Use of oral health services among elderly Brazilians: mediation by tooth loss. / Uso de serviços de saúde bucal entre idosos brasileiros: mediação pela perda dentária.

The present study analyzed factors associated with the use of oral health services among elderly Brazilians. This was a cross-sectional study with data from the latest National Oral Health Survey (SB Brazil 2010), which considered a sample of 7,619 elderly individuals (65-74 years) for analysis. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used, investigating the association between latent or observed variables, directly or mediated, in relation to the use of oral health services. Least squares estimators adjusted by mean and variance, were used by means of standardized coefficients, and standard error and confidence intervals, by applying the bootstrapping method with 1,500 iterations. Elderly individuals with a higher socioeconomic status, fewer missing teeth, and the presence of impacts of oral health conditions on their lives were directly associated with the outcome. Other factors associated with the mediated use of oral health services among elderly Brazilians included socioeconomic status, gender, age, and the use of prostheses, in addition to finding a correlation between prosthesis use and missing teeth. Tooth loss, along with other factors, played a prominent role in this study regarding the use of oral health services among elderly Brazilians, pointing to the need to expand access to dental prostheses in primary care.

Analisaram-se fatores associados ao uso de serviços de saúde bucal (USSB) entre idosos brasileiros. Estudo transversal, que considerou a amostra de 7.619 idosos (65-74 anos) do SB Brasil 2010. Utilizou-se modelagem com equações estruturais (MEE), investigando associação entre variáveis latentes ou observadas, de forma direta ou mediada, em relação ao USSB. Utilizaram-se estimadores de mínimos quadrados ajustados pela média e variância, por meio de coeficientes padronizados, erro padrão e intervalos de confiança, com o método bootstrapping com 1.500 iterações. Idosos com melhor condição socioeconômica, menor número de dentes perdidos e presença de impactos das condições de saúde bucal em sua vida foram associados de forma direta ao desfecho. Ainda estiveram associados ao USSB de forma mediada, a condição socioeconômica, sexo e idade; bem como o uso de próteses; além de se encontrar correlação entre uso de próteses e dentes perdidos. A perda dentária exerceu papel de destaque, apontando para a necessidade de ampliação do acesso às próteses dentárias na atenção básica.

COVID-19 Morbidity Among Oral Health Professionals in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated and compared the cumulative incidence of confirmed COVID-19 cases between oral health professionals and the general population in Brazil. METHODS: Secondary data from notification of laboratory unconfirmed and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the National data system for 41 epidemiological weeks were analysed and compared between oral health professionals (dentist + oral health technicians/assistants) and the general population. The cumulative incidences of COVID-19 were obtained by the ratio of the total number of confirmed cases to the total Brazilian population or the population of oral health professionals registered with the Federal Council of Dentistry and adjusted by age. The incidences were then compared. RESULTS: The age-standardised cumulative incidences were 18.70/1000 for oral health professionals and 17.71/1000 for the population, with a ratio of 1.05. The highest incidences were observed in the states of Roraima (67.05/1000), Tocantins (58.81/1000), and Amazonas (58.24/1000). In 14 states, the age-standardised cumulative incidences were higher among oral health professionals than in the general population. There was a decrease in the number of new cases between the 29th and 30th epidemiological weeks in both populations. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 infections among oral health professionals was similar to that of the general population. However, the cumulative incidence was 5% higher among oral health professionals, varying among Brazilian states. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Infection control practices might help lower the risk of contamination in dental settings.

Effect of birth weight and nutritional status on transverse maxillary growth: Implications for maternal and infant health.

