Chronic oral disease burden at the first 1000 days: Intergenerational risk factors, BRISA cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze multiple-causal models, including socioeconomic, obesity, sugar consumption, alcohol smoking, caries, and periodontitis variables in pregnant women with early sugar exposure, obesity, and the Chronic Oral Disease Burden in their offspring around the first 1000 days of life. METHODS: The BRISA cohort study, Brazil, had two assessments: at the 22nd-25th gestational weeks and during the child's second year (n = 1141). We proposed a theoretical model exploring the association between socioeconomic and pregnancy factors (age, smoking, alcohol, sugars, obesity, periodontitis, and caries) and child's variables (sugars and overweight) with the outcome, Chronic Oral Disease Burden (latent variable deduced from visible plaque, gingivitis, and tooth decay), using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Caries and periodontitis were correlated in pregnant women. Addictive behaviors in the gestational period were correlated. Obesity (Standardized coefficient - SC = 0.081; p = 0.047) and added sugar consumption (SC = 0.142; p = 0.041) were observed intergenerationally in the pregnant woman-child dyads. Sugar consumption by the children (SC = 0.210; p = 0.041) increased the Chronic Oral Disease Burden. CONCLUSIONS: Poor caries and periodontal indicators were correlated in pregnant women and their offspring. Obesity and sugar consumption act intergenerationally. Oral health in early life may change life trajectory since the worst oral conditions predict main NCDs.

Prediction of deciduous teeth eruption in Brazilian children: A cross-sectional study nested in a prospective birth cohort (BRISA).

BACKGROUND: Dental eruption is part of a set of children´s somatic growth phenomena. The worldwide accepted human dental eruption chronology is still based on a small sample of European children. However, evidence points to some population variations with the eruption at least two months later in low-income countries, and local standards may be useful. So, this study aimed to predict deciduous teeth eruption from 12 months of age in a Brazilian infant population. METHODS: We developed a cross-sectional study nested in four prospective cohorts - the Brazilian Ribeirão Preto and São Luís Cohort Study (BRISA) - in a sample of 3,733 children aged 12 to 36 months old, corrected by gestational age. We made a reference curve with the number of teeth erupted by age using the Generalized Additive Models for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS) technique. The explanatory variable was the corrected children´s age. The dependent variable was the number of erupted teeth, by gender, evaluated according to some different outcome distributional forms. The generalized Akaike information criterion (GAIC) and the model residuals were used as the model selection criterion. RESULTS: The Box-Cox Power Exponential method was the GAMLSS model with better-fit indexes. Our estimation curve was able to predict the number of erupted deciduous teeth by age, similar to the real values, in addition to describing the evolution of children's development, with comparative patterns. There was no difference in the mean number of erupted teeth between the sexes. According to the reference curve, at 12 months old, 25% of children had four erupted teeth or less, while 75% had seven or fewer and 95% had 11 or fewer. At 24 months old, 5% had less than 12, and 75% had 18 or more. At 36 months old, around 50% of the population had deciduous dentition completed (20 teeth). CONCLUSION: The adjusted age was an important predictor of the number of erupted deciduous teeth. This outcome can be a variable incorporated into children's growth and development curves, such as weight and height curves for age to help dentists and physicians in the monitoring the children's health.

Pre- and perinatal exposures associated with molar incisor hypomineralization: Birth cohort, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze prenatal and perinatal stressors associated with molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) in adolescents. METHODS: Prospective cohort study collected prenatal (socioeconomic status, maternal age, number of prenatal visits, smoking, obesity during pregnancy, abortion history, gestational hypertension) and perinatal stressors (type of delivery, gestational age, birth weight, intensive care unit-ICU at birth). The outcome was MIH at 18-19 years follow-up (n = 590). MIH was defined according to the Ghanim criteria - Model I. We performed a sensitivity analysis, including opacities demarcated in index tooth, incisive or molars, Model II. Through structural equation modeling, we analyzed direct and mediating pathways between multiple stressors with outcomes. RESULTS: MIH was observed in 15.25% (n = 90), and opacities demarcated in any index tooth were observed in 22.8% of adolescents (n = 135). In Model I, no stressor explained MIH significantly, although we watched high standardized coefficients (SC) for low birth weight (SC = 0.223, p = 0.147), lower gestational age (SC = 0.351; p = 0.254), and ICU admission (SC = 0.447, p = 0.254). In Model II, advanced maternal age (SC = 0.148; p < 0.05) and not undergoing prenatal care (SC = 0.384, p < 0.03) explained opacities demarcated in incisors or molars. CONCLUSION: Advanced maternal age and not undergoing prenatal care were associated with MIH lesion-like in incisors or molars.

