Association between adolescents who are victims of bullying and weapon possession.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the association between victims of bullying and weapon possession among school adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out with 2,296 high school students aged 14-19 years. An instrument containing questions from the validated Youth Risk Behavior Survey questionnaire and the National School Health Survey was used. To describe the profile of interviewees, absolute and relative frequencies were calculated, and the chi-square test was applied to verify the existence of associations. To test the association of bullying with weapon possession, Poisson logistic regression (univariate and multivariate) was used. The significance level used for all analyses was 5%. RESULTS: Among adolescents interviewed, 23.1% reported being victims of bullying. Among victims of bullying, 37.6% (PR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.30 - 2.17) reported having already carried some type of weapon (knife, revolver, or truncheon) in the last 30 days, while the reported firearm possession was 38% (PR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.16 - 2.40) and 47.5% of these adolescents carried some type of weapon (knife, revolver or truncheon) in the school environment (PR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.50 - 2.93). CONCLUSIONS: It could be observed that adolescents who are victims of bullying are twice as likely of carrying some type of weapon (knife, revolver, or truncheon) to the school environment, and are also more likely of carrying a firearm.

Effectiveness of a smartphone application on dental anxiety in adolescents: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Dental anxiety is a common issue among adolescents. Despite the use of smartphones being an important part of their daily lives, only a few digital-based interventions for dental anxiety have been tested in randomized controlled trials (RCT). AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate a new smartphone application (App) named FALE, which was designed to demonstrate interest from the dentist to adolescent and to reduce dental anxiety. DESIGN: This is a RCT in which 184 adolescents aged 10-19 years were randomly allocated into the intervention group (IG) or the control group (CG). The intervention was applied in the waiting room before the consultation at a dental clinic. The IG answered the FALE, which contained 14 questions-of which the first and last questions addressed anxiety, whereas the CG answered the question about anxiety twice with an interval between them. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the distribution of anxiety rating frequencies before and after the intervention period in both groups. For the IG, there was a reduction in anxiety after the intervention of 16.29%, and, in the CG, a reduction of 2.2% (p < .001). CONCLUSION: The FALE App effectively reduced dental anxiety before the appointment.

Cost-effectiveness and Acceptance in Children and Parents of the Hall Technique: Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.

AIMS: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and acceptance of children and their parents of the Hall technique (HT) for dental rehabilitation in pediatric dentistry. BACKGROUND: The approach of the HT is that of minimally invasive treatment of the dental element and is used exclusively on primary molars. Various studies in the literature point to HT as a restorative option well accepted by children and parents and quite predictable, with low retreatment rates and good cost-effectiveness for the management of primary molars with carious lesions. However, no systematic review in the literature has approached randomized clinical trials on these topics to produce a high level of evidence and help establish clinical HT protocols. REVIEW RESULTS: Eight articles were selected for the systematic review. The HT was more cost-effective than procedures using other restorative materials. Regarding acceptance, in terms of esthetics, high percentages of satisfaction were reported for parents and children, with a divergence between studies in the comparison of esthetic preference with atraumatic restorative treatment. However, when considering crown cementation pain, comfort, anxiety, preference, and satisfaction, the HT was generally better evaluated when compared to other restorative materials. CONCLUSION: The HT is an excellent restorative option when considering cost-effectiveness and acceptance and is recommended for use in daily clinical practice. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Results indicate that HT is superior to other restorative materials regarding its acceptance by children and parents in terms of pain, comfort, anxiety, and crown preference and satisfaction. There were also high percentages of satisfaction with esthetics. Hall technique may initially appear expensive for dentists, but its effectiveness over time and the lesser need for consultations and reinventions ensure better cost-benefit than other restorative materials. How to cite this article: Valentim FB, Moreira KMS, Carneiro VC, et al. Cost-effectiveness and Acceptance in Children and Parents of the Hall Technique: Systematic Review of Clinical Trials. J Contemp Dent Pract 2023;24(12):1016-1025.

