Access to oral healthcare services of adolescents of a large-size municipality in northeastern Brazil.

The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate access to oral health services among adolescents enrolled in public schools of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil, a large-size municipality in the Northeast of Brazil. An observational, descriptive, analytical, quantitative, and cross-sectional study was carried out through a school survey, in which four validated questionnaires were applied to 438 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years. Data were processed using the SPSS statistical software version 20.0, with bivariate analysis and multivariate analysis through Poisson regression. About 90.9% of adolescents reported having visited the dentist at least once; however, when considering the last 6 months, this percentage fell to 48.4%. Adolescents used private services (50.2%) or the public service (49.8%). About 70.6% of interviewees reported dental treatment (61.1%) as the main reason for seeking the service. Through multivariate analysis, it was observed that the demand for the service was higher among female adolescents (60.5%, p <0.001); the other variables did not present statistically significant differences. In conclusion, the access to oral healthcare services reported by adolescents was good, but there is still a considerable part of this population with no access. Variables that presented significant associated with dental services were gender and toothache history, but only gender remained significant in the multivariate model.

Perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes com lesões buco-maxilo-faciais: contribuições para a eficiência dos processos de gestão hospitalar / Epidemiological profile of patients with oral and maxillofacial injuries: contributions to the efficiency of hospital management processes

Objetivos: Traçar o perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes com lesões buco-maxilo-faciais. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo mediante análise de 344 fichas ambulatoriais ou prontuários médico-hospitalares. Resultados: O sexo masculino foi o mais prevalente, a faixa etária de 21 a 30 anos, a mais acometida (28,8%), com tendência altamente significante (p≤0,01). O acidente de moto foi o segundo principal agente etiológico (32,6%). Os traumatismos faciais foram mais prevalentes no domingo, no período da tarde (24,7%; p≤0,01). A maioria das vítimas de acidentes não fez uso de algum Equipamento de Proteção Individual e alegou ter consumido algum tipo de droga (22,7%). Conclusão: As lesões buco-maxilo-faciais é um tema amplo, que possui uma gama de etiologias distintas e envolve a interação de vários fatores. As injúrias provenientes dos acidentes motociclísticos contribuem para a morbimortalidade e para o aumento dos custos hospitalares... (AU)

Objectives: To outline the epidemiological profile of patients with buco-maxillofacial lesions. Methods: In this retrospective study, 344 outpatient records or medical records were analyzed. Results: The male gender was the most prevalent, the age group of 21 to 30 years was the most affected (28.8%), with a highly significant trend (p≤0.01). The motorcycle accident was the second major etiological agent (32.6%). Facial trauma was more prevalent on Sunday afternoon (24.7%, p≤0.01). Personal Protective Equipment was not used by most accident victims, who claimed to have used some type of drug (22.7%). Conclusion: Buco-maxillofacial lesions are a broad theme that has a range of distinct etiologies and involves the interaction of several factors. Injuries from motorcycle accidents contribute to morbidity and mortality and increase hospital costs... (AU)

Training, Practices and Difficulties of Dentists in the Care of Children and Adolescents with Special Needs in the Primary Health Care

Objective: To know the training, practices and difficulties of Dentists in the care for Patients with Special Needs (PSN), in the Primary Health Care (PHC). Material and Methods: This is a Cross-sectional study with 44 Dentists. Some of the variables analyzed through the questionnaire were: dentistry specialty, PSN definition, undergraduate discipline on the subject, accomplishment of PSN care, difficulties, referral and accessibility. Data analysis was performed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and measures of central tendency and dispersion by Fisher's Exact Test (p < 0.05). Results: Only one professional investigated presented PSN Specialization. About 82.5% of professionals had graduation time of over 10 years, where 75% of professionals did not have Curricular Component (P=0.006) or training to deal with PSN (85.0%), despite working in primary care for more than 10 years (60%). The care of PSN in the Primary Health Care was performed by 77.5% of professionals, in which lack of care was justified mainly because dentists did not feel prepared to perform it (37.5%), and the main difficulty found in care, refers to the lack of cooperation of these patients (27.5%). All professionals reported to refer patients to reference services, but 12.5% did not perform a previous clinical examination in the PHC. The reference service most reported by professionals was the Dental Specialty Center (82.5%). Conclusion: Although the training received by professionals present deficiencies in relation to PSN, the majority reported to attend these patients in Primary Health Care Units, and considered to be able to supply their needs. The greatest difficulties found in the care of Patients with Special Needs are related to their approach. The lack of care of these patients was justified by the fact that Dentists did not feel prepared to perform.