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Background: Evidence regarding the impact of premature loss of primary molars on oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) is lacking. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of premature loss of primary molars in schoolchildren and its impact on OHRQoL. Design: We randomly selected 667 children aged 8‐9 years enrolled in public and private schools from Aracaju (Brazil). The presence of untreated dental caries and early loss of primary molars were recorded, and its impacts on OHRQoL evaluated using Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ8‐10). Influence of some variables on tooth loss and OHRQoL was assessed by multilevel Poisson's regression analysis (P < 0.05). Results: The prevalence for early tooth loss was 65.4% (95% confidence interval 51.1%‐77.3%). Children with untreated dental caries and attending public schools presented higher prevalence of early tooth loss. Moreover, early loss of primary molars provoked negative impact on OHRQoL considering total score of CPQ8‐10 and domains "oral symptoms," "functional limitations" and "emotional well‐being." Children presenting early teeth loss presented significantly higher scores of CPQ8‐10, as well as females and children with dental caries in other teeth. Conclusions: The prevalence of early loss of primary molars is high, and it impacts the OHRQoL of children aged 8‐9 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the responsiveness of the Brazilian versions of Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11‐14) and Child‐Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (Child‐OIDP). Design: The data were collected from a convenience sample of 209 patients aged 10‐15 years, who visited the adolescent dental clinic of Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil. The subjects answered the CPQ11‐14 and the Child‐OIDP prior to their dental treatment and 1 month after concluding the treatment. The responsiveness of CPQ11‐14 and Child‐OIDP was analysed through (a) the mean change observed in scores before and after treatment, (b) an investigation of the effect size, (c) an assessment of the statistical significance of changes within the groups over time, as per the global transition judgement, and (d) the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: Positive changes were observed for both questionnaires. According to global transition judgement, 82.30% of the participants reported an improvement following treatment, 16.75% reported no change, and 0.96% reported deterioration. The effect size was 0.8% and 0.5% for the overall CPQ11‐14 and Child‐OIDP, respectively. The area under the curve was 0.38 for CPQ11‐14 and 0.43 for Child‐OIDP. Conclusion: The Brazilian versions of CPQ11‐14 and Child‐OIDP demonstrated limited responsiveness following dental treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There is a need for studies on the biopsychosocial factors that influence the use of dental services by preschoolers. Aim To evaluate the influence of the perceptions of parents/caretakers and children regarding oral health-related quality of life ( OHRQo L) as well as the sense of coherence ( SOC) of parents/caretakers on the use of dental services among Brazilian preschoolers. Design A school-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with 768 preschoolers. Parents/caretakers answered a questionnaire addressing socio-demographic characteristics. The OHRQo L of the children was measured using the Scale of Oral Health Outcomes for Five-Year-Old Children. SOC among the parents/caretakers was evaluated using the Sense of Coherence scale. Clinical examinations were performed by examiners who had previously undergone a training exercise. Descriptive analysis was conducted, followed by Poisson's regression analysis ( α = 5%). Results A total of 56.5% of the preschoolers had never used dental services. The following variables exerted a significant influence on the use of services: higher monthly household income ( PR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.07-1.51), toothache ( PR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.34-1.89), the absence of traumatic dental injury ( TDI; PR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.01-1.40), and a strong SOC ( PR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.01-1.42). Conclusions A higher monthly household income, history of toothache, the absence of TDI, and strong SOC of the parents/caretakers influence the use of dental services by preschoolers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surveys to assess environmental knowledge are elementary tools to ensure successful environmental education. Felines are considered key components of the environment, acting as flagships for conservation. Nevertheless, they are threatened by loss of habitat, prey reductions, and poaching. In the mosaic of protected areas in the Brazilian Pantanal, where several environmental education activities are supported, felines are a conservation target priority. We present the results of surveys to investigate schoolchildren's knowledge and perceptions of felines. Our results show that larger species are better known than smaller ones, and that negative perceptions are a concern, demonstrating priorities for environmental education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article draws from research conducted with public and private school children and adolescents in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Our research shows that young people not only understand their rights and responsibilities in terms of participation, but are also aware of the ways in which their rights are being ignored and violated. This study was part of an international initiative carried out in six countries aiming to explore children's and youth's understanding of citizenship, rights and responsibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]