Unraveling the signs and symptoms of oral conditions that affect daily life activities and oral health-related quality of life.

OBJECTIVES: Since oral conditions negatively affect oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), this study evaluated which oral clinical condition, signs, and symptoms are associated with the impact on OHRQoL, its domains, and specific daily life activities among adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from a probabilistic sample of adults (35-44 years old) was used. The Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) was used to evaluate OHRQoL, its domains (physical, psychological, and social), and nine daily life activities. Signs and symptoms of oral diseases (dental caries, periodontal disease, need for dental prothesis, and tooth loss) and oral self-perception were considered. Descriptive, bivariate, and multi-level analyses were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 5,834 adults were included, of which 52.9% had some negative impact of oral conditions on OHRQoL. Difficulty in eating was the most affected daily life activity. For multiple models, dental caries lesions (cavities), filled teeth with caries, gingival bleeding, periodontal pocket, dental pain, need for upper or lower dental prosthesis, and oral health self-perception were associated (p < 0.05) with overall OHRQoL or at least one of its domains. The impact on daily life activities of each individual was associated with at least one oral condition. Dental caries lesions (cavity) and dental pain were associated (p < 0.05) with the impact on most daily life activities evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Different signs and symptoms of prevalent oral diseases are associated with the impact on specific daily life activities among adults, which may compromise the OHRQoL. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Knowledge of how signs, symptoms, and oral conditions affect OHRQoL and daily life activities can provide essential information for clinicians to establish proper disease management and preventive strategies focusing on improving patients' lives.

Contextual and individual determinants of tooth loss in adults: a multilevel study.

BACKGROUND: Tooth loss represents a known marker of health inequality. The association between tooth loss and unfavorable socioeconomic conditions is evident when analyzed at an individual level. However, the effects of contextual characteristics on tooth loss need to be better investigated and understood. The objective of this study was to analyze tooth loss among Brazilian adults (35-44 years of age), in accordance with individual and contextual social characteristics. METHODS: This was a multilevel cross-sectional study with data from 9564 adult participants from the Brazilian Oral Health Survey - SBBrasil 2010. The dependent variable was the number of lost teeth and the independent variables were grouped into structural (socioeconomic & political context) and intermediary (socioeconomic position, behavioral & biological factors, and health services) determinants. Multilevel Hierarchical Negative Binomial Regression was conducted and the Mean Ratio (MR) was estimated. RESULTS: Brazilian adults lost a mean of 7.57 (95% CI 7.1-8.1) teeth. Among the contextual variables, the number of teeth lost was higher among residents of municipalities with high and medium/low Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI) and in municipalities that did not have public water fluoridation. Among the individual variables, dental loss was higher among those who declared themselves yellow/black/brown/indigenous, were older, who had lower income, who had never visited a dentist, who had used dental services for more than a year and those whose most recent visit to the dentist was due to oral health problems. On the other hand, dental loss was lower among adults with higher education levels and males. CONCLUSIONS: The number of missing teeth was associated with unfavorable contextual and individual conditions, which reinforces the need to reduce social inequality and guarantee regular, lifetime access to dental services.

Socioeconomic inequalities in the use of dental care services during early childhood: an epidemiological survey.

BACKGROUND: The use of dental care services contributes to the improvement of children's healthy behaviors, reducing the prevalence of future dental problems. In this way, the purpose of this study was to describe the use of dental care service during early childhood and the possible socioeconomic inequalities in this use. DESIGN: Data from the Brazilian Oral Health Survey (SB Brasil, 2010) were used. Interviews with the children's parents and clinical examinations with the children were conducted in a 5-year-old representative sample. Descriptive, bivariate and multiple hierarchical statistical analyses were applied. RESULTS: Of the 7241 children included, 3812 (53.2%) had used dental care services at least once in their lifetimes, and 1872 (48.8%) had used services for check-up/prevention. The use of dental services was greater among children with a higher family income (P < 0.05). The use of check-ups was lower among children with non-White skin color (Black and Browns) and among those who did not live in state capitals (P < 0.05). Clinical conditions and self-perception were also associated with the use (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic differences in the general use of dental care and in its use for check-ups were identified during early childhood, indicating the presence of inequalities.

