Activities of the oral health teams in primary health care: a time-motion study.

BACKGROUND: Efficient planning of the oral health workforce in Primary Health Care (PHC) is paramount to ensure equitable community access to services. This requires a meticulous examination of the population's needs, strategic distribution of oral health professionals, and effective human resource management. In this context, the average time spent on care to meet the needs of users/families/communities is the central variable in healthcare professional workforce planning methods. However, many time measures are solely based on professional judgment or experience. OBJECTIVE: Calculate the average time parameters for the activities carried out by the oral health team in primary health care. METHOD: This is a descriptive observational study using the time-motion method carried out in five Primary Health Care Units in the city of São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Direct and continuous observation of oral health team members occurred for 40 h spread over five days of a typical work week. RESULTS: A total of 696.05 h of observation were conducted with 12 Dentists, three Oral Health Assistants, and five Oral Health Technicians. The Dentists' main activity was consultation with an average duration of 24.39 min, which took up 42.36% of their working time, followed by documentation with 12.15%. Oral Health Assistants spent 31.57% of their time on infection control, while Oral Health Technicians spent 22.37% on documentation. CONCLUSION: The study establishes time standards for the activities performed by the dental care team and provides support for the application of workforce planning methods that allow for review and optimization of the work process and public policies.

Prevalencia de papiloma oral en niños brasileños: un estudio retrospectivo de lesiones biopsiadas / Prevalência de papiloma oral em crianças brasileiras: um estudo retrospectivo de lesões biopsiadas / Prevalence of oral papillomas in Brazilian children: a retrospective study of biopsied lesions

Introducción: El virus del papiloma humano (VPH) es un factor etiológico de diversas enfermedades de la mucosa oral y de la piel que pueden derivar en neoplasias malignas. La vacunación es la principal forma de prevención, inmunizando a las niñas de 9 a 13 años y a los niños de 11 a 13 años. Todavía no hay consenso sobre la prevalencia del virus VPH en niños. Objetivo: Verificar la prevalencia del VPH en niños de 1 a 13 años a partir de una base de datos de informes de biopsias de lesiones diagnosticadas de papiloma analizadas en un laboratorio nacional de referencia. Material y métodos: Se analizaron los informes anatomopatológicos de biopsias recibidas por el Laboratorio de Patología Oral y Maxilofacial de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de São Paulo en un período de 20 años, de 2002 a 2022. También se recogieron informaciones sobre sexo, localización de la lesión e hipótesis diagnóstica. Resultados: En una base de datos de 93.950 informes, 4.203 comprendían el grupo de edad analizado y 99 (2,3%) tenían diagnóstico de papiloma. El porcentaje de varones y mujeres fue similar, 50,5% y 49,5% respectivamente. La localización más frecuente fueron los labios (48%). Las hipótesis diagnósticas más citadas fueron epulides y verruga vulgar. Conclusión: La prevalencia del papiloma en niños brasileños de 1 a 13 años fue del 2,3%. El reconocimiento de las características clínicas de las lesiones es esencial para el diagnóstico correcto y la intervención precoz, así como la orientación.

Introdução: O papiloma vírus humano (HPV) é fator etiológico para diversas doenças na mucosa oral e na pele que podem sofrer processo de malignização. A vacinação é a principal forma de prevenção, imunizando meninas de 9 a 13 anos e meninos de 11 a 13 anos. Ainda não há um consenso sobre a prevalência do vírus HPV em crianças. Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência de HPV em crianças de 1 a 13 anos de idade com base em um banco de laudos de lesões biopsiadas com diagnóstico de papiloma analisadas em um laboratório de referência nacional. Material e Métodos: Foi feita a análise de laudos anatomopatológicos de biópsias recebidas pelo Laboratório de Patologia Bucal e Maxilofacial da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de São Paulo em um período de 20 anos, compreendido entre ao anos 2002 a 2022. Informações de sexo, localização da lesão e hipóteses diagnósticas também foram coletadas. Resultados: Em um banco de 93.950 laudos, 4.203 compreendiam a faixa etária analisada e 99 (2,3%) tinham o diagnóstico de papiloma. A porcentagem de laudos do sexo masculino e feminino foi similar, sendo 50,5% e 49,5%, respectivamente. A localização da lesão mais frequente encontrada foi a região dos lábios (48%). Hipóteses diagnósticas mais citadas foram epúlide e verruga vulgar. Conclusão: A prevalência de papiloma em crianças brasileiras de 1 a 13 anos foi de 2,3%. Reconhecer características clínicas das lesões é essencial para um correto diagnóstico e intervenção precoce bem como para evitar o agravamento da doença.

