Association among oral health and academic performance: a longitudinal study in a university in Southern Brazil.

This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the association between self-perceived oral health, oral-health-related quality-of-life (OHRQoL), toothache, and university students' academic performance or dropout. A cohort of 2,089 students from 64 different courses at a public university in southern Brazil was interviewed in 2016 regarding their self-perceived oral health (Locker instrument; dichotomized into good/poor), OHRQoL (Oral Impacts on Daily Performances instrument, OIDP) and having had any toothache over the last 6 months (yes/no). After three years (2020), the academic records of 1,870 of these students were assessed, their average grade over all courses evaluated, and their dropout status was determined. Multivariable linear or logistic regression adjusting for gender, skin color, age, family income and maternal education was used to associate oral health variables (self-perceived oral health, OIDP, toothache) and academic performance or dropout. In 2016, 28.6% reported negative self-perceived oral health through the Locker instrument and 31.4% had toothache in the last 6 months. Over the next three years, 36.2% had dropped out. In multivariable regression, toothache in the last 6 months had a decrease of 0.32 (ß -0.32, CI95% -0.59; -0.04) points in the final grade and were 35% (OR 1.35 CI95% 1.08; 1.69) more likely to dropout than students without toothache. In conclusion, this study showed that worse oral health conditions may be associated with worse academic performance or dropping out.

Association among oral health and academic performance: a longitudinal study in a university in Southern Brazil

Abstract This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the association between self-perceived oral health, oral-health-related quality-of-life (OHRQoL), toothache, and university students' academic performance or dropout. A cohort of 2,089 students from 64 different courses at a public university in southern Brazil was interviewed in 2016 regarding their self-perceived oral health (Locker instrument; dichotomized into good/poor), OHRQoL (Oral Impacts on Daily Performances instrument, OIDP) and having had any toothache over the last 6 months (yes/no). After three years (2020), the academic records of 1,870 of these students were assessed, their average grade over all courses evaluated, and their dropout status was determined. Multivariable linear or logistic regression adjusting for gender, skin color, age, family income and maternal education was used to associate oral health variables (self-perceived oral health, OIDP, toothache) and academic performance or dropout. In 2016, 28.6% reported negative self-perceived oral health through the Locker instrument and 31.4% had toothache in the last 6 months. Over the next three years, 36.2% had dropped out. In multivariable regression, toothache in the last 6 months had a decrease of 0.32 (β -0.32, CI95% -0.59; -0.04) points in the final grade and were 35% (OR 1.35 CI95% 1.08; 1.69) more likely to dropout than students without toothache. In conclusion, this study showed that worse oral health conditions may be associated with worse academic performance or dropping out.

O método computadorizado de anestesia odontológica é mais efetivo que o método convencional em crianças e adolescentes? Uma revisão sistemática da literatura / Is the computerized dental anesthesia method more effective than the conventional method in children and adolescents? A systematic literature review

Objetivo:Revisar sistematicamente a literatura sobre a efetividade do método computadorizado de anestesia odontológica em relação àdor, comportamento não colaborador e o medo/ansiedade em crianças e adolescentes em comparação com o método convencional. Materiais e métodos:Uma buscaeletrônica foi realizada em cinco base de dados (Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, Scopus, Embase, Pubmed e Web of Science)e que incluiu ensaios clínicos randomizados. A busca foi realizada em outubro de 2020 eatualizada em maio de 2021 e, não houve restrição de data ou idioma. A avaliação de risco de viés foi realizada usando aRoB 2 e, tambémfoi realizada uma análise qualitativa. Resultados:Foram encontrados 3.518 estudos, e após a remoção das duplicatas, análise do título e resumo e,leitura completa, restaram 26 estudos incluídos. Destes,cinco avaliaram ansiedade/medo, doze avaliaram o comportamento durante a anestesia, e vinte e dois avaliaram a percepção de dor. Não foi observadodiferença significativa na maioria dos estudos entreo uso do método computadorizado em comparação ao método tradicionalpara todos os desfechos analisados. Discussão:Apesar de não parecer haver diferença significativa na percepção de dor, no relato de medo/ansiedade e no comportamento entre o uso do método computadorizado emcomparação ao método tradicional, é fundamentalavaliar o comportamento da criança durante o atendimento odontológico pois suas expressões podem indicar algum desconforto e dor. Esses achados devem ser interpretados com cautela, considerando que quase três quartos dos estudos incluídos apresentaram alto risco de viés. Conclusão:Mesmo com a ausência de diferença, os dispositivos eletrônicos são promissores, visto que promovem uma administração lenta e controlada e resultam em uma anestesia segura e eficaz que coloca-se como alternativa a prática clínica.

Aim:To systematically review the literature on the effectiveness of the computerized method of dental anesthesia in relation to pain, non-collaborative behavior and fear/anxiety in children and adolescents compared to the conventional method. Materials and methods:An electronic search was performed in five databases (Virtual Health Library, Scopus, Embase, Pubmed and Web of Science)that included randomized clinicaltrials. The search was performed in October 2020 and updated in May 2021. The risk of bias assessment was performed using the RoB 2 andaqualitative analysis was also performed. Results:A total of 3,518 studieswere found, and after removing duplicates, analyzing the title and abstract, and completereading, 26 studies remainedincluded. Of these, five assessed anxiety/fear, twelve assessed behavior during anesthesia, and twenty-two assessed pain perception. No significant difference was observed in most studies between the use of the computerized method compared to the traditional method for all outcomesanalyzed. Discussion:Although there does not seem tobe a significant difference in pain perception, fear/anxiety reports and behavior between the use of the computerized method and the traditional method, it is fundamental to evaluate the child's behavior during dental care, as their expressions may indicate some discomfort and pain. These findings should be interpreted with caution, considering that nearly three-quarters of the included studies were at high risk of bias. Conclusion:Even with the absence of difference, electronic devices are promising, as they promote slow and controlled administration and result in safe and effective anesthesia, which is an alternative to clinical practice.