Dependence on others for oral hygiene and its association with hand deformities and functional impairment in elders with a history of leprosy.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the frequency of dependence on others for oral hygiene and its association with hand deformities, frailty and dependence on others for basic activities of daily living (BADL) among elders with a history of leprosy. BACKGROUND: Dependence on others for oral hygiene has not been considered in multifunctional geriatric assessments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Edentulous elders with a history of leprosy who used complete dentures and resided in a former leprosy colony were classified as independent or partially/completely dependent on others for brushing their dentures or rinsing and for BADL, and as frail or robust. The presence of hand deformities was assessed by an occupational therapist. RESULTS: 28.4% and 14.9% were completely/partially dependent on others for brushing and rinsing, respectively. The dependence for BADL was observed in 21.6% and hand deformities in 17.6%. A higher odds of dependence for brushing/rinsing was found among elders who were dependent on others for BADL. Brushing dependence (61.5%) was more frequent among participants with hand deformities than those without this condition (21.3%) (OR: 6.8; 95% IC: 1.2-37.9; P = .028). There was no association between frailty and brushing (P = .068) or rinsing (P = .202) dependence. CONCLUSION: Approximately one-third of elders have a dependence on others for brushing; a smaller proportion is dependent on others for rinsing. Older people who are dependent on others for BADL and who present hand deformities are more likely to be dependent on others for denture brushing and rinsing. Elders may perform oral self-care even when they present frailty.

Contextual and individual determinants of oral health-related quality of life in older Brazilians.

PURPOSE: This cross-sectional, population-based study evaluated contextual and individual determinants on the oral health-related quality of life in older Brazilians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the National Survey of Oral Health were used. The sample was selected by multi-stage probability cluster sampling, with probability proportional to size. The Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) was used to evaluate oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Contextual variables of municipalities and individual variables of older people were included. Descriptive, bivariate and multilevel analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Of the sample of 7619 older Brazilians, 45.7% was impacted by at least one of the OIDP items. The item impact average was 1.2 (95% CI 1.04-1.37). The impact on OHRQoL was lower in older Brazilians residents in municipalities with the highest value of the GINI index (contextual variable) (p = 0.007), among edentulous people (p = 0.001) and dental prosthesis users (p < 0.001). This impact was greater among older people of nonwhite skin color (p = 0.024), lower family income (p = 0.024) and dissatisfied with the oral health (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of oral problems impacting OHRQoL in older Brazilians was identified. Furthermore, the impact prevalence was related to a positive situation in contextual determinants and a negative situation for the individual, showing a social inequalities profile in relation to individual determinants.

Impact of oral clinical problems on oral health-related quality of life in brazilian children: a hierarchical approach.

BACKGROUND: Oral health-related quality of life may be influenced by a series of characteristics. Considering the multidimensional character of quality of life, these impacts should be evaluated in the context of the physical, psychological, and social domains. AIM: To evaluate the impact of clinical and perceived oral health problems on oral health-related quality of life in its different domains. DESIGN: Clinical exams were conducted on a representative cross-sectional sample of 12-year-old children in Brazil. The instrument Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) was used to evaluate the quality of life in relation to oral health. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple hierarchical analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Of the 7328 children studied, 2577 (33.5%) presented oral health-related impacts on quality of life. Clinical and perceived conditions of oral health were associated with the presence of overall impacts in the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of oral health-related quality of life. Furthermore, Family income was associated with overall impacts and the level of motivation to use dental health services was associated with the physical dimension. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and perceived conditions of oral health in Brazilian 12-year-olds were associated with a negative impact on oral health-related quality of life.

Psychosocial work conditions and quality of life among primary health care employees: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Workers in Primary Health Care are often exposed to stressful conditions at work. This study investigated the association between adverse psychosocial work conditions and poor quality of life among Primary Health Care workers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included all 797 Primary Health Care workers of a medium-sized city, Brazil: doctors, nurses, nursing technicians and nursing assistants, dentists, oral health technicians, and auxiliary oral hygienists, and community health workers. Data were collected by interviews. Quality of life was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF; general quality of life, as well as the physical, psychological, social and environmental domains were considered, with scores from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a better quality of life. Poor quality of life was defined by the lowest quartiles of the WHOQOL score distributions for each of the domains. Adverse psychosocial work conditions were investigated by the Effort-Reward Imbalance model. Associations were verified using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Poor quality of life was observed in 117 (15.4%) workers. Workers with imbalanced effort-reward (high effort/low reward) had an increased probability of general poor quality of life (OR = 1.91; 1.07­3.42), and in the physical (OR = 1.62; 1.02­2.66), and environmental (OR = 2.39; 1.37­4.16) domains; those with low effort/low reward demonstrated a greater probability of poor quality of life in the social domain (OR = 1.82; 1.00­3.30). Workers with overcommitment at work had an increased likelihood of poor quality of life in the physical (OR = 1.55, 1.06­2.26) and environmental (OR = 1.69; 1.08­2.65) domains. These associations were independent of individual characteristics, job characteristics, lifestyle, perception of general health, or psychological and biological functions. CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between adverse psychosocial work conditions and poor quality of life among Primary Health Care workers.