Mechanisms underlying the adaptive pulp and jaw bone trabecular changes in sickle cell anemia.

OBJECTIVE: Mechanisms underlying the oral outcomes in sickle cell anemia (HbSS) have been less explored. This study aimed to investigate the association of morbimortality indicators and hydroxyurea use with adaptive pulp and jaw bone trabecular changes in HbSS. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 123 individuals with HbSS. The exposures were the morbimortality indicators of HbSS (number of vaso-occlusive crises, organ damage, hemoglobin level, and leukocyte count) and the use of hydroxyurea for HbSS treatment. The outcomes were adaptive pulp and jaw bone trabecular changes confirmed by radiographic examination. Associations were estimated by Poisson regression in crude and adjusted analyses for sex, skin color, socioeconomic class, and age. RESULTS: The vaso-occlusive crises (mean ratio (MR) = 3.5, p = 0.045), lower hemoglobin (MR = 2.4, p = 0.037), and higher leukocyte count (MR = 2.17, p = 0.036) were risk factors, while the use of hydroxyurea was inversely associated with adaptive pulp changes (MR = 0.23, p = 0.024). The vaso-occlusive crises were associated with jaw bone trabecular changes (MR = 1.33, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Adaptive pulp changes may be a potential clinical marker of chronic vasculopathy in HbSS. The use of hydroxyurea may reduce the frequency of adaptive pulp changes.

Accuracy of clinical and radiographic recording protocols for diagnosing periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of periodontal examination at 6-sites full-mouth protocol with clinical and radiographic partial-mouth recording protocols (PRPs) to diagnose periodontitis considering new 2018 case definition. METHODS: Periodontitis was diagnosed by full-mouth assessment of clinical attachment level (CAL) at 6-sites (n = 8529) according to 2018 case definition (standard reference). Three clinical and radiographic PRPs were considered: (i) 4 interproximal sites of all teeth (4-sites, full-mouth); (ii) 6-sites on Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) teeth (6-sites, CPITN teeth); (iii) 4-sites on CPITN teeth (4-sites, CPITN teeth); (iv) radiographic examination on interproximal sites of all teeth (rM-D, full-mouth); and (v) radiographic examination on interproximal sites of CPITN teeth (rM-D, CPITN teeth) using Image J®. Sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV) and Negative Predictive Value (NPV), accuracy, and Κappa (k) were estimated (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The 4-sites, full-mouth protocol showed 100% sensitivity and NPV, 79.87% PPV, low specificity (38.32%), 69.30% accuracy, and poor agreement (k = 0.468). 6-sites and 4-sites CPITN teeth protocols showed 100% PPV and specificity, sensitivity and NPV of >60%, accuracy of >80%, and good agreement (k > 0.65). All clinical PRPs outperformed radiographic protocols. CONCLUSION: Clinical PRPs using index teeth are highly accurate in diagnosing periodontitis considering 2018 case definition.

Investigating oral and systemic pathways between unhealthy and healthy dietary patterns to periodontitis in adolescents: A population-based study.

