Determination of dental caries, molar-incisor hypomineralization, and oral health-related quality of life in schoolchildren: A structural equation modeling approach.

BACKGROUND: Some oral conditions can have psychosocial consequences that affect children's daily life and well-being. AIM: To create a structural model for the determination of dental caries, molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH), and the impact of these conditions and socioeconomic status on schoolchildren's oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). DESIGN: A representative cross-sectional study was conducted in Lavras, Brazil, with 1181 female and male schoolchildren 8-9 years of age. OHRQoL was measured using the Brazilian version of the CPQ8-10. Clinical examinations were performed by a calibrated dentist for the diagnosis of dental caries (WHO) and MIH (EAPD). Parents/caregivers answered questionnaires addressing the child's medical history and socioeconomic status. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: The model revealed that greater MIH severity (ß = .874; p < .001) and worse socioeconomic status (ß = -.060; p = .001) were associated with a greater number of teeth with caries experience. The higher the number of teeth with caries experience (ß = .160; p = .007) and worse socioeconomic status (ß = -.164; p < .001), the greater the negative impact on OHRQoL. CONCLUSION: The model created showed that dental caries and socioeconomic status had a direct negative impact on the OHRQoL of schoolchildren and MIH had an indirect impact mediated by the occurrence of caries experience.

Association between possible awake bruxism and bullying among 8- to 11-year-old children/adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Bruxism is characterized by tooth grinding and/or clenching. AIM: To evaluate the association between possible awake bruxism (PAB) and bullying among individuals aged 8-11 years. DESIGN: A representative cross-sectional study was conducted with 434 eight- to eleven-year-old children/adolescents. Parents/caregivers answered a questionnaire to provide data on sociodemographic characteristics. Children/adolescents answered a questionnaire about the occurrence of PAB. The Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire was used. The Poisson regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: Of the 434 children/adolescents, 209 (48.2%) were boys and 225 (51.8%) were girls. The mean age of the children/adolescents was 9.14 years (±1.00). Children/adolescents who were victims of bullying (PR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.14-2.04, P = .005) and bullies-victims (PR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.36-3.17, P = .001) presented a higher frequency of PAB than those who were not involved in bullying. CONCLUSION: Children/adolescents who were bullying victims and bullies-victims had a higher frequency of PAB.

Negative effect of malocclusion on the emotional and social well-being of Brazilian adolescents: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aesthetic impact of malocclusion can have negative repercussions on quality of life, social interaction, interpersonal relationships, and psychological well-being. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of malocclusion on the quality of life of Brazilian adolescents. METHODS: A representative cross-sectional study of 1612 adolescents from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais was conducted. The adolescents responded to the Brazilian version of the Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ11-14-ISF:16) to assess the impact of the condition on quality of life. Cases of malocclusion were diagnosed using the Dental Aesthetic Index while clinical examination was performed by three calibrated examiners. Data regarding traumatic dental injuries, dental caries, gender, type of school, age and social vulnerability was collected. Data analysis was performed using bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression with robust variance (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The prevalence of malocclusion was 31.3%. The presence of definite malocclusion (PR = 1.28; CI = 1.13-1.45), severe malocclusion (PR = 1.24; CI = 1.04-1.47) and handicapping malocclusion (PR = 1.55; CI = 1.31-1.84) was associated with a greater negative impact on Emotional Well-Being. The presence of definite malocclusion (PR = 1.18; CI = 1.02-1.36), severe malocclusion (PR = 1.46; CI = 1.21-1.76) and handicapping malocclusion (PR = 1.61; CI = 1.35-1.94) was also associated with a greater negative impact on Social Well-Being. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with handicapping malocclusion, where the need for treatment was mandatory, suffered from a greater negative impact on quality of life, with emotional and social aspects most affected.

Determining Cut-Off Points for the Dental Fear Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine a high fear cut-off point score for the Dental Fear Survey (DFS) using a single-item self-report questionnaire. METHODS: The DFS, a 20-item questionnaire assessing fear of dental treatment, was completed by 1,256 participants with a mean age of 22.3 years (SD = 5.1). Another self-report questionnaire was used to collect data on previous dental experiences. A high fear cut-off point score was determined by calculating the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the DFS. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression were calculated; a significance level of p < 0.05 was used for all tests. RESULTS: The ROC curve indicated that a DFS score ≥ 53 corresponds to a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 92.5%. Most participants (n = 895; 71.5%) reported no fear of going to the dentist. There was significant association between DFS score and fear assessed with the question "Are you fearful of going to the dentist?" (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A cut-off point of 53 on the DFS total score represents the best compromise between sensitivity and specificity and can be used to predict high dental fear.

