Radiologia odontológica: percepção e segurança de dentistas de centros de especialidades odontológicas e serviços de apoio diagnóstico públicos / Dental radiology: perception and safety of dentists from dental specialty centers and public diagnostic support services

Objetivo: Avaliar a percepção e segurança dos cirurgiões-dentistas servidores municipais de Porto Alegre - RS que realizam radiografias intrabucais em relação à conteúdos da radiologia odontológica. Materiais e métodos: Todos os 26 dentistas que atuam no Centro de Especialidades Odontológicas e Serviço de Apoio Terapêutico da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde foram convidados a participar de 15 horas do Projeto de Extensão em Radiologia Odontológica da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, onde alunos de graduação atendem pacientes encaminhados pelas unidades básicas de saúde. Foi aplicado um questionário online de 19 questões relacionado a sua segurança e rotina na Radiologia. Os dados coletados foram submetidos à análise descritiva. Dez profissionais participaram do projeto, e oito responderam ao questionário (n=8). Resultados: Realização de técnicas e processamentos radiográficos, a maioria dos participantes mostrou-se segura, assim como os aspectos de radioproteção. Relataram maior dificuldade em realizar exames radiográficos em criança, molares e caninos superiores, além de preferirem, o método manual visual de processamento radiográfico. Foi identificada menor compreensão sobre biossegurança e efeitos biológicos determinísticos. Discussão: Conhecer esses servidores, suas rotinas e vivências com a radiologia, permitiu aprimorar o atendimento aos pacientes e a integração da Faculdade ao programa de educação permanente. Observa-se que princípios teóricos, não estão sedimentados o que pode interferir tanto na sua saúde como na do paciente. Conclusão: Os profissionais estudados sentem-se seguros em relação à prática e compreendem suas lacunas de conhecimento sobre efeitos biológicos e biossegurança na área da Radiologia.

Aim: To evaluate the perception and confidence of dental surgeons working in Porto Alegre - RS who perform intraoral radiographs in relation to the contents of dental radiology. Materials and methods: All 26 dentists who work at the Center for Dental Specialties and Therapeutic Support Service of the Municipal Health Department were invited to participate in 15 hours of the Extension Project in Dental Radiology at the School of Dentistry at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, where students Undergraduate courses assist patients referred by basic health units. An online questionnaire of 19 questions related to your safety and routine in Radiology was applied. The collected data were submitted to descriptive analysis. Ten professionals participated in the project, and eight answered the questionnaire (n=8). Results: Performing radiographic techniques and processing, most participants proved to be safe, as well as radioprotection aspects. They reported greater difficulty in performing radiographic examinations in children, molars and upper canines, in addition to preferring the visual manual method of radiographic processing. Less understanding of biosafety and deterministic biological effects was identified. Discussion: Getting to know these public servants, their routines and experiences with radiology, made it possible to improve patient care and integrate the Faculty into the permanent education program. It is observed that theoretical principles are not settled, which can interfere with both your health and that of the patient. Conclusion: The professionals studied feel safe and understand their knowledge gaps such as biological effects and biosafety in the field of Radiology.

Association between internal carotid artery calcifications detected as incidental findings and clinical characteristics associated with atherosclerosis: A dental volumetric tomography study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the presence of calcifications in the internal carotid artery (ICA) in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and to verify the association of these findings with sex, age, dental condition, and risk factors associated with vascular disorders. METHODS: The CBCT scans used in this study were obtained from the database of a private dental clinic requested for the planning of rehabilitation with dental implants. The selection criteria were patients aged 40 years and above. Out of a pool of 1176 CBCT examinations, a total of 284 scans of adult patients were evaluated by two blinded observers. Data were collected from patients' medical records. RESULTS: ICA calcifications were present in 63.0% of the examinations. Most calcifications were in the intracranial pathway (166). Despite being present in a smaller number 57 (C1), extracranial calcifications were more severe. Spearman's ρ coefficients (rS) indicated that the number of missing teeth was directly associated with the presence of calcifications (p = 0.042) and severity (p = 0.020). The age variable also had a direct relationship with the presence of calcifications (p ≤ 0.0001), increasing its frequency and severity over the years. In addition, hypertension (p = 0.036) and use of antihypertensive drugs (p = 0.015) were directly associated. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high occurrence of ICA calcifications in CBCT as incidental findings in adult patients, and it is directly associated with age, number of missing teeth and hypertension.

