Is cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) an alternative to plain radiography in assessments of dental disease? A study of method agreement in a medically compromised patient population.

OBJECTIVES: Poor oral health and dental infections can jeopardize medical treatment and be life-threatening. Due to this, patients with head and neck malignancies, generalized tumor spread, organ transplant, or severe infection are referred for a clinical oral and radiographic examination. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic agreement of three radiographic modalities: intraoral radiographs (IO), panoramic radiographs (PX), and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for diagnosis of dental diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred patients were examined with IO, PX, and CBCT. Periapical lesions, marginal bone level, and caries lesions were diagnosed separately by four oral radiologists. All observers also assessed six teeth in 30 randomly selected patients at two different occasions. Kappa values and percent agreement were calculated. RESULTS: The highest Kappa value and percent agreement were for diagnosing periapical lesions (0.76, 97.7%), and for the assessment of marginal bone level, it varied between 0.58 and 0.60 (87.8-89.3%). In CBCT, only 44.4% of all teeth were assessable for caries (Kappa 0.68, 93.4%). The intra-observer agreement, for all modalities and diagnoses, showed Kappa values between 0.5 and 0.93 and inter-observer agreement varied from 0.51 to 0.87. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT was an alternative to IO in diagnosing periapical lesions. Both modalities found the same healthy teeth in 93.8%. All modalities were performed equally regarding marginal bone level. In caries diagnosis, artifacts were the major cause of fallout for CBCT. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intraoral radiography is the first-hand choice for diagnosing dental disease. For some rare cases where intraoral imaging is not possible, a dedicated panoramic image and/or CBCT examination is an alternative.

Increasing the efficiency of dental disease prevention in children of younger school age through participation in a stomatological performance.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To study the awareness of children and their parents in the prevention of dental diseases and to propose educational measures to increase it. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: To achieve the goal of the study, a survey of 628 children, aged 7-11 years, younger schoolchildren of Poltava and 479 of their parents was conducted using the previously developed "Dental Questionnaire for Children and Parents". The questionnaire was based on the main indicators of the dental health of children and adolescents in accordance with the EGOHID II project (2008) and the WHO dental questionnaire (2013), and it took into account the proposals of dental organizations that regulate the assessment of oral health in children. Based on the results of the survey, a script for oral hygiene lesson for junior schoolchildren was developed using theatrical and game elements. RESULTS: Results: The results of the conducted research indicate the low sanitary and hygienic awareness of parents, the paternalism of their thinking, which leads to the lack of control over the hygiene of the oral cavity of children. In order to solve this problem, a scenario of informational explanatory conversation was created with the involvement of modern methods of communication and intern doctors who have acquired relevant knowledge and communication skills. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Informing of children about the prevention of dental diseases in the form of a dental performance is a relevant sanitary and educational event that motivates children to observe the rules of oral hygiene.

Comparative analysis of salivary microbiota in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals of North India using metagenomics.

Background: Saliva, an oral secretion is considered an essential biological modulator involved in maintaining oral homeostasis. Increased glucose levels in diabetic patients' saliva may have an impact on diversity of microbes. Comparing the salivary microflora of diabetic and non-diabetic cohorts will help in diagnosis and risk assessment of oral health complications. This will provide greater knowledge about the contribution of oral microbes to the development of oral illnesses. The association between salivary microbiota and diabetic state is less explored in the North Indian population, hence current observational study was performed to analyze the salivary microflora of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals using metagenomic analysis. Materials and methods: This single-center non-randomized observational trial was conducted in Uttar Pradesh, India. Participants were enrolled into either diabetic (n = 68) or non-diabetic groups (n = 68) based on their diabetes status. Following saliva collection, DNA was extracted and metagenomic sequencing was performed. Results: Phylum Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria were significantly abundant in diabetic individuals (p < 0.0001), while Proteobacteria was significantly higher among non-diabetic individuals (p < 0.0001). No statistical difference in phylum Actinobacteria and Firmicutes among diabetics and non-diabetics. Veillonella, Prevotella, Porphyromonas, Leptotrichia, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus were greater in diabetics whereas the abundance of Capnocytophaga and Neisseria was more among non-diabetics (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The genera Veillonella, Prevotella, Porphyromonas, Leptotrichia, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus were comparatively over the odds with the diabetics in India. The association between microbiota in diabetic population and risk related to increase in occurrence of caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis in diabetic population prevalence should be investigated.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-based Scaffolds in Regenerative Medicine of Dental Diseases.