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an etiologic factor for several diseases of the oral mucosa and skin that can undergo a malignant process. Vaccination is the most important form of prevention, with girls being vaccinated between the ages of 9 and 13 and boys between the ages of 11 and 13. There is still no consensus on the prevalence of the HPV virus in children. Aim: To review the prevalence of HPV in children aged 1 to 13 years based on a database of reports of biopsied lesions diagnosed with papilloma analyzed in a national reference laboratory. Material and methods: Anatomic-pathologic reports of biopsies received at the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Laboratory of the Faculty of Dentistry of the College of São Paulo were analyzed over a 20-year period, between 2002 and 2022. Information on gender, lesion location and diagnostic hypotheses was also collected. Results: In a database of 93,950 reports, the age group analyzed accounted for 4,203 and 99 (2.3%) were diagnosed with papilloma. The proportion of male and female reports was similar at 50.5% and 49.5% respectively. The most common location of the lesion found was the lip region (48%). The most frequently cited diagnostic hypotheses were epulis and verruca vulgaris. Conclusion: The prevalence of papillomas in Brazilian children aged 1 to 13 years was 2.3%. Early diagnosis and advice on HPV vaccination can prevent and avoid exacerbation of the disease. Recognizing the clinical features of lesions is essential for correct diagnosis and early intervention and counseling

Transformations in the world of healthcare work: workers and future challenges. / Transformações no mundo do trabalho em saúde: os(as) trabalhadores(as) e desafios futuros.

This article addresses the world of healthcare work, especially in the Brazilian Unified Healthcare System (SUS) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. This study used data from the following surveys: "Working conditions of health professionals in the context of COVID-19 in Brazil" and "The Invisible health workers: working conditions and mental health in the context of COVID-19 in Brazil". Data analysis proves that the pandemic highlighted existing structural problems within SUS, involving the issue of healthcare workforce (HWF) management, which can be interpreted as another reflection of the socioeconomic inequalities that already exist in the country. This article highlights: the reduced provision of permanent education, the regulation of hybrid care, precariousness, a lack of protection in the work environment, as well as fragile biosecurity leading to tragic rates of illness and death of health workers. Our study concludes by showing the importance of formulating public policies in the scope of education and work management in SUS that ensure the discussion on hybrid care as a new way of acting without losing quality, together with the need to review issues related to permanent education, protection, valuation, and reduction of inequalities pointed out among the professional contingents analyzed in this article.

O artigo versa sobre o mundo do trabalho da saúde, especialmente no SUS no contexto da pandemia no Brasil. O artigo utilizou dados das pesquisas "Condições de trabalho dos profissionais de saúde no contexto da COVID-19 no Brasil" e "Os trabalhadores invisíveis da saúde: condições de trabalho e saúde mental no contexto da COVID-19 no Brasil". A análise dos dados comprova que a pandemia evidenciou problemas estruturais existentes no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde, envolvendo a gestão da FTS o que pode ser interpretado como mais um dos reflexos das desigualdades socioeconômicas já existentes no país. Destacam-se: a reduzida oferta de educação permanente, a regulação do cuidado híbrido, precarização, desproteção no ambiente de trabalho, frágil biossegurança levando a trágicas taxas de adoecimento e mortes de trabalhadores da saúde. Conclui mostrando a importância de formulação de políticas públicas no âmbito da gestão da educação e do trabalho no SUS que assegurem a discussão sobre cuidado híbrido como nova forma de atuar sem perder qualidade, a necessidade de se rever questões referentes a: educação permanente, proteção, valorização e redução das desigualdades apontadas entre os contingentes profissionais analisados nesse artigo.

