Salivary flow rate and biochemical composition analysis in stimulated whole saliva of children with cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: It is recognized that cystic fibrosis (CF) patients present a risk for oral diseases, since it affects exocrine glands, and the treatment consists of a carbohydrate-rich diet. Recognizing the protective function of saliva on maintaining oral health, the aim of the study was to evaluate salivary parameters in stimulated whole saliva from children with CF. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted comparing stimulated whole saliva of healthy (n=28; control group) and CF children (n=21; experimental group). Salivary flow rate, initial pH, buffer capacity (total and in each range of pH), total protein and sialic acid (total, free, and conjugated) concentration, α-amylase and salivary peroxidase activities were evaluated. Data were compared by two-tailed Student t test (95% CI; p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: CF patients presented a significant reduction in salivary parameters compared with the control group (p ≤ 0.05): salivary flow rate (36%), buffer capacity (pH range from 6.9 to 6.0), sialic acid concentration (total 75%, free 61%, and conjugated 83%); α-amylase and salivary peroxidase activities (55%). Additionally, a significant increase in total protein concentration (180%) of stimulated whole saliva from CF patients was verified compared with the control group (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Children with CF presented significant changes in salivary composition, including salivary flow rate, buffering capacity and protective proteins of the oral cavity, compared with children without CF.

[Access to information about how to prevent oral problems among school children in the public school network]. / Acesso a informações sobre como evitar problemas bucais entre escolares da Rede Pública de Ensino.

The scope of this study is to identify the prevalence of access to information about how to prevent oral problems among schoolchildren in the public school network, as well as the factors associated with such access. This is a cross-sectional and analytical study conducted among 12-year-old schoolchildren in a Brazilian municipality with a large population. The examinations were performed by 24 trained dentists and calibrated with the aid of 24 recorders. Data collection occurred in 36 public schools selected from the 89 public schools of the city. Descriptive, univariate and multiple analyses were conducted. Of the 2510 schoolchildren included in the study, 2211 reported having received information about how to prevent oral problems. Access to such information was greater among those who used private dental services; and lower among those who used the service for treatment, who evaluated the service as regular or bad/awful. The latter use toothbrush only or toothbrush and tongue scrubbing as a means of oral hygiene and who reported not being satisfied with the appearance of their teeth. The conclusion drawn is that the majority of schoolchildren had access to information about how to prevent oral problems, though access was associated with the characteristics of health services, health behavior and outcomes.

Quality of life of patients undergoing surgery by videolaparoscopy for GERD treatment.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic disease of high prevalence in Western countries, with negative effects on quality of life. Surgery is indicated for patients with intolerance to continuous medication, prolonged treatment or control, or in complicated forms of the disease. AIM: To evaluate the quality of life of patients undergoing surgery by videolaparoscopy for gastroesophageal reflux disease treatment. METHODS: Sample comprised 43 patients of both genders (mean age = 51.4 years). For quality of life evaluation was made using the questionnaire Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Health Related Quality of Life, translated and validated into Portuguese. Data were analyzed by Epi Info version 3.5.1, using Duncan test and Pearson's correlation coefficient, with 5% for null hypothesis (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: Over 50% of participants showed good quality of life (scores <5 of the questionnaire), more than 90% indicated satisfaction with their health. A significant positive correlation between most variables related to heartburn and the time after surgery was observed (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients presented good quality of life and high level of satisfaction with their postoperative condition.

Diode laser effect on enamel microhardness after dental bleaching associated with fluoride.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of diode laser irradiation on human dental enamel treated by bleaching and acidulated phosphate fluoride gels (APF) according to microhardness analysis. BACKGROUND DATA: The high interest of patients for aesthetics in cosmetic dentistry has led to new bleaching materials and the development of new techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty embedded, flattened human third molar enamel fragments were randomly assigned to three groups (n=20). Group 1 received topical application of 1.23% APF photoactivated using a diode laser. Group 2 received three applications of 35% hydrogen peroxide for 5 min and was photoactivated with laser for 30 s in each application. Group 3 treated the same as group 2 plus a 1.23% APF application for 1 min after bleaching followed by 30 s of laser irradiation. Microhardness analyses were performed before and after all the treatments. RESULTS: Analysis of variance followed by Tukey and Student statistical t-tests (p<0.05) showed significantly higher microhardness values for group 1 after treatment. No significant differences were shown before and after treatments for groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSION: No change was observed in enamel microhardness after treatment with hydrogen peroxide gel photoactivated using diode laser with or without APF. There was an increase in microhardness when enamel was treated only with APF photoactivated using a laser.