Disparities in the protagonism of oral health teams in the work process of Primary Healthcare.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate and compare the protagonism of Oral Health teams (OHt) in the teamwork process in Primary Healthcare (PHC) over five years and estimate the magnitude of disparities between Brazilian macro-regions. METHODS: Ecological study that used secondary data extracted from the Sistema de Informação em Saúde para a Atenção Básica (SISAB - Health Information System for Primary Healthcare) from 2018 to 2022. Indicators were selected from a previously validated evaluative matrix, calculated from records in the Collective Activity Form on the degree of OHt's protagonism in team meetings and its degree of organization concerning the meeting agendas. A descriptive and amplitude analysis of the indicators' variation over time was carried out, and the disparity index was also calculated to estimate and compare the magnitude of differences between macro-regions in 2022. RESULTS: In Brazil, between 3.06% and 4.04% of team meetings were led by OHt professionals. The Northeast and South regions had the highest (3.71% to 4.88%) and lowest proportions (1.21% to 2.48%), respectively. From 2018 to 2022, there was a reduction in the indicator of the "degree of protagonism of the OHt" in Brazil and macro-regions. The most frequent topics in meetings under OHt's responsibility were the work process (54.71% to 70.64%) and diagnosis and monitoring of the territory (33.49% to 54.48%). The most significant disparities between regions were observed for the indicator "degree of organization of the OHt concerning case discussion and singular therapeutic projects". CONCLUSIONS: The protagonism of the OHt in the teamwork process in PHC is incipient and presents regional disparities, which challenges managers and OHt to break isolation and lack of integration, aiming to offer comprehensive and quality healthcare to the user of the Unified Health System (SUS).

Apelin and Visfatin Expression in Placental Tissue in Women With Preeclampsia and Overweight/Obesity.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia (PE) is a multifunctional and multisystem disorder. Several factors favor the development of PE, including obesity. Cytokines are also expressed in the placenta, predisposing to local alterations that favor the development of distinct pathological processes, including PE. This study aimed to evaluate the apelin and visfatin mRNA expression in the placental tissue of women with preeclampsia and overweight/obesity and correlates with maternal and fetal variables. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was performed with 60 pregnant women and their newborns. Clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory variables were collected. Placental tissue samples were obtained, and the apelin and visfatin mRNA expression levels were assessed by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: The main findings evidenced lower levels of apelin expression in overweight/obese women, accompanied by a negative correlation with BMI and pre-pregnancy weight; a higher expression of apelin was also observed in women with late PE and no personal history of PE. For visfatin levels, higher expression levels were observed in women with late PE and term delivery. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between visfatin levels and fetal anthropometric parameters, such as weight, length, and head circumference. CONCLUSION: Apelin levels were less expressed in overweight/obese women. Apelin and visfatin levels were correlated/associated with maternal-fetal variables.

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

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

Analysis of socio-demographic and systemic health factors and the normative conditions of oral health care in a population of the Brazilian elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of socio-demographic and systemic health factors according to the normative conditions of oral health care (dental caries, edentulism, periodontal disease and oral mucosal lesion) in elderly individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of elderly with access to community health care (n = 200). The normative conditions of oral health were then investigated according to the WHO and the SB Brazil criteria. Bivariate analyses were evaluated by the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. An estimation of prevalence for the covariates was performed using Poisson's regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence of edentulism and oral mucosal lesions was detected in 58% and 21.5% of elderly patients, respectively. In the dentate subjects, the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease was 51.2% and 20.8%, respectively. Older men and individuals from lower-income groups exhibited a higher prevalence of dental caries. Elderly women, illiterate individuals, and individuals over the age of 65 years exhibited a higher prevalence of edentulism. Elderly 60-64 years old and those who are employed had a significant association with periodontal disease. CONCLUSION: Socio-demographic factors were associated with some notable oral diseases in the elderly.

