COVID-19 pandemic and impact on dental education: perception of Brazilian dental students

Aim: The aim of the present study is to assess the perception of undergraduate students on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Brazilian dental education. Methods: This crosssectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire hosted in Google Forms platform and publicized on Instagram® and Facebook®. The questionnaire was available between July 8-27, 2020. Absolute and relative frequencies were obtained for variables of interest using Pearson's chi-squared and considering 95% confidence intervals. Prevalence of learning resource variables according to self-reported skin color, educational institution, and Brazilian region were presented using equiplots. Results: A total of 1,050 undergraduate dental students answered the questionnaire. Most students reported being in full-distance learning mode. Among the undergraduate students, 65.4% reported perceiving a very high impact in dental education, and 16.6% of students reported not being able to follow distance learning. In addition, 14% reported not having a personal laptop or desktop to study with, with this condition being more prevalent among non-white than white individuals. Conclusion: We conclude that Brazilian dental students perceived a high impact of COVID-19 on dental education, as well as one-sixth of the students reported not having adequate resources to continue with distance learning. It is important that different policies are developed at the institutional and governmental levels to reduce the impact of the pandemic on dental education

Ultra-processed food consumption and dental caries in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study summarised the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and dental caries in children and adolescents through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The search of PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science and Scopus databases using the 'PECOS' strategy retrieved 1462 eligible articles. Only studies with humans aged ≤ 19 years; that assessed groups of any UPF or specific UPF items; that measured dental caries as the decayed, filled and missing surfaces or teeth indexes, based on the WHO criteria; cross-sectional, case-control, cohort and all types of interventions that examined the adjusted association between UPF consumption and dental caries were included. All studies received qualitative evaluation. Meta-analysis using random-effects models combined multivariable-adjusted OR for case-control and cross-sectional studies and risk ratio (RR) for longitudinal studies of the highest v. lowest category of UPF consumption. Forty-two studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and twenty-seven in the meta-analysis. The pooled RR was 1·71 (95 % CI 1·31, 2·24), and the pooled OR was 1·55 (95 % CI 1·37, 1·75). The highest OR was found among participants who had dental caries prevalence >70 % (OR = 3·67, 95 % CI 2·16, 6·23). Better evidence quality was found among cohort studies that evaluated children <6 years old. The findings suggest that higher UPF consumption is associated with greater dental caries in children and adolescents. Public health efforts to reduce UPF consumption are needed to improve the oral health of children and adolescents.

Factors associated with the reduction of dental care in Primary Health Care in Brazil after the emergence of COVID-19: a cross-sectional study, 2020. / Fatores associados à redução de atendimentos odontológicos na Atenção Primária à Saúde no Brasil, com o surgimento da COVID-19: estudo transversal, 2020.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors associated with the reduction of dental care in Primary Health Care, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with dentists in primary healthcare centers (PHCCs). The reduction of dental care was the outcome, and the exposure variables were sociodemographic data, availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and measures adopted by PHCCs during the pandemic. Poisson regression was performed to determine the prevalence ratio and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). RESULTS: Of the total of 958 participants, 62.6% reported a reduction of over 50% in dental visits after the beginning of the pandemic. Adoption of biosafety protocols (PR = 1.04; 95%CI 1.01;1.07), availability of PPE recommended by new protocols (PR = 0.94; 95%CI 0.89;0.99) and adoption of tele-screening (PR = 0.90; 95%CI 0.85;0.96) were associated with the reduction. CONCLUSION: The availability of new types of PPE and implementation of tele-screening in PHCCs seem to have minimized the reduction of dental care after the beginning of the pandemic.

