Brazilian Journal of Dental Education

Evaluating the organization of dental care demand within the Family Health Strategy in a municipality in Southern Minas Gerais

Danyara Tamires Becker de Souza Zenun — 2025-02-18

This descriptive, cross-sectional study aimed to analyze how dental demand is organized in the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in a city located in the south of Minas Gerais, using a structured, self-administered, face-to-face questionnaire administered by the dental surgeons who work in the Oral Health teams in this municipality. The questionnaire assessed the demographic data of the participants, as well as how patients are received and referred. Of the eleven dental professionals interviewed, 82% were women with an average age of 33.09 years. It was found that regarding reception, 54.5% of patients were attended jointly by the dental surgeon and the oral health assistant, 27.2% only by the dental surgeon and 18.1% only by the oral health assistant. Concerning action planning, 72.7% was planned jointly with the FHS and 27.3% only by the dental surgeon and oral health assistant. A large proportion (82%) of the units did not classify family and individual risk, nor did they report referrals. Only 45% of the units had time for continuing education and made time available for emergency care, in which an average of 7.09 patients were scheduled. However, all the teams worked according to a pre-defined weekly schedule. It can be concluded that although many of the units have oral health teams working in partnership with the FHS, there is no standardization in dental demand organization among the units evaluated. In addition, dental surgeons actively participate in drawing up strategies to organize demand in this location.

Dental caries injuries in schoolchildren seeking for care at a university dental clinic in Southern Brazil

Andreza Montelli do Rosário — 2025-02-18

The aim of this study was to assess the presence, severity, and consequences of dental caries lesions (DCL) in schoolchildren treated at the pediatric dental clinic of a public university. Children aged 8-11 years were included. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) was used to evaluate DCL. Patients were classified by severity as: caries-free (sound surfaces); initial stage: at least one surface with a white spot; moderate stage: at least one surface with a cavitated lesion limited to the enamel or with the appearance of dentin shadowing; and advanced stage: at least one surface with cavitation and dentin exposure. Patients with at least one surface with active DCL were classified as having caries activity. The PUFA index (pulp involvement, ulcer due to root fragments, fistula, and abscess) was collected. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, and the Fisher's Exact test was used to analyze the association between severity and caries activity. Of the 119 patients included, n=9 (7.6%) were caries-free, and a large proportion of patients had DCL in the most severe stage n (39.5%). Among those with DCL, 57 (47.9%) had at least one restored tooth, 8 (6.7%) had at least one tooth lost due to DCL, and n (65.4%) had active lesions. The prevalence of the PUFA index was 5.9%. It was also observed that active lesions were more concentrated in children with higher caries severity. The profile of patients seeking dental care at this institution is characterized by children with high caries index and advanced-stage lesions.

The importance of home dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic

Trícia Ruana Nunes Araújo — 2025-02-18

The aim of this article is to report the experiences of home dental care performed during the COVID-19 pandemic by dentists from the Residency Program in Family and Community Health, at the State University of Piauí, between July/2020 and July/ 2021, in Teresina-Piauí-Brazil. Elderly, people with disabilities, bedridden, hypertensive, diabetics, or other chronic diseases and mobility difficulties were assisted. During home visits, strict biosecurity measures were followed, especially considering the protocols regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Procedures were performed with minimally invasive techniques and/or with the possibility of execution without generating aerosols. During the period, 82 home visits took place, totaling 701 dental procedures, registered in the e-SUS of the Basic Health Units to which dentists were linked. Thus, home dental care is a viable alternative during the pandemic, ensuring the performance of procedures beyond dental urgencies. However, a more critical and reflective view is needed to consolidate home dental care as a fundamental strategy in the professional practice of dentists, within the scope of primary health care, with emphasis on health crisis situations.