Biomedical engineering breakthroughs and increased patient expectations and requests for more comprehensive care are propelling the field of regenerative dentistry forward at a fast pace. Stem cells (SCs), bioactive compounds, and scaffolds are the mainstays of tissue engineering, the backbone of regenerative dentistry. Repairing damaged teeth and gums is a significant scientific problem at present. Novel therapeutic approaches for tooth and periodontal healing have been inspired by tissue engineering based on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Furthermore, as a component of the MSC secretome, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been shown to contribute to periodontal tissue repair and regeneration. The scaffold, made of an artificial extracellular matrix (ECM), acts as a supporting structure for new cell development and tissue formation. To effectively promote cell development, a scaffold must be non-toxic, biodegradable, biologically compatible, low in immunogenicity, and safe. Due to its promising biological characteristics for cell regeneration, dental tissue engineering has recently received much attention for its use of natural or synthetic polymer scaffolds with excellent mechanical properties, such as small pore size and a high surface-to-volume ratio, as a matrix. Moreover, as a bioactive material for carrying MSC-EVs, the combined application of scaffolds and MSC-EVs has a better regenerative effect on dental diseases. In this paper, we discuss how MSCs and MSC-derived EV treatment may be used to regenerate damaged teeth, and we highlight the role of various scaffolds in this process.

Oral dysbiosis and risk of gastrointestinal cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.

BACKGROUND: Poor oral health and oral dysbiosis were found to be associated with cancers, especially of the gastrointestinal (GI) system. But the cause-and-effect relationship and the effect of the risk are not yet known due to scarcity of literature. Understanding such risk relationship can contribute to an integrated multi-disciplinary approach for GI cancer prevention. AIM: The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the role of oral dysbiosis on increasing the risk of digestive system cancers. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of poor oral health on increasing the risk of gastrointestinal cancers. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in databases PubMed, Elsevier, Wiley's online library and Web of Science from inception to February 2023 to include recent cohort studies that assessed the association between poor oral health and the risk of cancer. We assessed bias using the New Castle Ottawa scale. We used inferential statistics to describe the effect of oral dysbiosis on gastrointestinal cancers. We performed a sub-group analysis to assess the effect of oral conditions on individual cancers. RESULTS: We included 10 longitudinal studies in the meta-analysis. The overall effect size of poor oral health and GI cancer risk was hazard's ratio (HR) =1.30 (95% CI: [1.14, 1.46]) (p<0.001) (I2 = 68.78). Sub-group analysis indicated that poor oral health increases the risk of esophageal cancer HR=1.61 (95% CI: [1.37, 1.85]), stomach cancer HR=1.33 (95% CI: [1.08, 1.58]), pancreatic cancer HR=1.90 (95% CI; [1.29, 2.50]) and colorectal and hepatocellular carcinoma HR=1.16 (95% CI: [1.08, 1.23]). CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis indicated that poor oral health was significantly associated with increasing the risk of GI cancers.

Oral health status, treatment needs, and patterns of utilization of dental services among village volunteers in Andhra Pradesh: A cross-sectional multi-stage cluster survey.

Background: Community health depends on the leadership duties of a diverse population, such as village volunteers. Hence, a study was conducted to assess oral health status, treatment needs, and patterns of utilization of dental services among village volunteers in Andhra Pradesh state. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 village volunteers in Andhra Pradesh state, India. A multi-stage cluster sampling procedure was employed in sample selection. A questionnaire was used to review the pattern of utilization of dental services. World Health Organization Oral Health assessment form 1997 was used to evaluate oral health status and treatment needs. Data collected were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. Descriptive statistics were done. Results: Out of 400, 18% had never visited the dental clinic in their lifetime. The majority (33.5%) considered that dental problems were not a serious concern. Dental caries was seen in 69.5%, and 78.5% were presented with periodontal conditions. About 19.8% and 24.3% had crowding and spacing in incisal segments, respectively. The prevalence of oral mucosal disorders and dental fluorosis was 4.25% and 8.75%, respectively. Overall, 94% of the study participants needed dental treatment for various reasons. Conclusion: This study provides sufficient evidence to conclude that this population's oral health was poor, with increasing unmet dental treatment needs. Selected interventions and strategies should focus on these factors to decrease the burden of oral diseases among village volunteers.

Morphological evaluation of dental diseases in Parion chamber tomb (OM 5) Roman people / Evaluación morfológica de enfermedades dentales en la tumba de la cámara de Parion (OM 5) del pueblo romano

SUMMARY: Most of the dental diseases occur due to tooth or jaw morphology or nutritional habits. Anatomical differences in the teeth and jaws of men and women can cause different dental diseases between the sexes. In this study, 33 skeletons obtained from the excavation of the ancient city of Parion, which are dated to the late Roman period, were examined. Dental diseases and possible causes were investigated on a total of 33 skeletons. In the evaluations, it was evaluated that some diseases were caused by the difference between the sexes, while some were classified as nutritional diseases. The rates of tooth decay are different between men and women with Parion. It has been determined that the most important reason for this is the different morphological structure of the jaws and teeth, but the nutritional differences also cause this. Other dental and jaw diseases were also evaluated in the Parion population.

RESUMEN: La mayoría de las enfermedades dentales se deben a la morfología de los dientes o la mandíbula o a los hábitos nutricionales. Las diferencias anatómicas en los dientes y las mandíbulas de hombres y mujeres pueden causar diferentes enfermedades dentales entre los sexos. En este estudio, se examinaron 33 esqueletos obtenidos de la excavación de la antigua ciudad de Parion, que datan del período romano tardío. Se investigaron las enfermedades dentales y las posibles causas en un total de 33 esqueletos. En las evaluaciones, se determinó que algunas enfermedades fueron causadas por la diferencia entre los sexos, mientras que otras fueron clasificadas como enfermedades nutricionales. Además se encontraron diferentes estimaciones de caries entre hombres y mujeres. Se analizó que la razón más importante de esto es la diferencia de la estructura morfológica de los maxilares y los dientes, sin embargo las diferencias nutricionales también es un factor que se debe considerar. Se evaluaron además, otras enfermedades dentales y de la mandíbula en la población de Parion.

Survey of dental diseases in Crioulo breed horses reared in an extensive farming system / Levantamento de afecções dentárias em equinos da raça Crioula mantidos em sistema de criação extensivo

The present study aimed to identify and quantify dental diseases in Crioulo horses reared exclusively under extensive farming conditions. In total, 254 Crioulo horses were evaluated, that were reared exclusively in native pastures with predominantly Eragrostis plana (Annoni grass). The animals were divided into three groups according to age: three to five years (G1), six to 12 years (G2), and 13 to 26 years (G3). In total, 46.1% of the animals in G1, 63.8% in G2, and 82.3% in G3 had two or more incisor disorders; 37.5% in G1, 52.5% in G2 and 45.5% in G3 had two or more disease findings in the canines; and 28.9% in G1, 35.4% in G2, and 64.7% in G3 had four or more disease findings in the second, third, and fourth premolars and molars. However, dental calculus was observed in 90.5% of G2 animals, whereas in G3, the occurrence rate of excessive enamel points and calculus was 82.4%. Although all of the horses studied were reared in an extensive farming system, dental changes were very common in the Crioulo breed reared under these management conditions.(AU)

O presente estudo teve por objetivo identificar e quantificar as afecções odontológicas de equinos da raça Crioula criados exclusivamente em regime extensivo. No total, foram avaliados 254 cavalos Crioulos, criados em pastagens nativas com predominância de Eragrostis plana (capim-annoni). Os animais foram divididos em três grupos, de acordo com a idade: de três a cinco anos (G1), seis a 12 anos (G2 ) e 13 a 26 anos (G3). No total, 46,1% dos animais do G1, 63,8% do G2 e 82,3% do G3 apresentaram dois ou mais transtornos incisivos; 37,5% do G1, 52,5% do G2 e 45,5% do G3 tiveram duas ou mais alterações nos caninos; 28,9% do G1, 35,4% do G2 e 64,7% do G3 mostraram quatro ou mais distúrbios no segundo, terceiro e quarto pré-molares e molares. Contudo, cálculo dentário foi observado em 90,5% dos animais do G2, enquanto no G3, a taxa de ocorrência de pontas excessivas de esmalte dentário e cálculo foi de 82,4%. Concluiu-se que, apesar de todos os equinos estudados serem mantidos em sistema extensivo, as afecções dentárias mostraram-se muito comuns na raça Crioula sob estas condições de manejo.(AU)