Knowledge About Biosafety Measures in Clinical Setting During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study With Brazilian Dental Students.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge of Brazilian dental students about biosafety measures that should be adopted in the clinical setting during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 1050 dental students was conducted. A semi-structured questionnaire was shared with students. Mean knowledge score on biosafety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic was the outcome, with a maximum of 8 scores. Explanatory variables included sociodemographic and educational characteristics, aspects related to biosafety education, actions adopted by the dental schools during the pandemic, and sources of biosafety information. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Mean knowledge score was 5.19 (1.28). Female students (ß = 0.346; 95% CI: 0.154-0.539), those enrolled in the intermediate (ß = 0.525; 95% CI: 0.167-0.883) or final (ß = 0.569; 95% CI: 0.200-0.937) stage of course, and those who had already received theoretical-practical training in biosafety (ß = 0.464; 95% CI: 0.063-0.866) presented higher mean knowledge scores. Students who did not receive guidance on aerosol control measures before the pandemic (ß = -0.324; 95% CI: -0.519 to -0.130) had the lowest score. CONCLUSION: Students presented a medium level of knowledge about dental biosafety measures concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. Sociodemographic characteristics and those related to the institutional profile of the participants, and access to orientation and training in biosafety, may influence their knowledge.

Fatores associados à redução de atendimentos odontológicos na Atenção Primária à Saúde no Brasil, com o surgimento da COVID-19: estudo transversal, 2020 / Factores asociados a la reducción de la atención odontológica en Atención Primaria de Salud en Brasil con la aparición de COVID-19: estudio transversal, 2020 / Factors associated with the reduction of dental care in Primary Health Care in Brazil after the emergence of COVID-19: a cross-sectional study, 2020

Objetivo: Analisar fatores associados à redução de atendimentos odontológicos na Atenção Primária à Saúde, durante pandemia de COVID-19 no Brasil. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com cirurgiões-dentistas das unidades básicas de saúde (UBS). O desfecho foi a redução dos atendimentos odontológicos, e as variáveis de exposição, dados sociodemográficos, disponibilidade de equipamentos de proteção individual (EPIs) e medidas adotadas pela UBS na pandemia. Realizou-se regressão de Poisson para determinar razão de prevalências e intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%). Resultados: A redução de atendimentos acima de 50% após o início da pandemia foi relatada por 62,6% dos 958 participantes. Adoção de protocolos de biossegurança (RP = 1,04; IC95% 1,01;1,07), disponibilidade de EPIs preconizados por novos protocolos (RP = 0,94; IC95% 0,89;0,99) e adoção da teletriagem (RP = 0,90; IC95% 0,85;0,96) estiveram associados à redução. Conclusão: A disponibilização dos novos EPIs e a implementação da teletriagem nas UBS parecem ter minimizado a redução dos atendimentos odontológicos após o início da pandemia.

Objetivo: Analizar factores asociados a la reducción de consultas odontológicas en Atención Primaria de Salud en Brasil durante el COVID-19. Métodos: Estudio transversal con cirujanos dentistas de las Unidades Básicas de Salud (UBS). El hecho investigado fue la reducción de consultas odontológicas y las variables de exposición incluyeron factores sociodemográficos, aspectos de los equipos de protección personal (EPPs) y las medidas adoptadas por la UBS tras la aparición del COVID. La regresión de Poisson se utilizó para determinar la razón de prevalencia y el intervalo de confianza del 95% (IC95%). Resultados: El 62,6% de los 958 participantes informó una reducción en la asistencia superior al 50% después del inicio de la pandemia. La adopción de protocolos (RP = 1,04; IC95% 1,01;1,07), disponibilidad de EPPs recomendados por los nuevos protocolos (RP = 0,94; IC95% 0,89;0,99) y la adopción de teletriaje (RP = 0,90; IC95% 0,85;0,96) fueron factores que se asociaron con esta reducción. Conclusión: La disponibilidad del nuevo EPP y la implementación de la teleprotección en las UBS parecen haber minimizado la reducción en la atención bucal después del inicio de la pandemia.

