Acupuncture for pain, mandibular function and oral health-related quality of life in patients with masticatory myofascial pain: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Masticatory myofascial pain is the most prevalent muscular temporomandibular disorders (TMD). It primarily affects masseter and temporal muscles. Several treatments, including acupuncture, have been recommended. However, systematic reviews have highlighted gaps in studies and absence of conclusive results. OBJECTIVES: We performed a randomised controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in improving pain, mandibular function and oral health-related quality of life in women with masticatory myofascial pain. METHODS: Thirty-six patients diagnosed with masticatory myofascial pain according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) were divided into the following two groups: acupuncture and control (non-penetrating acupuncture).Treatment was performed weekly for 5 weeks, and pain, mandibular function and oral health-related quality of life were evaluated one week before treatment, one week after treatment and one month after treatment. Non-parametric and parametric tests were used for comparisons between times and treatment groups (significance level of P ≤ .05). RESULTS: The acupuncture group showed a significant reduction in pain (P ≤ .01), which was not observed in the control group. Pain intensity was reduced by 61% and 84% at 1 week and 1 month after treatment, respectively. Both groups showed significant improvements in mandibular function and oral health-related quality of life over time (P ≤ .01). Statistical analysis did not show a significant difference between the groups for any other evaluated outcome (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Although acupuncture was effective in pain reduction, non-specific factors may have influenced mandibular function and oral health-related quality of life improvements in both groups, and this needs to be further addressed.

User satisfaction with public oral health services in the Brazilian Unified Health System.

BACKGROUND: User satisfaction represents a patient-centered measure that should be used to assess the quality of oral health services. This study investigated the differences in user satisfaction with public oral health services according to the sociodemographic user profile and the quality of oral health services in primary health care in Brazil. METHODS: Secondary data from a national program obtained through interviews with users were analyzed. Satisfaction was based on the Swan' model relating to perceptions regarding the service performance, assessment of overall satisfaction and the intention to avoid the service in the future. The exploratory variables were demographic characteristics of the users and the quality of the primary service from the user's viewpoint, considering the dimensions: access; receptivity of spontaneous demand; integral health care; bonding, accountability, and coordination of care. RESULTS: A total of 37,262 users participated, and 65.51% reported satisfaction with the oral health service, that was higher among those > 20 years old and beneficiaries of the Family Grant Program and lower among users with a higher level of schooling and those who reported being employed. Users who rated oral health service positively were more satisfied. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomically disadvantaged user was more satisfied with oral health services and the satisfaction increased with age. The improvement in the quality of oral health services in primary care can result in greater satisfaction.

Correction to: User satisfaction with public oral health services in the Brazilian unified health system.

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors have reported that there is an error in Table 2 - Distribution of users concerning satisfaction with oral health services: the categories 'No' and 'Yes' should swap places.

Oral Disorders, Socioenvironmental Factors and Subjective Perception Impact on Children's School Performance.

PURPOSE: To examine the impact of oral disorders, socioenvironmental factors and subjective perceptions on children's school performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample of 515 12-year-old children was randomly selected by conglomerate analysis. The children were clinically evaluated (DMFT index, bleeding on probing and DAI index) and asked to complete the questionnaire about family environment, self-perception of health status, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and school (questions in Child Perceptions Questionnaire - CPQ11-14). A questionnaire about socioeconomic status and perceptions about their children's health was sent to the parents. School performance was measured. RESULTS: In a multivariate logistic model, the following variables remained statistically significant when associated with adolescents' poor school performance in the final model: number of people living in household, household overcrowding, parental perceptions about their children's oral health, presence of carious lesions and a question from CPQ11-14 about difficulty in paying attention in class because of their teeth, lips, jaws or mouth. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that socioenvironmental factors, subjective perceptions and oral health status of children - particularly carious lesions, have an important impact on school performance, demonstrating the need for planning public health dentistry based on intersectoral public policies.

The impact of socioenvironmental characteristics on domains of oral health-related quality of life in Brazilian schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: Recent researches have pointed out the need to consider the functional and psychosocial dimensions of oral health, such as Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of oral health status, socioeconomic factors and home environment of children on the four health domains of Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11-14). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Brazil with a sample of 286 schoolchildren aged 12 years and their parents. The schoolchildren were clinically examined, and participants were asked to complete the CPQ11-14, as well as a questionnaire about home environment. In addition, a questionnaire was sent to each child's parents asking them about family socioeconomic status. The chi-square test and Poisson's regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders, variables sex, monthly family income, mothers' education showed a statistically significant association with all health domains of the CPQ11-14. The family structure and presence of bleeding impacted on emotional (p = 0.0135), and social (p = 0.0010) well-being health domain scores. Orthodontic treatment need showed a strong negative effect on functional limitations domain score (p = 0.0021). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and socio-environmental factors had different impacts on domains of oral health-related quality of life, demonstrating the need to consider these conditions in planning strategies for the oral health of schoolchildren.

Socioeconomic and family influences on dental treatment needs among Brazilian underprivileged schoolchildren participating in a dental health program.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to compare the socioeconomic and family characteristics of underprivileged schoolchildren with and without curative dental needs participating in a dental health program. METHODS: A random sample of 1411 of 8-to-10 year-old Brazilian schoolchildren was examined and two sample groups were included in the cross-sectional study: 544 presented curative dental needs and the other 867 schoolchildren were without curative dental needs. The schoolchildren were examined for the presence of caries lesions using the DMFT index and their parents were asked to answer questions about socioenvironmental characteristics of their families. Logistic regression models were adjusted estimating the Odds Ratios (OR), their 95% confidence intervals (CI), and significance levels. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders, it was found that families earning more than one Brazilian minimum wage, having fewer than four residents in the house, families living in homes owned by them, and children living with both biological parents were protective factors for the presence of dental caries, and consequently, curative dental needs. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic status and family structure influences the curative dental needs of children from underprivileged communities. In this sense, dental health programs should plan and implement strategic efforts to reduce inequities in oral health status and access to oral health services of vulnerable schoolchildren and their families.

Impact of Treatment with Conventional Complete Dentures on (Oral) Health-Related Quality of Life: A Scoping Review.

PURPOSE: To synthesize the evidence on the impact of treatment with conventional complete dentures (CDs) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Interventional studies were included if they evaluated the impact of CD treatment on HRQoL or OHRQoL with or without a control group. RESULTS: A total of 22 studies were included, 10 of which had comparison groups. The results suggest that CD treatment improves OHRQoL. CONCLUSION: CD treatment impacts HRQoL and OHRQoL, and the Oral Health Impact Profile-EDENT is the most used instrument to measure this impact.