Micheline Sandini Trentin

Perception of dentists, dental students, and patients on dentogingival aesthetics

Abstract Introduction Patients’ demand for dentogingival aesthetics has increased significantly in recent years, and this is a complex concept due to numerous factors involved in obtaining patient/professional satisfaction. Some dentogingival features may alter smile harmony, such as excessive gingival display. Objective To evaluate whether the presence of gingival display has a negative influence on the perception of dentogingival aesthetics. Material and method 180 individuals (60 dentists, 60 dental students, and 60 patients) evaluated images of volunteer smiles. These images were digitally altered by the Adobe Photoshop™ software, creating different situations of gingival display (4 mm, 2 mm, 0 mm, -2 mm, -4 mm), and graded by the evaluators with the following scores: (01) very pleasant smile, (02) pleasant smile, and 03) unpleasant smile. The scores assigned were analyzed using ANOVA (α=0.05). Result Gingival displays between 0 and 2 mm were considered aesthetically pleasing. Changes of -4 and +4 mm were defined as the most disharmonious smiles. The 0-mm female smile was considered the most harmonious for dentists (1.51) and dental students (1.77), by Students t test (p<0.05). In the opinion of patients, the smile of +2 mm was considered the most aesthetic. In the image evaluations of men, the 0-mm smile was considered the most aesthetic (p <0.05) for dentists (1.85) and dental students (1.62). The patients considered +2 mm of gingival display the most harmonious smile. Conclusion The aesthetic perception of dental students and dentists was different when compared to the group of patients.

Prevalence of dental caries in patients with intellectual disabilities from the Association of Exceptional Children’s Parents and Friends of Southern Brazil

Objective This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and severity of dental caries, missing and restored teeth (DMFT) and the efficiency of oral health programs for patients with intellectual disabilities, from age 11 to 38, who attended at the Association of Exceptional Children’s Parents and Friends (APAE) in Passo Fundo, southern Brazil. Methods The prevalence of dental caries was assessed by DMFT in 109 patients. The mean and standard deviation were evaluated by One-way ANOVA with 5% significance level. Results 47 of the evaluated students were female and 62 male, with moderate mental disability, Down syndrome, cerebral paralysis and epilepsy. The DMFT average was 3.93 for 11-14 years, 3.47 for 15-19 years, 4.74 for 20-30 years and 5.68 for the group 31-40 years. There were no significant differences among the DMFT index, gender and intellectual disability for the groups. Conclusion Patients had acceptable oral hygiene within their limitations, suggesting that prevention and dental care program developed in APAEPF/RS could be used as a model for health care for patients with intellectual disabilities in other institutions and other cities. Indexing terms: Dental auxiliaries. Dental staff. Oral health. Professional competence.

Clinical Correlation of Oral Candidosis and Oral Lichen Planus

Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease of unclear aetiology. The disease often affects the oral mucosa and may manifest many clinical characteristics, being classified as typical and atypical forms. More importantly, lichen planus has the potential for malignant transformation. Candidosis is the most common disease in the mouth, Candida albicans being the main organism found. Candida sp. may secondarily infect oral lesions such as leukoplakia, oral lichen planus and squamous cell carcinoma. Patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) frequently present Candida infection. Superimposed candidosis lesions can interfere on the diagnosis of OLP, because the organism Candida albicans can change the reticular pattern characteristic of OLP. So, the aim of this chapter is to review the literature on the association of candidosis and oral lichen planus.