Does Preventive Care Reduce Severe Pediatric Dental Caries?

INTRODUCTION: Tertiary oral health services (caries-related surgery, sedation, and emergency department visits) represent high-cost and ineffective ways to improve a child's oral health. We measured the impact of increased Texas Medicaid reimbursements for preventive dental care on use of tertiary oral health services. METHODS: We used difference-in-differences models to compare the effect of a policy change among children (≤9 y) enrolled in Medicaid in Texas and Florida. Linear regression models estimated 4 outcomes: preventive care dental visit, dental sedation, emergency department use, and surgical event. RESULTS: Increased preventive care visits led to increased sedation visits (1.7 percentage points, P < .001) and decreased emergency department visits (0.3 percentage points, P < .001) for children aged 9 years or younger. We saw no significant change in dental surgical rates associated with increased preventive dental care reimbursements. CONCLUSION: Increased access to preventive dentistry was not associated with improved long-term oral health of Medicaid-enrolled children. Policies that aim to improve the oral health of children may increase the effectiveness of preventive dentistry by also targeting other social determinants of oral health.

Relationship between oral symptoms during diving work and preventative dental visits in Japanese male occupational divers.

This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between dental symptoms experienced by occupational divers during diving and their participation in preventative dental visits. The questionnaire for this study was sent by post to 160 establishments and 215 members of the Japan Diving Association and participants were asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire. Data from 242 occupational divers (male, aged 20-79 yr) were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression analysis and correspondence analysis were performed to determine the relationship between dental symptoms experienced during diving and participation in preventative dental visits. We found that divers who experienced tooth pain while diving had not undergone preventative dental visits within the previous year (odds ratio: 2.76, 95% confidence interval: 1.12-6.80). This was also confirmed by correspondence analysis These findings suggested that not undergoing preventative dental visits was related to tooth pain during diving.

Evaluation of Final-Year Turkish Dental Students' Knowledge, Attitude, and Self-Perceived Competency towards Preventive Dentistry.

BACKGROUND: Dental education plays an important role in providing students with the opportunity to develop their evidence-based knowledge and clinical skills regarding patient-specific preventive care and caries management strategies. The aims of this study were to examine the knowledge, attitude, and self-perceived competency towards preventive dentistry among final-year dental students and to investigate their preventive practice for high-caries-risk children. Methods. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 126 dental students using a questionnaire. The IBM SPSS Statistics version 21 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 126 students completed the questionnaire, and 63% of the respondents were female. Significant gender differences were found in the total Professional Preventive Knowledge Scale (PPKS) (p=0.016) and its subscales of the noncariogenic nutrition (p=0.015), dental hygiene/clinical examination (p < 0.001), caries-preventive practice (p=0.02), and the Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioral Inventory (HU-DBI) (p=0.028). Significant differences were observed in the total PPKS (p=0.003) and its subscales of the noncariogenic nutrition (p=0.043) and caries risk management (p=0.006) in terms of self-perceived need to receive education and training. Caries-preventive practice was correlated with the self-perceived competency (r = 0.279; p=0.002), the attitudes (r = 0.394; p < 0.001), the total PPKS (r = 0.457; p < 0.001) and its all subscales of dental hygiene and clinical examination (r = 0.425; p < 0.001), noncariogenic nutrition (r = 0.410; p < 0.001), and caries risk management (r = 0.184; p=0.039). The self-perceived competency was positively correlated with the total PPKS (r = 0.192; p=0.031) and its subscale of noncariogenic nutrition (r = 0.259; p=0.003). Greater self-perceived competence, more positive attitudes, and good knowledge regarding preventive dentistry were found to be important predictors of the caries-preventive practice of dental students, explaining 31% of the variance (adjusted R 2 = 0.312, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: 40% of dental students reported educational and training needs regarding the diagnosis, caries-preventive agents, and risk-based treatment plan. These results should be taken into account by the stakeholders in developing the national core curriculum for undergraduate Turkish dental education.