Benefits of using a photostimulable phosphor plate protective device.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and test a protective device (PD) to increase the resistance of photostimulable storage phosphor (PSP) plate to compressive load, and assess the resulting image quality. METHODS: Two prototypes, polyvinylchloride sheets of 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm each, were developed for PSP plate size 2. The resistance to compressive load was tested using eight new PSPs divided into four test groups: (1) PSP, (2) PSP and paperboard protector, (3) PSP and 0.3 mm PD, and (4) PSP and 0.7 mm PD. The resulting images were analyzed by three oral radiologists, based on the consensus for image artifacts. Additionally, the objective image quality test was performed with four new PSPs, using an 8-step wedge aluminum scale. The mean gray values and standard deviation were measured in a total of 240 images, and the data were analyzed using analysis of variance with Bonferroni post-hoc test. RESULTS: Artifacts were seen in the PSP control group starting at 40 n, and at 150 n, 175 n and 300 n in 0.3 mm PD, paperboard protector and 0.7 mm PD, respectively. Although there was no statistical difference among groups, there were differences between exposure times (0.06-0.25 s, 0.06-0.40 s, and 0.10-0.40 s). Scanning resolution of 20 lp/mm showed higher mean gray value than 25 and 40 lp/mm (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The developed PDs improved the PSP resistance to compressive forces, with low interference on the pixel gray values, regardless of exposure time and spatial resolution. Nevertheless, the 0.7 mm PD could withstand the maximum compressive load.

Does clinical experience impact students' capacity to diagnose dentoalveolar disorders using intraoral radiography? / A experiência clínica influencia na capacidade de alunos para o diagnóstico de alterações dentoalveolares utilizando exames radiográficos intraorais?

Mastery of interpretation of radiographic images is a contributing factor in correct diagnosis of conditions affecting the dentoalveolar apparatus. It is therefore essential that students' perfect these skills while studying for their degrees. Once they embark upon their professional careers outside of the university setting, it is expected that the theoretical knowledge and clinical experience accumulated during the course of their studies will have led to improved diagnostic performance. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate diagnoses made using intraoral radiographs by undergraduate students at a School of Dentistry in the South of Brazil, before and after their introduction to clinical practice. Materials and methods: Diagnoses made during the second (T0) and fourth (T1) years of the undergraduate course in dentistry using interproximal and periapical radiographs were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were calculated and the McNemar test was used to compare answers at T0 and T1. Results: Fifteen students answered questionnaires at both T0 and T1. The overall percentage of correct answers was 70.5% at T0 and 61.6% at T1, with a significant difference (p = 0.024). Discussion: This study highlights the need for educational strategies that improve diagnostic competence during undergraduate clinical activities, since radiographic examinations are essential in all areas of dentistry. Conclusions: Therefore, it was concluded that the rate of correct diagnosis of dentoalveolar disorders by intraoral radiography decreased significantly after the initial years of clinical training. (AU)

