The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the type of cerebral palsy (CP) and oral motor function (OMF) on the oral health status of children and adolescents with CP in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. The sample consisted of 52 children with CP, aged 7 to 18 years. The data were statistically analyzed using chi-square tests. In 73.1% of the sample, the subjects’ caregivers carried out the daily oral care. There was a significant association between the frequency of daily care and the subject's level of oral hygiene (p = .037). A diagnosis of Class II malocclusion was made for 55.8% of the sample, and defects of enamel formation were found in 38.5% of the subjects. There was no significant correlation between DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) (mean = 1.09 ± 1.64) and socioeconomic status of the subjects (r = .254, p = .069). A significant association was found between quadriplegia and OMF (χ2 = 7.88, p = .019). The type of CP and OMF did not influence the levels of plaque and caries indices in the children with CP, but increased frequency of toothbrushing did result in an improved oral hygiene index.

The objective was to assess the oral health status, the treatment needed, and the type of dental health services access of intellectually disabled (ID) subjects in Teresina, Brazil. The sample consisted of 103 ID subjects matriculated in centers for special needs people and 103 siblings. Results were analyzed using paired t-test, chi-square test, and odds ratio. ID subjects had fair (63.1%; p < .001) and their siblings had a good oral hygiene (n = 103 [55.3%]; p < .005). ID had more decayed (3.52; p < .005), and missing teeth (1.17; p = .001), fewer dental restorations (1.67; p = .012) and had a greater need for tooth extraction (21.4%; p = .002) than their siblings. Thirty percent of ID subjects had never received dental treatment and had difficulty accessing public health services. Their treatment needs were, therefore, higher than non-ID subjects. The access to oral health services was unsatisfactory, thus it is important to implement educational and health promotion inclusion policies for people with ID.

Oral health, assessed through PI and GI, deteriorates after a short period of hospitalization.

Perfil e práticas de saúde bucal do agente comunitário de saúde em municípios piauienses de pequeno porteProfile and procedures of the community health agents regarding oral health in the countryside of Piauí State, Brazil

Este estudo objetivou identificar a autopercepção da saúde bucal de idosos e investigar as variáveis associadas a essa autopercepção. Foram pesquisados 321 indivíduos, de 60 anos ou mais, funcionalmente independentes, residentes do Município de Parnaíba, Piauí, Brasil. Realizaram-se exames clínicos bucais e aplicaram-se formulários durante visitas domiciliares. Os idosos apresentaram precárias condições de saúde bucal, com média CPOD de 29,41, (DP = 4,10). A autopercepção da saúde bucal, medida pelo Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), no entanto, foi positiva, 52% dos idosos obtiveram escores altos no GOHAI. Resultados da análise multivariada demonstraram que os preditores da autopercepção foram necessidade de prótese superior, alterações em tecido mole e autoavaliação de saúde bucal. A preditora mais importante foi a autoavaliação de saúde bucal, com um peso de 20% na variação da autopercepção. Concluiu-se que a medida subjetiva relacionada à saúde bucal dos idosos está menos associada às situações clínicas que eles apresentam e mais ligada a outros fatores subjetivos.