Improving accuracy of early dental carious lesions detection using deep learning-based automated method.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of a convolutional neural network (CNN) in detecting healthy teeth and early carious lesions on occlusal surfaces and to assess the applicability of this deep learning algorithm as an auxiliary aid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2,481 posterior teeth (2,459 permanent and 22 deciduous teeth) with varying stages of carious lesions were classified according to the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). After clinical evaluation, ICDAS 0 and 2 occlusal surfaces were photographed with a professional digital camera. VGG-19 was chosen as the CNN and the findings were compared with those of a reference examiner to evaluate its detection efficiency. To verify the effectiveness of the CNN as an auxiliary detection aid, three examiners (an undergraduate student (US), a newly graduated dental surgeon (ND), and a specialist in pediatric dentistry (SP) assessed the acquired images (Phase I). In Phase II, the examiners reassessed the same images using the CNN-generated algorithms. RESULTS: The training dataset consisted of 8,749 images, whereas the test dataset included 140 images. VGG-19 achieved an accuracy of 0.879, positive agreement of 0.827, precision of 0.949, negative agreement 0.800, and an F1-score of 0.887. In Phase I, the accuracy rates for examiners US, ND, and SP were 0.543, 0.771, and 0.807, respectively. In Phase II, the accuracy rates improved to 0.679, 0.886, and 0.857 for the respective examiners. The number of correct answers was significantly higher in Phase II than in Phase I for all examiners (McNemar test;P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: VGG-19 demonstrated satisfactory performance in the detection of early carious lesions, as well as an auxiliary detection aid. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Automated detection using deep learning algorithms is an important aid in detecting early caries lesions and improves the accuracy of the disease detection, enabling quicker and more reliable clinical decision-making.

The influence of different dimensions of oral health literacy on parental attitudes and comprehension of an information leaflet about permanent tooth avulsion.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Permanent tooth avulsion requires proper management at the time of the accident and parental oral health literacy (OHL) may influence decision-making with regards to dental trauma. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of OHL on: (1) self-rated comprehension of an information leaflet (IL), (2) self-rated capacity to execute the tasks proposed on the IL, and (3) attitudes regarding the avulsion of a permanent tooth in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted involving the reading of an IL by 466 parents/caregivers. Evaluations were performed prior to the IL (Phase I), immediately after the application of the IL (Phase II) and 60 days after the application of the IL (Phase III). Self-rated comprehension and capacity to execute the proposed tasks were analyzed in Phase II. Attitude was evaluated in all three phases. Functional OHL was measured using the BREALD-30 and interactive OHL was measured using HeLD-14. RESULTS: Correlations were found between self-rated comprehension and both the OHL/BREALD-30 score (rs = 0.179; p = .012) and OHL/HeLD-14 score (r = 0.258; p < .001). Correlations were also found between the self-rated capacity to execute the proposed tasks and both the OHL/BREALD-30 score (rs = 0.133; p = .047) and the OHL/HeLD-14 score (rs = 0.225; p < .001). Higher BREALD-30 and HeLD-14 scores were associated with a better performance regarding parental attitudes toward permanent tooth avulsion comparing Phases I and II and Phases II and III (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of OHL were associated with better parental self-rated comprehension of the IL and the capacity to execute the tasks proposed therein as well as more adequate attitudes regarding the avulsion of a permanent tooth.

Are technology-based health education methods able to reduce oral health inequalities between the sexes in adolescents? A cluster randomized trial.

