Chronic exposure to lead acetate promotes changes in the alveolar bone of rats: microstructural and physical-chemical characterization.

There are a few data relating to the effects of lead (Pb) exposure on the alveolar bone, which has very distinct morphophysiological characteristics and is of great importance in the oral cavity. In this context, the aim of this study was to investigate the changes promoted after long-term exposure to Pb in the microstructure of the alveolar bone of rats. Twenty adult Wistar rats were exposed to 50 mg/kg/day of lead acetate for 55 days. These animals were euthanized and had their mandible removed. Each mandible was divided into hemimandibles, and the alveolar bone was used for bone lead quantification, crystallinity analysis, microstructure evaluation by the percentage of bone volume (BV/TV), number of trabeculae (Tb.N), thickness of the trabecular (Tb.Th), and trabecular space (Tb.Sp). Morphometric analysis of the exposed root area was also performed. Long-term exposure to Pb resulted in high levels of Pb in the alveolar bone but showed no changes in the organization of crystallinity. The microstructural analyses showed a reduction of BV/TV, Tb.Th, and Tb.N and increase of Tb.Sp parameters, resulting in an increase in the exposed root area and an alveolar bone loss in height. The findings of this study reveal the ability of Pb to alter the alveolar bone microstructure after long-term exposure to the metal, possibly due to changes in tissue homeostasis, contributing to the reduction of bone quality.

Percepção e práticas de cuidadores de lares de infância e juventude sobre saúde bucal no município de Belém, Brasil / Perception and practices of caregivers of childhood and youth shelters concerning oral health in the city of Belém, Brazil

Crianças não inseridas dentro de uma organização social familiar merecem atenção especial quanto ao cuidado com a saúde bucal. Investigar noções de cuidado e práticas de higiene de cuidadores torna-se imprescindível para a compreensão da qualidade da assistência caritativa prestada em abrigos. Assim, este estudo avaliou conhecimentos e práticas em saúde bucal dos cuidadores de abrigos a partir da escolaridade e realização de atividades em saúde bucal. A amostra foi composta por cuidadores vinculados às quatro únicas instituições públicas de apoio social a crianças e adolescentes da cidade de Belém, PA, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário contemplando noções básicas de saúde bucal e cuidados odontológicos, e submetidos a análise estatística por meio do teste do Qui-quadrado e exato de Fisher, adotando α=0.05. Os resultados indicaram associação entre as variáveis "instrução prévia de técnicas de escovação" e "promoção de saúde bucal" (p= 0.011), demostrando maior frequência de orientação de escovação entre os cuidadores que já haviam recebido instruções sobre tais técnicas e entre as variáveis "grau de escolaridade" e "desenvolvimento de atividades de saúde bucal" (p= 0.0461), revelando que o acesso ao curso superior implicou em maior promoção de atividades de saúde bucal. Portanto, foi possível verificar que conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas dos cuidadores em relação à saúde oral se correlacionam, sendo a posse de conhecimentos e atitudes educativas indicadores favoráveis a práticas de promoção de saúde.

Children who are not part of a socially structured family deserve special attention regarding oral health care. Investigating notions of care and hygiene practices of caregivers becomes essential for understanding the quality of charitable assistance provided in shelters. Thus, this study evaluated oral health knowledge and practices of shelter caregivers based on education and oral health activities. The sample consisted of caregivers associated with the four unique public institutions for social support of children and adolescents in the city of Belém, PA, Brazil. Data were collected through a questionnaire covering basic notions of oral health and dental care and were subjected to statistical analysis using the Chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test, adopting α = 0.05. The results indicated an association between the variables "prior instruction in brushing techniques" and "oral health promotion" (p= 0.011), showing a higher frequency of brushing guidance among caregivers who had previously received instructions on such techniques and between the variables "education level" and "development of oral health activities" (p= 0.0461). This revealed that access to higher education implied a greater promotion of oral health activities. Therefore, it was possible to verify that the caregivers' knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to oral health are correlated, and having educational knowledge and attitudes are favorable indicators for health promotion practices.