Distribution of Preventive Dental Care during Pregnancy in Rhode Island, 2012 to 2015.

AIMS: To examine the distribution of preventive dental care for pregnant women in Rhode Island. METHODS: The data used were obtained from the 2012 to 2015 Rhode Island Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (RIPRAMS). Statistical analyses were conducted for respondents who had valid information for both preventive dental care receipt and race/ethnicity to examine population differences in the receipt of preventive dental care. RESULTS: Respondents who identified as Hispanic and had more than 12 years of education had higher odds for preventive dental care receipt in Rhode Island between 2012 to 2015 compared to non-Hispanic whites. Furthermore, respondents with lower household income were the least likely to have received preventive dental care. This was especially true for black and non-Hispanic women who reported being neither black nor white. CONCLUSION: Preventive dental care in Rhode Island between 2012 and 2015 did not meet the perinatal and Infant Oral Health Quality Improvement (PIOHQI) target of 60% in minority populations.

Monitoring of efficiency of dental caries management in children's temporary teeth throughout Poltava oblast.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Dental caries is still a major health care problem not only in Ukraine but throughout the world. Complicated dental caries currently ranks the leading position among the oral diseases in children. The aim of this study is to carry out a analysis of the epidemiology of dental caries and its complications, and to evaluate the efficiency of the caries treatment for temporary teeth among the children of Poltava oblast over the last decade based on the data of the annual reports. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: We have studied the figures reflecting the epidemiology of dental caries and its complications in Poltava oblast over the past ten years obtained through the analysis of the annual reports on the quantitative and qualitative indicators of paediatric dental service. RESULTS: Review: According to the annual reports from the districts, the number of cases of temporary teeth treatment for complicated caries did not change significantly when comparing the relevant data of 2007 and 2017. When carrying out the comparative analysis of annual reports for 2007 and 2017 by the indicator of the share of complicated caries, attention should be focused on the average increase of the value from 30.4% in 2007 to 35.9% in 2017. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The analysis of annual reports for 2007 and 2017 through Poltava oblast points out the low efficiency of dental caries management in the children's temporary teeth. As a result, outcomes of the dental caries treatment and caries complications in the children's temporary teeth are assessed as unsatisfactory both in the preventive and the therapeutic aspects.

Factors associated with seeking preventive dental care: an integrative model exploration of behaviors in Mexican immigrants in Midwest America.

BACKGROUND: Mexican immigrants in the United States suffer from poor oral health. The objective of the current study was to explore the utility of applying theory-based factors associated with seeking preventive dental care in a sample of Mexican American adults. METHODS: Data were collected from a cross-sectional survey of a sample of 157 people of Mexican origin (64% female; age 34 ± 11 years) recruited primarily from church congregations and lay community organizations in Central Indiana. Using the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction as the guiding framework, structural equation modeling was used to test factors associated with intention to seek preventive dental care. RESULTS: Attitude towards seeking preventive dental care (estimate = 0.37; p < .0001) and self-efficacy for seeking preventive dental care (estimate = 0.68; p < .0001) were associated with intention to seek preventive dental care. The association between dental beliefs and intention to seek preventive dental care was mediated by attitude and self-efficacy (indirect effect = 0.26, p = .002), and the association between past behavior and intention to seek preventive dental care was mediated by self-efficacy (indirect effect = 0.26, p = .003). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that interventions to increase preventive dental care seeking behavior among Mexican Americans should focus on changing attitudes toward seeking preventive dental care and on increasing self-efficacy to seek preventive dental care. Findings also support the use of interventions to influence dental beliefs.

Practice characteristics and service provision rates of dental hygienists in Australia.

