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Objective: To determine the prevalence of self-reported halitosis among patients attending the dental clinic of a university in southern Brazil and identify associated factors. Material and Methods: The sample of this cross-sectional study included 269 individuals over 18 who attended the clinic for six months. A questionnaire was used to collect data on self-reported halitosis, sociodemographic characteristics, oral hygiene habits, medication use, systemic diseases, smoking and drinking habits, and self-perception of oral health. The relative and absolute frequencies of the variables were analyzed, and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed to obtain odds ratios (OR) and respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the sample was 44.86 (±16.55), and 65% were female. The study found a self-reported prevalence of halitosis of 27.9%. Individuals who reported xerostomia were more likely to have self-reported halitosis (OR=2.15; 95% CI: 1.22-3.78). Furthermore, those who visited the dentist more than a year ago were more likely to have self-reported halitosis compared to those who visited no more than six months ago (OR=1.93; 95% CI: 1.09-3.41). Conclusion: The study showed a high prevalence of self-reported halitosis among patients and revealed an association with individuals who reported having xerostomia and who have been attending dental appointments for a longer time.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a major cause of non-dental pain in the oral and facial regions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of TMD and anxiety among academics and to investigate the relationship between TMD and its associated factors. DESIGN AND SETTING: This cross-sectional study included a sample of 295 academics undertaking health courses at a university in Brazil. METHODS: The Simplified Anamnesis Index and Beck Anxiety Inventory were used to evaluate TMD and assess anxiety, respectively. Data were statistically analyzed using relative and absolute frequencies of variables. In the bivariate analysis, Pearson’s chi-square test was used, and in the multivariate analysis, raw and adjusted binary logistic regressions were used to obtain the odds ratio (OR) and respective 95% confidence intervals. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The average age of academics was 22.95 (standard deviation ± 6.14) years, predominantly comprising women (82.7%), whites (90.8%), and singles (86.6%). The findings revealed that 81.2% of academics had TMD and 50.5% exhibited symptoms of anxiety. Academics with anxiety were three times more likely to have TMD (OR = 3.6) than those without anxiety. CONCLUSION: A significant association between anxiety and TMD was observed in academics. The prevalence of TMD was high, with academics with anxiety having a high likely to develop TMD. These findings highlight the importance of addressing mental health concerns in addition to physical health, as they are often related.

Abstract Introduction Endodontic treatments are considered by the patients to be one of the most painful and anxiety-generating procedures and this feeling may be linked to both environmental and individual aspects. This study aimed to evaluate the degree of anxiety of patients immediately before the endodontic treatment. Methods The study design was a cross-sectional quantitative analysis where patient sampling was performed on those who met the inclusion criteria and needed endodontic treatment. The interview instruments for the investigation were a questionnaire with semi-structured questions, the Corah Dental Anxiety Scale, and a digital device for measurement of blood pressure and heart rate. The variables investigated were gender, age, whether the patient liked to visit the dentist, depression, whether the patient used medication for depression, systolic and diastolic pressure, and heart rate. Data statistical were analysed using descriptive statistics and to evaluate the association between variables Pearson’s chi-square tests were used with a significance level of 5%. Results 175 patients were included in the study and categorized as little anxious (33.7%), mildly anxious (45.1%), moderately anxious (15.4%), and extremely anxious (5.7%). There was a strong association between higher degrees of anxiety and whether the patient declared not liking to visit the dentist; no other significant correlation was found. Conclusion Endodontic patients who claim not to like to visit the dentist are more anxious. Healthcare professionals can pursue strategies to treat these patients with anxiety reduction techniques avoiding the postponement or evasion of endodontic treatments.

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to verify oral candidiasis, identify the causative species, and investigate the antifungal susceptibility of yeasts isolated from liver transplant patients. Methods A descriptive analysis of 97 patients who underwent liver transplantation was conducted at a hospital. Two clinical examinations (Collections A and B) of the oral cavity were performed. Oral material was collected from all patients, inoculated in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, and incubated at 35℃ for 48 hours. Samples were identified by molecular sequencing of the internal trascribed space region of rDNA. Results An antifungal susceptibility test with fluconazole, amphotericin B, and micafungin was performed using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute yeast broth microdilution method. Among the patients, 15 presented with oral candidiasis: eight in Collection A and seven in Collection B. The primary type of candidiasis was atrophic, followed by pseudomembranous candidiasis. The most prevalent species was Candida albicans (nine), followed by Candida glabrata (three), Candida tropicalis (two), and Candida dubliniensis (one). Regarding susceptibility to fluconazole, of the 15 samples, 11 were susceptible, three were susceptible in a dose-dependent manner, and one was resistant. Conclusion The most commonly identified type of candidiasis was atrophic, with C. albicans and C. glabrata being the most prevalent causative species. One fluconazole-resistant isolate each of C. tropicalis and C. albicans were identified.