Objective: To analyze factors associated with the reduction of dental care in Primary Health Care, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with dentists in primary healthcare centers (PHCCs). The reduction of dental care was the outcome, and the exposure variables were sociodemographic data, availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and measures adopted by PHCCs during the pandemic. Poisson regression was performed to determine the prevalence ratio and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Results: Of the total of 958 participants, 62.6% reported a reduction of over 50% in dental visits after the beginning of the pandemic. Adoption of biosafety protocols (PR = 1.04; 95%CI 1.01;1.07), availability of PPE recommended by new protocols (PR = 0.94; 95%CI 0.89;0.99) and adoption of tele-screening (PR = 0.90; 95%CI 0.85;0.96) were associated with the reduction. Conclusion: The availability of new types of PPE and implementation of tele-screening in PHCCs seem to have minimized the reduction of dental care after the beginning of the pandemic.

Anxiety symptoms and alcohol abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study with Brazilian dental undergraduate students.

AIM: The aim of this study is to assess whether anxiety symptoms are associated with alcohol abuse in Brazilian undergraduate dental students during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A semi-structured questionnaire addressing the variables of interest was hosted on Google Forms and shared with dental undergraduate students from all Brazilian regions between July 8 and 27, 2020. Alcohol abuse was measured using the Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye opener (CAGE) questionnaire score of ≥2. All participants responded to the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Hierarchical logistic regression was also conducted. RESULTS: Among the 1050 students evaluated, 18.7% (n = 196) had a positive screening for alcohol abuse during the pandemic. The prevalence of mild (GAD-7 = 5-9), moderate (GAD-7 = 10-14), and severe (GAD-7 ≥15) anxiety among students were 31.3%, 29.6%, and 24.2%, respectively. The final hierarchical logistic regression model showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety levels predict the likelihood of alcohol abuse among students with moderate (OR 10.05 [95% IC: 4.12-24.52]) or severe (OR 15.82 [95% IC: 6.46-38.73]) anxiety, especially for male students (moderate anxiety: OR 17.06 [95% CI: 8.36-34.78]; severe anxiety: OR 28.38 [95% CI: 8.62-38.24]). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of alcohol abuse and moderate or severe anxiety in Brazilian undergraduate dental students during the COVID-19 pandemic was high. Male students may be more sensitive to the presence of anxiety symptoms in this period, thus contributing to higher levels of alcohol consumption, in comparison to female students. Intervention strategies that promote the adoption of healthier lifestyles can enable the effective management of anxiety symptoms during the pandemic and thus, hold the potential to reduce exacerbated alcohol intake in this population.

Factors Associated with the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Intellectual Disabilities / Factores asociados con la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud bucal en niños con discapacidad intelectual

Abstract: Different factors can influence the perception of quality of life in individuals with intellectual disabilities. This study investigated the factors associated with quality of life related to oral health in children with intellectual disabilities from the perspective of their parents. A cross-sectional study was carried out with Brazilian children from specialized institutions and their respective guardians. Data were collected through medical records, application of instruments and oral clinical examination (n=92). Most children had poor oral hygiene (64.10%) and a high caries experience (59.8%). The mothers' perception of quality of life related to oral health was low, however there was an association of greater perception when they had low education, female child, less brushing frequency and history of breastfeeding (p≤0.05). Although the perception of quality of life was low, the oral condition found evidences the need to promote oral health education actions with children with intellectual disabilities and their respective guardians.

