbosa DN, 
Cavalcanti AL. Análise das pesquisas em 
odontopediatria: estudo descritivo. Publ 
UEPG Ci Biol Saúde 2006; 12(3):23-9. 
 
9. Cavalcante RA, Barbosa DR, Bonan PR, Pires 
MBO, Martelli Júnior H. Perfil dos 
pesquisadores da área de odontologia no 
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento 
Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). Rev Bras 
Epidemiol 2008; 11(1):106-13. 
 
10. Martelli Júnior H, Vieira Júnior JR, Domingos 
MA, Barbosa DR, Brito-Júnior M, Bonan PR. 
Pesquisa odontológica no Estado de Minas 
Gerais-Brasil: análise retrospectiva de 1986 a 
2006. Arquivos em Odontologia 2007; 
43(1):23-9. 
 
11. Clark OAC, Castro AA. A pesquisa. Pesqui 
Odon tol Bras 2003; 17(Supl 1):67-9. 
 
12. Guimarães JA. A pesquisa médica e biomédica 
no Brasil. Comparações com o  desempenho 
científico brasileiro e mundial. Ciênc saúde 
coletiva 2004; 9(2):303-27. 
 
13. Borges FT, Garbin CAS, Carvalhosa AA, Castro 
PHS, Hidalgo LRC. Epidemiologia do câncer 
de boca em laboratório público do Estado de 
Mato Grosso, Brasil. Cad saúde pública 2008; 
24(9):1977-82. 
 
14. Jones AV, Craig GT, Franklin CD. Range and 
demographics of odontogenic cysts 
diagnosed in a UK population over a 30-year 
period. J Oral Pathol Med 2006; 35(8):500–7. 
 
 
15. Fernandes AM, Duarte ECB, Pimenta FJGS, 
Souza LN, Santos VR, Mesquita RA, et al. 
Odontogenic tumors: a study of 340 cases in a 
Brazilian population. J Oral Pathol Med 2005; 
34(10):583–7. 
 
22 


Analysis of scientific production in oral pathology: a descriptive study

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Repositório Institucional da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte