Pharmacodynamic effect of gabapentin on central nervous system in patients with chronic low back pain: a [99mTc]Tc-ECD SPECT study.

BACKGROUND: Gabapentin is an effective therapeutic alternative for chronic low back pain, indicated in several guidelines for treating neuropathic pain as first-line medication. This study aimed to describe the pharmacodynamics of gabapentin in the central nervous system of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) by using single-photon emission CT (SPECT) with [99mTc]Tc-ECD. METHODS: We selected 13 patients with CLBP due to lumbar disc herniation. They underwent SPECT before and after using gabapentin, compared with a SPECT database of healthy volunteers. A second analysis compared regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes between responders and non-responders to gabapentin and the healthy controls. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 41 years, and the mean pain intensity was 5.92 points, measured by the Numeric Rating Scale. After using gabapentin, SPECT showed an increase of rCBF in the bilateral anterior cingulate gyrus and a decrease of rCBF in periaqueductal gray matter. Non-responder patients with gabapentin showed a post-treatment decrease of rCBF in the paracentral lobule of the brain. CONCLUSIONS: A lack of improvement in some patients with gabapentin may be associated with an activated affective circuit of pain, evidenced by the increase of rCBF of the anterior cingulate cortex. A maladaptive brain state in chronic pain can explain the decrease of rCBF in the default mode network structures. Gabapentin acts directly or indirectly on neurons of periaqueductal gray substance by increasing the pain threshold and decreasing the rCBF of this structure.

Natural products for the treatment of denture stomatitis: A systematic review.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Evidence for the efficacy and safety of natural products for the treatment of denture stomatitis is lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to answer the question "Are topical natural substances effective and safe compared with conventional antifungals in the treatment of denture stomatitis?" MATERIAL AND METHODS: A structured search in 11 databases, including non-peer-reviewed, was undertaken. Two authors independently selected the studies, extracted the data, assessed the study quality, and graded the evidence, with disagreement resolved with a third reviewer. Data were evaluated descriptively by following Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) reporting items. This study was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), number CRD42020216213. RESULTS: After the removal of duplicates, 1925 records remained, and after a 2-phase reading of abstracts and full texts, 17 studies were included. Propolis, green tea, ginger, Zataria multiflora, chitosan, garlic, Artemisia, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Uncaria tomentosa, Punica granatum, and Ricinus communis appeared to have similar efficacy and safety when compared with nystatin or miconazole. Most of the studies presented a high risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: Certainty in the body of evidence that natural products might be appropriately used in the treatment of denture stomatitis is low. Well-designed randomized controlled trials are still needed to evaluate the topic better because there is high heterogeneity among the studies.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among oral health care workers worldwide: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to answer the following question 'What are the worldwide prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated factors among oral health-care workers (OHCWs) before vaccination?' METHODS: Seven databases and registers as well as three grey databases were searched for observational studies in the field. Paired reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data and assessed the methodological quality. Overall seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 infection was analysed using a random-effect model subgrouped by professional category. Meta-regression was used to explore whether the Human Development Index (HDI) influenced the heterogeneity of results. The associated factors were narratively evaluated, and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were included (five cohorts and twelve cross-sectional studies), summing 73 935 participants (54 585 dentists and 19 350 dental assistants/technicians) from 14 countries. The overall estimated pooled prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among OHCWs was 9.3% (95% CI, 5.0%-14.7%; I2  = 100%, p < .01), being 9.5% for dentists (95% CI, 5.1%-15.0%; I2  = 100%, p < .01) and 11.6% for dental assistants/technicians (95% CI, 1.6%-27.4%; I2  = 99.0%, p < .01). In the meta-regression, countries with lower HDI showed higher prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection (p = .002). Age, comorbidities, gender, ethnicity, occupation, smoking, living in areas of greater deprivation, job role and location/municipalities, income and protective measures in dental settings were associated with positive serological SARS-CoV-2 test, with very low certainty of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: The SARS-CoV-2 virus infected 9.3% of the OHCWs evaluated worldwide before vaccination. OHCWs should be included in policy considerations, continued research, monitoring and surveillance (PROSPERO CRD42021246520).

