High prevalence of potential psychotropic drugs interactions among Brazilian dental patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions involving psychotropics prescribed by dentists, and dispensed by the public healthcare system, as well as to describe the severity and level of evidence of those interactions in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted data analysis from pharmaceutical claims in which dental patients received systemic psychotropics in 2017. Data from the Pharmaceutical Management System provided the drug dispensing history of the patients, allowing the identification of those on concomitant medication use. The outcome was the occurrence of potential drug-drug interactions, which were detected according to IBM Micromedex®. Independent variables were the patient's sex, age, and the number of drugs used. Descriptive statistics was performed using SPSS v. 26. RESULTS: Overall, 1480 individuals were prescribed psychotropic drugs. The prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions was 24.8% (n = 366). The total of 648 interactions was observed and, most of which were of major severity (n = 438, 67.6%). Most interactions occurred in female individuals (n = 235; 64.2%), with 46.0 (±17.3) years-old, concurrently taking 3.7 (±1.9) drugs. CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of dental patients presented potential drug-drug interactions, mostly of major severity, which might be life-threatening.

E-learning as a strategy in dentistry in the context of COVID-19: a path to follow?

The current study aims to assess the effectiveness of e-learning in compliance with the new biosafety recommendations in dentistry in the context of COVID-19 applied to the clinical staff of a dental school in Brazil. A quasi-experimental epidemiological study was carried out by means of a structured, pre-tested online questionnaire, applied before and after an educational intervention, using an e-learning format. After data collection, statistical tests were performed. A total of 549 members of the clinical staff participated in the study in the two collection phases, with a return rate of 26.9%. After the e-learning stage, a reduction was found in the reported use of disposable gloves, protective goggles, and surgical masks. The course had no impact on the staff's knowledge concerning the proper sequence for donning PPE and showed 100% effectiveness regarding proper PPE doffing sequence. Knowledge about avoiding procedures that generate aerosols in the clinical setting was improved. Despite the low rate of return, it can be concluded that online intervention alone was ineffective in significantly improving learning about the new clinical biosafety guidelines. Therefore, the use of hybrid teaching and repetitive training is highly recommended.

Dental Pain Medication Prescriptions in Minas Gerais, Brazil (2011-2021): A Time-Series Analysis.

To describe trends of dentist-prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics, from January 2011 to December 2021, as well as to examine the relationship between these trends and characteristics of public oral health services in Minas Gerais, Brazil. In this time-series analysis, all drugs were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system. Drugs categorized as NSAIDs (M01A), and other analgesics and antipyretics (N02B) were included for analysis. The outcome was the number of Defined Daily Doses (DDDs)/1000 inhabitants/year for NSAIDs and analgesics in each town. Covariates referred to characteristics of public oral health services, such as coverage, estimates of dental procedures, and frequency of toothache. Linear time-series regression models were used to determine the influence of covariates on the outcome. Overall, there were 58,482 prescriptions of NSAIDs recorded in thirty-eight towns, while 47,499 prescriptions of analgesics in forty-three towns. For each year, there was a 0.38 (p < 0.001), and 0.28 (p < 0.001) increase in the average log of DDD/1000 inhabitants/year for NSAIDs and analgesics, respectively. A positive association was detected between toothache (p < 0.001) and the prescription of NSAIDs. Over the eleven years, there was a general rising trend in the prescriptions. Toothache was the only characteristic of public oral health services associated with the prescription rates of NSAIDs, implying that as the frequency of toothaches increase, so do the prescriptions of NSAIDs in the studied towns.