Association between adolescents who are victims of bullying and weapon possession

Abstract Objective To verify the association between victims of bullying and weapon possession among school adolescents. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out with 2,296 high school students aged 14-19 years. An instrument containing questions from the validated Youth Risk Behavior Survey questionnaire and the National School Health Survey was used. To describe the profile of interviewees, absolute and relative frequencies were calculated, and the chi-square test was applied to verify the existence of associations. To test the association of bullying with weapon possession, Poisson logistic regression (univariate and multivariate) was used. The significance level used for all analyses was 5%. Results Among adolescents interviewed, 23.1% reported being victims of bullying. Among victims of bullying, 37.6% (PR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.30 - 2.17) reported having already carried some type of weapon (knife, revolver, or truncheon) in the last 30 days, while the reported firearm possession was 38% (PR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.16 - 2.40) and 47.5% of these adolescents carried some type of weapon (knife, revolver or truncheon) in the school environment (PR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.50 - 2.93). Conclusions It could be observed that adolescents who are victims of bullying are twice as likely of carrying some type of weapon (knife, revolver, or truncheon) to the school environment, and are also more likely of carrying a firearm.

Fatores da desigualdade social e a sua associação com a gravidez na adolescência: uma revisão integrativa / Factors of social inequality and their association with teenage pregnancy: an integrative review

Objetiva-se identificar quais fatores da desigualdade social estão associados à gravidez na adolescência. Como método, utilizou-se a revisão integrativa da literatura e a busca dos artigos foi realizada entre junho/2021 e abril/2022 nos bancos de dados Pubmed via Medline, Scopus e Embase. A amostra final totalizou 28 artigos e verificou-se que os fatores de proteção associados à gravidez na adolescência foram a renda familiar mais elevada e a maior escolaridade do adolescente e dos pais. Como fatores de risco, destacaram-se o consumo de álcool, tabaco e outras drogas, a atividade sexual precoce e o perfil socioeconômico e demográfico. Investimentos em setores como o da educação contribuiriam para a redução das taxas de gravidez precoce porque a escola estimula a criação de projetos de vida e incentiva comportamentos mais adequados. O conhecimento acerca dos fatores da desigualdade social que aumentam o risco da gravidez precoce podem auxiliar a formulação de políticas públicas que diminuam as desigualdades em saúde.

The objective was to identify which factors of social inequality are associated with teenage pregnancy. As a method, an integrative literature review was used by searching for articles between June/2021 and April/2022 on the Pubmed databases via Medline, Scopus, and Embase. The final sample consisted of 28 articles, and we found that the protective factors associated with teenage pregnancy were: higher family income, higher schooling of the adolescent and parents; as risk factors, the following stood out: the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, early sexual activity, and socioeconomic and demographic profile. Investments in sectors such as education would contribute to reducing early pregnancy rates because school encourages the creation of life projects and more appropriate behaviors. Knowledge about the factors of social inequality that increase the risk of early pregnancy contributes to creating public policies that reduce health inequalities.

Is Binge Drinking Associated with Suicidal Behaviors among Brazilian Adolescents?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between suicidal behaviors and binge drinking among Brazilian adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 2,476 students 14 to 19 years of age from 26 public high schools in the city of Olinda, Brazil. Data collection occurred between March and June 2018 through the self-administered Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Descriptive analysis and Poisson regression (p < 0.05, 95%CI) were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of suicidal ideation, planning and attempt in the previous 12 months was 23.7%, 17.4% and 13.5%, respectively. Suicidal ideation was associated with binge drinking one to two days (PR:1.053, 95%CI:1.011-1.096) and ≥ three days in the previous 30 days (PR:1.069, 95%CI:1.016-1.125), sadness/hopelessness in the previous 12 months (PR:1.313, 95%CI:1.267-1.360), a report of family physical aggression in the previous 12 months (PR:1.111, 95%CI:1.068-1.155), the female sex (PR:1.082, 95%CI:1.049-1.115) and a non-nuclear family (PR:1.037, 95%CI:1.004-1.071). Suicidal planning was associated with sadness/hopelessness in the previous 12 months (PR:1.257, 95%CI:1.214-1.302), report of family physical aggression in the previous 12 months (PR:1.110, 95%CI:1.065-1.156) and the female sex (PR:1.072, 95%CI:1.041-1.104). Suicide attempt was associated with binge drinking ≥ three days in the previous 30 days (PR:1.062, 95%CI:1.008-1.119), sadness/hopelessness in the previous 12 months (PR:1.202, 95%CI:1.161-1.244), report of family physical aggression in the previous 12 months (PR:1.105, 95%CI:1.060-1.153) and the female sex (PR:1.064, 95%CI:1.034-1.095). The Catholic (PR:0.938, 95%CI:0.899-0.979; PR:0.925, 95%CI:0.888-0.9865; PR:0.937, 95%CI:0.899-0.977) and Evangelical (PR:0.956, 95%CI:0.922-0.992; PR:0.954, 95%CI:0.919-0.991) religions acted as a possible protective factor against suicidal behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Suicidal ideation and attempt were associated with binge drinking.

