Perception of dental care among children

Children that arrive at dental offices with fear and anxiety usually tend to resist conditioning mechanisms. The aim this study was to evaluate children's perception about dental treatment and to identify factors that influence this perception. Material and Methods: A random sample of 100 children of both genders aged 3 to 12, who were treated at the Department of Dentistry of a University (group I) and at a Children's Hospital (group II), was selected. A structured questionnaire about the child's perception about dental care was applied and the children were asked to draw a picture of this topic. Most of children expressed a positive perception in the questionnaire and in the drawings (93.8%). This positive perception was more pronounced in group I (94%) and in children aged 3 to 5 years (100%), particularly in girls (78%). The main cause of fear was the use of needles (42.4%). Many children (24.2%) reported to prefer the noninvasive procedures. A positive perception of dental treatment was observed in the majority of the sample. Therefore, dental pediatricians must be aware of the perception of children for better conditioning (Au)

Prevalência dos Traumas Buco-faciais em Pacientes Atendidos no Hospital Walfredo Gurgel (Natal-Rio Grande do Norte) / Prevalência dos Traumas Buco-faciais em Pacientes Atendidos no Hospital Walfredo Gurgel (Natal-Rio Grande do Norte) Prevalence of Oral-facial Trauma in Patients Attended at Hospital Walfredo Gurgel (Natal- Rio Grande do Norte)

Objetivo: Conhecer o perfil socioeconômico e as causas dos traumas faciais dos pacientes atendidos nos meses de janeiro a abril do ano 2009, no Hospital Walfredo Gurgel. Metodologia: A coleta de dados foi realizada no banco de dados do hospital, no final foram obtidas informações sobre o perfil dos pacientes ou bem como os tipos e as causas dos traumas bucomaxilofaciais. Resultados: Os traumas acometem mais homens com uma média de 25 anos de idade e residentes na zona oeste de Natal - RN. A maioria dos traumas ocorreu em tecido mole na região oral (quando excluídos os casos não especificados) e foram causados por quedas. Conclusão: Políticas públicas precisam ser instauradas, a fim de se minimizar o número de traumas assim como o efeito desses na vida das pessoas.

Porpuse: The aim of this study is to get to know the socio-economic profile and the causes of facial trauma of the patients treated in the months January to April of 2009, in the hospital Walfredo Gurgel. Metodology: Data collection was performed on the database of the hospital, where information was obtained about the profile of patients, as well as the types and causes of maxillofacial trauma. Results: The results showed that the traumas affecting more men with a mean of 25 years of age and residents in western Natal-RN. Most injuries were soft tissue in the oral region (excluding the cases when not specified) and were caused by falls. Conclusion: Public policies need to be introduced in order to minimize the number of injuries and the effect these people's lives.