Validation of a reduced instrument Diabetes-21 for assessing health-related quality of life among people with diabetes. / Validação do instrumento reduzido Diabetes-21 para avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde em pessoas com diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the validity, reliability and interpretability of a short form instrument for assessing health-related quality of life among people with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This was a validation study, comprised of the adaptation phases of the Diabetes-39 instrument (consisting of 5 domains and 39 items), pre-test, structural validity analyses (exploratory and confirmatory), reliability, concurrent validity and interpretability. RESULTS: The factorial structure of the short final version differed from the original instrument. The items were reduced from 39 to 21 and domains from 5 to 4. The factor loading, in exploratory and confirmatory analyses, ranged between 0.41 and 0.90 and between 0.51 and 0.89, respectively. Reliability was adequate (Cronbach's alpha=0.91; Kappa≥0.60 in all items; intraclass correlation coefficient =0.91). CONCLUSION: Diabetes-21, a short form instrument, was considered valid, reliable and interpretable for assessing health-related quality of life among people with diabetes mellitus.

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

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

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

Validity and reliability of the Smoking-related Health Literacy Assessment Scale.

OBJECTIVE: To create an instrument to assess smoking-related health literacy among smokers, and to estimate validity of its content and reliability. METHODS: A methodological, quantitative study. The creation of the instrument included the following steps: establishing a conceptual structure; defining objectives and target population; preparation of items or response scales; selecting and organizing items; instrument structuring; content validation and pre-test. The instrument was named Smoking-related Health Literacy Assessment Scale. RESULTS: The Smoking-related Health Literacy Scale had statistically significant measures of validity and reliability. Test-retest revealed substantial to almost perfect levels of reliability (reproducibility). CONCLUSION: The Smoking-related Health Literacy Scale can provide researchers with a valid and statistically significant instrument, regarding content validity and reliability.

No association between periodontal disease and GHQ-12 in a Brazilian Police population.

OBJECTIVES: We attempt to investigate a possible association between periodontal disease (PD) and mental disorders (MD) in a population of Brazilian Police. STUDY METHOD: From a total study population consisting of 803 policemen, 345 police officers were obtained by a sample calculation using the finite population correction who were randomly selected in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Patients who had been prescribed steroids or those diagnosed with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases were excluded from this study. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to assess mental disorders. Odds ratios (ORs) for periodontal diseases severity and their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. The risk of advanced scores in Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) and Community Periodontal Index (CPI) were estimated using Poisson Regression analyses. RESULTS: Only smoking and age were associated with severity in CAL and CPI index. No relation between MD and PD was observed even in different positions within the police department. CONCLUSIONS: It was not observed relation between GHQ-12 and the incidence of Periodontal Disease in a Brazilian Police population. Classical factors like age and smoking, however, were associated with CAL and CPI index higher scores in this population.

Adherence to medication, physical activity and diet among older people living with diabetes mellitus: Correlation between cognitive function and health literacy.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a public health problem, which requires enhanced self-care in order to avoid complications. However, cognitive impairment can reduce these abilities and may affect health literacy (HL) of patients in terms to understand and apply information. Therefore, this study evaluated the correlation between cognitive condition and HL related to medication adherence, physical activity and nutritional status among people living with DM. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among elderly people (≥ 60 years old) with DM. The cognitive condition was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the HL using the following questionnaires: Literacy Assessment for Diabetes (LAD-60), Nutritional Literacy among People with Diabetes (NLD), Health Literacy on the Practice of Physical Activities among Diabetics (HLPPA - D), and Health Literacy regarding Drug Adherence among Diabetics (HLDA-D). Sociodemographic and biochemical profile was also evaluated. Spearman correlation was used (p < 0.05). RESULTS: 187 individuals with DM were included. Regarding laboratory analyses, insulin dosage had a mean value of 12.3 microUI/mL (SD: ±15.7), mean blood glucose was 148.1 mg/dl (SD: ±59.7) and mean HbA1c was 7.54 % (SD: ±1.8). In the correlation analysis, higher age and lower income were weakly correlated with lower cognitive level. No correlation was identified for biochemical variables and cognitive condition. A positive and weak correlation between cognition and HL was observed in the studied population. CONCLUSIONS: In older people living with DM the cognitive condition is correlated to specific topics of HL (nutritional status, physical activity and medication adherence).

