ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate the prevalence of dental fear and evaluate its association with dental caries and with Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) in schoolchildren aged 11-14 years. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 375 adolescents in Campina Grande, Brazil. Socioeconomic and oral health information was collected, while dental fear was measured using the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS). The diagnosis of dental caries and MIH was performed by three trained examiners (κ ≥ 0.61) using the International Caries Detection & Assessment System – ICDAS II and a previously validated index, respectively. Data were descriptively analyzed using the Chi-Square, Fisher's Exact, and Poisson regression tests with robust variance (p<0.05). Results: The prevalence of dental fear was 18.4%, and the mean CFSS-DS total score was 28.96 ± 8.92. After adjusting for covariates family structure, schooling of parents/guardians, type of dental health service and dental pain in the last six months, the prevalence of dental fear was associated with dental pain in the last six months (PR=2.03; 95%CI=1.31-3.16; p=0.002). Conclusion: Although no association was found between dental fear, dental caries and MIH in adolescents, those who experienced dental pain in the last six months had a higher prevalence of dental fear.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre os itens do questionário Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) e o sexo e a idade de crianças com níveis de medo odontológico moderado e elevado. Métodos: Estudo transversal, realizado em um município da região Nordeste do Brasil, com 185 crianças entre 8 e 10 anos, de ambos os sexos, que tiveram escore mínimo de 32 no questionário CFSS-DS, pontuação que configurava como com medo odontológico. Foi realizada a análise estatística descritiva, testes de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, U de Mann-Whitney e de Kruskal-Wallis. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados: A maioria das crianças era do sexo feminino (59,5%) e tinha 9 anos (37,3%). A média do escore total do CFSS-DS foi de 40,44 ± 6,81 (com mínimo de 32 e máximo de 75). De acordo com o CFSS-DS, 53,5% das crianças apresentaram elevado medo odontológico. Os itens: “Anestesia”, “Uma pessoa que você não conhece encostar em você”, “Motorzinho do dentista”, “Alguém colocar instrumentos na sua boca”, “Engasgar” e “Ter que ir para o hospital” apresentaram os maiores valores de mediana. Houve diferença significativa entre as crianças para o item “Uma pessoa que você não conhece encostar em você” (p=0,001). Conclusão: O item “Uma pessoa que você não conhece encostar em você” do questionário CFSS-DS apresentou diferença estatisticamente significante com a idade, não existindo diferenças nos demais itens em relação ao sexo.

Abstract Objective: To assess the relationship between the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) questionnaire’s items and sex and age in children with moderate and high dental fear levels. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out in a municipality in the Northeastern region of Brazil with 185 children aged 8-10 years of both sexes, who had a minimum score of 32 on the CFSS-DS questionnaire, corresponding to dental fear. Descriptive statistical analysis and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed. The significance level adopted was 5%. Results: Most children were female (59.5%) and 9 years old (37.3%). The average of the total CFSS-DS score was 40.44 ± 6.81 (with a minimum of 32 and a maximum of 75). According to the CFSS-DS, 53.5% of children had high dental fear. Items “Injections,” “Having a stranger touch you,” “The dentist drilling,” “Having somebody put instruments in your mouth,” “Choking,” and “Having to go to the hospital” had the highest median values. A significant difference was observed between ages for the item “Having a stranger touch you” (p=0.001). Conclusion: The item “Having a stranger touch you” in the CFSS-DS questionnaire showed a statistically significant difference with age, while no differences were found regarding sex.