We analyzed the association between birthweight, nutritional status and transverse maxillary growth in 7- to 9-year-old schoolchildren. We undertook a cross-sectional survey nested in a population-based cohort study of 158 schoolchildren. The participants lived in the urban area of a small town within the Western Brazilian Amazon. The outcome was represented by the upper intermolar distance given in millimeters (mm), as an indicator of the degree of maxillary bone growth in its transverse dimension. The exposures were sex, birthweight, the bottle-feeding pattern operationalized by a scale corresponding to the age of introduction of the bottle and Body Mass Index-for-age z-score (BAZ) at 4 to 6 ys. Path analysis was employed to estimate standardized direct, indirect and total effects of exposures on the outcome using structural equations model (SEM) supported by Mplus 7 program. The values of standardized coefficients (SC) showed significant direct positive effects of sex (SC = 0.203; p = 0.006), birth weight (SC = 0.155; p = 0.030) and BAZ (SC = 0.165; p = 0.014) on transverse maxillary growth. The indirect effects (SC = 0.057; p = 0.012) and the total effect (SC = 0.261; p<0.001) of sex on the outcome were statistically significant. The indirect effects of birth weight on the outcome were not significant (SC = 0.018; p = 0.488), however, the total effect was significant (SC = 0.174; p = 0.011). In conclusion, sex, birthweight, bottle beginning age and BAZ showed association with the transverse growth of the maxillary bone. In addition to contributing to an adequate birth weight of the child, policies and programs that favor prenatal care and conditions to guarantee a full-term birth can positively affect transverse growth of the maxilla. From a Public Health Surveillance point of view, children with reduced birthweight, inadequate breastfeeding pattern and nutritional deficit for age may be more likely to develop atrophy of the jaws which, depending on the severity, may result in malocclusion with an important impact on quality of life.

Reporting of child physical abuse by a group of Brazilian primary care health professionals and associated factors.

BACKGROUND: Evidences points to the importance of health professionals to recognize child abuse, but also to a high frequency of underreporting, even in countries where reporting is mandatory, like Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of non-reporting behavior of child physical abuse (CPA) among Brazilian primary care health professionals who recognized some cases in their careers and associated factors with reporting. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted with a representative sample of dentists, nurses, family physicians, and pediatricians from the Family Health Strategy network in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. A validated self-administered questionnaire for use in Brazil was applied in-person to professionals in 2014 and 2015. Pearson's chi-squared test (p < 0.05) and a binary logistic regression model was used. RESULTS: A total of 715 professionals participated (response rate: 98.89%), 414 (57.3%) recognized cases, of which 171 (41.3%) reported. Reporting was associated with the type of profession, as pediatricians reported cases more than dentists [OR = 6.05 (95% CI: 1.24-29.50)], with the willingness to become involved [OR = 2.01 (95% CI: 1.02-3.97)] and knowledge regarding where to report cases [OR = 2.68 (95% CI: 1.25-5.74)]. Confidentiality was the barrier associated with a lower probability of reporting CPA cases [OR = 0.22 (95% CI: 0.08-0.66)]. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high frequency of non-reporting behavior. Pediatricians reported more CPA cases, followed by family doctors and nurses. Dentists were those who reported fewer cases. Reporting was also associated with a willingness to be involved in detecting/reporting abuse and knowing where to report CPA.

Public oral health services performance in Brazil: Influence of the work process and service structure.

The quality of oral health care might be evaluated based on Donabedian's structure-process-outcome model. This study assessed the association between the oral health public services structure and work process of oral health teams (OHT) and performance indicators (access and problem-solving capacity) in Brazil. Secondary data from a national program obtained through interviews and by observation in 2013/2014 were analyzed. The performance indicators were Coverage of First Scheduled Dental Appointment (FDA) (< or ≥ the mean) and Ratio between Completed Treatments and First Scheduled Dental Appointments (CT/FDA) (< 1 or ≥ 1). The structure was assessed by the sum of available instruments, equipment, and supplies. Latent class analyses were used to identify similar groups (consolidated, developing, and incipient) of OHT according to the work process (planning of actions, health promotion and intersectoral actions, and integral health care). Each OHT was also described regarding the number of the health team in which the OHT operates, whether the primary care unit receives students/teaches, frequency of care provided outside of OHT coverage, and participation in telehealth. Multiple logistic regression models were adjusted for each performance indicator. A total of 16189 (99,8%) and 16192 (99,9%) OHTs located in 4344 (78,0%) municipalities had complete data on the work process and structure. 91.92% of OHTs presenting CT/FDA ≥ 1 and 37.05% presenting FDA ≥ the mean. Consolidated planning of actions and better structural conditions were associated with better performance. A higher frequency of CT/FDA ≥ 1 was observed among OHTs with consolidated integral health care and those that performed telehealth. OHTs that served individuals outside of OHT coverage daily and that worked with two to nine Health Teams presented a higher frequency of FDA ≥ the mean. OHTs with better structural and work process conditions had better performance.