Diagnóstico e notificação de casos de violência contra crianças e adolescentes: conhecimento de estudantes de Odontologia / Diagnosis and reporting of cases of violence against children and adolescents: knowledge of dental students

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o conhecimento de estudantes de Odontologia acerca do diagnóstico e da notificação em casos de violência contra crianças e adolescentes (VCA). Trata-se de um estudo transversal, descritivo e exploratório realizado com os estudantes (n=100) que cursavam oitavoe décimo períodos no semestre 2018.1, dos turnos diurno e noturno do curso de Odontologia do Nordeste brasileiro.Os dados foram coletados por meiodequestionárioautoaplicável, composto por 22 perguntas. Os dados foram tabulados e analisadossegundo estatística descritiva e teste de associação entre as variáveis, considerando p-valor <0,05 como significância estatística. A importância do tema foi reconhecida pela quase totalidade dos estudantes(99,0%), no entanto,menos da metade (45,0%) considerou que as informações recebidas na graduação foram suficientes. Destaca-se, porém, que os estudantes demonstraram conhecimento razoável do assunto,com percentual de acertos de 75,27%. Não houve diferença significativa entre o número de acertos dos alunos do oitavo e décimo períodos. Embora 85,0% dos estudantes afirmaram que a conduta correta em caso suspeito de VCA seja fazer denúncia ao Conselho Tutelar da localidade, menos da metade afirmou conhecer a ficha de notificação específica e apenas 10,0% conheciam que a pena para os profissionais que não notificarem é multa de 3 a 20 salários de referência. Conclui-se que os estudantes apresentaram conhecimento satisfatório no que diz respeito ao diagnóstico de VCA e domínio sobre os meios de denúncia para notificação específica (AU).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of dental students about the diagnosis and notification in cases of violence against children and adolescents (VCA). This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and exploratory study conducted with dental students (n = 100) attending the eighth and tenth periods, between March and June 2018, at an undergraduate dental program in a northeastern Brazilian city. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 22 questions. Data were tabulated and analyzed according to descriptive statistics and association test between variables, considering a p-value <0.05 as statistically significant. The importance of the topic was recognized by almost all students (99.0%); however, less than half (45.0%) considered that the information received during the undergraduate course was sufficient. It is noteworthy that the students demonstrated reasonable knowledge of the subject, with a percentage of correct answers of 75.27%. There was no significant difference regarding the number of correct answers between the eighth-and tenth-period students. Although 85.0% of students said that the correct conduct in case of suspected VCA is to report them to the local Guardianship Council, less than half said they knew the specific notification form and only 10.0% knew that the penalty for professionalswho do not notify these cases is a fine ranging from 3 to 20 minimum wages. It was concluded that the students demonstrated satisfactory knowledge regarding the diagnosis of VCA and knew about the means of reporting these cases (AU).

Demand for health services or professionals among adolescents: a multilevel study. / Procura por serviços ou profissionais de saúde entre adolescentes: um estudo multinível.