Self-Medication for Toothache in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Objective: To construct, validate, and apply a questionnaire to assess and characterize the practice of self-medication performed by parents or children's guardians undergoing dental care. Material and Methods: A questionnaire was constructed, validated, and applied through personal interviews in the teaching clinics of two higher education institutions in the Federal District. Absolute and relative frequencies of categorical variables were calculated using descriptive statistics. Quantitative data were presented as mean and standard deviation. The chi-square test measured the association between the studied variables and self-medication. Results: One hundred and five participants were interviewed between August 2019 and November 2020. The average age of the participants was 37 (± 9) years, and most were mothers of the children who attended (78%) and users of the public health system (94.2%). The average family income was 1.88 minimum wage, and the most prevalent educational level was complete high school (40%). Conclusion: Despite the high level of knowledge about medication safety in children, self-medication was practiced in 50% of them. Difficulty in accessing dental treatment was mentioned by most as a justification. Self-medication was associated with dental pain, continuous medication use, and family self-medication habits.

Xerostomia and dysgeusia in the elderly: prevalence of and association with polypharmacy

Xerostomia is defined as the perception of dry mouth, and dysgeusia, as a change in taste. Both are common complaints in the elderly, especially among those making use of polypharmacy drug combinations. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of xerostomia and dysgeusia and to investigate their association with polypharmacy in the elderly. Methods: older people under follow-up at the Multidisciplinary Elderly Center of the University Hospital of Brasília were interviewed and asked about health problems, medications used, presence of xerostomia and dysgeusia. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence of the symptoms surveyed. The chi-square test was used to investigate the relationship between xerostomia and dysgeusia and polypharmacy. Secondary associations were performed using binomial logistic regression. Results: Ninety-six older people were evaluated and of these, 62.5% had xerostomia and 21.1%, had dysgeusia. The average number of medications used was 4±3 medications per individual. Polypharmacy was associated with xerostomia but not dysgeusia. It was possible to associate xerostomia with the use of antihypertensive drugs. Conclusion: Xerostomia was a frequent complaint among elderly people making use of polypharmacy, especially those using antihypertensives. Antihypertensives and antidepressants were used most drugs by the elderly and exhibited interactions with drugs most prescribed in Dentistry. Two contraindications were found between fluconazole and mirtazapine; and between erythromycin and simvastatin

Neurobiological substrates of chronic low back pain (CLBP): a brain [99mTc]Tc-ECD SPECT study.

BACKGROUND: Recent neuroimaging studies have demonstrated pathological mechanisms related to cerebral neuroplasticity in chronic low back pain (CLBP). Few studies have compared cerebral changes between patients with and without pain in the absence of an experimentally induced stimulus. We investigated the neurobiological substrates associated with chronic low back pain using [99mTc]Tc-ECD brain SPECT and correlated rCBF findings with the numeric rating scale (NRS) of pain and douleur neuropathique en 4 questions (DN4). Ten healthy control volunteers and fourteen patients with neuropathic CLBP due to lumbar disc herniation underwent cerebral SPECT scans. A quantitative comparison of rCBF findings between patients and controls was made using the Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM), revealing clusters of voxels with a significant increase or decrease in rCBF. The intensity of CLBP was assessed by NRS and by DN4. RESULTS: The results demonstrated an rCBF increase in clusters A (occipital and posterior cingulate cortex) and B (right frontal) and a decrease in cluster C (superior parietal lobe and middle cingulate cortex). NRS scores were inversely and moderately correlated with the intensity of rCBF increase in cluster B, but not to rCBF changes in clusters A and C. DN4 scores did not correlate with rCBF changes in all three clusters. CONCLUSIONS: This study will be important for future therapeutic studies that aim to validate the association of rCBF findings with the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of therapeutic challenges in pain.

Oral health and the presence of infectious microorganisms in hospitalized patients: a preliminary observational study.