PURPOSE: Determine if different technology-based health education interventions can reduce oral health inequalities between the sexes in a sample of adolescents. METHODS: A cluster randomized clinical trial was conducted in three phases with an initial sample of 291 male and female adolescents 14-19 years of age. Phase I (n = 288) comprised a clinical examination performed by a calibrated examiner using the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S) and gingival bleeding index (GBI). Phase II involved two educational interventions: video (VD; n = 147) or oral counselling (OR; n = 141) with standardized content. In phase III, an App was made available to half of the clusters (OR + App; n = 66/OR without App; n = 71/VD + App; n = 63/VD without App; n = 63), and the clinical examination was performed a second time. Data were evaluated using descriptive analysis and nonparametric tests. RESULTS: In phase I, boys had a lower standard of oral hygiene compared with girls, with higher mean OHI-S (p = 0.039) and GBI (p = 0.015). After VD and OR interventions, no significant difference between sexes was found regarding the mean OHI-S. However, males had a higher mean GBI compared with females in the OR group (p = 0.006). When the App was added to OR and VD groups, males in the 'OR without App' group had a higher mean GBI compared with females (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: This clinical trial demonstrated that educational interventions involving information technologies were effective at reducing oral health inequalities between the sexes among adolescents. However, oral counselling alone was not efficient in reducing GBI in male adolescents.

Dental anxiety in schoolchildren with molar incisor hypomineralization-A population-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Identifying patients with high levels of DA helps to define the most adequate oral healthcare strategy, especially for pediatric patients. AIM: To investigate the association between parental reports of dental anxiety (DA) and molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) in schoolchildren. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a representative sample of 731 8-year-old schoolchildren from the city of Curitiba, Brazil, who were clinically examined (k ≥ 0.75) for the diagnosis of MIH and dental caries using the EAPD criteria and dmft/DMFT index, respectively. Parents/guardians reported children's DA using the Dental Anxiety Question (DAQ) and answered a self-administered structured questionnaire addressing socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Associations were evaluated using Poisson regression analysis with robust variance (P < 0.05). RESULTS: A significant association was found between DA and MIH (PR = 1.20; 95%CI: 1.01-1.42; P = 0.038), but this association lost its significance when adjusted for the other characteristics (PR = 1.13; 95%CI: 0.93-1.38; P = 0.215). Caries experience in primary teeth was associated with lower levels of DA (PR = 0.83; 95%CI: 0.71-0.96; P = 0.0013). The most recent visit to the dentist due to pain increased the levels of DA (PR = 1.18; 95%CI: 1.07-1.30; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of MIH in schoolchildren was not associated with parental reports of DA.

Impact of molar incisor hypomineralization on quality of life in children with early mixed dentition: A hierarchical approach.

BACKGROUND: Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is associated with unfavourable dental conditions such as dental caries and may consequently impact oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of MIH on OHRQoL in children with early mixed dentition. METHOD: A population-based cross-sectional study of 728 8-year-old children from the public school system in Curitiba, Brazil, was conducted. The Child Perception Questionnaire for 8- to 10-year-olds (CPQ8-10 ) was used to evaluate OHRQoL. MIH was diagnosed according to the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD) criteria. The assessments of MIH, dental caries, and malocclusion were performed by four calibrated examiners (κ ≥ 0.80). Demographic and socioeconomic data (DSE) were obtained from the children's parents/caregivers using a structured questionnaire. The analysis of OHRQoL determinants was performed through a three-level hierarchical approach: mesial (DSE), intermediate (clinical conditions), and distal (child's oral self-perception), using Poisson regression with robust variance (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The prevalence of MIH was 12.1% (95% CI: 10-15). An association was found between MIH and OHRQoL in the "oral symptoms" domain of the CPQ8-10 (PR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03-1.11, P < 0.001) after adjusting for other clinical variables and DSE. CONCLUSION: Molar incisor hypomineralization was associated with a greater impact on OHRQoL in children's oral symptoms.

