Rosangela Almeida Ribeiro

Dental caries in the primary dentition in public nursery school children in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries in the primary dentition and associated variables in low socioeconomic preschool children enrolled in public nursery schools in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Four public institutions were selected by geographic criteria (two in the central region and two in the peripheral region). The study population comprised 338 children (181 boys; 157 girls) aged 2-6 years old. Dental caries was recorded using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmf-t) index. Among the examined children, 50.6% were caries-free. The mean dmf-t index was 2.03. It was higher in the peripheral nursery schools (p<0.01). A trend towards a difference between sexes (p = 0.06) was observed. Logistic regression analysis selected a previous childs visit to dentist (p<0.001), geographic location of the public nursery school (p<0.01), and age (p<0.01) as predictive variables for the dmf-t index. The study showed the need for an oral health program for this population, including both curative and preventive measures in order to achieve the WHO/FDI goals for the year 2000, namely 50% of children free of caries at age 5-6 years.

Cárie dental e consumo de açúcar em crianças assistidas por creche pública

This study determined the sugar consumption and its relationship to caries development in a group of 51 public nursery school children (mean age = 48 months). The dmf-t score (number of decayed, missing and filled primary teeth) was recorded for each child. A four-day diary was obtained using the local observation method and the average sugar consumption was calculated. The mean dmf-t score was 2.75. From the 51 children examined, 15 were caries free (29.4%) and 36 (70.6%) had caries development. The average sugar consumption was 130g/day. An increase in the sugar consumption has been associated with a significant increase in the dmf-t score.

Detection and enumeration of periodontopathogenic bacteria in subgingival biofilm of pregnant women

The aim of this study was to use the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique to test the hypothesis of qualitative and quantitative differences of 8 periodontopathogens between pregnant and non-pregnant women. This cross-sectional study included 20 pregnant women in their second trimester of pregnancy and 20 non-pregnant women. Probing depth, bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level, and presence of calculus were recorded. Subgingival plaque samples were collected and the FISH technique identified the presence and numbers of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerella forsythia, Campylobacter rectus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens. The Mann-Whitney U-test was applied to compare the data between the two groups. The mean age, ethnicity, marital status, education, and economic level in both groups were similar. The clinical parameters showed no significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women. The numbers of subgingival periodontopathogens were not found to be significantly different between groups, despite the higher mean counts of P. intermedia in pregnant women. Colonization patterns of the different bacteria most commonly associated with periodontal disease were not different in the subgingival plaque of pregnant and non-pregnant women.

Salivary Periodontopathic Bacteria in Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome.

Objective To assess and compare salivary periodontopathic bacteria between groups of Down syndrome and non-Down syndrome children and adolescents. Materials and Methods This study included a sample of 30 Down syndrome children and adolescents (G-DS) and 30 age- and sex-matched non-Down syndrome subjects (G-ND). Clinical examination determined the gingival bleeding index (GBI) and plaque index. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected from all participants. The fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique identified the presence and density of eight periodontopathic bacteria in saliva. The statistical analysis included chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results In the G-DS group, bleeding on probing was more frequent (p = 0.037) and higher densities of Campylobacter rectus (p = 0.013), Porphyromonas gingivalis (p = 0.025), Treponema denticola (p = 0.026), Fusobacterium nucleatum (p = 0.013), Prevotella intermedia (p = 0.001) and Prevotella nigrescens (p = 0.008) were observed. Besides, in the G-DS, the densities of bacteria from the orange complex were significantly higher in the age group 3–7 years for F. nucleatum (p = 0.029), P. intermedia (p = 0.001) and P. nigrescens (p = 0.006). C. rectus was higher in the age group 8–12 years (p = 0.045). Conclusion The results showed that children and adolescents with Down syndrome have higher susceptibility to periodontal disease and number of periodontopathic bacteria.

Oral Care during Pregnancy: Attitudes of Brazilian Public Health Professionals

There is little information about health professionals’ behavior regarding oral health care during pregnancy. We evaluated attitudes of obstetricians/gynecologists, nurses, and dentists working at a public community service towards pregnant women’s oral health. Health professionals responded to a self-applied questionnaire. Cluster analysis identified two clusters of respondents; Chi-square, Student’s t test, and logistic regression were used to compare the two clusters in terms of the independent variables. Respondents were categorized into cluster 1 ‘less favorable’ (n = 159) and cluster 2 ‘more favorable’ (n = 124) attitudes. Professionals that had attended a residency or specialization program (OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.15–3.77, p = 0.016) and worked exclusively at the public service (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.10–4.20, p = 0.025) presented more favorable attitudes. Obstetricians/gynecologists (OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.09–0.54, p = 0.001) and nurses (OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.29–0.86, p = 0.013) showed less favorable attitudes than dentists. Health care providers’ attitudes regarding pregnant women’s oral health were related to their occupation, qualification, and dedication to the public service.

