Physical violence in children and adolescents: a retrospective study of injuries to the head and neck region

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of physical violence and head and neck injuries among children and adolescents who suffered physical aggression, firearm aggression, and white gun aggression referred to the Legal Medical Department in a southern city in Brazil. Methods: This study was performed at Legal Medical Department in the city of Pelotas, RS, Brazil, from January 2011 to December of 2015. Data were collected from medical reports of children and adolescents (0-19 years old). Demographic information such as sex, age, and skin color was collected. Data were submitted to Chi-square test and multivariate Poisson regression analysis. Results: In this study, 2,716 physical examination reports were analyzed, with a total of 2,171 exams resulting from violence; lesions that had physical aggression as their etiology (1,951) had a higher prevalence. The analysis of the exams revealed that the majority were adolescents (90,05%), white (84.09%), and female (50.21%). The head and neck regions were affected in most cases of violence (57.90%). In the adjusted model, the occurrence of injuries in the head and neck region was higher in males (PR 1.16, CI 95% 1.08 - 1.25), among adolescents (PR 1.28, CI 95% 1.10 - 1.48) and in victims of physical aggression compared to victims of the firearm (2.81, CI 95% 1.79 - 4.40). Conclusion: The results revealed a high prevalence of head and face injuries in victims of violence and that there was a greater prevalence of physical violence among adolescents compared to children and males

Translation and cultural adaptation of the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised for Dental to Brazil

Abstract This study aimed to translate and to perform the cultural adaptation of the instrument Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised for Dental (IPQ-RD) into Brazilian Portuguese. The IPQ-RD consists of 34 items that assess the cognitive and emotional representation/perception of parents/caregivers of children with dental caries, with response options on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from "Strongly agree" (score 1) to "Strongly disagree" (score 5). The higher the score, the lower the perception of the disease. The protocol consists of translation into Brazilian Portuguese, back-translation into English, revision by an Expert Review Committee, and pre-test (application in parents/caregivers of children in dental care). For some questions, the translated versions were identical (T1 = T2); for others, one version was preferred (T1 or T2); for still others, it was decided to modify terms to obtain greater clarity on the item (T3). In the first pre-test, three questions were misunderstood by more than 15% of the sample, after which the items were reviewed by the Expert Review Committee. In the second pre-test, the adapted version was applied to a new sample of parents/caregivers (n = 15) and the questions were understood by more than 85% of the participants. The Brazilian Portuguese version of the IPQ-RD was well understood by the evaluated population.

Impact of dental caries severity and activity on oral health-related quality of life among children aged 8-11 years

Abstract Caries disease can lead to strong impact in terms of pain and suffering, to functional impairment, and to negative effects on quality of life. Studies have demonstrated that the impact on quality of life increases with dental caries severity, and few studies have assessed the relationship between caries activity and children's oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the impact of dental caries severity and activity on the OHRQoL of schoolchildren. The study was conducted with a sample of children aged 8 to 11 years from Pelotas, southern Brazil. Children answered the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 8-10, and socioeconomic data were collected. Children's dental caries (Kappa value of 0.95), PUFA, traumatic dental injuries, and malocclusion were examined. The Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Poisson regression tests were performed. A total of 119 children were included. Children with initial (mean ratio (MR) of 1.92; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 1.05-3.48), moderate (MR: 2.66; 95%CI: 1.44-4.90), and severe carious lesions (MR: 2.65; 95%CI: 1.46-4.79) had a greater impact on OHRQoL compared with those without carious lesions (p =0 .047). Children with active carious lesions exhibited a greater impact on OHRQoL (MR:1.53 and 95%CI: 1.11-2.11) when compared to those without active lesions (p = 0.019). The findings demonstrate an association between dental caries severity and activity and the OHRQoL of school-aged children.

Agreement between schoolchildren and their parents on rating the child's oral health-related quality of life

Abstract The perceptions of parents/caregivers regarding their children's oral health can influence the standard of care and decision-making regarding oral health. The children's perspective on their own oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) may differ from the parents/caregivers' views. This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the agreement between the perceptions of parents/caregivers and schoolchildren regarding OHRQoL. It was conducted with a sample of children between 8 and 11 years old and their parents/caregivers from Pelotas. Children answered the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 8-10 (CPQ), and parents/caregivers answered the short form of the Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ). Socioeconomic data were also collected. Children's dental caries, traumatic dental injuries, and malocclusions were examined. The Spearman's correlation test was performed. A total of 119 parents/caregivers-children pairs were included. There was an agreement between the total scores of parents/caregivers and children (0.2770; p = 0.003), in the oral symptoms (0.1907; p = 0.038), and functional limitations (0.2233; p=0.015) domains. The Bland-Altman graph showed an agreement between children's and parents/caregivers' OHRQoL total score, but there was an underestimation of approximately two points in the parents/caregivers' perception compared to the children's score. There was an agreement between the reports of parents/caregivers and children regarding children's OHRQoL.

