Abstract: The osteolytic activity of odontogenic cysts and tumors is directly associated with their growth and aggressiveness. The influence of proteins expressed by epithelial and mesenchymal cells on this biological event differs between indolent cystic lesions, aggressive cystic lesions, and odontogenic tumors. The objective of this study was to compare the immunohistochemical expression of factors that stimulate (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand – RANKL, cathepsin K – CatK and matrix metallopeptidase 8 – MMP-8) and inhibit (osteoprotegerin – OPG) osteoclastogenesis between dentigerous cyst (DC), glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC), odontogenic keratocyst (OKC), and ameloblastoma (AB). Paraffin-embedded sections of nine DCs, nine GOCs, 20 OKCs, 21 ABs, and four dental follicles (DFs) were subjected to immunohistochemistry. Immunoreactivity was analyzed semiquantitatively and quantitatively in epithelium and connective tissue, respectively. The proteins were immunoexpressed in epithelial and mesenchymal cells of all lesions studied. The expression of RANKL and CatK was higher in OKC, AB, and GOC (p<0.005). Higher expression of OPG was found in DF and DC compared to the other markers (p<0.005). MMP-8 expression was high in GOC and OKC. This study demonstrated the differential expression of factors that inhibit and stimulate bone resorption during the development of DC, GOC, OKC, and AB. Higher expression of RANKL and CatK was observed in more aggressive lesions. OPG appears to be one of the molecules responsible for the slower growth of DC.

O estudo visou avaliar a taxa de utilização dos serviços odontológicos especializados de quatro CEOs da Bahia, Brasil, identificando fatores relacionados. Trata-se de uma pesquisa avaliativa onde a etapa quantitativa foi conduzida através de um estudo transversal utilizando dados secundários do Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIA-SUS) e a qualitativa foi a partir de vinte entrevistas semi-estruturadas junto aos coordenadores e executores, além de observação in loco do serviço. O estudo revelou bons resultados na oferta desse serviço na percepção dos profissionais, mas há uma baixa taxa de utilização. A baixa taxa de utilização revela barreiras de acesso do próprio serviço de saúde, como a ausência de padrões e metas de desempenho por especialidade, a falta dos pacientes, que não são substituídos, além das diferentes tecnologias utilizadas por cada especialista. Sugerem-se estudos que analisem diferentes formas de organização do serviço que tenham possibilitado maior utilização da oferta disponível, como diferenças de remuneração, articulação com atenção primária e adequação da oferta às necessidades de saúde populacionais.

This study aimed to evaluate the utilization of dental services in four specialized dental clinics in Bahia State, Brazil, and to identify associated factors. This was an evaluative study in which the quantitative stage focused on a cross-sectional analysis of secondary data from the Outpatient Information System of the Unified National Health System and the qualitative component was based on 20 semi-structured interviews with coordinators and managers, in addition to on-site observation of health services. The study showed good results in the supply of these services from the health professionals' perspective, but with a low utilization rate. The low utilization rate reveals access barriers in the health services themselves, like the lack of performance standards and goals by specialty, lack of patients (who are not replaced), and different technologies used by each specialist. The results suggest the need for studies that analyze different forms of services organization that would have allowed greater utilization of the available supply, with pay differentials, linkage to primary care, and adjustment of the supply to the population's health needs.

O estudo visou avaliar a taxa de utilização dos serviços odontológicos especializados de quatro CEOs da Bahia, Brasil, identificando fatores relacionados. Trata-se de uma pesquisa avaliativa onde a etapa quantitativa foi conduzida através de um estudo transversal utilizando dados secundários do Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIA-SUS) e a qualitativa foi a partir de vinte entrevistas semi-estruturadas junto aos coordenadores e executores, além de observação in loco do serviço. O estudo revelou bons resultados na oferta desse serviço na percepção dos profissionais, mas há uma baixa taxa de utilização. A baixa taxa de utilização revela barreiras de acesso do próprio serviço de saúde, como a ausência de padrões e metas de desempenho por especialidade, a falta dos pacientes, que não são substituídos, além das diferentes tecnologias utilizadas por cada especialista. Sugerem-se estudos que analisem diferentes formas de organização do serviço que tenham possibilitado maior utilização da oferta disponível, como diferenças de remuneração, articulação com atenção primária e adequação da oferta às necessidades de saúde populacionais.

This study aimed to evaluate the utilization of dental services in four specialized dental clinics in Bahia State, Brazil, and to identify associated factors. This was an evaluative study in which the quantitative stage focused on a cross-sectional analysis of secondary data from the Outpatient Information System of the Unified National Health System and the qualitative component was based on 20 semi-structured interviews with coordinators and managers, in addition to on-site observation of health services. The study showed good results in the supply of these services from the health professionals' perspective, but with a low utilization rate. The low utilization rate reveals access barriers in the health services themselves, like the lack of performance standards and goals by specialty, lack of patients (who are not replaced), and different technologies used by each specialist. The results suggest the need for studies that analyze different forms of services organization that would have allowed greater utilization of the available supply, with pay differentials, linkage to primary care, and adjustment of the supply to the population's health needs.