School loss days due to dental diseases among adolescents / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the lost school days due to dental diseases among adolescents and to assess their oral health in relation to their socio-demographic characteristics. METHODS: A total of 881 adolescents (middle school: 453, high school: 428) were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was composed of questions relating to the subject's socio-demographic characteristics and lost school days due to dental diseases. The lost school days due to dental diseases included absence and early leave. The differences in the lost school days by socio-demographic characteristics were analyzed by chi-square test and t-test. RESULTS: In the past year, 2% of adolescents were absent from school (approximately 2 days of absence), 7.6% left school early (about 3 days of early leave), and 8.3% were absent from school or left school early (about 4 days of absence and early leave) because of dental diseases. The most common reason for absence from school was dental caries (31.8%), followed by malocclusion (9.3%), periodontal disease (7%), and maxillofacial trauma (2.3%). Dental caries was the most common reason (18%) for early leave, followed by malocclusion (8.8%), maxillofacial trauma (2.6%), and periodontal disease (1.8%). Absence from school was higher when the educational background of the respondent's father was middle-school graduate or lower (5.6%: middle-school graduates or lower, 1.6%: high-school graduates, 1.8%: college graduates or higher). High school students with dental diseases (11.7%) were absent or went on early leave to a greater extent than middle school students (5.1%). CONCLUSIONS: To reduce lost school days due to dental diseases among adolescents, different strategies are required including prevention and early treatment of dental caries and avoidance of maxillofacial trauma.

Knowledge, attitude, practice towards primary prevention of dental diseases among oral health professionals in India

Aim: To assess knowledge, attitude, practice towards primary prevention of dental diseases among oral health professionals. Material and Methods: It is cross-sectional questionnaire study. The study was conducted among dental professionals running private dental clinics. . Among these 141 clinics, 202 dentists had given their informed consent to be included in the study. Results: Knowledge of dental health professionals towards primary health care was significantly (p=0.04*) below average among all age groups. Attitude of study participants towards primary health care shows that most of study participants in all age groups had significantly (p=0.00***) good attitude towards primary health care. Females study participants 36 (45%) practice primary prevention technique significantly (p=0.00***) more than the male study participants. Conclusions: It is concluded that knowledge among dental professionals regarding primary health care was low. Attitude towards primary prevention among the oral health professionals was positive. Dentist included in present study, practice techniques of primary preventive technique less frequently.

Principales enfermedades bucodentales en embarazadas / Main dental diseases found in pregnant women

Introducción: el embarazo constituye un proceso natural que provoca una serie de cambios fisiológicos, patológicos y psicológicos que las convierten en pacientes especiales que demandan cuidados exclusivos. Objetivo: determinar las principales enfermedades bucodentales que afectan a las embarazadas del Policlínico Pedro Díaz Coello. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal de enero de 2014 a enero de 2015 en el Policlínico Pedro Díaz Coello de Holguín a un total de 395 embarazadas que acudieron a la consulta en el período de estudio. Las variables estudiadas fueron: edad, nivel educacional, área de residencia, clasificación epidemiológica, factores de riesgo y principales enfermedades bucales. Resultados: predominó como área de residencia la zona rural, el grupo de edad de 25 a 29 años, el nivel educacional preuniversitario con 53,9%, 35,2% y 53,7% respectivamente. El mayor número de las pacientes se encontraban enfermas (grupo III) con el 52,9%. El factor de riesgo que más incidió fue la higiene bucal deficiente representado por el 94,2%. La caries dental se identificó como la enfermedad que más afectó a las gestantes con el 47,8%. Conclusiones: la realización de trabajos educativos dirigidos a mejorar el estado de salud bucal en este grupo priorizado constituye una necesidad del momento actual. La caries dental es la afección más frecuente en las gestantes y el factor de riesgo la higiene bucal deficiente.

Introduction: pregnancy constitutes a natural process in a woman´s life; this stage is accompanied by a series of physiologic, pathologic and psychological changes that make them a kind of patients who demand exclusive cares. Objective: to determine the main dental diseases that affect pregnant woman at Pedro Díaz Coello polyclinic. Method: a cross-sectional study was carried out in the period from January 2014 to January 2015 at Pedro Díaz Coello polyclinic. The universe and sample coincided with 395 women, those who were attended in the consultation during the period of this study. The variables analyzed were: age, educational level, habitat area, epidemiologic classification, risk factors and main dental disease. Result: the rural zone as a residential area, the age group from 25 to 29 years old and the pre-university educational level prevailed, with 53.9%, 35.2% and 53.7% respectively. The highest concentration of patients were sick (group III) with a 52.9%. On the other hand, the risk factor that affected the community the most was an inadequate buccal hygiene representing 94.2%. Dental caries was the disease that affected the pregnant women the most with 47.8%. Conclusions: the development of educational works directed to improve the state of dental health of this prioritized group constitutes a current necessity. Dental caries was the disease that affected the pregnant women the most, as well as, the inadequate buccal hygiene as risk factor.

