Association between socioeconomic contextual factor, dental care service availability, and prevalence of periodontitis in Brazil: a multilevel analysis / Associação entre o fator contextual socioeconômico, a disponibilidade de serviços odontológicos e a prevalência de periodontite no Brasil: uma análise multinível / Asociación entre el factor socioeconómico, la disponibilidad de servicios odontológicos y la prevalencia de periodontitis en Brasil: un análisis multinivel

This study aimed to examine the effect of dental care services on periodontitis cases in Brazilian municipalities. The sample comprised 3,426 individuals aged 35-44 years. Moderate to severe periodontitis with clinical attachment loss and probing depth was the dependent variable, both > 3mm. Its exploratory variables were grouped into four categories: (1) individual characteristics; (2) contextual development indicators; (3) health service and structural factors; and (4) dental care use. Data were collected using the SBBrasil 2010 Project, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, the Brazilian Information System of Primary and Secondary Care, and the Program to Improve Access and Quality of Dental Specialization Centers (PMAQ-CEO). Multilevel logistic regression was used to assess associations of periodontitis with individual and context variables. Municipalities with > 1 CEO or > 1 of any centers were associated with periodontitis, with OR = 0.97 (95%CI: 0.55-1.71) and OR = 0.41 (95%CI: 0.17-0.97), respectively. Prevalence of periodontitis was more likely in older people, lower education levels, and individuals that sought dental visits for pain/extraction and periodontal treatment. Other dental care services availability were not associated with the prevalence of periodontitis.

Este estudo teve como objetivo examinar o efeito dos serviços de assistência odontológica nos casos de periodontite em municípios brasileiros. A amostra foi composta por 3.426 indivíduos de 35-44 anos de idade. A variável dependente foi periodontite moderada a grave com perda de inserção clínica e profundidade de sondagem, ambas > 3mm. As variáveis exploratórias foram agrupadas em quatro categorias: (1) características individuais; (2) indicadores contextuais de desenvolvimento; (3) serviços de saúde e fatores estruturais; (4) uso da assistência odontológica. Os dados foram coletados por meio do Projeto SBBrasil 2010, do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, do Sistema de Informação da Atenção Primária e Secundária e do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e Qualidade da Atenção dos Centros de Especialidade Odontológica (PMAQ-CEO). A regressão logística multinível foi utilizada para avaliar associações de periodontite com variáveis individuais e de contexto. Municípios com mais de um CEO ou mais que um centro de qualquer tipo de assistência foram associados à periodontite com OR = 0,97 (IC95%: 0,55-1,71) e OR = 0,41 (IC95%: 0,17-0,97), respectivamente. A prevalência de periodontite foi mais provável em idosos, indivíduos com menor escolaridade e indivíduos que procuraram consultas odontológicas para dor/extração e tratamento periodontal. A disponibilidade de outros serviços odontológicos não se associou à prevalência de periodontite.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la eficacia de los servicios de atención odontológica en los casos de periodontitis en municipios brasileños. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 3.426 individuos de entre 35 y 44 años de edad. La variable dependiente fue periodontitis de moderada a severa, con pérdida de inserción clínica y profundidad de sondaje, que eran > 3mm. Las variables exploratorias se agruparon en cuatro categorías: (1) características individuales; (2) indicadores contextuales de desarrollo; (3) servicios de salud y factores estructurales; (4) uso de atención odontológica. Los datos se recabaron de Proyecto SBBrasil 2010, del Instituto Brasileño de Geografía y Estadística, del Sistema de Información de la Atención Primaria y Secundaria y del Programa para Mejorar el Acceso y la Calidad de los Centros de Especialización Odontológicas (PMAQ-CEO). Se utilizó la regresión logística multinivel para evaluar las asociaciones de periodontitis con variables individuales y contextuales. Los municipios con más de un CEO u otro tipo de centro de asistencia se asociaron a periodontitis con OR = 0,97 (IC95%: 0,55-1,71) y OR = 0,41 (IC95%: 0,17-0,97), respectivamente. La prevalencia de la periodontitis fue más probable en los ancianos, en las personas con menos nivel de instrucción y en las personas que buscaron citas odontológicas por dolor/extracción y tratamiento periodontal. La disponibilidad de otros servicios odontológicos no se asoció con la prevalencia de periodontitis.

