RESUMO
Introduction: Cancer is considered a major public health problem worldwide and may have an important impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Thus, the present study aimed to assess OHRQoL in Brazilian patients aged 3 to 21 years undergoing cancer treatment. Materials and Methods: In total, 121 patients receiving cancer treatment and 363 healthy individuals (control group) were evaluated. OHRQoL was assessed using an age-specific questionnaire, that is, the Brazilian versions of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS), the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ) 11-14-short version, the CPQ 8-10-short version, and the short-form of Oral Health Impact Profile Questionnaire-14 (OHIP-14). Results: Individuals from the control group who were evaluated by the ECOHIS presented more impact on the OHRQoL regarding the psychological and family function score, as well as those evaluated by CPQ 8-10, who presented more impact in general. However, considering CPQ 11-14, cancer patients had their OHRQoL more affected, as shown in both the total questionnaire score and oral symptoms score. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this Brazilian study, cancer treatment seems to be associated with decreased OHRQoL only in patients aged between 11 and 14 years. However, children without cancer aged between 8 and 10 years seem to experience worse OHRQoL.
RESUMO
Although fluoride (F) is required for the normal growth and development of several human organs and tissues, excessive exposure to it may be potentially toxic. Groundwater may present ranging levels of F; however, the appearance, taste, and smell are not altered. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate dental fluorosis in children from a Brazilian slave-descendent community, as well as to assess F levels in the drinking water supplies available in that area. For that, 21 children aged from 6 to 14 years living in Rincão dos Martimianos were invited to participate. Thylstrup and Fejerskov index (a 09 scale) was used to assess dental fluorosis on permanent teeth. Furthermore, the F concentration of two water samples (from the artesian well and a tank) was determined by using a potentiometric method. All children presented dental fluorosis to some degree, ranging from score 2 to 9. About 81% of them had dental fluorosis scores equal to or over 5. Scores lower than 5 were observed only in children younger than 8 years; on the other hand, all children older than 8 years presented scores higher than 5. Moreover, artesian well water had an F concentration of 5 mg/L and tank water 0.8 mg/L. It is suggested that the F-rich groundwater supply was most probably responsible for dental fluorosis in that area. Brazilian slave-descendent communities, therefore, should receive constant attention from their local authorities in order to guarantee a proper water supply for consumption, as well as to provide public health education(AU)
Embora o flúor (F) seja necessário para o crescimento e desenvolvimento normal de vários órgãos e tecidos humanos, a exposição excessiva pode ser potencialmente tóxica. As águas subterrâneas podem apresentar níveis variados de F; no entanto, a aparência, o sabor e o cheiro não são alterados. Desta forma, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a fluorose dentária em crianças de uma comunidade brasileira descendente de escravos, bem como avaliar os níveis de F na água potável disponível nessa área. Para isso, 21 crianças de 6 a 14 anos residentes no Rincão dos Martimianos foram convidadas a participar da pesquisa. O índice de Thylstrup e Fejerskov (uma escala de 0 a 9) foi usado para avaliar a fluorose dentária em dentes permanentes. Além disso, a concentração de F de duas amostras de água (do poço artesiano e de um tanque) foi determinada pelo método potenciométrico. Todas as crianças apresentaram algum grau de fluorose dentária, variando de 2 a 9. Cerca de 81% delas apresentaram escores de fluorose dentária iguais ou superiores a 5. Escores inferiores a 5 foram observados apenas em crianças menores de 8 anos; por outro lado, todas as crianças maiores de 8 anos apresentaram escores superiores a 5. Além disso, a água do poço artesiano tinha concentração de F de 5 mg/L e a água do tanque 0,8 mg/L. Desta forma, acredita-se que a fonte de água subterrânea rica em F foi provavelmente responsável pela fluorose dentária na região avaliada. As comunidades quilombolas brasileiras, portanto, devem receber atenção constante de suas autoridades locais, a fim de garantir o abastecimento adequado de água para consumo, bem como proporcionar educação em saúde pública(AU)