OBJECTIVE: Characterise oral health, and the presence in the oral cavity of pathogenic non-oral microorganisms potentially associated with nosocomial infections and antimicrobial resistance in non-intubated patients admitted to a Brazilian university hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An intraoral examination and oral swab were performed on hospitalized individuals at three different times, T1 (within 48 h of hospitalization), T2 (48 h after T1) and T3 (7 days after hospitalization). The oral health status was defined by the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) and Tongue Coating Status (TCS). The swabs were processed and microorganisms potentially related to nosocomial infections were phenotypically identified through colony morphology, staining and microscopy. RESULTS: The most prevalent microorganisms were Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Enterobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. The oral health status was considered median, and the tongue coating index was considered high throughout the study period. The prevalence of potentially pathogenic non-oral microorganisms was high and constant from the first 48 h to the seventh day of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The results point out that the mouth can act as a reservoir of epidemiologically important pathogens within hospital settings, even in patients without mechanical ventilation, thus increasing the risk of nosocomial infections in susceptible individuals. KEY MESSAGESThe present study investigated the oral health status and the presence of pathogenic non-oral microorganisms in the oral cavity of patients hospitalized in the ward, non-intubated and mostly independent of self-care.The presence in the mouth of microorganisms related to the epidemiology of nosocomial infections and resistance to antimicrobials was high and constant from the first 48 h to the 7th day of hospitalization.The results of this study point out that the mouth can act as a reservoir of epidemiologically important pathogens within hospital settings even in patients without mechanical ventilation, increasing the risk of nosocomial infections in susceptible individuals.

Does the use of natural products for endodontic therapy in primary teeth have sufficient evidence for clinical practice? A scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: The use of natural products for pulp therapy has experienced a remarkable advancement in recent years. The aim was to provide a critical appraisal of the safety and efficacy of natural products for endodontic therapy in primary teeth and verify whether their uses in clinical practice have sufficient evidence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two reviewers searched ten databases (Cochrane, DOSS, Embase, Google Scholar, LILACS, OpenGrey, Proquest, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) until January 2022, identifying references that evaluated the safety and efficacy of the use of natural products for endodontic therapy in primary teeth. Cohort, randomized, and non-randomized clinical trials were included. RESULTS: A total of 3583 references were initially identified. From the 63 studies retrieved for full-text reading, 37 fulfilled the selection criteria and were included in the qualitative analysis. The studies investigated 19 natural products for pulpotomy medicament, irrigating solution, intracanal medication, and root canal filling material. Most studies showed similar efficacy of natural products and their control groups; however, many methodological biases and concerns about the safety and efficacy of natural products were identified, questioning their clinical applicability. CONCLUSIONS: The included studies provided insufficient evidence to support safe and effective clinical application of natural products for endodontic therapy in primary teeth. Future well-designed studies with representative samples are needed to support the use of natural products for endodontic therapy in primary teeth. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of natural products for endodontic therapy in primary teeth requires caution by clinicians, due to the insufficient available evidence.

Manejo de cárie radicular: um guia para o dentista brasileiro baseado na tradução e adaptação cultural do consenso internacional/ORCA E EFCD / Management of root caries: a guide for the Brazilian dentist based on the translation and cultural adaptation of the international consensus/ORCA and EFCD

