Home Care for the Elderly: An Integrated Approach to Perception, Quality of Life, and Cognition.

This study investigated the impact of home care, health status, and cognition. A qualitative and quantitative approach was employed through a cross-sectional study with a sample of 60 elderly individuals in need of home care in the municipality of Itatiba, São Paulo, Brazil. The analysis utilized the Discourse of the Collective Subject (DCS), EQ-5D, EQ VAS, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The sample consisted of 40.0% male and 60.0% female individuals. The majority (61.6%) received weekly visits, mainly from community health agents, who were responsible for the majority of the care (45%). Positive considerations were highlighted, with 36.6% emphasizing the contribution to treatment continuity. The EQ VAS assessment indicated a moderately good perception of health. The EQ-5D analysis revealed significant differences between genders in personal care (p = 0.04). There were significant differences between clinical characteristics and EQ-5D dimensions, such as neoplasia and reduced mobility (p = 0.04), and arthritis/osteoarthritis/rheumatism and a limitation in common activities (p = 0.01). The presence of anxiety/depression was significant in cases of neoplasia (p = 0.006), arthritis/osteoarthritis/rheumatism (p = 0.01), and stroke (p = 0.04). The logistic regression analysis showed associations between usual activities and arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatism (p = 0.034), pain/malaise and arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatism (p = 0.038), and anxiety/depression and stroke (p= 0.028). The average MMSE scores (17.52) suggested a mild cognitive impairment, with no statistical differences between genders. Based on these results, it can be concluded that home care can provide a comprehensive approach and continuous assistance, emphasizing the importance of personalized care based on perceived and clinical differences.

Manual dexterity in dentistry: Development and evaluation of a preclinical training program.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the effect of a manual dexterity training program on manual dexterity, perception of self-confidence, quality of cavity preparations, and ergonomic work posture of dental students prior to preclinical training. METHODS: Students in the first year of the undergraduate dentistry program (N = 63) participated in this study. The program consisted of eight phases in which students performed different types of activities. The dependent variables were: manual dexterity assessed by the modified Dental Manual Dexterity Assessment; self-confidence to perform a preclinical procedure using the VAS scale; quality of Class I cavity preparation; angular deviation from the neutral position of the neck, trunk, wrist and distance between the student's eyes and the mannequin's tooth. These variables were evaluated at two different times: before and after the application of the program. The independent variable was the preclinical manual dexterity training program. After meeting the assumption of normality, the paired t-Student test was performed, the significance level was 5%. RESULTS: The results showed a statistically significant difference in relation to manual dexterity (p < 0.001), self-confidence (p < 0.001), quality of cavity preparations (p < 0.001), distance from the eyes of the student/mannequin (p < 0.001), deviation angle of the neutral position of the trunk (p = 0.007) and wrists (p < 0.001), with better results in posttraining. CONCLUSION: It was possible to conclude that, in general, the proposed training positively influenced the self-confidence, dexterity, quality of work, and ergonomics of the evaluated students.

Virtual reality in oral hygiene instruction: an immersive approach / Realidad virtual en la enseñanza de la higiene bucal: un enfoque inmersivo

Abstract Currently, oral health issues are increasingly been addressed and virtual reality (VR) is being used as an aid in health areas. However, there is little evidence of VR being used in preventing oral health problems. To evaluate the effectiveness of VR in oral hygiene education. Three hundred pupils, aged between 9 and 12 years, received instructions in oral hygiene by immersion VR and they gave their opinions about the performed activities. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were applied, with a significance level of 5%. Part perception of oral hygiene showed no statistically significant difference (P>0.550). There was an increase in the use of dental floss (P<0.001), tongue brushing (P<0.001), and tooth brushing (P<0.001). Both drawings and comments made by participants related to oral hygiene were positive regarding the project. Conclusions: The use of VR in oral hygiene instruction was effective. Most participants increased brushing and flossing frequency and produced drawings related to oral hygiene. VR is effective and should be used in dentistry for teaching and prevention , especially with children, as it presents an interactive instructional space that can be approached in a playful way. This study presents dentists with a promising alternative for changing oral hygiene habits.

Resumen Actualmente, los problemas de salud bucal se abordan cada vez más y la realidad virtual (RV) se utiliza como ayuda en las áreas de salud. Sin embargo, hay poca evidencia de que la RV se utilice para prevenir problemas de salud bucal. Evaluar la efectividad de la RV en la educación en higiene bucal. Trescientos alumnos, con edades comprendidas entre los 9 y los 12 años, recibieron instrucciones en higiene bucal por inmersión VR y opinaron sobre las actividades realizadas. Se aplicaron las pruebas de Chi-cuadrado y exacta de Fisher, con un nivel de significancia del 5%. La percepción parcial de la higiene bucal no mostró diferencias estadísticamente significativas (P>0,550). Hubo un aumento en el uso de hilo dental (P<0,001), cepillado de la lengua (P<0,001) y cepillado de dientes (P<0,001). Tanto los dibujos como los comentarios de los participantes relacionados con la higiene bucal fueron positivos con respecto al proyecto. Conclusiones: El uso de la RV en la instrucción de higiene bucal fue eficaz. La mayoría de los participantes aumentaron la frecuencia de cepillado y uso del hilo dental y produjeron dibujos relacionados con la higiene bucal. La realidad virtual es eficaz y debe utilizarse en odontología para la enseñanza y la prevención, especialmente con los niños, ya que presenta un espacio educativo interactivo que se puede abordar de manera lúdica. Este estudio presenta a los odontólogos una alternativa prometedora para cambiar los hábitos de higiene bucal.