[Use of public dental services by elderly Brazilians: a multilevel analysis]. / Uso de serviços odontológicos públicos entre idosos brasileiros: uma análise multinível.

This study evaluated whether the use of dental services of the Unified Health System (SUS) by elderly Brazilians is equitable. Individual data collected by qualified professionals during the national oral health survey (2010) and contextual data from DATASUS and IBGE were used. The dependent variable was the type of service used: SUS and others. Multilevel analyses were conducted using logistic regression (α=5%) (OR/CI 95%) using SPSS 24.0. A total of 6,303 elderly people were included and the prevalence of dental service use in SUS was 30%. Associated contextual factors were: access to bathroom and running water (1.54/1.19-2.00) and the dental care index (1.41/1.10-1.81); the individual factors were: age (0.77/0.66-0.90), years of schooling (1.83/1.53-2.20), family income (2.57/2.20-3.01), reason for last dental visit (0.75/0.60-0.93), decayed teeth total (1.26/1.08-1.48), plugged teeth total (0.63/0.54-0.74), dental prosthesis use (2.23/1.91-2.59), dental pain (1.36/1.11-1.67), self-perception of the need for dental treatment (1.20/1.12-1.51) and need for dental prosthesis (1.38/1.20-1.59). Dental service from SUS has been equitable, however it is necessary to organize the working process, enabling its use in a regular and preventive manner, thereby seeking universality and comprehensiveness.

Avaliou-se, entre idosos brasileiros, se o uso dos serviços odontológicos provenientes do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) é equânime. Utilizaram-se dados individuais de exames conduzidos por profissionais calibrados do levantamento nacional de saúde bucal (2010) e dados contextuais originários do DATASUS e do IBGE. A variável dependente foi o tipo de serviço utilizado: SUS e Outros. Foram conduzidas análises multiníveis através de regressão logística (α = 5%) (OR/IC 95%), através do SPSS 24.0. Participaram 6.303 idosos, a prevalência do uso no SUS foi de 30%, os fatores contextuais associados foram o acesso a banheiro e a água encanada (1,54/1,19-2,00) e o índice de cuidados odontológicos (1,41/1,10-1,81); já os individuais: idade (0,77/0,66-0,90), anos de estudo (1,83/1,53-2,20), renda familiar (2,57/2,20-3,01), motivo da última consulta (0,75/0,60-0,93), no de dentes cariados (1,26/1,08-1,48), no de dentes obturados (0,63/0,54-0,74), uso de próteses (2,23/1,91-2,59), dor de dente (1,36/1.11-1,67), autopercepção da necessidade de tratamento odontológico (1,20/1,12-1,51) e da necessidade de próteses (1,38/1,20-159). O uso no SUS tem sido equânime, porém é preciso organizar o processo de trabalho, viabilizando tal uso de forma regular e preventiva buscando a universalidade e a integralidade.

[Access to dental services and related factors: a home-based population study]. / Acesso aos serviços odontológicos e fatores associados: estudo populacional domiciliar.

The scope of this study was to identify factors associated with lack of access to dental services. It involved a cross-sectional study and a probabilistic complex sample by conglomerates in two stages with 857 participants over 18 years of age in a large city. Multiple analyses by means of logistic and multivariate regression in decision trees were made. The lack of access to dental services was considered a dependent variable. It was identified that 10.3% did not have access. In the multiple and multivariate analyses an association with age was verified and in the logistic regression a greater possibility of lack of access was found for each year of increased age, among those with the lowest per capita income and those who ranked appearance of teeth and gums as "fair/poor/very poor." The lack of access to dental services was greater among the most socially vulnerable. There is a pressing need to increase the allocation of public resources to promote health education and provide knowledge about how to access services when they are needed, focusing on dental care as a human right and ensuring that lack of access does not occur as users get older or among those with low income and also those dissatisfied with their oral appearance.

