Breastfeeding in the First Hours of Life Protects Against Pacifier Use: A Birth Cohort Study.

Objective: To investigate risk factors for pacifier use in the first year of life. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with children enrolled at birth in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, whose mothers underwent prenatal care at primary care units. Soon after the birth of the children, data were collected on anthropometrics, type of childbirth, and time until breastfeeding on the first day of life. At 6 and 12 months of age, data were collected on breastfeeding practices and whether the child had used a pacifier in the previous 6 months. Statistical analysis involved the use of Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: The incidence of pacifier use in the first year of life was 60% (317/532). The multivariable analysis showed that pacifier use in the first year of life was 33% higher when the mother was younger than 18 years of age (relative risk [RR] = 1.33; confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.01-1.76). Infants who breastfed in the first 30 minutes after birth had a 25% lower risk of pacifier use in the first year of life (RR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.60-0.94), and those who breastfed between 30 minutes and 6 hours after birth had an 18% lower risk (RR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.69-0.97) compared to those who took longer to begin breastfeeding or did not breastfeed. Conclusions for Practice: Breastfeeding soon after being born protected against pacifier use in the first year of life. This finding suggests pathways to improve child health, especially in the prenatal period and with an emphasis on pregnant adolescents.

The effect of enamel fractures on oral health-related quality of life in adolescents.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Enamel fractures are the most common type of traumatic dental injury (TDI) in children and adolescents. Recognizing the impact of these fractures on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) could contribute to the establishment of treatment protocols. The aim of this study was to assess and quantify the impact of enamel fractures on overall OHRQoL and domain scores in adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 775 adolescents aged 11 to 14 years in the city of Santo Ângelo in southern Brazil. Sociodemographic variables were collected from parents/caregivers using a structured questionnaire. The adolescents answered the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11-14 ). Physical examinations were performed by an examiner who had undergone training and calibration exercises for the investigation of TDI (Andreasen criteria), dental caries (WHO criteria), and malocclusion (Dental Aesthetic Index). Data analysis involved Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS: The prevalence of TDI was 11.9% and enamel fractures accounted for 79.3% of all injuries. In the multivariate analysis, adolescents with enamel fractures had 29% higher CPQ11-14 scores (worse OHRQoL) than those without TDI, even after adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical variables (mean ratio = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.09-1.53; P = .003). Enamel fractures exerted a negative impact on the functional limitation, emotional well-being, and social well-being domains. CONCLUSIONS: Enamel fractures exert a negative impact on the OHRQoL of adolescents, suggesting that subjective measures should be incorporated in the evaluation of patients with this traumatic injury.

Relationship between overweight/obesity in the first year of age and traumatic dental injuries in early childhood: Findings from a birth cohort study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The impact of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in the primary dentition on oral health-related quality of life indicates the need for the planning of prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to assess whether anthropometric characteristics in early life are associated with TDI by preschool age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A birth cohort was recruited from the public healthcare system in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. Socio-demographic variables, type of birth, head circumference, weight, and length were collected at birth (WHO standards). Head circumference, body mass index for age, and height for age were collected at 12 months. TDI (Andreasen criteria) at three years of age (n = 458) were recorded by two examiners who had undergone training and calibration exercises. Multivariable analysis was carried out with Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS: A total of 31.0% of the children (142/458) exhibited TDI at three years of age. In the final model, the risk of TDI was 47% higher among children with a smaller head circumference upon birth and nearly 60% higher among those who were overweight/obese at 12 months of age (RR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.15-2.17). The risk of TDI was also significantly higher among boys (RR 1.50; 95% CI: 1.13-2.00), but the outcome was not significantly associated with socioeconomic variables or other anthropometric variables. CONCLUSION: Overweight/obesity in early life is a risk factor for TDI in preschool children.

Enamel fracture in the primary dentition has no impact on children's quality of life: implications for clinicians and researchers.