Transformações no mundo do trabalho em saúde: os(as) trabalhadores(as) e desafios futuros / Transformations in the world of healthcare work: workers and future challenges

Resumo O artigo versa sobre o mundo do trabalho da saúde, especialmente no SUS no contexto da pandemia no Brasil. O artigo utilizou dados das pesquisas "Condições de trabalho dos profissionais de saúde no contexto da COVID-19 no Brasil" e "Os trabalhadores invisíveis da saúde: condições de trabalho e saúde mental no contexto da COVID-19 no Brasil". A análise dos dados comprova que a pandemia evidenciou problemas estruturais existentes no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde, envolvendo a gestão da FTS o que pode ser interpretado como mais um dos reflexos das desigualdades socioeconômicas já existentes no país. Destacam-se: a reduzida oferta de educação permanente, a regulação do cuidado híbrido, precarização, desproteção no ambiente de trabalho, frágil biossegurança levando a trágicas taxas de adoecimento e mortes de trabalhadores da saúde. Conclui mostrando a importância de formulação de políticas públicas no âmbito da gestão da educação e do trabalho no SUS que assegurem a discussão sobre cuidado híbrido como nova forma de atuar sem perder qualidade, a necessidade de se rever questões referentes a: educação permanente, proteção, valorização e redução das desigualdades apontadas entre os contingentes profissionais analisados nesse artigo.

Abstract This article addresses the world of healthcare work, especially in the Brazilian Unified Healthcare System (SUS) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. This study used data from the following surveys: "Working conditions of health professionals in the context of COVID-19 in Brazil" and "The Invisible health workers: working conditions and mental health in the context of COVID-19 in Brazil". Data analysis proves that the pandemic highlighted existing structural problems within SUS, involving the issue of healthcare workforce (HWF) management, which can be interpreted as another reflection of the socioeconomic inequalities that already exist in the country. This article highlights: the reduced provision of permanent education, the regulation of hybrid care, precariousness, a lack of protection in the work environment, as well as fragile biosecurity leading to tragic rates of illness and death of health workers. Our study concludes by showing the importance of formulating public policies in the scope of education and work management in SUS that ensure the discussion on hybrid care as a new way of acting without losing quality, together with the need to review issues related to permanent education, protection, valuation, and reduction of inequalities pointed out among the professional contingents analyzed in this article.

Influence of learning styles on student performance in self-instructional courses.

This study aimed to analyze the learning style of dentistry students in self-instructional courses to assist in pedagogical planning and to choose the most appropriate educational resources for the students' learning profile. A sample of 122 students who responded to the Learning Styles Questionnaire was analyzed. For statistical purposes, correlation analysis, chi-square test, odds ratio, and Student's t-test were performed. In the analyzed sample, there was a higher prevalence of students in the theoretical and reflector styles, and a lower prevalence of students in the activist and pragmatic styles. An analysis of educational resources demonstrated the predominance of theoretical and reflective content. The data show a statistically significant reduction of about 74% in the chances of passing for the activist-pragmatists group compared to other students (χ2(1, N = 122) = 5.795, p < 0.05, odds ratio = 0.26). On the other hand, reflector students who exhibited a lower preference for the activist style had a higher chance of course completion, with a 3.33-fold increase in the likelihood of passing the course (χ2(1, N = 122) = 5.637, p < 0.05, odds ratio = 3.33). These findings highlight the importance of considering students' learning styles in educational planning and resource selection to optimize student performance. Further research is warranted to explore the implications of these findings and to investigate additional factors that may influence student success in self-instructional courses.