Number of erupted teeth at the age of 12 and 24 months: a maternal report validation study

Aim: To verify the validity of maternal reports on the number of deciduous teeth erupted in their children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed with children enrolled in a Birth Cohort at the age of 12 months in the first stage and 24 months in the second stage. At both stages, children were clinically examined, and mothers reported the number of teeth of their children. Comparison between groups was performed using the Mann-Whitney non-paired Wilcoxon test. Level of agreement between two methods were estimated by the Observed Agreement, Weighted Kappa and Intraclass Correlation coefficients. Results: A total of 125 children were examined in the first stage, with mean number of reported teeth of 6.2. In the second stage, 149 children were examined, with mean number of reported teeth of 15.9. High level of agreement, kappa values and intraclass correlation coefficients were observed for both arches in both periods (p<0.001). Conclusions: Maternal report on the number of teeth erupted in children was reliable and valid. Thus, it seems to be a useful instrument for collecting data in population-based epidemiological studies targeting young children

Translation and Cultural Adaptation of the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale - Faces (MCDASf) into Brazilian Portuguese

Abstract Objective: To translate and culturally adapt the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale - Faces (MCDASf) into Brazilian Portuguese. Material and Methods: The MCDASf consists of eight questions about anxiety toward dental procedures that are answered on a five-point Likert scale ranging from "not worried" (1 point) to "very worried" (5 points). The answers correspond to a scale of face drawings ranging from extremely negative to extremely positive. The process consisted of initial translation, back-translation, expert committee review, and pretesting. Results: The first revised version was applied to 32 children aged 5 to 12 years, 16 from the city of Governador Valadares, Brazil (southeastern region) and 16 from the city of Pelotas, Brazil (southern region). In the first pretest, Item 5 was misunderstood by 6.25% of children in the southern region; Item 6 by 6.25% in both regions; Items 7 and 8 by 87.5% and 100% of those from the southeastern region, respectively, and by 12.5% and 25% of those from the southern region, respectively. Items 7 and 8 were modified by the expert committee, and the second revised version was applied to 32 children, 16 from each region. The only misunderstood items were 4 and 5, both by a 7-year-old boy in Governador Valadares. Conclusion: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the MCDASf was well understood by the sample of children (AU).

Endodontic treatment during pregnancy: case series and literature review / Tratamento endodôntico na gestação: série de casos e revisão da literatura

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to provide a scientific basis for conducting safe root canal treatment in pregnant women, illustrating with case reports treated in the extension project Maternal-Child Dental Care at the Federal University of Pelotas. The scientific bases address the main doubts of professionals when performing prenatal dental care: use of radiographic examination, local anesthetics, prescription of medications, among other essential factors in the care of pregnant women. The assisted pregnant women sought care with dental pain. In two cases symptomatic irreversible pulpitis was diagnosed, while a third was experiencing acute apical periodontitis. Endodontic procedures were performed under controlled and standardized conditions. The root canals were prepared in a single session, using mechanical instrumentation with reciprocating kinematics (Wave One® Gold Primary - Dentsply Sirona), and the root canal length was determined by an electronic apex locator FinePex (Schuster). Root canal filling was performed by the single cone technique with Wave One® gutta-percha points. After endodontic treatment, coronal sealing was performed with composite resin A2 Z350 XT (3M ESPE). The care related to the gestational condition is highlighted, and the patients remain under monitoring. It is concluded that the use of apical locators and mechanical instrumentation, using reciprocating files associated with the single cone obturation technique with a standardized cone for each system, represents advances for the accomplishment of endodontic treatment in pregnant patients due to the shorter clinical time and greater comfort of the procedure.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho é fornecer embasamento científico para condução do tratamento endodôntico em gestantes através de uma revisão de literatura e série de casos clínicos conduzidos em sessão única no projeto de extensão Atenção Odontológica Materno-infantil da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Pelotas. As bases científicas abordam as principais dúvidas do profissional na condução do pré-natal odontológico: uso do exame radiográfico, anestésico local, prescrição de medicamentos, entre outros fatores essenciais no atendimento da gestante. As gestantes assistidas procuraram atendimento apresentando dor de origem dentária. Em dois casos foi diagnosticado pulpite irreversível sintomática, enquanto um terceiro se travava de periodontite apical aguda. Os procedimentos endodônticos foram realizados sob condições controladas e padronizadas, sob supervisão de um professor de Endodontia. O preparo dos canais radiculares foi realizado em sessão única, através de instrumentação mecanizada de cinemática reciprocante (Wave One® Gold Primary (Dentsply Sirona), sendo o comprimento dos canais determinado por meio de localizador foraminal FinePex (Schuster). A obturação dos canais foi realizada pela técnica do cone único com cones do sistema Wave One®. Após o tratamento endodôntico foi realizada blindagem coronária com resina composta cor A2 Z350 XT (3M ESPE). Os cuidados relacionados à condição gestacional estão destacados, sendo que as pacientes permanecem em acompanhamento no projeto. Conclui-se que o uso de localizadores foraminais e da instrumentação mecanizada, utilizando limas reciprocantes associadas à técnica de obturação com cone único padronizado para cada sistema representam avanços para a realização do tratamento endodôntico em pacientes gestantes devido ao menor tempo clínico e maior conforto do procedimento.