AIM: The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) on oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschool children, when enamel fractures were either included or excluded within the category of TDI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An oral health survey was undertaken of preschool children, age 1-5 years attending public nurseries in Canoas, Brazil. Children were examined for TDI, dental caries, and malocclusion. Parents were interviewed on their perception of their child's OHRQoL (Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale-ECOHIS) and their sociodemographic background. Multivariable Poisson regression models with robust variance were fitted to assess the impacts of TDI (including and excluding enamel fractures) on OHRQoL. RESULTS: A full dataset was collected from 76% of the eligible population. The prevalence of TDI was 13.4% (171/1275). The prevalence of any impact (ECOHIS ≥ 1) was significantly higher in children with crown discoloration (29.7%), enamel/dentin fracture (29.2%), and avulsion (73.3%), compared to children with enamel fracture (16.2%) or without a TDI (15.8%) (P < 0.001). Enamel fractures were the most prevalent TDI (40%) but halved the proportion of children with a reported impact from their TDI. The mean increase in OHRQoL impact for those children with a TDI was 1.59 (95%CI 1.20-2.10) when enamel fracture was included, and 1.86 (95%CI 1.39-2.50) when it was excluded. CONCLUSION: Enamel fractures have no significant impact on young children's quality of life. Including enamel fractures within the diagnosis of TDI increases the prevalence of TDI while reducing the OHRQoL impact of TDI for the primary dentition.

Clarifying the effect of behavioral and clinical factors on traumatic dental injuries in childhood: a hierarchical approach.

AIM: To explore associations between traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in Brazilian preschool children and clinical, behavioral, and socio-demographic factors using a hierarchical approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1316 children aged 0-5 years at public preschools in the city of Canoas (southern Brazil). Demographic (sex and age), socioeconomic (mother's schooling, income and family structure) and behavioral (use of pacifier, breastfeeding duration and bottle use at 12 months) factors were collected through a questionnaire. TDI (Andreasen criteria) and malocclusion (overjet and anterior open bite) were recorded by trained and calibrated examiners. Poisson regression was employed to determine factors associated with TDI using a hierarchical approach. RESULTS: The prevalence of TDI was 13.3%. In the final model, the probability of TDI was 50% higher in children who used a pacifier (PR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.08-2.10), 77% higher in children with overjet between 3 and 5 mm (PR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.22-2.57) and nearly threefold higher in children with overjet > 5 mm (PR: 2.73; 95% CI: 1.77-4.20) compared with children with overjet ≤ 2 mm. Additional analysis demonstrated that overjet represented the pathway by which pacifier use was associated with TDI. CONCLUSION: Pacifier use is strongly associated with the occurrence of TDI in the primary dentition, and accentuated overjet represents a pathway to this association. These findings suggest the need for prevention strategies that address early counseling on pacifier use to reduce the occurrence of TDI.

Socioeconomic, behavioral, and anthropometric risk factors for traumatic dental injuries in childhood: a cohort study.

AIM: To investigate risk factors for the occurrence of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) at 4 years of age. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: A birth cohort (n = 500) was recruited from the public healthcare system in São Leopoldo, Brazil. Demographic, socioeconomic, anthropometric, and behavioral variables were collected at 6 months, 1 year, and 4 years of age. Clinical examinations at 4 years of age were carried out by a single examiner using the Andreasen classification. Poisson regression was used to determine risk factors for the occurrence of TDI at 4 years of age. RESULTS: A total of 23.7% of the children (80/337) exhibited TDI at 4 years of age. The risk of TDI was 35% lower among children who had been breastfeed for ≥6 months relative risk (RR 0.65; 95% CI 0.43-0.97) and more than twofold higher among those who were bottle fed ≥ three times a day (RR 2.37; 95% CI 1.10-5.11) at 12 months of age. Higher household income in the first year of life and greater height at 4 years of age were significantly associated with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of behavioral, socioeconomic, and anthropometric risk factors for TDI in early childhood can contribute to the elaboration of prevention strategies.