Objetivo: A cárie radicular é um problema da Odontologia moderna, porém é notável a falta de diretrizes sobre o seu manejo. Objetivamos elaborar e adaptar um guia a partir da tradução das recomendações do consenso in-ternacional European Organization for Caries Research (ORCA) e European Federation of Conservative Dentistry (EFCD) para as tomadas de decisão clínica na intervenção do processo de cárie na pessoa idosa, com foco na cárie radicular. Materiais e métodos: O protocolo de tradução das recomendações do consenso internacional consistiu nas etapas: (1) tradução inicial, (2) síntese da tradução, (3) retradução, (4) revisão por comitê de especialistas, com adaptação cultural. A partir da tradução, foi desenvolvido um guia com diretrizes para tratamento de cárie radicular no Brasil. Resultados: Para prevenção de novas lesões é recomendada a escovação diária com dentifrício >1.500ppm/F. Dentifrícios com 5.000ppm/F ou vernizes (>20.000ppm/F) podem ser indicados para paralisar lesões radiculares ativas e para prevenção em pessoas idosas com alta suscetibilidade à cárie radicular, e o Diamino Fluoreto de Prata (>30%) para paralisar lesões ativas. Intervenções invasi-vas diretas são indicadas dependendo da situação clínica. Discussão: Nota-se uma falta de interesse em estudos primários sobre tratamentos para cárie radicular, criando assim uma lacuna em relação ao seu manejo, que reflete no nível de evidência detectado pelo consenso. Conclusão: Guias clíni-cos são importantes para reduzir a lacuna entre a pesquisa e a prática clínica. Essa tradução para o português facilitará o acesso dos dentistas bra-sileiros em relação a evidência consolidada até o momento para o manejo de cárie radicular.

Aim: Root caries are a problem in modern dentistry, but the lack of guidelines regarding their management is notable. We aim to develop and adapt a guide based on the translation of the recommendations of the international consensus as outlined by the European Organization for Caries Research (ORCA) and the European Federation of Conservative Dentistry (EFCD) for clinical decision-making in the intervention of the caries process in the elderly, with a focus on root caries. Materials and methods: The protocol for translating the recommendations of the international consensus consisted of the following steps: (1) initial translation, (2) synthesis of the translation, (3) back-translation, (4) review by an expert committee with cultural adaptation. Based on the translation, a guide was developed with guidelines for the treatment of root caries in Brazil. Results: To prevent new lesions, daily brushing with toothpaste >1,500ppm/F is recommended. Toothpaste with 5,000ppm/F or varnishes (>20,000ppm/F) may be recommended to paralyze active root lesions and for prevention in elderly people with high susceptibility to root caries, and Silver Diamine Fluoride (>30%) to paralyze active lesions. Direct invasive interventions are indicated depending on the clinical situation. Discussion: There is a lack of interest in primary studies on treatments for root caries, thus creating a gap in relation to its management, which is reflected by the level of evidence detected in the consensus. Conclusion: Clinical guidelines are important to reduce the gap between research and clinical practice. This translation into Portuguese will facilitate access by Brazilian dentists to the consolidated evidence gathered to date for the management of root caries.

SARS-CoV-2 infection among Brazilian dentists: a seroprevalence study.

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among Brazilian dentists and its associated factors. Stratified random sampling of dentists from 33 administrative regions of the Federal District (Brazil) was performed. The presence of antibodies was verified by the OnSite COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test. Participants answered a survey about sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to COVID-19, and professional practice. A chi-square test was performed between serostatus and exposure variables. Mann-Whitney tests were carried out for quantitative variables. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. A series of binomial logistic regression models was performed. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among 324 selected dentists was 19.1%. There was a statistically significant association between seropositivity and previous confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, loss of taste or smell, diagnosis of COVID-19 in a household member, and treatment of a patient with fever. Dentists with a previous confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 had 29.5 [12.7-68.4] higher odds to exhibit positive serology test results. Dentists with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 in a household member had 2.5 [1.1-5.3] times higher odds to exhibit positive serology test results. Professionals with loss of taste or smell in the last 15 days had 5.24 [1.1-24.1] times higher odds to exhibit positive serology test results, and, for those who had treated patients with fever, there were 2.99 [1.03-8.7] times higher odds to exhibit negative serology test results. There was a similar prevalence rate of infection among dentists and in the general population. Nevertheless, this finding applies to the epidemiological situation in 2020, before the development of vaccines and the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant.