Psychometric properties of an oral health literacy scale for people living with diabetes

Abstract This study evaluated the construct validity of the instrument Oral Health Literacy among diabetics. A probabilistic random sample of 239 diabetics from an infinite population answered the 10 items of the questionnaire. The structural validity was assessed by confirmatory factor analysis and goodness of fit, chi-square per degrees of freedom ratio (X2/df), comparative fit index (CFI), goodness-of-fit index (GFI), and root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA). Internal consistency was estimated by the average variance extracted (AVE) and composite reliability (CR). The scores were dichotomized with the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval as the cutoff point. The three-dimensional model presented good quality parameters (X2 /df = 2.459; CFI = 0.988; TLI = 0.981) and poor RMSEA (0.078). Internal consistency was adequate; AVE for the Access, Understand/appraise, and Apply subscales were 0.831, 0.981, and 0.954 and the CR for these subscales were 0.893, 0.962, and 0.822, respectively. Inadequate literacy ranged from 41.8 to 48.1%. The three-dimensional model identified (access, understand/appraise, and apply) showed structural validity, good internal consistency, and understandability.

Uso de serviços de saúde bucal entre idosos brasileiros: mediação pela perda dentária / Use of oral health services among elderly Brazilians: mediation by tooth loss

Resumo Analisaram-se fatores associados ao uso de serviços de saúde bucal (USSB) entre idosos brasileiros. Estudo transversal, que considerou a amostra de 7.619 idosos (65-74 anos) do SB Brasil 2010. Utilizou-se modelagem com equações estruturais (MEE), investigando associação entre variáveis latentes ou observadas, de forma direta ou mediada, em relação ao USSB. Utilizaram-se estimadores de mínimos quadrados ajustados pela média e variância, por meio de coeficientes padronizados, erro padrão e intervalos de confiança, com o método bootstrapping com 1.500 iterações. Idosos com melhor condição socioeconômica, menor número de dentes perdidos e presença de impactos das condições de saúde bucal em sua vida foram associados de forma direta ao desfecho. Ainda estiveram associados ao USSB de forma mediada, a condição socioeconômica, sexo e idade; bem como o uso de próteses; além de se encontrar correlação entre uso de próteses e dentes perdidos. A perda dentária exerceu papel de destaque, apontando para a necessidade de ampliação do acesso às próteses dentárias na atenção básica.

Abstract The present study analyzed factors associated with the use of oral health services among elderly Brazilians. This was a cross-sectional study with data from the latest National Oral Health Survey (SB Brazil 2010), which considered a sample of 7,619 elderly individuals (65-74 years) for analysis. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used, investigating the association between latent or observed variables, directly or mediated, in relation to the use of oral health services. Least squares estimators adjusted by mean and variance, were used by means of standardized coefficients, and standard error and confidence intervals, by applying the bootstrapping method with 1,500 iterations. Elderly individuals with a higher socioeconomic status, fewer missing teeth, and the presence of impacts of oral health conditions on their lives were directly associated with the outcome. Other factors associated with the mediated use of oral health services among elderly Brazilians included socioeconomic status, gender, age, and the use of prostheses, in addition to finding a correlation between prosthesis use and missing teeth. Tooth loss, along with other factors, played a prominent role in this study regarding the use of oral health services among elderly Brazilians, pointing to the need to expand access to dental prostheses in primary care.

[Prospective study on tooth loss in a cohort of dentate elderly]. / Estudo prospectivo da perda dentária em uma coorte de idosos dentados.