Exploring the profile of articles on traumatic dental injuries in pediatric dental journals.

AIM: To explore the profile of articles on traumatic dental injuries (TDI) published in leading pediatric dental journals between 2000 and 2010 via bibliometric analysis. METHODS: A search was conducted on the PubMed database to find the six pediatric dental journals with the highest numbers of articles on TDI published between January 2000 and December 2010. All titles and abstracts of full-length articles were reviewed by two examiners. Studies focusing on TDI were independently categorized according to the following aspects: (i) year of publication; (ii) country where the study was carried out; (iii) study design; (iv) topic addressed; (v) type of TDI; and (vi) type of dentition. Data were analyzed in terms of frequency distribution. RESULTS: Of a total of 3720 articles published in the six selected journals, only 119 (3.2%) focused on TDI, with no significant variations across the journals or years. The countries with the greatest number of publications on TDI were India (19.3%), followed by the USA (15.1%), Brazil (13.4%), and Italy (11.8%). Case report and case series were the dominant study design (53%). Most studies addressed treatment of TDI (63%) and described injuries to permanent teeth (68%), especially avulsion and crown fractures. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need for expanding the number and quality of research on TDI in pediatric dental journals, especially with better quality study designs. Cohort studies and investigations focusing on the assessment of health services and technologies are important targets for future research.

Praticas alimentares cariogenicas e fatores associados em criancas do sul do Brasil / Cariogenic feeding habits and associated factors in children from the southern Brazil

Objetivo: Identificar praticas alimentares cariogenicas e estimar os fatores associados ao consumo de guloseimas entre as refeicoes em pre-escolares de Ijui-RS. Metodo: A amostra consisti u em 481 criancas de 0 a 6 anos pertencentes a 12 pre-escolas deste municipio, sorteadas aleatoriamente. O instrumento de pesquisa foi questionario estruturado respondido pelos pais, que avaliou variaveis demograficas, socioeconomicas e as seguintes praticas alimentares: idade de introducao do acucar e o comportamento de consumir guloseimas (doces ou salgadinhos) entre as refeicoes. Foi utilizada regressao de Poisson com variancia robusta para identificar e quantificar os fatores associados ao consumo de guloseimas entre as refeicoes. Resultados: Aproximadamente 90% das criancas da amostra tiveram o acucar introduzido na dieta antes de completar o primeiro ano de vida. Alem disso, 3/4 dos pre-escolares consomem guloseimas entre as refeicoes, nao havendo diferenca entre os sexos, categorias de renda e estruturacao familiar. O modelo multivariavel mostrou que a probabilidade de consumir guloseimas entre as refeicoes foi 16% maior em criancas de 5 a 6 anos em relacao as criancas de ate 2 anos (RP=1,16; IC 95%= 1,00?1,34) e 14% maior quando a mae tinha 4 anos ou menos de escolaridade (RP=1,14; IC 95%= 1,01-1,29) em relacao as maes com mais de 8 anos de estudo. Fazer chantagem para receber guloseimas aumentou em 72% a probabilidade deste comportamento (RP= 1,72; IC 95%= 1,46-2,03). Conclusao: A introducao de acucar e precoce nesta populacao e um percentual elevado dos pre-escolares consome guloseimas entre as refeicoes, estando este desfecho associado a maior idade da crianca, menor escolaridade materna e comportamento da crianca. Programas preventivos devem incluir orientacao para praticas alimentares desde o primeiro ano de vida, especialmente para maes com menor escolaridade.