Improving adolescents' periodontal health: evaluation of a mobile oral health App associated with conventional educational methods: a cluster randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a decisive period in the construction of new conduits. OBJECTIVE: The influence of an App associated with conventional educational methods in adolescents' oral health. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial including 291 participants (mean age = 16.1 years) in baseline. The study consisted of four phases. Interventions were evaluated through the knowledge score (KS) and oral indexes (OHI-S/GBI). KS was obtained through five affirmations about periodontal diseases applied in different moments (pre-test, post-test, and follow-up test). Phase I included pre-test and oral clinical examination. Sample was randomly divided into two groups: oral (OG) and video orientation (VG) and post-test (phase II). Phase III characterized the formation of groups: OG + App/OG without App/VG + App/VG without App. App consisted of reinforcement messages which was sent during 30 days. Phase IV comprised follow-up test and clinical evaluation. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in KS between OG/VG. Overall, App improved KS (P < 0.001). VG + App showed a significant increase in KS in the follow-up test compared to the post-test (P = 0.046). There was a significant reduction in oral indexes for all methods. CONCLUSION: App was effective in increasing knowledge, especially associated with video. The different methods were equally effective for a better standard in oral hygiene.

Association of parental attitudes at mealtime and snack limits with the prevalence of untreated dental caries among preschool children.

Eating behavior of parents exerts an influence on eating practices among their children, including the consumption of cariogenic products. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the snack limits established by parents/caregivers and the prevalence of untreated dental caries (UDC) among their children. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 686 children aged four and five years enrolled at public schools in the city of Curitiba, Brazil, and their parents/caregivers. The children were examined for dental caries and visible plaque. Parents/caregivers answered the Brazilian version of the Parent Mealtime Action Scale (PMAS). Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests and Poison regression analysis. The prevalence of UDC was 45.6%. The Snack Limits subscale of the PMAS was associated with a lower prevalence rate of UDC (PR: 0.83; 95%CI: 0.72-0.96), independently of the other variables. UDC was also associated with a greater prevalence of visible plaque (PR: 1.29; 95%CI: 1.08-1.54), a lower tooth brushing frequency (PR: 1.46; 95%CI: 1.22-1.77) and greater age of the child (PR: 1.31; 95%CI: 1.08-1.59). Snack limits established by parents/caregivers were associated to a lower prevalence rate of UDC among preschool children.

Oral Health Literacy and Retention of Health Information Among Pregnant Women: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effect of oral health literacy (OHL) on the retention of health information in pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 175 pregnant women were randomly assigned to standard oral (spoken), written and control intervention groups. With the exception of the control group, the interventions investigated the eating habits and oral hygiene among children under 2 years of age. The participants' answers before the interventions (pre-test), 15 min after the interventions (post-test) and 4 weeks after the interventions (follow-up test) were used to estimate the knowledge score (KS). Information acquisition was determined by comparing pre-test and post-test results, while retention of information was based comparing pre-test and follow-up test results. OHL was analysed by BREALD-30. The data were assessed by nonparametric tests and Poisson regression models with robust variance (α = 0.05). RESULTS: By the end of the follow-up period, 162 pregnant women had been assessed. The BREALD-30 mean was 22.3 (SD = 4.80). Regardless of the type of intervention, pregnant women with low OHL had lower knowledge scores in the three assessments. Participants with low OHL showed higher acquisition and retention of information in the standard oral health intervention. Multiple regression models demonstrated that OHL was independently associated with KS, age, socioeconomic status and type of intervention. CONCLUSION: The results suggest a negative effect of low OHL on retention of information. Only the standard, spoken oral health intervention could address the differences in literacy levels.

The Association of Oral Health Literacy and Oral Health Knowledge with Social Determinants in Pregnant Brazilian Women.