Introdução: O domínio da interpretação radiográfica contribui para o correto diagnóstico de alterações do complexo dento-alveolar, e seu aprimoramento durante o período da graduação é essencial. No momento em que se inicia a carreira profissional fora da faculdade, é esperado que o conhecimento teórico adquirido, associado à experiência clínica durante a graduação, melhore a performance diagnóstica do dentista. Objetivo: Esse estudo objetivou avaliar diagnósticos feitos a partir de exames radiográficos intrabucais, realizados por alunos de graduação de uma faculdade de odontologia do sul do Brasil, antes e após a sua introdução na prática clínica. Materiais e métodos: Para tal, diagnósticos de radiografias interproximais e periapicais, feitos durantes o Segundo ano (T0) e Quarto ano (T1) do curso de graduação, foram avaliados. Uma análise descritiva foi expressa e o teste de McNemar foi realizado para comparar as respostas em T0 e T1. Resultados: Quinze alunos completaram os dois questionários. De uma forma geral, a porcentagem de respostas corretas em T0 foi de 70.5%, e em T1 foi de 61.6%, com uma diferença significativa entre elas (p = 0.024). Discussão: Este estudo salienta a necessidade de estratégias educacionais que melhorem a competência diagnóstica durante as atividades clínicas da graduação, uma vez que exames radiográficos são essenciais em todas as áreas da odontologia. Conclusão: Neste estudo, o correto diagnóstico de alterações dentoalveolares a partir de radiografias intraorais apresentou um redução significativa após os primeiros anos de prática clínica. (AU)

Undergraduate students as knowledge multipliers and facilitators in the teaching-learning process about adigital radiographic system / Estudantes de graduação como multiplicadores e facilitadores de conhecimento no processo de ensino-aprendizagem sobre sistema radiográfico digital

This report presents the five-stepmethodology adopted for the empowerment and trainingofprofessorsand studentsfor the use of anew intraoral radiographdigital system. Ithighlightsthe importance of undergraduate students as facilitators and multipliers in the teaching-learning process. Two students were selected to act as facilitators in the teaching-learning process and multipliers of knowledge regarding the radiographic system. These students, together withoral radiology professors, participated in meetings with the board and administrative techniciansto define goals(step1), organized teaching materials(step2), developed 2-hour theoretical-practical activities forprofessors andall clinical students(step3), followedthe system implementationstageduringone semester(step04)and appliedthe evaluationof thesystem used(step 5),on the Dental Teaching Hospital. Students and professors from two clinical disciplines were chosen to experience the onset of this implementation. At the end of the semester, a survey was conducted to evaluate the usability of theradiographicsystem. Overall, 176students and 12 professors participated in the theoretical-practical activity. During system implementation, 68 students and 34 professors experienced the new technology. The usability assessment according tostudents and professors was 73.35 and 79.37, respectively. The proposed digital system wasimplemented correctly. The experience of undergraduate students in the different stages of the project, problematization of the theme, accomplishment of their work in a collaborative manner, and the application of solutions developed by them contributed to the formation of professionals always open to critically change (AU).

Este relato objetiva apresentar uma metodologia em cinco etapas adotada para capacitar a comunidade docente e discente no uso de um sistema radiográficodigital, e ressaltar a importância do estudantede graduação como facilitador e multiplicador no processo ensino-aprendizagem. Dois estudantesforam selecionados para atuarem como facilitadores nesteprocessoe multiplicadores de conhecimento em relação ao sistema radiográfico. Essesacadêmicos, juntamente com os professores de radiologia, participaram de reuniões com a direção e técnicos administrativos para a definição dos objetivos (etapa 1), organizaram material didático (etapa 2), elaboraram atividades teórico-práticas de 2 horas para os alunos das clínicas e professores (etapa 3), acompanharam, por um semestre, a etapa de implementação do sistema no Hospital de Ensino Odontológico (etapa 4), e aplicaram a avaliação do uso do sistema digital (etapa 5). Duas disciplinas clínicas, seus alunos e professores, foram escolhidos para vivenciar a etapa de implementação. No término do semestre, foi realizada uma enquete que avaliou a usabilidade do sistema. Como resultado, 176 estudantese 12 professores participaram das atividades teórico-práticas. Na etapa de implementação, participaram 68 discentese 34 professores. A avaliação da usabilidade respondida pelos alunos e professores que utilizaram o sistema foi de 73,35 e 79,37, respectivamente. A implementação do sistema digital proposta ocorreu de forma adequada. A vivência dos estudantesde graduação nas diferentes etapas do projeto, da problematização do tema, da execução do seu trabalho de forma colaborativa, e aplicação de soluções por eles elaboradas contribuiu na formação de profissionais sempre abertos às mudanças de maneira crítica (AU).