In Vitro Evaluation of Acellular Collagen Matrices Derived from Porcine Pericardium: Influence of the Sterilization Method on Its Biological Properties.

The aim of this study were characterize acellular collagen matrices derived from porcine pericardium (PP) and to evaluate their properties after sterilization by ethylene oxide and gamma ray. PP matrices were subjected to alkaline hydrolysis (AH), and samples were characterized for biological stability, membrane thickness measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Subsequently, the matrices were frozen, lyophilized and sterilized by ethylene oxide or gamma radiation. For in vitro assays, CHO-K1 cell culture was used and evaluated for cytotoxicity, clonogenic survival assay, genotoxicity and mutagenicity. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used, followed by Dunnett's post-test, with a significance level of 5%. After AH, there was no significant change in matrix thickness. The relative biodegradability of the material after implantation was observed. Morphology and dimensions had small changes after AH. As for cell viability, none of the tested matrices showed a statistically significant difference (p > 0.05; Dunnett) regardless of the sterilization method. Furthermore, it was found that PP matrices did not interfere with the proliferation capacity of CHO-K1 cells (p > 0.05; Dunnett). As for genotoxicity, when sterilized with ethylene oxide (NP, P12 and P24), it showed genotoxic potential, but it was not genotoxic when sterilized by gamma radiation. No mutagenic effects were observed in either group. PP-derived collagen matrices hydrolyzed at different times were not cytotoxic. It is concluded that the best method of sterilization is through gamma radiation, since no significant changes were observed in the properties of the PP matrices.

Uso de la realidad virtual en odontología: revisión de literatura / Use of Virtual Reality in Dentistry: Literature Review

ABSTRACT: Virtual reality (VR) allows its application in different fields, such as healthcare. In dentistry, this technology has enormous potential, in the educational and clinical scope. Its applications are of increasing interest and importance in dentistry, especially in teaching, as it offers interactivity and high effectiveness in learning. In the treatment of phobia to dental treatments, this technology is also promising, since it shows satisfactory results and in the surgical area it has a high potential for complex treatments, allowing predictable and safe results. However, future studies should focus on establishing technological standards with high data quality and on the development of approved applications for the clinical routine. Thus, the objective of this literature review was to provide clarification on the knowledge and scientific development of VR in dentistry.

RESUMEN: La realidad virtual (RV) permite su aplicación en diferentes campos, como la asistencia sanitaria. En odontología, esta tecnología tiene un enorme potencial, en el ámbito educativo y clínico. Sus aplicaciones son de creciente interés e importancia en odontología, especialmente en la enseñanza, ya que ofrece interactividad y alta efectividad en el aprendizaje. En el tratamiento de la fobia a los tratamientos dentales, esta tecnología también es prometedora, ya que muestra resultados satisfactorios y en el área quirúrgica tiene un alto potencial para tratamientos complejos, permitiendo resultados predecibles y seguros. Sin embargo, los estudios futuros deberían centrarse en establecer estándares tecnológicos con alta calidad de datos y en el desarrollo de aplicaciones aprobadas para la rutina clínica. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de esta revisión de la literatura fue proporcionar aclaraciones sobre el conocimiento y el desarrollo científico de la RV en odontología.

Analysis of the Association of Foramen Cecum and Dens in Dente in Maxillary Lateral Incisor.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of foramen cecum and dens in dente, and to verify the association of these structures in the maxillary lateral incisor (MLI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The presence of foramen cecum in the lingual surface of 110 MLI was verified, and the teeth were radiographed to observe the presence of dens in dente, being classified according to the literature. An association study between the presence of foramen cecum and dens in dente was performed using the Cramer's V and chi-square statistical tests. RESULTS: The association was statistically significant between the foramen cecum and the dens in dente. Concomitant presence was observed in 17.27%, being a high rate when compared with the presence of foramen cecum alone (9.09%) or dens in dente alone (8.18%). In addition, type I (minimal invagination, confined to the crown of the tooth and not extending beyond the level of the cementum-enamel junction) was the most frequent (82.14%). CONCLUSIONS: We emphasize the importance of alerting the dentist to the presence of a foramen cecum on the lingual surface of the MLI, as it is likely that dens in dente is usually of type I. Thus, the foramen cecum is a sign that can assist the dental surgeon in the discovery of dens in dente and clinical conduct to be taken.

Glass Ionomer Cement Modified by Resin with Incorporation of Nanohydroxyapatite: In Vitro Evaluation of Physical-Biological Properties.

Resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) has important properties. However, like other restorative materials, it has limitations such as decreased biocompatibility. The incorporation of nanoparticles (NP) in the RMGIC resulted in improvements in some of its properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical-biological properties of RMGIC with the addition of nanohydroxyapatite (HANP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Vitremer RMGIC was used, incorporating HANP by amalgamator, vortex and manual techniques, totaling ten experimental groups. The distribution and dispersion of the HANP were evaluated qualitatively by field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM-FEG). The evaluation of image porosity (SEM-FEG) with the help of imageJ. Cell viability 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazoline bromide (MTT) and cell morphology analyses were performed on MDPC-23 odontoblastoid cells at 24 and 72 h. RESULTS: It was possible to observe good dispersion and distribution of HANP in the samples in all experimental groups. The incorporation of 5% HANP into the vortex stirred RMGIC resulted in fewer pores. The increase in the concentration of HANP was directly proportional to the decrease in cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the use of a vortex with the incorporation of 5% HANP is the most appropriate mixing technique when considering the smallest number of pores inside the material. A higher concentration of HANP resulted in better cell viability, suggesting that this association is promising for future studies of new restorative materials.