Effect of Chlorhexidine Gel in Mentally Handicapped Children highly Infected with Streptococcus Mutans

Objective:To evaluate the effect of 1% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel on mentally handicapped children (n=11) highly infected with Streptococcus mutans (SM) and evaluate the re-colonization time of this bacterium after the treatment period.. Material and Methods:Before CHX treatment, saliva samples were collected to establish baseline saliva SM levels. CHX gel was daily applied for 5 min, for 7 consecutive days. Saliva samples were then collected after 7, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days to evaluate SM oral re-colonization. Data were analyzed by the Wilcoxon test (α=0.05).Results:When compared to baseline (5.7 / 3.0 x 105), the collection performed 7 days after CHX treatment (0.06 / 0.2 x 105) showed a significant reduction (P <0.05) in SM saliva levels (mean / s.d., CFU ml-1). In subsequent collections, a gradual SM re-colonization was observed, and after 60 days of treatment, the levels of this bacterium (0.8 / 0.9 x 105) no longer statistically differed from SM levels considered high risk to caries (105) (P> 0.05).Conclusion:Treatment with CHX gel for 7 days was effective in reducing the SM levels of mentally handicapped children and should be repeated after 60 days to control the risk of caries in these children...

Diagnóstico clínico e radiográfico na detecção de cáries proximais em molares decíduos e permanentes / Concordance between clinical and radiographic diagnosis for approximal caries in primary molars and first permanent molars

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a concordância dos exames clínico e radiográfico na detecção de cáries proximais em molares decíduos e primeiros molares permanentes. Foram selecionadas 200 crianças na faixa etária de 3 a 11 anos de idade, atendidas na Faculdade de Odontologia, da Universidade Federal do Maranhão. Todas as crianças deveriam apresentar os dentes posteriores com as cristas marginais íntegras, independente do estado das superfícies proximais. O exame clínico foi conduzido por um examinador com o auxílio de fio dental e sonda exploradora. A técnica "bite-wing" foi utilizada nas tomadas radiográficas, e a avaliação radiográfica foi realizada por um examinador utilizando negatoscópio e lupa. As características clínicas e radiográficas foram avaliadas, segundo critérios padronizados. Os dados foram analisados pelo teste McNemar com nível de significância de 5%. O exame radiográfico identificou um maior número de cáries proximais em esmalte (p<0,0001) e dentina (p<0,05), quando comparado ao exame clínico. Ao investigar o grau de concordância entre os exames, o exame radiográfico foi mais eficaz no diagnóstico de cáries proximais (p=0,0001). Conclui-se que o exame radiográfico detectou maior número de lesões cariosas proximais em relação ao clínico, sendo considerado um importante diagnóstico complementar para esse tipo de lesão.

This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiographic diagnosis for approximal caries in primary molars and first permanent molars. Two hundred children from 3 to 11 years old assisted by University Of Maranhão School Of Dentistry, were selected. All children should present the posterior teeth with intact marginal ridges, regardless of the status of proximal surfaces. Clinical examination was performed by an examiner using dental floss and dental explorer. The "bite-wing" technique was used in the radiographic examination, and radiographic analysis was performed by an examiner using a light box and a magnifying glass. The clinical and radiographic characteristics were evaluated according to standardized criteria. Data were analyzed by McNemar test with a significance level of 5%. The radiographic examination identified a higher number of proximal caries in enamel (p<0.0001) and dentin (p<0.05) compared to the clinical examination. Regarding the concordance between clinical and radiographic diagnosis, the radiographic examination was more effective in the diagnosis of proximal caries (p=0.0001). It was concluded that radiographic examination detected a higher number of proximal carious lesions in relation to clinical diagnosis, being considered as an important complement for diagnose this type of lesion.