Objective: To identify the most prevalent oral lesions based on reports from a pathology institute’s reports and associations between malignant and oral potentially malignant disorders with patient’s demographic variables and the anatomical location. Material and Methods: All 1,298 histopathological reports of oral lesions recorded in the database were reviewed. Demographic variables, anatomical location of the lesion, histopathological diagnosis of the lesions, and their biological behavior were analyzed. Results: Regarding the biological behavior of the identified lesions, benign lesions were predominant (70%), followed by lesions of undetermined behavior (14.3%), malignant lesions (14.2%), absence of histological alteration (1.2%), and finally, oral potentially malignant disorders (0.5%). The anatomical locations of the most prevalent oral lesions potentially malignant disorders and malignant were in the following structures of the oral cavity: gums, buccal mucosa, floor of the mouth and hard palate (p=49.2%), and tongue (p=48.7%). Conclusion: The probability of malignant and premalignant lesions was higher among males (PR= 4.21; 95% CI 2.08-6.22), the increase in age (PR = 1.06; 95% CI 1.05-1.08), and in the tongue region (PR = 5.48; 95% CI 1.67; 17.92). Identification of malignant and potentially malignant oral conditions is higher in older men and in tongue specimens.

The objective was to investigate the experience and severity of dental caries, from the medical records of children who visited the Children's Dental Clinic of a Faculty of southern Brazil, for four years. A cross-sectional study was carried out by analyzing 262 medical records containing information sociodemographic, as well as clinical oral data, to investigate dental caries. Amongst all children included in study, 226 (86.3%) had some teeth with experience of dental caries and 161 (61.5%) had three or more dental caries. The mean dental caries in children aged between 6-8 years was 5.3 ± 3.1, and the average in children aged between 9-12 years was 2.0 ± 1.9. There was association between the severity of dental caries (more than three teeth) and not using dental floss, as well as with the geographical location of residence. Older children were considered to be protected from dental caries. In this study, the experience of dental caries was high, especially in primary teeth, and variables such as the geographical location of residence, absence of flossing were related to the greater severity of dental caries.

To verify the presence of periodontitis, its severity, and their association with associated factors based on medical records of patients who attended the Dental Clinic of the Faculty of Southern Brazil over 4 years. This is a cross-sectional study, which included 422 medical records of patients aged ≥ 18 years. The clinically analyzed data were: plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). Sociodemographic data, dental hygiene, harmful habits and chronic systemic diseases were described. Statistical analysis of binary logistic regression was used to verify the relationship between the severity of periodontitis and the exposure variables. The older adults [odds ratio (OR) = 2.36; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23-4.54 – 41 to 55 years and OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.49-6.09 – 56 to 87 years], and men (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.18-3.14) showed higher chances of periodontitis severity. Smokers (OR = 3.54; 95% CI: 2.05-6.12), those with hypertension (OR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.23-3.63) and with diabetes (OR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.08-4.12) showed higher chances of developing advanced periodontitis. Advanced or severe periodontitis occurred in one-third of the patients. The findings showed that men, older adults, with systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and smokers are more susceptible to severe periodontitis.

Objective: To verify whether recreational interaction with pediatric patient before dental care influences cortisol levels and anxiety. Material and Methods: Twelve children were selected and divided into two groups: 6 children who had not previously received recreational intervention (Group I) and 6 children who received recreational intervention before dental care (Group II). Saliva was collected with Salivettes™ kits before and soon after dental care for the measurement of cortisol. Wilcoxon test was applied to verify the difference in salivary cortisol levels before and after the dental visit in the whole sample, and the Mann- Whitney U test was used to analyze the difference between groups I and II. A significance level of 0.05 was considered. Results: Among patients from Group I, 3 had their cortisol levels increased after dental care, 2 had their cortisol levels decreased, and the other 1 patient remained constant. All participants from Group II had no significant difference in cortisol levels pre- and post-procedure. Mean salivary cortisol level was higher in Group I, pre- and post-procedure, compared to Group II. Conclusion: Pediatric patients who participated in an interactive activity prior to dental care have a lower level of anxiety according to the salivary cortisol levels obtained, compared to patients who did not participate in recreation. The techniques for the dentist to approach the child control the anxiety of the patient and make the procedure calmer and less stressful for both of them.