This study aimed to analyze the demand for health services or professionals by adolescents with individual determinants and contextual variables (school teaching modality and Social Vulnerability Index). Data were collected from March to June 2018, in state public schools in Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil, through a structured questionnaire with questions from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and the National School Health Survey (PeNSE). Among the 2,454 adolescents, the proportion of those looking for a health service was higher among women; in adolescents whose mothers had a minimum of nine schooling years; in the physically active; and whose parents did not receive a family aid (Bolsa Família). We observed that the contextual variables did not influence the demand for health services among adolescents. In the third model of the multilevel analysis, which analyzed the individual variables, we observed that only females (OR=1,80), having a mother with schooling greater than or equal to 9 years of study (OR=1,30), not receiving Bolsa Família (OR=1,23), and physically active (OR=1,32) were associated with an increased demand for health services or professionals.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a procura por serviços ou profissionais de saúde pelos adolescentes com determinantes individuais e com variáveis contextuais, modalidade de ensino da escola e Índice de Vulnerabilidade Social. Os dados foram coletados no período de março a junho de 2018, em escolas públicas estaduais de Olinda, Pernambuco, através de um questionário estruturado com questões do Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) e da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE). Dentre os 2.454 adolescentes, a proporção daqueles que procuram por um serviço de saúde foi maior: no sexo feminino; em adolescentes cujas as mães tivessem escolaridade mínima de nove anos; naqueles fisicamente ativos; e cujos responsáveis não recebiam Bolsa Família. Observou-se que as variáveis contextuais não influenciaram a procura por serviços de saúde entre os adolescentes. No terceiro modelo da análise multinível, que analisou as variáveis individuais, observou-se que apenas o sexo feminino (OR=1,80), ter mãe com escolaridade maior ou igual a nove anos de estudo (OR=1,30), não receber Bolsa Família (OR=1,23) e ser ativo fisicamente (OR=1,32) foram associados a uma maior procura por serviços ou profissionais de saúde.

Procura por serviços ou profissionais de saúde entre adolescentes: um estudo multinível / Demand for health services or professionals among adolescents: a multilevel study

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a procura por serviços ou profissionais de saúde pelos adolescentes com determinantes individuais e com variáveis contextuais, modalidade de ensino da escola e Índice de Vulnerabilidade Social. Os dados foram coletados no período de março a junho de 2018, em escolas públicas estaduais de Olinda, Pernambuco, através de um questionário estruturado com questões do Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) e da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE). Dentre os 2.454 adolescentes, a proporção daqueles que procuram por um serviço de saúde foi maior: no sexo feminino; em adolescentes cujas as mães tivessem escolaridade mínima de nove anos; naqueles fisicamente ativos; e cujos responsáveis não recebiam Bolsa Família. Observou-se que as variáveis contextuais não influenciaram a procura por serviços de saúde entre os adolescentes. No terceiro modelo da análise multinível, que analisou as variáveis individuais, observou-se que apenas o sexo feminino (OR=1,80), ter mãe com escolaridade maior ou igual a nove anos de estudo (OR=1,30), não receber Bolsa Família (OR=1,23) e ser ativo fisicamente (OR=1,32) foram associados a uma maior procura por serviços ou profissionais de saúde.

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the demand for health services or professionals by adolescents with individual determinants and contextual variables (school teaching modality and Social Vulnerability Index). Data were collected from March to June 2018, in state public schools in Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil, through a structured questionnaire with questions from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and the National School Health Survey (PeNSE). Among the 2,454 adolescents, the proportion of those looking for a health service was higher among women; in adolescents whose mothers had a minimum of nine schooling years; in the physically active; and whose parents did not receive a family aid (Bolsa Família). We observed that the contextual variables did not influence the demand for health services among adolescents. In the third model of the multilevel analysis, which analyzed the individual variables, we observed that only females (OR=1,80), having a mother with schooling greater than or equal to 9 years of study (OR=1,30), not receiving Bolsa Família (OR=1,23), and physically active (OR=1,32) were associated with an increased demand for health services or professionals.

LGB prevalence in schools is associated with unhealthy weight-control behaviors in lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth: a multilevel analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have found that a school climate of more heteronormativity is associated with adverse effects on the mental health of LGB students. Accordingly, our aim was to assess the association between lower LGB prevalence in schools and unhealthy weight-control behaviors among LGB youth. METHODS: A cross-sectional, multilevel study based in public high schools in the city of Olinda, Northeast Brazil. A multilevel logistic regression was performed, including 2500 adolescents enrolled in 27 schools. The contextual variable was the prevalence of LGB youth in each school (as a proxy for heteronormativity in schools), while the outcome was unhealthy weight-control behaviors (fasting, purging, and taking diet pills). We controlled for socioeconomic characteristics (age, sex, receiving a family allowance), obesity, and self-reported happiness. RESULTS: Lower LGB prevalence in schools was associated with higher odds of engaging in unhealthy weight-control behaviors (OR: 1.5, 95%CI: 1.0, 2.2) among all youth, regardless of sexual orientation. No cross-level interactions between school context and individual characteristics were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Lower LGB prevalence in schools was associated with a higher risk of unhealthy weight-control behaviors in youth regardless of sexual orientation, which may reflect either the contextual influence of school climate, or may be due to residual confounding.

