Mônica Vilela Heimer

Non-nutritive sucking habits, dental malocclusions, and facial morphology in Brazilian children: a longitudinal study.

The aim of this longitudinal study was to assess the relationship between non-nutritive sucking habits and the presence of anterior open bites (AOBs) and posterior crossbites and their association with facial morphology among 4- to 6-year-old children attending state schools in the city of Recife, Brazil. The sample comprised 287 children, both males and females. The proportion of boys to girls was approximately 50 per cent. The average age was 4 years 5 months at the beginning and 6 years 6 months at the end of the study. Data were collected from interviews with mothers or carers, and the clinical examination was carried out by two calibrated examiners. Statistical analysis was undertaken using bivariate analysis, Pearsons chi-square, McNemar, and Stuart-Maxwell tests. The results revealed a significant reduction in AOB (P < 0.001) and a slight increase in the prevalence of posterior crossbites. Both occlusal traits were associated with a previous history of sucking habits. The most prevalent morphological facial type, assessed using the morphological facial index, was high (> or =88 mm) and a statistically significant (P = 0.02) association was found between facial morphology and an AOB. Children with an average or high facial morphology measurement exhibited a greater prevalence of AOB when compared with those with lower measurements. Self-correction of AOB was associated with cessation of sucking habits but facial morphology remained unaltered.

Non-nutritive sucking habits, anterior open bite and associated factors in Brazilian children aged 30-59 months.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite as well as their main causes (associated factors) in Brazilian children aged 30-59 months. A cross-sectional study was carried out during the National Immunization Day for polio in the city of Recife in the northeastern region of Brazil. The sample was made up of 1,308 children. Data were collected from interviews with mothers or guardians as well as from clinical examinations carried out by previously trained dental students. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis at 5% significance level. The prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits was 40%, and the habits were associated with gender (p=0.001), age (p=0.003) and feeding type (p<0.001). Anterior open bite was detected in 30.4% of children, and it was significantly associated with feeding type (p<0.001) and non-nutritive sucking habits (p<0.001). The variables found to be associated factors in the present study for the occurrence of non-nutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite emphasize the need to establish strategies that include orientation regarding health promotion based on the “common determining factors” approach. Public health policies should be adopted to encourage a longer duration of breastfeeding, thereby contributing towards reducing the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite.

Space changes after premature loss of deciduous molars among Brazilian children.

INTRODUCTION The use of space maintainers after the premature loss of deciduous molars is routine in pediatric dentistry. However, there is a need for evidence offering a better scientific basis for prescribing these appliances. In this study, we aimed to assess dimensional changes in the dental arches after the premature loss of deciduous molars. METHODS A sample of 55 children between 6 and 9 years of age with unilateral loss of either first or second molars was followed for 10 months by clinical examination, cast analysis, and radiographic analysis. The space in the extraction site, arch length, and hemi-perimeter of the extraction and control sides were measured. Intraexaminer agreement was high (0.990). The data were analyzed by using the F test (analysis of variance), Bonferroni test, least significant difference, and Student t test. RESULTS Only the group of children with premature loss of the mandibular second deciduous molars exhibited significant dimensional alterations during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The findings emphasize a need for the judicious indication for space maintainers. The major effect on the dental arches occurred in the first 3 months after the extraction of the deciduous molars, indicating that these appliances should be fitted during this period.

Anterior open bite: a case–control study

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the influence of sucking habits and facial pattern measurements on the development of anterior open bite (AOB). METHODS A case-control study was carried out on 60 children aged 7 and 8 years attending municipal public schools in the city of Recife, Brazil. Data collection included interviews with guardians, oral examinations, and facial growth pattern analysis using cephalometric radiographs. The following cephalometric measurements were assessed: SN.Gn, SN.GoGn, FMA, and Facial Axis. Statistical analyses were performed using the Students t-test and Pearsons chi-square test at a 5% level of significance. RESULTS The percentage of children with sucking habits in the case group was much higher than in the control group (53.3%vs 16.7%) (P = 0.003). Children with sucking habits were six times more likely to develop AOB. Regarding the measurements assessed, no statistically significant differences were observed between groups. CONCLUSION This study found no evidence that variations in cephalometric angles (SN.Gn, FMA, SN.GoGn, and facial axis) are risk factors for AOB. Only sucking habits demonstrated a positive correlation with an increased AOB.

Senso de coerência e adolescência: uma revisão integrativa de literatura

An integrative review was conducted in order to investigate the role of the Sense of Coherence (SOC) in the health of adolescents in different contexts, as well as the factors that influence it. SOC is a construct used to evaluate the ability to cope and adapt to a situation of adversity. PubMed, Scielo, Lilacs and Medline biomedical databases were consulted with an interval of 10 years to locate original articles with abstracts in English, Portuguese and Spanish. After analysis 21, articles were selected and were sorted into thematic categories. It was established that adolescents with a low SOC are more prone to depression, anxiety and psychosomatic problems, whereas adolescents with a high SOC have a better quality of life. Several studies have shown that a strong SOC was associated with different health behaviors, such as improved oral hygiene, conscious use of medicines, not taking up smoking, lower consumption of alcohol and the more frequent practice of physical activities. Other studies highlight the protective role of SOC by reducing the impact caused by adverse situations, such as illness or even war. Thus, investigating the SOC is important as an individual resource for coping and will also assist in the planning of actions for the promotion of health.