Telehealth use in primary healthcare collaborative interprofessional practice: protocol for a scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: Telehealth is a growing topic, with potential to improve access to primary healthcare. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding how telehealth could facilitate interprofessional collaboration that is recommended to strengthen the comprehensive approach of primary healthcare. The objective is to identify the characteristics and applications of telehealth services related to the interprofessional collaborative practice of primary healthcare professionals. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This review will cover studies including as target population those health professionals who work in telehealth services; as concept, telehealth in relation to collaborative interprofessional practice; and as context, primary healthcare. A scoping review will be carried out according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Databases to be searched include MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Eric, Scopus, LILACS and Web of Science. All identified records will be grouped, duplicates will be removed, titles and abstracts will be selected by two independent reviewers, and the full text of selected articles will be evaluated in detail. A data extraction tool developed by the reviewers will be used for data extraction. The results will be presented in data map format in a logical way, in a diagram or in a tabular format, accompanied by a descriptive summary. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethical approval is required for this study. A manuscript based on this scoping review will be submitted to a journal and we hope it will contribute to scientific knowledge on the interprofessional field and key research findings will be sent to key events on interprofessional practice and education. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: This scoping review was registered in the Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/2BV8D).

Retrospective study of oral lesions biopsied in babies and toddlers.

Epidemiological data on the distribution of oral and maxillofacial diseases present in early childhood are scarce in the literature. This study analyzed the frequency of lesions biopsied in this region in children aged 0 to 3 years and sent for histopathological analysis in a reference oral pathology laboratory . Histopathological diagnostic data, lesion location, sex, and age were collected. Of the total of 93,950 records, 250 cases (0.27%) belonged to the age group from 0 to 3 years old. The most frequently diagnosed oral alterations were: mucocele (34/250; 13.6%); papilloma (11/250; 4.4%), giant cell fibroma (6/250; 2.4%), pyogenic granuloma (5/250; 2%) and hemangioma (3/250; 1.2%). The lip was the most affected site, followed by the gingiva and the tongue. These results generate information on the lesions most frequently diagnosed in early childhood, which facilitates the process of diagnosis and, consequently, treatment.

Análise de um instrumento para monitoramento da atenção básica em saúde / Análisis de un instrumento para monitoreo de la atención básica de la salud / Analysis of an instrument for primary health care monitoring

Resumo Objetivo Analisar um instrumento para o monitoramento da atenção básica. Métodos Pesquisa quantitativa, descritiva e analítica, consistiu na aplicação do instrumento em 442 Unidades Básicas de Saúde - UBS do município de São Paulo, contando com a participação de gestores locais na sua elaboração; o instrumento foi composto por 47 quesitos que contemplaram indicadores de Estrutura, Processo e Resultado e foram organizados em seis blocos temáticos: I - recepção técnica acolhedora - RTA (acolhimento); II - trabalho da enfermagem; III - trabalho médico; IV - organização assistencial e integração da equipe; V - cobertura vacinal e de programas; VI- gestão e participação. Para análise estatística utilizou-se o programa SPSS 25.0. Resultados A média e a mediana de pontuação obtidas pelas 414 UBS avaliadas (total de 470 pontos possíveis) foram 356 e 380, respectivamente. Por meio de modelagem multivariada, nove quesitos de Estrutura e Processo se destacaram, quando analisados em relação aos quesitos de Resultado, apresentando associação estatística (p<0,05): RTA realizada em todos períodos da UBS; treinamento específico para atendimento na RTA; atuação clínica do enfermeiro; retaguarda médica sistematizada para RTA; equipe de saúde bucal completa; horário reservado para reunião da equipe; atendimento em grupo realizado sistematicamente; ações de promoção à saúde; acomodações físicas adequadas. Conclusão o instrumento apresentou capacidade para captar diferentes estágios da organização e de resultados das unidades participantes do estudo e, além de uma avaliação global, revelou questões críticas dos serviços relacionadas às mudanças pretendidas. Como ferramenta avaliativa para os serviços pode contribuir no monitoramento e no apoio à tomada de decisões tecno-gerenciais cotidianas.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar un instrumento para el monitoreo de la atención básica. Métodos Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo y analítico, que consistió en la aplicación de un instrumento en 442 Unidades Básicas de Salud (UBS) del municipio de São Paulo y contó con la participación de administradores locales para su elaboración. El instrumento estuvo compuesto por 47 ítems que contemplaron indicadores de Estructura, Proceso y Resultado, y fueron organizados en seis bloques temáticos: I - recepción técnica acogedora RTA (acogida); II - trabajo de enfermería; III - trabajo médico; IV - organización asistencial e integración del equipo; V - cobertura de vacunación y programas; VI - gestión y participación. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó el programa SPSS 25.0. Resultados El promedio de puntuación obtenido por las 414 UBS evaluadas fue 356 y la mediana de 380 (total de 470 puntos posibles). Por medio de la modelación multivariada, se destacaron nueve ítems de Estructura y Proceso, al ser analizados con relación a los ítems de Resultado, y presentaron asociación estadística (p<0,05): RTA realizada en todos los períodos de la UBS, capacitación específica para atención en la RTA, actuación clínica del enfermero, retaguardia médica sistematizada para RTA, equipo de salud bucal completa, horario reservado para reunión del equipo, asistencia en grupo realizada sistemáticamente, acciones de promoción de la salud, instalaciones físicas adecuadas. Conclusión El instrumento presentó capacidad para captar diferentes niveles de la organización y de resultados de las unidades participantes en el estudio y, además de una evaluación global, reveló cuestiones críticas de los servicios relacionadas con los cambios pretendidos. Como herramienta evaluadora de los servicios, puede contribuir para monitorear y respaldar la toma de decisiones tecno-administrativas cotidianas.

