Deficiency in infiltration of CD8/CD3 positive lymphocytes and macrophages plays a role in lip carcinogenesis: an immunohistochemical study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immunoexpression profile for CD8, CD3, CD20 and CD68 in the process and carcinogenesis of Carcinoma of the vermilion lip. METHODS: Average cell count with positive expression for CD3, CD8, CD20 and CD68. The CD8/CD3 ratio calculated in the region was based on the percentage of positive cells in a total of malignant cells. Kruska-Wallis/Dunn, Mann-Whitney and Spearman correlation tests (SPSS, p < 0.05) were used. RESULTS: In the Aquitic Cheilitis samples, there was an increase in intraepithelial CD8+ and CD68+. In LSCCs, there was an increase in peritumoral and intratumoral CD3+, CD8+, CD20+ and CD68+ cells. In peritumoral LSCC, CD3+ and CD8+ showed a direct correlation (p = 0.004), and CD68+ and CD8+ (p = 0.017). In the intraepithelial region, CD8+ correlated with CD20+ (p = 0.014) and CD68+ (p = 0.013). In the CAs, CD3 (p < 0.001) and CD8 (p = 0.025) correlated intraepithelial and subepithelial. In LSCC CD3+ (p = 0.002), CD8+ (p = 0.001) and CD68+ (p = 0.030) had intra and peritumoral correlation. CONCLUSION: CD68+ is the first interacting cell with the greatest capacity to migrate to the tumor and interact with CD3, CD8 and CD20. Apparently, CD20 affects perineural invasion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2.

Photobiomodulation therapy in the treatment of radiotherapy-related trismus of the head and neck.

This study evaluated photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for treatment of trismus in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC). Sixteen patients, 10 men and 6 women, who had a mouth opening < 35 mm and underwent RT were included. The patients were evaluated daily before and after the PBMT application, measuring mouth opening and performing pain scores for the masticatory muscles using the visual analog scale (VAS). We used the infrared laser (~ 808 nm) extraorally, 0.1 W power, 3 J energy, 30 s (107 J/cm2) per point, applied to temporalis anterior, masseter muscles, and temporomandibular joints (TMJ). An intraoral point was made in the trigonoretromolar region towards the medial pterygoid muscle. The mean mouth opening of the patients increased by more than 7 mm throughout the treatment. The pain scores on the initial days showed an immediate reduction after PBMT on the ipsilateral side in the muscles and TMJ. Throughout PBMT applications, there was a significant reduction in pain scores in all muscles and the TMJ. The radiation dose of all patients was above 40 Gy, which is the threshold dose for the risk of developing trismus. SPSS software was used and adopted a confidence of 95%. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, Wilcoxon test, and Spearman correlation were performed. PBMT controls muscular pain and reduced mouth opening limitation in HNC during radiotherapy. Further studies are needed to evaluate the preventive capacity of PBMT protocols for RT trismus-related HNC.

Interleukin-17 plays a role in dental pulp inflammation mediated by zoledronic acid: a mechanism unrelated to the Th17 immune response?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of RORγT inhibition by digoxin on inflammatory changes related to interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the pulp of rats treated with zoledronate (ZOL). METHODOLOGY: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into a negative control group (NCG) treated with saline solution, a positive control group (PCG) treated with ZOL (0.20 mg/kg), and three groups treated with ZOL and co-treated with digoxin 1, 2, or 4 mg/kg (DG1, 2, and 4). After four intravenous administrations of ZOL or saline solution in a 70-day protocol, the right molars were evaluated by histomorphometry (number of blood vessels, blood vessels/µm2, cells/µm2, total blood vessel area, and average blood vessel area) and immunohistochemistry (IL-17, TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-ß). The Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: PCG showed an increase in total blood vessel area (p=0.008) and average blood vessel area (p=0.014), and digoxin treatment reversed these changes. DG4 showed a reduction in blood vessels/µm2 (p<0.001). In PCG odontoblasts, there was an increase in IL-17 (p=0.002) and TNF-α (p=0.002) immunostaining, and in DG4, these changes were reversed. Odontoblasts in the digoxin-treated groups also showed an increase in IL-6 immunostaining (p<0.001) and a reduction in TGF-ß immunostaining (p=0.002), and all ZOL-treated groups showed an increase in IL-17 (p=0.011) and TNF-α (p=0.017) in non-odontoblasts cells. CONCLUSION: ZOL induces TNF-α- and IL-17-dependent vasodilation and ectasia, and the classical Th17 response activation pathway does not seem to participate in this process.