Objective: To identify cariogenic feeding habits and estimate the factors associated with the consumption of snacks between meals in preschoolers from the city of Ijui, RS, Brazil. Method: The sample was composed of 481 children aged 0 to 6 years attending 12 preschools of this city, chosen at random. The research instrument was a structured questionnaire filled out by the parents, which assessed demographic and socioeconomic data and information on feeding habits (age of introduction of sugar in the diet and consumption of sweet and salty snacks between meals). Poisson's regression with robust variance was used to identify and quantify the factors associated with the consumption of snacks between meals. Results: Approximately 90% of the children had sugar introduced in their diet before 1 year of age. In addition, ó of the preschoolers consume sweets between meals, without statistically significant difference between genders, income levels and family structure. The multi variable model showed that the probability of consuming snacks between meals was 16% higher in 5-6-year-old children compared to those up to the age of 2 (PR=1.16; 95% CI= 1.00-1.34), and 14% higher when the mother's educational level was up to 4 years (PR=1.14; 95% CI= 1.01-1.29) compared to those with more than 8 years of school education. Blackmailing to receive snacks increased in 72% the probability of this behavior (PR= 1.72; 95% CI= 1.46-2.03). Conclusion: The introduction of sugar was premature in the studied population, and a high percentage of the preschoolers were found to eat snacks between meals. This outcome is associated with older children, low maternal educational level, and child's behavior. Preventive programs must include diet counseling since the first year of life, especially for mothers with low educational level.

Teething symptoms in the first year of life and associated factors: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence and management of teething symptoms during the first year of life and associated factors. STUDY DESIGN: 500 children were recruited at birth. Research assessments including structured interviews, anthropometric measurements and dental examination were carried out after birth, at 6 months and at one-year of age. The primary outcome of this study was defined as the occurrence of one or more teething symptoms within the first year of life, as reported by the mother. RESULTS: Teething symptoms were reported in 73% of the children analyzed (273/375). The symptoms most frequently reported were irritability (40.5%), fever (38.9%), diarrhoea (36.0%) and itching (33.6%). Dentists had little influence on the management of symptoms and self-medication to relieve them was a common practice. The risk of reporting teething symptoms was higher for children from nuclear families (p = 0.040) and for children from families with higher income (p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: Teething symptoms were highly reported in this population. Pediatric dentists should be accessible and provide adequate orientation when symptoms can be managed at home or immediate referral to health services when more serious diseases are suspected.

Understanding school teacher's knowledge regarding dental trauma: a basis for future interventions.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic dental injuries frequently occur at school environment. However, teachers are not prepared to provide the adequate emergency management. AIM: The objectives of this study were to identify the factors associated with teachers' knowledge about dental trauma and to describe school managers' perception of possible strategies to change the scenario. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Our sample comprised 405 teachers from 17 public schools in Canoas, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, whose data were collected regarding demographic variables, training and professional experience information. The outcome was completely inadequate knowledge regarding trauma measured based on the answers to a structured questionnaire about dental fractures and tooth avulsion. The sample also included 14 school managers who answered a semi-structured questionnaire about the causes of teachers' inadequate knowledge and possible strategies to change the scenario. RESULTS: The multivariate analysis demonstrated that the probability of completely inadequate knowledge was higher among male teachers, with less professional experience, who had not achieved a graduate degree, who had not witnessed at least one dental trauma case at school and who had not been trained in first-aid. School managers identified the following causes of inadequate knowledge: the fact that the topic is not approached during the teachers' training and continual education and lack of experience involving dental trauma at school. In addition, they suggested that lectures and courses including written and visual communication should be offered, as well as training workshops. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to improve the teachers' knowledge about dental trauma must take into consideration the results of the present study and optimize the inclusion of this topic in the teachers' curricular training and pedagogical education in a continuous manner.