Abstract This study aimed to identify the prevalence of molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) in schoolchildren and its association with dental caries experience. This was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 471 children aged 8 to 10 years. Data were collected via a sociodemographic questionnaire. Intra-oral clinical examination was done to identify and diagnose MIH (EAPD Criteria) as well as dental caries (ICDAS Index). Statistical analyses were performed with Person’s Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and Mann-Whitney tests, and Poisson regression models were built. Statistical significance was set at an alpha-level of 0.05. The prevalence of MIH in our participants was 9.8%, with lesions being mostly of the mild form (65.2%) and affecting the first permanent molars but not the incisors in 54.2% of the children. Dental caries was observed in 88.1% of subjects. We observed a significant association between dental caries and the following variables: presence of MIH (p < 0.01; PR = 1.13), dental visit (p < 0.02; PR=0.92), and parents or legal guardians’ education level (p < 0.05; PR = 1.07). A MIH diagnosis was also significantly associated with family income (p < 0.05; PR = 4.09). Children with MIH had more caries lesions on molar surfaces (p < 0.01; PR = 4.05). The prevalence of MIH was found to be moderate, based on previous studies, and the presence of enamel defect was associated with dental caries. The teeth most affected by MIH lesions were the first permanent molars.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a prevalência de medo odontológico e avaliar sua associação com a cárie dentária e a Hipomineralização molar-incisivo (HMI), em escolares de 8 a 10 anos, em um município da região Nordeste do Brasil. Foram coletados dados de 466 estudantes matriculados em escolas públicas urbanas, em um estudo transversal. Os pais/responsáveis responderam a um questionário abordando características sociodemográficas, o medo odontológico foi mensurado por meio do Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS), e os exames clínicos foram realizados por três examinadores calibrados para o diagnóstico de cárie dentária, utilizando o índice International Caries Detection & Assessment System (ICDAS II) e, por um índice previamente validado, para HMI. Foi realizada a análise descritiva dos dados e as associações entre medo odontológico, cárie dentária e HMI foram avaliadas pela regressão robusta de Poisson para amostras complexas (p<0,05). A prevalência de medo odontológico foi de 21,6%, e o escore médio total do CFSS-DS foi de 29,97 (IC 95%=29,05-30,89). No modelo multivariado ajustado, a prevalência de medo odontológico esteve associada à renda familiar (RP=1,78; IC 95%=1,02-3,08; p= 0,041). A renda familiar mensal foi associada ao medo odontológico em crianças, enquanto a cárie dentária e a HMI não foram associadas ao medo odontológico.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dental fear and to evaluate its association with dental caries and molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) in schoolchildren aged 8-10 years from a municipality in Northeastern Brazil. Data from 466 students enrolled in urban public schools in a cross-sectional study were collected. Parents/guardians answered a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic characteristics, dental fear was measured by means of the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) and clinical examinations were performed by three calibrated examiners for diagnosis of dental caries, using the International Caries Detection & Assessment System - ICDAS II and a previously validated index for MIH. Descriptive data analysis was performed, and associations between dental fear, dental caries and MIH were analyzed using robust Poisson regression for complex samples (p<0,05). The prevalence of dental fear was 21.6%, and the mean total CFSS-DS score was 29.97 (CI 95%=29.05-30.89). In the multivariate adjusted model, the prevalence of dental fear was associated to family income (PR=1.78; CI 95%=1.02-3.08; p= 0.041). Monthly family income was associated with dental fear in children, whereas dental caries and MIH were not associated with dental fear.

The effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the mental health of healthcare professionals has become a concern, particularly among those who are in close contact with infected patients, including dentists. The aim of this critical literature review was to analyze the possible implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of dentists. This bibliographic search was carried out in the PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases, using the following search keywords “Psychiatry OR anxiety OR fear OR depression OR psychological distress OR mental health” AND “COVID-19 OR SARS-CoV-2” AND “Dentists OR dental practice. Original research publications that included data on the mental health status of dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic were included. Data were tabulated in Microsoft Excel 2016 for Windows and descriptively presented. Eleven publications were eligible for this review. All studies had cross-sectional design. Most of them used questionnaires created by study researchers (81.8%) and were carried out in Italy (45.5%). The number of participants ranged from 14 to 1,500. Effects on the mental health of dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic were observed, regarding fear of contamination, anxiety, concerns, stress, depression, job insecurity, subjective overload, perceived risk and feelings and emotions. It was concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic had negative impact on the mental health of dentists, with high prevalence of fear, anxiety and concern, among other psychological symptoms.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as atitudes e as práticas dos profissionais da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) quanto à abordagem aos usuários drogas no município de Campina Grande, Paraíba. Tratou-se de um estudo transversal e exploratório realizado com 126 médicos, enfermeiros e dentistas da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS). As variáveis investigadas foram relacionadas a dados sociodemográficos, atuação profissional, atitudes e práticas sobre a abordagem aos usuários de drogas de acordo com o Plano Integrado de Enfrentamento ao Crack e outras Drogas. Foi realizada estatística descritiva e multivariada por meio da Análise de Correspondência Múltipla (ACM). A maioria dos profissionais era do sexo feminino (88,9%) e relatou questionar apenas às vezes quanto ao uso de drogas durante a anamnese (53,2%). Baseando-se na ACM, as variáveis com maior poder discriminatório para a dimensão 1 foram: tempo de formado (0,776), tempo de trabalho na APS (0,688), faixa etária (0,656); enquanto que para a dimensão 2 foram: categoria profissional (0,383) e se conhece os usuários de drogas em sua área de abrangência (0,166). Existem diferenças importantes nas atitudes e nas práticas acerca da abordagem dos usuários de drogas entre os profissionais.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes and practices of professionals of the Family Health Strategy regarding the approach to drug users in the municipality of Campina Grande. Paraíba. The cross-sectional and exploratory study carried out with 126 doctors. nurses and dentists of Primary Health Care (PHC). Variables investigated were related to sociodemographic data. professional profile. attitudes and practices about the approach to drug users according to the Integrated Plan to Confront Crack and Other Drugs. Descriptive and multivariate statistics were performed through Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). Most professionals were female (88.9%) and reported questioning only sometimes about the use of drugs during the anamnesis (53.2%). Based on MCA results. variables with the greatest discriminatory power for dimension 1 were: training time (0.776). working time in the PHC (0.688). age group (0.656); while for dimension 2 were: professional category (0.383) and knowledge of drug users in their coverage area (0.166). There are important differences in attitudes and practices about the approach of drug users among professionals.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as atitudes e as práticas dos profissionais da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) quanto à abordagem aos usuários drogas no município de Campina Grande, Paraíba. Tratou-se de um estudo transversal e exploratório realizado com 126 médicos, enfermeiros e dentistas da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS). As variáveis investigadas foram relacionadas a dados sociodemográficos, atuação profissional, atitudes e práticas sobre a abordagem aos usuários de drogas de acordo com o Plano Integrado de Enfrentamento ao Crack e outras Drogas. Foi realizada estatística descritiva e multivariada por meio da Análise de Correspondência Múltipla (ACM). A maioria dos profissionais era do sexo feminino (88,9%) e relatou questionar apenas às vezes quanto ao uso de drogas durante a anamnese (53,2%). Baseando-se na ACM, as variáveis com maior poder discriminatório para a dimensão 1 foram: tempo de formado (0,776), tempo de trabalho na APS (0,688), faixa etária (0,656); enquanto que para a dimensão 2 foram: categoria profissional (0,383) e se conhece os usuários de drogas em sua área de abrangência (0,166). Existem diferenças importantes nas atitudes e nas práticas acerca da abordagem dos usuários de drogas entre os profissionais.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes and practices of professionals of the Family Health Strategy regarding the approach to drug users in the municipality of Campina Grande. Paraíba. The cross-sectional and exploratory study carried out with 126 doctors. nurses and dentists of Primary Health Care (PHC). Variables investigated were related to sociodemographic data. professional profile. attitudes and practices about the approach to drug users according to the Integrated Plan to Confront Crack and Other Drugs. Descriptive and multivariate statistics were performed through Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). Most professionals were female (88.9%) and reported questioning only sometimes about the use of drugs during the anamnesis (53.2%). Based on MCA results. variables with the greatest discriminatory power for dimension 1 were: training time (0.776). working time in the PHC (0.688). age group (0.656); while for dimension 2 were: professional category (0.383) and knowledge of drug users in their coverage area (0.166). There are important differences in attitudes and practices about the approach of drug users among professionals.