Oral hygiene protocols reduce the severity and incidence of oral mucositis during antineoplastic treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and non-randomized clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review was to determine whether oral and dental hygiene protocols (DHPs) reduce the incidence and severity of oral mucositis (OM) during antineoplastic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This PROSPERO-registered systematic review (CRD42021295322) was based on searches of publicly accessible databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, EBSCOhost, LIVIVO, Embase, and gray literature (Google Scholar, ProQuest, and Energy) until December 2021. Twenty-five articles from these searches and 14 articles retrieved from the references therein were evaluated in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using RoB-2 and ROBINS-I for randomized (RCT) and non-randomized (n-RCT) clinical trials, respectively. A meta-analysis was performed on RCTs and n-RCTs in two subgroups to evaluate oral mouth rinses or DHP. GRADE-pro was used to assess the degree of certainty of the evidence. RESULTS: Of the 3367 articles retrieved, 25 RCTs and 14 n-RCTs involving 2109 and 754 patients, respectively, were included in the analyses. RoB was low for RCTs and moderate-to-very severe for n-RCTs. High heterogeneity and publication RoB were identified. In RCTs, mouth rinses (p = 0.830) and DHP (p = 0.100) did not reduce the incidence of OM. However, mouth rinses strongly reduced the severity of OM (p < 0.001; Cohen's d = - 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] = - 2.49 to - 1.24). In non-RCTs, mouth rinses (p < 0.001) and DHP (p < 0.001) reduced the relative risk of OM 0.38 (95% CI = 0.24 to 0.59) and 0.64 (95% CI = 0.53 to 0.70) times, respectively. In addition, DHP strongly reduced OM severity (Cohen's d = - 0.81, 95% CI = - 1.03 to - 0.59). GRADE-pro showed high certainty of OM severity and incidence in RCTs and non-RCTs, respectively, and low (OM incidence in RCTs) to very low (OM severity in non-RCTs) certainty in other outcomes. CONCLUSION: DHPs strongly reduce the severity and moderately reduce the incidence of OM. However, further studies with low heterogeneity are needed to validate these findings.

Interleukin-17 plays a role in dental pulp inflammation mediated by zoledronic acid: a mechanism unrelated to the Th17 immune response?

Abstract Objective To evaluate the influence of RORγT inhibition by digoxin on inflammatory changes related to interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the pulp of rats treated with zoledronate (ZOL). Methodology Forty male Wistar rats were divided into a negative control group (NCG) treated with saline solution, a positive control group (PCG) treated with ZOL (0.20 mg/kg), and three groups treated with ZOL and co-treated with digoxin 1, 2, or 4 mg/kg (DG1, 2, and 4). After four intravenous administrations of ZOL or saline solution in a 70-day protocol, the right molars were evaluated by histomorphometry (number of blood vessels, blood vessels/µm2, cells/µm2, total blood vessel area, and average blood vessel area) and immunohistochemistry (IL-17, TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-β). The Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn test was used for statistical analysis. Results PCG showed an increase in total blood vessel area (p=0.008) and average blood vessel area (p=0.014), and digoxin treatment reversed these changes. DG4 showed a reduction in blood vessels/µm2 (p<0.001). In PCG odontoblasts, there was an increase in IL-17 (p=0.002) and TNF-α (p=0.002) immunostaining, and in DG4, these changes were reversed. Odontoblasts in the digoxin-treated groups also showed an increase in IL-6 immunostaining (p<0.001) and a reduction in TGF-β immunostaining (p=0.002), and all ZOL-treated groups showed an increase in IL-17 (p=0.011) and TNF-α (p=0.017) in non-odontoblasts cells. Conclusion ZOL induces TNF-α- and IL-17-dependent vasodilation and ectasia, and the classical Th17 response activation pathway does not seem to participate in this process.

