Evaluation of different teaching methodologies by assessing the performance of dentistry students / Avaliação de diferentes metodologias de aprendizagem aferindo o desempenho de estudantes de odontologia

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the performance of day- and evening-class students in the first semester test of Dental Materials in the School of Dentistry at São José dos Campos - UNESP, who were exposed to traditional lectures (TRAD) and Team-Based Learning (TBL). Material and Methods: The results of Dental Materials first semester test of students, from day and evening classes of 2016 were tabulated and analyzed in this research. The groups formed for the execution of the methodology were randomized using the individual global average of the previous year of the students, and the groups were composed of 6 to 7 members, maintained throughout the course. During the correction of the tests, the subject of each question and the applied methodology (TBL and TRAD) were identified. Responses of each question were graded separately according to the subject for comparison between methodologies. A total of 88 tests were evaluated. The performance was evaluated through a comparison of the average grade of each question, related to a specific learning methodology. The data were submitted to t-test. Results: The students' overall performance was similar when both methodologies were compared. Students from day class presented higher grades with TBL whilst evening class students presented better performance in questions with traditional lectures. Conclusion: Active learning should be further implemented in Brazilian Dental Schools to change students' habits aiming to improve their personal and social skills besides of professional technical knowledge. (AU)

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o desempenho de alunos dos turnos diurno e noturno na prova do primeiro semestre da Disciplina Materiais Dentários da Faculdade de Odontologia de São José dos Campos - UNESP, expostos a aulas tradicionais (TRAD) e Aprendizagem Baseada em Equipe (TBL). Material e Métodos: Os resultados da prova dos alunos, dos turnos diurno e noturno de 2016, foram tabulados e analisados. As turmas utilizadas para a execução da pesquisa foram randomizadas utilizando-se a média global individual do ano anterior dos alunos, sendo as turmas compostas de 6 a 7 integrantes, mantidas ao longo do curso. Durante a correção das provas, foram identificados os assuntos de cada questão e a metodologia aplicada (TRAD e TBL). As respostas de cada questão foram graduadas separadamente de acordo com o assunto para comparação entre as metodologias. Um total de 88 testes foi avaliado. O desempenho dos alunos foi avaliado por meio da comparação da nota média de cada questão, relacionada a uma metodologia específica de aprendizagem. Os dados foram submetidos ao teste t. Resultados: O desempenho geral dos alunos foi semelhante quando comparadas as duas metodologias. Os alunos do período diurno apresentaram notas mais altas no tratamento TBL, enquanto os alunos do período noturno apresentaram melhor desempenho nas questões com aulas expositivas tradicionais. Conclusão: A aprendizagem ativa deve ser mais implementada nos cursos de graduação em Odontologia, no Brasil, para melhorar as habilidades pessoais e sociais dos alunos, além de aperfeiçoar o conhecimento técnico profissional dos discentes (AU).

A Brazilian multicenter pilot case series on the efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy for COVID-19-related taste dysfunction.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Among the most common symptoms of COVID-19 is taste dysfunction, which has a ranging clinical presentation. As well as its pathophysiology remains to be unclear, there is not enough information about the efficacy and safety of the available treatments. This study aims to report a series of cases using PBMT for the management of COVID-19-related taste impairment. CASE SERIES: 8 female and 2 male patients sought medical help for taste impairment (either partially or completely) after COVID-19 infection. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on the tongue mucosa was then proposed but with 3 different protocols. Taste perception at baseline and before every laser session was evaluated using a visual analog scale. Irrespective of the PBMT protocol, taste recovery was noted in all cases but with varying degrees of improvement. CONCLUSION: given the high prevalence rates of taste dysfunction in COVID-19 patients and the lack of information about the available treatments, PBMT seems to be a promising therapeutic modality but not dependent on the total number of laser sessions and the interval between them. The choice of the most suitable laser protocol as well as the knowledge of the exact photonic mechanisms, however, need to be better studied.

Intranasal photobiomodulation therapy for COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction: A Brazilian multicenter case series.

Olfactory dysfunction is commonly seen in COVID-19 patients; however, little is known about the pathophysiology and management. The present study aimed to report a series of cases in which three protocols of intranasal photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) were used for COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction. Irrespective of the PBMT protocol, olfaction recovery was noted in all cases but with varying degrees of improvement. Although intranasal PBMT seems to be a promising therapeutic modality, more research is needed to better define effectiveness.

Desenvolvimento de dispositivo intraoral para prevenção de lesões bucais em pacientes com intubação oral em unidades de terapia intensiva / Development of intraoral device for prevention of oral lesions in patients with oral intubation in intensive care units

Lesões bucais em pacientes internados em unidades de terapia intensiva são recorrentes, em especial no caso de pacientes com intubação orotraqueal onde os dentes na cavidade oral adicionados à presença do tubo, podem causar danos aos tecidos e à língua. O objetivo desse trabalho foi o de desenvolver um dispositivo para prevenção dessas lesões. Um dispositivo foi confeccionado utilizando um protetor bucal esportivo com uma perfuração para permitir a passagem do tubo orotraqueal, e após um teste clínico piloto realizado com pacientes da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva do Hospital Municipal José de Carvalho Florence (São José dos Campos, SP). Após esse teste, algumas modificações foram realizadas no dispositivo quanto ao tamanho e estabilidade. Desenhos técnicos e impressões 3D foram confeccionadas e desenvolveu-se um protótipo final que oferece estabilidade, conforto para o paciente, atua na prevenção de lesões bucais e ainda impede que o paciente intubado morda o tubo(AU)

Oral lesions in patients admitted in intensive care units are recurrent, especially in patients with orotracheal intubation where teeth and the tube may cause damage to oral tissues and tongue. The objective of this study was to develop a device to prevent these lesions. A device was made using a mouth guard with a perforation to allow passage of the orotracheal tube and a pilot test was performed with patients of the Intensive Care Unit of the Municipal Hospital José de Carvalho Florence (São José dos Campos, SP). After this test, some modifications were made to the device to improve size and stability. Technical drawings and 3D prints were made and a final prototype that offers stability, comfort to the patient, prevents oral lesions and prevents the intubated patient from biting the tube has been developed(AU)