Assessing clinical simulation as a learning tool when training motivation skills in Periodontology-Students' perceptions.

INTRODUCTION: The prevention and long-term success of the treatment of periodontal diseases depend on patient compliance with oral health; thus, there is a need to alert and motivate them to control the disease. Clinical simulation emerges as a useful teaching strategy in the development of these clinical skills since it allows the replication of real situations interactively using a simulator or role-play. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate clinical simulation as a learning methodology in Periodontology, through students' perceptions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quantitative and descriptive study was developed with 51 students of an undergraduate dentistry degree. Data collection was done through a voluntary, anonymous and confidential survey. Students were asked to express their level of agreement with 27 items using a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5. Statistical analysis included measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, variability and frequency distribution. RESULTS: Students believe that clinical simulation contributes to an active participation of learners in their learning process, promoting the development of skills such as communication, priority management and decision-making. They also mention that debriefing is an essential moment of this process, in which the consolidation of knowledge and the structuring of thought are promoted. CONCLUSION: Students make a positive evaluation of clinical simulation, perceiving it as an effective learning methodology.

Influence of dialysis therapies on oral health: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health problem worldwide. Currently, the link between oral health status, dialysis modality, and dialysis vintage is still not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate periodontal disease, dental caries, and Candida colonization among patients under hemodialysis (HD) therapy, peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy, and PD with previous history of HD (HD/PD). METHOD AND MATERIALS: The clinical history, smoking, and oral hygiene habits were recorded. Decayed, missing, or filled teeth (DMFT) index, Visible Plaque Index (VPI), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing, saliva flow rate, saliva pH, and oral yeast colonization were assessed. RESULTS: HD/PD patients were generally submitted to longer periods of dialysis therapy than the other groups. The number of decayed and filled teeth did not differ between groups; HD patients presented a higher number of teeth, but poor periodontal status. Among the three groups, HD patients presented higher VPI, CAL, and oral Candida colonization, independently of the time under dialysis therapy. Candida albicans (HD and PD), Candida krusei (HD), and Candida carpophila (PD) were isolated in these patients. CONCLUSION: HD presented a more adverse impact on oral health than PD, particularly periodontal disease and oral Candida colonization; however, this impact on oral health appears to be reduced or ameliorated when patients change from HD to PD therapy.