INTRODUCTION: Dental hygienists (DHs) have been practising in Australia since the early 1970s. OBJECTIVE: This study describes the clinical activity of Australian DHs. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to members of two professional associations representing DHs. Practitioner characteristics, employment characteristics and clinical activity on a self-reported typical practice day were collected. The proportion of each service item of all services provided was estimated. Associations between practice characteristics and service provision were assessed by log-binomial regression models. RESULTS: Adjusted response rate was 60.6%. Of the DHs included in analysis (n=341), 80% were employed in general practice, and nearly all (96%) worked in the private sector. About half (53.7%) of all service provided were preventive services, and one-fourth (23.9%) were diagnostic. Service provision varied by practice and practitioner characteristics, with the largest variations observed by practice type. Unadjusted analysis showed that general practice DHs provided a higher mean number of periodontal instrumentation and coronal polishing (0.92 vs 0.26), fluoride applications (0.64 vs 0.08), oral examinations (0.51 vs 0.22) and intraoral radiographs (0.33 vs 0.07) per patient visit and a lower mean number of impressions (0.05 vs 0.17) and orthodontic services (0.02 vs 0.59) than specialist practice DHs. In adjusted analysis, rates of periodontal services also significantly varied by practice type; other associations persisted. CONCLUSION: Service provision of DHs varied by practice type. Practice activity was dominated by provision of preventive services while provision of periodontal treatments, fissure sealants and oral examinations was relatively limited indicating areas in which DHs are possibly underutilized.

[The dinamics of preventive dental visits in mandatory health insurance system]. / Dinamika poseshchenii s profilakticheskoi tsel'iu v sisteme obiazatel'nogo meditsinskogo strakhovaniia po profiliu 'Stomatologiia'.

The analysis on the current standards of the amount of Medical care provided for dental diseases treatment in Russia within mandatory health insurance program has been made. The study revealed more than 80-fold difference in the number of visits for one insured patient in different regions of Russian Federation. The annual increase in financial expenses covering dental visits for prophylactic purposes is identified. It is recommended that the Federal Fund of Mandatory Health Insurance to state a clear definition to the term 'Dental visit for prophylactic purposes', while the territorial funds should strengthen the requirements for approved reporting forms submition.

Dentist age, period and cohort effects on provision of dental services in Australia: 1983-84 to 2009-10.

OBJECTIVE: To examine age, period and cohort factors of dentists in relation to diagnostic, preventive and total dental services over time in Australia. METHOD: The Longitudinal Study of Dentists' Practice Activity (LSDPA) was designed to monitor dental practice activity and service provision in Australia. Participating dentists were sampled randomly from the dental registers in Australia from 1983 to 1984, and dental services provision was collected by mailed questionnaire with a log of dental services provided over one or two typical days. The data collection has been repeated every 5 years until 2009-2010. Sample supplementation of newly registered dentists occurred at successive waves. This study focused on diagnostic, preventive and total services. The time trends in the mean rates of the services were described using a standard cohort table, and negative binomial regression was applied to estimate age, period and cohort effects. RESULTS: The response rates were 73%, 75%, 74%, 71%, 76% and 67% in 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2009, respectively. The mean rates of diagnostic, preventive and total services increased between 1983 and 2009 across all age groups. The period effect showed a higher rate of diagnostic (rate ratios [RR]: 1.21 in 1993 to 1.80 in 2009), preventive (RR: 1.19 in 1988 to 1.85 in 2009) and the total service (RR: 1.08 in 1988 to 1.39 in 2009) over time, compared with the reference group of 1983. Older cohorts had a lower rate, and the younger cohorts had a higher rate of diagnostic, preventive and the total number of services over the study period. The highest rate of diagnostic (RR=2.53), preventive (RR=2.44) and the total service (RR=1.52) was in those aged 25-29 years in 1983 compared with the reference group of 30-34 years in 1983. CONCLUSIONS: Trends in dental services provision can be associated with age, period and cohort effects. The study found the rate of diagnostic, preventive and total services increased over time. Meanwhile, an increasing rate of diagnostic, preventive and the total services was observed when moving from older cohorts to younger cohorts among Australian dentists suggesting a sustained shift towards these services into the future.