Effectiveness of hemostatic protocols for the prevention of bleeding during oral procedures among individuals receiving anticoagulation therapy: a systematic review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to determine the effectiveness of hemostatic protocols for the prevention of bleeding during dental procedures among individuals receiving oral anticoagulation therapy. INTRODUCTION: Dental procedures may increase the chance of bleeding in individuals receiving oral anticoagulation therapy. The literature suggests different hemostatic protocols for the prevention of bleeding in these individuals but offers no consensus regarding their effectiveness. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled clinical trials comparing the effectiveness of different hemostatic protocols for the prevention of bleeding during oral procedures among individuals 18 years or older receiving oral anticoagulation therapy will be included. METHODS: Computerized searches will be conducted in seven electronic databases. Gray literature and searches in the reference lists of the included articles will also be screened. Two independent reviewers will assess titles/abstracts for potential inclusion against the eligibility criteria. References that meet the eligibility criteria will be included without restriction on the language or date of publication. Assessment of the methodological quality of the included articles and data extraction will be performed. Statistical heterogeneity of meta-analysis will be assessed. In the event of high statistical heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis will be performed. Subgroup analysis will be planned. The certainty of the evidence will be evaluated with the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42019136744.

A Comparative Analysis of Three Online Drug-Drug Interaction Checkers: A Short Communication

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the agreement among three different online drug-drug interaction (DDI) checkers for the detection of psychotropic drug interactions among dental patients in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Material and Methods: Between January and December 2017, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Minas Gerais with data on pharmaceutical claims of psychotropic drugs prescribed by dental practitioners. Data from the Pharmaceutical Management System provided the drug dispensing history of the patients, allowing the identification of those on concomitant medication use. The occurrence of DDI was determined by entering the name of the drugs taken by each patient into Merative Micromedex®, Medscape®, and DrugBank. The degree of agreement among the three DDI online checkers was analyzed using the Fleiss' kappa test. Results: Overall, 797 dental patients were found to be taking some psychotropic medication with other drugs simultaneously. The number of patients with DDI varied according to Micromedex® (n= 366), Medscape® (n= 473), and DrugBank (n= 736). The agreement between the DDI checkers was poor (Fleiss' kappa: 0.165; p<0.001). Conclusion: The online DDI checkers assessed in this study showed variations in their ability to detect interactions and poor agreement among them.

A national study on the use of opioid analgesics in dentistry.

The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of opioid analgesics prescribed by Brazilian dentists, potential regional differences and their association with socioeconomic and health-related factors. Data for all opioid prescriptions by dentists was obtained from the 2012 database of the National Controlled Substances Management System, regulated by the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency. The number of defined daily doses (DDD) and DDDs per 1,000 inhabitants per day for each Brazilian state were calculated as the primary outcomes. DDDs were compared by regions and Brazilian states. Spearman's rho correlation coefficient was used to determine the influence of the states' characteristics, such as the Human Development Index; poverty; education; number of dentists per 100,000 inhabitants; visit to the dentist; dental care plan; good or very good oral health; number of pharmaceutical establishments per 100,000/inhabitants; and ability to get all prescribed medications. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0. A total of 141,161 prescriptions for opioids analgesics by 36,929 dentists were recorded, corresponding to 658,855 doses of opioids dispensed in 2012. The most commonly dispensed opioids were codeine associated with paracetamol (83.2%; n = 117,493). The national DDDs per 1,000 inhabitants per day was 0.0093 (range: 0.0002-0.0216). DDD per 1,000 inhabitants per day was positively associated to visits to dentists (rs = 0.630; P < 0.001) and inversely associated to poverty (rs = -0.624; p = 0.001). There are significant differences in opioid prescriptions in dentistry among the Brazilian states. These differences may be associated with non-clinical factors.

Describing the Oral Health of Warfarin Users. A Short Report

Aim: To describe the burden of oral diseases and of self-reported periodontal disease of patients under Oral Anticoagulation Therapy (OAT) with warfarin. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Validated questionnaires assessed self-reported periodontal disease and demographic variables. After calibration (Kappa > 0.80), an examiner evaluated dental caries and the need for dental prostheses. Statistical analysis involved proportions and measures of central tendency. Results: The sample consisted of 158 individuals, with a mean age of 58.8 years (SD = 12.1), of which 62.7% of the participants were women. The average DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) index was 22.9 (SD = 7.6), with the missing component being the highest (Mean = 16.23). The use of maxillary prosthesis (53.2%) was higher than mandibular (32.3%). The need for mandibular prosthesis reached 66.5%. The percentage of participants that referred gum disease, tooth migration, and tooth mobility was 29.6%, 37.4%, and 30.4%, respectively. Conclusions: The burden of oral diseases among individuals undergoing OAT is worrisome.