Are maternal factors predictors of a child's first dental visit? A birth cohort study in Brazil

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between maternal factors and dental visits of children within their first year of life. This study used data from the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort and included pregnant women and their children at 12 months of age, followed-up between May 2014 and December 2015. Socioeconomic and demographic data, information on the use of dental services during the last year, and information on dental fear were collected by interviewing the mothers. Information regarding dental caries and periodontal disease were collected during the mother's clinical examination. The date of each child's first visit to the dentist was recorded. Crude and adjusted Poisson regression models with robust variance were used. The sample comprised 2,287 mother-child dyads, of which 10.1% of children visited the dentist during the first year of life. Children whose mothers visited the dentist within the last year for preventive reasons (RR: 1.51; 95%CI: 1.12-2.03) or curative reasons (RR: 1.47; 95%CI: 1.08-2.01) were more likely to have visited the dentist during the first year of life compared to those whose mothers had not used dental services during this period. Maternal tooth loss was inversely associated with a child's visit to the dentist during the first year of life (RR: 0.69; 95%CI: 0.54-0.89). Considering the mother's history of using dental services, as well as their dental caries history, is necessary to understand and improve patterns of dental health care utilization and implement public oral health policies for young children.

Medo odontológico e saúde bucal: avaliação transversal do ciclo do medo entre universitários brasileiros / Dental fear and oral health: cross-sectional evaluation of the cycle of dental fear theory among Brazilian undergraduate students

Objetivo: Avaliar a presença do medo odontológico em universitários brasileiros e observar se a teoria do ciclo vicioso do medo é identificada nesta população. Materiais e métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com universitários ingressantes na Universidade Federal de Pelotas em 2016. Os dados sociodemográficos, medo odontológico, o uso de serviços odontológicos, a percepção de cárie e dor dentária foram coletados através de um questionário auto--administrado. A exposição do estudo foi medo odontológico, e os desfechos incluíram padrão de consulta odontológica, experiência de cárie e dor dentária e autopercepção de saúde bucal. Características sociodemográficas foram incluídas como fatores de confusão. Para testar a associação do medo odontológico com os desfechos, foram utilizados modelos de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, a fim de estimar as Razões de Prevalência e Intervalos de Confiança. Resultados: Foram avaliados 2.014 universitários, dos quais 22.4% reportaram medo odontológico. Aqueles que reportaram medo odontológico apresentaram uma maior prevalência de não terem ido ao dentista no último ano e, entre os que consultaram, a visita ter sido motivada por dor/problema. Adicionalmente, ter medo aumentou a presença de cárie, dor dentária e autorrelato da saúde bucal negativa. Discussão: Os achados sugerem a presença do ciclo vicioso do medo nesta população de universitários do sul do Brasil. Conclusão: Evidenciou-se a associação entre a presença de medo odontológico e a menor procura por atendimento odontológico, a presença de cárie dentária, dor dentária e saúde bucal autorreportada negativa, corroborando com a teoria do ciclo do medo.

Aim: To evaluate the presence of dental fear among Brazilian undergraduate students and to observe whether the cycle of dental fear theory applies to this population. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study were conducted with first year students of the Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil, in 2016. Sociodemographic data, dental fear, as well as the use of dental services and perception of caries and dental pain were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The exposure was dental fear, and the outcomes included dental visit pattern, experience of dental caries and dental fear and self-rated oral health (SROH). Sociodemographic characteristics were included as aconfounding factor. To test the association between dental fear and the outcomes, Poisson regression models with robust variance were used, to estimate Prevalence Rations and Confidence Intervals. Results: 2,014 undergraduate students were evaluated and 22.4% of them reported dental fear. Those who reported dental fear had a higher prevalence of not visiting the dentist in the last year and, among those who visited, to have had only a pain/problem-oriented visit. Additionally, having fear increased the presence of dental caries, dental pain and negative SROH. Discussion: Our findings suggest the presence of the vicious cycle of dental fear in this population of undergraduate students in southern Brazil. Conclusion: This study provided evidence on the association between dental fear and the lower frequency of dental visit, dental caries, dental pain experience and negative SROH, corroborating with the cycle of dental fear theory.