Preventive services in Australia by patient and visit characteristics.

OBJECTIVES: Growth in rates of preventive services has been linked to trends in retention of teeth and the emergence of minimal intervention approaches. In this study, we examined associations between patient-level characteristics and rates of the preventive services dental/prophylaxis and application of remineralisation agents. METHODS: A random sample of dentists in Australia was posted a self-administered questionnaire in 2009-2010. A service log was used to collect data on preventive services and patient characteristics. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 1,148 dentists (response rate = 67%). Preventive service rate models, adjusted according to the age and gender of patients, indicated that insured patients had higher rates of prophylaxis [rate ratio (RR) = 1.39; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.21-1.59) and remineralisation services (RR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.46-2.33), and that emergency visits had lower rates for prophylaxis (RR = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.20-0.35) and remineralisation services (RR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.14-0.38). Those who had 20 teeth or more demonstrated higher rates of prophylaxis (RR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.13-1.75) and remineralisation services (RR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.02-2.08). Those with decayed teeth had lower rates of prophylaxis (RR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.46-0.63) and remineralisation services (RR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.53-0.82). CONCLUSIONS: Preventive services were associated with patient age, characteristics of visits and oral health. Patients who were worse off, in terms of attending an emergency visit for the relief of pain and having decayed teeth, had lower rates of preventive care. The findings indicate that patients most in need are missing out on the benefits of preventive dental services.

Dental service provision by oral health therapists, dental hygienists and dental therapists in Australia: implications for workforce modelling.

OBJECTIVE: Dental service provision rates are necessary for workforce planning. This study estimates patient and service rates for oral health therapists (OHTs), dental hygienists (DHs) and dental therapists (DTs). To identify important variables for workforce modelling, variations in rates by practice characteristics were assessed. DESIGN: A cross-sectional self-complete mailed questionnaire collected demographic and employment characteristics, and clinical activity on a self-selected typical day of practice. SETTING: Private and public dental practices in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Members of the two professional associations representing DHs, DTs and OHTs. METHODS: For each practitioner type, means and adjusted rate ratios of patients per hour, services per visit and preventive services per visit were estimated. Comparisons by practice characteristics were assessed by negative binomial regression models. RESULTS: Response rate was 60.6% (n = 1,083), 90.9% were employed of which 86.3% were working in clinical practice and completed the service log. Mean services per patient visit provided by OHTs, DHs and DTs were 3.7, 3.5 and 3.3 and mean preventive services per patient were 2.1, 2.1 and 1.8 respectively. For all three groups, adjusting for explanatory variables, the rate of preventive services per patient varied significantly by practice type (general or specialist) and by the proportion of child patients treated. CONCLUSION: Services rates varied by age distribution of patients and type of practice. If these factors were anticipated to vary over-time, then workforce planning models should consider accounting for the potential impact on capacity to supply services by these dental workforce groups.

Preventive dental care in older adults with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The association between poor oral health and diabetes is well documented. Preventive oral health care is, therefore, strongly indicated for people with diabetes. The authors conducted a study to determine if there was a difference in preventive dental care use among older adults with diabetes in 2002 and in 2011 and to compare preventive dental care use by older adults with and without diabetes in 2002 and in 2011. METHODS: The authors used a data sample of participants from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey that included older (65 years and older) fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries. The key outcome was self-reported preventive dental care. In 2002, there were 8,725 participants; in 2011, there were 7,425 participants. The authors conducted χ(2) and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: In 2002, 28.8% of participants with diabetes had preventive dental care. In 2011, this percentage increased to 36.0%. Similar results were seen among participants without diabetes (42.9% in 2002 and 45.5% in 2011). The increase in preventive dental care was statistically significant for participants with and without diabetes. The participants with diabetes, as compared with participants without diabetes, remained statistically less likely to have had preventive dental care in adjusted logistic regression analysis with and without considering the interaction between observation year and diabetes (adjusted odds ratios, 0.73 and 0.86, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although the percentage increase in participants with diabetes receiving preventive dental care is welcomed, older adults with diabetes continue to have substantial preventive dental care needs. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Additional efforts are needed to encourage people with diabetes to obtain preventive dental care.