Repercusiones en la deontología española ante el auge de las clínicas dentales low cost / Repercussions in Spanish deontology in light of the rise of low cost dental clinics / Repercussões na deontologia espanhola diante do boom das clínicas dentais de baixo custo

Resumen: El cambio en el modelo asistencial odontológico en España ha supuesto la proliferación de grandes franquicias dentales o clínicas dentales low cost. Este tipo de establecimientos suelen realizar la captación de pacientes mediante agresivas campañas de publicidad, establecen financiaciones de los presupuestos directamente con entidades bancarias y rebajan los presupuestos inicialmente marcados. En los últimos años, la Comisión de Ética y Deontología del Ilustre Colegio Oficial de Odontólogos y Estomatólogos de Aragón ha comprobado un notable aumento de las reclamaciones de pacientes procedentes de este tipo de clínicas. Uno de los casos más llamativos ha sido el cierre de la franquicia iDental, que dejó a miles de personas sin terminar sus tratamientos odontológicos. Se pretende realizar una puesta al día de las repercusiones deontológicas que estas clínicas tienen en la deontología dental de la Comunidad Autónoma de Aragón.

Abstract: The change in deontological health care model in Spain has led to the proliferation of huge dental franquises or low cost dental clinics. This type of settings generally engages customers by aggressive advertising campaigns, establishing financing with banks and reducing the agreed initial budget. In the last years, the Ethical and Deontological Commission of the Official College of Dentists and Stomatologists of Aragon has noticed a significant increase of claims by patients attending this type of clinics. One of the most striking cases has been the closing of iDental, which led thousands of patients without finishing dental treatment. This study pretends updating the deontological repercussions that these clinics have in the Autonomous Community of Aragon.

Resumo: A mudança no modelo assistencial odontológico na Espanha implicou na proliferação de grandes franquias dentais ou clínicas dentais de baixo custo. Estes tipos de estabelecimentos habitualmente realizam a captação de pacientes mediante agressivas campanhas publicitárias, estabelecem financiamento dos orçamentos diretamente com instituições bancárias e abaixam os orçamentos inicialmente apresentados. Nos últimos anos, a Comissão de Ética e Deontologia do Ilustre Colégio Oficial de Odontólogos e Estomatólogos de Aragão comprovou um notável aumento de reclamações de pacientes procedentes deste tipo de clínica. Um dos casos mais chamativos foi o encerramento da franquia iDental, que deixou milhares de pessoas sem terminar seus tratamentos odontológicos. Se pretende realizar uma atualização das repercussões deontológicas que estas clínicas têm na deontologia dental da Comunidade Autônoma de Aragão.

