Impact of oral conditions on the quality of life of incarcerated women in Brazil

Imprisoned women represent a growing population worldwide with important health needs. In this study, we aimed to analyze the impact of oral health conditions on the quality of life of female inmates in a maximum security correctional facility. Participants were examined and answered the OHIP-14 questionnaire. A total of 305 inmates were included in the study. Prevalence of untreated caries was 84%. Worse quality of life was associated with dental caries, dental pain, deep periodontal pocket, prosthetic use, and age. Sociodental indicators should be incorporated into healthcare and health policies in order to promote wellbeing among this vulnerable population.

Human Development Index, Ratio of Dentists and Inhabitants, and the Decayed, Missing or Filled Teeth Index in Large Cities

AIM

This study aimed to investigate the associations between human development and the demographic ratio of dentists with the prevalence of dental caries at 12 years of age in large Brazilian cities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were collected from 27 state capitals, Secondary databases were used: the municipal human development index (MDHI); the ratio of dentists qualified to exercise their profession according to the number of inhabitants; and the decayed, missing or filled teeth index (DMFT). Pearson correlation coefficient analysis and multiple logarithmic regression analysis were performed.

RESULTS

The MDHI showed a strong correlation with DMFT and explained 48.1% of the variation in the cities. The ratio of dentists to the number of inhabitants displayed an insignificant, weak correlation with the variations in the DMFT.

CONCLUSION

Social factors strongly influence the oral health/ disease process in Brazilian capitals, thus actions are needed for the promotion of health at more distal, or structural levels that modify the environment, thus enabling healthier choices for individuals. These results challenge traditional beliefs that only the ratio of professional dentists to inhabitants and the provision of dental services have beneficial effects on the prevention and control of oral health problems.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The prevalence of dental caries is strongly correlated with social factors, as the MDHI.

The impact of MUC5B gene on dental caries

OBJECTIVE

To identify the impact of MUC5B polymorphisms on dental caries.

METHODS

A case-control study was performed with patients recruited at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná. These individuals were aged 12 years old or more. Dental caries was diagnosed using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System, and the effects of socioeconomic, dietary, and hygiene factors on dental caries were investigated. Furthermore, buccal cells were collected, and their DNA was extracted and amplified using PCR. Uni-, bi-, and multivariate analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Two hundred patients were recruited, 100 were assigned to the case group and 100 to the control group. In the bivariate analysis, the following variables showed significant results: ethnicity (p = .008), biofilm (p < .001), and gingivitis (p < .001). The MUC5B gene affected dental caries with the markers rs2735733 (p < .001), rs2249073 (p < .001), and rs2857476 (p < .001). In the multivariate analysis, the biofilm variable remained significant (p = .026), as did the following markers from the MUC5B gene: rs2735733 (p = .019), rs2249073 (p < .025), and rs2857476 (p < .005).

CONCLUSION

Genetic variations in the MUC5B gene can influence dental caries.

High-risk behaviors and experiences with traffic law among night drivers in Curitiba, Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To explore high-risk behaviors and experiences with traffic law among night drivers in Curitiba, Brazil.

METHOD

Data from 398 drivers on sociodemographic parameters, high-risk behaviors, experiences with traffic law, and traffic law violations were collected through interviews conducted at sobriety checkpoints. Exploratory-descriptive and analytical statistics were used.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 32.6±11.2 years (range, 18 to 75 years). Half of the drivers reported having driven after drinking in the last year, predominantly single men aged 18 to 29 years who drive cars and drink alcohol frequently. Only 55% of the drivers who had driven after drinking in the last year self-reported some concern about being detected in a police operation.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant association was found between sociodemographic variables and behavior, which can help tailor public interventions to a specific group of drivers: young men who exhibit high-risk behaviors in traffic, such as driving after drinking alcohol, some of whom report heavy alcohol consumption. This group represents a challenge for educational and enforcement interventions, particularly because they admit to violating current laws and have a low perception of punishment due to the low risk of being detected by the police.

Oral health in the context of primary care in Brazil

This article presents an integrative literature review that analyses the advances and challenges in oral health care of the Brazilian primary health care system, based on a political agenda that envisages re-organising the unified health system (SistemaÚnico de Saúde - SUS). It is presumed that the actions suggested by the Alma-Ata Conference of 1978 are still up-to-date and relevant when adapted to the situation in Brazil. Several studies and policies are reviewed, including works demonstrating the importance of primary care as an organising platform in an integrated health-care network, Brazil's strategy for reorganising the primary care network known as the Family Health Strategy, and the National Oral Health Policy. This review discusses results obtained over the last twenty years, with special attention paid to changes in oral health-care practices, as well as the funding of action programmes and assistance cover. The conclusion is that oral healthcare in the Brazilian primary health care system has advanced over the past decades; however, serious obstacles have been experienced, especially with regard to the guarantee of universal access to services and funding. The continuous efforts of public managers and society should focus on the goal of achieving universal coverage for all Brazilians.

A geographical population analysis of dental trauma in school-children aged 12 and 15 in the city of Curitiba-Brazil

BACKGROUND

The study presents a geographical analysis of dental trauma in a population of 12 and 15 year-old school-children, in the city of Curitiba, Brazil (n = 1581), using a database obtained in the period 2005-2006. The main focus is to analyze dental trauma using a geographic information system as a tool for integrating social, environmental and epidemiological data.

METHODS

Geostatistical analysis of the database and thematic maps were generated showing the distribution of dental trauma cases according to Curitiba's Health Districts and other variables of interest. Dental trauma spatial variation was assessed using a generalized additive model in order to identify and control the individual risk-factors and thus determine whether spatial variation is constant or not throughout the Health Districts and the place of residence of individuals. In addition, an analysis was made of the coverage of dental trauma cases taking the spatial distribution of Curitiba's primary healthcare centres.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of dental trauma was 37.1%, with 53.1% in males and 46.7% in females. The spatial analysis confirms the hypothesis that there is significant variation in the occurrence of dental trauma, considering the place of residence in the population studied (Monte Carlo test, p = 0,006). Furthermore, 28.7% of cases had no coverage by the primary healthcare centres.

CONCLUSIONS

The effect of the place of residence was highly significant in relation to the response variable. The delimitation of areas, as a basis for case density, enables the qualification of geographical territories where actions can be planned based on priority criteria. Promotion, control and rehabilitation actions, applied in regions of higher prevalence of dental trauma, can be more effective and efficient, thus providing healthcare refinement.