Provision of Preventive Dental Services in Children Enrolled in Medicaid by Nondental Providers.

OBJECTIVES: Aims of this study are to determine (1) the association of oral health services (OHS) provided by nontraditional providers with the percentage of Medicaid children 0 to 5 years of age who receive ≥1 preventive services from all provider types in the United States; and (2) characteristics of state Medicaid policies associated with provision of OHS. METHODS: We conducted a time-series cross-sectional study of preventive services provided by nontraditional (OHS) and dental (PDS) providers for Medicaid-enrolled children from birth to 5 years of age in all states during 2010 to 2013 (204 observations). We applied panel data multiple regression analysis techniques to exploit year and state variation in aggregate data available in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reports (form CMS-416). Total preventive dental services (TPDS =OHS + PDS) was predicted by months since state enactment of a policy to reimburse medical providers for OHS. RESULTS: The 44 states with a policy reported 4.3% of children per state per year with any OHS. For all states, an average of 30.1% received PDS and 34.5% TPDS. The delivery of OHS was associated with a small increase in percentage with TPDS. One year of Medicaid OHS availability was associated with an increase of 1.5% in the percentage of children with TPDS per state per year. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of policies by Medicaid programs to support integration of OHS into primary care is associated with increases in overallTPDS use, but efforts are needed to improve implementation in practice to achieve national impact on access.

[Prevention and Information for Patients Undergoing Periodontal Treatment: Potentials for Improvement from the Patients' Perspective]. / Prävention und Aufklärung im Rahmen der Parodontitisbehandlung: Verbesserungspotenziale aus Patientensicht.

2 334 patients from 29 dental practices took part in a written survey on their experiences with dental treatment in general as well as treatment of periodontal disease (response rate 80.8%). 72.6% of all participating patients fully agreed that they could recommend their dentist to their friends. 63.6% of patients undergoing treatment of periodontitis (N=328) rated this treatment as "excellent". However, for important aspects (prevention, patient information, treatment) potentials for improvement became obvious. 43.7% of patients treated for periodontitis were not completely satisfied with information on how this disease develops; 40.7% saw potentials for better information on preventive care (dental-hygiene, nutrition). An even higher percentage of patients actually not treated for periodontitis was interested in more information on prevention (51.4%). The results of the survey show that dentists should offer information and exercise on how to prevent periodontal desease more actively. There is a lack of research on the present state of affairs and potentials for improvement concerning treatment and prevention of periodontitis including the patients' perspective.

A register-based study of variations in services received among dental care attenders.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether receipt of dental services, among attenders, reflects variations in dental health or whether and to what degree it is associated with socioeconomic status, with irregular or regular dental attendance and with the availability of dentists in residential areas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective register-based study followed two Danish cohorts, aged 25 and 40, with a dental examination in 2009 (n = 32,351). The dental service data were registered during 2005-2009. The number of dental examinations, individual preventive services (IPS), tooth extractions, root fillings and composite fillings were analyzed in relation to socioeconomic status, irregular/regular dental attendance, inhabitant/dentist ratio and to DMFT at age 15 (DMFT15) and change in DMFT (ΔDMFT) from age 15 to age 25 and age 40, respectively. Poisson regression and negative binomial regression analyses were used. RESULTS: The variations in number of services received in the study population were small (SD = 0.2-2.7). However, with a few exceptions, high levels of DMFT15 and ΔDMFT were associated with receipt of more dental services. Socioeconomically-privileged individuals received more dental examinations but fewer tooth extractions, root fillings and composite fillings compared to disadvantaged persons, when controlled for dental health levels. Irregular attenders received fewer IPS and composite fillings but had more extractions compared to regular attenders. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in dental care services were found to reflect variations in dental health, but the variations were also related to individual socioeconomic status, residential area and dental attendance patterns.

