Social determinants of dental treatment needs in Brazilian adults

Background The chronic cumulative nature of caries makes treatment needs a severe problem in adults. Despite the fact that oral diseases occur in social contexts, there are few studies using multilevel analyses focusing on treatment needs. Thus, considering the importance of context in explaining oral health related inequalities, this study aims to evaluate the social determinants of dental treatment needs in 35–44 year old Brazilian adults, assessing whether inequalities in needs are expressed at individual and contextual levels. Methods The dependent variables were based on the prevalence of normative dental treatment needs in adults: (a) restorative treatment; (b) tooth extraction and (c) prosthetic treatment. The independent variables at first level were household income, formal education level, sex and race. At second level, income, sanitation, infrastructure and house conditions. The city-level variables were the Human Development Index (HDI) and indicators related to health services. Exploratory analysis was performed evaluating the effect of each level through calculating Prevalence Ratios (PR). In addition, a three-level multilevel modelling was constructed for all outcomes to verify the effect of individual characteristics and also the influence of context. Results In relation to the need for restorative treatment, the main factors implicated were related to individual socioeconomic position, however the city-level contextual effect should also be considered. Regarding need for tooth extraction, the contextual effect does not seem to be important and, in relation to the needs for prosthetic treatment, the final model showed effect of individual-level and city-level. Variables related to health services did not show significant effects. Conclusions Dental treatment needs related to primary care (restoration and tooth extraction) and secondary care (prosthesis) were strongly associated with individual socioeconomic position, mainly income and education, in Brazilian adults. In addition to this individual effect, a city-level contextual effect, represented by HDI, was also observed for need for restorations and prosthesis, but not for tooth extractions. These findings have important implications for the health policy especially for financing and planning, since the distribution of oral health resources must consider the inequalities in availability and affordability of dental care for all.

Effectiveness of tooth wipes in removing babies' dental biofilm

PURPOSE To assess the effectiveness of tooth wipes in removing dental biofilm from babies' anterior teeth, as well as to evaluate the babies' behaviour and the guardians' preference concerning hygiene methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this random blind cross-over study, 50 high caries risk babies, from 8 to 15 months old, were divided into two groups: babies with oral hygiene performed by caregivers (n = 25) or by their mothers (n = 25). The caregivers and mothers removed biofilm using three methods of oral hygiene (tooth wipes, toothbrushes and gauze), one in each experimental phase. Professional cleaning was done before each phase, which had 2 days of biofilm accumulation and 1 experimental day, when caregivers and mothers used one method to remove biofilm. Examiners blinded to the study design assessed the biofilm index at baseline, prior to and following biofilm removal using each method. The babies' behaviour and the mothers'/caregivers' preference were assessed. RESULTS The tooth wipes, toothbrushes and gauze significantly reduced the amount of biofilm (P < 0.001). The mothers' group removed more biofilm than the caregivers' group, using toothbrushes or tooth wipes (P < 0.05). Babies in the mothers' group had better behaviour using tooth wipes than toothbrushes (P < 0.05). Mothers and caregivers preferred to use tooth wipes. CONCLUSIONS Tooth wipes are effective in removing biofilm from babies' anterior teeth and are the method best accepted by mothers, caregivers and babies.

Prevalencia de caries en niños de 6 a 12 años atendidos en la Clínica Odontológica de la Universidad Católica Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo de Chiclayo durante el 2013

Tesis de segunda especialidad

An Investigation of Child and Adolescent Dental Sealant Predictors, NHANES 2011-2012

Objective: To examine sociodemographic and dental factors for associations with dental sealant placement in children and adolescents aged 6-18 years old. Methods: Secondary data analysis of 2011-2012 NHANES data was conducted. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess relationships between predictor variables and sealant presence. Results: More than a third (37.1%) of children and adolescents have at least one sealant present; 67.9% of children compared with 40.4% of adolescents. Racial/ethnic differences exist, with Non-Hispanic black youth having the lowest odds of having sealants. Sealant placement odds vary by presence of dental home; the magnitude of the odds varies by age group. Those with untreated decay have lower odds of having sealants than those who do not have untreated decay (child OR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.83-3.72; adolescent OR: 3.9, 95% CI: 2.59-6.07). Conclusion: Disparities exist in odds of sealant prevalence across racial/ethnic groups, income levels, and dental disease and visit characteristics. Further research is necessary to understand the reasons for these differences and to inform future interventions.

Evaluación de la eficacia de la remoción de caries en dientes temporales utilizando dos métodos químico-mecánicos.

La Odontología Pediátrica Contemporánea al igual que la Odontología de Mínima Intervención, comprende la máxima conservación de tejido dental subyacente con la finalidad de evitar la invasión a tejidos pulpares que derivan en tratamientos radicales tales como pulpotomías y pulpectomías; las técnicas de operatoria dental actuales comprenden en tratar el complejo dentino-pulpar lo más conservadoramente posible, con la finalidad de prevenir la extensión. Una de las propuestas del concepto de Mínima Intervención consiste en el uso de agentes químicos para la remoción de tejido cariado, auxiliado por instrumentos manuales que permitan remover solo la dentina infectada, sin necesidad de piezas rotatorias, reduciendo tiempos operatorios y costos. Objetivo: Evaluar cuál es el método más eficaz para eliminar la caries dental entre métodos químico-mecánicos para así establecer un protocolo de atención no invasivo para pacientes pediátricos y poder llevarlo a cabo en las campañas de brigadas Odontológicas, para que un mayor número de población sea beneficiada con éstas. Materiales y Métodos: Se evaluaron 10 piezas posteriores deciduas, extraídas de niños de 6 a 8 años que cumplían con los criterios de inclusión de la Maestría en Ciencias Odontológicas en el área de Odontopediatría de la UANL, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. Las piezas a evaluar fueron seccionadas y tratadas con Carisolv y Papacárie, ambos productos de remoción químico mecánicos, mientras se medía el tiempo de trabajo y la calidad de dentina remanente tras la remoción de caries para posteriormente describir los hallazgos observados.