AIM: To investigate pathways between unhealthy and healthy dietary patterns and periodontitis in adolescents (18-19 years of age). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This population-based study (n = 2515) modelled direct and mediated pathways (via biofilm and obesity) from patterns of healthy diet (fruits, fibre, vegetables, and dairy) and unhealthy diet (sugars, snacks, and salty/fast foods) with initial periodontitis (bleeding on probing [BoP], probing depth [PD] ≥ 4 mm, clinical attachment loss [CAL] ≥ 4 mm), moderate periodontitis (BoP, PD ≥ 5 mm, and CAL ≥ 5 mm), and European Federation of Periodontology and the American Academy of Periodontology (EFP-AAP) periodontitis definitions, adjusting for sex, socio-economic status, smoking, and alcohol, through structural equation modelling (α = 5%). RESULTS: Higher values of healthy diet were associated with lower values of initial periodontitis (standardized coefficient [SC] = -0.160; p < .001), moderate periodontitis (SC = -0.202; p < .001), and EFP-AAP periodontitis (p < .05). A higher value of unhealthy diet was associated with higher values of initial periodontitis (SC = 0.134; p = .005) and moderate periodontitis (SC = 0.180; p < .001). Biofilm mediated the association between higher values of unhealthy diet and all periodontal outcomes (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that both healthy and unhealthy dietary patterns may contribute to reduced or increased extent and severity of periodontitis by local and systemic mechanisms, preceding the effect of other established causes such as smoking and obesity, in younger population.

Sugar intake above international recommendations and oral disease burden: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between added sugar intake above the daily limit for the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and the Chronic Oral Disease Burden in adolescents. METHODS: This was a population-based study using cross-sectional data nested to RPS Cohorts Consortium, São Luís, Brazil, from the 18-19-year-old follow-up (n = 2515). High consumption of added sugars was estimated according to the limits of the World Health Organization guidelines (WHO) (≥5% of total energy/day) and the American Heart Association statement (AHA) (≥25 g/day). The Chronic Oral Disease Burden was a latent variable (number of decayed teeth, periodontal probing depth ≥4 mm, clinical attachment level ≥3 mm, and bleeding on probing). Models were adjusted for Socioeconomic Status, sex, obesity, and plaque index and analyzed through structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Adolescents had high sugar consumption according to the WHO (78.6%) and AHA (81.4%) recommendations. High sugar intake, according to WHO (SC = 0.096; p = 0.007) and AHA (SC = 0.056; p = 0.027), was associated with a heavier Chronic Oral Disease Burden. Even half of the recommended dose was sufficient to affect some oral disease indicators. CONCLUSION: Sugar intake over international statements to prevent NCDs is associated with higher Chronic Oral Disease Burden among adolescents.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes and occlusal traits in the primary dentition: A prospective cohort (BRISA).

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyse the relationship between adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) and occlusal traits in the primary dentition, checking for different mediation paths. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: Children evaluated at birth (T1), between 12 and 24 months (T2), and between 24 and 36 months (T3) were included. Two hundred and seventeen children who participated in T1 and T2 were randomly selected to perform the occlusion examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study (BRISA). The theoretical model was tested by structural equation modelling (SEM), estimating standardized coefficients (Coeff.) (α = 0.05). The primary exposure was APO-a latent variable manifested from three health problems at birth: low birthweight (LBW), pre-term birth (PTB) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), evaluated in T1. The outcomes were four different occlusal traits assessed in T3: overjet, anterior and posterior crossbite, and crowding. Each outcome's direct and indirect effects were tested, mediated by growth, breathing, breastfeeding, and pacifier use. RESULTS: There was no direct association between APO and any of the outcomes: overjet (Coeff. = -0.163, P = .241), anterior crossbite (Coeff. = -0.696, P = .065), posterior crossbite (Coeff. = -0.087, P = .589) and crowding (Coeff. = 0.400, P = .423). The indirect (total and specifics) effects tested also showed no association (P > .05). However, APO was associated with lower child growth in all models; breastfeeding was associated with higher child growth in all models, and pacifier use was associated with overjet (Coeff. = 0.184, P < .001) and posterior crossbite (Coeff. = 0.373, P = .011). CONCLUSION: APO was not a risk factor for overjet, crossbite and crowding in an early stage of the primary dentition by direct and indirect pathways. However, growth has been lower in children with APO and higher in children breastfed. Also, the harmful effects of using a pacifier in dental occlusion are highlighted.