Preventive care delivered within Public Dental Service after caries risk assessment of young adults.

OBJECTIVES: To study preventive care provided to young adults in relation to their estimated risk category over a 3-year period. METHODS: The amount and type of preventive treatment during 3 years was extracted from the digital dental records of 982 patients attending eight public dental clinics. The baseline caries risk assessment was carried out by the patient's regular team in four classes according to a predetermined model, and the team was responsible for all treatment decisions. Based on the variables 'oral health information', 'additional fluoride' and 'professional tooth cleaning', a cumulative score was constructed and dichotomized to 'basic prevention' and 'additional prevention'. RESULTS: More additional preventive care was provided to the patients in the 'low-risk' and 'some risk' categories than to those classified as 'high' or 'very high' risk (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.4-3.0; P < 0.05). Professional tooth cleaning and additional fluorides were most frequently employed in the 'low-risk' and 'some risk' categories, respectively. Around 15% of the patients in the high-risk categories did not receive additional preventive measures over the 3-year period. There was an insignificant tendency that patients with additional prevention developed less caries than those that received basic prevention in all risk categories except for the 'very high-risk' group. CONCLUSION: The caries risk assessment process was not accompanied by a corresponding targeted individual preventive care in a cohort of young adults attending public dental service. Further research is needed how to reach those with the greatest need of primary and secondary prevention.

Lesões orais detectadas clinicamente em campanha de prevenção em estomatologia na população do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Oral injuries clinically detected in campaign stomatology prevention in state population from Rio de Janeiro

Estudos de prevalência de lesões orais são importantes para caracterizar a ocorrência das mesmas em uma população. O entendimento dos aspectos epidemiológicos, etiologia, história natural e fatores de risco relacionados às condições patológicas orais são essenciais para prevenção primária, diagnóstico precoce e para o tratamento destas doenças. Em primeiro lugar, um estudo sistemático foi realizado para conhecer os aspectos epidemiológicos das alterações orais nas populações. (Artigo 1) Através dessa revisão da literatura feita em estudos internacionais e nacionais, foi encontrada uma prevalência de 15,92% de indivíduos que apresentam alterações orais. O objetivo do segundo estudo foi investigar as lesões orais detectadas na população do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, através de dados clínicos coletados em uma campanha de prevenção em estomatologia. Em 2003, a Campanha de Prevenção em Estomatologia foi realizada em sete municípios do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, onde os indivíduos eram convidados a participar da campanha nos determinados postos de atendimento, com o objetivo de promover saúde através do exame oral e da conscientização sobre a importância da prevenção das lesões de boca. (Artigo 2) Foram excluídos os indivíduos que participaram apenas da parte informativa da campanha e que não foram submetidos à anamnese, exame físico e ao preenchimento do questionário. O questionário com perguntas sobre dados sócio-demográficos, informações clínicas e uso de medicamentos foi preenchido por um dos membros da equipe. As informações obtidas foram compiladas e armazenadas em banco de dados do programa Epi-Info 6.0 (CDC, Atlanta, EUA). Os dados foram analisados no programa SPSS 13.0 (IBM, Armonk, EUA). Foi realizada uma análise descritiva dos dados. Além disso, foram utilizados os testes quiquadrado e t de Student. O nível de significância escolhido foi p = 0,05. Durante a campanha foram avaliados 10.250 indivíduos, com média de idade de 45 anos, sendo 61,5% do gênero feminino. Dos indivíduos examinados, 33,6% (n=3.424) apresentaram alguma alteração oral Dentre estes 22% necessitavam controle e/ou tratamento da condição e necessitaram ser encaminhados para atendimento em um centro de referência em estomatologista. A faixa etária que mais apresentou alterações orais foi de 40 a 59 anos. As alterações orais mais prevalentes foram: candidíase (18,37%), lesões reativas (13,63%), alteração do desenvolvimento (10,16%), ulceração aftosa (7,43%), injúria por prótese (5,85%), leucoplasia (5,19%) e úlcera traumática (5,15%). É necessário que os profissionais da saúde e a população do Estado do Rio de Janeiro tenham um maior conhecimento das lesões orais mais frequentes e relevantes através de programas de saúde pública, e maior número de campanhas de prevenção em estomatologia. (AU)

