Effect of environmental and socioeconomic factors on the use of dental floss among children: a hierarchical approach

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of environmental and socioeconomic characteristics with the use of dental floss in preschool children. This cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 402 preschool children aged 1-5 years, from Santa Cruz do Sul, a Southern city in Brazil. Mothers answered questions about environmental, demographic, and socioeconomic characteristics. Behavior variables as use of dental floss (study outcome) and dental attendance were also evaluated. Poisson regression analysis with robust variance through a hierarchical approach was used to investigate the association of explanatory variables for use of dental floss. Prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated. The mean sample age was 3.32 years (standard deviation [SD] 1.10). Of the included children, 291 (73.12%) did not use dental floss. The environmental model indicated that children who attended daycare (PR 2.53; 95%CI 1.39-4.60) and those whose parents were members of volunteer networks (RP 1.58; 95%CI 1.02-2.46) were more likely to use dental floss. Children from families with higher income (PR 1.55; 95%CI 1.07-2.24) and maternal schooling (PR 2.21; 95%CI 1.31-3.74) presented a higher prevalence of dental floss use. Older children and those who attended dental services were also related to higher dental floss use. Our findings suggest that children who live in a supporting environment and those with a higher socioeconomic status are more likely to use dental floss.

Pró-Saúde ­ Odontologia/UNISC: experiências e contribuições na formação profissional / Pro-Health ­ Dentistry/UNISC: experiences and contributions to professional training

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma pesquisa com os acadêmicos do curso de Odontologia da Universidade de Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC), que desenvolveram alguma atividade no bairro, através do PRÓ-SAÚDE, onde foi questionado se esta atividade contribuiu para sua formação profissional. A educação superior deve estar atrelada à realidade da população e a responsabilidade das ações de Promoção de Saúde deve ser integrada entre os indivíduos, comunidades, profissionais de saúde e instituições que prestam serviço de saúde. É de fundamental importância essa integração com os serviços, pois desta forma se cria habilidades para trabalhar em democracia, para o desenvolvimento de uma visão crítica e de competências culturais. Os dados foram coletados a partir de 51 instrumentos de pesquisa aplicados. Dos acadê- micos entrevistados, 99% responderam que a motivação do PRÓ-SAÚDE trouxe benefício para a sua vida. Destes, 53% apontou dimensão profissional como o benefício mais significativo, seguidos de 35,2% em termos de dimensão social, e 11,8% de destaque para a dimensão pessoal. Outro dado levantado na entrevista com os acadêmicos foi de que 60,9% pretendem iniciar sua vida profissional preferencialmente na rede pública, 25,4% prioritariamente em consultório ou clínica privada e talvez rede pública, 11,8% somente em consultório ou clínica privada, e 1,9% somente na rede pública. Desta forma, reafirma-se a importância do PRÓ-SAÚDE para a formação de profissionais capacitados a trabalharem na rede pública (AU).

The purpose of this paper was to conduct a survey among dentistry students of the Universidade de Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC) who develop any sort of activity within the PRO-HEALTH (PRÓ-SAÚDE) program. The question asked was if this activity contributed to his/her professional training. Higher education must be tied to the reality of the population, and the responsability of health promotion actions must be integrated among persons, communities, health professionals and institutions that provide health services. This integration with health services is very important, because it builds the skills needed to work democratically, and to develop a critical vision and cultural capabilities. The data was collected through 51 questionaires; 99% of the students interviewed answered that their PRO-HEALTH activities brought benefits to their life; 53% of these students pointed out the professional benefits as the most significant plus factor; 35.2% answered that the most significant gains were the social benefits; and 11.8% highlighted the personal benefits as most significant. Among the students interviewed, 60.9% intend to start their professional life preferentially in public service, 25.4% give priority to working in a private office or clinic or perhaps public service, 11.8% intend to work only in a private office or clinic, and 1.9% intend to work only in public services. Accordingly, we can see the importance of PRO-HEALTH in training professionals skilled to work in public service (AU).