Resumen: Diferentes factores pueden influir en la calidad de vida de personas con discapacidad intelectual. Este estudio investigó los factores asociados con la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud oral en niños con discapacidades intelectuales desde la perspectiva de sus cuidadores. Se realizó un estudio transversal con niños brasileños institucionalizados, que fueron evaluados clínicamente y sus respectivos tutores, quienes respondieron cuestionarios. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de registros médicos, aplicación de instrumentos de evaluación y examen clínico oral (n=92). La mayoría de los niños presentaban una higiene oral deficiente (64,10%) y una experiencia de caries alta (59,8%). Si bien la percepción específicamente de las madres respecto del impacto de las condiciones de la salud oral en la calidad de vida fue baja, mostró una tendencia a aumentar en cuanto disminuía el nivel educacional, la frecuencia de cepillado y la historia de lactancia materna (p≤0.05). El hecho de que la percepción del impacto en la calidad de vida por parte de los tutores no se condiga con las precarias condiciones de salud oral exhibida por los niños con discapacidad intelectual, no sólo demuestra el desconocimiento respecto de la importancia de la salud oral en un contexto general, sino que también evidencia la necesidad de promover acciones que incentiven el cuidado y educación en relación con este aspecto, tanto en los tutores como en los niños afectados.

Obesity is associated with lack of access to dental care and physical activity among older adults: a cross-sectional study / Obesidade está associada com falta de acesso a serviços odontológicos e atividade física em idosos: um estudo transversal

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the prevalence of obesity and associated factors among older adults. METHODS: This was a household-based cross-sectional study involving 282 individuals aged ≥ 60 years recruited in the city of Veranópolis, Brazil, using random probabilistic sampling. Participants underwent a clinical oral examination and completed a structured questionnaire. Obesitywas determined based on body mass index (BMI). Individuals were divided into two groups based on the presence (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) or absence of obesity (BMI < 30 kg/m2). Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed using Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity was 34% (n = 96). Each 1-year increase in age resulted in a 3.09% decrease in the likelihood of being classified as having obesity (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.969; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.949 ­ 0.989). Older adults that reported walking < 5 or ≥ 5 times per week were 39.65 and 37.20% less likely to be classified as obese. The PRs of obesity in former and non-smokers were 4.40 and 5 times higher, respectively, than in current smokers (p < 0.05). Older adults with no access to dental care were 51.72% (p = 0.013) more likely to present with obesity. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of obesity among older adults. Obesity was associated with lower age, smoking status, no access to dental care, and a lack of physical activity

OBJETIVO: O presente estudo avaliou a prevalência de obesidade e fatores associados em idosos. METODOLOGIA: Um estudo transversal domiciliar, com amostragem probabilística, foi realizado com 282 indivíduos de idade ≥60 anos de Veranópolis, Brasil. Um exame clínico de saúde bucal foi realizado e um questionário estruturado foi aplicado. A obesidade foi determinada pelo Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC). Os indivíduos foram categorizados com obesidade (IMC ≥ 30kg/m2) e sem obesidade (IMC < 30kg/m2). Análises uni e multivariadas foram feitas por meio de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de obesidade foi de 34% (n = 96). Cada ano de aumento na idade resultou em uma diminuição de 3,09% (razão de prevalência [RP] = 0,969; intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%] = 0,949 ­ 0,989) na RP de ser do grupo de obesos. Idosos que reportaram caminhar < cinco ou ≥ cinco vezes por semana apresentaram menor RP para obesidade, 39,65 e 37,20%, respectivamente. Ex-fumantes e não fumantes obtiveram, respectivamente, 4,40 e 5 vezes maior RP de serem do grupo de obesos quando comparados aos fumantes (p < 0,05). Idosos sem acesso a serviços odontológicos demonstraram 51,72% (p = 0,013) maior RP de serem do grupo com obesidade. CONCLUSÕES: Houve uma alta prevalência de obesidade em idosos, que foi associada com menor idade, estado de fumo e ausência de acesso ao dentista e atividade física.

