Is Intraoral Scanning Accurate to Evaluate Dental Implant Position? An In-Vitro Study.

PURPOSE: The position of dental implants is generally verified through imaging exams, even though its use exposes patients to radiation. Intraoral scanning (IOS) may be a suitable alternative to using radiographic imaging to verify implant position. Using polyurethane jaw models, the purpose of this in-vitro study was to measure and compare implant positions determined by IOS and cone-bean computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: One hundred twenty implants were installed in 30 edentulous polyurethane jaws, 4 dental implants in each prototype. Four scanbodies were attached to the implants, and a scanning of each mandible was acquired using an intraoral scanner (CS 3600). All prototypes were also submitted to CBCT. Then, the 3D scan files in STL (Standard Tessellation Language) format were superimposed on the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) images of the tomographic mandibles. The accuracy of IOS was evaluated by the metric analyses of deviations between the position of the implants projected by the IOS versus the detected tomographically, in which CBCT served as the gold standard, using a free software for digital planning (Bluesky 4 - Grayslake, IL, USA). The following measures were analyzed: radial deviations at the shoulder (Xc) and at the apex of the implants (Xa), height deviation (Xh) and axial deviation. Bland-Altman and a paired t-test were applied to verify the reproducibility between measurements and a t-test for a mean was applied to compare the measurements with zero value. RESULTS: The results showed Xc and Xa deviation means of 0.14 ± 0.09 mm and 0.12 ± 0.12 mm, respectively. The Xh mean was 0.2 ± 0.12 mm and the axial deviation mean was 0.71° ± 0.66°. T-test showed a statistically significant difference when the 4 means were compared to zero value, represented by the CBCT (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: There was a statistically significant difference IN the scanned measures compared to CBCT as the standard, but the differences may not be clinically significant. The IOS utilization to evaluate the position of dental implants is a radiation-free and reproducible method, with the advantage of not generating metal artifacts. Further clinical studies are needed to validate this new method of postoperative evaluation.

Social and behavioural associated factors of actinic cheilitis in rural workers.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and factors potentially associated with the development of actinic cheilitis (AC) in Brazilian rural workers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A professional performed all physical examinations and evaluations using semi-structured questionnaires in 240 rural workers. RESULTS: Eighty-three participants were diagnosed with AC (34.6%). It was more prevalent among workers older than 45 years (3.29-10.96 95% IC; OR = 3.30; p = .0018), Caucasians (phototypes I and II) (4.78-16.12 95% IC; OR = 10.81; p < .0001), illiterate individuals (2.16-21.59 95% IC; OR = 10.43; p = .0037), those with 6 or fewer years of formal schooling (2.03-7.89 95% IC; OR = 4.63; p = .0013), those regularly using pesticides (1.58-6.64 95% IC; OR = 2.79; p = .0260) and those who used the private health service in their last appointment (1.17-3.54 95% IC; OR = 2.72; p = .0083). CONCLUSION: There was a substantial prevalence of AC among rural workers with advanced age, white skin, and illiteracy, those with lower levels of education, those who regularly use pesticides, and those who utilised private health services in their last appointment. Thus, healthcare strategies that include rural workers are required for the control and prevention of AC in both public and private health services.

Oral health literacy, self-rated oral health, and oral health-related quality of life in Brazilian adults.

The aim of this study was to investigate associations between oral health literacy (OHL), self-rated oral health (SROH), and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in Brazilian adults. A sample of 523 Brazilian adults completed the short-form Health Literacy in Dentistry (HeLD-14) and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) instruments that measure OHL and OHRQoL, respectively. The prevalence ratios (PRs) for outcome variables and their 95% CIs were quantified. Multivariable log-binomial regression models were applied, as the statistical models, to estimate bivariate and multivariable relationships of oral health outcomes with OHL, after adjusting for covariates. No significant association was found between poor SROH (as measured by single items) and OHL (PR = 1.28; 95% CI: 0.87-1.88); by contrast, significant associations were found between poor SROH and income (PR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.04-2.21), toothbrushing frequency (PR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.11-2.58), reason for dental visiting (PR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.03-2.13), and self-rated general health (PR = 3.44; 95% CI: 2.38-4.97). The OHL level (PR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.21-2.56), educational level (PR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.41-0.93), reason for dental visiting (PR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.30-2.61), and self-rated general health (PR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.03-2.23) were associated with poor OHRQoL.