Avaliação da participação de mães em um programa de prevenção e controle de cáries e doenças periodontais para lactentes / Assessment of mothers' participation in a program of prevention and control of caries and periodontal diseases for infants / Evaluación de la participación de madres en un programa de prevención y control de las enfermedades caries y periodontal para lactantes

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o conhecimento sobre saúde bucal de mães participantes de um programa educativo-preventivo para lactentes. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte com 112 mães e seus bebês de 0 a 18 meses, cadastrados no projeto "Promoção de Saúde Bucal na Primeira Infância", da Universidade Federal do Maranhão. Inicialmente, entrevistas semiestruturadas que contemplavam o nível de conhecimento das mães sobre a saúde bucal dos bebês foram realizadas. Também foi examinada a cavidade bucal dos bebês a fim de detectar o nível de placa bacteriana, sangramento gengival e presença de cárie. Em seguida, palestras educativo-preventivas foram ministradas e, após um ano de acompanhamento, novas entrevistas foram realizadas, bem como o exame clínico. Para analisar os dados, foram utilizados os testes de qui-quadrado e exato de Fisher com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Antes das palestras educativas, 93% das mães executavam a higiene bucal de seus bebês e 57,3% a realizavam nos períodos diurno e noturno. Após as palestras, todas responderam executar os cuidados (p=0,02), sendo 74,7% nos períodos diurno e noturno (p=0,01). Não houve diferença quanto ao consumo de alimentos cariogênicos nos questionários inicial e final. Notou-se que, inicialmente, 5,6% das faces dentais apresentaram cárie; 29,7%, placa bacteriana; e 11,9%, sangramento gengival. Após as palestras, apenas 0,4% das faces dentais apresentaram cárie (p<0,0001); 2,4%, placa bacteriana (p<0,0001); e 10,6%, sangramento gengival (p<0,0001). CONCLUSÕES: A aquisição de conhecimentos é fundamental para melhorar as condições de saúde.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate mothers who participated in an educational and preventive program for infants in relation to their knowledge on oral health practices. METHODS: A cohort study was performed with 112 mothers and their babies aged 0 to 8 months and registered in the project "Promotion of Oral Health in Early Childhood" from the Federal University of Maranhão (Northeast Brazil). Initially, semi-structured interviews on the level of mothers' knowledge as to their babies' oral health were conducted. The oral cavities of the infants were also examined regarding: level of plaque, gingival bleeding, and dental caries. Then, educational lectures were ministered and, after a year of follow-up, new interviews and clinical examination were performed. For statistical analysis, the chi-square and Fisher exact tests were applied, being significant p<0.05. RESULTS: Before the educational lectures, 93% of the mothers performed oral hygiene of their babies and 57.3% performed it at daytime and nighttime. After the lectures, all mothers performed the oral hygiene (p>0.02) and 74.7% performed it at daytime and nighttime (p=0.01). There were no differences regarding the consumption of cariogenic food in the initial and final questionnaires (p>0.05). Initially, 5.6% of dental surfaces had caries; 29.7%, plaques; and 11.9%, gingival bleeding. After the lectures, only 0.4% of the dental surfaces had caries (p<0.0001); 2.4%, plaque (p<0.0001); and 10.61%, gingival bleeding (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge acquisition is essential to improve oral health conditions.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el conocimiento sobre salud bucal de madres participantes de un programa educativo-preventivo para lactantes. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio caso-control anidado a una cohorte. Se evaluaron a 112 madres y a sus bebés con edades de 0 a 18 meses, registrados en el proyecto «Promoción de Salud Bucal en la Primera Infancia¼, de la Universidad Federal de Maranhão. Inicialmente, se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas que contemplaban el nivel de conocimiento de las madres sobre la salud bucal de los bebés. También se examinó la cavidad bucal de los bebés a fin de detectar el nivel de la placa bacteriana, sangrado gingival y presencia de caries. Enseguida, se realizaron charlas educativo-preventivas y, tras un año de seguimiento, se realizaron nuevas entrevistas, así como el examen clínico. Para analizar los datos, se utilizaron las pruebas de chi-cuadrado y Exacto de Fisher, con nivel de significancia de 5%. RESULTADOS: Antes de las charlas educativas, el 93% de las madres ejecutaba la higiene bucal de sus bebés, y el 57,3% la realizaban en los periodos diurno y nocturno. Después de las charlas, todas contestaron ejecutar los cuidados (p=0,02), siendo el 74,7% en los periodos diurno y nocturno (p=0,01). No hubo diferencia respecto al consumo de alimentos cariogénicos en los cuestionarios inicial y final. Se notó que, inicialmente, el 5,6% de las caras dentales presentaba caries; el 29,7%, placa bacteriana; y el 11,9% sangrado gingival. Después de las charlas, solamente el 0,4% de las caras dentales presentó caries (p<0,0001); 2,4%, placa bacteriana (p<0,0001); y el 10,6%, sangrado gingival (p<0,0001). CONCLUSIONES: La adquisición de conocimientos es fundamental para mejorar las condiciones de salud.