Low bone mineral density is associated with severe periodontitis at the end of the second decade of life: A population-based study.

AIM: To evaluate the association between low bone mineral density (BMD) and severe periodontitis at the end of the second decade of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This population-based study analysed 2032 youngers (18-19 years old) of the RPS cohort. BMD of lumbar spine (BMD-LS) and of the whole body (BMD-WB) were assessed by dual x-ray emission densitometry. Low BMD-LS (Z-score ≤ -2) and low BMD-WB (Z-score ≤ -1.5) were correlated with severe periodontitis. The extent of periodontal disease was also evaluated as the following outcomes: proportions of teeth affected by clinical attachment loss ≥5 mm and probing depth ≥5 mm. Multivariate models by sex, education, family income, risk of alcohol dependence, smoking, plaque, bleeding index, and body mass index were estimated through logistic regression (binary outcomes) and Poisson regression (continuous outcomes). RESULTS: The prevalence of severe periodontitis was 10.97%. Low BMD-LS (odds ratio [OR] = 2.08, confidence interval [CI] = 1.12-3.85, p = .01) and low BMD-WB (OR = 1.34, CI = 1.001-1.81, p = .04) were associated with severe periodontitis in the final multivariate models. Low BMD-LS and BMD-WB were also associated with a greater extent of periodontitis (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Low BMD was found to be associated with the severity and extent of periodontitis in adolescents. Adolescents at peak bone mass age presenting low BMD are more likely to be affected by severe periodontitis.

Biological factors associating pulp necrosis and sickle cell anemia.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to investigate the biological factors underlying the association between pulp necrosis (PN) in subjects with permanent teeth with intact crowns and sickle cell anemia (SCA). METHODS: This cohort study included 140 subjects: 125 without PN and 15 with PN. A theoretical model was built to explore the following biological factors involved in the association between PN and SCA, namely (a) increased number of sickle cell crises in the previous year (No. SCCs/year), (b) low percentage of blood oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) in the body, and (c) comorbidities (CoMs). The theoretical model for testing associations was analyzed by structural equation modeling. RESULTS: PN was associated with CoMs (SFL = 1.115; p = .032) but not with No. SCCs/year (SFL = .127; p = .596) or body SpO2 (SFL = -.102; p = .485). The prevalence rates of osteoarticular lesions (p = .009) and death (p<.001) were significantly higher in subjects with PN than in those without. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidities, primarily osteoarticular lesions, are associated with PN in permanent teeth with intact crowns of patients with SCA. PN can be considered an indicator of the lethality of SCA.

Is there a fair distribution of the structure of dental services in the capitals of the Brazilian Federative Units?

BACKGROUND: Brazilian Primary Care Facilities (PCF) provide primary care and must offer dental services for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases. According to a logic of promoting equity, PCF should be better structured in less developed places and with higher need for oral health services. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the structure of dental caries services in the capitals of the Brazilian Federative Units and identify whether socioeconomic factors and caries (need) are predictors of the oral health services structure. METHODS: This is an ecological study with variables retrieved from different secondary databases, clustered for the level of the federative capitals. Descriptive thematic maps were prepared, and structural equations were analyzed to identify oral health service structure's predictors (Alpha = 5%). Four models with different outcomes related to dental caries treatment were tested: 1) % of PCF with a fully equipped office; 2) % of PCF with sufficient instruments, and 3) % of PCF with sufficient supplies; 4) % of PCF with total structure. RESULTS: 21.6% of the PCF of the Brazilian capitals had a fully equipped office; 46.9% had sufficient instruments, and 30.0% had sufficient supplies for caries prevention and treatment. The four models evidenced proper fit indexes. A correlation between socioeconomic factors and the structure of oral health services was only noted in model 3. The worse the socioeconomic conditions, the lower the availability of dental supplies (standard factor loading: 0.92, P = 0.012). Estimates of total, direct and indirect effects showed that dental caries experience observed in the Brazilian population by SB-Brasil in 2010 did not affect the outcomes investigated. CONCLUSION: Material resources are not equitably distributed according to the socioeconomic conditions and oral health needs of the population of the Brazilian capitals, thus contributing to persistent oral health inequities in the country.