Regular dental care in preschoolers in rural Southern Brazil / Atendimento odontológico regular em pré-escolares da área rural do Sul do Brasil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate if factors related to the mother's previous guidance on her children's dental health and the school attendance of children influence the regular dental care of preschoolers living in the rural area of a municipality in Southern Brazil. METHODS A population-based study was conducted with 264 children under five years of age and their mothers. Socioeconomic and behavioral data were collected using a questionnaire, and the children were subjected to dental health tests. The outcome was the regular use of dental services. The main exposure variables were children's care in daycare centers or schools and maternal guidance on the child's dental health. Poisson regression analysis with robust variance adjustment was used to estimate prevalence ratios, considering a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS The prevalence of regular use was 11.4% (95%CI 7.5-15.2). In the adjusted analysis, the regular use of services was associated with the child attending day care center/school (PR = 2.44; 95%CI 1.38-4.34), and the mother received dental health guidance (PR = 4.13; 95%CI 1.77-9.61), even with control for socioeconomic, maternal and child variables. CONCLUSION When mothers receive previous information on child dental health care and children attend schools or daycare centers, the likelihood of regular dental appointments in preschoolers living in rural locations increases.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Avaliar se fatores relacionados à orientação prévia da mãe sobre saúde bucal dos seus filhos e a frequência escolar das crianças influenciam o atendimento odontológico regular de pré-escolares moradores da área rural de um município do Sul do Brasil. MÉTODOS Um estudo de base populacional foi conduzido com 264 crianças menores de cinco anos e suas mães. Dados socioeconômicos e comportamentais foram coletados por meio de questionário e as crianças foram submetidas a exames de saúde bucal. O desfecho foi o uso regular de serviços odontológicos. As variáveis de exposição principais foram o atendimento infantil em creches ou escolas e orientação materna sobre a saúde bucal da criança. A análise de regressão de Poisson com ajuste robusto de variância foi utilizada para estimar as razões de prevalência e intervalos de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS A prevalência de uso regular foi 11,4% (IC95% 7,5-15,2). Na análise ajustada o uso regular de serviços foi associado à criança frequentar creche/escola (RP = 2,44; IC95% 1,38-4,34) e a mãe ter recebido orientação de saúde bucal (RP = 4,13; IC95% 1,77-9,61), mesmo com controle para variáveis socioeconômicas, maternas e da criança. CONCLUSÃO Quando as mães recebem informações prévias sobre os cuidados com a saúde bucal infantil e as crianças frequentam escolas ou creches, aumenta a probabilidade de consultas odontológicas regulares em pré-escolares residentes em localidades rurais.

Celulitis facial en niños con criterio de hospitalización / Children with facial cellulitis and hospitalization criterion

La celulitis facial puede convertirse en un grave riesgo vital cuando no se tiene en cuenta el tratamiento adecuado. Constituye un problema de salud en la población de edades pediátricas, pues es la segunda causa más frecuente de ingreso hospitalario en la cirugía maxilofacial, luego de los traumatismos maxilofaciales. Objetivo: describir el comportamiento y el manejo terapéutico por la Atención Primaria de Salud en los municipios de Playa, Marianao y Lisa de La Habana. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo en 53 pacientes que fueron ingresados en el Servicio de Cirugía Máxilo Facial del Hospital Pediátrico Docente Juan Manuel Márquez, desde enero de 2001 a enero de 2007. Resultados: hubo ausencia de significación estadística entre sexos y entre los grupos de edades. La media de la edad fue de 8 años, con una desviación estándar de 4. La celulitis más frecuente fue la odontógena (60,4 por ciento). El 60,3 por ciento de los pacientes fueron mal manejados por la atención primaria. Los grupos dentarios más afectados sugieren que las acciones preventivas deben encaminarse mayormente a la población con dentición temporal y mixta. Conclusiones: hubo mayor representación del sexo masculino y del grupo de 1 a 5 años. El tipo de celulitis facial predominante fue la odontógena. En más de la mitad de los casos el tratamiento antimicrobiano aplicado en la atención primaria de salud fue inadecuado. Al momento del ingreso predominó la evaluación clínica severa(AU)

Facial cellulitis can become a serious vital risk when doctors don't keep in mind the appropriate treatment. It constitutes a health problem in pediatric population, because it is the second more frequent cause of hospital admittance in the Maxillofacial Surgery Service, followed by maxillofacial traumatisms. Objective: to understand facial cellulitis behavior and to describe the therapeutic handling in Primary Health Care (PHC) in Playa, Marianao, and Lisa municipalities in Havana. Method: a retrospective observational study was performed on 53 patients who were admitted to the Maxillofacial Surgery Pediatric Teaching Hospital "Juan Manuel Marquez", from January 2001 to January 2007. Results: there was no statistical significance between genders and age groups, the mean age was 8 years with a standard deviation of 4. The most frequent was odontogenic cellulitis (60.4 per cent). 60.3 per cent of patients were poorly handled by the primary care service. The most affected dental groups suggest that preventive measures should be directed mostly to people with temporary and mixed teething Conclusions: there was higher representation in male patients and the 1 to 5 age group. Odontogenic facial cellulitis was the predominant type. Antimicrobial treatment was inadequate in more than half of cases at the primary health care. At admission severe clinical evaluation prevailed(AU)

Comprehensive dental health care program at an orphanage in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.