Are stress and symptoms of depression associated with halitosis? A cross-sectional study

Mood disorders such as stress and depression can promote alterations of several hormones Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate if symptoms of depression and stress are associated with halitosis. The hypothesis is that halitosis is associated with stress and depression symptoms. Methods: All university students' entrants in the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) were invited to participate. Self-reported halitosis was measured using a visual analog scale. Students were also asked about the presence of halitosis perceived by close individuals. The stress level was measured using a modified version of the Perceived Stress Scale and symptoms of depression were screened by Patient Health Questionnaire-2. Poisson Regression Models were performed. Results: Of a total of 2,058 students who participated in the study, only 16% of them have reported not having any degree of halitosis and 17.6% were informed of closed individuals having halitosis. After adjustments, stress and depression symptoms remained associated with halitosis selfreported. Individuals from the higher stressed quartile presented higher scores of halitosis (RR 1.37 CI95% [1.24­1.53]). Students who presented depressive symptoms showed higher scores of self-perceived halitosis (RR 1.20 CI95% [1.10­1.32]). When the association of stress and halitosis reported by close individuals was tested, symptoms of depression lost the association in the adjusted model, while individuals from the highest quartile from stress remained associated (PR 1.36 CI95% [1.02­1.81]). Conclusion: Halitosis was associated with stress even after control for oral health and socioeconomic variables

Comportamento da criança durante o atendimento odontológico nas clínicas de uma instituição de ensino pública / Child behavior during dentistry treatment

Objetivo: avaliar o comportamento de crianças de 3 a 7 anos durante o atendimento odontológico nas clínicas de uma instituição de ensino pública e sua relação com características demográficas e relacionadas aos procedimentos realizados. Metodologia: foram avaliados os prontuários odontológicos de crianças entre 3 e 7 anos de idade para coleta de dados demográficos, socioeconômicos, histórico de internação hospitalar e de atendimento odontológico prévio, tipo de procedimento executado e comportamento. Os dados foram tabulados no Microsoft Excel® e analisados por meio de estatística descritiva no Programa Stata versão 12.0. Resultados: foram incluídos no estudo 81 prontuários odontológicos (40,9%). A maioria das crianças pertencia ao sexo masculino (50,6%), raça branca (77,3%), com renda familiar de até 2 salários-mínimos (73%), as mães apresentavam mais de 9 anos de estudo (54,6%) e a criança não tinha histórico de internação hospitalar (61,3%). A maioria apresentou comportamento colaborador nas consultas com procedimentos pouco invasivos e invasivos, percebendo-se, de uma maneira geral, um aumento gradativo da colaboração com o passar da idade, independentemente do tipo de procedimento. Nas consultas com procedimentos muito invasivos constatou-se que a maioria tende a ser colaboradora (66,4%), porém em proporção menor que nos pouco invasivos (83,3%) e invasivos (78,0%). Conclusão: As crianças apresentaram, em sua maioria, comportamento colaborador frente aos procedimentos odontológicos executados por estudantes e empregando técnicas de manejo do comportamento não farmacológicas. A frequência de comportamento colaborador foi maior em crianças de 5 anos ou mais e que realizaram procedimentos pouco invasivos.(AU)

Objective: to evaluate the behavior of children aged 3 to 7 years during dental care at the clinics of a public educational institution and its relationship with demographic characteristics and those related to the procedures performed. Methodology: the dental records of children between 3 and 7 years of age were evaluated to collect demographic and socioeconomic data, history of hospitalization and previous dental care, type of procedure performed and behavior. Data were tabulated in Microsoft Excel® and analyzed using descriptive statistics in Stata version 12.0. Results: 81 dental records (40.9%) were included in the study. Most children were male (50.6%), white (77.3%), with family income of up to 2 minimum wages (73%), mothers had more than 9 years of study (54, 6%) and the child had no history of hospitalization (61.3%). Most showed a collaborative behavior in consultations with minimally invasive and invasive procedures, with a general increase in collaboration being observed with age, regardless of the type of procedure. In consultations with very invasive procedures, it was found that the majority tend to be collaborative (66.4%), but in a smaller proportion than in the slightly invasive (83.3%) and invasive (78.0%). Conclusion: Most of the children showed collaborative behavior when faced with dental procedures performed by students and using non-pharmacological behavior management techniques. The frequency of collaborative behavior was higher in children aged 5 years or older who underwent minimally invasive procedures.(AU)

