Analysis of the Degree of Information of Dental Surgeons about Antiresorptive Drugs According to the Time Since Graduation in Dentistry

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the level of scientific information of dental surgeons who carry out their professional activities in Brazil about antiresorptive drugs and indicated pharmacological procedures aiming at the prevention of osteonecrosis of the jaws and the therapy of drug sequelae that may occur, considering the time since graduation in Dentistry. Material and Methods: This is a quantitative cross-sectional study in which 339 dentists were consulted using the virtual questionnaire containing topics of personal nature, elements contained in the anamnesis carried out and knowledge about antiresorptive drugs, including indications, adverse effects and treatments applied. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were performed to analyze associations of data described by absolute and relative frequencies with professionals' time since graduation. All analyses were performed using the R software, with a 5% significance level. Results: Those who revealed to have graduated for more than five years with the highest academic degree were those who demonstrated maximum knowledge of antiresorptive drugs or revealed that, somehow, they had information about them (p<0.05). Conclusion: Dental surgeons in Brazil who have more than five years since graduation have more scientific information about antiresorptive drugs and pharmacological procedures, which can positively contribute to the prevention of osteonecrosis of the jaws and treatment of drug sequelae that may occur.

Ocorrência de candidíase oral em pacientes portadores de câncer de cabeça e pescoço submetidos aos tratamentos antineoplásicos / Occurrence of Oral Candidiasis in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer submitted to antineoplastic treatments

Objetivo: avaliar a frequência de candidíase oral em pacientes portadores de câncer de cabeça e pescoço submetidos à radio e (ou) quimioterapia em um serviço de referência vinculado ao Sistema Único de Saúde do município de Salvador (BA). Metodologia: trata-se de um estudo seccional, realizado em uma amostra de conveniência e não probabilística de pacientes portadores de câncer de cabeça e pescoço submetidos à radio e (ou) quimioterapia. Foram coletados dados relativos às pessoas com candidíase oral, tais como sexo, idade e o tipo de tratamento a que foram submetidas (quimioterapia, radioterapia ou ambos), bem como a localização e o diagnóstico clínico do tipo de candidíase. Resultados: do total de 36 pacientes que se enquadraram nos critérios de inclusão, 16 apresentaram candidíase (44,4%). Onze indivíduos (68,75%) eram do sexo masculino e 07 (43,75%) possuíam faixa etária situada entre a quinta e a sexta décadas de vida. O tipo de candidíase prevalente foi a pseudomembranosa (87,5%), e o local mais acometido foi o palato duro (50%). Dos 16 pacientes com candidíase oral, 14 (87,5%) realizaram a radioterapia associada à quimioterapia, enquanto que 02 (12,5%) realizaram apenas a radioterapia. Conclusão: a candidíase oral é uma condição clínica muito comum nos pacientes portadores de neoplasias submetidos aos tratamentos antineoplásicos. A presença do cirurgião-dentista na equipe multidisciplinar que acompanha os pacientes oncológicos é relevante, pois poderá auxiliar na prevenção e no tratamento da candidíase e de outras condições clínicas.

Objective: to assess the frequency of candidiasis in patients with head and neck cancer submitted to radio and (or) chemotherapy in a referral service linked to the Unified Health System of the city of Salvador, Bahia. Methodology: this is a cross-sectional study consisting of a non-probabilistic sample of patients with oral candidiasis diagnosed in a convenience group. Data were collected on people with oral candidiasis, such as gender, age and type of treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy or both), as well as the location and clinical diagnosis of the type of candidiasis. Results: Oo the total of 36 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 16 presented candidiasis (44.4%). Eleven individuals (68.75%) were males and 07 (43.75%) had an age group between the fifth and sixth decades of life. The most prevalent type of candidiasis was pseudomembranous (87.5%) and the most affected site was the hard palate (50%). Of the 16 patients with oral candidiasis, 14 (87.5%) underwent radiotherapy associated with chemotherapy, while 02 (12.5%) only underwent radiotherapy. Conclusion: oral candidiasis is a very common clinical condition in patients with neoplasia submitted to antineoplastic treatments. The presence of the dental surgeon in the multidisciplinary team that follows up oncological patients is relevant, as it may help in the prevention and treatment of candidiasis and other clinical conditions