Proteja o sorriso do seu bebê: avaliação de dez anos de extensão universitária / Protect your baby smile: evaluation of ten years of academic extension

A importância da extensão universitária na formação discente tem sido tema de vários estudos e atualmente está inserida nas diretrizes que regem os cursos de graduação na área da Odontologia. Atividades de promoção de saúde bucal que visem à atenção precoce voltada às crianças em idade pré-escolar são de grande valor em função do comprometimento dessa parcela da população brasileira por doenças bucais como cárie e gengivite. A inserção do aluno de graduação de Odontologia na execução de atividades para com estas crianças por meio do projeto de extensão "'Proteja o Sorriso do Seu Bebê" já tem sido realizado há cerca de dez anos. Frente a isso, esta pesquisa teve por objetivo quantificar os resultados alcançados por meio deste projeto, bem como avaliar de uma forma qualitativa o retorno que o mesmo tem trazido à comunidade e aos alunos participantes dessa atividade extensionista, através da análise de questionários aplicados aos acadêmicos e professoras das escolas. Com base nos resultados pode-se concluir que o projeto tem contribuido na formação acadêmica e oferecido um benefício à população alvo do mesmo no que diz respeito à educação em saúde bucal.

The importance of university extension in training student has been the subject of several studies and it is currently included in the guidelines that conduct the graduate programs in thefi eld of Dentistry. Activities of promoting oral health aimed at the early attention focused on children of pre-school age are of great value in commitment terms of this portion of the Brazilian population for oral diseases such as caries and gingivitis. The insertion of the graduate student inthe implementation of activities to these children through the extension project of “Protect your baby’s Smile” has been performed about ten years. In front of it, this study aimed to quantify theresults achieved through this project, as well as a qualitative assessment of the return that it has brought to the community and for students joining this extension activity, through the analysisof questionnaires applied to the academic and the school teachers. Based on the results it can beconcluded that the project has contributed in the academic formation and helped to benefi t the aimpopulation regarding the education in oral health.

Luxação intrusiva em dentes decíduos: relato de casos / Intrusive luxation of primary teeth: case reports

O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar dois casos clínicos de pacientes que apresentaram luxação intrusiva nos incisivos decíduos. Os pacientes foram monitorados desde a consulta de urgência e acompanhados até a erupção dos dentes permanentes sucessores. Em ambos os casos, devido à gravidade da intrusão, houve seqüelas para os dentes sucessores, com alteração de desenvolvimento na coroa. Considerando as diversas possibilidades de sequelas que podem ocorrer no dente decíduo que sofreu intrusão e o potencial risco de extensão do dano para o sucessor permanente, é imprescindível que o cirurgião-dentista tenha conhecimento dos protocolos envolvendo o manejo das lesões traumáticas. Além disso, o profissional deve estar engajado na propagação de medidas de prevenção de acidentes envolvendo crianças pré-escolares, buscando diminuir a freqüência de traumatismos alvéolos-dentários.

This study aims at presenting two case reports of patients having intrusive luxation injuries of the primary incisors. Patients were followed since emergency care, dental management and follow-up appointments until eruption of the permanent successors. In both cases, due to the severity of the intrusion, there were sequelae affecting the successor teeth, such as developmental defects of the crown. Considering several sequel possibility that occur in intruded primary teethand the potential risk to extent the damage to the permanent successor, it is important that the dentist have been informed about guidelines for management of traumatic injuries. Besides of this the dentist must teach about prevent measures of accidents in preschool children aiming to reducethe frequency of dental trauma.

Dental anomalies and associated factors in 2- to 5-year-old Brazilian children.

BACKGROUND: Dental anomalies in primary teeth may lead to functional and aesthetic disorders, and their recognition contributes to early diagnosis and long-term treatment planning. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the prevalence of dental anomalies in primary dentition and associated factors in Brazilian preschoolers. METHODS: The study population of this cross-sectional study comprised 1260 2- to 5-year-old children from public nurseries in Canoas, southern Brazil. Dental anomalies were recorded by five trained examiners according to Kreiborg criteria; classification included double teeth, hypodontia, supernumerary, and microdontia. RESULTS: Dental anomalies as a group were found in 2.5% of children, although no significant difference occurred between genders and races. All the anomalies were observed in the anterior region, with no significant differences between the arches. However, supernumerary teeth were significantly more frequent among the non-white racial group (Fisher; P = 0.025) and double teeth on the lower arch (McNemar; P = 0.020). Individual anomaly frequencies were: double teeth, 1.3%; hypodontia, 0.6%; supernumerary, 0.3%; and microdontia, 0.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of primary dentition anomalies as a group was greater than that reported in other populations; the findings of this study provide a clear vision of the distribution of this oral condition and may well contribute to early detection and treatment planning.