Dental Fear Survey: a cross-sectional study evaluating the psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Dental Fear Survey (DFS), previously translated to the Brazilian Portuguese language and validated. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 1,256 undergraduates from the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, was carried out. The DFS and a questionnaire about previous dental experiences were self-administered. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, principal components analysis (PCA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency and test-retest reliability, and construct, discriminant, and convergent validity. RESULTS: PCA identified a three-factor structure. CFA confirmed the multidimensionality of the Brazilian version of the DFS. A modified model of the Brazilian version of the DFS fits better than the hypothesized model. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the total DFS scale was 0.95. CONCLUSION: The DFS demonstrated acceptable construct validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. These results supported the reliability and validity of the DFS among Brazilian undergraduates.

Association between the severity of possible sleep bruxism and possible awake bruxism and attrition tooth wear facets in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the severity of possible sleep bruxism (PSB) and possible awake bruxism (PAB) and attrition tooth wear facets (ATWF) in children/adolescents. METHODS: Four hundred-thirty-four children/adolescents enrolled in schools in Lavras, Brazil, participated in this cross-sectional study. Caregivers answered a questionnaire about their childrens' PSB. Children/adolescents answered a questionnaire about the occurrence of PAB. RESULTS: ATWF among individuals without PSB and PAB was lower than those with moderate/severe PSB (p = 0.038) and moderate/severe PAB (p = 0.003). ATWF in anterior teeth was lower among individuals without PSB compared to those with mild (p = 0.015) and moderate/severe PSB (p = 0.032). ATWF in posterior teeth was lower among individuals without PAB compared to those with mild (p = 0.046) and moderate/severe PAB (p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: The number of attrition tooth wear facets is proportional to the severity of PSB and PAB.

Association Between Probable Awake Bruxism and School Bullying in Children and Adolescents: A Case-Control Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between probable awake bruxism (PAB) and school bullying in children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 380 children and adolescents enrolled in public and private schools in the city of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil, participated in this case-control study. The case group (190 children with PAB) and the control group (190 children without PAB) were matched for sex and age. Data acquisition involved questionnaires administered to the children/adolescents and their parents/caregivers. An oral clinical examination to assess attrition tooth wear was also performed. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses (95 percent confidence interval [95% CI], P<0.05) were conducted. Results: Among the 380 participants, 176 (46.3 percent) were male and 204 (53.7 percent) were female. Children and adolescents who were involved in bullying episodes as victims/bullies (odds ratio [OR] equals 2.92, 95% CI equals 1.07 to 7.95, P=0.036) and victims (OR equals 1.93, 95% CI equals 1.04 to 3.57, P=0.037) were significantly associated with PAB. Children and adolescents who reported sleep problems (OR equals 2.51, 95% CI equals 1.07 to 5.89, P=0.033) were significantly associated with PAB. Conclusion: Based on the results, it was observed that probable awake bruxism is associated with involvement in episodes of school bullying and sleep problems.

Prevalence and determining factors of traumatic injuries to primary teeth in preschool children.

The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of dental injuries and the influence of determining factors in preschool children from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. A cross-sectional survey was carried out through clinical examinations and the application of a questionnaire to the parents of 419 children aged 0 to 5 years attending preschool. The sample was stratified by region, type of institution and age. The eighteen preschools visited were chosen randomly. The prevalence of traumatic injury to primary teeth was 39.1%. Enamel fractures were the most common traumatic injury (49.7%). Boys were 1.62 times more likely to have dental injuries than girls. Children with inadequate lip coverage were 3.75 times more likely to have a traumatic dental injury than those with adequate lip coverage. Children attending state preschools had nearly two times greater chances of having dental trauma than children attending private preschools. It was concluded that the prevalence of dental injuries in preschool children is high in Belo Horizonte, Brazil and constitutes a public health problem.