The aim of the present study was to assess oral health literacy (OHL) in pregnant women and its association with social determinants and knowledge regarding eating habits and oral hygiene in infants. This cross-sectional study assessed 175 pregnant women in a hospital in southern Brazil. Socioeconomic and demographic data were obtained using a questionnaire, and OHL was determined by the Brazilian Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (BREALD-30). Eating habits and oral hygiene knowledge were assessed by statements on a 3-point Likert scale. The data were analyzed using Spearman correlations and the Mann-Whitney U test (α = 0.05). The mean (SD) age was 26.2 (6.17) years. Most of the participants had up to 8 years of education (60.0 %) and belonged to socioeconomic class "C" or lower (56.0 %). The mean (SD) score on the BREALD-30 was 22.4 (4.66). A positive correlation was found between BREALD-30 scores and knowledge (r s  = 0.370, p < 0.001), income (r s  = 0.374, p < 0.001), and the age at which infants first consumed sugar in their diets (r s  = 0.370, p < 0.001). A negative correlation was found between BREALD-30 scores and domicile agglomeration (r s  = -0.237, p = 0.020). BREALD-30 scores were higher among pregnant women who had more than 8 years of education (p < 0.001), who belonged to higher socioeconomic classes (p < 0.001), and who were employed (p = 0.025). A significant correlation was found between OHL and knowledge. Lower social determinants were associated with lower OHL. Oral health literacy should be considered in health education practices to facilitate adherence to health recommendations in pregnant women.

Is oral health literacy associated with conceptions of care and behavior related to the prevention of COVID-19?

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of oral health literacy (OHL) on conceptions of care and behaviors related to COVID-19. The sample came from two preliminary cross-sectional studies that determined the level of OHL of parents/guardians of six-to-12-year-old children in two major Brazilian cities (Curitiba and Belo Horizonte). Functional OHL was measured using the Brazilian version of the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (BREALD-30) and the Health Literacy Dental Scale (HeLD-14) for the evaluation of interactive OHL. Participants were recruited through e-mail, social media, and telephone contact. The questionnaire on conceptions of care and behaviors related to COVID-19 was created based on the guidelines of the World Health Organization. Two hundred nineteen individuals participated in the study. There was no significant difference in socioeconomic and demographic variables and in the medians of BREALD and HeLD-14 between the two cities (P>0.05). Higher levels of functional OHL were associated with an appropriate conception that individual care affects collective care (P=0.038), but with an inappropriate conception of seeking medical assistance in cases of mild symptoms (P=0.030). Higher levels of interactive OHL were related to social distancing behavior in the city of Curitiba (P=0.049) and in the overall sample (P=0.040). It is concluded that functional OHL was associated with two of the investigated conceptions about COVID-19, while interactive OHL was associated with social distancing behavior. These data may suggest that different dimensions of the OHL can have an impact on different aspects of coping with the pandemic.

The Association of Developmental Dental Defects and the Clinical Consequences in the Primary Dentition: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies.

Purpose: Assess whether children with developmental defects of enamel (DDE) in primary teeth have a higher risk of having dental caries or a higher prevalence of clinical consequences due to the disease than those without DDE. Methods: Search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science™, Cochrane Library, LILACS, BBO, Embase databases and in gray literature. Three independent reviewers were involved in study selection, data extraction, and bias assessment. Risk of bias was evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. DDE and its subtypes (demarcated opacities, hypoplasia, hypomineralized second primary molars (HSPM), and fluorosis) were regarded as exposure. Dental caries and clinical consequences of untreated caries were also assessed. In the meta-analyses, odds ratio (OR) was used in the random effects model for dichotomous outcomes. Quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Results: The search yielded 5,750 studies, 39 of which were included in the systematic review and 20 in the meta-analysis. The risk of bias ranged from 4 to 9 points. Children with DDE were more prone to primary tooth caries (OR=2.79; 95% CI:1.29-6.03), and so were those with demarcated opacities (OR=1.75; 95% CI:1.09-2.78), hypoplasia (OR=2.84; 95% CI:1.73-4.67), and HSPM (OR=2.89; 95% CI:1.65-5.06). Fluorosis was not associated with caries (OR=1.39; 95% CI:0.97-1.98). Regarding tooth as a unit of analysis, DDE was highly associated with caries (OR=2.34; 95% CI:1.74-3.16). As for the clinical consequences of caries, only the qualitative analysis was conducted and there was no consensus in the studies. Conclusion: DDE is associated with higher primary tooth caries experience.

Different dimensions of oral health literacy are associated with social determinants of health in Brazilian adults.