Luxação intrusiva na dentição decídua: dois anos de acompanhamento / Intrusive luxation in primary dentition: two years follow-up

As injúrias traumáticas representam um desequilíbrio do indivíduo com seu meio e se constituem num problema de saúde pública, visto que sua prevalência na dentição decídua varia de 11 a 37 por cento. O presente estudo tem como objetivo descrever uma opção conservadora de tratamento num caso clínico de luxação intrusiva na dentição decídua, no qual o acompanhamento clínico e radiográfico durante dois anos evidenciou um quadro favorável de erupção dentária. Destaca-se também a importância de uma abordagem profissional consciente e segura na solução dos traumatismos alveolodentários na clínica odontopediátrica.

Dental caries in 0- to 5-year-old Brazilian children: prevalence, severity, and associated factors.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and severity of dental caries and their association with demographic and socio-economic variables in Brazilian preschoolers. METHODS: The study population comprised 1487 0- to 5-year-old children attending government nurseries in Canoas, southern Brazil. Questionnaires regarding information related to the independent variables (age, gender, maternal level of education, and family income) were completed by the parents. Clinical examinations were carried out by five trained examiners and results were expressed using the deft index (World Health Organization criteria), including white spots. The outcomes considered in this study were caries occurrence (deft > 0) and caries severity (deft). RESULTS: Forty per cent of the children (589/1487) presented dental caries [mean deft (SD): 1.53 (2.75)]. Deft increased with age (P < 0.001) and was significantly higher in children from mothers with low educational level (P = 0.001) and low family income (P = 0.001). The greatest increase in caries prevalence and severity occurred between age groups of 1 and 2 years. Logistic regression demonstrated higher odds of dental caries with mother's completing < 4 years education, after adjusting for confounding. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate the need for preventive programmes, which should begin in the first year of life, with special attention given to families with mothers presenting low education levels.

Distribution of plaque and gingivitis and associated factors in 3- to 5-year-old Brazilian children.

This cross-sectional study investigated the distribution of plaque and gingivitis and its association with demographic, socioeconomic, and orthodontic variables (spacing in anterior teeth, anterior open bite, and crossbite), and visible plaque level (low, medium, high) in Brazilian preschoolers. The sample comprised 490 3- to 5-year-old children from nursery schools in Canoas, a city in southern Brazil. One single, trained observer examined children's oral cavities and determined visible plaque index (VPI) and gingival bleeding index (GBI). Results showed that 99% of the children had visible plaque and 77% had gingivitis (GBI>0). A positive (r(s)=0.32) and significant correlation was found between VPI and GBI. VPI and GBI were significantly higher in posterior teeth and buccal and lingual surfaces. VPI was significantly higher in boys, children of low-income families, and without spacing in maxillary anterior teeth. Gingivitis was associated with absence of spacing in maxillary anterior teeth and plaque level. The most prevalent areas of plaque and gingivitis identified in this study should be taken in consideration during oral hygiene instructions, which should be given to children and mothers-particularly those with a low socioeconomic status--to motivate self-care and prevent gingivitis.