Relação da condição de cárie da criança com experiência de cárie da mãe / Relationship between the child's caries status and the mother's caries experience

Objetivo: verificar a relação da condição de cárie da criança com a experiência autopercebida de cárie da mãe através de um estudo observacional transversal. Métodos: O estudo foi realizado na Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Pelotas com crianças entre 8 e 11 anos e suas mães. A amostra contou com 105 pares mãe-filho. Os responsáveis responderam um questionário relacionado à situação socioeconômica e demográfica, a mãe respondeu sobre sua saúde bucal: experiência de cárie (restauração ou dente cariado e perda dentária por cárie). Nas crianças os desfechos foram avaliados através de exame clínico com a soma de dentes decíduos e permanentes cariados, perdidos e obturados (ceod/CPOD) e para severidade de cárie foi utilizado Significant Caries Index (SiC), ceod/CPOD≥3. Para testar a associação entre as variáveis relacionadas à mãe e o desfecho severidade de cárie foi realizado o teste Qui-quadrado, para média de cárie na criança (ceod/CPOD) foi utilizado o Teste Mann-Whitney. Resultados: Com relação à severidade de cárie não foi encontrada associação estatisticamente significante. A média do ceod/CPOD foi quase três vezes maior nas crianças cujas mães relataram que haviam tido ou estavam com algum dente cariado ou restaurado em função da cárie em comparação àquelas que não relataram esta experiência. As mães mais jovens apresentaram filhos com maior média de cárie do que as mães mais velhas. Conclusão: Entre as crianças atendidas neste serviço existe uma relação de uma maior média de cárie nas crianças com cujas mães tem ou tiveram experiência de cárie e mais jovens.(AU)

Objective: to verify the relationship between the child's caries condition and the mother's self-perceived caries experience through a cross-sectional observational study. Methods: The study was carried out at the Faculty of Dentistry of the Federal University of Pelotas with children between 8 and 11 years old and their mothers. The sample had 105 mother-child pairs. The guardians answered a questionnaire related to the socioeconomic and demographic situation, the mother answered about her oral health: caries experience (restoration or decayed tooth and tooth loss due to caries). In children, the outcomes were evaluated through clinical examination with the sum of decayed, missing and filled deciduous and permanent teeth (DMFT/DMFT) and for caries severity we used the Significant Caries Index (SiC), DMFT/DMFT≥3. To test the association between the variables related to the mother and the outcome of caries severity, the Chi-square test was performed, for mean caries in children (dmft/DMFT) the Mann-Whitney Test was used. Results: Regarding caries severity, no statistically significant association was found. The mean dmft/DMFT was almost three times higher in children whose mothers reported that they had had or had a decayed or restored tooth due to caries compared to those who did not report this experience. Younger mothers had children with a higher average of caries than older mothers. Conclusion: Among the children assisted in this service, there is a relation of a higher average of caries in children whose mothers have or had caries experience and younger.(AU)

Escala de triagem odontológica para pacientes com necessidades especiais / Dental screening scale for patients with special needs

Objetivo: elaborar e testar uma Escala de Triagem Odontológica para Pacientes com Necessidades Especiais (PNEs). Métodos: a escala foi elaborada a partir da experiência clínica de um centro de referência para aten-dimento odontológico a PNEs e de evidências científicas. Foi construída utilizando cinco critérios principais: comportamento, necessidade e possibilidade de estabilização protetora, urgência odontológica (dor), núme-ro e complexidade de procedimentos odontológicos e local do atendimento (acessibilidade). O instrumento foi testado em 14 PNEs, que participaram de uma triagem no Centro de Especialidades Odontológicas (CEO) Jequitibá, na Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel). Estudantes de gradua-ção a partir do oitavo semestre fizeram a aplicação, e o resultado da escala foi comparado ao parecer clínico realizado pelos pesquisadores experientes no atendimento a esses pacientes. Resultados: foi observada uma concordância em 85% dos casos. Conclusão: o instrumento apresentou desempenho comparável à avalia-ção de profissionais com expertise, e a escala pode ser um instrumento útil para ser empregado em serviços odontológicos que oferecem atendimento aos PNEs. A sua utilização em meio acadêmico também pode pro-porcionar o empoderamento dos critérios de avaliação pelos estudantes, proporcionando maior segurança em acolher, atender ou encaminhar esse público no seu futuro profissional. (AU)

Objective: to develop and test a dental screening scale to be used of patients with special needs (PSN). Method: the scale was developed based on the clinical experience of a reference center for dental care for PSN and scientific evidence. It was built using 5 main criteria: behavior, need and possibility of protective stabilization (PE), dental urgency (pain), number and complexity of dental procedures and place of care (accessibility). The instrument was tested on 14 PSN who participated in a screening at the Center for Dental Specialties (CEO) Jequitibá, Faculty of Dentistry, UFPEL. Undergraduate students from the eighth semester onwards applied and the result of the scale was compared to the clinical opinion carried out by experienced researchers in the care of these patients. Results: agreement was observed in 85% of cases. Conclusion: the instrument presented performance comparable to the evaluation of professionals with expertise and the scale can be a useful instrument to be used in dental services that offer care to PSN. Its use in academia can also provide the empowerment of assessment criteria by students, providing greater security in welcoming, serving or referring this audience in their professional future.