Correlation between socioeconomic indicators and traumatic dental injuries: a qualitative critical literature review.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Traumatic dental injuries are widespread and have become a serious dental public health problem in childhood. Despite its importance, very few studies have correlated the prevalence of permanent tooth injury and socioeconomic indicators. The aim of the present study was to evaluate just such a correlation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic searches were performed in the following bibliographical databases: Brazilian Bibliography of Dentistry, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences, The Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Knowledge, International Database for Medical Literature and PubMed Central. Reference lists from articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria in this review were searched for additional relevant articles. The Brazilian Coordination of Higher Education Personnel Improvement Theses Databank was also included. Selection and analysis of the articles were performed independently by two authors of the present literature review. RESULTS: A total of 21 of 98 articles were eligible for inclusion in the review. However, only nine articles performed all the methodology criteria analyzed. Seven of the surveys were carried out in Brazil and two in Thailand. The age of children was 9-14 years. Statistically significant associations between permanent tooth injuries and high economic status were found in four studies. CONCLUSION: There were few studies correlating traumatic injuries in permanent teeth and socioeconomic indicators and the majority found no such association. It is suggested that the association between traumatic dental injuries and socioeconomic factors may be related to the indicators used, considering differences in their individual components. Furthermore, the heterogeneity of the methodologies hinders the comparison of the studies.

Malocclusion and social vulnerability: a representative study with adolescents from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. / Má oclusão e vulnerabilidade social: estudo representativo de adolescentes de Belo Horizonte, Brasil.

Malocclusion is public health problem because of its high prevalence, treatment possibility, and impact on the individual's quality of life. This article aims to determining the prevalence of malocclusion in adolescents and to test its association with social vulnerability. A representative transversal study was performed with 1612 adolescents aged between 11 and 14 years old who came from public and private schools in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The adolescents were examined by three calibrated examiners for diagnosis of malocclusion, using the Dental Aesthetic Index. The Social Vulnerability Index from Belo Horizonte was used to determine the degree of social vulnerability from adolescents. The data were analyzed using Poisson regression with robust variance (p<0,05). Most adolescents presented absence/minor malocclusion (68.7%). Dental crowding was diagnosed in 51.9% from the sample, diastema in 23.7%, anterior open bite in 7.6 %. Malocclusion was associated with social vulnerability (PR=1.25;95% CI=1.01-1.55). Dental crowding was the most prevalent type of malocclusion. The more socially vulnerable adolescents had worse indicators of malocclusion.

A má oclusão é um problema de saúde pública devido à alta prevalência, possibilidade de tratamento e por interferir na qualidade de vida dos indivíduos. O objetivo deste artigo é determinar a prevalência da má oclusão em adolescentes e testar sua associação com indicador de vulnerabilidade social. Foi realizado um estudo transversal representativo com 1.612 adolescentes, entre 11 e 14 anos de idade, de escolas públicas e privadas de Belo Horizonte, Brasil. Os adolescentes foram avaliados por três examinadores calibrados para o diagnóstico de má oclusão, utilizando o Índice Estético Dental. O Índice de Vulnerabilidade Social de Belo Horizonte foi utilizado para determinar o grau de vulnerabilidade social dos adolescentes. Os dados foram analisados através da regressão de Poisson com variância robusta (p < 0,05). A maioria dos adolescentes apresentou má oclusão ausente/leve (68,7%). Diagnosticou-se apinhamento dentário em 51,9% da amostra, diastema em 23,7%, mordida aberta anterior em 7,6 %. A má oclusão mostrou-se associada à vulnerabilidade social (RP = 1,25;95% IC = 1,01-1,55). O apinhamento dentário foi o tipo de má oclusão mais prevalente. Os adolescentes mais vulneráveis socialmente apresentaram piores indicadores de má oclusão.

