Oral health status of patients with special needs from a rehabilitation association in Curitiba (PR, Brazil)

Introduction:Patients with special needs commonly show significant systemic and oral diseases. Objective:We carried out a survey on the oral health status from individuals with special needs of Associação Paranaense de Reabilitação (APR), in Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Material and methods: Clinical oral examination was performed and a specific questionnaire was applied to 87 individuals, aged from 5 to 14 years-old. Results: The mean age average was 9 yearsold, and 57.5% were males. The mean DMFT was 1.4, and 54% of the sample showed DMFT = zero. The oral health status from the studied sample was similar to that found in the same age group of the general population. Conclusion: We indicate that strategies for controlling oral health diseases tailored for this group must be stimulated, once the vulnerability is present.

Child abuse: perception and knowledge by Public Health Dentistry teams in Brazil

Abstract Aim: To evaluate the experience, knowledge and attitudes of dentists and oral health technicians (OHTs) who work in Basic Health Units in the city of Curitiba, PR, Brazil, regarding cases of abuse against children and adolescents. Methods: In this observational study, three hundred eighty-three questionnaires (validated for Brazilian Portuguese) were sent to dentists and OHTs who work in public health units. The response rate was 38.12% (n = 146) for dentists and 40% (n = 77) for OHTs. Results: The mean age of the dentists was 40±8.29 years, and 53.43% treated more than 10 children per week. The OHTs' mean age was 45.39±9.71 years, and 62.35% attended to more than 10 children per week. Although the dentists perceived 185 suspected cases of maltreatment, only 35.67% were reported to authorities. In the OHT group, 22.08% were reported to authorities. Sixty-eight dentists (47%) and 11 OHTs (14.28%) reported having treated at least one case of orofacial trauma in the previous 6 months, totalizing 166 orofacial traumas. About the mechanism for reporting suspected cases, 83% of the respondents knew how to report. Over 50% of the responses concerning why the professionals did not report cases of physical violence against children included fear of retaliation and difficulties in diagnosis. Conclusions: Suspected cases of maltreatment against children and adolescents are underreported. More information is required to recognize suspected maltreatment cases and notify authorities.

Mesiodens surgery at deciduous and permanent dentition

Introduction and Objective:To report a rare case of a patient who presented two mesiodens and the treatment performed at two moments. Case report: A 7 year-old male patient reported a supernumerary tooth extracted at age 4. The dental clinical exam revealed giroversion of permanent maxillary right central incisor. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBTC) revealed a presence of a mesiodens located at the buccal surface mesially to the permanent maxillary left central incisor and also indicated that the mesiodens was located close to the f loor of the nasal cavity. The surgery was performed with a conservative intervention and osteotomy by preserving the adjacent structure. The one-year following-up postoperative x-ray indicated new bone deposition and a more favorable eruption position of the right permanent maxillary lateral incisor. Conclusion: It can be concluded that an early diagnosis by CBTC allowed an adequate treatment planning, which avoid the formation of cysts and a prolonged retention of permanent tooth.

Domestic Violence Against Children and Adolescents: Prevalence of Physical Injuries in a Southern Brazilian Metropolis

Violence against children and adolescents is a public health issue worldwide that threatens physical and mental wellbeing and causes irreparable harm. Reports on this violence are an essential way to prevent it and to protect the children and adolescents. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of physical injuries that occur in domestic environments and reported to the Child and Adolescent Protection Network. This retrospective study was conducted at the Epidemiology Center of the Municipality of Curitiba. A total of 10,483 reports for the years 2010 (5,112) and 2011 (5,371) were analyzed and from them were selected reports of physical injuries that occurred in the family environment. The children and adolescents were 0-17 years old, comprising 322 cases of physical abuse within the family in 2010. Out of these, 57.1% were male and 42.9% were female, and 58% (187) presented head and neck injuries. There were 342 reports in 2011, 49% were male and 51% were female; head and neck injuries corresponded to 65% (222) of the reported cases. The prevalence of injuries increased by 6% and head and neck injury increased by 19% between 2010 and 2011. It may be concluded that physical abuse is associated with a high prevalence of head and neck injury, which is easily observed by the health and education professionals. Notification organs should be created in Brazilian hospitals and health centers, which is essential to conduct epidemiological surveillance and appropriate policies.

A violência contra crianças e adolescentes é um grave problema mundial e de saúde pública, que ameaça o bem estar físico e mental, deixando sequelas irreparáveis. A notificação desta violência permite sua prevenção e proteção das crianças e adolescentes. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a prevalência de lesões na região de cabeça e pescoço contra crianças e adolescentes, bem como caracterizar o tipo das lesões, o agressor e unidades notificadoras. Essa pesquisa retrospectiva foi realizada no Centro de Epidemiologia da Prefeitura Municipal de Curitiba. Um total de 10.483 notificações dos anos de 2010 (5.112) e 2011 (5.371) foi analisado, para compor a amostra das lesões físicas ocorridas no ambiente intrafamiliar, na faixa etária de 0 a 17 anos de idade. Em 2010, a frequência de abuso físico intrafamiliar foi de 322 casos. Destas, 57,1% eram do sexo masculino e 42,9% do sexo feminino, e 58% (187) delas tiveram lesões em cabeça e pescoço. No ano de 2011 foram 342 notificações, sendo que 49% eram do sexo masculino e 51% do sexo feminino e as lesões em cabeça e pescoço corresponderam a 65% (222) dos casos notificados. Houve aumento na prevalência de 6% das lesões físicas e 19% das lesões na região de cabeça e pescoço, do ano de 2010 para 2011. Conclui-se que é alta a prevalência de lesões na região de cabeça e pescoço, áreas facilmente observadas pelo profissional de saúde e da educação. A criação de órgãos notificadores em hospitais e unidades de saúde é fundamental para a vigilância epidemiológica e para definição de políticas adequadas.

Hidden caries' challenge diagnosis: case report

Introduction: Hidden caries is a term used to describe occlusal dentine caries that is missed on a visual examination, but is large and demineralised enough to be detected by another exam for example, radiographs. Case report: This article reports a case of large dentine caries, which presented as to be a small pit-and-fissure carious lesion on the occlusal surface of the right mandibular permanent first molar in a 10-year-old girl. The treatment included root canal treatment and the sealing of the cavity with composite resin. Conclusion: Careful visual examination, with cleaning and drying of teeth, associated to bitewing radiographs may improve occlusal caries detection. Dentists should examine bitewing radiographs carefully for proximal caries and occlusal demineralization. Radiographs are an effective method of caries diagnosis that can avoid large destruction and allows less invasive treatment.