Residual dentition, prosthesis type and oral health-related quality of life in Uruguayan adults.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between different types of dental prostheses (and residual dentition) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). METHODS: A population-based study with a representative sample of adults and older adults in Uruguay (2010-2011). The dependent variable was the score on the oral impact on daily performance (OIDP), and the main predictor was the pattern of tooth loss and prosthesis use. Covariates included sex, age, socioeconomic status, education, missing teeth, pain and decayed teeth. Negative binomial regression was used. RESULTS: The sample comprised 762 participants. Those participants not wearing a prosthesis and with extensive tooth loss had a mean OIDP of 3.1 (95% CI = 1.6-6.2), while those wearing removable partial dentures (RPD) and having <12 missing teeth had a mean OIDP of 3.6 (95% CI = 1.3-10.0). Participants with a free-end saddle had the highest mean OIDP, at 4.9 (95% CI = 2.0-12.1). For participants with ≤12 missing teeth, any additional missing tooth was associated with an 11% higher OIDP score. Participants who wore RDPs reported fewer impacts on OHRQoL if they had extensive tooth loss or anterior tooth loss than those with a free-end saddle, or who had lost fewer teeth. CONCLUSIONS: The use of RPDs is associated with better OHRQoL. These findings may be valuable in clinical practice and prosthetic planning.

Adult oral health-related quality of life instruments: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the existing OHRQoL instruments for adults, describe their scope (generic or specific), theoretical background, validation type and cross-cultural adaptation. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted, and articles presenting validation of OHRQoL instruments in adults were included. Data were collected about the validation type: external validation (correlations/associations); or internal validation (factor analysis/principal components analysis, item response theory); and cross-cultural adaptation. RESULTS: Of 3730 references identified, 326 were included reporting 392 studies. Forty-two original instruments were found among 74 different versions, 40 generic and 34 condition-specific. Locker's theoretical framework was the predominant model. The oral health impact profile (OHIP) presented 20 versions, with OHIP-14 being the most frequent (26.8%), followed by geriatric oral assessment index (GOHAI) (14.0%), OHIP-49 (11.7%) and oral impacts on daily performances (OIDP) (9.7%). Most studies focused on external validation (65.3%), while internal validation was reported in 24.8% (n = 26) of OHIP-14 studies, 50.9% (n = 28) of GOHAI and 21.1% (n = 8) of OIDP studies. Most internal validation studies were conducted in English-speaking countries (n = 33), and cross-cultural adaptation was mostly in non-English-speaking European countries (n = 40). CONCLUSIONS: Many generic and condition-specific instruments were found, but few have gone through a rigorous internal validation process or have undergone cross-cultural adaptation. This, in turn, makes it difficult for researchers to choose an appropriate measure based on known psychometric properties. OHIP-14, OIDP and GOHAI seem to be the most widely validated instruments. Equalizing measurement properties for comparability are challenging due to theoretical heterogeneity. Future studies should assess psychometric properties, explore the factorial structure and work towards a consensus on critical issues.

La tutoría entre pares: primera experiencia curricular opcional en la Facultad de Odontología - UDELAR / Peer tutoring: the first curricular and optional experience at the Faculty of Dentistry - UDELAR

En el marco de las políticas definidas por la Universidad de la República de respaldo al aprendizaje, la Facultad de Odontología presenta su primera experiencia curricular de integración estudiantil. En la carrera de Odontología, se verifica un importante retraso académico en los dos primeros años. El proceso de afiliación a la vida universitaria puede generar desajustes en los rendimientos y riesgo de desvinculación. Entendiendo la importancia del vínculo interpersonal entre estudiantes pares para la continuidad en los estudios, se propone generar estrategias articuladas que contribuyan a neutralizar la fragilidad al ingreso. La Unidad de Apoyo a la Enseñanza expone la experiencia del Curso Tutoría Entre Pares, curricular, optativo y teórico-práctico destacando que: estudiantes avanzados realizan el acompañamiento socio-afectivo, personal y académico de los ingresantes; afecta a toda la cohorte inicial; es de carácter semivoluntario; contempla un respaldo multidisciplinar; moviliza acciones de apoyo institucional complementarias y en red con otras estructuras de apoyo.

In the context of politics promoted by the University of the Republic for students learning, the Faculty of Dentistry presents the first curricular experience for student integration. We verify an important academic delay at first two years of the Dentistry career. The affiliation process might produces, delay and dropout for newcomer. Interpersonal ties presents between peer students generate a persuasive role for continuing studies. Our institution challenge is to articulate strategies that contribute to neutralise the fragility at these stage, generating conditions for a better academic performance. The Support Teaching Unit presents the curricular, optional, theory-practice course experience -Peer Tutoring- focusing on: formation of advanced students for social affective, personal and academic accompaniment to entire entrant cohort; semi voluntary process; an integral and multidisciplinary action of specialist people; mobilization of other institutional support actions; the establishment of an academic, administrative and co-government red of support.

Perfil sociodemográfico y desempeños de los estudiantes de la carrera de Odontología (UdelaR) / Social-demographic profile and student performance from the Faculty of Dentistry (Udelar)

La Unidad de Apoyo a la Enseñanza de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de la República presenta una primera aproximación sobre quiénes son y cómo se desempeñan los estudiantes de Odontología en las etapas de ingreso y egreso de la carrera. Se elabora un perfil sociodemográfico a partir del Censo 2007 y se estudia con los datos inicialmente disponibles en la institución el desemplo de varios cohortes a través de las dimensiones de rendimiento académico, avance de la carrera, ritmo y nivel de egreso. Como resultados del estudio se destaca: 1) un perfil de matrícula estudiantil netamente feminizada, dividido paritariamente en su procedencia capitalina y del interior del país, y mayoritariamente procedente de liceos públicos (70%); 2) un nivel de rezago y desvinculación entre el primer y segundo año de la carrera que se ubica en el entorno del 50%; 3) un ritmo de egreso relativamente lento que, no obstante, alcanza una eficiencia terminal cercana al 50%.