Geographic information system (GIS) analysis on the distribution of patients visiting at a dental college hospital: a pilot study

PURPOSE: The aims of this study are to analyze and to visualize distribution of patients visiting at a dental college hospital, using geographic information system (GIS). The visualized data can be utilized in patient care and treatment planning, ultimately leading to the assessment of risk evaluation and prevention of dental diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient information data was obtained from Dankook University Dental Hospital including the unit number, gender, date of birth, and address from 2007 to 2014. Patient distribution was visualized using GIS. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.3 and ArcGIS 10.1. Five factors including proximity, accessibility, age, gender, and socioeconomic status were investigated as the explanatory variables of the patient distribution. RESULTS: The visualized patient data showed a nationwide scale of the patient distribution. There was a little difference in characteristics for each department. As closer at Dankook University Dental Hospital, visitors increased. And it strongly showed that elderly patients in rural areas tend to visit more. CONCLUSION: The distribution of patients has been shown to be significantly affected by the proximity, accessibility, age, gender and socioeconomic status. The underlying reason remains to be further studied.

Conocimientos sobre factores de riesgo de salud bucal en adultos mayores de círculos de abuelos / Knowledge on risk factors of bucal health in older adults from grandparents circle

Introducción: los adultos mayores son propensos a padecer enfermedades bucales, siendo importante el conocimiento de los factores de riesgo para evitar la aparición o el agravamiento de estas. Objetivo: identificar los conocimientos de las principales enfermedades bucales y factores de riesgo asociados a estas en los adultos mayores. Material y métodos: Se realizó una investigación descriptiva. El universo quedó constituido por 101 personas, pertenecientes a los 5 círculos de abuelos del Policlínico 19 de Abril. Las variables estudiadas son edad, sexo, nivel de escolaridad, conocimientos de las principales enfermedades bucales y factores de riesgo. Se aplicó una encuesta previo consentimiento informado a los ancianos. Resultados: el 74,5% manifiesta conocer la caries dental; 84,1% desconoce los efectos negativos del alcohol; 76.3% manifiesta la falta de conocimientos sobre la importancia de la higiene bucal y 80% desconoce que mantener la prótesis mal ajustada es factor de riesgo de cáncer bucal. Conclusiones: predomina la falta de conocimiento de las principales enfermedades bucales y factores de riesgo relacionadas con estas.

Introduction: elderly people are prone to oral diseases. Knowledge of risk factors is important for preventing the beginning and further development of these diseases. Objective: identify the level of knowledge of a group of elderly people regarding main oral diseases and risk factors associated. Material and methods: a descriptive transversal study. The Universe consisted of 101 subjects from 5 homes for elderly people from 19 de Abril Community Health center. No sample was used. Variables studied were: age, gender, education and level of knowledge. Information was obtained by the main author and other collaborators previously trained. Informed consent of subjects also was previously obtained. A data base was made in excel and processed in SPSS v. 19. Percentage werer used to resume information. Results: the 74.5% has certain knowledge about dental caries, 84.1% doesn't know the negative effects of alcohol consumption,76.3% shows insufficient knowledge of the importance of the bucalhygiene and 80% has no knowledge that to keep the prothesis badly adjusted may be a risk factor of buccal cancer. Conclusions: the lack of knowledge about the principal dental diseases and main risk factors associated with them prevailed.

