Evaluation of dentists' knowledge of the use of oral exfoliative cytology in clinical practice

Oral exfoliative cytology (EC) is a rapid and practical complementary test that can be used in the diagnosis of various diseases. The objectives of this study were to assess dentists'knowledge of EC and to disseminate information on the technique. The study included 240 dentists from the city of Anapolis (Goias, Brazil) who answered a questionnaire regarding demographic data and data relating to EC and who then received information on the technique. The data revealed that 26.92% of the dentists did not know about EC. Among those who reported knowledge of EC, 33.91% did not know the procedures for performing the technique, and 85.38% had no experience with EC. In addition, 54.09% of the answers regarding the instrument used to collect the material and 56.82% of the answers concerning suitable fixatives were inappropriate. Although 73.02% of the dentists adequately identified the pathologies for which EC is recommended, it was concluded that the respondents had poor knowledge of EC. There is a need to increase dentists'awareness of this subject and of EC's use in diagnostic practices.

Perception of brazilian citizens about Darwinism and the (Non) Influence of God in the evolutionary process

The current context is unique in relation to the teaching of evolution in Brazil and the population's perception of evolution. On the one hand, it is said often about Darwinism in various media, especially due to the relatively recent commemoration of the two hundred years of the birth of Charles Darwin and one hundred and fifty years of the launch of the book The Origin of Species. On the other hand, it is clear, in recent years, a timid movement, more worryingly, in favor of equitable approach of creationist and evolutionist theories in the classroom. This article is a part of a research whose goal is to raise the design that Brazilian respondents have about the Darwinian view (which disregards the divine influence in the evolution of the species). The instrument used for data collection is a questionnaire, type Likert scale, which consists of a series of statements in which respondents must express their degree of agreement or disagreement with each statement. In this study, we present the results of the statement. "The thought of Darwin, which does not consider God as a participant in the process of evolution, is...". Analysis correlated with data on religion and education of the respondents are also held. The results point to a tendency of respondents not to accept the Darwinian view that disregards God's interference in the evolutionary process. The data also show that respondents' choices are influenced by religion and education. The frequency of responses that tend to accept the Darwinian view (which disregards the divine participation in the evolution of the species) is higher among respondents with higher levels of education. Adherents to religions "evangelical" tend to deny this view more often than followers of other religions. Given the potential risks of inserting creationist approaches in school education, it is necessary a discussion of the possible impacts of this rejection of Darwin's thinking (which does not consider God as a participant in the evolutionary process), indicated here, in the teaching of evolution. This work was supported by FAPEMIG.

Knowledge of nursing undergraduate students about the use of contact precautions measures

To assess knowledge of nursing undergraduate students about the use of contact precautions. Methodology. There were 106 nursing undergraduate students from three universities within the state of Sao Paulo. The data collection was done between April and May 2012. A questionnaire was elaborated with questions assessing knowledge regarding contact precautions. The data were submitted to statistical procedures in the package MINITAB version 16. The knowledge were rated as adequate, partially adequate and inadequate. Results. There was a predominance of females (86%) and age group between 20 and 29 years (70%). Regarding the definition of contact precaution of diseases in which these measures are used, undergraduate’s knowledge was partially adequate (92% and 44%, respectively). The knowledge was considered adequate for the preventive measures used during assistance (86%). As difficulties mentioned in the use of these measures were discomfort, lack of material, personnel and time. Conclusion. Although undergraduate students know what measures to be used in contact precaution, they do not have adequate knowledge about which diseases they should use them. The three participating universities should reflect on the quality of training for nursing students regarding biosecurity and contact precautions.

Efect of an educative action on relatives' knowledge about childhood burns at home

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de ação educativa sobre o conhecimento de familiares de crianças a respeito de queimaduras em ambiente doméstico. Participaram 40 familiares de crianças menores de quatro anos, divididos igualmente em grupos intervenção e controle. Foram realizadas entrevista inicial, ação educativa com folder de queimaduras e entrevista após uma semana. As respostas foram comparadas, utilizando-se teste estatístico de Fisher. Na primeira entrevista, registrou-se 60 respostas de situações de risco no grupo controle e 62 no grupo intervenção; na segunda, aumentou para 61 e 80 indicações, respectivamente. Na primeira entrevista, 90% dos participantes do grupo controle e 80% do grupo intervenção verbalizaram acreditar que a queimadura infantil pode ser evitada; na segunda, a indicação diminuiu para 84% e aumentou para 100%, respectivamente. Este estudo mostrou a importância da orientação com folder de queimaduras em ambiente doméstico.

Evaluation of hospitalized patients in terms of their knowledge related to smoking

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Evaluation of sixth grade primary schoolchildren's knowledge about avulsion and dental reimplantation

Dental trauma, particularly tooth avulsion, is a frequent cause of tooth loss in children, adolescents, and young adults. The avulsed tooth should be immediately reimplanted in its alveolus. This procedure can be performed by anyone at the accident site and not only by dental surgeons. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the knowledge of sixth graders of the city of Aracatuba, SP, about dental avulsion and tooth reimplantation through a structured and standardized survey. Our sample consisted of 778 students. The data collected was processed using the program epiinfo 2000. Most students were around 12 years of age and 94.5% related to practice some kind of sports. Results demonstrated that the possibility of tooth reimplantation after dental avulsion is not acknowledged among these students and dental traumatism was associated to caries, toothache, and use of orthodontic appliances. Only 18.9% of the students associated dental traumatism to an impact trauma; 3.6% would store the tooth in milk, and 3.1% believed the tooth could be reimplanted by anyone present at the accident site. In summary, the results show an overall the lack of knowledge about dental traumatism and highlight the need of special programs designed to educate school-aged students about emergency procedures to handle cases of dental traumatisms.

Evaluation of partially dentate patients' knowledge about caries and periodontal disease

Objective: This investigation evaluated the knowledge of dental caries and periodontal disease among removable partial denture (RPD) wearers.Method: A total of 127 partially dentate patients participated in this observational study. A structured questionnaire, which included eight questions referring to knowledge about aetiology and prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease, was developed in the local language (Portuguese) and used to collect the data of all the partial denture wearers. A descriptive analysis of data was performed by means of drafting tables.Results: The results demonstrated that 68.5% of patients interviewed had previously received information about oral health care. With regard to bacterial plaque, it was observed that only 34.6% reported having knowledge of this. Whereas, in relation to caries, 76.4% of the interviewees replied that they knew the meaning of this. Nevertheless, 28.3% referred to caries as a whole in the teeth, 16.5% as bad teeth and 9.4% bacteria/creatures on the teeth. Only 17.3% of the partially edentulous patients evaluated were shown to know what disease of the gingiva was.Conclusion: By means of the methodology applied, it could be concluded that the patients who wore RPDs presented deficient knowledge with regard to the prevention, aetiology and development of dental caries and periodontal disease.

Knowledge and use of wild edible plants in rural communities along Paraguay River, Pantanal, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)