A survey of the sociodemographic and educational characteristics of oral health technicians in public primary health care teams in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: To describe some sociodemographic and educational characteristics of oral health technicians (OHTs) in public primary health care teams in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed based on the telephone survey of a representative sample comprising 231 individuals. A pre-tested instrument was used for the data collection, including questions on gender, age in years, years of work as an OHT, years since graduation as an OHT, formal schooling, individual income in a month, and participation in continuing educational programmes. The descriptive statistic was developed and the formation of clusters, by the agglomerative hierarchy technique based on the furthest neighbour, was based on the age, years of work as an OHT, time since graduation as an OHT, formal schooling, individual income in a month, and participation in continuing educational programmes. RESULTS: Most interviewees (97.1%) were female. A monthly income of USD 300.00 to 600.00 was reported by 77.5% of the sample. Having educational qualifications in excess of their role was reported by approximately 20% of the participants. The median time since graduation was six years, and half of the sample had worked for four years as an OHT. Most interviewees (67.6%) reported having participated in professional continuing educational programmes. Two different clusters were identified based on the sociodemographic and educational characteristics of the sample. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian OHTs in public primary health care teams in the state of Minas Gerais are mostly female who have had little time since graduation, working experience, and formal schooling sufficient for professional practice.

[Responsibilities of oral health technician in the family health strategy in Minas Gerais, Brazil]. / Atribuições dos Técnicos em Saúde Bucal na Estratégia Saúde da Família em Minas Gerais, Brasil.

The scope of this article is to analyze the self-reporting of duties performed by the Oral Health Technicians in the State of Minas Gerais. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted through telephone interviews, with a representative sample of 231 workers. The descriptive analysis involved the calculation of proportions. It was found that 71.6% (95% CI, 64.4 to 77.5) performed coronal polishing, 63.2% (95% CI, 56.1 to 69.7) carried out scaling of dental calculus and 14.7% (95% CI, 10.3 to 15.4) inserted restorative materials. Regarding preventive/collective actions, 100% (95% CI, 97.6 to 100.0) participated in educational activities, 99% (95% CI, 96.1 to 99.8) demonstrated oral hygiene techniques, 96.6% (95% CI, 92.7 to 98.4) administrated topical fluoride, 77.9% (95% CI, 71.5 to 83.3) made home visits, and 96.6 % (95% CI, 92.7 to 98.4) performed collective actions, especially in schools. Oral Health Technicians have spent their more time on preventive/collective activities than on individual clinical care.

Miíase bucal e doença de Alzheimer: relato de caso clínico / Oral myiasis and Alzheimer disease: report of a clinical case

Miíase é uma afecção causada pela presença de larvas de moscas em órgãos e/ou tecidos do homem ou de outros animais vertebrados, sendo mais frequentemente observada em países tropicais. A ocorrência de miíase na cavidade bucal é rara. Dentre os fatores predisponentes, destacam-se a senilidade, o comprometimento neurológico e a halitose. Assim, pacientes com doenças neuro-degenerativas, como a doença de Alzheimer (DA), são mais propensos a adquirirem essa alteração. Este trabalho relata um caso de miíase bucal, acometendo um paciente de 67 anos de idade, com DA em fase avançada, totalmente dependente para as atividades de vida diária (AVD), residente em uma instituição de longa permanência (ILP). O paciente apresentava falta de selamento labial e resistência aos cuidados de higiene bucal. O diagnóstico foi estabelecido clinicamente com base na observação de sangramento na região anterior do palato, descolamento da mucosa bucal e presença de larvas. Foi prescrito o uso de ivermectina e o paciente foi hospitalizado para debridamento do tecido necrótico e remoção das larvas. Após a alta, os cuidadores foram orientados quanto ao uso de máscara pelo paciente, que não se mostrou efetiva, pois o paciente passou a mordê-la, levando a seu deslocamento e reinfestação por larvas. Após o tratamento da reinfestação, adotou-se o uso de cortinado como rotina. Pacientes com DA constituem um grupo de risco para miíase bucal, sendo necessário orientar cuidadores e familiares em relação aos cuidados odontológicos para a prevenção desta patologia. O principal tratamento para a alteração baseia-se na remoção mecânica das larvas e instituição do uso oral da ivermectina.

Myiasis isadiseasecausedby the presenceof fly larvaein the organs and/or tissuesof humans orothervertebrates, and is most oftenseen intropical countries.The occurrence ofmyiasisin the oral cavityis rare.Among thepredisposing factorsstand outsenility, neurological impairmentand halitosis. Thus, patients withneurodegenerative diseasessuch asAlzheimer's disease (AD) are more likely toacquirethis disorder.Thispaper reportsacase oforalmyiasis, involving a67-year old patientwith ADat an advanced stage, completely dependentfor activitiesof daily living(ADL), residing in along-term institution(ILP). The patient suffered from a lack of lip seal and resistance to oral hygiene care. Thediagnosis was clinically made,based on the observationof bleedingin the anteriorpalate, detachment of the oral mucosa andpresence oflarvae.We prescribedthe useof ivermectinand the patientwas hospitalized fordebridementof necrotic tissueand removalof the larvae.After hospital discharge, caregivers were orientedabout the use ofmasksby the patient, which was not effectivebecause the patientbegan tobite it,leading to its displacement andre-infestation bymaggots.After treatmentof re-infestation, it was adopted theroutineuse ofdrapery. AD patientsarearisk group fororal myiasis, beingnecessary to directcaregivers and family membersin relation tooral care to prevent this disease.The main treatmentfor the changeis based onmechanical removalof larvae andinstituting the useoforalivermectin.

Exploring professionalization among Brazilian oral health technicians.

Professional dental auxiliaries emerged in the early 20th century in the United States of America and quickly spread to Europe and other regions of the world. In Brazil, however, oral health technicians (OHTs), who occupy a similar role as dental hygienists, had a long journey before the occupation achieved legal recognition: Brazilian Law 11.889, which regulates this occupation in the country, was only enacted in 2008. The aim of this paper is to review the literature on the professionalization of OHTs, highlighting the triggering, limiting and conflicting aspects that exerted an influence on the historical progress of these professionals in Brazil. We have tested Abbott's and Larson's theory on professionalization, against the history of OHTs. A number of different dental corporative interests exerted an influence over professionalization, especially in discussions regarding the permissible activities of these professionals in the oral cavity of patients. With primary health care advances in Brazil, the importance of these professionals has once again come to the forefront. This seems to be a key point in the consolidation of OHTs in the area of human resources for health in Brazil.