Background: Provision of oral health care in India, especially for the underprivileged is limited due to inadequate finances and manpower. Resources of dental colleges in such a scenario can be utilized to provide prevention oriented oral health care. Aim: To improve the oral health status of children at an institute in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India, through prevention based comprehensive dental health care program (CDHP). Design and Setting: A longitudinal institution based interventional study conducted among the primary grade children (n=162). Materials and Methods: Baseline data collection included (i) basic demographic data (ii) body mass index (BMI) (iii) assessment of the dentition status and treatment needs according to WHO 1997 criteria. The CDHP included group based dental health education, professional oral prophylaxis, weekly (0.2%) sodium fluoride mouth rinse program, biannual application of topical fluoride (1.23% APF), pit and fissure sealants for all first permanent molars and provision of all necessary curative services. Results: Mean treatment requirements per child decreased at 18 months. New caries lesions developed among four children. BMI of children with decay was seen to improve significantly after instituting the CDHP. Conclusion: CDHP is effective in overall improvement of general and oral health. In resource limited countries like India, such programs organized by dental schools can improve oral health.

Access to public dental care facilities in Chandigarh.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the level of dental health care access and associated factors, at various public health facilities in the Union Territory (UT) of Chandigarh. Materials and Methods: A study was done using a multistage random sampling technique, to interview adult respondents at their homes and to interview the dentists in the public dental clinics and hospitals. Results: The mean composite access score was 59.2 (SD 18.9) in urban areas and 60.5 (SD 20.9) in rural areas (P=0.64) on a scale of 100. The mean score for the self-perceived condition of their oral health was 6.47 (95% CI 6.17 - 6.76). Thirty-four percent of the respondents did not contact a dentist despite having a problem in the last year, primarily because dental problems were not important for them (45%), they lacked time (22%), and took self-medication (16%). Overall 58% of the respondents suggested government clinics and 44% liked private dentists for treatment of dental cavities. The government setup was preferred because the facilities were cheaper and affordable. Conclusions: Dental health care access and only limited dental facilities were available in most of the dental clinics in Chandigarh. Self-reported dental problem was low, and people ignored their dental problems.

Knowledge, attitude and practice on hepatitis B prevention among dental professionals in India

Aim: To obtain comprehensive information about the knowledge, attitude and practices towardshepatitis B infection by dental health care professionals, and their effort to prevent the transmissionamong the patients. Methods: A cross sectional survey conducted among 540 dental health careworkers in a dental college and private practitioners in and around Bhimavarm, India. A selfassessmentquestionnaire with queries on levels, namely knowledge and practices, and protectivemeasures to prevent transmission of hepatitis B was recorded and statistically analyzed. Results:Frequency distribution scores of knowledge, attitude and practice in relation to hepatitis B infectionrevealed that the faculty members, the students under training along with, nurses, hygienists andlab technicians were relatively aware of hepatitis B vaccination, precautions and principles dropletisolation procedures to prevent transmission of hepatitis B infection. Conclusions: The resultsshowed that the dental professionals had good knowledge and attitude regarding hepatitis B andits transmission, but that the infection control measures among the health care professionals aremoderately poor and an educational program on isolation precautions can further enhance theselevels and thereby, reducing the risk of infection transmission.

Bioética y asignación de recursos para la atención odontológica del adulto mayor en Chile / Bioethics and dental health care resource allocation for elderly people in Chile

Una creciente preocupación entre quienes reconocen que los recursos sanitarios son finitos y que el deseo de beneficios en salud puede ser ilimitado, ha promovido una discusión sobre qué es una distribución justa y equitativa de los servicios en salud. En este escenario, la asignación de recursos para la atención sanitaria de adultos mayores es objeto de debate. La planificación de programas odontológicos para adultos mayores, necesita conocer la magnitud y distribución de las patologías en la población y costo-efectividad de las terapias. Sin embargo, una discusión que justifique la asignación de recursos debe ser planteada previamente, y más que datos demográficos y epidemiológicos, requiere incluir las consideraciones éticas que sostengan estas políticas. En esta revisión se expone brevemente las principales características de la salud oral de los adultos mayores en Chile. Posteriormente, se analizan algunas consideraciones bioéticas que pueden limitar o sustentar la asignación de recursos en este grupo de edad. Finalmente, se concluye que los fundamentos de Justicia en Salud y Bioética de la Protección deben aplicarse a la discusión sobre la asignación de recursos para programas de atención odontológica en los adultos mayores y otros grupos susceptibles que deberían ser el foco de la protección.