Self-reported symptoms of temporomandibular pain and jaw dysfunction in adolescents are associated with exposure to violence.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are multifactorial, and high levels of stress seem to increase symptoms. The association with exposure to violence has not been explored in adolescent populations. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of self-reported symptoms of temporomandibular pain and jaw dysfunction with child physical abuse, intimate partner violence, forced sexual intercourse, and bullying victimisation. METHODS: An epidemiological, cross-sectional, school-based study was conducted in Olinda, northeast Brazil. The sample comprised 2,431 adolescents aged 14-19 years. TMD-related symptoms and exposure to violence were assessed with questions from the 3Q/TMD screener and queries on exposure to different forms of violence. Multilevel logistic regressions were conducted to evaluate how 3Q screen-positive responses are associated with self-reported exposure to violence. RESULTS: Self-reported TMD-related symptoms had a prevalence of 40.5%. Significantly more females than males screened positive to all 3Q/TMD questions (p < .001). Adolescents experiencing intimate partner violence (p = .012) and bullying (p < .001) had significantly higher odds of 3Q positive responses than those who reported no exposure to violence. Significant associations of TMD-related symptoms with forced sexual intercourse (p = .014) and with bullying (p = .007) were observed. CONCLUSION: Adolescents with self-reported symptoms of temporomandibular pain and jaw dysfunction were significantly more often exposed to some type of violence. The number of adolescents reporting TMD-related symptoms increased in a dose-response manner with the number of violence forms the individual had experienced.

Determinants of self-perceived oral health in adolescents: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Self-perceived oral health (SPOH) is a summary of multiple determinants related to oral health and has been suggested for use in clinical practice as a health assessment tool. AIM: To analyse determinants of SPOH among adolescents. DESIGN: In 2018, we selected 1742 participants from eight high schools in Olinda/PE, Brazil, using a multistage stratified cluster sample. The main survey item of SPOH was 'How would you rate your oral health'. Determinants of were queried with a questionnaire and a clinical examination: socio-demographic variables, exposure to family violence, somatic symptoms, and orofacial and general health factors. Pearson's chi-square test and logistic regressions evaluated associations between determinants and SPOH. RESULTS: Very poor SPOH had a prevalence of 8.7%. Nearly half (43.5%) rated their oral health as 'fair'. Very poor SPOH was associated with poor self-perceived general health (OR = 2.60), anterior open bite (OR = 2.24), not cohabiting with one or both parents (OR = 2.40), caries experience (OR = 1.93), dental pain (OR = 1.91), and temporomandibular disorders (OR = 1.77). CONCLUSION: Very poor self-perceived oral health indicates life stress and associates with poor oral conditions. Assessments should be used to explore individual treatment needs and abilities to comply with recommendations.

Translation, Cross-cultural Adaptation and Reliability Analysis of the Survey of Anxiety and Information for Dentists (SAID) among Brazilian Adolescents

ABSTRACT Objective: To translate, perform a cross-cultural adaptation and reliability analysis of the Survey of Anxiety and Information for Dentists (SAID) for use with Brazilian adolescents. Material and Methods: The SAID was translated into Brazilian Portuguese and back-translated to English. An expert committee compared both versions and examined their equivalence. Then, a face validation was performed with 10 adolescents. The SAID was applied in printed format with 25 questions. Participants answered and commented on the questions with a researcher to confirm the understanding and provide suggestions. The suggestions were implemented, and the expert committee approved the final version of the SAID in Brazilian Portuguese. The psychometric properties were tested with 60 adolescents aged 10 to 19 years. Participants answered the Brazilian version of the SAID before their first dental appointment and two weeks later to determine test-retest reliability. Reliability was analyzed by internal consistency analysis (Cronbach's alpha) and test-retest (ICC). Results: The instrument presented excellent reliability according to internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.77) and test-retest coefficients (ICC = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.81-0.93). The Kappa coefficients and the degree of agreement of the dichotomous questions indicated good reproducibility of the new version. Conclusion: The SAID translation, cross-cultural adaptation and reliability analysis were completed successfully. Thus, the Brazilian version of the SAID can be a useful survey tool for dental care of adolescent patients.

The social status associated with dental experience among Brazilian children.