Prevalence, intensity and impact of dental pain in 5-year-old preschool children.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of clinical oral health conditions, and the prevalence, intensity and the impact of dental pain on daily living among 5-year-old preschool children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on a sample of 578 children attending preschools in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Data were collected by means of a pretested questionnaire given to the parents and a visual analogue scale of faces applied to the children. The children underwent dental examinations. RESULTS: According to the parents' reports, the lifetime prevalence of dental pain was 25.0% (95% confidence interval, 95% CI = 21.4 to 28.6), and dental pain caused crying in 16.8% (95% CI = 13.6 to 19.9) of the children; 10.7% (95% CI = 8.1 to 13.3) of children had dental pain in the 2 months prior to the dental examination. Among this group of children with dental pain, 59.3% experienced a negative impact as a result of pain. The following clinical conditions had mostly caused dental pain in the 2 months prior to the dental examination: root remnants, fistula and pulp caries. This recent pain resulted in a visit to the clinician in 13.6% of the children. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence, intensity and the impact of dental pain in 5-year-old children were high in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Dental pain assessed in the present study was associated with avoidable pathological factors. However, only few children were treated professionally for the dental pain they were experiencing. Public policies should be developed and implemented to promote fair, comprehensive treatment for the population.

Influence of nonnutritive sucking habits, breathing pattern and adenoid size on the development of malocclusion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of finger and pacifier-sucking habits, breathing pattern, and adenoid size with the development of malocclusion in primary dentition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study was carried out involving 300 preschool children, ages 3 to 6 years, randomly selected from 10 public and 10 private preschools from a large representative sample of 745 children. The study was developed to identify risk factors associated with the development of malocclusion. The case group (n = 150) was composed of individuals with at least one of the following malocclusions: anterior open bite, posterior crossbite, or overjet of more than 3 mm. The control group (n = 150) was made up of individuals without malocclusions. Other variables were assessed through questionnaires about oral habits, including the use of a dummy, finger sucking, duration of these habits; mouth-breathing analysis; and a lateral cephalometric radiograph to evaluate the airway obstruction related to the adenoids. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Statistical significance was P < .05. RESULTS: The risk factors for the occurrence of malocclusion in preschool children were duration of pacifier-sucking after 2 years of age (OR = 14.7) and mouth-breathing pattern (OR = 10.9). No significant associations were found between hypertrophied adenoids or finger-sucking habits and the occurrence of malocclusion. CONCLUSIONS: The malocclusion in the primary dentition in preschool children was directly related to the duration of pacifier-sucking after 2 years of age and the mouth-breathing pattern.

Impact of malocclusion on the quality of life of children aged 8 to 10 years.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to assess the impact of malocclusion on the quality of life of children aged 8 to 10 years attending public elementary schools in Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: The Brazilian version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 8-10 (CPQ8-10) was used to evaluate oral health-related quality of life. The children were examined for the diagnosis of malocclusion using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). The data were analyzed by bivariate and multivariate descriptive statistics using Poisson regression at a 5% significance level. A total of 270 children participated in the study. RESULTS: Children with normal occlusion or mild malocclusion (DAI ≤ 25) were 56% less likely (95%CI: 0.258-0.758; p= 0.003) to have their quality of life affected compared with children diagnosed with extremely severe malocclusion (DAI ≥ 36). Children with a maxillary anterior overjet ≥ 3 mm had higher CPQ8-10 mean scores (19.4; SD = 17.1) than those with an overjet < 3 mm (13.6; SD = 11.7; p= 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Extremely severe malocclusion and pronounced maxillary anterior overjet were associated with a negative impact on quality of life.

Prevalence and factors associated with enamel defects among preschool children from a southeastern city in Brazil.

This study sought to determine the prevalence of developmental defects of enamel (DDE) among preschool children and investigate associations with sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors and weight status. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 118 children aged 3 to 5 years. Data were collected via clinical examinations and a self-administered questionnaire completed by the parents. The diagnosis of DDE was performed using the modified DDE Index. Information on socioeconomic indicators (mother's schooling, monthly income per capita), child's sex and age, and age of mother at the birth of the child were obtained by questionnaire. The children's weight status was determined based on weight-for-age at the time of the exam. Statistical analysis involved the chi-squared test and Poisson regression with robust variance. The prevalence of DDE was 50.0%. DDE were more frequent in males (p = 0.025) and children whose families were classified as being at poverty line (p = 0.040). In the Poisson model controlled for child's sex and mother's schooling, children whose families were classified as being at the poverty line had a greater prevalence rate of DDE. In conclusion, the prevalence of DDE was high in the present sample and associated with lower household income. Weight status was not associated with DDE.

