Mechanical stress distribution over the palate by different pacifiers assessed by finite element analysis and clinical data.

The mechanical behavior of each type of pacifier on rigid structures and their various impacts on orofacial growth have yet to be discovered. The study aimed to evaluate the stress distribution over a child's palate by three types of pacifiers using finite element analysis and clinical and laboratory data. Modulus of elasticity was obtained from 30 specimens comprising 10 of each conventional (A), orthodontic (B), and breast-shaped (C) pacifiers. Tongue strength was assessed in eight 3-year-old children (kPa). A hemi-maxilla model was obtained from 2- to 3-year-old skull tomography, and the images of pacifiers A, B, and C were captured using 3D scanning. The Hypermesh® program generated a mesh of 6-node tetrahedral elements for applying forces in the X, Y, and Z directions to enable a nonlinear analysis. Pacifier B exhibited the highest values for distributed stress on the palate, followed by pacifier A. Pacifier B stimulated the maxilla forward and sideways. In contrast, pacifier A promoted a forward and upward load, favoring a more atresic palate. Pacifiers A and B tended to rotate in the sagittal plane, generating tensions in the anterior incisors and favoring the open bite. Pacifier C exhibited lateral expansion by stress induction over the mid-palatal suture with less influence on incisor inclination. Pacifiers showed different detrimental stress distributions on the palate. This information can be helpful for improving recommendations given to parents.

Effect of educational strategy combined with ART on oral health-related quality of life: a controlled clinical trial.

This study aimed to assess whether complementing atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) with oral health educational strategies (OHES) improves the perception of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and clinical oral outcomes. A controlled clinical trial included 93 six- to eight-year-old students from five public schools of Piracicaba, Saltinho, and Charqueada municipalities (State of São Paulo, Brazil) divided into 3 groups (31 children each) which received: OHES (caries-free), ART (dental caries), and ART plus OHES (dental caries). OHRQoL (CPQ8-10-ISF:16), dental caries, biofilm control, and gingivitis were assessed before and 1 month after interventions by one calibrated examiner. OHES consisted of an educational interactive activity performed once a week for four weeks. Data were analyzed using mixed model ANOVA, Chi-square, and Sign tests. After 1 month of follow-up, improvement in gingivitis status, OHRQoL total score, and Functional Limitations, Emotional Well-Being and Social Well-Being domains scores were found in all groups (p < 0.05). The improvement in biofilm control was observed only in the OHES group (p < 0.001; power = 0.98), while a decrease in Oral Symptoms scores was observed only in ART+OHES group (p <0.001; power = 0.99) and a significant change in the perception of oral health was observed in the two groups that received ART (p < 0.05). In conclusion, improvement in overall OHRQoL and oral status was observed in all children, although the effect of including health educational strategies in the treatment plan was determinant for the perception of an improved oral health after restorative treatment.

Translation, Transcultural Adaptation and Validation of the Halitosis Associated Life-Quality Test for Use in Brazilian Adolescents

Objective: To perform the transcultural adaptation to Brazil and validation of the Halitosis Associated Life-quality Test (HALT) for use in adolescents. Material and Methods: Students aged 12 to 15 years, of both sexes, with healthy permanent dentition, attending public schools in Piracicaba, Brazil, were selected for this study. The HALT was translated, backtranslated, reviewed by an expert committee and submitted to a pre-test. In the first phase (n = 13), 15% of the sample did not understand items 2, 12 and 15; therefore, these items were reformulated and resubmitted to 13 adolescents. The version with a sociocultural adaptation was self-applied by 56 adolescents (64% females, 13.4 ± 1.0 years), of whom 25 participated in the test-retest. The presence of visible biofilm, gingival bleeding, calculus and tongue coating, was evaluated. Selfperception of halitosis after exhalation/breathing was assessed by a single question. Results: The HALT score ranged from 0 to 62 points (mean = 10.1±13.4) and the floor effect was 5.4%. Internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92) and reproducibility was moderate (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient = 0.59). Individuals with "excessive" tongue coating had a higher HALT score than those with mild and/or moderate coating (p<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that only the male sex was related to a higher HALT score (p<0.05). Conclusion: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the HALT was easily understood by adolescents. Those with greater tongue coating accumulation reported more frequently the presence of halitosis, which was only associated to male sex.