A growing concern among those who recognize that healthcare resources are finite and that desire for health benefits can be unlimited has promoted in recent years a policy of cost reduction, accountability, and an analysis of what is a fair and equitable health service. In this scenario, the resource allocation for health care for older adults has been debated. Planning for dental programs for older adults, like any other, needs to know the magnitude and distribution of diseases in the population and what are the cost-effective therapies. However, a discussion justifying the allocated resources should be raised previously. This requires ethical considerations that support these policies more than demographic and epidemiological data. This article outlines the oral health of older adults in Chile and subsequently, bioethical considerations that may limit or support health care resource allocation in this group. Finally, it can be concluded that Justice in Health and Protection Bioethics must be applied to the discussion about resources allocation in dental health care program for elderly people and other susceptible groups that should be the focus of protection.

Guidelines On Infection Control In The Dental Laboratory.

Infection control in the dental laboratory is an essential part of dentistry and is no longer an option but a requirement. The dental laboratory has been shown to be an area of potential disease transmission between patients and dental health care personnel i.e., dentists, lab technicians etc. potential pathogens can be transported to laboratory through microbially soiled impressions, dental prostheses/appliances. The increased awareness of infectious diseases and the recognition of the potential for transmission of numerous infectious micro organisms during dental procedures has led to an increased concern for and attention to infection control, in diseases to consider. This article reviews various methods and precautions to be taken towards infection control in the dental laboratory.

Occurrence of Cognitive and Neurological Symptoms in Norwegian Dentists

OBJECTIVES: Previous investigations have presented some evidence of late cognitive effects in dental personnel exposed to metallic mercury. We wanted to examine if Norwegian dentists have an increased prevalence of symptoms consistent with neurological and/or cognitive malfunction. METHODS: The study group consisted of 406 dentists from central Norway and 217 controls from the general population, all under the age of 70. They had responded to a standardised postal questionnaire (Euroquest) inquiring about seven symptoms in regard to neurology, psychosomatics, memory, concentration, mood, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. A score was calculated for each symptom based on 4 to 15 single questions scored on a scale from 1 (seldom or never) to 4 (very often). RESULTS: The dentists and controls had a participation rate of 57.2% and 42.9% respectively. The dentists reported no more cognitive symptoms than the controls, with low average symptom scores from 1.16 for neurological symptoms in males to 1.73 for fatigue in females. Corresponding figures for the controls were 1.22 and 1.77. There were a total of 1.2% of the dentists and 1.8% of the controls who reported having three or more of the seven symptoms "often" or more frequently. CONCLUSION: Norwegian dentists do not report more cognitive and neurological symptoms than controls from the general population.

Política nacional de saúde bucal: acessibilidade e utilização de serviços Odontológicos especializados em um município de médio porte na Bahia / The brazilian dental health policy: accessibility, offering and utilization Of public specialized dental care in a city at Bahia, Brazil / Política nacional de salud buco-dental: accesibilidad, y utilización de Los servicios dentarios especializados en una ciudad de tamaño medio em La Bahía

