Juliane Bervian

Evaluation of final-year dental students concerning therapeutic decision making for proximal caries

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the radiographic criteria used by final-year dental students when defining the need for restorative treatment for proximal caries, as well as investigating potentially associated factors in this therapeutic decision. A questionnaire with two schematic diagrams presenting five levels of proximal lesion penetration was administered to students attending the six private and three public dental schools in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. Absolute and relative frequencies were described and inferential statistics involving Chi-square and McNemar tests and simple logistic regression were carried out to assess variations in therapeutic decisions related to patient dentition (deciduous/permanent) and gender, age and dental school (public/private). Of the 346 dental students assessed, 28.6% (99/346) indicated restorative treatment for lesions restricted to the enamel in deciduous teeth and 38.2% (132/346) indicated the same for permanent teeth, revealing a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001). Student gender and age were not associated with the therapeutic decision; however, a significant difference between dental schools was found when comparing restorative criteria in deciduous (p < 0.001) and permanent molars (p < 0.001). The odds of restorative decision in permanent teeth when the caries lesion was restricted to the enamel was 72% higher for students graduating from private schools compared to public schools (Odds Ratio: 1.72; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.03-2.90). These data demonstrate a large variation between the therapeutic decisions regarding proximal caries reported by final-year dental students and suggest that deep reflection is needed on the part of faculty in order to provide an evidence-based education.

Prevalence of depressive symptoms among elderly women from a Center of Reference and Care for the Elderly in the city of Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul

Objetivo: Analisar a prevalencia de sintomas depressivos em idosas e fatores associados a essa patologia. Metodo: Estudo transversal aninhado ao estudo longitudinal do Centro de Referencia e Atencao ao Idoso da Universidade de Passo Fundo, RS. Foram aplicados questionarios padronizados e pre-codificados com informacoes sociodemograficas. O desfecho depressao foi aferido atraves da Escala de Depressao Geriatrica. Para o nivel de atividade fisica foi utilizado o International Physical Activity Questionnaire e o estado nutricional foi avaliado atraves dos parâmetros do indice de massa corporal. Foi aplicado o Teste qui-quadrado ou o Teste exato de Fischer para verificar a associacao entre o desfecho e a exposicao. Resultados: Foram avaliadas 313 idosas, entre 60 e 89 anos de idade, a maioria (91,3%) pertencia as classes economicas B e C. A depressao esteve presente em 22 (7,1%) idosas. Na analise bivariada, a depressao esteve associada as idosas de cor nao branca (14,6%; p=0,039) e as classificadas como insuficientemente ativas (10,6%; p=0,033). Conclusao: Os resultados indicam a necessidade de incentivar idosos para que facam atividades fisicas, no intuito de contribuir para a prevencao da depressao geriatrica.

Fatores de risco para hipertensão arterial sistêmica em idosas de um centro de referência

Introduction: There is evidence that as individuals age, chronic non communicable diseases become the leading causes of morbidity, disability, and mortality worldwide. Objective: This study aimed to identify risk factors for systemic arterial hypertension in the elderly of a Center for Reference and Care for the Elderly. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study is nestled in the Longitudinal Study of the Center for Reference and Attention to the Elderly (Elo-Creati). The risk factors investigated were: alcohol consumption, tobacco use, family history of systemic arterial hypertension, level of physical activity and nutritional status. Demographic and socioeconomic variables were also investigated. Data analysis was performed using absolute and relative simple frequencies, and Chi-square test. Results: A total of 313 elderly women were evaluated, 262 (84.5%) were white, the majority ranging from 60 to 69 years old (57.2%; n=179) and belonging to economic class B (52.1%; n=162). From all female elderly participants in this study, 187 (59.9%) reported systemic arterial hypertension, and the associated factors were: economic class, BMI and level of physical activity (p<0.05). Conclusion: Among the risk factors studied, family history of hypertension, overweight and physical inactivity were more prevalent. Thus, actions of public agencies and private sectors are suggested to effective face this reality.

Projeto de Extensão em uma Escola de Pacientes Especiais: relato de experiência

Este artigo trata-se de um relato de experiencia do Projeto de Extensao e que possui o objetivo de promover acoes educativas e preventivas aos portadores de necessidades especiais, bem como intervencoes curativas possiveis no ambiente da escola. Na escola APAE de Passo Fundo/RS, onde o Projeto de Extensao foi proposto existe um ambulatorio odontologico montado que e utilizado para o atendimento odontologico curativo. Alem disso, academicos do curso de Odontologia e Fonoaudiologia realizam atividades semanais com os alunos da escola. Alem de aumentar a interacao entre os grupos, salientar a prevencao e motivar para o autocuidado, os academicos se inserem em atividades diferentes das propostas no ensino convencional da graduacao.

Avaliação sobre o ensino e utilização de métodos radiográficos digitais na faculdades de odontologia do RS

This research evaluated the current stage of teaching and use of digital radiographic methods in Dentistry Schools in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Professors of two different Dentistry specialties (pe- dodontologyand dental radiology) were invited to answer some ques- tions on digital radiographic me- thods. The results showed that only one school develops clinical/ laboratorial activities with digital systems. Theoretical activities are considered by five Radiology dis- ciplines and two Pediatric ones. The high cost of digital systems and the lack of a legal base to con- sider a digital image as a certified document were considered rea- sons for not using the systems. However, the majority of the in- quired professors affirmed that digital images show advantages, as the density and contrast post- processing; the reduction of the exposure time in relation to the conventional method and the eli- mination of chemical processing. ln conclusion, digital radiography is out of the current stage in den- tal education in Dentistry Scho- ols in the South ofBrazil. Key words: computerized diag- nosis, image diagnosis, pedodon- tology, radiology.