Can the primary health care model affect the determinants of neonatal, post-neonatal and maternal mortality? A study from Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The state of São Paulo recorded a significant reduction in infant mortality from 1990 to 2013, but the desired reduction in maternal mortality was not achieved. Knowledge of the factors with impact on these indicators would be of help in formulating public policies. The aims of this study were to evaluate the relations between socioeconomic and demographic factors, health care model and both infant mortality (considering the neonatal and post-neonatal dimensions) and maternal mortality in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: In this ecological study, data from national official open sources were used to conduct a population-based study. The units analyzed were 645 municipalities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. For each municipality, the infant mortality (in both neonatal and post-neonatal dimensions) and maternal mortality rates were calculated for every 1000 live births, referring to 2013. Subsequently, the association between these rates, socioeconomic variables, demographic models and the primary care organization model in the municipality were verified. For statistical analysis, we used the zero-inflated negative binomial model. Gross analysis was performed and then multiple regression models were estimated. For associations, we adopted "p" at 5%. RESULTS: The increase in the HDI of the city and proportion of Family Health Care Strategy implemented were significantly associated with the reduction in both infant mortality (neonatal + post-neonatal) and maternal mortality rates. In turn, the increase in birth and caesarean delivery rates were associated with the increase in infant and maternal mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the Family Health Care Strategy was a Primary Care organization model that contributed to the reduction in infant (neonatal + post-neonatal) and maternal mortality rates, and so did actors such as HDI and cesarean section. Thus, public health managers should prefer this model when planning the organization of Primary Care services for the population.

Social vulnerability and factors associated with oral impact on daily performance among adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Oral disorders may negatively affect the quality of life (QoL) of adolescents. To investigate how social vulnerability and oral-health status factors affect QoL in 15-19 years olds who participated in the "SB São Paulo 2015" state survey. METHODS: The relationship of several independent variables, namely Paulista Social Vulnerability Index (PSVI) score, gender, skin color, family income, age, untreated caries, tooth loss [determined by the Decayed, Missing, Filled-Teeth (DMF-T) index], toothache, periodontal condition [determined by the Community Periodontal Index (CPI)], and malocclusion (maxillary overjet, cross bite, or open bite) affect daily life, measured by the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) instrument. Logistic regression analyses were carried out based on a hierarchical model. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 5402 adolescents. The prevalence of at least one negative impact of oral health on QoL was 37.3%. After adjustment, demographic factors that were found to influence this impact significantly (p < 0.01) were female gender [odds ratio (OR) 1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.59-2.0], non-white skin color (OR 1.66, 95% CI = 1.47-1.88), and a low family income (OR 1.28, 95% CI = 1.28-1.29). Additionally, oral conditions associated with oral health impact on QoL included the presence of at least one untreated tooth decay lesion (OR 1.42, 95% CI = 1.25-1.61), loss of at least one tooth (OR 1.49; 95% CI = 1.25-1.78), toothache (OR 4.87, 95% CI = 4.25-5.59), bleeding on probing (OR 1.45, 95% CI = 1.25-1.68), and severe maxillary overjet (OR 1.68, 95% CI = 1.15-2.45). CONCLUSION: Social vulnerability (PSVI score) was not associated with the OIDP score, but oral health conditions and socio-demographic variables, including gender, skin color, and income, were found to affect adolescents' daily activities. Strategies that consider the perceptions of this segment of the population should be implemented to strengthen their autonomy and totality of care.

