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This cross-sectional study nationally evaluated asynchronous dental teleconsulting services offered by the Telehealth Brazil Networks Program, using the 2019 Telehealth Results Monitoring and Evaluation System database and considering Brazilian regional differences. The following teleconsulting variables were collected: dentist's sex and specialty, date/time of question and answer, response time; dental specialty, professional satisfaction, and patient referral. Five Brazilian regions were socioeconomically characterized according to the Human Development Index, estimated population, Gini coefficient, coverage of dental specialty centers, oral health teams in Family Health Strategy, and oral health teams in primary health care (PHC). In total, 2,703 teleconsulting sessions occurred in Brazil in the analyzed period. The Southeast exhibited the highest demand (49.1%). Most dentists were female (60.6%) and were dental surgeons from the Family Health Strategy (61.3%). Most teleconsulting sessions occurred during working hours (85.5%) and questions were answered within 72 hours (66.7%). Level of satisfaction and avoidance of referral yielded rates of 90.9% and 66.8%, respectively, among dentists who answered about these topics. Semiology was the most frequently demanded area in teleconsulting (33.9%). The different demands from the regions reflected regional differences. The most frequently demanded specialties represent the Brazilian PHC scenario. Professionals incorporated teleconsulting into their work routine and most teleconsultants responded within the stipulated timeframe. Professional feedback should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the profile of the dental teleconsulting in the Pediatric Dentistry field of Telehealth Brazil Networks Program, in Minas Gerais centers, Brazil. Material and Methods: Asynchronous dental teleconsulting was evaluated in the Pediatric Dentistry specialty, extracted from secondary databases of the telehealth centers: the Clinical Hospital of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais and UFMG Medical School, from July 2015 to July 2017. The variables collected were: type of issues and area and sub-area of Pediatric Dentistry. The results were descriptively analyzed using the SPSS v.22,0 program by frequencies. Results: Most of the issues in the Pediatric Dentistry specialty were about clinical conduct (81.4%). There was a predominance of issues regarding prevention (16.6%), surgery (15.3%), tooth eruption (15.1%), endodontics (12.1%), harmful oral habits (9.7%), patient cooperation (8.7%), primary teeth trauma (7.2%) and dentistry (6.7%). Regarding sub-areas, most issues were related to child oral hygiene (68.5%), tooth extraction (92%), tooth eruption chronology (65.6%), pulp diagnosis (49.0%), bruxism (64%), patient management (74.3%), post-trauma treatment (79.3%), and restoration (88.9%). Conclusion: Pediatric Dentistry teleconsulting suggested a difficulty of the professionals in the pediatric patient approach. Continuing education programs and training courses for professionals working in primary health care are crucial for the comprehensive care of pediatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Severe odontogenic infections remain an important public health concern and a significant economic burden to public health care facilities. Despite this, several aspects of the disease, such as its immune response profile, remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to search for an association between mRNA levels of the cytokines interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-17A, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-β and the chemokines IL-8, CCL2/MCP-1, and CCL5 and odontogenic infection. Methods The case group was composed of 12 patients hospitalized in consequence of severe odontogenic infection, and our control group included 12 individuals with healthy periapical tissues. Clinical samples were taken from the case (drainage site) and control (periapical interstitial fluid) groups with the aid of paper points. Total RNA was extracted, complementary DNA was synthesized, and mRNA levels were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Data analysis was performed by using SPSS, and the Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to determine statistical significance ( P < .05). Results Data generated showed a significantly increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines (interferon-γ, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-17A), IL-8, and CCL2/MCP-1 in odontogenic infection patients. The mRNA levels of IL-10, transforming growth factor-β, and CCL5 were similar in both study groups. Conclusions In general, individuals presenting with odontogenic infections exhibited extraordinary proinflammatory cytokine profiles paralleled with unaltered expression of regulatory mediators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]