Precipitating factors of school bullying in victims and bully-victims from eight-to-eleven-years of age / Fatores precipitantes do bullying escolar em vítimas e vítimas-intimidadoras de oito a onze anos de idade

Aim: The aim of the present study was to identify precipitating factors of bullying in schoolchildren.Methods: A total of 425 schoolchildren aged eight to eleven years, enrolled in public and private schools in Lavras, Brazil, participated in this cross-sectional study. The schoolchildren answered two questions addressing characteristics that could affect their relationships with peers and completed the Brazilian version of the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire. The characteristics investigated included weight, height, facial features, dentofacial appearance, and other individual factors, such as halitosis and wearing glasses. Parents answered a questionnaire on demographic characteristics. Descriptive analysis and multinomial logistic regression were performed (p ≤ 0.05).Results: Bully-victims were more likely to be enrolled in public schools (OR = 5.43, 95% CI: 1.14-25.91, p = 0.03). Victims of bullying were more likely to report characteristics such as halitosis, wearing glasses, and other aspects (OR = 3.31, 95% CI: 1.14-9.57, p = 0.02), as well as dentofacial appearance (OR = 3.80, 95% CI: 1.38-10.41, p = 0.01), as factors that affected interactions with peers.Conclusions: The findings show that physical appearance, socioeconomic aspect, and individual characteristics are factors associated with victims and bully-victims. Pediatric dentists should discuss these issues with their patients and parents/caregivers when taking patient history.

Objetivo:O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar os fatores precipitantes do bullying em escolares.Métodos: Um total de 425 escolares de oito a onze anos matriculados em escolas públicas e privadas de Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brasil, participaram deste estudo transversal. Os escolares responderam duas perguntas abordando características que poderiam afetar seu relacionamento com seus pares e preencheram a versão brasileira do Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire. As características investigadas foram peso, altura, características faciais, aparência dentofacial e outros fatores individuais, como halitose e uso de óculos. Os pais responderam um questionário sobre características sociodemográficas. Análise descritiva e regressão logística multinomial foram realizadas (p ≤ 0,05). Resultados: As vítimas-intimidadoras eram mais propensas a serem de escolas públicas (OR = 5,43, IC 95%:1,14-25,91, p = 0,03). As vítimas de bullying foram mais propensas a relatar características como halitose, uso de óculos e outros aspectos (OR = 3,31, IC 95%: 1,14-9,57, p = 0,02), bem como aparência dentofacial (OR = 3,80, IC 95%: 1,38-10,41, p = 0,01) como fatores que afetaram suas interações com seus pares. Conclusões:Os achados mostram que a aparência física, o aspecto socioeconômico e as características individuais são fatores associados às vítimas e às vítimas-intimidadoras. Odontopediatras devem discutir essas questões com as crianças/adolescentes e seus pais/responsáveis ao obter a história do paciente.

Alcohol intake among adolescent students and association with social capital and socioeconomic status.

The aim was to evaluate the prevalence of alcohol consumption, binge drinking and their association with social capital and socioeconomic factors among Brazilian adolescents students. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a randomly selected representative sample of 936 adolescents aged 15 to 19 years. Information on alcohol consumption, social capital and socioeconomic status was collected using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, the Integrated Questionnaire for the Measurement of Social Capital and Social Vulnerability Index, respectively. The prevalence of alcohol consumption was 50.3% and binge drinking 36% the last year. Adolescents who reported believing that people in their community could help solve a collective problem (with the water supply) and those classified as having high social vulnerability had lower likelihood of binge drinking (PR = 0.776 [95%CI:0.620 to 0.971] and PR = 0.660 [95%CI:0.542 to 0.803], respectively). The prevalence of alcohol consumption and binge drinking the last year is high among participants. Those with higher socioeconomic status as well as lower perceptions of community capital social are more likely to display binge-drinking behavior.

