Facial soft-tissue thickness in children: A study of a CTBC Brazilian sample.

As an auxiliary method in the process of human identification, forensic facial approximation (FFA) is an important tool for identifying unknown human bodies whose remains do not present the necessary traceability to any antemortem data collection. Specific characteristics are necessary when addressing children aged between 6 and 10 years, who have little sexual differentiation and a mixed dentition. Due to the chronology of eruption of the permanent second molars in this population, it is not possible to measure facial soft-tissue thickness (FSTT) from specific landmarks such as supra and infra M2. The objective of this research was to report the method for measuring the average FSTT of 32 landmarks adapting the method for adults replacing the landmarks at the upper and lower second molars (Supra M2 and Infra M2) in children up to 10 years of age for a measurement using the deciduous second molars as reference. We found statistical differences for some points, considering the variables of age and sex, but with a maximum difference of 2 mm, which allows the use of a single FSTT table. The deciduous teeth can replace the reference of the thicknesses at the supra and infra M2 landmarks. In addition to the new FSTT data for children in Brazil, we concluded that the proposed adaptation to the deciduous M2 points can be applied to obtain soft-tissue data for 32 facial points.

Facial soft tissue thickness in forensic facial reconstruction: Impact of regional differences in Brazil.

Forensic facial reconstruction aims to assemble and provide the appearance of a face over a skull, in order to lead to recognition of that individual, making possible the application of primary identification methods. The scientific literature presents facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT) tables for reference from a range of different geographic regions. However, the consensus on its importance or on how to use specific population data related to FSTT is not unanimous. Brazil is formed by geographic regions with diverse populations, which are reflected in facial features. This paper aimed to measure and compare FSTT of distinct Brazilian samples to ascertain the need for specific data sets for different regions. A specific protocol for cone beam computed tomography was used to standardize measurement, and it was applied in a sample of 101 subjects. The FSTT measurements of a Brazilian population from the Midwest Region was compared to a previous sample from Southeast, which was collected using the same protocol. High compatibility was observed when comparing the averages of FSTT among samples of these two different geographic regions. Regarding age groups, notable differences on the medium and inferior face were observed in females. Minor variances found are unlikely to affect the practice of forensic facial reconstruction. Facial features, such as eyes, lips, nose, and skin may also be relevant in the differentiation of people from these two areas in Brazil. Therefore, concerning the Southeast and Midwest Brazilian regions, the need to apply different data sets is unnecessary.

Sedentary behavior, unhealthy food consumption and dental caries in 12-year-old schoolchildren: a population-based study.

This study analyzed the association between sedentary behavior (SB), unhealthy food consumption, and dental caries amongst 12-year-old schoolchildren. An epidemiological survey was carried out in the five largest cities (> 80,000 inhabitants) of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Data were collected on decayed, missing and filled teeth index (DMFT), sociodemographic characteristics, SB, unhealthy food consumption, and water fluoridation status. The analysis was based on the theoretical framework established by J Sisson. Structural equation models were performed to test the association of dental caries experience with sociodemographic, contextual, and behavioral factors. The mean DMFT index in the five cities was 1.02 (95%CI: 0.39-1.66). Higher sedentary behavior (more than 2 hours/day) [standardized coefficient (SC) = 0.21 95%CI: 0.07-0.39] and higher unhealthy food consumption (more than 4 times/week) [SC = 0.23 (0.10-0.45)] were associated with higher DMFT index than their counterparts. Also, cities with fluoridated water were associated with lower DMFT index [SC = -0.85 (-1.20--0.50)]. Families who had a per capita income above the poverty line had a direct association with unhealthy food consumption [SC = -0.24 (-0.38--0.11)]. Unhealthy food consumption mediated the association of sedentary behavior on DMFT index [SC=0.07 (0.02-0.13)]. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the findings. Sedentary behavior mediated by unhealthy food consumption had a significant association with dental caries experience. Public policies must address transdisciplinary actions to reduce sedentary behavior and unhealthy food consumption and promote water fluoridation.

Development of a computer-aided design software for the quantitative evaluation of aesthetic damage.

