Developmental defects of enamel and dental caries in the primary dentition: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between developmental defects of enamel and dental caries in the primary dentition. SOURCES: Electronic searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Scopus and Scielo for the identification of relevant studies. STUDY SELECTION: Observational studies that examined the association between developmental defects of enamel and dental caries in the deciduous dentition were included. Additionally, meta-analysis, funnel plots and sensitivity analysis were employed to synthesize the available evidence. Multivariable meta-regression analysis was performed to explore heterogeneity among studies. DATA: A total of 318 articles were identified in the electronic searches. Of those, 16 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled estimates revealed that children with developmental defects of enamel had higher odds of having dental caries (OR 3.32; 95%CI 2.41-4.57), with high heterogeneity between studies (I2 80%). Methodological characteristic of the studies, such as where it was conducted, the examined teeth and the quality of the study explained about 30% of the variability. Concerning type of defect, children with hypoplasia and diffuse opacities had higher odds of having dental caries (OR 4.28; 95%CI 2.24-8.15; OR1.42; 95%CI 1.15-1.76, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates a clear association between developmental defects of enamel and dental caries in the primary dentition.

Scholarships for scientific initiation encourage post-graduation degree.

This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with the decision to attend an academic post-graduation program by dental students. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012, last-year undergraduate students from Dental Schools of Southern Brazil. A closed questionnaire was applied including questions grouped in three different blocks: pre-graduate, undergraduate period and future perspectives. The outcome was the decision to pursuit an academic post-graduation degree. Associations were tested using chi-squared test and chi-squared test for linear trends when appropriate. Multivariate Poisson regression was also performed. The sample was composed by 671 students (response rate of 69.9%, n=467). In relation to future perspectives, 68% of the interviewed students intended to attend a post-graduation program, but only 17.5% would choose a program with academic and research post-graduation program (Master and PhD programs). In the final model, students from public universities (PR 2.08, 95%CI 1.41-3.08) and students that received scientific initiation scholarship (PR 1.93 95%CI 1.14-3.27) presented a twice greater prevalence to seek academic post-graduate programs. Students with higher family incomes showed a lower prevalence to seek these programs (PR 0.50, 95%IC 0.28-0.90). Scholarships seem to encourage undergraduate students to pursue stricto sensu post-graduation.

Scholarships for Scientific Initiation Encourage Post-Graduation Degree

This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with the decision to attend an academic post-graduation program by dental students. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012, last-year undergraduate students from Dental Schools of Southern Brazil. A closed questionnaire was applied including questions grouped in three different blocks: pre-graduate, undergraduate period and future perspectives. The outcome was the decision to pursuit an academic post-graduation degree. Associations were tested using chi-squared test and chi-squared test for linear trends when appropriate. Multivariate Poisson regression was also performed. The sample was composed by 671 students (response rate of 69.9%, n=467). In relation to future perspectives, 68% of the interviewed students intended to attend a post-graduation program, but only 17.5% would choose a program with academic and research post-graduation program (Master and PhD programs). In the final model, students from public universities (PR 2.08, 95%CI 1.41-3.08) and students that received scientific initiation scholarship (PR 1.93 95%CI 1.14-3.27) presented a twice greater prevalence to seek academic post-graduate programs. Students with higher family incomes showed a lower prevalence to seek these programs (PR 0.50, 95%IC 0.28-0.90). Scholarships seem to encourage undergraduate students to pursue stricto sensu post-graduation.

Este estudo objetivou avaliar os fatores associados com a decisão de estudantes de Odontologia em participar de um programa de pósgraduação acadêmica. Um estudo transversal foi conduzido em 2012, com estudantes do último ano do curso de Odontologia do Sul do Brasil. Foi aplicado um questionário fechado composto por três diferentes blocos: período prévio à graduação, período da graduação e perspectivas futuras. O desfecho deste trabalho foi definido como a decisão de buscar uma pós-graduação acadêmica. As associações foram testadas com o teste de Qui-quadrado e de Qui-quadrado de tendência linear, quando apropriado. Além disso, foi feita a regressão multivariada de Poisson. A amostra foi composta por 671 estudantes (taxa de resposta de 69,9%, n=467). Em relação às perspectivas futuras, 68% dos estudantes entrevistados pretendem ingressar em um curso de pós-graduação, mas somente 17,5% escolheriam um programa com pós-graduação acadêmica e pesquisa (Programas de Mestrado e Doutorado). No modelo final, estudantes de universidades públicas (RP 2,08, 95% CI 1,41-3,08) e estudantes que receberam bolsa de iniciação científica (RP 1,93 95% CI 1,14-3,27) apresentaram prevalência duas vezes maior na busca de pós-graduação acadêmica. Estudantes de famílias com renda alta mostraram menor prevalência na busca destes cursos (RP 0,50, 95%IC 0,28-0,90). Desta forma, bolsas parecem incentivar os alunos de graduação na busca por pós-graduação stricto sensu.