Objetivo: Describir la carga de enfermedades bucales y la enfermedad periodontal autorreportada de pacientes en tratamiento con anticoagulación oral con warfarina. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal. Los cuestionarios validados evaluaron la enfermedad periodontal autoinformada y las variables demográficas. Después de la calibración (Kappa> 0.80), un examinador evaluó la caries dental y la necesidad de prótesis dentales. El análisis estadístico involucró proporciones y medidas de tendencia central. Resultados: La muestra estuvo formada por 158 individuos, con una edad media de 58.8 años (DE = 12.1), de los cuales el 62.7% de los participantes eran mujeres. El índice CPOD promedio fue de 22.9 (DE = 7.6), siendo el componente perdido el que más contribuyó al índice (Media = 16.23). El uso de prótesis maxilar (53.2%) fue mayor que el de prótesis mandibular (32.3%). La necesidad de prótesis mandibular alcanzó el 66.5%. El porcentaje de participantes que informaron enfermedad de las encías, migración de los dientes y movilidad de los dientes fue del 29.6%, 37.4% y 30.4%, respectivamente. Conclusiones: Las enfermedades bucales y la necesidad de rehabilitación oral entre los individuos sometidos a anticoagulación oral con warfarina fue motivo de preocupación.

E-learning as a strategy in dentistry in the context of COVID-19: a path to follow?

Abstract The current study aims to assess the effectiveness of e-learning in compliance with the new biosafety recommendations in dentistry in the context of COVID-19 applied to the clinical staff of a dental school in Brazil. A quasi-experimental epidemiological study was carried out by means of a structured, pre-tested online questionnaire, applied before and after an educational intervention, using an e-learning format. After data collection, statistical tests were performed. A total of 549 members of the clinical staff participated in the study in the two collection phases, with a return rate of 26.9%. After the e-learning stage, a reduction was found in the reported use of disposable gloves, protective goggles, and surgical masks. The course had no impact on the staff's knowledge concerning the proper sequence for donning PPE and showed 100% effectiveness regarding proper PPE doffing sequence. Knowledge about avoiding procedures that generate aerosols in the clinical setting was improved. Despite the low rate of return, it can be concluded that online intervention alone was ineffective in significantly improving learning about the new clinical biosafety guidelines. Therefore, the use of hybrid teaching and repetitive training is highly recommended.

The economic burden of opioid prescription by dentists: A 12-month survey of consumer expenditure in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To describe consumer expenditure on opioids prescribed by dentists in Brazil during a 12-month period. METHODS: We surveyed individual dispensed prescriptions of opioids in private pharmacies from October 2012 to September 2013. A descriptive analysis of costs included a calculation of the overall and mean maximum price to consumers. Monetary costs were converted from local currency units (Brazilian Real - BRL) to international dollars using purchasing power parity (PPP) exchanging rates. RESULTS: 129,708 prescriptions were retrieved from the database. The overall expenditure on opioids was R$4,316,383.46 BRL or $2,721,315.82 (PPP). The mean cost of an individual prescription was R$33.27 BRL ($20.98 PPP), ranging from 14.19 to 3,255.60 BRL. Codeine was frequently prescribed (87.2 percent). CONCLUSIONS: The expenditure on opioids is a significant cost to Brazilian patients, especially given that the Brazilian Public Health System should dispense these drugs free of charge. Codeine was the most prescribed opioid.

Anxiolytics, Sedatives, and Hypnotics Prescribed by Dentists in Brazil in 2010.