A atual Política de saúde bucal no Brasil tem ampliado a oferta de ações especializadas em odontologia. O presente estudo avaliou a oferta, utilização e acesso dos usuários a esse serviço em um município de médio porte na Bahia. Este foi um estudo de corte transversal por meio de entrevista estruturada junto aos usuários e análise de dados secundários.O estudo revelou que a maioria dos usuários fez está fazendo tratamento odontológico na atenção básica 61,0 porcento. A análise bivariada apontou para diferenças significantes entre o tipo de procedimento especializado e a integralidade na atenção básica p igual0,009, entre o tipo de procedimento e o tempo para agendamento p igual0,004 e a faixa etária do usuário p igual 0,000, sendo a integralidade menor entre adultos em busca de prótese. O tempo de agendamento da primeira consulta variou entre as especialidades, mas 44,5 porcento dos usuários conseguiram agendar para até 15 dias. A taxa de utilização do serviço foi muito baixa para a endodontia e a cirurgia oral menor 16,1 porcento e 26,5 porcento, respectivamente. Recomenda-se a adoção de um sistema de gestão de metas por especialidade para aumentar a taxa de utilização do serviço e reduzir a principal barreira organizacional identificada, que foi a dissociação entre a oferta potencial e a utilização.

The current national dental health policy accessibility has broaden the offer of specialized dental care actions in Brazil. The present study evaluated the offer, use and acess to the service by users in a in a medium-sized municipality in Bahia. It was a cross-sectional study was carried out by means of a structured interview of 148 users and the analysis of secondary databases. The study revealed that most users had or are having dental care in the primary healthcare 61.0 porcent. Bivariate analysis showed relevant differences between this specialized type of treatment and the integrality in primary health care p=0,009, between the type of procedure and the time for scheduling p=0,004 and the age range of the user p=0,000, the integrality being smaller among adults looking for a prosthesis.The time of scheduling varied greatly among the specialties, but 44.5 porcent of the users managed to schedule within 15 days. The service use rate of the was very low for endodontic procedure and minor oral surgery 16.1porcent and 26. porcent,respectively. It is recommended a goals management system to increase the dental health service use rate of utilization and to reduce the main organizational barrier identified.

La política actual de la salud buco-dental en Brasil ha ampliado la oferta de acciones especializadas en odontología. Esta investigación evaluó la oferta, el uso y el acceso de los usuarios a este servicio en una ciudad de medio porte en la Bahía. Fue un estudio de corte transversal a través de entrevista semiestructurada con los usuarios y análiss de datos secundarios. El estudio reveló que la mayoría de los usuarios hacía tratamiento odontológico em la tención básica 61.0 por ciento . El análisis bivariado indicó diferencias significativas entre el tipo de procedimiento especializado y el tratamiento completo en la atención básica p igual 0,009, entre el tipo de procedimiento y el tiempo para el agendamiento p igual 0,004) y la edad del usuario P igual 0,000, siendo muy bajala integralidad entre los adultos en busca de prótesis. El tiempo para agendamiento de la primera consulta varió entre las especialidades, pero 44.5por ciento de los usuários conseguieron agendar la primera consulta dentro de 15 días. La tasa de utilización del servicio fue muy baja para la endodoncia y la cirugía oral menor 16.1 por ciento y 26.5por ciento, respectivamente. Se recomienda la adopción de un sistema de gestión por metas por especialidades para aumentar la tasa de uso y reducir la principal barrera organizacional identificada, o sea, la disociación entre la oferta potencial y el uso del servicio especializado.

O técnico de higiene bucal: trajetória e tendências de profissionalização com vista ao maior acesso aos serviços de saúde bucal / Dental hygiene technician: history and trends of professionalism with a view to increasing access to oral health services