Dentists should be alert not only to clinical variables, but also to socioeconomic, psychological and cultural factors, which have all been associated with the experience of dental caries. The aim of this study of was to assess social status and dental experience among Brazilian children. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1367 male and female children aged six and seven years enrolled at public and private schools in the city of Recife (Brazil) in 2013. The children at tending public schools were socioeconomically less privileged than those attending private schools. Data were collected through interviews and intraoral examinations. Caries experience was high (53.3%) in the overall sample, but less privileged children had larger percentages of decayed teeth and teeth that required extraction (p < 0.001). Children from less privileged social class had a greater chance of having a low (OR = 1.77 [95%CI 1.33 - 2.35]), moderate (OR = 4.41 [95%CI: 3.18 - 6,14]) and high (OR = 9.55 [95%CI 6.01 - 15.16]) caries experience. They also had a greater chance of never visiting a dentist (OR= 2.90 [95% CI 2.25 - 3.74]) and had dental anxiety (OR = 1.70 [95%CI 1.34-2, 16]). Socioeconomic status influences the dental caries experience, the visits to the dentist and the dental anxiety of the children analyzed.

Prevalence of Dental Trauma in 1485 Brazilian Adolescents Aged Between 15 and 19 Years Old and Associated Factors.

PURPOSE: Investigate dental trauma among adolescents aged 15-19 years and associated factors. METHODS: The study was conducted in Recife, Brazil and the sample comprised 1485 adolescents of both sexes. The data was collected by clinical examination and interviews were conducted in-between classes by a single trained assessor. Two questionnaires (AUDIT and ASSIT 2.0) were used to investigate the involvement of adolescents with alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs. The classification proposed by Andreasen was used to identify dental injuries. The sample size was calculated using 95% interval level. Pearson's chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to confirm the association between the variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental injuries was 17.8%. The main causes of trauma were playing with others (20.8%) and falls (25.4%). A statistically significant percentage of adolescents reported using illicit drugs (13.9%), 15.9% used tobacco and 56.8% used alcoholic beverages. However, no statistically significant difference between the consumption of this drugs and dental injuries (p >0.005) was found. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dental trauma in adolescents was high, with no association with drugs use.

School academic climate and oral health (tooth loss) in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Preventing tooth loss depends on oral health maintenance behaviors. This study hypothesized that adolescents with educational aspirations have greater motivation to invest in the future, including maintenance of oral health status. AIM: To analyze the association between a school academic climate of educational aspirations and tooth loss (first permanent molars) among adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed to include 2,500 adolescents (aged 14-19 years) enrolled in public high schools of Olinda located in Northeast Brazil. Multilevel Poisson regression random intercept models were conducted with tooth loss (first permanent molars) as the outcome. The primary cohort of interest was school academic climate, as measured by the proportion of students taking the national high school exams. RESULTS: Tooth loss of the first permanent molars (assessed by clinical exam) was more prevalent in adolescents from more disadvantaged backgrounds (receiving family allowance, low maternal education). However, after controlling for a wide range of individual characteristics, adolescents enrolled in schools with lower academic climate had a higher prevalence of tooth loss (PR 1.42, 95%CI: 1.09,1.85). CONCLUSION: The school academic climate is associated with tooth loss, suggesting that educational aspirations are linked to adolescent oral health maintenance behaviors.

Oral Health Status and Treatment Needs Among Disabled Children in Recife, Brazil.

PURPOSE: The objective of the present study was to investigate oral health status and treatment needs of children with disabilities in Recife, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the six administrative districts of Recife. The sample consisted of 366 children with disabilities and age between 3 and 12 years. The oral health conditions investigated were dental caries (CPOD index and dmft index), gingival state (IPV and IGC index) and dental trauma. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Poisson regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence of caries was 65% and was associated with age (p = 0.0027) and area of residence (p = 0.020). The prevalence of need for treatment was also 65%. The mean decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT)/DMFT index of the study population was 3.17/1.73. Their mean number of DMFT was 2.37, 0.55 and 0.25 for the deciduous dentition, as well as 1.56, 0.05 and 0.12 for the permanent dentition. Almost the entire sample (96.7%) had visible plaque, 77.3% had gingival bleeding and 27.6% had dental traumatism. CONCLUSION: Children with disabilities were found to have high rates of caries and gingivitis, as well as cumulative needs for preventive and curative treatment.