SARS-CoV-2 infection among Brazilian dentists: a seroprevalence study

Abstract: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among Brazilian dentists and its associated factors. Stratified random sampling of dentists from 33 administrative regions of the Federal District (Brazil) was performed. The presence of antibodies was verified by the OnSite COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test. Participants answered a survey about sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to COVID-19, and professional practice. A chi-square test was performed between serostatus and exposure variables. Mann-Whitney tests were carried out for quantitative variables. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. A series of binomial logistic regression models was performed. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among 324 selected dentists was 19.1%. There was a statistically significant association between seropositivity and previous confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, loss of taste or smell, diagnosis of COVID-19 in a household member, and treatment of a patient with fever. Dentists with a previous confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 had 29.5 [12.7-68.4] higher odds to exhibit positive serology test results. Dentists with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 in a household member had 2.5 [1.1-5.3] times higher odds to exhibit positive serology test results. Professionals with loss of taste or smell in the last 15 days had 5.24 [1.1-24.1] times higher odds to exhibit positive serology test results, and, for those who had treated patients with fever, there were 2.99 [1.03-8.7] times higher odds to exhibit negative serology test results. There was a similar prevalence rate of infection among dentists and in the general population. Nevertheless, this finding applies to the epidemiological situation in 2020, before the development of vaccines and the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant.

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Validation of the Portuguese Version of the Rotterdam Elderly Pain Observation Scale.

INTRODUCTION: This study reports on the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of a Portuguese version of the Rotterdam Elderly Pain Observation Scale (REPOS), a Dutch scale to assess pain in patients who cannot communicate, with or without dementia. METHODS: This is a multicenter study in pain and neurological units involving Brazil (clinical phase) and the Netherlands (training phase). We performed a retrospective cross-sectional, 2-staged analysis, translating and culturally adapting the REPOS to a Portuguese version (REPOS-P) and evaluating its psychometric properties. Eight health professionals were trained to observe patients with low back pain. REPOS consists of 10 behavioral items scored as present or absent after a 2-min observation. The REPOS score of ≥3 in combination with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) of ≥4 indicated pain. The Content Validity Index (CVI) in all items and instructions showed CVI values at their maximum. According to the higher correlation coefficient found between NRS and REPOS-P, it may be suggested that there was an adequate convergent validity. RESULTS: The REPOS-P was administered to 80 patients with a mean age of 60 years (SD 11.5). Cronbach's alpha coefficient showed a moderate internal consistency of REPOS-P (α = 0.62), which is compatible with the original study of REPOS. All health professionals reached high levels of interrater agreement within a median of 10 weeks of training, assuring reproducibility. Cohen's kappa was 0.96 (SD 0.03), and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.98 (SD 0.02), showing high reliability of REPOS-P scores between the trainer (researcher) and the trainees (healthcare professionals). The Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.95 (95% confidence interval 0.94-0.97), showing a significant correlation between the total scores of REPOS-P and NRS. CONCLUSION: The REPOS-P was a valuable scale for assessing elderly patients with low back pain by different healthcare professionals. Short application time, ease of use, clear instructions, and the brief training required for application were essential characteristics of REPOS-P.

Prevalence of Hypersensitivity in Teeth Affected by Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH).

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hypersensitivity in molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH)-affected molars through a census carried out in 8-year-old schoolchildren. METHODS: Examinations were conducted by a calibrated examiner, using the Nyvad criteria for caries diagnosis and a new criterion for MIH assessment. For hypersensitivity assessment, all MIH-affected molars were included. Nonaffected molars from the same child were used as controls. Air blast reaction was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Schiff Cold Air Sensitivity Scale (SCASS) scale, while tactile hypersensitivity was scored using VAS only. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's multiple comparisons test for quantitative data. χ2 was used for the comparison of categorical data. RESULTS: In total, 631 children were assessed, of whom 102 had MIH-affected molars (16.1%). Of these, 51.7 and 8.7% presented enamel and dentin carious lesions, respectively. Regarding the number of teeth, 239 molars were MIH affected (59.8%), with 188 (78.7%) being classified as mild (opacities only), 20 (8.4%) as moderate (posteruptive enamel breakdown), and 31 (13%) as severe (posteruptive breakdown involving dentin/atypical restorations). Hypersensitivity was recorded in only one control molar, while the prevalence of hypersensitivity in MIH-affected molars was 34.7%, being of low intensity and more prevalent in moderate (55%) and severe cases (51.6 %) than in mild cases (29.8%, p = 0.008). An association between hypersensitivity and the presence of mild and moderate cases was observed. Although the same association was observed for severe cases, it was not considered a reliable information as 90% of the MIH-affected molars with posteruptive breakdown involving dentin were affected by carious lesions. It is known that dental caries is a confounding factor for the presence of hypersensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Hypersensitivity was significantly higher in MIH-affected molars than in nonaffected molars, being associated with MIH teeth presenting opacities and posteruptive enamel breakdown.