Prevalencia de caries en niños de 6 a 12 años de edad en relación con su índice de masa corporal

La caries dental es una enfermedad infecto-contagiosa que produce una desmineralización de la superficie del diente y que es causada por bacterias que se adhieren a la superficie dentaria. Es un proceso localizado que causa el reblandecimiento del tejido duro del diente y según estadísticas está presente en el 90% de la población. La etiología es multifactorial y uno de los factores más importantes relacionado con la caries es la dieta. Otro factor importante a estudiar es la obesidad infantil ya que en México es un problema de salud pública, debido a su alto porcentaje en la población. La obesidad es una enfermedad crónica de origen multifactorial prevenible, que se caracteriza por acumulación excesiva de grasa o hipertrofia general del tejido adiposo en el cuerpo. El sobrepeso y la obesidad son el quinto factor principal de riesgo de defunción humana en el mundo. Cada año fallecen por lo menos 2,8 millones de personas adultas como consecuencia del sobrepeso o la obesidad. Los pacientes con obesidad deben recibir un tratamiento integral para evitar que pueda surgir a futuro una enfermedad sistémica o problemas bucales. En el presente estudio se determinó si el estado nutricio es un determinante sobre el índice de caries, debido al aumento en la ingesta de alimentos ricos en carbohidratos y si la obesidad es un factor predisponente de caries. Se realizó un estudio comparativo y observacional en 166 niños de entre 6 a 12 años de edad de Ciudad Miguel Alemán, Tamaulipas. Se tomaron datos de los niños, se midieron y pesaron con una báscula calibrada, y mediante exploración clínica se revisó y registró la cantidad de dientes cariados, extraídos y obturados de los pacientes, encontrándose que no hay una relación entre la obesidad y la caries aunque se comprobó que la población tenían un alto índice de la misma.

Utilidad del fluoruro diamínico de plata en el diagnóstico precoz de la desmineralización del esmalte/caries incipiente en los primeros molares permanentes

El estudio se aplicó en niños escolares de 9-12 años de la parroquia urbano marginal de Narancay. La intervención se efectuó en dos meses y mediante las tres técnicas se evaluaron 120 molares con un total de 359 superficies examinadas. Resultados: el resultado global de la valoración de los diferentes índices de salud bucal presenta resultados positivos para calificarla como población de alto riesgo. El FDP detectó más lesiones de desmineralización del esmalte/caries incipientes que el examen clínico (311/359 vs. 168/359) p< 0.0001. El examen radiográfico detectó el menor número de lesiones incipientes (23/359 vs. 311/359) p< 0.00001. El FDP diagnostica más lesiones de desmineralización del esmalte y crisis incipiente que el examen clínico y radiográfico conjuntamente (311/359 vs. 191/359) p< 0.001 OR 5,70 (95% I C: 3,88 - 8,38). En cuanto a los costos, el diagnóstico clínico más Rx, por cada niño es de $4 y el diagnóstico clínico más FDP es de $1,50. Conclusiones: la localidad de Narancar de la parroquia Baños tiene una infraestructura sanitaria insuficiente, con baja escolaridad y con altos índices de enfermedad bucal. El diagnóstico dental de la población infantil que tanto los índices de CPOD-ceod, higiene buco dental, placa dental y los momentos de ingesta de azúcar, reflejan que el grupo de estudio tienen elevados factores de riesgo e indicadores de enfermedad buco denal

Oral Administration of Lactobacillus reuteri during the First Year of Life Reduces Caries Prevalence in the Primary Dentition at 9 Years of Age

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on oral health, at age 9 years, of daily oral supplementation with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri, strain ATCC 55730, to mothers during the last month of gestation and to children through the first year of life. The study was a single-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial involving 113 children: 60 in the probiotic and 53 in the placebo group. The subjects underwent clinical and radiographic examination of the primary dentition and carious lesions, plaque and gingivitis were recorded. Saliva and plaque were sampled for determination of mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli (LB) in saliva and plaque as well as salivary secretory IgA (SIgA). Forty-nine (82%) children in the probiotic group and 31 (58%) in the placebo group were caries-free (p < 0.01). The prevalence of approximal caries lesions was lower in the probiotic group (0.67 ± 1.61 vs. 1.53 ± 2.64; p < 0.05) and there were fewer sites with gingivitis compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to frequency of toothbrushing, plaque and dietary habits, but to intake of fluoride supplements (p < 0.05). There were no intergroup differences with respect to L. reuteri, MS, LB or SIgA in saliva. Within the limitation of this study it seems that daily supplementation with L. reuteri from birth and during the first year of life is associated with reduced caries prevalence and gingivitis score in the primary dentition at 9 years of age.