Resumption of brazilian oral medicine health care during the second period of the COVID-19 pandemic

Aim: This present study aims to compare the data from the Brazilian Unified Health System on the number of clinical consultations of Oral Medicine from the first 6 months (March-August 2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil with the last 6 months (September-February 2020/2021) to update the data, verify the measures' effectiveness to return clinical activities in the following months. Methods: perform a literature review of recent articles that report the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Oral Medicine. Results: There was an increase in the number of Oral Medicine clinical consultations in the second half of the pandemic throughout Brazil (+64.2%), representing over 9,235 appointments in this period. Conclusion: measures for the return of health assistance and the practice of Telemedicine proved to be effective after the second period of the pandemic. Even so, strengthening security measures against the coronavirus is essential to ward off a new wave since the Omicron variant emerged in the country and, consequently, possible new lockdowns that might affect healthcare in Brazil

Evaluation of remote teaching in master programs in the Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brazilian multicentric study

Background: With the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a need to adopt online teaching methods in a generalized and sudden way, a situation that led to unprecedented changes in the routine of post-graduate students and research development. This study aimed to analyze the evaluation of remote teaching by graduates of master's degrees and advisors in master's programs in the Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine who needed to adapt to a remote teaching methodology in the pandemic. Material and Methods: This quantitative study evaluated the remote teaching in the perception of master's graduates and advisors from postgraduate programs in Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine. Data were collected through an online Google forms® questionnaire. Results: Participated in the study 14 master graduates and 14 master's advisors. Master graduates evaluated that the professors had a good performance (p=0.001), that the duration of the classes was adequate (p=0.015), that the interaction with professors was satisfactory (p=0.007), that they had good interaction with the advisor (p=0.001), that they were satisfied with the remote guidance process (p=0.038) and that face-to-face practical activities were missed (p=0.002). Master's advisors reported satisfaction with remote teaching, good adaptation (p=0.018) and motivation for remote teaching (p=0.016), they evaluated that students were cooperative in activities (p=0.019) and that face-to-face practical activities were missed (p=0.002). Conclusions: Despite the difficulties, remote teaching proved to be an effective alternative to face-to-face teaching. (AU)

Reemergence of Dengue Virus Serotype 3, Brazil, 2023.

We characterized 3 autochthonous dengue virus serotype 3 cases and 1 imported case from 2 states in the North and South Regions of Brazil, 15 years after Brazil's last outbreak involving this serotype. We also identified a new Asian lineage recently introduced into the Americas, raising concerns about future outbreaks.

The continuous increase in the number of systemic lupus erythematosus cases in Brazil in the COVID-19 era.

This study aims to reevaluate and compare the data from the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) on the number of diagnoses of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the pre-pandemic period with those in the pandemic period, as well as to compare the first year (2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil with the last year (2021), to update the data, and to verify whether SLE disease control measures were effective in 2021. There was a consistent and significant increase in the incidence of SLE cases all over Brazil between the first and second pandemic years and between the pre-pandemic triennium and the second pandemic year. Therefore, it is inescapable to have larger clinical studies with different populations to better understand the relationship between these two conditions and find measures to improve the control of this disease.

Clinical outcomes of dental implants in head and neck cancer patients: An overview.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of dental implants (DIs) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with radiotherapy (RT), isolated chemotherapy, or bone modifying agents (BMAs). STUDY DESIGN: This study was registered in the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42018102772); conducted via the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist; and based on PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and gray literature searches. The selection of studies was performed in 2 phases by 2 independent reviewers. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed by the Measurement Tool to Assess the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2. RESULTS: Twenty systematic reviews were included in the qualitative analysis. The majority scored as having high RoB (n = 11). Primary DIs placement in the mandible of patients with HNC subjected to RT doses <50 Gy was associated with better survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: The placements of DIs could be considered safe in patients with HNC in sites of alveolar bone that received RT (≤5000 Gy); however, no conclusions could be made in patients with cancer managed by chemotherapy or BMAs. Due to the heterogeneity of studies included, the recommendation for DIs placement in patients with cancer should be carefully considered. Future better controlled randomized clinical trials are required to provide enhanced clinical guidelines for best patient care.

Revaluation of the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the epidemiology of syphilis in Brazil

Introduction: Due to the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) pandemic, health systems worldwide have suffered interferences, with the interruption of sexual health clinics, limitation of ambulatory consults, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of several diseases, especially syphilis, altering their epidemiology.Objective: To investigate the impact of the pandemic on syphilis diagnosis in Brazil, the main goal of this study was to update and reevaluate data from the Brazilian Unified Health System on the number of syphilis cases reported in all five Brazilian geographic regions and verify the response of the Brazilian health care to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The data were retrieved from the National Disease Notification System and the Department of Chronic Conditions Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections and represent syphilis diagnosis in Brazil, from March to December 2017 to 2019, 2020, and 2021. Results: The increase in the number of syphilis cases was minor compared to 2020, keeping the Southeast region as the most impacted (+146.1%) and an increase of 22,633 cases throughout Brazil (+54.3%). Conclusion:Syphilis disease control measures were ineffective in 2021 as the drop in the number of cases was irrelevant compared to the years before the pandemic. The association between the increase in syphilis cases in Brazil and the COVID-19 pandemic should be further investigated to assist in decision-making processes and in the programming of health actions in addition to finding measures to raise the control of this disease.