Periodontopathogenic microbiota, infectious mechanisms and preterm birth: analysis with structural equations (cohort-BRISA).

PURPOSE: The association between periodontopathogenic microbiota and preterm birth (PTB) has been overly studied. However, the biological mechanisms involved are little known. The objective is to evaluate the effect of periodontopathogenic bacteria burden (PBB), periodontal disease and other infections during pregnancy on preterm birth (PTB), through Structural Equation Modeling. METHODS: This was a case-control study nested in a prospective cohort called BRISA, including 330 pregnant women, 110 cases and 220 controls. This study included the following variables: cytokines interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß), periodontal disease, PBB, age, socioeconomic status (SES), systemic infections and PTB. The correlations between variables were analyzed using Standardized Coefficient (SC). RESULTS: Greater PBB interfered positively with the occurrence of periodontal disease (SC: 0.027; p: 0.011), but these were not associated with the cytokines studied, nor with PTB. The lower serum levels of IL-10 (SC - 0.330; p 0.022) and TGF-ß (SC - 0.612; p < 0.001), and the presence of other systemic infections during pregnancy (SC 0.159; 0.049) explained the higher occurrence of PTB. CONCLUSION: It is possible that only the more severe periodontal disease and other systemic infections are capable of altering the cascade of cytokines regulating the inflammatory process and have an effect on the occurrence of PTB.

Effects of conventional and orthodontic pacifiers on the dental occlusion of children aged 24-36 months old.

AIM: To investigate the effects of conventional and orthodontic pacifiers on the prevalence of malocclusion (MO) considering frequency, duration, and intensity of the sucking habit. DESIGN: Data were collected at three time-points: birth, T1; (12-24 months old), T2; (24-36 months old), T3 and were divided into three groups: control (GC; 110), without non-nutritive sucking habits; orthodontic pacifiers (GOrth; 55); conventional pacifiers (GConv; 55). A questionnaire was applied. Clinical examination was performed at T3. The groups were compared as to the prevalence and severity of anterior open bite (AOB), accentuated overjet, anterior crossbite, posterior crossbite (PCB). RESULTS: The use of pacifiers was associated with occurrence of MO compared to GC (P < 0.05). Frequency, intensity, and duration of pacifier use was also associated with of MO. There was significant difference in the prevalence of MO between GConv and GOrth for AOB (P = 0.027). Only GConv exhibited higher odds of PCB compared to GC (P = 0.040). The prevalence of MO was significantly higher in pacifiers users (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MO was higher among children who used pacifiers. According to a general trend, the use of conventional pacifiers was associated to severe anterior open bite and overjet.

A protocol to identify non-classical risk factors for preterm births: the Brazilian Ribeirão Preto and São Luís prenatal cohort (BRISA).

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth is the main cause of morbidity and mortality during the perinatal period. Classical risk factors are held responsible for only 1/3 of preterm births and no current intervention has produced an appreciable reduction of this event. It is necessary to explore new hypotheses and mechanisms of causality by using an integrated approach, collaboration among research groups and less fragmented theoretical-methodological approaches in order to detect new risk factors and to formulate more effective intervention strategies. METHODS: The study will be conducted on a convenience cohort of Brazilian pregnant women recruited at public and private prenatal health services. A total of 1500 pregnant women in São Luís, and 1500 in Ribeirão Preto, will be invited for an interview and for the collection of biological specimens from the 22nd to the 25th week of gestational age (GA). At the time of delivery they will be reinterviewed. GA will be determined using an algorithm based on two criteria: date of last menstruation (DLM) and obstetric ultrasound (OUS) performed at less than 20 weeks of GA. Illicit drug consumption during pregnancy will be determined using a self-applied questionnaire and the following instruments will be used: perceived stress scale, Beck anxiety scale, screening for depression of the Center of Epidemiological Studies (CES-D), experiences of racial discrimination, social network and social support scale of the Medical Outcomes Study and violence (Abuse Assessment Screening and violence questionnaire of the WHO). Bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infection and periodontal disease will also be identified. Neuroendocrine, immunoinflammatory and medical intervention hypotheses will be tested. The occurrence of elective cesarean section in the absence of labor will be used as a marker of medical intervention. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial, genetic and infectious mechanisms will be selected, since there are indications that they influence preterm birth (PTB). The studies will be conducted in two Brazilian cities with discrepant socioeconomic conditions. The expectation is to identify risk factors for PTB having a greater predictive power than classically studied factors. The final objective is to propose more effective interventions for the reduction of PTB, which, after being tested, might subsidize health policies.