Frenotomia lingual em lactentes

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma revisão de literatura acerca do freio lingual anômalo em lactentes, relacionando diagnóstico e tratamento. Revisão de literatura: esta anomalia limita os movimentos da língua durante o choro, lalação e pode gerar desconforto durante a amamentação. A metodologia do trabalho constituiu em buscas de artigos publicados em língua portuguesa e inglesa nas bases de dados Bireme, Google Acadêmico e PubMed, entre os anos de 2004 e 2016. Foram identificados 645 artigos através da combinação de palavras-chave, sendo que 29 foram utilizados por apresentarem resultados condizentes com o objetivo desta revisão. Considerações Finais: através dos estudos consultados não foi possível identificar um instrumento padrão-ouro que diagnostique a anquiloglossia em bebês, a despeito do fácil diagnóstico. Há controvérsias na literatura em relação ao tratamento por meio da frenotomia e sua contribuição para a melhora na amamentação, movimentos da língua e desconforto da mãe ao amamentar, embora grande parte dos estudos demonstre benefícios evidentes.

Higher Dental Caries Prevalence and Its Association with Dietary Habits and Physical Limitation in Epidermolysis Bullosa Patients: A Case Control Study.

AIM: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) represents a highly rare subgroup of skin diseases that affects skin and mucous membrane. The aim of the present study was to assess caries prevalence and its associated factors in EB subjects. Salivary status was also assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten subjects with EB who were under supervision were selected (cases) and matched by age and gender with unaffected individuals (controls). Dental caries were recorded using the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Oral hygiene and dietary habits were investigated by clinical examination and questionnaires. Both nonstimulated and stimulated saliva were collected and salivary pH, buffering capacity and mouth opening were evaluated. RESULTS: The results showed that the median decay-missing-filled teeth was significantly higher (p = 0.0094) in EB cases 5 (3.9-20.3) than in controls 3 (2-3.25). The groups also differed when food consistency was analyzed. Individuals with EB have a higher intake of soft food. In addition, the median mouth-opening values from cases (0.84-2.84 cm) and controls (4.3-4.9 cm) have shown to be statistically different (p = 0.007). Considering the salivary parameters, none of them showed significant differences among groups. CONCLUSION: Epidermolysis bullosa subjects present higher caries scores and might be related to their physical condition and dietary habits. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: There is a lack of information about oral status in EB subjects. Hence, our findings add useful information regarding the relationship between caries prevalence and associated risk factors in EB subjects.

Oral health promotion in patients with chronic renal failure admitted in the Intensive Care Unit.

Oral hygiene deficiency is common in patients treated in ICUs and it enables biofilm colonization by microorganisms that lead to respiratory infections. A 30-year-old female patient with chronic renal failure was hospitalized. Dental procedures were performed in the ICU and contributed to the patient's health after a few days.

In situ carcinoma developed over oral lichen planus: a case report with analysis of BUB3, p16, p53, Ki67 and SOX4 expression.

Oral lichen planus (OLP) represents a common mucocutaneous disease. Various authors have suggested that OLP has malignant potential; however, the mechanisms involved in malignant transformation have not yet been elucidated. A 79-year-old man presented a white lesion for five months in the buccal mucosa diagnosed as OLP. After two months using 0.05% clobetasol ointment for treatment, the lesion became ulcerated. A new biopsy of the same lesion was performed, and histological analysis showed an in situ oral carcinoma (ISOC). An immunohistochemistry panel was performed, and p16 expression was negative in OLP, however, it showed weak cytoplasmic staining in ISOC. There was strong nuclear BUB3 staining in both OLP and ISOC areas. p53 showed less intense nuclear staining in both regions. Ki67 was negative in OLP area, but showed nuclear staining in the ISOC. SOX4 was negative in both studied areas. BUB3 expression, first reported in this case, and the p16 expression may suggest some influence of these genes on pathogenesis or malignant potential of OLP.