Introdução: Em consequência da pandemia de COVID-19, os sistemas de saúde em todo o mundo sofreram interferências, com interrupção de clínicas de saúde sexual, limitação de consultas ambulatoriais, de prevenção, diagnóstico e tratamento de diversas doenças, principalmente a sífilis, alterando sua epidemiologia. Objetivo: Para investigar o impacto da pandemia no diagnóstico da sífilis no Brasil, o objetivo principal do presente estudo foi atualizar e reavaliar os dados do Sistema Único de Saúde sobre o número de casos de sífilis notificados nas cinco regiões geográficas brasileiras e verificar a resposta da atenção básica à saúde brasileira diante da pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Os dados foram retirados do Sistema Nacional de Notificação de Agravos e do Departamento de Doenças Crônicas e Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis e representam o diagnóstico de sífilis no Brasil, de março a dezembro de 2017 a 2019, 2020 e 2021. Resultados: O aumento no número de casos de sífilis foi menor em relação a 2020, mantendo-se a Região Sudeste como a mais impactada (+146,1%) e havendo aumento de 22.633 casos em todo o Brasil (+54,3%). Conclusão: As medidas de controle da sífilis foram ineficazes em 2021, pois a queda no número de casos foi irrelevante em comparação aos anos anteriores à pandemia. A associação entre o aumento dos casos de sífilis no Brasil e a pandemia de COVID-19 deve ser mais bem investigada para auxiliar nos processos de tomada de decisão e na programação das ações de saúde, além de se encontrarem medidas para elevar o controle desta doença.

Do Orofacial Clefts Impair Breastfeeding and Increase the Prevalence of Anemia?

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to correlate the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and breastfeeding with orofacial clefts in children. DESIGN: Data on the participant profile, presence and type of the cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P), and records on anemia and breastfeeding were collected from patients' charts, and submitted to statistical analysis by χ2 test (p < .05; software SPSS 23.0). RESULTS: Two-hundred and ten files were divided according to: CL/P presence (cleft group; n = 132) or absence (control group; n = 78). Group CL/P was subdivided according to the type of cleft: CL/P-I (cleft lip; n = 35); CL/P-II (cleft lip and palate; n = 45); CL/P-III (cleft palate; n = 43); and CL/P-IV (rare orofacial clefts; n = 9). Group CL/P had significantly more records on anemia (p = .016) and fewer records on breastfeeding (P<.01) than controls. More records on anemia occurred in CL/P-II (p = .004) and CL/P-IV (p = .006) than the control group. The comparison among the orofacial cleft types regarding the anemia records showed no statistically significant differences (p = .123). Group CL/P-I had more records on breastfeeding than the other cleft types (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, it is suggested that the breastfeeding process is more complex, and the history of anemia is more frequent, in children with cleft lip and palate or rare orofacial clefts than in children without clefts.

The continuous increase in the number of systemic lupus erythematosus cases in Brazil in the COVID-19 era

Abstract This study aims to reevaluate and compare the data from the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) on the number of diagnoses of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the pre-pandemic period with those in the pandemic period, as well as to compare the first year (2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil with the last year (2021), to update the data, and to verify whether SLE disease control measures were effective in 2021. There was a consistent and significant increase in the incidence of SLE cases all over Brazil between the first and second pandemic years and between the pre-pandemic triennium and the second pandemic year. Therefore, it is inescapable to have larger clinical studies with different populations to better understand the relationship between these two conditions and find measures to improve the control of this disease.

Midias sociais para atração de pacientes em clínicas odontológicas privadas durante pandemia de Covid 19 / Social media for attracting patients in private dental clinics during the Covid 19 pandemic