Quality of life and socio-dental impact among underprivileged Brazilian adolescents.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of clinical variables, individual and contextual characteristics on the quality of life (QL) of underprivileged adolescents in a municipality in the interior of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Piracicaba, in 2012, with 1,172 adolescents aged 15-19 years, from 21 state schools and 34 Family Health Units. The dependent variables included the socio-dental impact (OIDP) and quality of life (WHOQOL-bref) indices. The dependent variables were classified as individual (DMFT index, CPI Index, age, sex, income, parents' educational level) and contextual (Social Exclusion Index) variable. The multilevel regression model was estimated by the PROC GLIMMIX ("Generalized Linear Models-Mixed") procedure, considering the individuals' variables as being Level 1 and the contextual variables as being Level 2, and the statistical significance was evaluated at level of significance of 5 %. RESULTS: Girls were found to have the worst QL (p < 0.000) and greatest OIDP (p = 0.000). There was an increase in OIDP (p < 0.001) and diminished QL (p < 0.052) with an increase in the periodontal index. This result is marginally significant since the significance probability is marginally greater than 0.05. In turn, there was an increase in QL (p = 0.000) and reduction in OIDP (p < 0.000) with an increase in the family income. Adolescents who resided in areas of greatest social exclusion (p = 0.031) and with greater OIDP (p < 0.000) presented the worst QL. CONCLUSION: Individual and contextual variables were related to the OIDP and QL in underprivileged Brazilian adolescents.

The impact of oral health conditions, socioeconomic status and use of specific substances on quality of life of addicted persons.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the impact of oral health conditions, socioeconomic status and use of specific substances on quality of life of alcohol and drug addicted persons, receiving care at outpatient treatment facilities in Brazil. METHODS: A random sample of 262 participants, mean age 37 years, from Psychosocial Care Centers for Alcohol and Drugs (CAPS AD) located in three cities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, were clinically examined for caries experience (DMFT index) by a calibrated examiner. They were asked to complete a series of questionnaires, including the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), socioeconomic characteristics, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment (WHOQOL), which were considered the outcome variables of the study. Associations between oral health status, socioeconomic characteristics, substance involvement with WHOQOL were investigated by means of the chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis with a level of significance α < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean DMF index of the group was 13.0. Subjects with DMFT >14 (OR = 2.25; CI 95% = 1.30-3.89); low-income (OR = 2.41; CI 95% = 1.22-4.77) and users of cocaine/crack (OR = 2.02; CI 95% = 1.15-3.59) were more likely to have poor general quality of life. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the general quality of life of addicted persons was associated with caries experience, low income and cocaine/crack use.

Individual and contextual factors related to dental caries in underprivileged Brazilian adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Investigate the individual and contextual variables related to caries in underprivileged adolescents, and the disparity in distribution of the disease. METHODS: Cross-sectional analytical study, conducted in the city of Piracicaba, SP, Brazil, in 2012. The probabilistic sample was composed of 1,179 adolescents from 15-19 years of age, randomly selected from 21 state schools and 34 Primary Health Units--Family Health (PHU-FH). The dependent variables studied were number of decayed teeth and caries experience (DMFT). The independent variables were classified into individual (clinical, sociodemographic, psychosocial, self-perception, impact on oral health, access to services, and quality of life) and contextual (social exclusion index, total number of residents in suburb, literacy rate, and the following variables given in percentages: residences in the home ownership category, provision of domestic sewerage, trash collection, families with income of over 1 minimum wage per month, and families without monthly income) variables. The multilevel regression model was estimated by the PROC GLIMMIX (Generalized Linear Models-Mixed) procedure, considering the individual variables as Level 1 and the contextual variables of the suburbs as Level 2. Adjustment of the model was evaluated by -2 Res Log Likelihood with α = 0.05. RESULTS: As regards the individual variables, adolescents who declared having a prison inmate in the Family and resided in homes with a larger number of persons, showed a higher number of decayed teeth. There were a larger number of decayed teeth, a higher DMFT value, and worse self-perception as regards the health of their teeth and mouth. Other variables, such as being of the female gender, age and time since last visit to the dentist were related to the DMFT index. As regards the contextual variables, the DMFT was lower in suburbs with greater access to domestic sewage, and the number of decayed teeth was higher in suburbs with the worst social exclusion indices. CONCLUSION: Individual and contextual variables were associated with the presence of caries and DMFT index in underprivileged adolescents, indicating that they must be taken into consideration in the formulation of policies directed towards oral health promotion and prevention activities in this group.

