The objective of this research was to verify the association between verbal bullying and untreated dental caries. The present cross-sectional study had a representative sample of 1,589 children, aged 8-10 years, from public schools. Information on verbal bullying related to the oral condition was obtained through a questionnaire directed to the students. Clinical data were collected by 4 calibrated examiners (kappa > 0.70) using the DMFT/dmft and PUFA/pufa indexes for caries. Socioeconomic issues were answered by those responsible. The prevalence of verbal bullying related to the oral condition was 27%. The results of the Poisson regression, in an adjusted multiple model, showed a significant association between bullying and untreated caries lesions (prevalence ratio, PR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.07-1.52), PUFA/pufa index (PR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.11-1.61), pulp involvement (PR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.09-1.67), and abscess (PR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.18-2.56). It was concluded that children with untreated dental caries had a higher prevalence of verbal bullying when compared to caries-free or disease-treated children.

This study showed higher levels of nuclear HDAC2 immunopositivity in AC, possibly indicating that this enzyme plays a key role in lip photocarcinogenesis early stages.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), myofibroblasts (MFs) and epithelial proliferation have key roles in neoplastic progression. In this study immunoexpression of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9, presence of MFs and the epithelial proliferation index were investigated in actinic cheilitis (AC), lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and mucocele (MUC). Thirty cases of AC, thirty cases of LSCC and twenty cases of MUC were selected for immunohistochemical investigation of the proteins MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Ki-67. The MMP-1 expression in the epithelial component was higher in the AC than the MUC and LSCC. In the connective tissue, the expression was higher in the LSCC. MMP-2 showed lower epithelial and stromal immunostaining in the LSCC when compared to the AC and MUC. The epithelial staining for MMP-9 was higher in the AC when compared to the LSCC. However, in the connective tissue, the expression was lower in the AC compared to other lesions. The cell proliferation rate was increased in proportion to the severity of dysplasia in the AC, while in the LSCC it was higher in well-differentiated lesions compared to moderately differentiated. There were no statistically significant differences in number of MFs present in the lesions studied. The results suggest that MMPs could affect the biological behaviour of ACs and LSCCs inasmuch as they could participate in the development and progression from premalignant lesions to malignant lesions.

Objective This study aimed to qualitatively analyse undergraduate geriatric dentistry (GD) teaching characteristics identified by geriatric dentistry teachers and senior students in five South American countries. Background GD involves the knowledge and skills required to provide oral health care for older people. Methods Exploratory‐descriptive research with a qualitative approach developed in the undergraduate context of public universities in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Peru. Nine dental schools were intentionally selected. The participants were GD module teachers (20) and their senior students (30). Data were collected through open interviews via Skype® conducted between May and August 2015 and were analysed using a content analysis technique with ATLAS.ti® software, resulting in four categories. Results GD modules are theoretical or a theoretical‐practical mix. Most teachers are prosthodontists without specific training in GD. Their motivations to teach GD are related to personal, family, professional and social reasons. Humanity, sensitivity and knowledge of older people are considered fundamental characteristics of a GD teacher. Conclusions Students' first contact with an older person usually occurs during clinical activities. The participants mentioned insufficient hours for GD modules in the curricula and exclusively theoretical modules that do not allow students to learn typical specificities of older people. In the context of this study, the undergraduate GD teaching‐learning process presented some weaknesses regarding educational methods, professor training and the interaction between older people and students. Diversification of learning scenarios and GD professor training are highly recommended.

Objective: To review the scientific literature and identify dental plaque control strategies focussed on elderly people that improve plaque indices. Design: Scoping review (Joanna Briggs protocol).Data sources: Individual search strategies developed for six databases. The selection of the manuscripts in two phases: title and abstract review, and complete review. Eligibility criteria: Studies on interventions for plaque control in elderly people (60y+).Epidemiological studies and those focussed on caregivers, health professionals and periodontal maintenance therapies were excluded. Results:The initial search yielded 2803 studies, 26 were included. The results were classified into: exclusively chemical (10), educational (9), exclusively mechanical (6), and combined mechanical and chemical (1). The studies reported different types of interventions: sugarless chewing gum, chlorhexidine (CHX) in different preparations and concentrations, mouthwash based on essential oils, stannous/sodium fluoride dentifrice and lactoferrin/lactoperoxidase tablets. Additionally, conventional and alternative toothbrushes and professional brushing were tested. Educational interventions included oral hygiene guidance, verbal information, and demonstrations of dental and denture cleaning procedures, and lifestyle changes. Many studies have reported strategies that improve dental plaque indices but without statistical significance when compared to control groups. Promising results were found with the use of CHX, sugarless chewing gum, professional brushing and educational strategies with demonstration, but the results were not long-lasting. Conclusion:The literature reports that mechanical, chemical and educational strategies have some efficacy in dental plaque control in the elderly population. The results should be viewed with caution, considering the type of intervention (isolated or combined) and the maintenance of the results obtained.

