Prevalence of Maxillofacial Trauma and use of Mouthguard by Student Athletes in São Luís, Northeastern Brazil

Objective:To estimate the prevalence of maxillofacial trauma (MT) during sporting activities and to compare the level of knowledge and use of mouthguard (MG) by athletes from the public andprivate school system of São Luís, MA, Brazil. Material and Methods:Cross-sectional study in which a target population composed of 416 competition student athletes aged between 10 and 20 years of both genders, basketball (n=100), handball (n=60), soccer (n=96), judo (n=11), karate (n=22) and volleyball (n=127) players were interviewed by a single examiner. A structured questionnaire containing six objective questions about history of MT, knowledge and use of MG was used. Data were statistically analyzed using the x2 test (α= 0.05). Results:A 26% prevalence of MT was observed in the study population. The knowledge of MG as a method for preventing injuries during sport practice was significant (p<0.05); however, its use by athletes was minimal. A difference in the use of MGby athletes from public and private schools was observed (p<0.05). Conclusion:It was concluded that more than one fourth of the study population was affected by some kind of MT, highlighting dichotomy between the knowledge of MG as prevention method and its non-use during sporting practice

Knowledge on oral cancer among dentistry students at Federal University of Maranhão / Conhecimento sobre o câncer oral entre estudantes de odontologia da Universidade Federal do Maranhão

Introduction: Oral cancer is a multifactorial disease of high incidence worldwide and considered a public health problem, in which prevention and early diagnosis are the best ways to reverse this situation. Purpose: To evaluate the level of knowledge on oral cancer in a population of dentistry students. Method: A questionnaire on oral cancer was applied to 150 students from six classes, divided into three groups according to their semesters. The variables studied were statistically analyzed by applying the chi-square test with confidence interval of 95% and significance level of 5%. Result: Eighty-eight students (60.61%) considered their level of knowledge on oral cancer good and regular, while 37.93% rated their knowledge as insufficient. Squamous cell carcinoma was listed as the most common cancer by only 38.25% of students, with the highest percentage of correct answers being observed for groups 2 (55.56%) and 3 (67.39%). The level of knowledge on the risk factors increased over the semesters; however, 77.85% considered their level of confidence to perform diagnostic procedures low. Conclusion: The level of knowledge on oral cancer was considered good or regular among dentistry students, and although they showed good level of knowledge on the risk factors and to specific issues of the disease, there is a clear need to implement continued educational measures throughout the course to consolidate learning on this disease. .

Introdução: O câncer oral é uma doença multifatorial com alta incidência no mundo, que vem sendo considerado problema de saúde pública, sendo a prevenção e o diagnóstico precoce as melhores formas de reverter essa situação. Objetivo: Avaliar o nível de conhecimento sobre o câncer oral em uma população de estudantes de odontologia. Método: Um questionário sobre o câncer de boca foi aplicado a 150 alunos de seis turmas, divididos em três grupos de acordo com o semestre letivo. As variáveis estudadas foram analisadas estatisticamente aplicando-se o teste do Qui-quadrado com intervalo de confiança de 95%, e nível de significância de 5%. Resultado: Oitenta e oito alunos (60,61%) consideraram seu nível de conhecimento sobre câncer oral bom ou regular, enquanto 37,93% avaliaram seu conhecimento como insuficiente. O carcinoma espinocelular foi considerado o câncer mais comum por apenas 38,25% do total de estudantes, sendo o percentual maior de acerto para os grupos 2 (55,56%) e 3 (67,39%). O nível de conhecimento sobre os fatores de risco aumentou ao longo dos semestres, entretanto, 77,85% consideram baixo o seu nível de confiança para realizar procedimentos de diagnóstico. Conclusão: O nível de conhecimento sobre câncer oral foi considerado bom ou regular entre os estudantes de odontologia entrevistados; apesar de demonstrarem um bom nível de conhecimento em relação aos fatores de risco e a questões específicas da doença, ficou clara a necessidade de implementar medidas educativas continuadas ao longo do curso de forma a consolidar o ensino sobre essa patologia. .

Análise de prontuários de pacientes com câncer de mama em tratamento com bisfosfonatos: fator de risco para manifestações orais e osteonecrose induzida / Analysis of medical records of patients with breast cancer on treatment with bisphosphonates: risk factor for oral manifestations and induced osteonecrosis

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A terapêutica do câncer de mama (CM) merece ser avaliada com cuidado antes de ser prescrita, pois dentre as opções, existem os bisfosfonatos que mostram relação com a indução a osteonecrose dos maxilares.O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o uso de bisfosfonato na terapêutica anticâncer e a sua relação com osteonecrose induzida através da análise de prontuários de portadoras do câncer de mama. MÉTODOS: Estudo longitudinal com dados coletados de pacientes que com diagnóstico de câncer de mama entre 2007 e 2008, internadas no Hospital Aldenora Belo, referência neste tipo de tratamento em São Luis/MA, usuárias de bisfosfonato há mais de um ano, sendo a amostra formada por 31 mulheres.RESULTADOS: Das 31 pacientes em tratamento que compuseram a amostra (20,6%), 3 (1,99%) vieram a óbito, 13 (8,63%) desistiram e 15 (9,96%) continuaram, com maioria pertencentes a faixa etária superior aos 40 anos e usuárias de pamidronato por via venosa, sendo, este dois fatores, por si só, fatores de risco.Observou-se apenas um caso de destruição óssea craniofacial com comprovada associação entre idade e uso prolongado do fármaco.CONCLUSÃO: Constatou-se que o pamidronato nunca é o fármaco de primeira escolha, seus efeitos colaterais são significantes.Quanto à osteonecrose induzida, não há nenhum caso confirmado nos prontuários, visto que o diagnóstico é complexo (acompanhamento clínico e radiográfico) além do Cirurgião Dentista não fazer parte da equipe multidisciplinar do hospital.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The treatment of breast cancer (BC) must be carefully evaluated before being prescribed, since there are, among the options, bisphosphonates that show a relation with the induction of osteonecrosis of the jaw. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of bisphosphonates in anticancer therapy, and its relationship to induced osteonecrosis by analyzing medical records of patients with breast cancer. METHODS: A longitudinal study with data collected from patients diagnosed with breast cancer between 2007 and 2008, admitted at Hospital Aldenora Belo, a reference in this type of treatment in the city of São Luis, in the state of Maranhão,who were bisphosphonate users for over a year, with the sample being comprised of 31 women. RESULTS: Of the 31 patients treated in the sample (20.6%), 3 (1.99%) died, 13 (8.63%) quit and 15 (9.96%) continued, with most of them aged over 40 years, and users of intravenous pamidronate, these two factors alone being risk factors. There was one case of craniofacial bone destruction with proven association with age and prolonged use of the drug. CONCLUSION: It was found that pamidronate is never the first-choice drug, its side effects are significant. Regarding induced osteonecrosis, there is no confirmed case in the records, since the diagnosis is complex (clinical and radiographic monitoring) and also because the Dentist is not part of the multidisciplinary team at the hospital.