Effect of chlorhexidine gel containing saccharin or aspartame in deaf children highly infected with mutans streptococci

Aim: Since deaf children are unable to comprehend or cooperate with dental treatment due to lack of communication, preventive measures may be an important way to control the high prevalence of dental caries in these patients. The aim of the this study was to evaluate the effect of an intensive treatment with chlorhexidine (CHX) gel, containing either saccharin or aspartame, in deaf children highly infected with mutans streptococci (MS). Methods: Eighteen children were randomly divided into two groups, according to the sweetener used to improve the CHX gel bitter taste: saccharin or aspartame. Before CHX treatment, saliva samples were collected to establish baseline microbial data for MS. CHX gel was applied on two consecutive days, four times the first day and three times the second day. Saliva samples were then taken after 7, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days to evaluate MS oral recolonization. Results: CHX gel containing saccharin was not effective on the reduction of MS levels, while the gel containing aspartame decreased significantly MS levels after treatment (P<.05). Conclusions: Although a new CHX application may be necessary after 60 days to control caries risk and MS levels, CHX treatment should be individually controlled because of variations in the response of subjects.

Oral and maxillofacial biopsied lesions in Brazilian pediatric patients: a 16-year retrospective study / Biópsias de lesões orais e maxilo-faciais em pacientes pediatricos brasileiros: estudo retrospectivo de 16 anos

PURPOSE: To survey oral and maxillofacial lesions biopsied in a Brazilian pediatric hospital. METHODS: Biopsy records over a 16-year period (1992-2008) were retrieved from the files of the Anatomy and Pathology Service, Hospital Presidente Dutra, Federal University of Maranhão, Brazil. Pediatric cases patients aged 16 years old or younger were selected. Oral and maxillofacial diagnoses were grouped into 10 categories, and lesions were evaluated for age, gender, anatomic location and pathological diagnosis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Of a total of 3,550 pediatric biopsies, 88 cases (2.48 percent) were located in oral or maxillofacial sites. Similar incidence rates were observed between the genders and the prevalence of lesions was highest in the permanent dentition period (>12-16 years old). Maxilla was the most commonly affected anatomic location. As regards the diagnostic categories, the highest number of lesions was in the hyperplastic/reactive category. The most frequently encountered lesions were inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia and mucocele. Malignant lesions were rarely described. CONCLUSION: This study shows a similar trend to that reported in previous studies on the most frequent oral and maxillofacial lesions found in the pediatric population. The majority of lesions detected were benign, and malignant lesions were diagnosed in a very low number of patients.

OBJETIVO: Realizar levantamento das lesões orais e maxilo-faciais biopsiadas em um hospital pediátrico brasileiro. METODOLOGIA: Biópsias registradas ao longo de um período de 16 anos (1992-2008) foram recuperadas dos arquivos do Serviço de Anatomia e Patologia do Hospital Presidente Dutra, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Brasil. Pacientes com até 16 anos de idade foram selecionados. Os diagnósticos de lesões orais e maxilo-faciais foram agrupados em 10 categorias e as lesões foram avaliadas quanto a idade, sexo, localização anatômica e diagnóstico. Os dados foram analisados usando estatística descritiva. RESULTADOS: De um total de 3.550 biópsias registradas, 88 casos (2,48 por cento) estavam localizadas na região oral ou maxilo-facial. Taxas de incidência similares foram observadas entre os sexos e a prevalência de lesões foi maior na dentição permanente (> 12-16 anos). A maxila foi a localização anatômica mais acometida. Quanto às categorias de diagnóstico, o maior número de lesões foi encontrado na hiperplásica/reativo. As lesões mais freqüentemente encontradas foram a hiperplasia fibrosa inflamatória e mucocele. Lesões malignas foram raramente descritas. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo mostra uma tendência semelhante à relatada em estudos anteriores sobre as lesões mais freqüentes na região oral e maxilo-facial na população pediátrica. A maioria das lesões detectadas foram benignas, enquanto as malignas foram diagnosticadas em um número muito reduzido de pacientes.