Abstract Objective To analyze an instrument for monitoring primary care. Methods Qualitative, descriptive, and analytic research that consisted in the application of the instrument in 442 Basic Health Units - PCC from São Paulo city with the participation of local managers in its elaboration; the instrument is composed of 47 aspects that contemplated indicators of Structure, Process, and Result and we organized them in six thematic blocks: I - welcoming technical reception - WTR (reception); II - nursing work; III - medical work; IV - assistance organization and team integration; V - vaccination and program coverage; VI - management and participation. For the statistical analysis, we utilized the SPSS 25.0 program. Results The average and median scores obtained by the 414 evaluated Primary Care Centers (total of 470 possible points) were 356 and 380, respectively. Through the multivariate modeling, nine aspects of Structure and Processes stood out, when analyzed concerning the aspects of the Result, presenting statistical association (p<0.05): WTR carried out in every period of Primary Care Centers; specific training for the care in WTR; nurse clinical performance; systematized medical rearguard for WTR; complete oral health team; reserved time for team meeting; group appointment carried out systematically; health promotion actions; adequate physical accommodations. Conclusion The instrument presented the capacity to capture different stages of the organization and the results of the participant units of this study, and, besides a global evaluation, it revealed critical questions of the services related to the intended changes. As an evaluative tool for the services, it may contribute to the monitoring and the support to the everyday techno-management decision making.

[Implementation of telemedicine in the Americas: Barriers and facilitatorsBarreiras e facilitadores para a implementação da telemedicina nas Américas]. / Barreras y facilitadores a la implementación de la telemedicina en las Américas.

With millions of people in the world in situations of physical distancing because of COVID-19, information and communication technology (ICT) has become as one of the principal means of interaction and collaboration. The following advantages of ICT have been cited since the start of the new millennium: increased access to information and service delivery, educational strengthening, quality control of screening programs, and reduction of health care costs. In the case of telemedicine, however, a number of barriers-especially technological, human and social, psychosocial, anthropological, economic, and governance-related-have stood in the way of its adoption. The past 20 years have seen an increase in the availability of resources and technical capacity, improvements in digital education, empowerment of patients regarding their treatment, and increased public interest in this area. Successes have included the use of interdisciplinary teams, academic and professional networking, and virtual medical consultations. After reviewing the state of telemedicine in the Region of the Americas, the authors recommend the urgent adoption of measures aimed at implementing national telemedicine policies and programs, including a regulatory framework and adequate funding. Implementation of the measures should be integrated and interoperable and include the support of academic networks and the collaboration of specialized institutions. The policies should generate an enabling context that ensures sustainability of the progress achieved, bearing in mind the possible barriers mentioned.