Risk factors to port-a-cat damage/removal in patients in antineoplastic chemotherapy: a retrospective observational study / Fatores de risco para danos ou retirada de port-a-cath em pacientes em quimioterapia antineoplásica: Um estudo observacional retrospective

Objective: To identify the prevalence and risk factors for damage or removal of fully implanted long-term catheters from patients undergoing antineoplastic chemotherapy. Methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional study that evaluated medical records of patients undergoing placement of a fully implanted catheter for antineoplastic chemotherapy from January 2015 to December 2019. Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected that were associated with catheter survival using Log-Rank Mantel-Cox and Cox Regression tests (SPSS, p<0.05). Results: Of 58 devices evaluated, most patients were higher educated married females, younger than 60 years old. The most frequent side of catheter implantation was the right side, and the most prevalent implantation site was the internal jugular vein. Less than 1/3 of patients (29.3%) had port-a-cath loss due to complications with a five-year follow-up survival of 35.73±3.76 (95% CI = 28.35-43.11). Two patients (4.7%) needed removal due to device exposure, three (7.0%) due to obstruction, and 12 (27.9%) due to infection. Female patients (p=0.019) and patients with breast tumors (p=0.049) had a shorter mean survival time. The women showed port-a-cath survival 9.25 times (95% CI = 1.35-50.25) shorter in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion: port-a-cath catheter loss is around 30% and being female is a determining risk factor.

Objetivo: Identificar a prevalência e os fatores de risco para danos ou retirada de cateter de longa permanência totalmente implantado em pacientes submetidos à quimioterapia antineoplásica. Metodos: Trata-se de um estudo observacional transversal que avaliou prontuários de pacientes submetidos à colocação de cateter totalmente implantado para quimioterapia antineoplásica, no período de janeiro de 2015 a dezembro de 2019. Foram coletados dados clínicos e sociodemográficos associados à sobrevida do cateter por meio do Log-Rank testes de Mantel-Cox e Regressão de Cox (SPSS, p<0,005). Resultados: Dos 58 dispositivos avaliados, a maioria dos pacientes era mulheres casadas com nivel superior de escolaridade e com idade inferior a 60 anos. O lado mais frequente de implantação do cateter foi o direito, e o local de implantação mais prevalente foi a veia jugular interna. Pouco menos de 1/3 dos pacientes (29,3%) tiveram perda de port-a-cath devido complicações com uma sobrevida de seguimento de cinco anos de 35,73±3.76 (IC 95% = 28.35-43.11). Dois pacientes (4,7%) necessitaram de remoção por exposição do dispositivo, três (7,0%) por obstrução e 12 (27,9%) por infecção. Pacientes do sexo feminino (p=0,0019) e pacientes com tumores de mama (p=0,049) apresentam menor tempo médio de sobrevida. As mulheres apresentaram sobrevida port-a-cath 9,25 vezes (IC 95%=1,35-50,25) menor na análise multivariada. Conclusão: A perda do cateter port-a-cath foi de aproximadamente 30% e ser do sexo feminino foi um fator de risco importante.

