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).

Performance in vitro of apex locators in determining root length in primary molars / Desempenho in vitro de localizadores apicais na determinação de comprimento radicular em molares decíduos

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate performance of digital radiographic and two electronic apex locators, Propex II and Root ZX in root canal length determination in primary molars. Methods: 25 primary molars were divided into two groups, G1 without root resorption and G2 with root resorption. The exams were performed using all methods by two experienced examiners, with 1-week interval. The gold standard was determined by visual examination. The methods were statistically analyzed regarding the values of reproducibility and correlated with the gold standard by Pearson´s correlation coefficient. Results: The root canal length determination coincided with gold standard in 22.7% for Root ZX, 17.5% for Propex II and 12.5% for digital radiography. Correlation values were higher in G1, the Root ZX presented the highest values. In G2 the digital radiography showed the lowest correlation. In G1, the intra-examiner reproducibility values ranged from 0.925 to 0.523, and interexaminer 0.863 to 0.670. In G2, the values of intra-examiner reproducibility ranges from 0.864 to 0.097, and inter was 0.774 to 0.379. Conclusion: It was concluded that the methods performance varying according to examiner's experience. The Root ZX presented the highest reproducibility and accuracy.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o desempenho in vitro de radiografia digital e de dois localizadores apicais eletrônicos, Propex II e Root ZX na determinação do comprimento de canal em molares decíduos. Métodos: Foram selecionados 25 molares decíduos divididos em dois grupos, G1, sem reabsorção radicular e G2 com reabsorção radicular. Os exames foram realizados utilizando todos os métodos por dois examinadores experientes, com intervalo de 1 semana. O padrão ouro foi determinada por exame visual. Os métodos foram analisados estatisticamente em relação aos valores de reprodutibilidade e correlacionada com o padrão ouro pelo coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. Resultados: A determinação de comprimento de canal coincidiu com padrão-ouro em 22,7% para o Root ZX, 17,5% para Propex II e 12,5% para a radiografia digital. valores de correlação foram maiores no G1, o Root ZX apresentou os maiores valores. Em G2 da radiografia digital apresentou a menor correlação. No G1, os valores de reprodutibilidade intra-examinador variou 0,925-0,523 e interexaminadores 0,863-0,670. No G2, os valores da reprodutibilidade intra-examinador varia 0,864-0,097, e inter era 0,774-0,379. Conclusão: Concluiu-se que o desempenho dos métodos varia de acordo com a experiência do examinador. O Root ZX apresentou maior reprodutibilidade e precisão.

Prevalence of oral diseases, socioeconomic indicators, and provision of dental services: exploring nexus

Introduction and objective: A number of studies have associated prevalence of oral diseases, socioeconomic factors, and dental services in Brazil, and this study aimed to review, in narrative mode, the causal nexus between them. Literature review: The high prevalence of dental problems such as caries and periodontal disease is still found worldwide, despite the significant reduction. The impacts resulting from tooth loss are not limited to the physical condition, but also to the social aspects. The association between oral diseases and microbiological and hygiene factors is recognized, but deficient as explanatory power. The discussion of correlated factors, associated with the development of relevant oral diseases and marking existing inequities, must be expanded. Conclusion: The factors studied showed an involvement, indicating that inequities in oral health are striking in the Brazilian population, with serious consequences. Efforts are needed to control and modify this context.

Epidemiological study to determine factors associated with dental caries in schoolers

Introduction:Dental caries is a large problem affecting all population. In Brazil, caries prevalence has decreased over the last years, but it is still a public health issue requiring frequent evaluation and care by dentists. Objective: To evaluate the oral health conditions of schoolers aged 5-12 years relating them with socioeconomic and demographic determinants. Material and methods: The children were examined by a previously calibrated examiner to obtain DMF and dmf scores. The parents answered a questionnaire regarding to the socioeconomic condition. Prior to the examinations, the parents signed a free and clarified consent form and only their children were evaluated. The results were analyzed descriptively and by Chi-square test, at significance level of p<0.05. Results: : The sample (n=111) showed a mean age of 7+1.7 years (mean + standard deviation), composed of 58 boys and 58 girls. 66.6% of the sample exhibited dmf values = 0, while 102 schoolers had DMF values = 0. With regard to the parents' education level, 78.37% of the mothers had more than 9 years of education and 43.34% of the fathers had 9 to 11 years of study. Concerning to family income, 36.93% of the families presented mean income of 1-3 minimum wages (R$ 788.00 to R$ 2,364.00). No statistically significant differences (p≤0.05) were seen between caries rates vs. parents' education and caries rates vs. family income. Conclusion: 5-12 year schoolers showed low dmf and DMF values, suggesting that parents' education and income might have influenced on the results. Further studies are necessary to understand/assess the predisposing factors to dental caries development.

Evaluating of oral and salivary conditions of two specific groups of workers

Introduction and Objective: Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic oral diseases found in industrial countries and is a multifactorial disease which has sugar as a key dietary factor. The amount of saliva concentration and presence of cariogenic bacteria will favor the development of caries. Because of this, the aim of this study was to collect and analyze data on oral alterations referred to tooth decay, oral pH changes, and changes of the oral microbiota in two distinct groups of workers. Material and methods: 30 individuals belonging to two different groups of workers: group A (GA) - workers who maintain daily contact with the confectionery; group B (GB) - workers who do not have such contact. Saliva collection was done by analysis of the salivary pH in both groups, as well as cultivation of Lactobacillus spp and S. mutans. We also evaluate the dental status of individuals belonging to the two groups through the DMFT index. Results: After the examinations of 30 workers (17 from the GA [9 men and 8 women] and 13 in the GB [7 men and 6 women]), the mean DMFT of the individuals in the group A and group B, was 7.41 (SD 5.14) 7.08 (SD 5.56), respectively, without statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). The count of S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp, was not statistically significant. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant relationship between presence of dental caries and the fact that workers are in contact with sugar because they work on candy food industry, but new studies are needed for more precise research.