Efficacy of audiovisual distraction using eyeglasses during dental care: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract This randomized parallel-group control trial tested the efficacy of distraction using audiovisual eyeglasses (AVE) during dental procedures [NCT03902158]. Forty-four 6-9 year-old children with low/moderate anxiety and who needed restorative treatment or exodontia of the primary molars were randomly allocated into two groups: the AVE (experimental) and the conventional behavior management techniques (control) groups. Motion sensors were used to measure the participants' body movements. Dental visits were video recorded, and their pain levels and behavior were assessed using the Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability Behavioral Pain Assessment Scale and the Venham Behavioral Scale, respectively. Anxiety was assessed via heart rate measurements. After treatment, the children scored their pain using the Faces Pain Scale. Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests were used to compare the groups. The mean score on the behavioral scale was 0.59 in the experimental group and 0.72 in the control group under local anesthesia (p = 0.73). During the procedure, the mean score was 0.41 in the experimental group and 1.32 in the control group (p = 0.07). The mean heart rate was similar in both groups (p = 0.47), but a significant increase during treatment was observed in the control group. There was no difference between the groups in terms of pain, behavior, and self-reported pain scores (p = 0.08). Children aged 6-7 who used the AVE had fewer wrist movements (435.6) than that of children in the control group (1170.4) (p = 0.04). The AVE achieved similar results to the basic behavior management techniques, with good acceptance by the children.

Percepção e atitudes dos cirurgiões-dentistas de Unidades Básicas de Saúde sobre o atendimento de Pacientes com Necessidades Especiais / Perception and attitudes of dentists from Primary Health Care Centers on the care of special health patients

O atendimento a pacientes com necessidades especiais (PNE) na Odontologia exige uma abordagem diferenciada. São relatadas dificuldades desta população em conseguir atendimento, principalmente no serviço público. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a percepção e as atitudes dos cirurgiõesdentistas (CD) da rede municipal de saúde de Pelotas/RS no atendimento a PNE. Participaram 47 profissionais de Unidades Básicas de Saúde que responderam a um questionário sobre rotina profissional, tempo de formado, qualificação profissional, experiência, atitudes e dificuldades no atendimento de PNE. Foi realizada análise descritiva e o Teste Exato de Fisher para avaliar associação entre as características do CD, sua percepção, experiências e atitudes frente ao atendimento. A maioria (93,6%) dos CDs relatou atender PNE e a dificuldade mais relatada foi a falta de auxiliar (58,5%). Houve uma melhor percepção em relação ao atendimento ao PNE ente aqueles CD que fazem parte da equipe da Estratégia Saúde da Família, com menos tempo de formado e que se dedicam integralmente ao setor público. Conclui-se que, apesar da maioria dos CD relatarem prestar atendimento odontológico ao PNE, diversas dificuldades foram apontadas, sendo a principal a falta de auxiliar (AU).

The care of special needs patients (SNP) in Dentistry requires a different approach. This population reports difficulties in getting care, especially, at the public service. The aim of this study was to investigate the perception and attitudes of the dentists that work on Public Health Care Centers (PHC)in the city of Pelotas on the care of SNP. A total of 47 professionals from the PHC participated in this research and they answered a questionnaire about their professional routine, time since graduation, professional qualification and experience, attitudes and difficulties related to the care of SNP. Descriptive analysis and Fisher's Exact Test were performed to assess the association between the characteristics of the dentists, their perception, experiences and attitudes towards care. Most dentists (93,6%) reported that they attend patients with special needs and their most difficulty was the lack of a dental assistant to help them (58,5%). There was a better perception regarding the care of SNP among those dentists that are involved in the Family Health Strategy team, with less time since graduation and that are fully dedicated to the public service. We concluded that, although most dentists reported that they attend those SNP, there are several difficulties and the most one is the lack of help (AU).