Doença por Coronavírus 2019: desafios emergentes e o ensino odontológico brasileiro / Coronavirus disease 2019: emerging challenges and Brazilian dental education

A doença por coronavírus (COVID-19) surgiu na China no final de 2019, disseminando-se rapidamente por mais de 200 países. Devido às características dos ambientes e procedimentos odontológicos, há um maior risco de infecção cruzada entre a equipe de saúde bucal e os usuários desse serviço. Para consultórios odontológicos, escolas de Odontologia e seus hospitais associados, localizados em áreas que são (potencialmente) afetadas pelaCOVID-19, protocolos rigorosos e eficazes de controle de infecção estão sendo urgentemente desenvolvidos pelas agências reguladoras competentes, tanto a nível nacional, quanto internacional. Além disso, a pandemia teve um impacto imediato e dramático na educação odontológica, visto que nesse momento as instituições estão à frente do desafio de reorganizar sua infraestrutura e seus métodos de ensino para encarar as possíveis consequências dessa nova realidade, preservando e fomentando o progresso contínuo de seus futuros profissionais. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste estudoé apresentar importantes informações relacionadas ànova síndrome respiratória aguda por coronavírus-2 e seu impacto na Odontologia, abordando as principais orientações de biossegurança que devem ser adotadas nos atendimentos clínicos, bem como discutir as mudanças no ensino odontológico brasileiro frente à pandemia de COVID-19 (AU).

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in China in late 2019, spreading rapidly to more than 216countries. Due to the characteristics of the dental environments and procedures, there is a greater risk of cross-infection between the oral health team and the users of this service. For dental offices, dental schools, and their associated hospitals, located in areas (potentially) affected by COVID-19, rigorous and effective infection control protocols havebeing urgently developed by the competent regulatory agencies, both nationally and internationally. In addition, the pandemic had an immediate and dramatic impact on dental education, as institutions are now facing the challenge of reorganizing their infrastructure and teaching methods to face the possible consequences of this new reality, preserving and fostering continuous progress future professionals. In this sense, the objective of this study is to present important information related to the new acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus-2 and its impact on Dentistry, addressing the main biosafety guidelines that must be adopted in clinical care, as well as discussing changes in Brazilian dental education. against the COVID-19 pandemic (AU).

Entrevista Motivacional no ensino de graduação em Odontologia / Motivational Interview training for dental students

A Entrevista Motivacional (EM) é um método de aconselhamento que busca intervir no estilo de vida do indivíduo, com a finalidade de promover uma mudança comportamental benéfica à sua saúde. Embora bastante difundido em alguns países, o ensino da EM não é incorporado ao currículo da graduação das universidades brasileiras. O objetivo deste estudo é relatar a metodologia de desenvolvimento e a análise do desempenho de estudantes de graduação em Odontologia que participaram de um projeto piloto para o ensino teórico e prático da EM da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel). A etapa teórica foi conduzida por meio do Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem (Moodle UFPel) e, a prática foi desenvolvida junto a famílias de crianças cadastradas em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde, em Pelotas, RS, que oferece estágio curricular obrigatório para estudantes da Faculdade de Odontologia da UFPel. O desempenho dos estudantes era avaliado semanalmente por meio do instrumento Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity (MITI 3.1.1.). Os estudantes também preenchiam um questionário de autoavaliação. No geral, o projeto mostrou-se efetivo na melhoria do desempenho dos estudantes na aplicação da EM ao longo do estudo, com oscilações em algumas habilidades específicas. A EM é uma abordagem educativa inovadora e que demonstra resultados benéficos ao ensino da graduação em Odontologia (AU).

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a counseling method that seeks to intervene in an individual's lifestyle in order to promote behavioral change that is beneficial to their health. Although widespread in some countries, MI training is not incorporated into the curriculum of Brazilian universities. The objective of this study is to report on the development of a pilot project for MI training at the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), and the performance of dental students who participated in this project. The theoretical phase was conducted through a Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle UFPel) and the practical phase was developed with families of children enrolled at a Primary Health Care Center in Pelotas, RS, which offers internship for dental students. Student performance was assessed weekly using the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity instrument (MITI 3.1.1.). Students also completed a self-assessment questionnaire. Overall, the project was effective in improving students' performance in applying MI over the study period, with variations in some specific skills. MI is an innovative educational approach that demonstrates beneficial results for dental students (AU).