Knowledge, attitude and behaviour regarding hepatitis C virus infection amongst Brazilian dental students.

AIM: Dental health professionals, including dental students, are at high risk of exposure to infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) through occupational percutaneous injuries and eye exposure. Further, fear of HCV infection is associated with discriminatory attitudes. The current study aimed to evaluate the knowledge about HCV infection amongst dental students and their attitudes towards patients infected with HCV. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst 340 Brazilian dental students from two public universities using an instrument containing information regarding demographic characteristics, knowledge of HCV and attitudes towards patients with HCV infection. Descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact test, Student's t-tests, Mann-Whitney U-test and multiple logistic regression (MLR) were carried out (P < 0.05 was considered significant). RESULTS: Response rate was 90% (n = 306), and more than half (54%, n = 165) of participants had high knowledge level (above the mean); 97.7% (n = 299) demonstrated positive attitudes. MLR showed that high knowledge of dental students regarding HCV was substantially influenced by advancement in year of study (last year; P < 0.001) and type of university (federal; P = 0.049). Positive attitude towards HCV-infected patients was mainly influenced by age (P = 0.004) and male gender (P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated a satisfactory knowledge about HCV infection amongst dental students, but some gaps were observed, suggesting the importance of continuous education about HCV in this population to prevent HCV infection as well as discrimination and prejudice towards patients with hepatitis C.

Analysis of association between posterior crossbite, median line deviation and facial asymmetry / Análisis de la asociación entre mordida cruzada posterior, desviación de la línea mediana y asimetría facial

Facial asymmetry is a common human characteristic and can occur on many levels, originate of genetic factors, and can be caused by traumas or due to cross bite and/or muscular disability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between posterior crossbite, median line deviation and facial asymmetry. For this study 70 children aged between 3 and 10 years-old were examined and photographed. Using Microsoft Office Power Point 2007, horizontal lines and one vertical line on median line were drawn, to subjectively analyze facial discrepancies. In relation to overjet, the majority of children (78.6%) showed normal relation, followed by high overjet (17.1%), anterior crossbite (4.3%). In relation to overbite, the majority of children (60%) showed normal relation, 27.1% anterior opened bite (negative overbite), and 12.9% showed high overbite. Posterior crossbite was present in 27.1% of children. Among them, 68.4% showed unilateral crossbite on right side, 21.1% bilateral crossbite and 10.5% unilateral crossbite on left side. The relation between posterior crossbite and facial asymmetry, according to Fisher´s Exact Test (p=0.0970), there was no statistically significant association. In relation to median line, the association was statistically significant with posterior crossbite (p=0.0109) and with facial asymmetry (p=0.0310). There was association between posterior crossbite and median line deviation. There was no association between posterior crossbite and facial asymmetry

La asimetría facial es una característica humana común que puede ocurrir en diferentes niveles, originarse por factores genéticos, ser causada por traumas o mordida cruzada como resultado o discapacidad muscular. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la relación entre la mordida cruzada posterior, desviación de la línea mediana y asimetría facial. Fueron evaluados 70 niños entre 3 y 10 años de edad mediante examen clínico y fotográfico. Utilizando Microsoft Power Point Office 2007, se dibujaron líneas horizontales y una línea vertical en la línea mediana, para analizar subjetivamente las diferencias faciales. En relación con el resalte, la mayoría de los niños (78,6%) mostró relación normal, seguido por un resalte aumentado (17,1%) y mordida cruzada anterior (4,3%). En relación con la sobremordida, la mayoría de los niños (60%) mostró relación normal, 27,1% una mordida abierta anterior (sobremordida negativa) y 12,9% mostró una sobremordida aumentada. La mordida cruzada posterior estuvo presente en 27,1% de los niños. Entre ellos, el 68,4% presentaba mordida cruzada unilateral del lado derecho, 21,1% mordida cruzada bilateral y el 10,5% mordida cruzada unilateral en el lado izquierdo. No hubo asociación estadísticamente significativa entre la mordida cruzada posterior y asimetría facial según la prueba exacta de Fisher (p=0,0970). En relación a la línea mediana, se observo una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre mordida cruzada posterior (p = 0,0109) y asimetría facial (p=0,0310). Existe asociación entre la mordida cruzada posterior y la desviación de línea mediana. No hubo asociación entre la mordida cruzada posterior y asimetría facial

Risk factors in the mother-child relationship that predispose to the development of early childhood caries.