Celecoxib in the treatment of orofacial pain and discomfort in rats subjected to a dental occlusal interference model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of a selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor on trigeminal ganglion changes and orofacial discomfort/nociception in rats submitted to an experimental model of dental occlusal interference (DOI). METHODS: Female Wistar rats (180-200 g) were divided into five groups: a sham group (without DOI) (n=15); and four experimental groups with DOI treated daily with 0.1 mL/kg saline (DOI+SAL), 8, 16, or 32 mg/kg celecoxib (DOI+cel -8, -16, -32) (n=30/group). The animals were euthanized after one, three, and seven days. The bilateral trigeminal ganglia were analyzed histomorphometrically (neuron cell body area) and immunohistochemically (COX-2, nuclear factor-kappa B [NFkB], and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-y [PPARy]). A bilateral nociception assay of the masseter muscle was performed. The number of bites/scratches, weight, and grimace scale scores were determined daily. One-way/two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)/Bonferroni post hoc tests were used (P < .05, GraphPad Prism 5.0). RESULTS: DOI+SAL showed a reduction in neuron cell body area bilaterally, whereas DOI+cel-32 exhibited a significative increase in neuron cell body area compared with DOI+SAL group (P < 0.05). The ipsilateral (P=0.007 and P=0.039) and contralateral (P < 0.001 and P=0.005) overexpression of COX-2 and NFkB and downregulation of PPARy (P=0.016 and P < 0.001) occurred in DOI+SAL, but DOI+cel-32 reverted this alteration. DOI+SAL showed increase in isplateral (P < 0.001) and contralateral (P < 0.001) nociception, an increased number of bites (P=0.010), scratches (P < 0.001), and grimace scores (P=0.032). In the group of DOI+cel-32, these parameters were reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Celecoxib attenuated DOI-induced transitory nociception/orofacial discomfort resulting from trigeminal COX-2 overexpression.

Risk factors for oral mucositis during chemotherapy treatmentfor solid tumors: a retrospective STROBE-guided study

Background: This study retrospectively analyzed the risk factors for transchemotherapy oral mucositis (OM).Material and Methods: Before each chemotherapy cycle, patients were routinely evaluated for the presence/severity of OM based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0 scale for adverse effectsand graded as follows: However, specific conditions such as mucositis are graded on a five-point scale: 0, absenceof mucositis, grade 1 (Asymptomatic or mild), 2 (Presence of pain and moderate ulceration, without interferencewith food intake), 3 (severe pain with interference with food intake) or 4 (Life-threatening with the need for urgentintervention). Information from 2 years of evaluations was collected and patient medical records were reviewed toobtain data on chemotherapy cycle, sex, age, body mass index, body surface area, primary tumor, chemotherapyprotocol, and history of head and neck radiotherapy. The X² test and multinomial logistic regression were used forstatistical analysis (SPSS 20.0, p<0.05).Results: Among 19,000 total evaluations of 3,529 patients during 5.32±4.7 chemotherapy cycles (CT) the prevalence of OM was 6.3% (n=1,195). Chemotherapy duration (p<0.001), female sex (p=0.001), adjuvant intention(p=0.008) and the use of carboplatin (p=0.001), cisplatin (p=0.029), docetaxel (p<0.001) and bevacizumab(p=0.026) independently increased the risk of mucositis. In head and neck tumors, 2018 year (p=0.017), chemotherapy duration (p=0.018), BMI>30 (p=0.008), radiotherapy (p=0.037) and use of carboplatin (p=0.046) andcyclophosphamide (p=0.010) increased this prevalence.Conclusions: Cycles of chemotherapy, sex, cytotoxicity drugs, bevacizumab and head and neck radiotherapy increase the risk of OM in solid tumors. (AU)

Intense orthodontic force induces the three dental pulp nitric oxide synthase isoforms and leads to orofacial discomfort in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms influence during tooth movement with different forces. SETTINGS AND SAMPLE POPULATION: 100 male Wistar rats (n = 10/group) were divided into a Sham group (animals not submitted to device installation nor Induced Toot Movement [ITM]), Negative Control Group (NCG) (animals submitted to device installation but not to ITM) and three experimental groups (F1, F2 and F3) (submitted to ITM with forces of 25, 50 and 100 gF respectively). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A daily count of biting and scratching on the vibrissae and the Grimace scale were applied. After 4 (D4) and 11 (D11) days, the molar diastema was measured, and the animals were euthanized for histological (vascular parameters) and immunohistochemistry (iNOS, eNOS and nNOS) in the dental pulp. RESULTS: On D4, there was significant movement in the F3 group (P = .001) and on D11 in F1, F2 and F3 (P < .001). The number of bites (P < .001) and scratching (P = .006) was higher in F2-F3, and F3 had higher Grimace scores (P < .001) and weight loss (P < .001). At D4, there was an increase in pulp ectasia in F2-F3 (P = .021) and a reduction in the number of vessels in F3 (P = .005). In D4 and D11, there was a significant increase in immunostaining for iNOS and eNOS in F1 (P = .025 and P < .001 respectively) and F2 (P = .007 and P < .001 respectively). At D4, F2 and F3 showed higher immunostaining for nNOS (P = .027). CONCLUSION: Thus, IDM induced inflammatory changes in the dental pulp reflecting in force-dependent pain/suffering signs.