Social determinants of health (SDH) are strongly associated with oral health outcomes, and oral health literacy (OHL) is a potential factor that can modify this association. This study evaluated the association between SDH and OHL, including functional and interactive dimensions of OHL. The cross sectional study was conducted with 354 adults recruited from public dental clinics in southern Brazil. Functional OHL was measured using the Brazilian version of the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (BREALD-30) and the Health Literacy Dental Scale (HeLD-14), for the evaluation of interactional OHL. SDH was evaluated through a structured questionnaire, and economic class was determined based on the Brazilian Economic Classification Criteria. The statistical analysis involved bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression with robust variance (α=0.05) to estimate rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Among the 354 participants, 284 (80.2%) were women and the mean age was 22.9 ± 4.9 years. The median BREALD-30 score was 24 (1st/3rd quintile: 20/27) and the median HeLD-14 score was 45 (1st/3rd quintile: 37/50). Most participants had up to eight years of schooling (71.5%) and belonged to the "C" Economic Class or lower (94.1%). The multiple regression analysis showed that schooling and economic class were associated with the BREALD-30 and HeLD-14 scores, income and age were associated with the HeLD-14 score, and marital status and occupation were associated with the BREALD-30 score. Different dimensions of OHL were associated with SDH in Brazilian adults. This aspect should be incorporated into strategies for improving OHL levels in individuals or populations.

Are Information Technologies Capable of Stimulating the Use of Dental Floss by Adolescents? A Cluster Randomised Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: To analyse the effect of information technologies on improving the frequency of the use of dental floss among adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomised, controlled clinical trial was conducted with 291 adolescents (mean age: 16.1 years) in three phases. Phase I involved the application of a questionnaire and clinical examinations using the simplified Oral Hygiene Index and gingival bleeding index. In phase II, the adolescents were randomly allocated to four groups: oral counseling (OR) and the use of an application (App) for smartphones; OR without the app; video (VD) and app; and VD without app. Messages were set through the app for 30 days. Phase III involved the second administration of the questionnaire and clinical examination. The frequency of dental floss use was evaluated in phases I and III. The groups were categorised into the use of technology (VD and/or App) and non-use of technology (OR alone). RESULTS: Statistically significant reductions in the clinical indices were found with all educational methods (p < 0.005) and improvements were found in the use of dental floss (p < 0.001). Moreover, information technologies were associated with an improvement in the frequency of dental floss use (p < 0.033). CONCLUSION: All methods were effective at improving clinical indicators. The use of information technologies can be considered an effective tool for improving dental floss use among adolescents.

MOLAR INCISOR HYPOMINERALIZATION AND CELIAC DISEASE.

BACKGROUND: Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a developmental enamel defect with multifactorial etiology. Although the relationship between celiac disease (CD) and developmental enamel defect was demonstrated, the association between CD and MIH is uncertain. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the occurrence of MIH in CD patients. METHODS: Forty CD patients and a control group with 40 healthy individuals were selected. A calibrated examiner (k≥0.889) according to the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry criteria performed the diagnosis of MIH. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Fischer's exact test (α=0.05). RESULTS: Of the 80 participants, ten presented MIH with eight individuals with CD. Celiac patients presented 4.75 times the chance of occurrence of MIH than the control group (95% CI: 2.22-10.18; P=0.044). In all the evaluated teeth (n=978), 22 had MIH: 20 teeth in individuals with CD and two in those without the disease. All CD participants with MIH presented the classic form of the disease. CD participants showed 17 teeth (85.0%) with demarcated opacities, two (10.0%) post-eruptive collapses and one (5.0%) atypical restoration. The control group presented only demarcated opacities. CONCLUSION: CD increased the chance of MIH and associated with its clinical manifestations can assist in the diagnosis of CD.