A cohort study of caries incidence and baseline socioeconomic, clinical and demographic variables: a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of dental caries and evaluate the influence of socioeconomic, clinical and demographic variables on the time for disease to appear in the permanent teeth after 3 years of follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The random sample of this cohort study consisted of 427 5-year-old preschool children attending 22 public preschools in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. Dental caries was measured using the dmf/DMF indices. The Kaplan- Meier survival analysis method was used to study the isolated effect of socioeconomic, clinical and demographic variables on caries incidence after 3 years. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was built to test the influence of the variables collected at baseline on time to develop DMFT increment. RESULTS: Survival analysis showed that children without past caries experience in primary teeth at baseline remained caries free in permanent teeth for a longer period than children with past caries experience at baseline. The variables monthly family income, parents' educational level, number of people living in the household, home ownership and car ownership were not significant. CONCLUSION: Children who presented past caries experience in primary teeth at baseline are at greater risk of developing DMFT increment than children who have no past caries experience at baseline.

Socioeconomic and family influences on dental treatment needs among Brazilian underprivileged schoolchildren participating in a dental health program.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to compare the socioeconomic and family characteristics of underprivileged schoolchildren with and without curative dental needs participating in a dental health program. METHODS: A random sample of 1411 of 8-to-10 year-old Brazilian schoolchildren was examined and two sample groups were included in the cross-sectional study: 544 presented curative dental needs and the other 867 schoolchildren were without curative dental needs. The schoolchildren were examined for the presence of caries lesions using the DMFT index and their parents were asked to answer questions about socioenvironmental characteristics of their families. Logistic regression models were adjusted estimating the Odds Ratios (OR), their 95% confidence intervals (CI), and significance levels. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders, it was found that families earning more than one Brazilian minimum wage, having fewer than four residents in the house, families living in homes owned by them, and children living with both biological parents were protective factors for the presence of dental caries, and consequently, curative dental needs. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic status and family structure influences the curative dental needs of children from underprivileged communities. In this sense, dental health programs should plan and implement strategic efforts to reduce inequities in oral health status and access to oral health services of vulnerable schoolchildren and their families.

Health literacy and self-efficacy associations with non-adherence to dental treatment among young adults.

The aim of this study was to investigate associations of health literacy (HL), general self-efficacy (GSE), and sociodemographic variables with non-adherence to dental treatment among Brazilian young adults. This is a cross-sectional study based on a cohort study of 248 young adults aged 19 to 25 years followed up in an earlier study. The participants completed the perceived general self-efficacy scale (GSE), a questionnaire on socioeconomic and demographic variables and were examined for oral conditions. HL was measured using the Brazilian version of the health literacy questionnaire (HLQ-Br), which provides nine individual scores based on an average of the items within each of the nine scales. Dental treatment adherence was evaluated as the decision of young adults to seek a dentist to finish the recommended restorative treatment for dental caries. The effects of HL domains on the adherence to dental treatment were analyzed by logistic regression and the effect was adjusted for sex, age, family income, paternal and maternal education, type of housing, and self-efficacy. The results of the adjusted analysis showed associations among young adults who did not adhere to dental treatment with lower self-efficacy levels, living in non-owner-occupied homes, and lower HL levels in almost all of the HL domains (p < 0.05). Only the HLQ6 domain "Ability to actively engage with healthcare providers" was not associated with the outcome (p>0.05). Adherence to dental treatment in primary care among young adults was associated with their general self-efficacy levels, socioeconomic characteristics, and individual's lower HL aspects.

Longitudinal study for dental caries calibration of dentists unexperienced in epidemiological surveys.