Desire of university students for esthetic treatment and tooth bleaching: a cross-sectional study

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the desire of university students for esthetic treatment and tooth bleaching, and associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 2016 with first-semester university students in Pelotas. Data was collected via a self-administered questionnaire including demographic, socioeconomic and psychosocial characteristics. Oral Impact on Daily Performance (OIDP) was assessed and Poisson regression models were used to evaluate the association between the following outcomes: prevalence of desire for esthetic treatment and the tooth bleaching, and exposure variables. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 2,058 students participated in the study. Refusals represented a mere 1.4% of the total sample. Of the individuals interviewed, 16.1% underwent tooth bleaching and 74.4% reported a desire for esthetic dental treatment. Models showed students with higher family income and with the intention to use private dental services had 65% and 47% higher prevalence of tooth bleaching, respectively. Individuals satisfied with dental color and appearance exhibited a higher prevalence of tooth bleaching, as did those who smoked. On the other hand, students satisfied with dental color (PR= 0.77, 95% CI: 0.73-0.80) and with their dental appearance (PR= 0.82, 95% CI 0.78-0.87) demonstrated less desire to undergo esthetic dental treatment. Moreover, individuals who suffered some impact in OIDP reported a greater desire for esthetic treatment (PR= 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02-1.13). Conclusion: General and psychosocial characteristics were associated with the desire for esthetic treatment and tooth bleaching in university students

Fatores maternos relacionados à alta frequência de consumo de sacarose por crianças acompanhadas por um programa de atenção odontológica materno-infantil nos dois primeiros anos de vida / Maternal factors related to the high frequency of sucrose intake by children followed-up by a maternal and child dental care program in the first two years of life

Objetivo: avaliar se os hábitos alimentares maternos relatados durante a gestação influenciam a ingestão de sacarose das crianças nos primeiros dois anos de vida. Sujeitos e método: participaram da pesquisa 204 díades mãe-filho acompanhadas por um programa de atenção odontológica materno-infantil em uma cidade no sul do Brasil. As variáveis independentes foram obtidas por meio dos prontuários odontológicos disponibilizados pelo programa. Os hábitos alimentares maternos foram coletados durante a gestação e a ingestão diária de sacarose pelas crianças foi baseada em um questionário alimentar de frequência, dicotomizado em < 4 vezes/ dia e ≥ 4 vezes/dia. A análise multivariada foi realizada com modelos de regressão de Poisson, com variância robusta para estimar a razão de prevalência e os intervalos de confiança de 95%. Resultados: a prevalência do consumo de sacarose nos primeiros dois anos de vida, com uma elevada ingestão de sacarose (≥ 4 vezes/dia), foi detectada em 90,69% das crianças. Após o ajuste, o desfecho (alta ingestão de sacarose) foi 10% maior para as crianças cujas mães relataram beber bebida açucarada para satisfazer sua sede durante a gestação [RP = 1,10 (IC95%: 1,02-1,18)]. Conclusões: a maioria das crianças apresentou alta ingestão de sacarose em idade precoce. A triagem de mulheres grávidas para consumo de bebidas açucaradas pode ser uma maneira possível de reconhecer crianças em risco futuro de alta ingestão de sacarose na primeira infância. (AU)

Objective: to assess whether maternal eating habits reported during pregnancy influence their children's sucrose intake in the first two years of life. Subjects and method: a total of 204 mother-child dyads followed-up by a maternal and child oral care program in southern Brazil participated in the study. The independent variables were obtained from dental records provided by the program. The maternal eating habits were collected during pregnancy and the daily sucrose intake of the children was based on a frequency food questionnaire dichotomized in <4 times/day and ≥4 times/day. The multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson regression models with robust variance to estimate the prevalence ratio and the 95% confidence intervals. Results: the prevalence of sucrose intake in the first two years of life was high. A high sucrose intake (≥4 times/ day) was detected in 90.69% of the children. After adjustment, the outcome (high sucrose intake) was 10% higher for children whose mothers reported drinking sugar-sweetened beverages to satisfy their thirst during pregnancy [PR = 1.10 (95%CI: 1.02-1.18)]. Conclusion: most of the children presented a high sucrose intake at an early age. Screening pregnant women for sugar- -sweetened beverage intake may be a potential way to recognize the children at risk for future high sucrose intake in early childhood. (AU)

Prevalence and disparities in the first dental visit of preschool children aged 12-18 months in southern Brazil / Prevalência e disparidades na primeira visita odontológica de pré-escolares de 12 a 18 meses no sul do Brasil

