La mínima intervención en cariología en el plan de estudios D de la carrera de Estomatología en Cuba / Minimal intervention in cariology in Cuba Dentistry career study program D

Objetivo: Determinar la presencia de acercamientos a la mínima intervención en cariología en los temas sobre el proceso caries dental de los programas de asignaturas del plan de estudios D de la carrera de Estomatología. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación cualitativa, documental, analítica, a través de una lectura crítica y valorativa de los 20 programas de las asignaturas de la disciplina integradora del plan de estudios D de la carrera de Estomatología. Se realizó un análisis del contenido de cada uno de los programas de asignatura en busca de indicios de la inclusión en los mismos de temas relacionados con la caries dental y si estos se correspondían con los principios de la mínima intervención en cariología. Los datos extraídos fueron el nombre de la asignatura, año académico, total de horas del programa, inclusión de la temática del proceso caries dental, inclusión de temas relacionados con el proceso caries dental según la mínima intervención en cariología, literatura básica recomendada, especificidad de los temas tratados referentes al proceso caries dental. Resultados: De las 13 referencias básicas de los programas de estudio el 54 % se remontan a publicaciones del pasado siglo y el resto a inicios del presente. Los programas incluyen temas relacionados con la prevención y curación del proceso caries dental, factores de riesgo, etiología, conceptos, clasificaciones y características clínicas y en 3.er año la asignatura Epidemiología. Ese mismo año, y posteriores, los temas referentes se hacen redundantes y se repiten en asignaturas consiguientes. Conclusiones: Los programas de asignaturas de la disciplina integradora del plan de estudios D de la carrera de Estomatología carecen de la presencia de preceptos sobre la mínima intervención para el tratamiento de la caries dental excepto la de Odontopediatría(AU)

Objective: To determine the presence of the minimum intervention in cariology in the topics on the dental caries process of the subject programs of the Study Plan of the Stomatology career. Methods: A qualitative analytical documentary research was carried out through a critical and evaluative reading of the 20 programs of the subjects of the integrating discipline of the Study Plan D of the Stomatology career. An analysis of the content of each of the subject programs was carried out in search of indications of the inclusion in them of topics related to dental caries and if these were related to the principles of Minimum Intervention in Cariology. The data extracted were the name of the subject, academic year, total hours of the program, inclusion of the topic of dental caries process, inclusion of topics related to the dental caries process according to the minimal intervention in cariology, recommended basic literature, specificity of the topics covered referring to the dental caries process. Results: Of the 13 basic references of the study programs, 54% go back to publications of the last century and the rest to the beginning of the present. The programs include topics related to the prevention and cure of the dental caries process, risk factors, etiology, concepts, classifications and clinical characteristics and in the 3rd year the subject Epidemiology. That same year and later, the reference topics become redundant and are repeated in subsequent subjects. Conclusions: The subject programs of the integrating discipline of the Stomatology Career Curriculum lack the presence of precepts on the minimum intervention for the treatment of dental caries except that of Pediatric Dentistry(AU)

Atenção à saúde bucal das Pessoas que Vivem com HIV/Aids na perspectiva dos cirurgiões-dentistas / Current status of oral healthcare services for Persons with HIV/Aids from the perspective of the dentists

Este artigo descreve a dimensão do processo de atenção à saúde bucal das Pessoas que Vivem com HIV/Aids em Fortaleza (CE), sob a ótica dos dentistas. Estudo transversal quantitativo descritivo-analítico. A coleta de dados foi realizada aleatoriamente com 170 dentistas do Sistema Único de Saúde, Centros de Saúde da Família e Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas. Para a análise estatística, calculou-se o teste Qui-quadrado de Pearson, T Independente e Correlação de Spearman. O acesso, a estrutura física, a biossegurança e a formação profissional não são considerados satisfatórios para a atenção e influenciam na predisposição dos profissionais em atender esses pacientes.

In this quantitative and descriptive-analytical study, we describe the current status of oral healthcare services for Persons with HIV/Aids in Fortaleza (Ceará, Brazil) within the Unified Healthcare System according to data collected from 170 dentists from Family Health Program clinics and Specialized Odontology Centers. The findings were submitted to statistical analysis with the Chi-square test and the Independent T test, and Spearman Correlation Coefficients were calculated. Access, facilities, biosafety and training were found to be inadequate and to impact dentists' willingness to treat this patient population.

Tratamento restaurador atraumático: percepção dos dentistas e aplicabilidade na atenção primária / Atraumatic restorative treatment: dentists’perceptions and its potential use in primary care

Este estudo identificou a aplicabilidade do Tratamento Restaurador Atraumático (ART) na Atenção Primária à Saúde no Paraná. Aplicou-se um questionário a 97 profissionais de 85 municípios (54,6% dentistas; 28,9% gestores). A maioria utiliza restaurações atraumáticas (76,0%), mas só 12,4% receberam capacitação e a indicação preferencial é dentes decíduos. Pontos positivos: maior número de restaurações realizadas (64,4%) e percepção positiva dos profissionais (49,3%). Barreiras: falta de treinamento (50,5%) e preferência por restaurações convencionais (49,5%). Concluiu-se que, mesmo reconhecendo benefícios, o ART é subutilizado na Atenção Primária à Saúde, sendo necessários programas de educação continuada.