Prevalence of and factors associated with enamel fracture and other traumas in Brazilian children 8-10 years old.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and discriminate the associated factors between enamel fractures and other trauma/trauma sequelae in 8 to 10-year-old Brazilian schoolchildren. A representative sample of 1,201 children from public and private schools were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Questionnaires about sociodemographic characteristics were answered by parents. The outcome variable (traumatic dental injury, TDI) was multi-categorized. Independent individual variables were sex, age, number of residents in household, parents/caregivers' level of education, family income, dental caries, and overjet. Type of school was considered an independent contextual variable. Multilevel analysis, bivariate, and multivariate multinomial logistic regression models were performed. The prevalence of TDI was 14.0% (2.8% with other trauma/trauma sequelae). The multilevel analysis revealed no significant difference between the type of school and TDI. The multinomial logistic regression showed that boys (OR = 2.3; 95%CI: 1.1-4.8), older children (OR = 1.8; 95%CI: 1.1-3.0) and individuals with an overjet > 3 mm (OR = 2.5; 95%CI: 1.0-6.2) were more likely to present other trauma/trauma sequelae. Enamel fracture was not significantly associated with any variables. The prevalence of TDI in 8 to 10-year-old schoolchildren was 14% but only 2.8% of other trauma/trauma sequelae. Differences regarding the associated factors of TDI involving enamel fracture or other trauma/trauma sequelae were detected, suggesting that the different TDI classification cannot be evaluated as a single category.

Effect of mixing process on microleakage of glass ionomer cements used in atraumatic restorative treatment on primary molars.

Aiming to assess the effect of mixing process on microleakage, 40 primary molars were filled with encapsulated glass ionomer cements (GICs) (Vidrion, RCaps and Fuji, IXGPFAST) or with GICs stored in bottles (Vidrion, R and Fuji, IX). Dye penetration was assessed using scores. Encapsulation and mechanical mixing have reduced significantly marginal microleakage levels in class II restorations performed with conventional GICs if compared to the values obtained by their bottled correspondents (p=0.000).

Binge drinking and associated factors among adolescents in a city in southeastern Brazil: a longitudinal study.

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the frequency of binge drinking and associated factors in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The sample consisted of 436 adolescents. Data collection involved the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test. Ordinal logistic regression was used in the multivariate analysis. An increase in the frequency of binge drinking was found among adolescents who lived in areas of greater social vulnerability (OR = 1.64; 95%CI: 1.01-2.68), those whose mothers consumed alcoholic beverages (OR = 1.75; 95%CI: 1.05-2.92), those whose fathers consumed alcoholic beverages (OR = 2.02; 95%CI: 1.11-3.68), those with an increased risk of tobacco use (OR = 2.82; 95%CI: 1.07-7.42) and those who attended religious services (OR = 2.10; 95%CI: 1.30-3.38). Knowledge regarding factors associated with a change in the frequency of binge drinking among adolescents can assist in the establishment of public policies directed at health promotion and the prevention of adverse health conditions.

The anti-caries activity and toxicity of an experimental propolis-containing varnish.

We investigated the anti-caries effects of an experimental propolis varnish in vivo, and further tested its toxicity against fibroblasts. Fifty-six SPF female Wistar rats were infected with Streptococcus mutans UA159 (SM) and allocated into four groups (n = 14/group): G1, propolis varnish (15%/PV); G2, chitosan varnish (CV/vehicle); G3, gold standard (GS/Duraphat®); and G4, untreated. The animals received a single varnish application on their molars and were submitted to a high cariogenic challenge (Diet-2000, 56% sucrose, and 5% sucrose-added water, ad libitum) for 4 weeks. Total cultivable microbiota and SM were counted, and smooth-surface and sulcal caries were scored. PV, CV and GS cytotoxic effects were tested against fibroblasts. The data were analyzed using ANOVA with the Tukey-Kramer test (p ≤ 0.05). Total microbiota and SM counts did not differ among the treatments (p = 0.78), or in relation to the untreated group (p = 0.52). PV reduced development of smooth-surface enamel caries compared with the untreated group (p = 0.0018), with no significant difference from GS (p = 0.92); however, the PV effects were no longer observed when the dentin was affected. Neither PV nor GS prevented enamel sulcal lesion onset, but GS significantly reduced the severity of dentinal sulcal lesions (p < 0.0001). No significant difference was observed in fibroblast viability between PV and GS (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, PV prevented smooth-surface enamel caries and showed low cell toxicity. Nevertheless, due to the high cariogenic challenge, its effects were not sustained throughout the experiment. Further studies are encouraged to establish a protocol to sustain the long-term anti-caries activity of PV in the oral cavity.