The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental trauma as compared to the prevalence of dental caries in children aged 3-59 months. A cross-sectional study was carried out during the National Immunization Day for Polio in Recife, northeast Brazil. The sample comprised 3489 children under the age of 5. The clinical examination was performed by 123 previously trained dental students. The inter-examiner agreement for crown fracture was 90.32% and for tooth discoloration it was 83.87%. The prevalence of dental caries was assessed using the dmf-t index. The statistical methods included descriptive analysis and the chi-square test with a margin of error of 5%. A total of 56 142 teeth were examined and the prevalence of dental trauma was 14.9%. Dental fracture was the most prevalent injury observed in 516 teeth (0.9%), followed by discoloration in 191 (0.9%), intrusion in 12 (0.02%) and extrusion in five (0.008%). The most affected teeth were the upper central incisors. The prevalence of dental trauma increased significantly with age and family income (P < 0.0001). Dental trauma was most prevalent from 2 to 5 years of age. The prevalence of dental caries was 14.3%. This prevalence increased significantly with age (P < 0.0001) and with the reduction in family income (P < 0.0001). The results showed that the prevalence of dental caries and dental trauma was similar, and that both caused the same amount of damage to dental health for the target population.

The aim of this randomized clinical trial study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of two varnish formulations (G1 = 5% NaF, G2 = 6% NaF + 6% CaF(2)) on the remineralization of white spot lesions (WSL). The sample was composed of 15 (7- to 12-year-old) children with 45 active WSL in anterior permanent teeth. The children were randomly divided into two groups providing 22 lesions for G1 and 23 for G2. The children were submitted to weekly varnish applications 4 times. The WSL were evaluated twice: baseline and on week 4. Maximum lesion dimensions (mesiodistal and incisogingival) were measured in millimeters and classified in four grades of size. WSL were also assessed regarding lesion activity by one calibrated examiner. The Pearson chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used (P < 0.01). WSL reductions were observed in both varnish groups (Chi-square = 0.15, d.f. = 1, P = 0.90), and with similar magnitude (in mm): 1.19 and 1.29 for G1 and G2, respectively. Thirty-six WSL (15 in G1 and 21 in G2) were classified as inactive on week 4, reaching an overall value of 80%. No difference was observed between G1 and G2 regarding activity scores (Fisher's exact test, p > 0.01). It was concluded that after 4 applications the two varnish formulations tested produced similar clinical effects, indicating the reduction and the control of carious activity in most WSL.

No abstract

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o conhecimento sobre saúde bucal de concluintes do curso de Pedagogia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba. Para tanto, alunos em sala de aula responderam um questionário contendo quesitos objetivos relativos ao tema. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva e os resultados indicam que 83% dos cem participantes tiveram acesso a informações de odontologia preventiva, 64% pelo cirurgião-dentista. Os acadêmicos conhecem pouco sobre placa bacteriana (31%), ao contrário da etiologia da cárie dentária (55%). Embora 92% dos concluintes afirmem ser a chupeta prejudicial ao desenvolvimento facial da criança, apenas 9% identificaram a idade limite de desuso. Adicionalmente, 20% acertaram o momento ideal do primeiro contato entre criança e dentista. Concluiu-se que os estudantes apresentam conhecimento razoável em relação à saúde bucal, sugerindo a instituição de programas educativos dentro do currículo acadêmico, uma vez que esses futuros profissionais contribuirão para a formação da criança, estabelecendo práticas diárias capazes de gerar saúde.

The aim of this study was to assess in vivo the therapeutic effect of three fluoride varnishes available in the Brazilian market on the performance of white spot lesions (WSL). The sample included 36 children aged 7 to 13 years old, with a total of 67 active WSL in permanent anterior teeth. The children were randomly divided into 3 groups, according to fluoride varnish used: FL-Fluorniz (n=24), DUO -Duofluorid XII (n=22) and DF -Durafluor (n=21). Maximum WSL dimensions (mesiodistal and incisogingival) were measured in millimeters by a previously calibrated single examiner using a periodontal probe. WSL were also assessed regarding lesion activity. Initial and final S-OHI (Simplified Oral Hygiene Index) scores were recorded. Pearson's chi-square test revealed no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) in the performance of the varnishes. At the end of the 5th week, FL had 6 active and 18 inactive WSL; DUO had 7 active and 15 inactive WSL; and DL had 6 active and 15 inactive WSL. Taking into account all lesions, there was a 45.7% reduction in WSL dimensions. Paired Student's t-test revealed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between the initial size (1.88) and final size (1.02). After four applications, all varnishes obtained similar clinical results.