This research identified the applicability of Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) in Primary Health Care in Paraná. A questionnaire was applied to 97 professionals from 85 cities (54,6% dentists; 28,9% managers). Most of them use atraumatic restorations (76,0%), although only 12,4% received training. The main indication is for deciduous teeth. The positive aspects pointed were the possibility of carrying on a larger number of restorations (64,4%) and a positive perception of ART (49,3%). The barriers were the lack of training (50,5%) a nd the preference for conventional restorations (49,5%). It was concluded that even recognizing the benefits, ART is underused in Primary Health Care and training programs are necessary.

Aceitabilidade do tratamento restaurador atraumático pelos cirurgiões-dentistas do serviço público em São Paulo / Atraumatic Restorative Treatment acceptability by dentists in the public service of São Paulo

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a opinião dos Cirurgiões-Dentistas que trabalham nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde do Município de São Paulo/SP a respeito da utilização do Tratamento Restaurador Atraumático (ART) na rede pública. Realizou-se um levantamento com 207 Cirurgiões-Dentistas selecionados com amostragem por conglomerado por meio do programa OpenEpi. Os participantes foram avaliados por meio de questionários com respostas objetivas. Os dados foram analisados no programa Stata 9.0. Os resultados mostram taxa de resposta de 27,5% (57). Houve opiniões contrárias à prática do ART entre a maioria dos Cirurgiões-Dentistas daquele setor, entretanto também a maioria deles gostaria de ter maior treinamento teórico e prático para a realização do ART. Pode-se concluir que há interesse entre os Cirurgiões-Dentistas da rede pública em conhecer mais profundamente o ART.

The aim of this study was to identify the dentists opinions who work at Basic Health Units of São Paulo-SP regarding the use of Atraumatic Restorative Treatment-ART in the public oral health system. We conducted a survey of 207 dentists selected by cluster sampling with OpenEpi programo Participants were assessed through questionnaires with objective responses. Data were analyzed using Stata 9.0. The results show a response rate of 27.5% (57). There were opinions contrary to the ART among most dentists, but also most of them would like to have more theoretical and practical training for the ART. The results concluded that there is interest among the dentists from public health in deeper understanding of the ART.

Método alternativo para monitoramento da exposição ao mercúrio na Odontologia. / Alternative method for monitoring mercury exposure in Odontology.

Em determinadas situações ainda existe risco de exposição ocupacional ao mercúrio em consultórios odontológicos. Nesse sentido, foi testada a aplicabilidade de um método semiquantitativo (método Allegra) de determinação do mercúrio total na urina (HgU), mais simples e accessível do que o método de espectrometria de absorção atômica com vapor frio. Os procedimentos incluíram a determinação de HgU pelos 2 métodos em 80 profissionais, sendo 35 dentistas e 45 auxiliares de consultório dentário. A concentração média de HgU foi de 3,54mg/g de creatinina em dentistas e de 3,18mg/g em auxiliares, e a comparação entre as duas técnicas demonstrou que os valores pelo método semiquantitativo estiveram inseridos na faixa especificada pelo método tradicional. Sugere-se a utilização do método alternativo como procedimento de triagem no monitoramento da exposição ao mercúrio na Odontologia.

In certain situations, mercury exposure may be a risk taking place in dental practice. For this reason, this study compares total mercury concentrations in urine obtained by a semi-quantitative (Allegra?s method), a simpler and cheaper method, and also by the traditional cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry chemical analysis. Urine samples collections were performed among 80 dental professionals, being 35 dentists and 45 dentist assistants. Mean urine concentrations were respectively 3.54mg/g and 3.18mg/g for dentists and assistants and the comparison between both techniques has demonstrated that the values of semi-quantitative method were entered in the range specified by the traditional method. We suggest using the alternative method as a procedure to screening in the monitoring of exposure to mercury in dentistry.

Preventing HIV Transmission in Nigeria: Role of the Dentists

Background: As healthcare providers, dentists are in a unique position to foster behavioural changes that are needed to stem the spread of HIV infection. This study was conducted to assess the role of dentists in the prevention of HIV transmission in Nigeria. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from June 2006 to January 2007. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 300 practising dentists from all parts of Nigeria. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire that focused on dentist demographic details, attitudes towards treating HIV-infected persons, involvement in public or clinic-based patient education on HIV and infection control. Results: Two hundred and fifty-seven questionnaires were returned completed, constituting an 86% response rate. The majority of respondents (77.8%) had their dental practice in the southern part of Nigeria, and 89% were in the age bracket of 21–40 years. HIV education by dentists was ranked as poor, as less than a quarter of respondents routinely educated patients on HIV in the clinic. Only a few dentists (33.3%) were involved in public enlightenment programme on HIV in the previous 12 months. Most of the respondents (93%) reported a willingness to treat HIV-infected patients while observing universal precautions. Good infection barrier practices were adopted by 89.9% of dentists, and disposable cartridges for local anaesthetic agents and dental needles were not reused by 93.4% of the respondents. Autoclaving was the most widely used sterilization method (73.2%), but less than half of the respondents knew how to ascertain whether sterilization was effective. Conclusion: This study revealed that efforts by Nigerian dentists to prevent HIV transmission are presently less than optimal. Therefore, there is a need for sensitisation and motivation through seminars, workshops and lectures.