Concerns associated with the assessment of aesthetic damage or injury raise critical difficulties, such as the scarcity of methodology and standardization that may result in fundamental precepts to establish impartial forms of compensation and aiming the total reparation of bodily injury. The complexity of the aesthetic damage evaluation is associated with the confluence of legal and technical perspectives and expert subjectivity while conducting examination and writing a report. Experts face additional difficulties associated with the objectivity while assessing aesthetic damage, independently on its location or expert skills, due to complex details observed in these lesions. Another situation in the clinical area, doctors (mainly plastic surgeons) and dentists could show the improvement or not, of the aesthetic condition to the patients. In health related areas, the use of information technology has contributed to increase the number of appropriate diagnoses, besides promoting quality, efficiency and satisfaction to health care providers. In order to make this assessment more objective, a technological tool was developed to aid experts in the evaluation of aesthetic damage and report elaboration. The objective was to develop computer-aided design software for aesthetic damage quantification/evaluation that is accessible via internet to be applied as a complementary report on body aesthetic damage. The software uses as a parameter the AIPE method, translated transculturally from Spanish to Portuguese and English. The present study allowed the construction of open access auxiliary software for the evaluation of corporal aesthetic damage. Its use is facilitated by intuitive and interactive filling, and the text may be customized by the user. It transforms the report into PDF and saves all evaluations already done in its own file. Information is encrypted for added security and confidentiality. The software is available on website at https://www.aestheticdamage.com.

Age estimation: Cameriere's open apices methodology accuracy on a southeast Brazilian sample.

Age estimation plays an important role in clinical and forensic dentistry. Cameriere's 2007 open apices method for age estimation was applied in a sample of 612 digital panoramic orthopantomographs from Brazilian subadult individuals of known age and sex. The sample was composed of 290 males and 322 females individuals aged between four and 16 years of age from São Paulo metropolitan area who had undertaken radiographs for clinical purposes. Participant's ethnicity data was not available. An open code computer-aided drafting software (ImageJ) was used to measure the variables according to the author's published guidelines. Subjects' age was firstly estimated under the application of the European formula (2007) showing under-estimation (-1.24yr). On the other hand, the linear regression analysis modeled for this specific population was able to explain 91.2% of the chronological age variation with a standard error of 0.91yr. Residual analyses confirmed independent errors and a normal distribution. In conclusion, the present results support Cameriere's method for age estimation in Brazilian subadults to be a reliable method, although correlations may vary between specific groups and, hence, specific formulae may be useful for an accurate prediction.

Differentiation between palatal rugae patterns of twins by means of the Briñón method and an improved technique

Palatal rugae patterns are anatomic structures considered unique to each person. Monozygotic twins present similarities, however, Rugoscopy in particular, may contribute to their individualization for forensic purposes. The aims of this study were: to study the palatal rugae classifications of Briñón; to propose improvements to facilitate use of this method, if pertinent; and to characterize palatal rugae in a sample of Brazilian monozygotic twins and singletons. Precise reproducibility of the two methods of Briñón, from 1982 and 2011, was prevented by poor intra-examiner agreement (70% and 13% respectively). Our proposed improvements to these methods, although preliminary, were associated with better results. The most common palatal rugae patterns were types A, M, and Q. Palatal rugae were confirmed to be unique to each individual, even in monozygotic twins. Furthermore, twins did not exhibit any special patterns that might facilitate their differentiation from singletons.

Differentiation between palatal rugae patterns of twins by means of the Briñón method and an improved technique

Abstract Palatal rugae patterns are anatomic structures considered unique to each person. Monozygotic twins present similarities, however, Rugoscopy in particular, may contribute to their individualization for forensic purposes. The aims of this study were: to study the palatal rugae classifications of Briñón; to propose improvements to facilitate use of this method, if pertinent; and to characterize palatal rugae in a sample of Brazilian monozygotic twins and singletons. Precise reproducibility of the two methods of Briñón, from 1982 and 2011, was prevented by poor intra-examiner agreement (70% and 13% respectively). Our proposed improvements to these methods, although preliminary, were associated with better results. The most common palatal rugae patterns were types A, M, and Q. Palatal rugae were confirmed to be unique to each individual, even in monozygotic twins. Furthermore, twins did not exhibit any special patterns that might facilitate their differentiation from singletons.

Prevalence and risk factors of non-carious cervical lesions related to occupational exposure to acid mists.