Photobiomodulation therapy prevents dysgeusia chemotherapy induced in breast cancer women treated with doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide: a triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBMT) in preventing dysgeusia in breast cancer patients treated with doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide (AC). METHODS: This is a phase II, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 112 breast cancer patients treated with AC. The patients were divided equally into two groups: a test group treated with 2 J red laser and 3 J infrared laser on 21 points that were symmetrically distributed on the tongue on day 0 of four cycles of AC, and an equal placebo group treated with simulated PBMT to blind the patient, evaluator, and statistician. The clinicopathological and sociodemographic data, results of taste test, and subjective taste analysis, and the QoL, ECOG performance status, body mass index, and other side effects were recorded. The data were analyzed using ANOVA-RM/Bonferroni, Friedman/Dunn, and chi-square/Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: PBMT patients showed less objective and subjective taste loss (p<0.05). On the other hand, the placebo group showed a higher ECOG status (p=0.037) and more significant weight loss (p<0.001) after four cycles of AC. The QoL was significantly higher in the PBMT group (p<0.05) at all assessment periods, and PBMT treatment also reduced the incidence of cachexia (p=0.020), anorexia (p<0.001), diarrhea (p=0.040), oral mucositis (p=0.020), and vomiting (p=0.008). CONCLUSION: PBMT reduced the taste loss and improved the overall health status and QoL of patients with breast cancer treated with AC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry ( www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br ) approval number RBR-9qnm34y, registered on 01/05/2021.

Risk factors for dysgeusia during chemotherapy for solid tumors: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: This study retrospectively analyzed the risk factors for transchemotherapy dysgeusia. METHODS: Before each chemotherapy cycle, patients were routinely evaluated for the presence/severity of dysgeusia based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0 scale for adverse effects and graded as follows: 0, no change in taste; 1, altered taste with no impact on eating habits; or 2, altered taste with an impact on eating habits. Information from 2 years of evaluations was collected and patient medical records were reviewed to obtain data on chemotherapy cycle, sex, age, body mass index, body surface area, primary tumor, chemotherapy protocol, and history of head and neck radiotherapy. The X2 test and multinomial logistic regression were used for statistical analysis (SPSS 20.0, p < 0.05). RESULTS: Among 7425 total patients, 3047, 2447, and 1931 were evaluated after the first, second, and third chemotherapy cycles, respectively. One-fifth of the patients (19.0%) presented a significant loss of taste, with 1118 (15.0%) showing grade 1 dysgeusia and 442 (6.0%) showing grade 2 dysgeusia. The chemotherapy duration (p < 0.001), female sex (p < 0.001), location of the primary tumor in the uterus (p = 0.008), head and neck (p = 0.012), and testicles (p = 0.011), and use of ifosfamide (p = 0.009), docetaxel (p = 0.001), paclitaxel (p < 0.001), pertuzumab (p = 0.005), bevacizumab (p < 0.001), and dacarbazine (p = 0.002) independently increased the risk of dysgeusia. In head and neck tumors, a previous history of radiotherapy significantly increased the prevalence of dysgeusia (p = 0.017), and the use of cisplatin (p = 0.001) increased this prevalence. CONCLUSION: Cycles of chemotherapy, sex, uterine cancer, head and neck tumors, testicular cancer, ifosfamide, docetaxel, paclitaxel, pertuzumab, bevacizumab, and dacarbazine increase the risk of dysgeusia.