AIM: This study focused on the risk factors in mother-child relationship that predispose babies to the development of dental caries. METHODS: A prospective cohort study with 80 mother-child pairs was conducted. The mothers responded at 12, 18 and 30 months after their children's birth, to questions about variables related to diet, sucking habits, and oral care. Children were clinically examined to verify caries lesions (white spot lesions or cavitation). Data were analysed using Chi squared or Fisher's exact tests. The significance level was set at 5%. RESULTS: Of the total, 3.75% showed cavitated lesions after 18 months; 6.25 and 45% had spot white lesions, respectively, at 18 and 30 months. The cariogenic diet was high at 12 (63.75%) and 30 (88.75%) months. Good oral hygiene was present in a minority of children at 12 months (46.25%), but increased at 30 months (65%), helping to prevent cavities and white spot lesions over this period (p = 0.0005). The variables of the blocks sucking habits and diet were not associated with caries. CONCLUSION: The lack of oral care in children was a risk factor for dental caries development.

Dental students' knowledge of ergonomic postural requirements and their application during clinical care.

AIM: To examine how much final-year undergraduate dental students know about postural dental ergonomic requirements, and how well they apply these requirements clinically. BACKGROUND: Dentists are vulnerable to diverse mechanical (e.g. postural) and non-mechanical occupational risks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight postural requirements found in normalising documents were identified, reproduced, photographed, and analysed to develop a test of visual perception (TVP). Photographs of the 69 participating students were taken during their clinical care to ascertain ergonomics compliance, after which the students were administered the TVP. Pearson's test was used to correlate the level of knowledge (TVP) and its clinical application (photographic analysis) among the 552 observations made for each test (total of 1104 observations). RESULTS: 65.7% of the TVP questions were answered correctly and 35% of the photographic cases were in compliance with ergonomic requirements (+ 0.67, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The knowledge of ergonomics postural requirements and their clinical application among the dental students surveyed were not satisfactory. The reasons for the learning difficulties encountered by the students should be identified to improve the learning process. The didactic use of digital images in this study may help in this endeavour.

Evaluación de las metodologías de enseñanza-aprendizaje de la bioética en las facultades de odontología brasileñas / Evaluation of teaching-learning methods of bioethical on Brazilian dental schools

Introducción. La bioética está presente en la odontología y en las otras áreas de la salud, tanto en las investigaciones científicas, que favorecen el progreso de la profesión, como en el propio tratamiento odontológico. Materiales y métodos. El estudio consiste en la evaluación de las metodologías de enseñanza-aprendizaje de la bioética en las facultades de odontología brasileñas. La recolección de datos se realizó mediante cuestionarios semiestructurados enviados por correo electrónico y por correo postal. Se empleó el análisis de contenido por la técnica de análisis de categorías, conforme a lo preconizado por Bardin. Resultados. Entre las 182 facultades de odontología activasen Brasil, apenas 57 (31,3%) presentaban en su malla curricular la asignatura de bioética. Se observó que la asignaturas e enseña generalmente de forma teórica (77,8%).Las principales formas de evaluación son: prueba escrita(100%) y seminarios y/o trabajo en grupo (75%). Apenas el6,4% de los profesores emplean referencias bibliográficas sobre bioética dirigidas específicamente a la odontología. La mayoría de los entrevistados (74,2%) consideró quela bioética se relaciona de forma directa o indirecta con todas las otras asignaturas. Con respecto a la importancia de la bioética en la formación del cirujano dentista, el64,7% apuntó a la relación profesional-paciente. Conclusión. La bioética presenta una metodología de enseñanza y prácticas de evaluación conservadoras, haciéndose necesarias otras metodologías dirigidas para la reflexión de los problemas actuales en el área de odontología, que contribuyen significativamente a la formación integral del cirujano dentista (AU)

