How does the quarantine resulting from COVID-19 impact dental appointments and patient anxiety levels?

Abstract The present study sought to evaluate the impact of quarantine resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on dental appointments and patients' positions and concerns regarding their ongoing dental treatment. Patients from private dental clinics answered an online questionnaire anonymously regarding their treatment, availability and willingness to attend dental appointments, and concerns about contamination. Descriptive statistics of the responses were performed with percentages and responses were compared between sexes, regions, and other aspects using the chi-squared test. Five hundred ninety-five patients (412 females and 183 males; mean age: 38.21 years) answered the questionnaire. Most patients reported they were receiving dental treatment (orthodontics) and would attend to a dental appointment; meanwhile, those patients not receiving treatment would not attend or would visit only in the case of an emergency. Males reported to be calmer than females, who were more anxious and afraid; as such, males reported more willing to go a dental appointment while, in general, females were not worried about how quarantine could affect dental treatment. Patients actively undergoing treatment and orthodontic patients were more concerned about a delay in treatment. There was a significant association between feelings about the COVID-19 pandemic and the level of willingness to attend a dental appointment. The quarantine recommended due to the COVID-19 pandemic was shown to have an impact on dental appointments and the anxiety levels of patients, since there was a significant association between patients' feelings and their willingness to attend a dental appointment. Overall, patients undergoing dental treatment and orthodontics were more willing to attend an appointment and were more concerned about an increase in treatment duration.

Accuracy evaluation of tridimensional images performed by portable stereophotogrammetric system / Avaliação da acurácia de imagens tridimensionais realizadas em sistema de estereofotogrametria portátil

Abstract Introduction Human facial characteristics vary according to individual dental occlusion, facial harmony, orofacial musculature and the format and configuration of craniofacial structures. Traditionally, anthropometric measurements have been acquired through direct evaluation of subjects in a clinical environment using calipers and metric tapes to measure distances between arches and landmarks. Scientific breakthroughs have enabled the digitization of data and introduced the possibility of quick, precise, radiation-free acquisitions; details can be archived for future analysis and easily shared with patients and colleagues. Among new facial analysis methods, the stereophotogrammetry technique has emerged, which uses a group of cameras to take many photographs of a subject in rapid succession from multiple angles. Nowadays, portable stereophotogrammetric systems are being proposed, as they are more practical and easier to use. Objective The aim of this work was to analyze the accuracy and reproducibility of a portable 3D stereophotogrammetric system (Vectra H1, Canfield, Fairfield, NJ, USA) in measuring soft facial tissues of 30 participants, defining measures of a cube and comparing these measurements with those obtained by a set 3D stereophotogrammetric system (Vectra M3, Canfield, Fairfield, NJ, USA) with previously validated accuracy and reproducibility through quantitative analysis of possible errors. Material and method Thirty temporary landmarks were used to measure (in mm) 34 distances in 30 participants (n = 30). Regarding the cube, 12 angles and 9 linear distances were evaluated. Result The results obtained by the established methodology indicated that the Vectra H1 portable system has shown accuracy and reproducibility equal to that of the Vectra M3 set system. Conclusion Data analysis and correlation to literature findings show Vectra H1's capability to reliably capture tridimensional images, which makes it practical for use in diverse clinical applications.