Distance education in dentistry in Brazil: a critical STROBE-based analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced dentistry schools (DSs) to adapt their teaching techniques to digital platforms. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate distance classes in the Brazilian DS curriculum. After an online search of higher education institutions (HEIs) with DS on the e-Ministry of Education (MEC) platform, we included institutions with at least one graduated class to extract the age/localization of the DS, funding, number of authorized seats, MEC-grade, ENADE-score, and workload. HEIs' webpages were consulted to identify the curriculum, subjects offered in the distance education (DE) format, extracurricular programs, scientific events, postgraduate programs, and institutional YouTube channels. Chi-square/Fisher's tests plus binary logistic regression were performed (SPSS 20.0, p < 0.05). Of the 241 DSs evaluated, 82 (34.0%) offered distance classes, and a high prevalence was observed in the southeast region (p <0.001) and private HEIs (p = 0.001). HEIs with distance classes had lower ENADE scores (p = 0.004), lower workload (p = 0.007), and higher workload for optional subjects (p = 0.016), doctoral programs (p = 0.041), specialization courses (p = 0.017), and institutional YouTube channels (p < 0.001). Southern dental schools (p < 0.001), lower workload (p = 0.022), optional subjects (p = 0.033), and institutional YouTube channels (p = 0.005) were independently associated with distance classes. In one-third of the Brazilian DSs, distance classes and institutional YouTube channels were strongly associated variables. The association of distance learning with lower workload and low academic performance draws attention to the need for regulatory bodies for controlling the quality of DE.

Association of anxiety, depression, and stress with burning mouth syndrome: a case-control study.

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a painful disorder characterized by severe burning in the oral cavity in the absence of clinical signs. In this case-control study, 60 patients were allocated to 3 groups: patients with BMS, patients with benign changes in the oral cavity (anxiety [positive] control group), or healthy patients (negative control group). A visual analog scale (VAS), Beck Anxiety and Depression inventories, Lipp Stress Symptoms Inventory, Xerostomia Inventory-Dutch Version, and a BMS questionnaire were used. Statistical analyses (P < 0.05) were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis with Dunn post hoc, Pearson chi-square, Fisher exact, and multinomial logistic regression tests. Most of the patients were female. The BMS group had more patients who were older than 60 years (P = 0.008), more patients with high VAS scores (P < 0.001), and more patients with moderate or severe anxiety (P < 0.001) and depression (P < 0.001) than the 2 control groups. Patients in the BMS group also had higher rates of stress during the alarm (P = 0.003), resistance (P < 0.001), and exhaustion phases (P < 0.001). All patients with BMS reported burning and xerostomia, 90% reported a feeling of dry mouth, and 80% reported a change in taste; these values were significantly higher than those in the control groups (P < 0.001). Anxiety was independently associated with a 123.80 times greater risk of having BMS (P = 0.004). Psychological factors are directly associated with BMS, and anxiety is the most important of these factor.

Distance education in dentistry in Brazil: a critical STROBE-based analysis

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has forced dentistry schools (DSs) to adapt their teaching techniques to digital platforms. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate distance classes in the Brazilian DS curriculum. After an online search of higher education institutions (HEIs) with DS on the e-Ministry of Education (MEC) platform, we included institutions with at least one graduated class to extract the age/localization of the DS, funding, number of authorized seats, MEC-grade, ENADE-score, and workload. HEIs' webpages were consulted to identify the curriculum, subjects offered in the distance education (DE) format, extracurricular programs, scientific events, postgraduate programs, and institutional YouTube channels. Chi-square/Fisher's tests plus binary logistic regression were performed (SPSS 20.0, p < 0.05). Of the 241 DSs evaluated, 82 (34.0%) offered distance classes, and a high prevalence was observed in the southeast region (p <0.001) and private HEIs (p = 0.001). HEIs with distance classes had lower ENADE scores (p = 0.004), lower workload (p = 0.007), and higher workload for optional subjects (p = 0.016), doctoral programs (p = 0.041), specialization courses (p = 0.017), and institutional YouTube channels (p < 0.001). Southern dental schools (p < 0.001), lower workload (p = 0.022), optional subjects (p = 0.033), and institutional YouTube channels (p = 0.005) were independently associated with distance classes. In one-third of the Brazilian DSs, distance classes and institutional YouTube channels were strongly associated variables. The association of distance learning with lower workload and low academic performance draws attention to the need for regulatory bodies for controlling the quality of DE.