Introduction. Bioethics is present in Dentistry and other health areas, as scientific research that results on profession progress, as in proper clinical attendance. The study consists on valuation of teaching-learning methods of Bioethical on Brazilian Dental Schools. Materials and methods. Data collect occurred by semi-structured questioners send by e-mail and correspondence. It was realized descriptive analysis of quantitative answers, and for qualitative answers, it was used content analysis, by categorical analysis technique in according to Bardin. Results. Among 182 Dental Schools actives in Brazil, only 57 (31.3%) showed bioethical discipline in its curricular grid. It was observed the discipline is teaching on theoretical form (77.8%). Principal forms of evaluation are: writing prove (100%) and seminaries (75%). Just 6.4%of professors use bibliographic references about bioethical faced to Odontology specifically. The majority of interviewed person (74.2%) considered that bioethics is related on the direct and indirect form with all others disciplines. In relation to importance of Bioethical on dental surgeon formation,64.7% emphasized it in professional-patient relation. Conclusion. The Bioethics show teaching and practice method of conserver evaluation, and so, it’s necessary others methods directed to reflection of actual problems in odontology area that contribute significantly on integral formation of dental surgeon (AU)

Evaluation of toothbrush bristles' deterioration used by preschool children.

The toothbrush is an effective instrument for oral diseases prevention. The flexibility and status of bristles, as well as the size of the handle are fundamental for an effective toothbrushing. Thus, the assessment of physical characteristics of toothbrushes is important. This study evaluated the deterioration and wear of bristles of toothbrushes used by preschool children. For the sample selection, five elementary schools were assorted from a city of the São Paulo State northwest region, one from each city area. All toothbrushes used by preschool children who aged between 5 and 6 years old and who attended the assorted schools were visually analysed by two calibrated examiners, according to the criteria proposed by Rawls HR, Mkwayi-Tulloch NJ, Casella R, Cosgrove R (J Dent Res 1989; 12:1781): 0 - it is impossible to state if the toothbrush was used or not; 1 - the bristles seem to be separated within some tufts; 2 - most tufts are separated, many cover other tufts and present a large number of curved and inclined bristles; 3 - most tufts are covered by others and bristles are folded and tipped. In total, 333 toothbrushes were evaluated. The data obtained revealed that 57.96% of the toothbrushes presented adequate condition for utilization (scores 0 and 1), whereas 42.04% presented inadequate bristles for their function (scores 2 and 3). It was concluded that a great number of toothbrushes presented deterioration of the bristles. Thus, there is the need to guide and promote awareness among teachers, parents and children as well as the need to replace toothbrushes.

El consentimiento informado en la clínica odontológica

El consentimiento informado (CI) es la aprobación del individuo expresada a él en lenguaje accesible, antes de empezar el tratamiento, teniendo como base sus aspectoséticos-legales el Código de Ética dontológica, Civil y Penal y la Resolución 196/96. Aunque sea importante como modo de protección judicial para el cirujano-dentista, difícilmente se utiliza en la clínica odontológica. Fue objeto de este estudio elevaluar el conocimiento y prácticas de los cirujanos-dentistas sobre el CI, verificarse la presentación y decisión del tratamiento propuestas al paciente y clase de documento utilizado por cirujanos-dentistas en la clínica odontológica. Los sujetos de esta encuesta eran todos cirujanos-dentistas del municipio de Lucélia, São Paulo, Brasil. Como instrumento de colecta de datos, se elaboró un cuestionario conteniendo 11 cuestiones discursivas y de elección múltiple, dividido en tres partes temáticas: el CI, el contrato de prestación de servicios y el plan de tratamiento. Para interpretación de cuestiones discursivas, fue preconizada la técnica de Análisis de Contenido. Los resultados sugieren que la mayoría de los cirujanos-dentistaspresenta deficiencia al que se refiere al conocimiento acerca del CI, mientras otrosdesconocen totalmente el tema. Su aplicación no se realiza de manera satisfactoria, yla autorización es el documento más utilizado en la clínica odontológica. El tratamiento a realizarse depende de la decisión conjunta del paciente y profesional, presentándoselo al cliente de manera clara. De esa manera, se hacen necesarias la sensibilización y capacitación de los profesionales para la práctica del CI como rutina en la clínica odontológica.