The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with tooth loss in elderly 60 years or older during a four-year observation period. A representative cohort of dentate elderly from the city of São Paulo, Brazil, participated in the study. The outcome was teeth loss incidence from 2006 to 2010. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, health services access and use, behavior, reported diseases, cognitive status, functional status, state of dentition, and use of dental prosthesis were recorded as independent variables in 2006 and the outcome was measured in 2010. Negative binomial regression models were used. Participation included 440 dentate elderly. Increased likelihood of tooth loss was associated with use of two removable prostheses (RR = 1.57; 95%CI: 1.02-2.41), fair self-rated oral health (RR = 1.62; 95%CI: 1.11-2.36), bad/very bad self-rated oral health (RR = 1.87; 95%CI: 1.11-3.17), male gender (RR = 1.74; 95%CI: 1.28-2.37), and living alone (RR = 2.03; 95%CI: 1.11-3.72).

Estudo prospectivo da perda dentária em uma coorte de idosos dentados / Prospective study on tooth loss in a cohort of dentate elderly / Estudio prospectivo de la pérdida dental en una cohorte de ancianos dentados

Resumo: Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar fatores associados à perda dentária entre idosos de 60 anos e mais de idade num período de observação de quatro anos. Uma coorte de idosos dentados representativa da população da cidade de São Paulo, Brasil, participou do estudo. O desfecho foi a incidência de dentes perdidos entre os anos de 2006 a 2010. As variáveis independentes características demográficas, socioeconômicas, de uso e acesso a serviços de saúde, comportamento, morbidade referida, estado cognitivo, capacidade funcional, estado da dentição e uso de prótese foram medidas em 2006 e o desfecho em 2010. Utilizaram-se modelos de regressão binomial negativa. Participaram 440 indivíduos dentados. A análise final mostrou maior probabilidade de perda dentária em idosos que utilizavam duas próteses removíveis (RR = 1,57; IC95%: 1,02-2,41), que avaliaram sua saúde bucal como regular (RR = 1,62; IC95%: 1,11-2,36), ou ruim/muito ruim (RR = 1,87; IC95%: 1,11-3,17), do sexo masculino (RR = 1,74; IC95%: 1,28-2,37), e que moravam sozinhos (RR = 2,03; IC95%: 1,11-3,72).

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with tooth loss in elderly 60 years or older during a four-year observation period. A representative cohort of dentate elderly from the city of São Paulo, Brazil, participated in the study. The outcome was teeth loss incidence from 2006 to 2010. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, health services access and use, behavior, reported diseases, cognitive status, functional status, state of dentition, and use of dental prosthesis were recorded as independent variables in 2006 and the outcome was measured in 2010. Negative binomial regression models were used. Participation included 440 dentate elderly. Increased likelihood of tooth loss was associated with use of two removable prostheses (RR = 1.57; 95%CI: 1.02-2.41), fair self-rated oral health (RR = 1.62; 95%CI: 1.11-2.36), bad/very bad self-rated oral health (RR = 1.87; 95%CI: 1.11-3.17), male gender (RR = 1.74; 95%CI: 1.28-2.37), and living alone (RR = 2.03; 95%CI: 1.11-3.72).

Resumen: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar factores asociados a la pérdida dental entre ancianos de 60 años y más de edad, en un período de observación de 4 años. Participó en el estudio una cohorte de ancianos dentados, representativa de la población de la ciudad de São Paulo, Brasil. El resultado fue la incidencia de dientes perdidos entre los años de 2006 y 2010. Se midieron en 2006 las variables independientes, características demográficas, socioeconómicas, de uso y acceso a servicios de salud, comportamiento, morbilidad referida, estado cognitivo, capacidad funcional, estado de la dentición y el uso de prótesis. Se analizó el resultado en 2010. Se utilizaron modelos de regresión binomial negativa. Participaron 440 individuos dentados, cuyo análisis final mostró mayor probabilidad de pérdida dental en ancianos que utilizaban dos prótesis removibles (RR = 1,57; IC95%: 1,02-2,41), que evaluaron su salud bucal como regular (RR = 1,62; IC95%: 1,11-2,36) o mala/muy mala (RR = 1,87; IC95%: 1,11-3,17), del sexo masculino (RR = 1,74; IC95%: 1,28-2,37) y que vivían solos (RR = 2,03; IC95%: 1,11-3,72).