Objective: To investigate possible associations between dental caries, obesity, sweet taste preference and sensitivity to bitter taste in children and adolescents. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 462 schoolchildren aged 6-15 years enrolled in public schools of Pato Branco, PR. Their oral conditions were examined by adopting the criteria of the World Health Organization. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric criteria, adopting the reference standards of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. To determine the taste sensitivity, sweet taste preference and sensitivity to phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) tests were applied. In the statistical analysis of data, Chi-square, Mann Whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests were used, adopting significance level of 5%. Results: Low dental caries severity levels were observed among students. Overweight was diagnosed in 24.4% of students. The lowest DMFT index was recorded among obese individuals (p <0.05). High levels of sweet taste preference were identified. No statistically significant association was detected between the sensory characteristics assessed and the occurrence of dental caries and obesity in the study sample. Conclusion: The high levels of sweet taste preference, as well as the dental caries and overweight rates observed, although with no statistically significant associations, highlight the need for intersectoral interventions with a focus on healthy eating habits in order to reduce the risk and incidence of chronic diseases in this population.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between oral health status and central obesity (CO) in Brazilian independent-living elderly. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 489 elderly, who were participants of the Study on Aging and Longevity, in Londrina, state of Parana. The number of natural teeth and use of prostheses were evaluated according to the World Health Organization criteria. The presence of CO was assessed using measures of waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR). Information concerning sociodemographic profile and some systemic conditions was also collected. Data were analyzed using stepwise logistic regression, α=5%. According to WC and WHR measures, the prevalence of central obesity was 79.3% and 76.1%, respectively. CO according to WC was not associated with oral status. Considering the WHR measure, the following oral conditions were associated to CO: having fewer natural teeth (OR = 2.61; 95%CI = 1.17-5.80), being edentulous and wearing both upper and lower complete dentures (OR = 2.34; 95%CI = 1.11-4.93), and being edentulous wearing only the upper complete denture (OR = 2.64; 95%CI = 1.01-6.95). Traditional risk factors for CO such as gender, dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes were associated with both measures. A poor oral health due to extensive tooth loss, whether partial or complete, even if rehabilitated by removable prostheses, may be considered a good predictor of CO in Brazilian independent-living elderly.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate coordinators and undergraduates' knowledge in Physical Education from Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, concerning dental trauma first aid (DT) and suggest a proposal for education and prevention of DTs which can cause physical, psychological and social sequelae. Material and methods: The sample comprised coordinators (n = 2) and undergraduates (n = 106) in Physical Education. A questionnaire was applied to coordinators not only for qualitative assessment, but also to investigate their proposals. As for undergraduates, a questionnaire was applied to assess frequency and statistical analysis by means of t test (p < 0.05) for two independent samples. Results: Results revealed that the coordinators had limited knowledge on the topic and suggested an action of integrated education. Undergraduates showed insufficient knowledge, with no differences between qualifications (p = 0.061), but with a significant difference between undergraduates who attended or not first aid classes for dental trauma (p = 0.034). Conclusion: This study revealed that coordinators and undergraduates have poor knowledge about dental trauma first aid. Intervention is suggested by means of an integration program between undergraduates and professors of Dentistry and Physical Education, so that coordinators are prepared to introduce the subject in the academic curriculum and training of Physical Education undergraduates.

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