This study aimed to make a longitudinal analysis of interexaminer calibration reproducibility in diagnosing dental caries in posterior teeth, by examiners without previous experience in epidemiological studies. A group of 11 inexperienced examiners underwent theoretical-practical training and calibration assessments, assisted by a standard examiner. An examiner who did not participate directly in the research selected 5-year-old children with and without caries. The D3 diagnostic threshold was used to evaluate dental caries, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The initial calibration (baseline) was performed after the theoretical-practical training session, and consisted of examining 20 children; the second calibration occurred three months later, and involved evaluating another 18 children. The interexaminer agreement was obtained by kappa statistics, and by overall percentage agreement. The paired t-test was applied to compare the values for kappa means and overall percentage agreement between the time points studied. At baseline, the values for kappa (> 0.81) and overall percentage agreement (> 95.63%) were considered high. At the 3-month calibration assessment, all the examiners showed some decrease in both kappa (p < 0.0001) and overall percentage agreement (p = 0.0102). The calibration process currently proposed by the WHO is effective. However, reproducibility was not maintained over time for inexperienced examiners evaluating the posterior teeth of 5-year-old children, under epidemiological conditions.

Age and Type of Delivery as Risk Indicators for Maternal Mortality.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed maternal mortality (MM) and related factors in a large-sized municipality in the Southeastern region of Brazil (Campinas, São Paulo) during the period 2000-2015. METHODS: This study consisted of two phases: 1. An analytical nested case-control phase that assessed the impact of individual and contextual variables on MM; and 2. an ecological phase designed to contextualize maternal deaths by means of spatial analysis. The case group consisted of all maternal deaths (n = 87) and the control group consisted of 348 women who gave birth during the same period. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, association, and multiple logistic regression (MLR) tests at p < 0.05 as well as spatial analysis. RESULTS: Maternal Mortality Ratio was 37 deaths per 100.000 live births. Deaths were dispersed throughout the urban territory and no formation of cluster was observed. MLR showed that pregnant women aged ≥ 35 years old (OR = 2.63) or those with cesarean delivery (OR = 2.51) were more prone to maternal death. CONCLUSION: Maternal deaths were distributed dispersedly among the different socioeconomic levels and more prone to occur among older women or those undergoing cesarean deliveries.

OBJETIVO: Esse estudo avaliou a mortalidade materna (MM) e fatores relacionados em um município de grande porte da região sudeste do Brasil (Campinas, São Paulo) no período de 2000-2015. MéTODOS:: Esse estudo consistiu de duas fases: 1. Uma fase analítica de caso-controle que avaliou o impacto de variáveis individuais e contextuais na MM; 2. Uma fase ecológica delineada para contextualizar as mortes maternas por meio de análise espacial. O grupo caso consistiu de 87 mortes maternas e o grupo controle de 348 mulheres que tiveram bebês durante o mesmo período. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva, testes de associação e regressão logística múltipla (RLM) (p < 0,05) assim como análise espacial. RESULTADOS: A taxa de mortalidade materna foi de 37 mortes para cada 100.000 nascidos vivos. As mortes foram dispersas por todo o território urbano e não se observou formação de clusters. Na RLM observou-se que mulheres grávidas com idade ≥ 35 anos (OR = 2,63) ou aquelas que passaram por cesárea (OR = 2,51) foram mais propensas à morte materna. CONCLUSãO:: As mortes maternas foram distribuídas dispersamente entre os diferentes níveis socioeconômicos e mais propensas a ocorrer entre mulheres ≥ 35 anos de idade ou que passaram por cesárea.

[Organization of demand in oral health and family vulnerability]. / Organização da demanda em saúde bucal e a vulnerabilidade familiar.