Humanização na Odontologia: a Experiência da Disciplina Odontopediatria II do Curso de Graduação em Odontologia da UFJF

Resumen pt: Objetivo: Avaliar se a Disciplina Odontopediatria II permite o estabelecimento de uma relacao aluno-paciente, pais e/ou responsaveis satisfatoria, bem co...

Perfil Epidemiológico e Atitudinal de Saúde Bucal de Gestantes Usuárias do Serviço Público de Juiz de Fora, MG

Resumen pt: Objetivo: Tracar o perfil epidemiologico e ati tudinal de gestantes usuarias do servico publico de Juiz de Fora, MG, a fi m de conhecer a condicao dentar...

Longitudinal study on clinical and microbial analysis of periodontal status in pregnancy

This study was aimed to provide a longitudinal overview of the subgingival bacterial microbiome using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique, in women in the second trimester of pregnancy (between 14 and 24 weeks), and 48 h and 8 weeks postpartum. Of 31 women evaluated during pregnancy, 24 returned for the 48-h and 18 for their 8-week exams postpartum. Probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level, and presence of calculus were recorded. Subgingival plaque samples were collected, and FISH was used to identify the numbers of eight periodontal pathogens. Friedman test was used to compare differences between follow-up examinations, followed by a multiple comparison test for a post hoc pairwise comparison. Clinically, a significantly greater number of teeth with PD = 4-5 mm were found during pregnancy than on postpartum examinations. Microbial analysis showed a statistically significant decrease in cell count over the study period for Prevotella nigrescens. P. intermedia, Campylobacter rectus, and Porphyromonas gingivalis also decrease, although not significantly, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans increased. No significant changes were found for Fusobacterium nucleatum, Treponema denticola, or Tannerella forsythia. Our data demonstrate a change in the subgingival microbiota during pregnancy, at least for P. nigrescens.

Assessment of mandibular posterior regional landmarks using cone-beam computed tomography in dental implant surgery

The aim of this study has been to evaluate and correlate the anatomical features of the posterior mandibular region (submandibular fossa depth, bone height and thickness, and mandibular canal corticalization) to improve accident prevention and allow safe planning in implantology. Four parasagittal sections of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) from 100 patients were bilaterally analyzed. Linear measurements of the submandibular fossa depth, bone height and thickness were performed. The submandibular fossa was also classified into non-influential undercuts and influential undercuts for implant placement. Mandibular canal corticalization was also evaluated and classified according to the visualization. Data on patient age and gender were also collected. Forty-one scans (41%) were from male patients, and 59 (59%) were from female patients. Patient age ranged between 18 and 84 years, with an average age of 51.37 years. The submandibular fossa depth and implant bone thickness had a significant effect on the variability of the sample (46.1% and 22.3%, respectively). The submandibular fossa depth was quite variable, and the highest values were observed in the posterior regions. In 18.27% of the cases, the presence of the fossa directly influenced implant placement, considering a bone height of 10mm (standard implant). A significant correlation was observed between fossa depth and bone thickness. Thus, greater attention should be paid to thick ridges; although thick ridges are favorable, they may be associated with deeper submandibular fossae. The mandibular canal was the most influential anatomical structure in the premolar region due to the reduced bone height in this region and the greater difficulty in viewing the canal, and the submandibular fossa was the most influential structure in the molar region due to lower bone height leading up to the fossa and the greater fossa depth in this region. Therefore, CBCT is an important tool for assessing the mandibular region and planning for safe implant installation in the posterior mandible. Furthermore, comprehensive evaluation of the characteristics of this region is necessary, as the variables - submandibular fossa depth, bone height and thickness, and mandibular canal corticalization - are related and must be considered together when planning.

Effect of bovine hydroxyapatite on early stages of bone formation

PURPOSE: This study aimed to characterize the effect of bovine hydroxyapatite particles (HA) on the early stages of bone repairing in a rat femur defect model. METHODS: A non-critical 2 mm diameter bone defect was made in both femurs of 25 male albino Wistar rats. The left femurs defects were filled with HA and the right femurs defects were just let to fill with blood. Five animals were sacrificed at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th or 14th post-surgery day and bone tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for comparison of inflammatory response by light microscopy. Histomorphometrical analysis of the newly formed bone was evaluated at the three last periods, using independent t-student test to compare both groups at each period (a=0.05). RESULTS: Histological analyses showed same standard of bone repair on first and third day; however, from the fifth post-surgery day there was a higher deposit of collagen fibers surrounding the hydroxyapatite particles and a greater thickness of the opposite side periosteum. There was no significant histomorphometrical difference between groups at all periods. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that hydroxyapatite does not accelerate the early-stage of bone repairing, despite of induction of a higher deposit of collagen fibers.