Este trabalho buscou identificar, ao longo do tempo, os tipos de auxiliares em odontologia que influenciaram a construção de perfis para a regulamentação da profissão do Técnico em Higiene Dental no Brasil. Para tanto, embasou-se em levantamento de bibliografia nacional e estrangeira; em análise dos textos fundamentais da década de 60 e 70, para captura do espírito de cada época e das influências da mesma sobre o monopólio do exercício da odontologia, e em entrevistas com especialistas que vivenciaram o período em recorte. A partir da compreensão histórica dos tipos básicos e da observação de alterações ou inovações apontadas na divisão social do trabalho em odontologia, objetivou-se examinar os quatro perfis do THD desenhados no Brasil e propostos pelos Plano de Reorganização da Atenção Básica; Consolidação das Normas do Conselho Federal de Odontologia; Classificação Brasileira das Ocupações e Projeto de Lei 00003/2007, este último em trâmite no Senado para sua definitiva aprovação. Os perfis foram observados sob a luz das potenciais possibilidades de contribuição do THD na assistência restauradora, na prevenção às doenças e na promoção de saúde bucal, que, de acordo com experimentos clássicos sobre aumento de produtividade, justificariam ou não sua utilização no âmbito da assistência, em especial, na estratégia de Saúde da Família respondendo as necessidades sociais. Concluiu-se que todos os perfis exigem reparos, e que o desenho do perfil apresentado pelo PL 00003/2007 não se adequa ao objetivo de conferir a este profissional atribuições potencializadoras de ganhos econômicos para o sistema assistencial, além de limitar o profissional em suas funções assistenciais e preventivas.

This work aimed to identify basic types of dental auxiliaries that influenced the “Dental Hygiene Technician” (THD) in Brazil throughout the history. In order to achieve this, it searched national and international literature, analyzed documents of outstanding importancefrom the 60’s and 70’s to capture the feelings and influences of each period. Besides, interviews were done with experts who lived in each period. From a historical understanding of those basic types of dental auxiliaries this work examined “Dental Hygiene Technician”profiles in Brazil, as proposed by the “Plano de Reorganização da Atenção Básica”; “Consolidação das Normas” of the Federal Council of Dentistry; Brazilian Classification of Occupations and Law Project No 00003/2007. The last is still in the Senate for final approval. The profiles were observed to investigate possible contribution of the THD on clinical services, and prevention and promotion of oral health, which would or would not justify their useaccording to classic experiments regarding productivity, It was concluded that all profiles need changes, and the profile showed in PL 00003/2007 does not fit the objective to give thisprofessional tasks economic gains for the care system, in addition to limit the professional in their functions and preventive care.

The efficacy of dental care in the school age children in dental caries preventive program

The program of SCDC has been organised at all 25 primary and secondary schools of Gia Loc district since 1989-1990 to prevent dental caries for children aged 6 -15. The program’s activities include dental health education, conducting children to rinse their mouth by fluoride water 0.2% weekly and clinical preventation. After 8 years, the situatation of dental caries reduced. At age 12, the ratio of dental caries reduced 56.05% and DMFT reduced 79.41%. This result confirms that the contents of SCDC are suitble. Especially the situation of dental health shows that in 1997-1998 we reached WHO global goals and Vietnam goals for the year 2010.

Efficacy of dentooral care in school ages in the gingivitis prevention

The program of school-based oral care has been organised at all 25 primary and secondary schools of Gia Loc district since 1989/1990 to prevent oral diseases including gingivitis. After 8 years, the ratio of children who affected by gingivitis reduced clearly. The rate of school pupils who have acceptable gingival health increased from 8.42% to 94.21%. This result confirms that school-based oral preventive activities are neccesary and suitable. Particulary, in 1997/1998 we reached WHO and EEC countries’s goal as well as Vietnam’s goal for the year of 2010

A study on the knowledge, attitude and practice on the oral and dental health care in mother with children under 6 years

The finding revealed that the majority of the mothers had a high and moderate level of knowledge and attitude towards dental health. Around two-thirds of the mothers had good dental health preventive behavior (62.7%). Among them 71.3% of the mothers brushed their children's teeth two to three times a day, and 76.0% cleaned their children's teeth after meals. Most of the mothers used fluoride toothpaste to brush their children's teeth (86.0%). However, misconceptions still existed. More than two-thirds of the mothers didn't know the advantage of pit and fissure sealant; the appropriate time to brush their children's teeth, and the effect of Tetracycline on their child's teeth. Only 32.7% of the mothers brought their child to see the dentist for check-up and 15.3% did so at an appropriate time which was every six months. Television was the most frequent source of information about dental health that the respondents were exposed to (89.3%). The result of the study showed a significant association between knowledge of dental health and dental health preventive behavior (P = 0.031) and the level of mother's education and dental health preventative behavior (P = 0.033).