Studies on the prevalence of oral lesions are important to characterize their occurrence in a population. The understanding of epidemiologic aspects, etiology, natural history and risk factors related to oral pathological conditions are essential to the primary prevention, early diagnosis and treatment. First, a systematic study was made to know the epidemiological aspects of oral lesions in populations. (Article 1) This review of the literature showed a prevalence of 15.92% of individuals with oral lesions in international and national studies. The aim of the main study was to investigate the clinically detected oral lesions in the population of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil during a prevention campaign in stomatology. The Prevention Campaign in Stomatology took place in 2003, in seven districts of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Individuals voluntarily visited the stands were exams the campaign was held, and they had preventive instructions about oral lesions and had an oral exam performed by a dentist. The goals of the campaign were to promote health through oral exams to alert the population about oral lesions and the importance of their prevention. All individual who were willing to participate were included. Individuals who weren't examined and didn't answer the questionnaire were excluded. A questionnaire on the social, demographic, economical and clinical data was filled out by a dentist or a student. All the data obtained was compiled and stored in Epi-Info 6.0 database (EpiInfo, CDC, Atlanta, EUA). The data were analyzed on SPSS 13.0 (IBM© , Armonk, EUA). A descriptive analysis of data was performed. The chi-square test and T test Student were used, when appropriated. Relevance level was set at p= 0,05. During the campaign there were 10,250 individuals evaluated, aged between 01 and 96 years old, mean of 45 years old. Individuals were examinated and 33.6% (n = 3,424) had some type of oral lesions. Among those who presented oral lesions, 22% required control and/or treatment of the condition and needed to be referred for care with a stomatology specialist. The age group between 40-59 years of age showed more oral lesions. The most prevalent oral lesions were candidiasis (18.37%), reactive lesions (13.63%), development alterations (10.16%), aphthous ulceration (7.43%), injuries caused by prosthesis (5.85 %), leukoplakia (5.19%) and traumatic ulcers (5.15%). Health programs and prevention campaigns in stomatology must be held so that the population and health care workers become aware of the most frequent and relevant oral lesions. (AU)

Summary of: Differences by age and sex in general dental practitioners' knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in delivering prevention.

PURPOSE: To assess sex and age differences in NHS dentists' knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in providing preventive care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted with dentists working in North London, UK. RESULTS: The sample displayed limited knowledge in certain key aspects of prevention, but expressed generally positive attitudes towards preventive care. More female and younger dentists reported that a child should attend the dentist before the age of 3 years (p = 0.03 and p = 0.04, respectively). No other differences in knowledge or attitudes were found by age and sex. The majority of the sample reported routinely providing oral hygiene (95.7%), diet (85.4%) and smoking cessation advice (76.7%), but provision of alcohol advice was much less common (38%). A significantly higher proportion of younger dentists were more likely to give diet advice (p = 0.03) and smoking cessation support (p = 0.009) than their older colleagues. Female dentists were more likely to provide fissure sealants (p = 0.04), diet advice (p = 0.02) and smoking cessation support (p = 0.03). The main perceived barriers were related to organisational factors including insufficient remuneration (86.3%), lack of time (84%) and poor patient compliance (66%). There were no significant differences in perceived barriers by sex, but younger dentists were significantly more likely to identify poor patient compliance as a barrier (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Although dentists in this study may lack some core preventive knowledge, many expressed very positive attitudes towards prevention and reported to be routinely offering a range of preventive measures. Younger and female dentists tended to engage more frequently in preventive activities.