Urgency and discontinuity of oral health care in children and adolescents. / Urgência e descontinuidade do cuidado em saúde bucal de crianças e adolescentes.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the discontinuity of oral health care among children and adolescents who accessed emergency services at primary care units and urgent care units. Records were reviewed of patients aged 0 to 17 years treated in the public healthcare system in city of Curitiba, Brazil. Discontinuity was considered when elective treatment was not registered at the primary care unit within six months after urgent care. The sample was stratified based on the Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI) (≤0.799 or ≥0.800). The association between discontinuity and covariables was assessed using univariate and multivariate Poisson regression models with robust variance (α=0.05). The incidence of discontinuity was 42.2%. In the MHDI≤0.799 stratum, the risk of discontinuity was greater among children younger than five years of age and individuals who had not had a dental appointment in the previous year. In both MHDI strata, the risk of discontinuity was higher in patients who received urgent care at an urgent care unit than those treated at a primary care unit. The incidence of the discontinuity of oral health care was high and was strongly influenced by the characteristics of dental service utilization among individuals living in regions with a lower MHDI.

Systemic Exposures Associated with Hypomineralized Primary Second Molars.

Purpose: Hypomineralized primary second molars (HPSMs) are clinically represented by demarcated opacities in the enamel, involving from one to four primary second molars. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the systemic exposures associated with hypomineralized primary second molars. Methods: A representative population-based sample of 731 eight-year-old children was randomly selected. Data on systemic exposures were collected via a structured questionnaire given to the children's mothers. The HPSMs were clinically assessed by calibrated examiners according to the modified-DDE (developmental defects of enamel) index and European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry criteria. Associations were analyzed by Poisson multiple regression considering a temporal hierarchical approach. Results: The prevalence of HPSMs was 9.4 percent (95 percent confidence interval equals 7.0 to 12.0 percent). Children whose mothers presented with hypertension were found with an Adjusted Prevalence ratio (PRa) of 1.73 (P=0.044) and mothers who used tobacco (PRa equals 2.44; P=0.001) during pregnancy had a significantly higher prevalence of HPSMs. The presence of complications during delivery (PRa equals 1.83; P=0.032) and the occurrence of otitis media during early childhood (PRa equals 1.68; P=0.043) also presented a higher prevalence of HPSMs. Conclusion: The use of tobacco, presence of hypertension, complications during delivery, and otitis media during the first years of a child's life are associated with a higher prevalence of hypomineralized primary second molars. (Pediatr Dent 2019;41(5):364-70).

Demarcated opacity in primary teeth increases the prevalence of molar incisor hypomineralization.

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and its relationship with the number of primary teeth with developmental defects of enamel (DDE). A representative population-based sample of 731 schoolchildren was randomly selected from the public school system in Curitiba, Brazil. Schoolchildren aged 8 years with fully erupted permanent first molars and incisors were eligible for the study. MIH and DDE were classified by four calibrated examiners (kappa > 0.75) according to EAPD criteria and to the FDI-modified DDE index. Clinical data were collected in a school environment. Socioeconomic information was collected through a self-administered semistructured questionnaire applied to the children's caregivers. Statistical analyses were carried out using Poisson multiple regression with robust variance (α = 0.05). MIH prevalence was 12.1% (95%CI: 10-15), and opacities were the most prevalent defect. Socioeconomic factors were not associated with MIH. Children with demarcated opacity in primary teeth presented a higher prevalence of MIH than those without DDE in primary teeth. In the multiple analysis, the increase of one primary tooth affected by demarcated opacity increased the prevalence of MIH by 33% (PR = 1.33, 95%CI: 1.15-1.53, p < 0.001). Asian children had a higher prevalence of MIH (PR = 2.91, 95%CI: 1.08-8.09 p = 0.035) than did Caucasian children.Conclusion: Based on these findings, the prevalence of MIH in Curitiba was 12.1%. Demarcated opacity in primary teeth could be considered a predictor of MIH.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of systemic exposure associated with molar incisor hypomineralization.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate systemic exposures associated with molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH). METHODS: This systematic review was performed using published observational studies that evaluated the systemic exposures associated with MIH. The sources of articles searched were PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, BBO, Cochrane Library and Grey literature. The risk of bias was analysed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for quality assessment. The meta-analysis was performed considering the exposures during the prenatal, perinatal and postnatal periods using the CMA software. RESULTS: A total of 4207 articles were identified. Twenty-nine studies were eligible for inclusion and 27 were included in the meta-analysis. The studies presented low and moderate risks of bias, except for one that was classified as having a high risk of bias. Maternal illness during pregnancy (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.18-1.65, P < 0.0001) and psychological stress (OR = 2.65; 95% CI 1.52-4.63; P = 0.001) was observed to be significantly associated with higher odds of MIH. During the perinatal period, caesarean delivery (OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.11-1.57, P = 0.001) and delivery complications (OR = 2.06; 95% CI 1.47-2.88, P < 0.0001) were also associated with MIH. In the postnatal period, only respiratory diseases (OR = 1.98; 95% CI 1.45-2.70, P < 0.0001) and fever (OR = 1.50; 95% CI 1.22-1.84; P < 0.0001) were associated with higher prevalence of MIH. The evidence was graded as very low quality. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal illness, psychological stress, caesarean delivery, delivery complications, respiratory diseases and fever during the first years of a child's life were significantly associated with a higher odds of MIH. However, this should be interpreted with caution, once the primary studies were observational, with serious limitations according to the risk of bias, imprecision, and inconsistency. Further, well-designed cohort studies are still required.