OBJECTIVE: To describe dental prescriptions for anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics for Brazilian outpatients in 2010. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data on the use of anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics from the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency, Brazil, 2010. For each prescription, prescribed drugs and the prescribed amount were identified. Prescribed medications were classified according to Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical code. We calculated the number of Defined Daily Doses (DDD) for anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics by code, their mean DDD, and DDD per inhabitant per year. RESULTS: There were 16,436 prescriptions dispensed, including anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics. These prescriptions corresponded to 3,555,780.50 mg, distributed as 2,286,200.50 mg (64.30%) of anxiolytics and 1,269,580.00 mg (35.70%) of sedatives and hypnotics. This amount allowed treating approximately 474,106 individuals (number of DDD). The anxiolytics most frequently dispensed were bromazepam (25.30%), alprazolam (19.19%), and diazepam (15.60%). Sedatives and hypnotics mostly prescribed were zolpidem (9.55%), midazolam (6.99%), and flunitrazepam (2.14%). The per capita rates (100,000 inhabitants) of anxiolytics and sedatives/hypnotics were 6.83 and 1.78, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Benzodiazepines and derivatives were the most frequently prescribed drugs. There was a low rate of dental prescriptions for anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics, although excessive doses were concentrated in the same prescription.

Staff Knowledge and Attitudes Towards COVID-19 New Biosafety Practices at a Brazilian Dental School

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate knowledge and attitudes towards biosafety recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic at a Brazilian dental school. Material and Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in 2020 with the clinical staff of a Brazilian dental school. The whole clinical staff was sent pre-tested self-administered online questionnaires about knowledge and attitudes towards the recommendations for biosafety in dental settings in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistical analyses were carried out for proportion calculation. Results Disposable head covering caps, isolation gowns, and gloves were the most frequently reported personal protective equipment (PPE). The rates ranged from 52.9% to 88.5% for N95 respirators, from 68.6% to 92.6% for face shields, from 47.4% to 67.5% for conventional eye protection shields, and 45.1% to 77.4% for eye protection with solid side shields. Chlorhexidine gluconate was the most frequent mouthwash indicated before clinical dental care. The percentage of agreement to provide clinical care to patients with suspected COVID-19 varied from 23.5% to 50.0%. The percentage of respondents who agreed that bioaerosol-generating procedures should be avoided was higher than 74.5%. Less than 50% knew the correct sequence for doffing of PPE. Conclusion This study revealed important gaps in knowledge and attitudes towards prevention and control measures against infection in dental environments in the context of COVID-19, indicating the need for improvements.

Prescribing errors in antibiotic prophylaxis by dentists in a large Brazilian city.

Prescribing errors may contribute to antibiotic resistance and other drug-related problems. To investigate the quality of prescriptions involving antibiotic prophylaxis by dentists in a large Brazilian city, 366 dental prescriptions were randomly selected from 31,105. A prophylaxis indication represented 24.9% of the prescriptions, and only 12 (13.2%; 95% confidence interval, 7.7%-21.7%) were correct regarding the generic name, dose, and length of antibiotic use. Prescriptions for antibiotic prophylaxis by dentists are mostly inadequate in this city.

A national study on the use of opioid analgesics in dentistry

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of opioid analgesics prescribed by Brazilian dentists, potential regional differences and their association with socioeconomic and health-related factors. Data for all opioid prescriptions by dentists was obtained from the 2012 database of the National Controlled Substances Management System, regulated by the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency. The number of defined daily doses (DDD) and DDDs per 1,000 inhabitants per day for each Brazilian state were calculated as the primary outcomes. DDDs were compared by regions and Brazilian states. Spearman's rho correlation coefficient was used to determine the influence of the states' characteristics, such as the Human Development Index; poverty; education; number of dentists per 100,000 inhabitants; visit to the dentist; dental care plan; good or very good oral health; number of pharmaceutical establishments per 100,000/inhabitants; and ability to get all prescribed medications. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0. A total of 141,161 prescriptions for opioids analgesics by 36,929 dentists were recorded, corresponding to 658,855 doses of opioids dispensed in 2012. The most commonly dispensed opioids were codeine associated with paracetamol (83.2%; n = 117,493). The national DDDs per 1,000 inhabitants per day was 0.0093 (range: 0.0002-0.0216). DDD per 1,000 inhabitants per day was positively associated to visits to dentists (rs = 0.630; P < 0.001) and inversely associated to poverty (rs = -0.624; p = 0.001). There are significant differences in opioid prescriptions in dentistry among the Brazilian states. These differences may be associated with non-clinical factors.