This study evaluates the prevalence and risk factors of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) in a Brazilian population of workers exposed and non-exposed to acid mists and chemical products. One hundred workers (46 exposed and 54 non-exposed) were evaluated in a Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador - CEREST (Worker's Health Reference Center). The workers responded to questionnaires regarding their personal information and about alcohol consumption and tobacco use. A clinical examination was conducted to evaluate the presence of NCCLs, according to WHO parameters. Statistical analyses were performed by unconditional logistic regression and multiple linear regression, with the critical level of p < 0.05. NCCLs were significantly associated with age groups (18-34, 35-44, 45-68 years). The unconditional logistic regression showed that the presence of NCCLs was better explained by age group (OR = 4.04; CI 95% 1.77-9.22) and occupational exposure to acid mists and chemical products (OR = 3.84; CI 95% 1.10-13.49), whereas the linear multiple regression revealed that NCCLs were better explained by years of smoking (p = 0.01) and age group (p = 0.04). The prevalence of NCCLs in the study population was particularly high (76.84%), and the risk factors for NCCLs were age, exposure to acid mists and smoking habit. Controlling risk factors through preventive and educative measures, allied to the use of personal protective equipment to prevent the occupational exposure to acid mists, may contribute to minimizing the prevalence of NCCLs.

Relations between oral health and work ability among administrative workers

To analyze the relationships between perceived oral health quality of life and work ability index. METHODS: The data regarding administrative workers of a private textile company in São Paulo - Brazil, included socio-demographic, occupational characteristics, self-perceived oral health OHIP 14 and self-perceived work ability index WAI. RESULTS: The response rate of the questionnaires was 75.20% and the reliability of the instruments Conbrach's alpha was 0.89 for OHIP 14 and 0.64 for WAI. Linear multiple regression analyses showed that OHIP 14 was associated with educational level p=0.009 and work ability index p=0.001 of workers, regardless of other variables. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed the importance of adopting oral health programs in private companies to improve oral health and work ability...

Prevalence and risk factors of non-carious cervical lesions related to occupational exposure to acid mists

This study evaluates the prevalence and risk factors of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) in a Brazilian population of workers exposed and non-exposed to acid mists and chemical products. One hundred workers (46 exposed and 54 non-exposed) were evaluated in a Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador – CEREST (Worker’s Health Reference Center). The workers responded to questionnaires regarding their personal information and about alcohol consumption and tobacco use. A clinical examination was conducted to evaluate the presence of NCCLs, according to WHO parameters. Statistical analyses were performed by unconditional logistic regression and multiple linear regression, with the critical level of p < 0.05. NCCLs were significantly associated with age groups (18-34, 35-44, 45-68 years). The unconditional logistic regression showed that the presence of NCCLs was better explained by age group (OR = 4.04; CI 95% 1.77-9.22) and occupational exposure to acid mists and chemical products (OR = 3.84; CI 95% 1.10-13.49), whereas the linear multiple regression revealed that NCCLs were better explained by years of smoking (p = 0.01) and age group (p = 0.04). The prevalence of NCCLs in the study population was particularly high (76.84%), and the risk factors for NCCLs were age, exposure to acid mists and smoking habit. Controlling risk factors through preventive and educative measures, allied to the use of personal protective equipment to prevent the occupational exposure to acid mists, may contribute to minimizing the prevalence of NCCLs.

Urgência odontológica e prevalência da automedicação na população economicamente ativa de uma micro-área da cidade de São Paulo / Urgent dental care and self medication in the economic active population of a delimited urban area of São Paulo