Com milhões de pessoas no mundo em situação de distanciamento físico devido à COVID-19, as tecnologias da informação e comunicação (TICs) se enquadraram como um dos meios principais de interação e colaboração. Já no início deste milênio, começaram a ser mencionadas as seguintes vantagens: maior acesso à informação e à prestação de serviços; fortalecimento da educação; controle de qualidade dos programas de detecção e redução dos custos na atenção à saúde. No entanto, entre as principais barreiras de adoção da telemedicina se encontram as de caráter: tecnológico; humano e social; psicossocial e antropológico; de governança e econômico. Nestes 20 anos, houve um aumento nos recursos e na capacidade técnica, uma melhora na educação digital, um empoderamento do paciente em seu tratamento e um maior interesse público nessa área. Em especial, são consideradas bem-sucedidas a constituição de equipes interdisciplinares e as redes acadêmicas e profissionais, e as consultas médicas virtuais. Após revisar o estado da telemedicina na Região das Américas, os autores recomendam a adoção de medidas urgentes para implementar políticas e programas nacionais de telemedicina, incluindo o marco normativo e o orçamento necessário. Essa implementação deve ser realizada de maneira integral e interoperável e sustentada por redes acadêmicas, de parceria e instituições especializadas. Tais políticas devem gerar um contexto favorável, dando sustentabilidade ao avanço obtido e considerando os aspectos mencionados nas possíveis barreiras.

Barreras y facilitadores a la implementación de la telemedicina en las Américas / Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of the telemedicine in the Americas

Con millones de personas en el mundo en situación de distanciamiento físico por el COVID-19, las tecnologías de la información y comunicaciones (TICs) se han posicionado como uno de los medios principales de interacción y colaboración. Ya al inicio de este milenio se empezaban a mencionar las siguientes ventajas: mayor acceso a la información y a la prestación de servicios; fortalecimiento educativo; control de calidad de los programas de detección y reducción de los costos de la atención de en salud. Sin embargo, entre las principales barreras de adopción de la telemedicina se encuentran las de índole: tecnológicas; humanas y sociales; psico-sociales y antropológicas; de Gobernanza y económicas. En estos 20 años se logró un aumento en los recursos y capacidad técnica, una mejora en la educación digital, un empoderamiento del paciente en su tratamiento y un mayor interés público en esta área. En especial se considera exitosa la conformación de equipos interdisciplinarios, las redes académicas y profesionales y las consultas médicas virtuales. Después de revisar el estado de la telemedicina en la Región de las Américas, los autores recomiendan adoptar medidas urgentes para poner en práctica políticas y programas nacionales de telemedicina, incluyendo el marco normativo y presupuesto necesario, cuya implementación se realice de manera integral e interoperable y que se sustente de redes académicas, de colaboración e instituciones especializadas. Dichas políticas deben generar un contexto habilitante que den sostenibilidad al avance logrado, considerando los aspectos mencionados en las posibles barreras

The unplanned and unequal expansion of Dentistry courses in Brazil from 1856 to 2020

Abstract: This study analyzed the consequences of the disordered expansion of Dentistry courses on the distribution of professionals, the job market, and limitations of the National System of Higher Education Assessment (SINAES) developed as a guarantee of education quality. This observational, descriptive, and analytical study used secondary data from several official databases. The number of courses was obtained from the e-MEC registry. From the Higher Education Census, the study collected historical series of courses offered, number of candidates per open seat, number of individuals who initiated and completed the course, and information about professors in the public and private schools. The reports related to Dentistry courses from the National Health Council were also analyzed. The performance of undergraduate students was assessed from synthesis reports of Enade from 2004 to 2016. The number of dentists and their regional distribution was based on the Federal Dental Council, and Brazilian population and gross domestic product were collected from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Dentistry courses in Brazil grew exponentially from 1856 to 2020; among the 544 authorized courses, 82 currently have not yet started their activities. The fast expansion of courses in Brazil has worsened the regional asymmetries in the supply of dentist, and the SINAES has not been able to fully assure the quality of Dentistry courses. Brazilian dentistry, which has increased its scientific and technological development since the 19th century, with outstanding intellectual production, is at risk of a collapse due to a plethora of dentists.