Conocimientos sobre factores de riesgo de salud bucal en adultos mayores de círculos de abuelos / Knowledge on risk factors of bucal health in older adults from grandparents circle

Introducción: los adultos mayores son propensos a padecer enfermedades bucales, siendo importante el conocimiento de los factores de riesgo para evitar la aparición o el agravamiento de estas. Objetivo: identificar los conocimientos de las principales enfermedades bucales y factores de riesgo asociados a estas en los adultos mayores. Material y métodos: se realizó una investigación descriptiva. El universo quedó constituido por 101 personas, pertenecientes a los 5 círculos de abuelos del Policlínico 19 de Abril. Las variables estudiadas son edad, sexo, nivel de escolaridad, conocimientos de las principales enfermedades bucales y factores de riesgo. Se aplicó una encuesta previo consentimiento informado a los ancianos. Resultados: el 74,5 por ciento manifiesta conocer la caries dental; 84,1 por ciento desconoce los efectos negativos del alcohol; 76.3 por ciento manifiesta la falta de conocimientos sobre la importancia de la higiene bucal y 80 por ciento desconoce que mantener la prótesis mal ajustada es factor de riesgo de cáncer bucal.Conclusiones: predomina la falta de conocimiento de las principales enfermedades bucales y factores de riesgo relacionadas con estas(AU)

Introduction: elderly people are prone to oral diseases. Knowledge of risk factors is important for preventing the beginning and further development of these diseases. Objective: identify the level of knowledge of a group of elderly people regarding main oral diseases and risk factors associated. Material and methods: a descriptive transversal study. The Universe consisted of 101 subjects from 5 homes for elderly people from 19 de Abril Community Health center. No sample was used. Variables studied were: age, gender, education and level of knowledge. Information was obtained by the main author and other collaborators previously trained. Informed consent of subjects also was previously obtained. A data base was made in excel and processed in SPSS v. 19. Percentage werer used to resume information. Results: the 74.5 percent has certain knowledge about dental caries, 84.1 percent doesn't know the negative effects of alcohol consumption,76.3 percent shows insufficient knowledge of the importance of the bucalhygiene and 80 percent has no knowledge that to keep the prothesis badly adjusted may be a risk factor of buccal cancer. Conclusions: the lack of knowledge about the principal dental diseases and main risk factors associated with them prevailed(AU)

Intervención educativa sobre salud bucal en niños de la escuela primaria "Gerardo Medina" / Educative Intervention about Dental Health in Children: "Gerardo Medina" Primary School

El insuficiente nivel de conocimientos sobre salud e higiene bucal deficiente continúan siendo un problema en gran parte de la población. El objetivo de esta investigación es identificar el nivel de conocimientos sobre salud e higiene bucal en los niños de la escuela primaria "Gerardo Medina" del municipio Pinar del Río, antes y después de realizada la intervención educativa, evaluando así su eficacia. Se realizó un estudio en el período comprendido desde enero a noviembre de 2007. La muestra estuvo constituida por 142 niños, 70 del sexo masculino y 72 del femenino, en edades comprendidas entre los 9 y 11 años. Se les aplicó una encuesta con el fin de determinar sus conocimientos sobre salud bucal y se determinó el IHB-S para evaluar su higiene bucal antes y después de realizada la intervención. Los estudiantes de estomatología actuaron como promotores de salud bucal. Los datos fueron procesados mediante las pruebas, t de Student, Ji cuadrado y de comparación de 2 proporciones, con niveles de confianza del 95 % y 99 %. Los resultados mostraron que antes de la intervención existían bajos niveles de conocimientos sobre salud bucal, así como deficiente higiene bucal en la mayoría de los niños, mostrando ambas variables una estrecha relación; después de la intervención se alcanzó una mejoraría significativa en los conocimientos y la higiene bucal. Se concluye con una eficacia del programa educativo participativo aplicado y de los métodos y medios de enseñanza utilizados, dado por los cambios favorables alcanzados después de realizada la intervención.

The poor level of knowledge about dental health and hygiene is still a health problem in part of the population. The aimed of this research paper was to identify the level of knowledge, children in "Gerardo Medina" Primary School, Pinar del Rio had before and after the establishment of the educative intervention and assessing its effectiveness. The study was conducted during the period of January-November 2007. The sample was comprised of 142 children, 70 male and 72 female (9-11 years old). A survey with the purpose of determining their level of knowledge about dental health was applied showing the IHB-S to assess their dental hygiene before and after the establishment of the intervention. Dentist's students carried out health promotion. Data were processed by means of Student's test, Ji square test and a 2-rate comparison test with confidence levels of 95% and 99%. Results showed that before the educative intervention students showed low levels of knowledge about dental health; as well as a deficient hygiene in the majority of the children where both variables had a close relationship; a significant improvement was observed after the intervention. Concluding that, favourable results were obtained after the intervention due to the effectiveness of the educative intervention, the participative program, the methods and the teaching aids applied.