O presente estudo propôs-se a pesquisar aspectos relacionados à automedicação que precede o atendimento público de urgência odontológica, na população em idade economicamente ativa de uma micro-área urbana da Cidade de São Paulo-SP. Foram analisados dados primários obtidos através de entrevista assistida junto aos usuários do Serviço de Urgências Odontológicas da Faculdade de Odontologiada Universidade de São Paulo entre setembro de 2007 e março de 2008. O protocolo de pesquisa deste estudo foi submetido ao Comitê de Ética em Pesquisada Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de São Paulo e foi aprovado pelo parecer 75/2007. Buscou-se investigar as medidas de associação existentes entre determinantes sociodemográficos, ocupacionais e comportamentais (enquanto variáveis independentes) e o uso de automedicação (variável dependente). Os dados foram tratados estatisticamente pelo programa SPSS 13, negando-se as hipóteses experimentais para valores de p maiores que 0,05 (NC 95%). Os resultados indicaram que 85,6% dos participantes haviam feito uso preliminar de medicamentos. Dentre os que os utilizaram, 73,6% praticaram automedicação. Observou-se maior prevalência não só na faixa etária compreendida entre 17 e 44 anos, como também entre os participantes com atividade remunerada. Foram observadas associações positivas quando houve: a) maior lapso de tempo entre a percepção do problema e a procura pelo cuidado profissional; b) maior grau de interferência da condição bucal nas ocupações diárias; c) jornada de trabalho igual ou superior a 40 horas semanais. Tais resultados indicam que é significativa a influência de determinantes ocupacionais na prática da automedicação que precede o atendimento de urgências odontológicas. Além disso, essa pesquisa reforça a importância de sensíveis melhorias nas políticas e práticas de educação, monitoramento e promoção de saúde bucal. Entendemos que tais medidas ...

This work aims at studying the issue of self medication that precedes the public dental urgent care, within the economically active population of a metropolitan microarea of São Paulo. The primary data were obtained through assisted interview with users of the Urgent Care Section of the University of São Paulo Faculty of Dentistry, between September 2007 and March 2008. The study, approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of São Paulo Faculty of Dentistry report 75/2007, focused on the connection between demographic, occupational and behavioural factors (as independent variables) and self medication (dependent variable). The data were processed with the SPSS 13 software, assuming the null hypothesis for p values higher than 0.05 (CI 95%). The results indicated that 85.6% of the participants had previously used medicines 73.6% of them by self medication (65.6% of the whole sample). A larger prevalence of self medication was observed within the group between 17 and 44 years of age, and those with some kind of paid activity. Positive associations were observed when it happened: a) a larger time period between the perception of the problem and the search for professional care; b) a larger degree of interference of the oral condition onto the occupational practice; c) weekly labourjourney equal or higher than 40 hours. Such results indicate that occupational factors do significantly influence on self-medication preceding urgent dental care. Moreover, this research emphasises the importance of improvements in educational practices, monitoring and oral health promotion. It is believed that such measures will...

Análise dos afastamentos do trabalho por motivo odontológico em servidores públicos municipais de São Paulo submetidos à perícia ocupacional no período de 1996-2000 / Analysis of sick leave due to oral and maxillofacial affections and correlated problems on municipal civil servers of São Paulo, submitted to occupational expertise in the period of 1996-2000

Teve-se por objetivo investigar a prevalência, a incidência e o tempo médio de afastamento do trabalho por motivos odontológicos, segundo as variáveis de interesse para a área de Saúde, realizada por grupo nosológico e de acordo com a Classificação Internacional de Doenças e Problemas Relacionados à Saúde - CID 10 - OMS 1993. O trabalho utiliza metodologia de pesquisa quantitativa em dados secundários, advindo dos registros de perícias ocupacionais administrativas realizadas no Departamento Médico da Secretaria Municipal da Administração de São Paulo no período entre dezembro de 1996 e dezembro de 2000. Os resultados indicaram maior prevalência sobre o gênero feminino, média etária de 42,2 anos, mínima de 20 anos e máxima de 69 anos, com desvio padrão de 9,2 e coeficiente de variação de 21%. Observou-se, no estudo de proporções, maior freqüência na faixa etária de 20 a 29 anos e menor freqüência na faixa de 60 a 69 anos. Apurou-se, como medida de tendência central, um tempo médio por afastamento de 5,4 dias com desvio padrão de 5,3 e coeficiente de variação de 97% - mínimo 0 (negado o pedido) e máximo de 60 dias. Segundo a freqüência, os 5 primeiros motivos foram: 1) Exodontias por via alveolar (24,94%); 2) Doenças da polpa e tecidos periapicais (17,81%); 3) Doenças periodontais (10,75%); 4) Transtornos das articulações têmporo-mandibulares (7,68%); e 5) Exodontias de inclusos ou impactados (6,88%). As solicitações de afastamentos do trabalho por motivo odontológico na população estudada, foram sensíveis, segundo o estudo em proporções, ao gênero e à faixa etária. Condições agudas ou de pós-operatório foram as causas mais freqüêntes. Condições crônicas representaram, no entanto, maior impacto no total de dias de afastamento.