resumo Introdução: não há consenso na literatura quanto à associação entre alterações oronasofaríngeas e as más oclusões. Objetivo: o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a associação entre as alterações oronasofaríngeas e as más oclusões (mordida aberta anterior e mordida cruzada posterior) em pré-escolares. Métodos: um estudo transversal foi conduzido com uma amostra representativa de 732 pré-escolares com 3 a 5 anos de idade, aleatoriamente selecionados em pré-escolas privadas e públicas. A mordida aberta anterior (MAA) e a mordida cruzada posterior (MCP) foram avaliadas a partir de exames clínicos. Pais/cuidadores responderam a um questionário relativo a indicadores sociodemográficos e problemas oronasofaríngeos. A análise estatística envolveu análise descritiva e regressão de Poisson (p < 0,05). Resultados: as prevalências de MAA e MCP foram de 21,0% e 11,6%, respectivamente. Ter três anos de idade (RP = 1,244; IC = 1,110 - 1,394; p < 0,001, considerando-se RP = Razões de Prevalência e IC = Intervalo de Confiança 95%), ter quatro anos de idade (RP = 1,144; IC = 1,110 - 1,394; p = 0,015), ausência de alergia (RP = 1,158; IC = 1,057 - 1,269; p = 0,002), não ter se submetido a cirurgias do nariz (RP = 1,152; IC = 1,041 - 1,275; p = 0,006) e ter tido dor de garganta mais de cinco vezes no mesmo ano (RP = 1,118; IC = 1,011 - 1,237; p = 0,030) foram significativamente associados com MAA. Ausência de asma (RP = 1,082; IC = 1,012 - 1,156; p = 0,020), não ter realizado adenoidectomia (RP = 1,112; IC = 1,068 - 1,158; p < 0,001) e não ter se submetido a cirurgias do nariz (RP = 1,114; IC = 1,069 - 1,160; p < 0,001) permaneceram associados à MCP. Conclusão: associações significativas foram encontradas entre as alterações oronasofaríngeas relatadas e a presença de MAA e MCP em pré-escolares.

Abstract Objective: Evidence is contradictory regarding the association between oronasopharyngeal abnormalities and malocclusion. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between oronasopharyngeal abnormalities and malocclusion (anterior open bite and posterior crossbite) in preschoolers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 732 preschoolers aged 3-5 years old selected randomly from private and public preschools. Anterior open bite (AOB) and posterior crossbite (PC) were evaluated through a clinical exam. Parents/caregivers answered a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic indicators and oronasopharyngeal issues. Statistical analysis involved descriptive analysis and Poisson regression (p < 0.05). Results: The prevalences of AOB and PC were 21.0% and 11.6%, respectively. Being three years old (PR = 1.244; 95% CI = 1.110-1.394; p < 0.001), being four years old (PR = 1.144; 95% CI = 1.110 - 1.394; p = 0.015), absence of allergy (PR = 1.158; 95% CI = 1.057 - 1.269; p = 0.002), not having undergone nose surgery (PR = 1.152; 95% CI = 1.041 - 1.275; p = 0.006) and having a sore throat more than five times in the same year (PR = 1.118; 95% CI = 1.011 - 1.237; p = 0.030) were significantly associated with AOB. The absence of asthma (PR = 1.082; 95% CI = 1.012 - 1.156; p = 0.020), not having undergone throat surgery (PR = 1.112; 95% CI = 1.068 - 1.158; p < 0.001) and not having undergone nose surgery (PR = 1.114; 95% CI = 1.069 - 1.160; p < 0.001) remained associated with PC. Conclusion: Significant associations were found between oronasopharyngeal-reported abnormalities and the presence of AOB and PC in preschoolers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate prediction factors for failure to seek treatment following a traumatic dental injury (TDI) to primary teeth among preschool children in the city of Campina Grande, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 277 children 3 to 5 years of age, with TDI, enrolled in public and private preschools. Parents filled out a form addressing demographic data and whether or not they had sought treatment. Clinical examinations were performed by three dentists who had undergone a calibration exercise (Kappa: 0.85 to 0.90) for the evaluation of TDI. Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression models were constructed (α = 5%). Enamel fracture was the most prevalent type of TDI (48.7%) and the upper central incisors were the most affected teeth (88.4%). The frequency of seeking dental treatment was low (9.7%). The following variables were associated with failure to seek treatment following TDI: a household income greater than one minimum wage (PR = 1.170; 95%CI 1.018-1.341), parents/caregivers’ perception of a child’s oral health as poor (PR = 1.100; 95%CI 1.026-1.176), and the non-perception of TDI by parents/caregivers (PR = 1.250; 95%CI 1.142-1.360). In the present study, the frequency of seeking treatment following TDI was low, and parents/caregivers with a higher income, a poor perception of their child’s oral health and a lack of awareness regarding the trauma were more likely to fail to seek treatment following TDI to primary teeth.

Different microbial identification methods have shown that the microbial community profiles in endodontic infections are diverse and assorted. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of selected endodontic pathogens in the pulp chambers (PCs) and root canals (RCs) of infected primary teeth using PCR methods. Paired PC and RC samples were collected from 15 subjects and analyzed by PCR for the presence of Filifactor alocis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Parvimonas micra, Porphyromonas endodontalis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Prevotella tannerae, Tanerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Treponema socranskii. The frequency of each species was determined in the PC and RC of each case. The species most frequently detected in PCs were P. nigrescens (86.7%), P. gingivalis (73.3%), and F. alocis (73.3%). Of the PC samples, 13.3% contained P. micra and T. denticola, and 6.7% contained T. forsythia. The species most frequently detected in RCs were P. gingivalis (100%) and P. nigrescens (93.3%). P. tannerae, P. micra, and T. denticola were found in 40% of the RC samples; T. forsythia was found in 26.7% of the RC samples. The “red complex”, which comprises P. gingivalis, T. denticola, and T. forsythia, was not found in the PC of any tooth but was found in 30% of the RC samples. The detection of P. nigrescens in the PC was statistically associated with the presence of P. nigrescens in the RC (p = 0.04). The results suggest high heterogeneity among the samples, even among those from the same subject.

A significant number of children visit a dentist for the first time due to emergency situations. However, little is known regarding the prevalence, etiology, and treatment provided for children at emergency dental visits. This study aimed to evaluate the profile of children attending a dental school emergency clinic, the reasons for seeking dental care, and the treatment provided. Records of 270 patients who attended an emergency clinic during 2010 were analyzed, and 253 were selected. Demographic, diagnostic, and procedural information was collected. The mean child age was 7.8 years. For 208 children (82%), pain was the main reason for the emergency visit. Nearly 79% of the visits were due to caries, and the most frequently required treatment was endodontic intervention (31.22%). Of the decayed teeth, 61.70% were primary posterior teeth and 31.9% permanent posterior teeth. Pain caused by dental decay was the most frequent chief complaint. A large number of children were brought to the dentist with complaints that had started long before, for which over-the-counter medications had been used.