ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Divergent opinions are found in the literature regarding the use of a pacifier. During the longitudinal follow-up of children, health professionals must take a position on this issue and offer clear information regarding the pros and cons of pacifier use so that parents/caregivers can feel comfortable enough to make their own decision. AIM: Evaluate the beneficial effects of pacifier use on the sleep quality of infants. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted at public day care centres in the city of Recife, Brazil. Interviews were held with 157 mothers of infants aged five to 13 months. Data were collected on the mother's and child's profiles. Child's sleep quality was determined using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire. RESULTS: The results demonstrated no statistically significant differences between the group that used a pacifier and the group that did not use a pacifier with regard to sleep variables of the child. CONCLUSIONS: When deciding whether or not to permit pacifier use, the infant's sleep quality should not be considered a critical factor.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In dentistry, clinical practice is directed towards attitudes that promote oral health and the paediatricians occupy a privileged position in this process. AIM: To assess the knowledge and attitudes of paediatricians in relation to the oral health of their patients. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Institute of Integrative Medicine Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, Brazil. A total of 182 paediatricians participated by filling out a questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 63.9% believed the first visit to the dentist should occur before the child completes 1 year of life. Moreover, 67.8% considered their knowledge on oral health to be insufficient. Approximately 78% of the paediatricians diagnosed caries through an analysis of cavities. Only 29.9% always recommended fluoride dentifrice. The term 'fluorosis' was unknown by 48.3% of the respondents. Concerning pacifiers, 32.6% did not allow it and 66.9% did not either recommend it or restrict it. A total of 83.4% classified the oral health content in their medical education as either nonexistent or deficient; this figure remained high (72.4%) in relation to residency. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to develop oral health information programmes to paediatricians. Information on oral health should be included in medical curricula and residency.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Education, Medical , Oral Health , Pediatrics/education , Physicians/psychology , Adult , Aged , Brazil , Cariostatic Agents/therapeutic use , Clinical Competence , Cross-Sectional Studies , Curriculum , Dental Care for Children , Dental Caries/diagnosis , Dentifrices/therapeutic use , Female , Fluorides/therapeutic use , Fluorosis, Dental/diagnosis , Health Education, Dental , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Pacifiers , Referral and Consultation , Young AdultABSTRACT
As Lesões Fibro-Ósseas Benignas (LFOB) são alterações caracterizadas pela substituição de osso normal por tecido conjuntivo fibroso e quantidades variáveis de mineralização. São lesões que apresentam dificuldade no diagnóstico quando observados, apenas, os aspectos histopatológicos. Torna-se interessante o conhecimento e aplicação de métodos auxiliares de diagnóstico anátomo-patológicos na tentativa de facilitar o diagnóstico dessas lesões, quando na ausência de critérios clínicos e/ou radiográficos. A técnica histoquímica de Von Kossa consiste em um método auxiliar, indicado como específico para o íon cálcio, permitindo detectar as fases de mineralização dos tecidos em formação.O objetivo deste estudo é o de tentar diferenciar entre as LFOB a forma de deposição do íon cálcio com a finalidade de individualizá-las. Foram analisados 24 casos de LFOB, sendo 6 de Displasia Fibrosa (DF), 4 de Displasia Cemento-Óssea (DCO) e 14 de Fibroma Ossificante (FO). A DF foi negativa em 3 casos; nos demais casos, havia presença de osso imaturo em que se observou fraca positividade. Os casos de DCO mostraram-se negativos em 3 casos. Por fim, 13 casos de FO foram positivos. Observamos que a mineralização derivada do ectomesênquima odontogênico sempre se mostrou positiva. A coloração de Von Kossa pode ser, portanto, uma ferramenta útil na diferenciação das LFOB.
Benign fibro-osseous lesions (BFOL) are changes characterized by the replacement of normal bone by fibrous connective tissue and variable degrees of mineralization. They are difficult to diagnose when only the histopathological features are observed. Thus, in the absence of clinical and/or radiographic criteria, an auxiliary method of diagnosis may be useful. The Von Kossa histochemical technique is one such method, making it possible to detect the phases of mineralization of the tissues in formation. The purpose of this study was to identify the type of BFOL by observing the calcium ion deposition patterns. Twenty-four cases of BFOL (six of fibrous dysplasia, four of cemento-osseous dysplasia and 14 of ossifying fibroma) were analyzed. Three cases of fibrous dysplasia were positive in the immature bone structure. Three cases of cemento-osseous dysplasia were negative. Thirteen cases of ossifying fibroma were positive. It was observed that the mineralization resulting from odontogenic ectomesenchyme was always positive. The results suggest that von Kossa staining may be a useful tool in the differentiation of the BFOLs.