The scope of this study was to analyze the relationship of an instrument of family vulnerability with sociodemographic, dental, and spatial distribution in a given territory. The dependent variable was the classification of family vulnerability, proposed by Coelho and Savassi. The independent variables were selected on the basis of the theoretical model proposed by Andersen. Hierarchical multiple logistic regression models were estimated. Kernel density estimation was used for spatial analysis. Subjects who lived with more than 4 people (OR = 3.46; 95% CI), who were dissatisfied with their oral health (OR = 2.38; 95% CI), who were ashamed to smile and talk (OR = 3.03, 95% CI) were more likely to be "at risk" in the family. Spatial analysis enabled the visualization of an area of ​​higher concentration of families "at risk". The relationship of the instrument of vulnerability analyzed with sociodemographic and dental factors, as well as the assistance in the visualization and identification of more vulnerable areas, are useful in the knowledge of the territory for the planning of actions in oral health, and the conclusion drawn is that the tool can be adopted for more equitable access by the oral health teams.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a relação de um instrumento de vulnerabilidade familiar com fatores sociodemográficos e odontológicos e sua distribuição espacial em determinado território. A variável dependente foi a classificação de vulnerabilidade familiar, proposta por Coelho e Savassi. As variáveis independentes foram selecionadas baseadas no modelo teórico proposto por Andersen. Foram estimados modelos de regressão logística múltipla hierarquizada. O estimador de densidade de Kernel foi utilizado para análise espacial. Indivíduos que residiam com mais de quatro pessoas (OR = 3,46; IC 95%), que estavam insatisfeitos com a saúde bucal (OR = 2,38; IC 95%) e que tinham vergonha ao sorrir e falar (OR = 3,03; IC 95%) apresentavam mais chances de estar "em risco" familiar. A análise espacial possibilitou a visualização de uma área de maior concentração de famílias "em risco". A relação do instrumento de vulnerabilidade analisado com fatores sociodemográficos e odontológicos, além do auxílio na visualização e identificação de áreas mais vulneráveis, auxilia no conhecimento do território para o planejamento das ações em saúde bucal, de modo que concluímos que tal instrumento pode ser adotado para um acesso mais equânime por parte das equipes de saúde bucal.

Determinants of adherence to dental treatment of socially vulnerable adolescents: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Different studies with adolescents address the difficulty they have to adhere to oral dental treatments. Therefore, better understanding the processes involved in adherence to treatment in this population is necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that influence adherence to dental treatment in socially underprivileged adolescents in primary care. RESULTS: Non-adherence to treatment showed high rate in the studied sample (49.5%). Family income (p = 0.039) and number of individuals in the family (p = 0.003) were associated with non-adherence to dental treatment. It is concluded that the adolescents' social vulnerability condition resulted in situations that are incompatible with adherence, which hinders dental treatment and health service planning.

Repercussions of the COVID-19 epidemic on Brazilian National Health System urgent dental care in Piracicaba, Brazil, 2020. / Repercussões da epidemia de COVID-19 nos atendimentos odontológicos de urgência do Sistema Único de Saúde em Piracicaba, 2020.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on procedures performed by a public urgent dental care service (PUDS). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, using data from the PUDS in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil, prior to the pandemic (February-March 2020) and during the pandemic (March-April 2020). Differences in the care profile between the pre-COVID-19 period and the COVID-19 period, according to sex, age and dental procedures were analyzed using Pearson's Chi-square test. Effect size was also measured using Cramer's V. RESULTS: There was a 51% reduction in the number of visits between the pre-COVID-19 period (n=824) and the COVID-19 period (n=404). The percentage of extractions reduced from 14.7% to 8.9%, while the percentage of temporary cavity fillings increased from 22.9% to 33.2%, between the two periods. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic had repercussions on the amount and pattern of procedures performed at the city's urgent dental care service.

Ultra-processed foods consumption among children and associated socioeconomic and demographic factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the consumption of ultra-processed foods among children, and to investigate associations with socioeconomic and demographic factors. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study with 599 children aged 6 months to 2 years, and listed as users of Family Health Units, in a medium-size city. Mothers were approached at home by researchers and community health workers from the Family Health Units, for data collection. Two questionnaires were used: the socioeconomic and demographic questionnaire, and the form Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional of Ministério da Saúde do Brasil , for children aged 6 months to 2 years. Ultra-processed food consumption and socioeconomic and demographic factors were defined as dependent and independent variables, respectively. Multiple regression analysis with a significance level of 5% was used to test associations between ultra-processed food consumption and socioeconomic and demographic variables. RESULTS: Ultra-processed food consumption was associated with child age between 1 and 2 years (OR=3.89; 95%CI: 2.32-6.50 and OR=3.33; 95%CI: 2.00-5.56, respectively), number of people living in the same household (OR=1.94; 95%CI: 1.23-3.05), and recipients of government benefits (OR=1.88; 95%CI: 1.15-3.04). CONCLUSION: Ultra-processed food consumption among children undergoing complementary feeding may be influenced by socioeconomic and demographic factors.

