Access to dental services in an elder population of African descent in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated access to dental services and associated factors in a community of Quilombola older people. BACKGROUND: Quilombola populations are groups of individuals descended from black Africans subjected to slavery during part of Brazilian history. As marginalised and neglected individuals, they have high rates of negative indicators and require further attention to the social determinants that affect their health reality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted in the Quilombola community of Castainho, in the Northeast region of Brazil. In this community, 34 older people aged between 65 and 74 resided. We collected self-report data on sociodemographic and economic characteristics, along with oral examinations by the researchers. The primary dependent variable was regular access to dental services. Statistical analysis used Fisher's exact test (P = .05). RESULTS: Among the 32 participants in the final sample, 18.8% (n = 6) reported accessing dental services in the previous 6 months. Self-declared individuals of mixed race, with positive self-assessment of oral health, and those who did not self-perceive the need for treatment had lower rates of regular access to dental services (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Use of dental services by older Quilombola people is low, and there are differences by ethnicity and individual perception of oral health.

Orofacial features in children with microcephaly associated with Zika virus: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze published scientific evidence about the most common orofacial disorders in children with microcephaly associated with ZIKV infection. METHODS: Through a scoping review, we respond to the search question was formulated: "What are the orofacial alterations in children with microcephaly associated with ZIKV?" It was performed a search in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Health Virtual Library. It was selected papers wrote in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. An evidence quality analysis was performed using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality classification. RESULTS: It was included 11 studies performed in the Brazilian Northeast region. The studies were carried out between 2018 and 2020. The main related alterations were delay in the tooth-eruption and deformation in the oral structures. CONCLUSION: The results observed in our work show moderate scientific evidence regarding the association of ZIKV with orofacial alterations in children with microcephaly due to the classifications of the quality of evidence of each one of the included studies. The main changes reported were in the chronology of tooth eruption, alteration in teeth, and oral structures.

Avaliação do conhecimento de cirurgiões-dentistas da atenção básica sobre estomatologia / Knowledge evaluation of primary health care dentists concerning oral medicine

Objetivo: Avaliar o nível de conhecimento em Estomatologia dos cirurgiões-dentistas (CD) que atuam na Atenção Básica de um município de Pernambuco, Brasil. Métodos: Este é um estudo observacional, indutivo, estatístico e de abordagem quantitativa. A população do estudo envolve os CD atuantes nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde do município. Os dados foram coletados através de um questionário elaborado pelos pesquisadores, contendo 27 perguntas sobre as lesões orais mais comuns, diagnóstico clínico e condutas frente a diagnósticos clínicos específicos. O nível de conhecimento foi mensurado a partir da média de acertos dos profissionais. Os dados coletados foram processados por meio do uso do programa estatístico IBM SPSS 20.0®. Resultados: A amostra obtida foi de treze CD. A média dos acertos nos conhecimentos específicos em Estomatologia foi de 17 (± 3,109). Quanto à classificação do desempenho geral, a maioria dos profissionais (69,2%) teve um desempenho regular. Quanto aos conhecimentos específicos sobre diagnóstico clínico, estes foram classificados como alto para a maioria (53,8%). Em relação aos conhecimentos específicos sobre as condutas adequadas frente às lesões, a classificação do desempenho foi baixa para a maioria dos participantes (84,6%). Conclusão: De modo geral, os CD obtiveram um desempenho regular de conhecimento em Estomatologia. Recomenda-se o desenvolvimento de mais pesquisas devido à escassez de discussões sobre o tema na literatura.

Aim: To evaluate the level of knowledge on oral medicine of dentists who work in Primary Health Care in the city in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Methods: This is an observational, inductive, statistical study with a quantitative approach. The study population involves dentists working in the Basic Health Units of the city. The data were collected through a questionnaire prepared by the researchers, containing 27 questions about the most common oral lesions, clinical diagnoses, and conduct towards specific clinical diagnoses. The level of knowledge was measured from the mean of correct answers by the professionals. Collected data were processed using the IBM SPSS 20.0® statistical program. Results: This study's sample counted on the participation of thirteen dentists. The mean of correct answers regarding specific knowledge on Oral Medicine was 17 (± 3.109). As for the classification of general performance, most professionals (69.2%) performed regularly. As for specific knowledge about clinical diagnosis, the knowledge was classified as high for the majority (53.8%). About the appropriate behaviors in relation to injuries, the performance classification was low for most participants (84.6%). Conclusion: In general, dentists obtained a regular knowledge on Oral Medicine. Further research is recommended due to the scarcity of discussions on the topic in the literature.

Conhecimento e uso da biossegurança por profissionais de saúde bucal do SUS do Sertão Pernambucano / Knowledge and use of biosafety by professionals of oral health of the SUS of Sertão Pernambucano

Objetivo: Avaliar o conhecimento e o uso dos procedimentos que envolvem a biossegurança por cirurgiões dentistas e assistentes de saúde bucal em um município do sertão de pernambucano, buscando averiguar a compreensão da necessidade e da importância da utilização da biossegurança. Métodos: Estudo observacional descritivo realizado através de questionário aplicado para os profissionais da área odontológica vinculados ao Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) do município de Arcoverde, Pernambuco, Brasil. A amostra foi constituída de 29 profissionais da área odontológica que responderam ao questionário, sendo 9 dentistas e 20 auxiliares. Resultados: Cem por cento dos profissionais afirmam lavar as mãos antes e depois dos procedimentos. Apenas 20% dos ASB lavam o instrumental em pia fora do consultório; 90% costumam fazer a assepsia da cadeira odontológica após cada atendimento; 95% costumam fazer a assepsia da cuspideira e do equipo/cárter após cada atendimento. Conclusão: Os profissionais possuem conhecimento satisfatório acerca da biossegurança no consultório odontológico. Contudo, deve-se uma atenção especial ao uso de luvas estéreis e de campo cirúrgico durante os procedimentos necessários, bem como à disponibilização de equipamentos de proteção individual aos pacientes, a fim de minimizar o risco de contaminação cruzada.

Aim: To assess the knowledge and use of procedures that involve biosafety by dental surgeons and oral health assistants in a municipality in the backlands of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, seeking to ascertain the understanding of the need and importance of using biosafety. Methods: This work was a descriptive observational study conducted through a questionnaire applied to dental professionals linked to the Unified Health System (SUS) in the municipality of Arcoverde, Pernambuco, Brazil. The sample consisted of 29 dental professionals who answered the questionnaire, including 9 dentists and 20 assistants. Results: One hundred percent of the professionals say they wash their hands before and after the procedures. Only 20% of ASBs wash the instruments in a sink outside the office; 90% usually perform asepsis of the dental chair after each visit; 95% usually clean the spit and the equipment / sump after each visit. Conclusion: The professionals have satisfactory knowledge about biosafety in the dental office. However, special attention should be paid to the use of sterile gloves and the surgical field during the necessary procedures, as well as the provision of personal protective equipment for patients to minimize the risk of cross contamination.