Resumo Introdução Idosos mais velhos têm saúde bucal precária, procuram pouco os serviços odontológicos e apresentam autopercepção sobre saúde bucal discordante das necessidades de tratamento. Objetivo Comparar a condição e autopercepção de saúde bucal e padrão de utilização de serviços odontológicos de idosos com 80 anos ou mais de um município do sul brasileiro. Método Estudo descritivo com 59 idosos, em 2011 e 2015, no município de Antônio Carlos, Santa Catarina. Foram coletados dados demográficos, uso dos serviços, Oral Health Impact Profile – 14 item, hábitos e algumas condições bucais. Resultado Em ambos os anos, constatou-se mais de 70% de idosos necessitando de prótese total superior, embora mais de 80% se apresentassem satisfeitos com dentes/próteses. Mais de 60% relataram que haviam consultado o dentista há mais de 3 anos. Houve aumento significativo da necessidade de prótese total inferior, boca seca, placa, desconforto para comer; diminuição de consulta odontológica de rotina e extração dentária. Conclusão Embora tenha havido diminuição das extrações, no período, os idosos mantiveram necessidade de prótese e relataram problemas para comer. Tais resultados reafirmam a importância da inclusão do idoso com 80 anos ou mais na rede de serviços de saúde bucal.

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RESUMOMuitos idosos recebem cuidados de pessoal capacitado no ambiente familiar, em instituições de longa permanência ou em hospitais, incluindo os relativos à saúde bucal. O objetivo deste estudo qualitativo foi investigar o significado atribuído ao cuidado à saúde bucal por um grupo de cuidadores de idosos. Participaram 33 cuidadores de idosos. Os dados foram coletados por meio da apresentação da questão O que significa para você o cuidado à saúde bucal da pessoa idosa?, respondida por escrito, e analisados pelo método da análise de conteúdo. Emergiram quatro grupos de significados inter-relacionados ao cuidado à saúde bucal: fator de saúde; elemento de sociabilidade; símbolo de higiene corporal; e a qualificação e determinação de sua importância. Para os participantes, o significado do cuidado à saúde bucal do idoso está relacionado a aspectos preventivos mais gerais e a elementos subjetivos da vida em sociedade, evidenciando que a saúde bucal é parte integrante da saúde geral. O cuidado à saúde bucal foi considerado relevante no contexto das condições de vida e saúde dos idosos.Palavras-chave: Cuidadores. Idoso. Saúde Bucal. INTRODUÇÃOÀ medida que as pessoas atingem as últimas décadas de vida aumentam as necessidades de cuidados permanentes, inclusive em relação aos cuidados com a saúde bucal.Com o avançar da idade, há uma tendência de declínio no nível de higiene bucal e um aumento da incidência de doenças bucais. A diminuição da capacidade motora, a baixa auto-estima, a falta de estímulo para a realização da higiene bucal, a incapacidade de realizar sua própria higiene devido a doenças crônico-degenerativas, o comprometimento da visão, audição e a perda da habilidade cognitiva são fatores que, isolada ou cumulativamente, contribuem para uma higiene bucal pobre e para o aumento do risco das pessoas idosas desenvolverem enfermidades bucais (1)(2) . O cuidado à saúde bucal implica, nas esferas individual e coletiva, um processo dinâmico e contínuo de reconhecimento da influência das condições bucais nas diversas dimensões do viver humano e a conseqüente tomada responsável de decisões e ações dirigidas à promoção da saúde, com vistas a proteger a vida. O cuidado à saúde bucal, assim, é uma construção cotidiana que pressupõe uma visão integral do ser humano e das suas relações com a sociedade e com o meio ambiente (3)