In situ carcinoma developed over oral lichen planus: a case report with analysis of BUB3, p16, p53, Ki67 and SOX4 expression

AbstractOral lichen planus (OLP) represents a common mucocutaneous disease. Various authors have suggested that OLP has malignant potential; however, the mechanisms involved in malignant transformation have not yet been elucidated. A 79-year-old man presented a white lesion for five months in the buccal mucosa diagnosed as OLP. After two months using 0.05% clobetasol ointment for treatment, the lesion became ulcerated. A new biopsy of the same lesion was performed, and histological analysis showed an in situ oral carcinoma (ISOC). An immunohistochemistry panel was performed, and p16 expression was negative in OLP, however, it showed weak cytoplasmic staining in ISOC. There was strong nuclear BUB3 staining in both OLP and ISOC areas. p53 showed less intense nuclear staining in both regions. Ki67 was negative in OLP area, but showed nuclear staining in the ISOC. SOX4 was negative in both studied areas. BUB3 expression, first reported in this case, and the p16 expression may suggest some influence of these genes on pathogenesis or malignant potential of OLP.

Assessment of quality of prescription by dental students.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to evaluate changes in prescribing pattern of Dentistry students throughout academic course. METHODS: A case of non-complicated dental extraction was presented to all students that had completed their pharmacology coursework (from 4th semester to the last semester). The students were grouped according to year of study and were asked to prescribe paracetamol for pain control. A maximal score of 5 points was calculated from three subscores for identification of professional and patient (1.0 point), drug concentration, dosage, and quantity (1.5 points); and drug information, instructions, and warnings (2.5 points). The data were expressed as medians [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] and were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's post hoc test. A p<0.05 value was considered statistically significant. A total of 92 students participated the study (2nd year, N=12; 3rd year, N=32; 4th year, N=28; 5th year, N=20). RESULTS: The quality of prescription showed improvement between 2nd-year students [2.0 (1.5-2.5)] and 4th-year students [3.2 (2.9-3.5), p<0.05]; 4th- and 5th-year students [3.6 (3.5-3.8)] performed similarly. Lack of information about pharmacological treatment, side effects, and administration route were the major deficiencies observed. CONCLUSION: Although Dentistry students present a general improvement in their prescribing performance, deficiencies remain even in advanced students. The data suggest that the teaching of good prescription practices should extend throughout the later phases of preprofessional dental education.

Assessment of quality of prescription by dental students

Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate changes in prescribing pattern of Dentistry students throughout academic course. Methods: A case of non-complicated dental extraction was presented to all students that had completed their pharmacology coursework (from 4th semester to the last semester). The students were grouped according to year of study and were asked to prescribe paracetamol for pain control. A maximal score of 5 points was calculated from three subscores for identification of professional and patient (1.0 point), drug concentration, dosage, and quantity (1.5 points); and drug information, instructions, and warnings (2.5 points). The data were expressed as medians [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] and were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's post hoc test. A p<0.05 value was considered statistically significant. A total of 92 students participated the study (2nd year, N=12; 3rd year, N=32; 4th year, N=28; 5th year, N=20). Results: The quality of prescription showed improvement between 2nd-year students [2.0 (1.5-2.5)] and 4th-year students [3.2 (2.9-3.5), p<0.05]; 4th- and 5th-year students [3.6 (3.5-3.8)] performed similarly. Lack of information about pharmacological treatment, side effects, and administration route were the major deficiencies observed. Conclusion: Although Dentistry students present a general improvement in their prescribing performance, deficiencies remain even in advanced students. The data suggest that the teaching of good prescription practices should extend throughout the later phases of preprofessional dental education. .