Fatores associados à automedicação em um serviço brasileiro de emergência odontológica / Factors associated with self-medication in a brazilian emergency dental service

Objetivo: investigar os fatores associados à automedicação por pacientes atendidos em um serviço de emergências odontológicas em Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. Métodos: foi aplicado um questionário entre 174 pacientes atendidos na emergência odontológica contendo informações referentes ao gênero, idade e questões específicas como consumo anterior de medicamentos, ervas medicinais ou outras substâncias para o alívio da sintomatologia dolorosa. O diagnóstico clínico foi definido por somente um dentista. Análise bivariada e regressão multivariada de Poisson com variância robusta foram realizadas no programa SPSS 18.0. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética de Pesquisa em Humanos. Resultados: a média de idade foi de 32,6 (+12,0) anos e 51,8% eram mulheres. Entre os participantes do estudo, 81,7% relataram terem se automedicado. A idade (p=0,83), a duração da dor (p=0,21) e o gênero (p=0,85) não estiveram associados à variável resposta. A frequência da automedicação foi mais alta (p-0,04) entre indivíduos com pulpites agudas (86,8%) e abscessos periapicais (84,7%). Somente o diagnóstico clínico esteve associado à automedicação na análise multivariada de Poisson. Comparando a outros diagnósticos, indivíduos com pulpites relatam 2,3 mais chances de se automedicarem (IC95% 1.1-5.0; p=0.03). Conclusão: a automedicação é um problema de saúde pública preocupante entre o grupo estudado. O diagnóstico clínico é o único fator que influencia este fenômeno dentre a população estudada.

Objective: To investigate factors associated with self-medication by patients treated at a public emergency dental service in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Method: A questionnaire was applied to174 patients who have been treated in the emergency dental service, with information about gender, age and specific questions about previous consumption of medicines, medicinal herbs or other substances to relieve dental pain. Clinical diagnosis was established by a single dentist. Bivariate analysis and multivariate Poisson regression with robust variance were carried out in SPSS 18.0 software for Windows. The study was approved by the local Human Research Ethics Committee. Results: The mean age of the patients was 32.6 (±12.0) years and 51.8% were female. Among the participants in the survey, 81.7% reported self-medication. Age (p=0.83), duration of pain (p=0.21) and gender (p=0.85) were not associated. Frequency of self-medication was higher (p=0.04) among individuals with pulpitis (86.8%) and periapical abscess (84.7%). Only clinical diagnosis was associated with self-medication in the multivariate Poisson analysis. Patients with pulpitis reported 2.3 times more self-medication (IC95% 1.1-5.0; p=0.03) than individuals with other diagnoses. Conclusion: Self-medication was an important health problem in the studied this surveyed group. Clinical diagnosis was the only factor that influenced this phenomenon.

Considerações sobre o cuidado odontológico do paciente sob o uso de antidepressivos inibidores seletivos da recaptação de serotonina / Considerations about the dental care of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors' users

O consumo de antidepressivos inibidores Seletivos da Recaptação de Serotonina (SSRI's) aumentou, nos últimos anos, em todo o mundo. O sucesso deste medicamento se deve à sua eficácia e sua baixa incidência de reações adversas. Com o aumento do seu emprego, entretanto, os registros de reações adversas realcionadas aos disturbios hemorrágicos, especialmente no trato gastrointestinal, também têm sido mais freqüentes. Embora o evento parece ser raro, certas interações medicamentosas inspiram preocupação na comunidade médica. Entre essas interações, o uso concomitante de SSRI's e antiinflamatórios não esteróides (AINES), muito empregados na odontologia, despertam especial interesse e é o alvo desta revisão da literatura.