Implementation of dental specialty centers: a descriptive analysis of the current status in the Brazilian territory

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the current implementation status of Dental Specialty Centers (Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas - CEO) in Brazil. The sample included CEOs implemented up to November 2015 in the 27 Brazilian federative units. Data were obtained directly from the database of the Informatics Department of the Brazilian Unified Health System, according to the National Registry of Health Facilities (NRHF) of Dental Specialty Centers of all Brazilian regions. Primary care data were also collected from the cities with implemented CEOs, including coverage status of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) and number of Oral Health Teams (OHT) I and II, at 2 collection periods (January 2006 and November 2015). There were 1019 CEOs implemented in Brazil, which were unequally distributed among the Brazilian states, with prevalence of implementation of CEOs type II (n=503, 49.4%). The statistical analysis showed significant difference between the three types of CEO (I, II, and III) and the variables of coverage rate (FHS) and number of teams (OHT I, OHT II) at both data collection periods. Although presenting an evolutionary aspect in the implementation of CEOs, the implementation of medium-complexity care in Brazil is disorganized.

Perception, knowledge and attitudes of Brazilian orthodontists on the treatment of Class II malocclusions

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to assess the perception and knowledge of Brazilian orthodontists on the ideal moment to treat Class II malocclusions. Questionnaires with open, semi-open and close questions were sent by e-mail to 1653 Brazilian orthodontists. These orthodontists were registered in the Brazilian Association of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (ABOR). One-hundred and three (9.86%) Orthodontists replied to the questionnaires. Most of them were males (60.5%) with specialization as the highest level of professional qualification (59.9%). Most of the orthodontists (51%) reported preference for treating Class II malocclusions in late mixed dentition, followed by the early mixed dentition (29%). The age range between 10 and 12 years old figured as the most prevalent in patients searching for treatment (42.7%). Most of the patients searching for treatment were females (69.7%). Preferences for functional orthopedic appliances were reported by 35% of the orthodontists. Brazilian orthodontists revealed a trend for treating patients with Class II malocclusions in the late mixed dentition. Female patients aged from 10 to 12 years old represented the majority of patients that search for orthodontic treatment. Functional orthopedic appliances were preferred by Brazilian orthodontists for treating Class II malocclusions.

A scientific survey on 1550 cases of oral lesions diagnosed in a Brazilian referral center

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to perform an epidemiological survey on the prevalence rate of oral lesions diagnosed in a referral center in Brazil and to establish association between the lesions and the age and gender of the affected patients. This analytical observational study analyzed 3521 medical records of anatomopathological exams of the Pathological Anatomy and Cytopathology Laboratory of the Cancer Hospital of the state of Mato Grosso (Brazil), from December 2011 to September 2015. A total of 1550 relevant medical records was detected. Patients aging between 41 and 60 consisted of 42.84% of the sample. Males were more affected than females (60.13%). Inflammatory processess consisted of the most prevalent diagnosis (43.29%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (6.06%), and periapical granuloma (5.23%). Oral health public policies must give major attention to Brazilian males aged between the fourth and sixth decades of life in order to improve their quality of life.