Background: Dental caries and periodontal disease are admittedly the most common oral diseases and are one of the main oral health problems, affecting the quality of life of the individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient's education level and knowledge on dental treatment of caries/periodontal disease and oral hygiene through a specific questionnaire. Materials and Methods: A group of 600 adults aged between 18 and 80 years old were evaluated. After the evaluation of the answers given, the participants in the survey were instructed regarding the main oral health preventive measures. The obtained data were submitted to descriptive statistical analysis. Results:The results showed that 59% of the patients were female at age range of 31-40 years-old. The patients with a higher educational level had more previous information about caries, periodontal diseases, and oral health preventive measures. The dentist was pointed out as the person responsible for the oral hygiene instruction for 73.83% of the patients. The lack of oral hygiene were said to be the main factor accounting for both caries and periodontal disease etiology (79.85% and 62.93%, respectively). Pain was the motivating factor for seeing a dentist (44.50) whereas 55.50% of the patients were motivated by a preventive care (routine appointment). Dental floss was used by only 49.50% of the patients and 34.90% that did not use it by saying that it provokes gingival bleeding. Conclusion:The evaluated patients presented an uneven knowledge level on caries, periodontal disease, and oral hygiene preventive measures. The educational level had a direct influence on both patient's knowledge and behavior regarding to the main oral diseases. There is the need for a continued instruction on caries and periodontal disease preventive measures, with emphasis on diet role and dental floss use in dental educational programs.

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Mycobacteria have emerged as a major cause of opportunistic infections. Until the present, only a few studies have characterized mycobacteria present in the water distribution system of urban areas. In this study, we characterize these microorganisms in the Lisbon water distribution system. Our results indicate a high rate of positivities (90.5%) with mainly saprophytic mycobacteria. Around 63% of these results belong to strains of Mycobacterium gordonae indicating a generalized proliferation of this species in the Lisbon water distribution system. A total of 21.05% of the isolates are from M. kansasii, M. intracellulare and M. chelonae.

<p>Dental treatment of pregnant women should be accomplished with safety. Consequently, the dental professional should evaluate its real need and risks for the mother and the baby. This paper reports, through a literature review, the caution with the clinical dental procedures commonly performed and possible risks of the therapeutic agents used, allowing the dentist to evaluate the treatment and the drug to be administered to the pregnant women.</p><p> </p>

<p><strong>Objective:</strong> To evaluate the effects of 1% and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solutions at different periods of time on the composition of gutta-percha cones using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS).</p><p><strong>Material and Methods:</strong> 110 master gutta-percha points were divided into 3 control groups and 8 experimental groups. Cones were immersed in 1% and 2.5% NaOCl for 30 minutes, 6, 12, 24 hours. Then, composition of the samples was analyzed by EDS. Statistical analysis was performed using the ANOVA and Tukey tests (p&lt;0.05).</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> There was an increase of oxygen in experimental groups, and decrease of zinc when NaOCl was used, concentration and time-dependent.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The disinfection with NaOCl solution causes alterations in the composition of gutta-percha cones. These modifications in gutta-percha structure might change important characteristics, increasing the risk of leakage and consequently failure of root canal treatment.</p>