Resumo Introdução A configuração e o formato das estruturas craniofaciais, a oclusão dentária, a musculatura orofacial bem como a harmonia facial são determinantes para as características próprias da face humana. Instrumentos manuais como paquímetro e fitas métricas têm sido tradicionalmente utilizados para realizar as medidas antropométricas, diretamente de um sujeito em ambiente clínico. O avanço tecnológico possibilitou transformar a aquisição destas medidas analógicas em medições digitais, tornando possível aquisições rápidas, precisas e sem radiação. Tais informações podem, ainda, ser arquivadas para futuras análises e compartilhamento de informações com colegas e pacientes. A estereofotogrametria tem se destacado dentre as novas técnicas de captação de imagens tridimensionais, onde um grupo de câmeras de rápida captura fotografam a imagem do indivíduo a partir de variadas angulações. Atualmente, sistemas portáteis de estereofotogrametria vêm sendo propostos no mercado por apresentarem maior praticidade e simplicidade no manuseio. Objetivo A proposta do presente estudo foi avaliar a precisão e a reprodutibilidade de um sistema de estereofotogrametria 3D portátil (Vectra H1, Canfield Scientific, Fairfield, NJ, EUA) em medições dos tecidos moles faciais de 30 participantes e de um cubo de medidas definidas, comparando tais medidas com as obtidas por um sistema de estereofotogrametria 3D fixo (Vectra M3, Canfield Scientific, Fairfield, NJ, EUA), de precisão e reprodutibilidade estabelecidas e validadas, através de análise quantitativa dos possíveis erros. Material e método Foram realizadas marcações craniométricas transitórias em tecido mole da face nos 30 participantes do estudo (n=30), sendo estes submetidos à aquisição de imagens pela técnica da estereofotogrametria, tanto pelo sistema fixo Vectra M3, quanto pelo sistema portátil Vectra H1. Trinta pontos de referência (landmarks) foram utilizados para realizar as medidas (em mm) de 34 distâncias. Quanto ao cubo, foram avaliados, no total, 20 ângulos, 20 áreas e 9 distâncias lineares. Resultado Os resultados obtidos pela metodologia estabelecida mostraram que o sistema portátil Vectra H1 apresentou precisão e repetibilidade comparáveis com o sistema fixo Vectra M3. Conclusão A análise dos dados, juntamente com a correlação aos achados da literatura, evidenciam a capacidade do Vectra H1 de capturar imagens tridimensionais de modo eficaz, o que torna viável seu uso nas mais diversas aplicações clínicas.

Prótese dentária na saúde pública: resultados de um centro de especialidades odontológicas no município de Maringá - PR / Dental prostheses in public health: results from a dental specialities center in the city of Maringá - PR

Objetivos: Avaliar a prevalência de aceitação do tratamento reabilitador protético por parte dos usuários do Centro de Especialidades Odontológicas (CEO) de Maringá - PR e analisar o perfil demográfico e socioeconômico dos mesmos. Material e método: A amostra consistiu de 39 pacientes atendidos entre março de 2006 e março de 2007. Os dados foram coletados dos prontuários e por meio de questionário estruturado. Para fins de análise, foi utilizada estatística descritiva e análise multivariada. Resultado: Em relação à aceitação do tratamento, 49% dosusuários ainda utilizavam as próteses confeccionadas pelo CEO, 36% as utilizavam parcialmente (apenas a superior ou a inferior) e 15% desistiram do tratamento. Da amostra, 57% tinham idade entre 61,8 e 76,6 anos. Mulheres representaram 67% e homens, 33%. Casados e viúvos representaram 67 e 31%, respectivamente. A renda mensal de 90% era de até três salários mínimos e 67% tinham o Primeiro Grau incompleto. Conclusão: Apesar do benefício oferecido à população estudada por meio dos CEO, grande parte desta não encontrou total resolutividade nosserviços oferecidos.

Objective: To evaluate the patient´s acceptance prevalence of the prosthetic treatment made in one of the Dental Specialties Center (DSC) of Maringá - PR and to analyze the demographic and socioeconomic profile of this population. Material and method: The sample consisted of 39 patients treated wihtin March 2006 and March 2007. The data were collected from the patient´s file, it was applied a structured questionnaire. In order to analyze the data, It was used the descriptive and multivariate analysis. Result: Concerning the treatment acceptance, 49% of thesample still used the prostheses made by the CEO, 36% used the prostheses partially (just upper or lower) and 15% gave up the treatment. From the sample, 57% were 61.8 to 76.6 years old. Women represented 67% of the sample and men 33%. Married and widows represented 67 and 31%, respectively. Most of patients (90%) had a three minimumsalaries income, and 67% had a lower level of education. Conclusion: Beside the benefits offered to the studied population, great part of them still haven´t found totally resolution to their problems.