Obesity, Insulin Resistance, Caries, and Periodontitis: Syndemic Framework.

(1) Background: To investigate the grouping of obesity and insulin resistance with caries and periodontitis from a syndemic perspective through pathways of socioeconomic inequalities, smoking, alcohol, and high sugar consumption in adolescence. (2) Methods: The population-based RPS Cohort study, São Luís, Brazil, in ages 18-19 years (n = 2515) was used. The outcomes were the grouping of pbesity and Insulin Resistance Phenotype (latent variable formed by Triglycerides/HDL ratio, TyG index, and VLDL) and the Chronic Oral Disease Burden (latent variable comprising caries, bleeding on probing, probing depth ≥ 4 mm, clinical attachment level ≥ 3 mm, and visible plaque index ≥ 15%). Socioeconomic Inequalities influencing the Behavioral Risk Factors (latent variable formed by added sugar, smoking, and alcohol) were analyzed using structural equation modeling. (3) Results: Socioeconomic Inequalities were associated with the Chronic Oral Disease Burden [Standardized Coefficient (SC) = 0.222, p < 0.001]. Behavioral Risk Factors were associated with increased Chronic Oral Disease Burden (SC = 0.103; p = 0.013). Obesity was associated with the Insulin Resistance Phenotype (SC = 0.072; p < 0.001) and the Chronic Oral Disease Burden (SC = 0.066; p = 0.005). The Insulin Resistance Phenotype and the Chronic Oral Disease Burden were associated (SC = 0.053; p = 0.032). (4) Conclusion: The grouping of obesity and early events of diabetes with caries and periodontitis call for a syndemic approach in adolescence.

Small for gestational age and early childhood caries: the BRISA cohort study.

This study tests the hypothesis that children 12-30 months born small for gestational age (SGA) aged are more susceptible to severe early childhood caries (S-ECC). We used data on 865 children aged 12-30 months from a prospective cohort study conducted in a city in the northeast of Brazil. The study outcome was S-ECC, defined based on the proportion of decayed tooth surfaces (cavitated or not). The main exposure variable was SGA, defined according to the Kramer criterion and the INTERGROWTH-21st standard. Direct (SGA → S-ECC) and indirect effects were estimated using structural equation modeling, calculating standardized factor loadings (SFL) and P-values (alpha = 5%). The final models showed a good fit. SGA influenced S-ECC in the direct and indirect paths. In the group of SGA children with 12 or more erupted teeth defined according to the Kramer criterion, the direct effect was positive (SFL = 0.163; P = 0.019); while among all SGA children defined according to the INTERGROWTH-21st standard, the direct effect was negative (SFL = - 0.711; P < 0.001). Age and number of erupted teeth may influence the occurrence of S-ECC in SGA children, as the number of teeth affects the time of exposure to disease risk factors.

[The use of dental services in the past year in the brazilian population: a systematic review with meta-analysis]. / O uso dos serviços odontológicos no último ano na população brasileira: revisão sistemática com metanálise.