El impacto de la colonización española: evidencias paleopatológicas e isotópicas de cambios en la saludoral y reducción de la diversidad en la dieta en sociedades coloniales nativas del sur occidente de Colombia / The impact of the Spanish colonization: paleopathological and isotopic evidences of changes in oral health and dietary diversity in native colonial societies from the Colombian Southwest

Las sociedades amerindias sufrieron un profundo deterioro de la salud durante el contacto Europeo y la posterior colonización de las Américas. Igualmente la diversidad en la dieta y la calidad nutricional decrecieron mientras que la violencia y las labores de trabajo se incrementaron considerablemente. Las consecuencias socioculturales de dicho contacto han sido suficientemente documentadas por la arqueología, la historia y la etnohistoria. Sin embargo las secuelas biológicas son menos claras. Este artículo evalúa el impacto biológico de la llegada de los colonizadores Europeos al norte de Sur América a través del estudio de los restos óseos de dos comunidades coloniales Nativas del Sur-occidente de Colombia. La primera proviene del yacimiento arqueológico “El Alto del Rey” (ca 1200-1600 d.C) en el Departamento del Cauca y la segunda proviene del cementerio posthispánico de “Maridías” (1615-1720 a.C) en el Departamento de Nariño. Se obtuvieron datos de diferentes tipos de enfermedades dentales, así como de estrés fisiológico y de radios de isótopos estables de carbono (12C y 13C) y nitrógeno (15N) para conocer mejor el tipo de alimentación, la diversidad dietaría y nutrición y el estado de salud oral de las comunidades nativas colombianas bajo eldominio Español. Los análisis paleopatológico-dentales muestran un notable incremento en los índices de caries, cálculo, enfermedad periodontal, perdida dental antemortem (PDA) e hipoplasias del esmalte. En concordancia el estudio isotópico reveló un abrupto incremento en el consumo de plantas ricas en carbohidratos y alta dependencia de plantas como el maíz y otros granos. Este análisis muestra que el impacto europeo fue más notable en la población de Maridías dado que estuvo expuesta a un periodo de contacto más duradero y directo que el Alto del Rey. Al mismo tiempo esta investigación sugiere un notorio y profundo cambio en la nutrición, salud y forma de vida de estas comunidades.

Native American societies suffered a profund deterioration of health under European colonization. In addition, diet diversity and nutritional quality decreased whereas workloads and violence increased considerably. Social and cultural consequences of such contact have been well documented by archaeology, history and ethno-history. However, the true biological impact is poorly understood. This paper assess the biological impact of the European arrival to northern South America through the study of human skeletal remains of two native Colonial societies from the post-contact period in the Colombian South West. The first sample came from “El Alto del Rey” (ca 1200-1600 a.C), at Cauca Department, and the second from “Maridías” (1615-1720 a.C), at Nariño Department. Data from several types of dental diseases were obtained as well as physiological stress indicators and stable isotopes ratios of carbon (12C y 13C) and nitrogen (15N). These data were used to try to determine food intake, dietary diversity, nutrition, and the state of oral health of the Colombian native communities under Spanish control. Dental paleopathological analyses showed a high increase in the rates of caries, dental calculus, periodontal disease, antemortem tooth loose (AMTL) and enamel hypoplasias In agreement with these results, the isotope analysis reveals an abrupt increase in the plants rich in carbohydrates consumption and high dependency on plants such as corn and other grains. Changes were more considerable in Maridías than in El Alto del Rey, since the former was exposed to a longer and more direct colonial contact. In addition, this study suggests deep changes in diet, health and way of life of these communities. The bioarchaeological analysis of human skeletal remains represents an important source for a better understanding of the dynamics of the biocultural change resulting from colonization in Colombia.

Studying the oro-dental diseases in the children of the central coastal areas

The study is a survey on oro-dental diseases in 1132 children who were over 6 years old and living in the North Central Coastal and South Central Coastal areas. The subjects were divided into 4 age groups: 6-8, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-17. Results: The percentage of children 6-8 years old with caries in the primary dentition was high, from 83.7% to 91.6%. The percentage of children who had caries in the permanent dentition increased across the age groups. The percentage of children who had not caries was much more lower than WHO’s standard. In all age groups, the percentage of children in the South Central Coast who had dental caries was higher than children in the North Central Coast. The percentage of children 6-14 years old with gingivitis in the South Central Coast was higher than in the North Central Coast