Objetivou-se identificar fatores associados à falta de acesso aos serviços odontológicos. Estudo transversal, amostra complexa probabilística por conglomerados em dois estágios de 857 participantes, com mais de 18 anos em um município de grande porte populacional. Foram feitas análises múltiplas através da regressão logística e multivariada em árvores de decisão. Considerou-se como variável dependente o acesso aos serviços odontológicos. Identificou-se que 10,3% não obtiveram acesso. Nas análises múltipla e multivariada constataram-se associação com a idade, na regressão logística constatou-se maior chance de falta de acesso a cada ano de idade incrementado, entre aqueles com menor renda per capita e entre os que classificaram a aparência dos dentes e gengivas como "regular/ruim/péssima". A falta de acesso aos serviços odontológicos é maior entre os mais vulneráveis socialmente. Há necessidade de incremento na alocação de recursos públicos que promovam educação em saúde e gere conhecimento sobre como acessar os serviços quando necessitar, tendo em foco os cuidados odontológicos como um direito humano e que possibilitem que não ocorra a falta de acesso à medida que os usuários envelhecem ou entre os com baixa renda e também os insatisfeitos com a aparência bucal.

Validity and reliability of the Health Literacy Assessment Scale for adherence to drug treatment among diabetics.

OBJECTIVE: To prepare an instrument to evaluate health literacy with regard to adherence to drug treatment among diabetics, identify the validity of its content, and estimate its reliability. METHODS: Pilot study, with the following stages of instrument construction: literature review, content validation, reliability estimation (internal consistency/Cronbach's alpha and reproducibility/Kappa). RESULTS: The validity of content was completed and presented alpha=0.77 and Kappa values ranged from 0.31 to 1.00. CONCLUSION: The instrument was approved regarding content validity, presented acceptable internal consistency and reproducibility. However, when applied, measurement errors it can produce must be considered.

[The absence of functional dentition is associated with the lack of commitment to oral functions among Brazilian adults]. / A falta de dentição funcional está associada ao comprometimento das funções bucais entre adultos brasileiros.

The scope of this study was to identify if the absence of functional dentition (FD) is associated with a lack of commitment to oral functions/daily activities among Brazilian adults. For this purpose, data from the National Survey of Oral Health (referred to as SB Brasil 2010) was used. FD was evaluated by the criterion proposed by the WHO (at least 20 teeth in the mouth). The Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) questionnaire was used to evaluate daily activities/oral functions. Descriptive, bivariate (chi-squared) and multiple (logistic regression) analysis was conducted, and the odds ratio estimated with a 95% confidence interval (OR/CI95%). The research evaluated 9,564 adults, of which 2,200 adults (20.5%) were considered to have poor FD, and at least one of the daily activities/oral functions evaluated had an impact among 55% of adults. The lack of FD between adults was associated (p ≤ 0.05) with the impact on speech (1.88/1.33-2.64) and being ashamed to smile or talk (1.35/1.00-1.83). A considerable prevalence of lack of FD was identified, this absence being associated with the lack of commitment to the daily activities/oral functions. Dental rehabilitation of patients with a lack of FD should consider the restoration of these lost oral functions (speech and being ashamed to smile or talk).

Objetivou-se identificar se a falta de dentição funcional (DF) está associada com o comprometimento das funções bucais/atividades diárias entre adultos brasileiros. Para isto, foram utilizados dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde Bucal - SB Brasil 2010. A DF foi avaliada pelo critério proposto pela Organização Mundial de Saúde (pelo menos 20 dentes na boca). O instrumento Impactos Odontológicos nos Desempenhos Diários (IODD) foi utilizado para avaliar as atividades diárias/funções bucais. Análises descritivas, bivariadas (Qui-quadrado) e múltiplas (Regressão Logística) foram realizadas, sendo estimado o odds ratio e o intervalo de confiança 95% (OR/IC95%). Foram incluídos e avaliados 9564 adultos. Foram considerados sem DF 2200 adultos (20,5%). Tiveram impacto em pelo menos uma das atividades diárias/funções bucais avaliadas, 55,0% dos adultos. A falta de DF entre adultos foi associada (p ≤ 0,05) com o impacto na fala (1,88/1,33-2,64) e vergonha ao sorrir ou falar (1,35/1,00-1,83). Uma prevalência considerável de falta de DF foi identificada, esta ausência foi associada às atividades diárias/funções bucais (fala e vergonha ao sorrir e falar). A reabilitação dentária de pacientes sem DF deve considerar a devolução destas funções bucais perdidas (fala e vergonha ao sorrir ou falar).