The scope of this study was to analyze the factors associated with the use of dental services in Brazil. The review strategy included PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, BBO, EMBASE, Scopus, WOS and Google Scholar databases, in addition to repositories and databases of dissertations and theses. Studies were selected using the PEO (Population/Exposure/Outcomes) strategy. The outcome of this study was the use of dental services in the last year by the Brazilian population, treated as dichotomous variables for the following analyses: ≤ 1 year and > 1 year. Mantel-Haenszel random effect meta-analysis was performed, estimating Prevalence Ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). A total of 94 studies were selected. The majority (98%) had a cross-sectional design, with 63% derived from primary data. For the meta-analysis, 25 studies were included. The use of oral health services in the last year was associated with higher education (≥ 8 years of schooling) (PR = 0.49, (95%CI: 0.39-0.60)); higher family income (≥ 2 minimum wages) (RP = 0.79, (95%CI: 0.74-0.84)); and living in urban areas (RP = 0.79, (95%CI: 0.64-0.97)). The availability of dental services in the Unified Health System needs to be made readily accessible to people with lower income, less education and those living in rural areas.

O objetivo foi analisar os fatores associados ao uso dos serviços odontológicos no Brasil. A estratégia de revisão incluiu as bases PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, BBO, EMBASE, Scopus, WOS e Google Scholar, além de repositórios e bancos de dissertações e teses. Os estudos foram selecionados ​​usando a estratégia PEO (população/exposição/desfechos). O desfecho deste estudo foi o uso dos serviços odontológicos no último ano pela população brasileira, tratado como variáveis dicotômicas para as análises: ≤ 1 ano e > 1 ano. Foi realizada uma metanálise de efeito randômico de Mantel-Haenszel, estimando-se razões de prevalência (RP) e intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%). Foram selecionados 94 estudos. A maioria (98%) tinha delineamento transversal, sendo 63% oriundos de dados primários. Para a metanálise, 25 estudos foram incluídos. O uso dos serviços odontológicos no último ano esteve associado com maior escolaridade (≥ 8 anos de estudo) (RP = 0,49, (IC95%: 0,39-0,60)); maior renda familiar (≥ 2 salários-mínimos) (RP = 0,79, (IC95%: 0,74-0,84)); e residir na zona urbana (RP = 0,79, (IC95%: 0,64-0,97)). A oferta de serviços odontológicos no Sistema Único de Saúde precisa ser ampliada entre pessoas com menor renda, menor escolaridade e moradores da zona rural.

RANTES and developmental defects of enamel in children: A Brazilian prenatal cohort (BRISA).

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the effect of maternal immunological factors on the etiology of developmental defects of enamel (DDE). RANTES (Regulated on Activation Normal T Cell Expressed and Secreted) is a chemokine produced by fibroblasts, lymphoid and epithelial mucosa cells in response to various external stimuli. Despite its importance for embryogenesis, RANTES expression has been demonstrated in multiple diseases characterized by inflammation, tumor and immune response, and wound healing. We hypothesized that altered levels of RANTES during pregnancy are associated with the immune and inflammatory response in women, which could lead to the occurrence of DDE in utero (DDE-iu), directly or mediated by preterm birth. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of serum levels of RANTES in pregnant women in the occurrence of DDE-iu in children. METHODS: This is a longitudinal case-control study. The mothers and their children (327) were evaluated in three moments: prenatal care, post childbirth, and when the child was between 12.3 and 36 months of age. The analysis was performed with structural equation modeling, estimating the standardized coefficient (SC), adopting α = 5%. RESULTS: There was a direct and negative effect of RANTES on the outcome (SC = -0.137; p = 0.022). This association was not mediated by preterm birth (SC = 0.007; P = 0.551). When considering the specific types of DDE-iu, RANTES had a direct effect on hypoplasia (SC = -0.190; p = 0.007), but not on opacity (SC = 0.343; p = 0.074). CONCLUSION: Lower serum levels of RANTES may contribute to a higher number of teeth with DDE-iu, specifically hypoplasia. However, more evidence supported by clinical, laboratory and epidemiological studies is still needed.

Oral health care for people with disabilities in Brazil: Transition from the specialized dental services between 2014 and 2018.