Associação entre experiência de cárie em molares decíduos e primeiros molares permanentes / Association between caries experience in deciduos molars and first permanent molars

Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre experiência de cárie em molares decíduos e primeiros molares permanentes em crianças de 6 a 9 anos de idade. Método: A população estudada foi composta por 100 crianças nesta faixa etária atendidas no Curso de Odontologia da Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Canoas-RS. O exame físico foi conduzido por um único examinador treinado e calibrado (kappa=0,94).Resultados: Mostraram correlação positiva (rS=0,336) e significante (p=0,001) entre o número de molares decíduos (ceo-MD) e primeiros molares permanentes (CPO-MP) cariados, perdidos e obturados. A análise de regressão logística após ajuste para possíveis fatores de confusão mostrou que a chance de cárie em primeiro molar permanente foi 6 vezes maior nas crianças com ceo-MD=6 a 8 em relação às crianças com ceo-MD= 0 a 2 e quase cinco vezes maior se houvesse ao menos um molar decíduo extraído em relação às crianças com todos os molares decíduos presentes. A variável com melhor acurácia e valor preditivo positivo para detectar experiência de cárie em primeiros molares permanentes foi apresentar pelo menos um molar decíduo extraído.Conclusão: A experiência de cárie em primeiros molares permanentes está fortemente associada à perda precoce e à experiência de cárie em molares decíduos em crianças de 6 a 9 anos de idade, o que deve ser considerado na identificação de crianças alvo de programas preventivos nessa faixa etária

A percepção dos médicos obstetras a respeito bucal da gestante / Obstetrician's perception of the oral health of pregnant

O acompanhamento da gestante nas consultas de pré-natal não tem contemplado orientações de saúde bucal, impedindo sua inserção em uma proposta integral de promoção de saúde. Os conhecimentos e práticas da gestante dependem, rotineiramente, de orientações geridas pelo médico obstetra, o que pode estar limitando ações positivas de saúde bucal que impliquem benefícios concretos a todo âmbito familiar. Desta forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o conhecimento dos médicos obstetras acerca de atitudes de promoção de saúde bucal da gestante. A pesquisa envolveu 17 médicos obstetras da cidade de Santa Cruz do Sul/RS, que responderam a questionário especialmente estruturado para o estudo, envolvendo questões relativas a conhecimentos epráticas. Os resultados demonstraram que orientações ou condutas sem base científica, como a suplementação de flúor pré-natal, se constituem em prática comum pelo médico obstetra. Concluiu-se pela necessidade de maior atuação interdisciplinar entre cirurgiões-dentistas e médicos obstetras no acompanhamento da gestante, de forma a garantir que o pré-natal se constitua em um período profícuo de promoção de saúde integral

An in vitro study of the correlation between clinical and radiographic examinations of proximal carious lesions in primary molars.

The present in vitro study assessed the correlation between clinical and interproximal radiographic examinations in diagnosing proximal caries of primary molars. A total of 223 mesial and distal surfaces, from 125 primary teeth, were evaluated clinically and radiographically. The results demonstrated a strong correlation between the increase of depth of radiolucency in radiographic examination and the clinical stage of lesions The interproximal radiographic examination presented an excellent capability for discriminating surfaces with and without cavities in primary molars.

Avaliação da utilização de dentifrícios fluoretados por crianças de 2 a 5 anos de idade de três escolas da cidade de Porto Alegre / Evaluation of fluoride dentifrice usage in two to five year-old children in three schools of Porto Alegre

O flúor tem importância fundamental no controle da doença cárie, sendo que os dentifrícios fluoretados representam uma das formas mais amplas de sua utilização. Entretanto, sob determinadas condições, pode provocar intoxicação crônica, resultando em fluorose dental. Através de pesquisa realizada com pais de crianças de 2 a 5 anos de idade, em três escolas da cidade de Porto Alegre (RS), utilizando questionários, investigou-se rotina de escovação dental, a utilização de dentifrícios fluoretados e também o nível de conhecimento dos pais sobre estes tópicos. O estudo demonstrou que a maioria dos pais supervisiona a escovação dos filhos, que é realizada de 2 a 3 vezes ao dia. A quantidade de dentifrício fluoretada utilizada pela maioria das crianças da amostra foi correspondente ao método transversal (0,40 g de dentifrício), o que, dependendo de algumas variáveis, como a quantidade ingerida e a idade da criança, pode determinar fluorose