The unplanned and unequal expansion of Dentistry courses in Brazil from 1856 to 2020.

This study analyzed the consequences of the disordered expansion of Dentistry courses on the distribution of professionals, the job market, and limitations of the National System of Higher Education Assessment (SINAES) developed as a guarantee of education quality. This observational, descriptive, and analytical study used secondary data from several official databases. The number of courses was obtained from the e-MEC registry. From the Higher Education Census, the study collected historical series of courses offered, number of candidates per open seat, number of individuals who initiated and completed the course, and information about professors in the public and private schools. The reports related to Dentistry courses from the National Health Council were also analyzed. The performance of undergraduate students was assessed from synthesis reports of Enade from 2004 to 2016. The number of dentists and their regional distribution was based on the Federal Dental Council, and Brazilian population and gross domestic product were collected from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Dentistry courses in Brazil grew exponentially from 1856 to 2020; among the 544 authorized courses, 82 currently have not yet started their activities. The fast expansion of courses in Brazil has worsened the regional asymmetries in the supply of dentist, and the SINAES has not been able to fully assure the quality of Dentistry courses. Brazilian dentistry, which has increased its scientific and technological development since the 19th century, with outstanding intellectual production, is at risk of a collapse due to a plethora of dentists.

Oral health-related quality of life among pediatric liver transplant candidates.

To assess the impact of oral conditions on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of pediatric liver transplant candidates. This cross-sectional study included 60 children aged 13 to 48 months who were liver transplant candidates that attended the AC Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil. On the day of oral examinations, the children's mothers were invited to answer two questionnaires; one related to children's OHRQoL using the B-ECOHIS and another related to socioeconomic/demographic characteristics. Thereafter, a single, adequately trained dentist carried out children's oral examinations for gingival inflammation (Silness-Löe index), dental plaque (Green-Vermillion Simplified index), dental caries (dmft index), developmental defects of enamel (DDE index), tooth discoloration, oral mucosal/lip alterations. The data collected also included socioeconomic/demographic characteristics and liver disease. The adjusted Poisson regression model was used to associate children's socioeconomic/demographic characteristics and clinical conditions to the outcome. The adjusted regression model showed that children with untreated caries lesions (RR = 3.35, p < 0.0001) and tooth discoloration (RR = 1.74, p = 0.04) had poorer total B-ECOHIS scores. Dental discoloration and untreated caries lesions had a negative impact on the OHRQoL in pediatric liver transplant candidates.

A Virtual 3D Dynamic Model of Caries Lesion Progression as a Learning Object for Caries Detection Training and Teaching: Video Development Study.

BACKGROUND: In the last decade, 3D virtual models have been used for educational purposes in the health sciences, specifically for teaching human anatomy and pathology. These models provide an opportunity to didactically visualize key spatial relations that can be poorly understood when taught by traditional educational approaches. Caries lesion detection is a crucial process in dentistry that has been reported to be difficult to learn. One especially difficult aspect is linking clinical characteristics of the different severity stages with their histological features, which is fundamental for treatment decision-making. OBJECTIVE: This project was designed to develop a virtual 3D digital model of caries lesion formation and progression to aid the detection of lesions at different severity stages as a potential complement to traditional lectures. METHODS: Pedagogical planning, including identification of objectives, exploration of the degree of difficulty of caries diagnosis-associated topics perceived by dental students and lecturers, review of the literature regarding key concepts, and consultation of experts, was performed prior to constructing the model. An educational script strategy was created based on the topics to be addressed (dental tissues, biofilm stagnation areas, the demineralization process, caries lesion progression on occlusal surfaces, clinical characteristics related to different stages of caries progression, and histological correlations). Virtual 3D models were developed using the Virtual Man Project and refined using multiple 3D software applications. In the next phase, computer graphic modelling and previsualization were executed. After that, the video was revised and edited based on suggestions. Finally, explanatory subtitles were generated, the models were textured and rendered, and voiceovers in 3 languages were implemented. RESULTS: We developed a 6-minute virtual 3D dynamic video in 3 languages (English, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese) intended for dentists and dental students to support teaching and learning of caries lesion detection. The videos were made available on YouTube; to date, they have received more than 100,000 views. CONCLUSIONS: Complementary pedagogical tools are valuable to support cariology education. This tool will be further tested in terms of utility and usability as well as user satisfaction in achieving the proposed objectives in specific contexts.