Are Premature Birth and Low Birth Weight Associated with Delay on the Eruption of Deciduous Teeth? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate whether children with premature birth (PB) and/or with low birth weight (LBW) have different tooth eruption patterns than those born at term or with normal weight. Material and Methods: Searches were performed in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Sc1opus, Web of Science, LILACS, and BBO databases as well as the grey literature. Three independent reviewers were involved in study selection, data extraction, and bias assessment. The risk of bias was assessed using the Modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis was conducted to compute the mean difference (MD) in mean chronological or adjusted age at the eruption of the first deciduous tooth between preterm children and those born at full term. The GRADE approach was used. Results: Among a total of 316 articles identified, 21 were eligible for inclusion and three were included in the meta-analysis. PB was associated with the delay in the first tooth deciduous eruption when chronological age was considered (MD: 1.36; 95%CI: 1.02-1.69) but not when considering adjusted age (MD: -0.30; 95%CI: -0.67-0.07). The evidence was graded as having very low quality. Conclusion: Based on a low certainty of evidence the PB is associated with the delayed eruption of the first deciduous tooth when considering chronological age but not when adjusted age is considered.

Is oral health literacy associated with conceptions of care and behavior related to the prevention of COVID-19?

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of oral health literacy (OHL) on conceptions of care and behaviors related to COVID-19. The sample came from two preliminary cross-sectional studies that determined the level of OHL of parents/guardians of six-to-12-year-old children in two major Brazilian cities (Curitiba and Belo Horizonte). Functional OHL was measured using the Brazilian version of the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (BREALD-30) and the Health Literacy Dental Scale (HeLD-14) for the evaluation of interactive OHL. Participants were recruited through e-mail, social media, and telephone contact. The questionnaire on conceptions of care and behaviors related to COVID-19 was created based on the guidelines of the World Health Organization. Two hundred nineteen individuals participated in the study. There was no significant difference in socioeconomic and demographic variables and in the medians of BREALD and HeLD-14 between the two cities (P>0.05). Higher levels of functional OHL were associated with an appropriate conception that individual care affects collective care (P=0.038), but with an inappropriate conception of seeking medical assistance in cases of mild symptoms (P=0.030). Higher levels of interactive OHL were related to social distancing behavior in the city of Curitiba (P=0.049) and in the overall sample (P=0.040). It is concluded that functional OHL was associated with two of the investigated conceptions about COVID-19, while interactive OHL was associated with social distancing behavior. These data may suggest that different dimensions of the OHL can have an impact on different aspects of coping with the pandemic.