Validation of the internal structure of the Brazilian Dental Vulnerability Scale.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate evidence of validity of internal structure of the Brazilian Dental Vulnerability Scale (EVO-BR) when applied in Brazil. METHODS: This is a psychometric study that seeks to validate a scale elaborated by evidence of internal structure. Data collection was conducted in 18 basic health units that implement the Brazilian Healthcare Planning (PAS) methodology, across the five regions of Brazil. The initial version of the EVO-BR contained 41 items that measured dental vulnerability and was applied to users of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) aged 18 years or older who were in basic health units for consultation with higher education professionals. To evaluate the evidence, the following statistical analyses were performed: exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and network analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1,753 users participated in the study. To adjust the sample, we considered the factorability obtained from Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test = 0.65, Bartlett sphericity test = 8019.7, and a matrix determinant of 0.008. The initial parallel analysis indicated a four-dimensional model and had the items adjusted according to factor loading (ranging from 0.38 to 0.99), common factors (0.13 to 0.89), and Pratt's measure, until the model presented congruence in the statistical and interpretative principles simultaneously. The final model contained 15 items, maintaining the four dimensions indicated by the parallel analysis, and held an explained variance of 68.56%. CONCLUSIONS: The EVO-BR is a validated scale to measure dental vulnerability and, thus, can contribute to the organization of access to the oral health team in primary health care (PHC) by stratifying the population, as recommended in the Brazilian Healthcare Planning.

Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dentists in Latin America's Epicenter: São Paulo, Brazil.

The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of stress and anxiety symptoms among dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. A structured questionnaire was sent electronically to 93,280 dentists with active registration in the Dental Council of São Paulo, Brazil, enquiring about information regarding the first-wave peak period in Brazil. Descriptive analyses of background characteristics, perceptions of preparedness, and psychological impact were calculated. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed, and independent variables that showed p < 0.20 were used in the adjusted logistic regression model to compare the psychological impact on dental professionals. Among the 2113 respondents, female participants had 63% lower chance of reporting anxiety than males. Older dentists had a lower likelihood of reporting anxiety compared to 21-30-year-old dentists (p ≤ 0.05). Dentists working in the public health service were 1.78 times more likely to report anxiety than those who worked in private practice. Finally, dentists in the COVID-19 high-risk group and those with a family or team member with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis were more likely to have anxiety. This study can help dental and other healthcare professionals to better understand the consequences of COVID-19 in terms of mental health.

Dental vulnerability scale in primary health care: evidence of content and structure internal validity.

BACKGROUND: Access to oral health services remains a challenge in the Brazilian healthcare system, especially in the primary health care setting, where the use of a risk stratification tool that could identify individuals with higher dental vulnerability would be extremely valuable. However, there literature on this theme is scarce, and there is no validated instrument in Brazil that is capable of measuring dental vulnerability. Hence, this psychometric study aimed at the development and evaluation of content and internal structure validity of the Dental Vulnerability Scale for Primary Health Care (PHC). METHODS: The items were developed based on a qualitative exploratory analysis. A total of 172 items were prepared and submitted to a panel of specialists, with content validity analyzed with the Content Validity Ratio (CVR), resulting in an the initial version of the instrument composed by 41 items. Internal structure validity was analyzed by Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and by applying 3 reliability indicators (Cronbach's Alpha, McDonald's Omega and Greatest Lower Bound - GBL), with a sample of 1227 individuals. RESULTS: The final configuration indicated a scale of 15 items divided into 4 dimensions (overall health, oral health, infrastructure, and healthcare services) with explained variance of 72.11%. The factor loads varied from 0.37 to 0.96. The model adjustment indices were set at × 2/df(51) = 3.23, NNFI = 0.95, CFI = 0.98, GFI = 0.96, AGFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.04 and RMSR = 0.03. CONCLUSION: DVS presented satisfactory evidence of validity, indicating its suitability to be used by healthcare professionals, students and managers to plan oral health actions and services at PHC.

Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Oral Health Team Professionals

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the factors associated with the SARS-CoV-2 infection among oral health professionals. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in the city of São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil. Professionals from three different categories were included: dental surgeons (DS), dental assistants (DA), and dental hygienists (DH). A questionnaire was created on a digital platform and sent via institutional email to each subject. The questionnaire contained 32 questions about sociodemographic, work, and behavior factors. The data about SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed through RT-PCR exams. Descriptive (absolute and relative frequencies) and inferential analyses (chi-squared or Fisher's exact test) (p<0.05) were performed. Results: There was a SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence of 3.8% for DS, 30.0% for DH, and 33.3% for DA. SARS-CoV-2 was associated with a lower income (p=0.027), a lower education level (p=0.011), the category of technical professionals (DA and DH) (p=0.025), and using public transportation to commute to work (p=0.009). Conclusion: Sociodemographic factors like lower income and education levels and work factors like job category and public transportation were associated with COVID-19 among professionals on the oral health teams.

Sociodemographic factors associated with pregnant women's level of knowledge about oral health.

Objective To evaluate knowledge on oral health and associated sociodemographic factors in pregnant women. Methods A cross-sectional study with a sample of 195 pregnant women seen at the Primary Care Unit Paraisópolis I, in São Paulo (SP), Brazil. For statistical analysis, χ2 or Fisher's exact test and multiple logistic regression were used. A significance level of 5% was used in all analyses. Results Schooling level equal to or greater than 8 years and having one or two children were associated with an adequate knowledge about oral health. Conclusion Oral health promotion strategies during prenatal care should take into account sociodemographic aspects.

Sociodemographic factors associated with pregnant women's level of knowledge about oral health / Fatores sociodemográficos associados ao grau de conhecimento em saúde bucal de gestantes

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate knowledge on oral health and associated sociodemographic factors in pregnant women. Methods A cross-sectional study with a sample of 195 pregnant women seen at the Primary Care Unit Paraisópolis I, in São Paulo (SP), Brazil. For statistical analysis, χ2 or Fisher's exact test and multiple logistic regression were used. A significance level of 5% was used in all analyses. Results Schooling level equal to or greater than 8 years and having one or two children were associated with an adequate knowledge about oral health. Conclusion Oral health promotion strategies during prenatal care should take into account sociodemographic aspects.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o conhecimento em saúde bucal e os fatores sociodemográficos associados em gestantes. Métodos Estudo com delineamento transversal, com amostra de 195 gestantes atendidas na Unidade Básica de Saúde de Paraisópolis I, em São Paulo (SP). Para a análise estatística, utilizou-se teste χ2 ou teste exato de Fisher e a regressão logística múltipla. Assumiu-se um nível de significância de 5% para todas as análises. Resultados Escolaridade igual ou maior a 8 anos de estudo e presença de um a dois filhos estiveram associadas a conhecimento adequado sobre saúde bucal. Conclusão Estratégias de promoção de saúde bucal durante o pré-natal devem levar em consideração aspectos sociodemográficos.

Resistência à fratura de dentes com retentores intra-radiculares fundidos / Fracture strength of teeth with cast intraradicular retainers

Com objetivo de verificar a resistência à fratura de dentes reconstruídos em retentores intra-radiculares metálicos fundidos, 15 caninos foram preparados, formando-se três grupos de acordo com o remanescente dental (RD) e a altura do núcleo de reconstrução (N): totais RD = 0, N = 7 mm), parciais (RD = 3 mm, N = 4 mm) e incisais (RD = 5 mm, N = 2mm). Submetidos ao teste de compressão através da máquina Kratos, os dentes reconstruídos apresentaram a seguinte ordem decrescente de valores: totais (517,75 kgf); parciais (342,10 gf) e iniciais (103,00 kgf) com p < 0,01. Pôde-se concluir que dentes tratados endodonticamente podem ser restaurados com retentores intra-radiculares fundidos, apresentando boa resistência à fratura, independentemente das dimensões RD e N.