OBJECTIVE: To identify changes in the dental service provision to people with disabilities (PD) in the Dental Specialties Centers (acronym CEO in Portuguese-Centro de Especialidades Odontológicas) between the first and second cycles of the Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality of CEO and analyse factors associated with any changes. METHODS: This nationwide ecological time series study adopted the CEO as the analysis unit. The 827 CEO who participated in the two program's cycles (2014 and 2018) were included. Data on the structure and the work process were considered to identify features of providing services to PD in both cycles. Latent transition analysis (LTA) was performed to identify latent status (LS) with similar features and model the transition between LS over time. Models with five variables and with two to five LS were tested, considered best conceptual interpretability and best model fit parameters: human resources structure (dentist working exclusively with PD) and work process that identified guarantee of PD treatment at the CEO, the CEO's interface with primary care, and the interface with tertiary care. Spatial analysis was performed to identify spatial patterns of LS in the Brazilian territory with choropleth maps. A multinomial logistic regression model was performed to identify factors associated with changes in the provision of CEO (improved, remained or worsened). FINDINGS: The best-fit model identified four LS: 'Better', 'Medium better', 'Medium worse' and 'Worse'. CEO remained in the LS 'Better' (94%), LS 'Medium' (5.3%) and LS 'Worse' (78.4%). It is noteworthy that the highest proportion of CEO, in both cycles, was in the LS 'Better', featured by the CEO, characterized by all the CEO guaranteeing treatment to users with PD, high proportions of professionals working exclusively with PD, and most CEO articulated with primary care and with tertiary care. However, there is a decrease in the number of postgraduate professionals specializing in this service profile (1.3%). The higher the population growth, the greater the likelihood of the CEO achieving 'improved' in the LS. Moreover, the higher the number of goals, the lower the likelihood of the CEO getting 'worse' in the LS. CONCLUSION: Advances in dental service provision were observed, with more significant transitions to the 'Better' class, with improvements mainly in the interface with primary and tertiary care. Disability will be an even more significant concern as the population ages. Initiatives that can remove barriers and empower PD are potent in the provision of oral health services.

Advances and weaknesses of the work process of the oral cancer care network in Brazil: A latent class transition analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the provision of oral cancer (OC) care services in the Dental Specialties Centers (Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas-CEO) in Brazil and identify changes over two cycles of external evaluation of the Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality-PMAQ, in 2014 and 2018. METHOD: This is a nationwide panel ecological study, including 916 CEO. Data from interviews with managers and dentists of the CEO were used, including variables related to training on OC, clinical protocols, biopsies, referral for diagnosis and treatment, and registration of users with OC. We carried out Latent Transition Analysis (LTA) to identify patterns (latent status LS) of service adequacy and work processes' changes between the two assessment cycles. We tested models with three, four, and five LS, selecting the one with the best conceptual interpretability and good model fit parameters. Data from the LS were plotted on choropleth and hotspots maps in Brazil allowing us to identify areas with the better or worse provision of specialized OC services. RESULTS: The model with four LS was chosen. The four LS were named: 1.'Most indicators inadequate for OC care' (the worst); 2. 'Most indicators suitable for OC care' (the best); 3. 'CEO with a poor relation with Primary Health Care (PHC) services'; and 4. 'CEO with a poor relation with tertiary hospital services'. The comparison of the LS transition between the two cycles revealed that 419 (45.7%) CEO remained in the same LS (1→1, 3→4, 2→2); 228 (24.9%) switched to a worse status (2→1, 2→4, 3→1) and 269 (29.4%) switched to a better LS (1→2, 1→4, 3→2). While the majority of the CEO improved, we identified a decline of 17.8% in those who reported performing biopsies and 18.3% in the number of CEO that had hospitals for referring confirmed OC cases. Almost all Brazilian states had CEO that improved the work process. The Southeast and South regions had the highest percentage of CEO with the better work process in both cycles. Hotspots showed areas concentrating improvements in the work process in the Northeast region. However, some hotspots in the North revealed some CEO where the work process deteriorated or remained unsatisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: There are regional inequities in the provision of OC care in CEO. Most services improved their work process or remained stable. However, the biopsies and the referral to hospital care for confirmed cases declined, indicating that CEO need to improve planning and care provision to reduce OC morbimortality.