Dental health status and its indicators in adult Brazilian Indians without exposition to drinking water fluoridation: a cross-sectional study

“Com dor de dente, tudo é ruim nesta vida!”: saúde bucal na comunidade indígena de Tremembé, Ceará, Brasil

Este estudo teve por objetivo analisar a importância do cuidado em saúde bucal de informantes da comunidade indígena Tremembé, em Itarema, Ceará, Brasil. Neste estudo exploratório de caráter qualitativo, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com seis adultos considerados informantes-chave da comunidade. As percepções mais presentes nos discursos indicaram o reconhecimento da importância no cuidado em saúde bucal, com foco na higiene dentária, necessária para a socialização. As falas relacionaram a valorização da alimentação saudável, associada à boa qualidade da saúde bucal, com a valorização do conhecimento tradicional como prática de cuidado. No entanto, os discursos apresentaram uma focalização na assistência clínica para adultos, em detrimento de aspectos educativos. As percepções revelaram potencial para integração de cuidados dos profissionais de saúde e dos atores sociais que possuem papel de liderança na comunidade indígena.

“With a toothache, everything seems to be bad in life!”: oral health in the indigenous community of Tremembé, Ceará, Brazil

This study aimed to analyze the importance of oral healthcare in the Tremembé indigenous community, municipality of Itarema, state of Ceará, Brazil. In this exploratory and qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were carried out with six adults considered key informants in the community. The perceptions most frequently found in the discourses indicated that the informants recognize the importance of oral healthcare and focus on dental hygiene, necessary for socialization. The discourses related valuation of healthy eating - associated with good oral health - to valuation of traditional knowledge as a care practice. However, the discourses focused on clinical care for adults at the expense of educational aspects. The perceptions showed that it is possible to int egrate the care delivered by health professionals with the care provided by social actors who have a leadership role in the indigenous community.

Oral health and caries/gingivitis-associated factors of adolescents aged 12-15 in Shandong province, China: a cross-sectional Oral Health Survey

Background

We aimed to analyse the oral health status of adolescents in Shandong province, including dental caries and gingivitis, and their associated factors.

Methods

Adolescents aged 12–15-years in Shandong province were recruited. Caries and gingival status were assessed following the World Health Organisation diagnostic criteria. Information including the sociodemographic, oral hygiene knowledge, attitudes and practices were collected through the questionnaire. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the oral diseases associated factors.

Results

In total, 3868 students (50.2% males) were enrolled. Of these, 39.9% of the participants experienced caries, and 81.7% and 31.3% had calculus and bleeding gingival, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that there was an association between dental caries and toothaches, dental visits and sleeping troubles caused by oral problems (P < 0.024). A low-frequency of brushing, high sugar consumption and no flossing were more associated with calculus formation and gingival bleeding (P < 0.008).

Conclusion

Compared to caries, worse gingival condition was more prevalent among adolescents in Shandong province. Brushing behaviour is associated with gingivitis, while dental visits and toothaches are associated with caries. Hence, prevention-oriented dental visits and oral hygiene training are strongly recommended to improve oral health status.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-021-01640-x.