Verificar a rotina dos cirurgiões-dentistas (CD) e a utilização das mídias sociais, como meio de divulgação profissional e de atração de pacientes em clínicas odontológicas privadas, durante a pandemia de Covid-19. Este estudo transversal qualitativo inclui questionários respondidos por CD atuantes em clínicas privadas na região sudeste do Brasil. Um questionário virtual, elaborado através da plataforma Google Forms, abordou informações sobre o perfil dos profissionais e os aspectos dos métodos publicitários e mídias sociais utilizados para o alcance de pacientes durante o período de pandemia de Covid-19. Os dados obtidos foram tabulados e submetidos à análise estatística descritiva (%). No total, 102 CD participaram do estudo, sendo que 96 questionários seguiram os critérios de inclusão para a análise dos dados. A divulgação social como meio de exposição profissional foi uma ação realizada por 75 (78,13%) CD da amostra. Considerando esses profissionais, 74 (98,67%) utilizam redes sociais e domínios virtuais para tal finalidade, sendo que 71 (95,95%) CD usufruem do Instagram. Grande parte dos participantes (71,62%) relatou não possuir assessoria de marketing especializada para fazer publicações de conteúdo profissional nas redes sociais, embora a maioria publique este tipo de conteúdo mais de uma vez por semana (58,11%). Uma grande parcela dos participantes do estudo (67,71%) notou que a pandemia de Covid-19 procovou diminuição na quantidade de pacientes nas clínicas odontológicas. A inclusão de outros equipamentos de proteção individual foi a conduta mais seguida pelos CD (56,25%) para evitar a transmissão da doença neste período. Conclui-se que os CD participantes acreditam que a pandemia de Covid-19 promoveu um impacto negativo na atração de pacientes em clínicas odontológicas privadas na região sudeste brasileira, ainda que a maioria destes profissionais tenham incluído outros equipamentos de proteção individual como medida de segurança e utilizem frequentemente redes sociais para divulgação de conteúdo profissional, tendo o Instagram como a principal mídia social. No entanto, a assessoria de marketing especializada em publicações de conteúdo profissional nas redes sociais ainda é um recurso pouco utilizado no meio odontológico(AU)

To verify the routine of Dental Surgeons (DS) and the use of social media as a means of professional dissemination and patient attraction in private dental clinics during the Covid-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional qualitative study included questionnaires answered by Dental Surgeons working in private clinics in the southeastern region of Brazil. A virtual questionnaire, which was developed through the Google Forms platform, addressed information about the profile of professionals and aspects of advertising methods and social media used to reach patients during the Covid-19 pandemic period. The data were tabulated and submitted to descriptive statistical analysis (%). A total of 102 Dental Surgeons participated in the study, with 96 questionnaires meeting the inclusion criteria for data analysis. Social disclosure as a means of professional exposure was an action performed by 75 (78.13%) Dental Surgeons of the survey. Considering these professionals, 74 (98.67%) use social networks and virtual domains for this purpose and 71 (95.95%) Dental Surgeons use Instagram. A large portion of the participants (71.62%) reported not having a specialized marketing consultancy to make professional contente publications on social media, although most publish this type of content more than once a week (58.11%). A large portion of study participants (67.71%) noted that the Covid-19 pandemic caused a decrease in the amount of patients in the dental clinics. The inclusion of other personal protective equipment was the conduct most followed by the Dental Surgeons (56.25%) to avoid the transmission of the disease in this period. It can be concluded that the participating Dental Surgeons believe that the Covid-19 pandemic promoted a negative impact on attracting patients in private dental clinics in the southeastern region of Brazil, in spite of most of these professionals have included other personal protective equipment as safety measure and frequently use social networks for dissemination of professional content, with Instagram as main social media. However, a marketing consultancy specialized in publishing professional content on social networks is still a resource which is little used in the dental environment(AU)

Genomic epidemiology of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Brazil

The high numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Brazil have made Latin America an epicentre of the pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 established sustained transmission in Brazil early in the pandemic, but important gaps remain in our understanding of virus transmission dynamics at a national scale. We use 17,135 near-complete genomes sampled from 27 Brazilian states and bordering country Paraguay. From March to November 2020, we detected co-circulation of multiple viral lineages that were linked to multiple importations (predominantly from Europe). After November 2020, we detected large, local transmission clusters within the country. In the absence of effective restriction measures, the epidemic progressed, and in January 2021 there was emergence and onward spread, both within and abroad, of variants of concern and variants under monitoring, including Gamma (P.1) and Zeta (P.2). We also characterized a genomic overview of the epidemic in Paraguay and detected evidence of importation of SARS-CoV-2 ancestor lineages and variants of concern from Brazil. Our findings show that genomic surveillance in Brazil enabled assessment of the real-time spread of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

COVID-19 Pandemic Causes Increased Clinic Visits with Diagnosis of Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in Brazil in 2020.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) protocols has reduced primary and secondary health care for other diseases, such as leishmaniasis, a parasitic, endemic, chronic and persistent disease in Brazil. To ascertain this, we compared the number of leishmaniasis cases diagnosed before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In 5 regions of Brazil, there was an increase in the mean number of leishmaniasis clinic visits from 2020 pandemic period (over 57%) compared with 2017-2019 years. Interestingly, this increase was due to tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) while visceral leishmaniasis consultations decreased considerably. The increase in clinic visits with a diagnosis of TL in all regions of Brazil during the pandemic period in 2020, shows that the epidemiological surveillance of neglected tropical diseases cannot slowdown in the country. Expanding information can minimize the negative impacts of COVID-19 on health promotion, prevention and monitoring of the most prevalent neglected diseases.