Sugar consumption and dental health: Is there a correlation?

This study investigated the correlation between sugar consumption and dental caries in a random sample of 184 schoolchildren (all 12 years of age) from public and private schools in Piracicaba, Brazil. A seven-day diet record was administered in a cross-sectional survey. Diet records were used to determine the frequency of sugar consumption both during and between meals. Socioeconomic and behavioral variables were collected in a semi-structured questionnaire. Using Community Periodontal Index (CPI) probes and mirrors and following WHO recommendations, a calibrated dentist assessed the number of decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (DMFS) on permanent teeth, the CPI, and the number of noncavitated (NC) carious lesions. Data analysis demonstrated significant correlations between NC carious lesions and sugar consumption during morning snack (p = 0.0282; r = 0.1618), NC carious lesions and sugar consumption during lunch (p = 0.0539; r = 0.1425), monthly family income and sugar consumption during dinner (p < 0.001; r = 0.2970), father's education and sugar consumption during dinner (p = 0.0027; r = 0.2430), and onset of toothbrushing and sugar consumption during dinner (p = 0.0159; r = 0.1786). A high consumption of sweet foods/beverages occurred between meals (mean = 17.48; standard deviation = 14.68). Although there was no correlation between DMFS and sugar consumption, there was a correlation between NC carious lesions and sugar consumption, indicating that the rational use of sugar is an important factor in caries prevention.

The influence of the Brazilian school health program on the oral-health-related quality of life of adolescents.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the Brazilian School Health Program (SHP) on dental clinical disorders such as caries, gingivitis, and dental trauma as well as on the oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of adolescents in Nova Friburgo, RJ, Brazil. The study consisted of a non-probabilistic (convenience) sample comprising 319 12-year-old adolescents, both participants and non-participants of the SHP, for at least two years. Socio-demographic and OHRQoL questionnaires (CPQ11-14, the Child Perceptions Questionnaire) were applied as well as clinical examinations for caries, periodontal disease, and dental trauma following the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria by calibrated researchers. Mann-Whitney, chi-square tests, and multiple logistic regression models were used for the data analysis. Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups covered and not covered by the SHP for gingivitis (p = 0.0373) and OHRQoL on the social welfare subscale (p = 0.0265) and total scale (p = 0.0449) of CPQ11-14. Multivariate analysis showed that female adolescents were 1.74 times more likely to present a lower OHRQoL (OR = 1.74, 95%IC = 1.10-2.77, p = 0.0183) than males. In addition, non-SHP subjects were 1.56 times more likely to have poor OHRQoL (OR = 1.56, 95%IC = 0.94-2.59, p = 0.0873) than program participants. In conclusion, SHP positively influenced the OHRQoL of adolescents. However, follow-up studies are needed to verify the continued effectiveness of this Brazilian SHP in improving the oral health levels and quality of life of adolescents.

Malocclusion and dental appearance in underprivileged Brazilian adolescents.

Satisfaction with dental aesthetics is a subjective indicator used in epidemiological studies and is related to health behaviours. Little is known about the factors that influence this indicator, particularly among adolescents who live in a situation of social vulnerability. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between malocclusion and dental appearance in underprivileged Brazilian adolescents. This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Piracicaba, Brazil, and evaluated 884 adolescents from 13 to 19 years of age. The dependent variable was satisfaction with dental appearance, and the independent variables were classified as individual (components of the Dental Aesthetic Index - DAI, sex and age) and contextual (social exclusion index). For statistical analysis, multilevel regression models were estimated. The individual variables were considered Level 1, and the contextual variable was considered Level 2, with a level of significance of 5%. The mean age of the adolescents was 15.3 years. Female adolescents more frequently affirmed that they were satisfied with their dental appearance than did male individuals. There was an increase in dissatisfaction with oral health with the increase in anterior maxillary overjet, midline diastema, larger anterior irregularity in the maxilla, larger anterior irregularity in the mandible, anterior open bite and antero-posterior molar relation. Satisfaction with dental appearance was associated with individual factors such as sex and DAI components.