Objective: this study aimed to assess the use of dentalservices in a southern Brazilian city by children aged12-18 months and to verify the relationship betweensocioeconomic and demographic variables, as well asmaternal use of dental services, and presence of dentalcaries in the children. It also aimed to describe theprevalence of use of dental services by variables of disparity.Subjects and method: this cross-sectional studywas performed on the National Children's VaccinationDay in 12 public health care centers in Pelotas, RS, Brazil.The data on demographic and socioeconomic status(children's sex, number of children, family income, andmaternal education), pattern of maternal use of dentalservices, and children's first dental visit were collectedusing a semi-structured interview answered by themothers. Clinical examination was performed to assessdental caries in the children. Chi-square and Fisher'sexact tests were performed to analyze the associationsand an equiplot graph investigated disparities in the prevalenceof the first dental visit of preschoolers. Results:most children had never been to the dentist (93.4%).The bivariate analysis showed that children who hadnever been to the dentist belonged to families with lowerincome, and their mothers presented low level ofeducation and did not use dental services. Conclusion:most children aged 12-18 months had never been to thedentist and there is a socioeconomic disparity in the useof dental services by preschool children. (AU)

Objetivos: avaliar o uso do serviço odontológico em uma cidade do sul do Brasil por crianças de 12 a 18 meses de idade; verificar a relação entre variáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas, uso de serviço odontológico materno e presença de cárie dentária nas crianças; e descrever a cobertura do uso do serviço odontológico por variáveis de disparidade. Sujeitos e método: este estudo transversal foi realizado no Dia Nacional de Vacinação Infantil em doze centros de saúde pública em Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os dados sobre status demográfico e socioeconômico (sexo da criança, número de filhos, renda familiar e educação materna), padrão de uso de serviço odontológico materno e primeira consulta odontológica infantil foram coletados por meio de uma entrevista semiestruturada com as mães. Foi realizado exame clínico para avaliação de cárie dentária nas crianças. O teste Qui-Quadrado e o teste exato de Fisher foram realizados para analisar as associações, e um gráfico equiplot investigou disparidades na cobertura da primeira visita odontológica de pré- -escolares. Resultados: a maioria das crianças nunca foi ao dentista (93,4%). A análise bivariada mostrou que as crianças que nunca foram ao dentista eram de famílias com menor renda, cujas mães tinham níveis baixos de escolaridade e não usavam o serviço de atendimento odontológico. Conclusão: a maioria das crianças de 12 a 18 meses nunca foi ao dentista. Há uma disparidade socioeconômica no uso de serviços odontológicos por crianças pré-escolares. (AU)

Pacifier use modifies the association between breastfeeding and malocclusion: a cross-sectional study

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the influence of breastfeeding and pacifier use on the occlusal status of preschool children. A cross-sectional study was conducted with children (n = 489) aged 2-5 years in private and public schools in Pelotas, South Brazil. Mothers answered a questionnaire on demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral variables, including breastfeeding and non-nutritive sucking habits. Malocclusion was classified as normal/mild and moderate/severe, according to WHO criteria. The association between breastfeeding and pacifier use with malocclusion was tested using multivariate logistic regression. The prevalence of malocclusion was 37.83% (95%CI 33.52-42.14), and 57.87% of the children used a pacifier. A total of 46.01% of the sample was exclusively breastfed for 6 months, and 24.74% were never breastfed. Malocclusion was associated with pacifier use, and with both non-exclusively breastfed and never breastfed. After adjustments for demographic and socioeconomic variables, the children who used a pacifier and were never breastfed (OR = 19.08; 95%CI 8.54-42.63), or who used a pacifier and were not exclusively breastfed (OR = 13.74; 95%CI 6.11-30.92), showed worse occlusal conditions, compared with the children who were exclusively breastfed and never used a pacifier. Pacifier use modifies the relationship between breastfeeding and occlusal status.

The role of human milk and sucrose on cariogenicity of microcosm biofilms

Abstract This study investigated the effect of human milk, alone and associated with sucrose, in the cariogenicity of biofilms in a microcosm biofilm model and compared with the cariogenicity of sucrose and bovine milk. Microcosm biofilms were grown in enamel discs in 24-well plates. Six growth conditions were studied: DMM (chemically defined artificial saliva - negative control), DMM with 1% of sucrose (DMM+s) (positive control), human milk with DMM, human milk with DMM+s, bovine milk with DMM, and bovine milk with DMM+s. After 5 days, the outcome variables surface hardness change (%SHC), microbiological composition of biofilms, and pH of supernatant were analyzed. All groups had significantly lower hardness loss compared to the DMM group with 1% of sucrose. Human and bovine milk associated with sucrose showed higher hardness loss. The supernatant pH values after 6 hours of different treatments were similar for the groups sucrose and human milk associated with sucrose (p>0.05). After 18 hours at rest in pure DMM, an increase in the pH of the supernatant was observed. Higher values of total microorganisms count were found for sucrose and bovine milk groups compared to the group supplemented only by DMM. Bovine milk group showed greater amount of total aciduric microorganisms in comparison to human milk group. Within the limits of this study, it can be infered that both human and cow milks have some cariogenic potential, although differing from sucrose in terms of mineral loss.