Association between cigarette use and adolescents' behavior.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of cigarette use among adolescents and to identify associated health risk behaviors. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with a representative sample, composed of 1059 adolescents between 13 and 19 years old, enrolled in primary and secondary public schools of Olinda, Pernambuco, in 2014. Information was obtained through self-administered questionnaires (validated version of YRBS 2007). Cigarette experimentation was defined as smoking at least once in life. Adolescents who smoked at least one day within 30 days prior to the survey were considered current smokers. Most students were female and 16 years old or older. RESULTS: Almost 30% used it in life and about 10% smoked within the 30 days before the survey. Suicidal ideation (PR = 1.51, 95%CI 1.25-1.82), alcohol use (PR = 1.41, 95%CI 1.03-1.92), marijuana (PR = 1.64, 95%CI 1.37-1.96), excessive alcohol consumption (PR = 1.57, 95%CI 1.15-2.16) and sexual experience (PR = 1.78, 95%CI 1.43-2.21) have increased the risk of using cigarettes. Feelings of sadness (PR = 1.70, 95%CI 1.22-2.36), alcohol use (PR=2.40, 95%CI 1.12-5.12), excessive alcohol consumption (PR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.24-5.38), marijuana (PR = 2.31, 95%CI.57-3.39) and cocaine (PR = 1.99, 95%CI.32-3.01) increased the risk of cigarette use within the 30 days before the survey. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette use among adolescents from Olinda was high, being considered higher than the national prevalence. Possible factors associated with cigarette use were drug use (alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine) and behaviors related to sexual experience, feelings of sadness and suicidal ideation.

Reciprocal longitudinal relationship between dental fear and oral health in schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: No longitudinal study has evaluated the mutual relationship between dental fear and oral health in the same investigation. AIM: To evaluate the reciprocal longitudinal relationship between dental fear and oral health in schoolchildren. DESIGN: This longitudinal study monitored 416 Brazilian children aged 5-7 years of age at baseline for 2 years. The decayed, filled and missing teeth were clinically assessed for each child. Dental fear was evaluated by Dental Anxiety Question. Multilevel mixed-effects linear and logistic regressions analysed the reciprocal relationship between dental fear and oral health. RESULTS: Children with caries experience had 1.8 times higher odds of dental fear compared to children who were caries free. The presence of a carious tooth increased the odds of dental fear by 1.2 times. Children with dental fear had 0.46 additional carious tooth; an additional 0.22 tooth indicated for extraction; and a 0.67 higher caries experience score compared to children without dental fear. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a reciprocal relationship between dental fear and poor oral health. Both parents and dentists should provide realistic information for the children, discouraging biased negative expectations regarding dental treatment. Ultimately, the child would acquire positive perceptions of the dental environment, reducing their phobia and consequently improving oral health.

Association between cigarette use and adolescents' behavior

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of cigarette use among adolescents and to identify associated health risk behaviors. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study with a representative sample, composed of 1059 adolescents between 13 and 19 years old, enrolled in primary and secondary public schools of Olinda, Pernambuco, in 2014. Information was obtained through self-administered questionnaires (validated version of YRBS 2007). Cigarette experimentation was defined as smoking at least once in life. Adolescents who smoked at least one day within 30 days prior to the survey were considered current smokers. Most students were female and 16 years old or older. RESULTS Almost 30% used it in life and about 10% smoked within the 30 days before the survey. Suicidal ideation (PR = 1.51, 95%CI 1.25-1.82), alcohol use (PR = 1.41, 95%CI 1.03-1.92), marijuana (PR = 1.64, 95%CI 1.37-1.96), excessive alcohol consumption (PR = 1.57, 95%CI 1.15-2.16) and sexual experience (PR = 1.78, 95%CI 1.43-2.21) have increased the risk of using cigarettes. Feelings of sadness (PR = 1.70, 95%CI 1.22-2.36), alcohol use (PR=2.40, 95%CI 1.12-5.12), excessive alcohol consumption (PR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.24-5.38), marijuana (PR = 2.31, 95%CI.57-3.39) and cocaine (PR = 1.99, 95%CI.32-3.01) increased the risk of cigarette use within the 30 days before the survey. CONCLUSIONS Cigarette use among adolescents from Olinda was high, being considered higher than the national prevalence. Possible factors associated with cigarette use were drug use (alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine) and behaviors related to sexual experience, feelings of sadness and suicidal ideation.