Impact of teleconsultations on the conduct of oral health teams in the Telehealth Brazil Networks Programme.

Telehealth has been applied in the Unified Health System (SUS) as a tool for qualifying professionals and improving the healthcare provided to the population served by the system. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of teleconsultations on the qualifications of the clinical approach of the oral health teams involved in primary health care (PHC) in the state of Rio Grande do Sul under the Telehealth Brazil Networks Programme. The sample population of the study was composed of 285 dentists and 132 oral health assistants belonging to the Family Health Teams. A chi-square test was used to investigate possible associations between the absolute number of teleconsultations performed and several independent variables, namely, gender, age, dental specialty, time since graduation, time working in the Family Health Strategy (FHS), employment status, type of training institution, familiarity with information technology, and work satisfaction at the health facility. The level of significance was p < 0.05. Use of the oral health teleconsultation service led to a reduction of more than 45% in the number of referrals to other levels of care. However, no significant association was found between the number of teleconsultations and the independent variables analysed. The use of teleconsultations proved to be a powerful tool for professional training, for increasing the effectiveness of PHC, and for improving the oral healthcare provided.

Oral health-related quality of life among pediatric liver transplant candidates

Abstract To assess the impact of oral conditions on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of pediatric liver transplant candidates. This cross-sectional study included 60 children aged 13 to 48 months who were liver transplant candidates that attended the AC Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil. On the day of oral examinations, the children's mothers were invited to answer two questionnaires; one related to children's OHRQoL using the B-ECOHIS and another related to socioeconomic/demographic characteristics. Thereafter, a single, adequately trained dentist carried out children's oral examinations for gingival inflammation (Silness-Löe index), dental plaque (Green-Vermillion Simplified index), dental caries (dmft index), developmental defects of enamel (DDE index), tooth discoloration, oral mucosal/lip alterations. The data collected also included socioeconomic/demographic characteristics and liver disease. The adjusted Poisson regression model was used to associate children's socioeconomic/demographic characteristics and clinical conditions to the outcome. The adjusted regression model showed that children with untreated caries lesions (RR = 3.35, p < 0.0001) and tooth discoloration (RR = 1.74, p = 0.04) had poorer total B-ECOHIS scores. Dental discoloration and untreated caries lesions had a negative impact on the OHRQoL in pediatric liver transplant candidates.

Impact of teleconsultations on the conduct of oral health teams in the Telehealth Brazil Networks Programme

Abstract Telehealth has been applied in the Unified Health System (SUS) as a tool for qualifying professionals and improving the healthcare provided to the population served by the system. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of teleconsultations on the qualifications of the clinical approach of the oral health teams involved in primary health care (PHC) in the state of Rio Grande do Sul under the Telehealth Brazil Networks Programme. The sample population of the study was composed of 285 dentists and 132 oral health assistants belonging to the Family Health Teams. A chi-square test was used to investigate possible associations between the absolute number of teleconsultations performed and several independent variables, namely, gender, age, dental specialty, time since graduation, time working in the Family Health Strategy (FHS), employment status, type of training institution, familiarity with information technology, and work satisfaction at the health facility. The level of significance was p < 0.05. Use of the oral health teleconsultation service led to a reduction of more than 45% in the number of referrals to other levels of care. However, no significant association was found between the number of teleconsultations and the independent variables analysed. The use of teleconsultations proved to be a powerful tool for professional training, for increasing the effectiveness of PHC, and for improving the oral healthcare provided.