Search

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of homeless persons. A cross-sectional study was conducted, with participants (n = 176) attending a Specialized Reference Center for the Homeless Population in Teresina, Brazil. Dental caries (DMFT index, WHO criteria), periodontal disease (CPI index), and the consequences of untreated caries (PUFA index) were measured by a single calibrated examiner (Kappa ≥0.83). Sociodemographic, oral health, and OHRQoL (OHIP-14) data were obtained through interviews. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and Poisson regression, with a significance level of 5%. Most of the participants were male (86.4%) and from the age group of 30 to 43 years (52.2%). Mean DMFT was 11 (SD ± 6.9) and mean total PUFA score was 1.2 (SD ± 2.2). Most of the participants (88.6%) had dental calculus and 8.5% and 1.7% of the sample had gingival bleeding and periodontal pocket > 3.5mm, respectively. The highest prevalence of negative impact in the OHRQoL was associated with females (1.4 (95%CI 1.1–1.7)), low educational level (2.0 (95%CI 1.3–3.0)), caries (1.6 (95%CI 1.1–2.6)), fistulas (1.9 (95%CI 1.3–3.1)), gingival bleeding (1.7 (95%CI 1.1– 2.7)), dental calculus (1.8 (95% CI 1.3–2.5)), periodontal pockets > 3 mm (1.5 (95%CI 1.1–2.0)), and need for extraction (2.3 (95%CI 1.1–5.0)). In conclusion, the negative impact on the OHRQoL of homeless persons was associated with low educational level, presence of decayed teeth, gingival bleeding, and dental calculus.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the relationship between factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) in dentists. Factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated using a questionnaire and scores of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21 were measured. The differences between the DAS scores based on the factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic were tested through the successive application of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA, α = 0.05). After a sample size calculation, 998 participants with a mean age of 39.39 (± 11.69) years were included. The effect size indicated that changes in sleep quality (η2 = 0.161), eating habits (η2 = 0.057), and physical health (η2 = 0.051) were the ones that most negatively affected DAS scores. The highest DAS scores were observed in professionals who lived with someone at high-risk for COVID-19 (p < 0.001) and in those who did not engage in leisure activities during the pandemic (p < 0.001). Dentists who worked on the frontline against COVID-19 had higher scores of anxiety and stress (p = 0.029). The highest scores for anxiety, depression, and/or stress were seen in dentists living with someone at high-risk for COVID-19, who acts on the frontline, who does not practice in leisure activities during the pandemic, who completely changed eating habits, quality of sleep and physical health during the pandemic. In general, DAS levels of dentists were associated with factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract Poor oral hygiene seems to be the norm in children and teenagers with Down Syndrome (DS). Advances in design and types of toothbrushes may improve biofilm control. This randomized, single-blind, crossover clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of electric toothbrushes regarding mechanical control of biofilm in children and teenagers with DS and their cooperation. Twenty-nine participants with DS, aged 6 to 14 years, used both types of toothbrushes: electric (ET) and manual (MT). The order of use of the different types of toothbrushes was randomly defined, including a 7-day period with each type with 7-day washout period in between. The Turesky-Quigley-Hein biofilm index was used before and after brushing to assess the effectiveness of the technique. Frankl’s behavioral scale was used during toothbrushing to assess the participants’ cooperation. Paired T-test, Mann Whitney, Chi-square, and Fisher’s Exact tests were applied, with a significance level of 5%. The quantity of dental biofilm was significantly reduced after both brushing techniques (p < 0.001). However, no significant difference was found in total biofilm (ET: 0.73 ± 0.36; MT: 0.73 ± 0.34; p = 0.985) or % biofilm reduction (ET: 72.22%; MT: 70.96%; p = 0.762) after brushing between techniques or in % biofilm reduction between toothbrushes of age groups (6 –9 years, p = 0.919; 10–14 years, p = 0.671). Participants showed similar cooperation level with the two types of toothbrush (p = 1.000). The use of electric or manual toothbrush had no effect on the quantity of dental biofilm removed in children and teenagers with DS, nor did it influence their cooperation during the procedure.