This study's goal was to comparatively evaluate the differences between the oral health knowledge of two teaching staff groups: those that were part of the oral health promotion programs and those that were not. Seventy six (76) teachers at ten nursery schools participated in this transversal study. The teaching staff of the intervention group were part of the activities of the "Oral Health Promotion Program in state-funded nursery schools of Araçatuba, São Paulo State" of the Araçatuba Dental School (Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba - FOA/UNESP) (n=38), however, the teachers from the control group were not part of the activities (n=37). The data were collected through questionnaire with the goal of identifying the educator (sex; function at the school; age; years of schooling), and to evaluate the educator's knowledge regarding oral health (dental plaque, dental caries, toothbrush, storage of toothbrushes, tooth paste, pacifier, oral hygiene habits). The independent variables were compared between the groups through statistical tests. 76.6 % of the sample was of teachers of the nursery schools and only one participant was male. The average age between both groups was 41 and the average education level was of graduation (88.1 %). The research identified a very similar behavior in the questionnaire answers from both groups, and the knowledge identified on the evaluation was close to common sense. This study concluded that there were not significant differences on the oral health knowledge between the evaluated groups.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar, comparativamente, las diferencias en el conocimiento sobre salud oral de equipos pedagógicos que recibieron y que no recibieron el Programa de Salud Oral, promovido por la Facultad de Odontología de Araçatuba (FOA), en las escuelas de enseñanza infantil del municipio de Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brasil. Participaron de esta investigación transversal 76 profesores de 10 escuelas municipales de enseñanza infantil (EMEB). Los equipos pedagógicos del grupo experimental recibieron las actividades del Programa de Salud Oral de la FOA (n=38); en cambio, los equipos establecidos en el grupo de control no las recibieron (n=37). Se recolectaron los datos por medio de un cuestionario que trazaba el perfil del profesor (sexo, función en la escuela, edad, nivel de escolaridad) y evaluaba su conocimiento sobre salud oral (placa dental, caries dental, cepillo de dientes, almacenamiento de cepillos, dentífrico, chupete, hábitos de higiene oral). Se compararon las variables independientes entre los grupos por medio de tests estadísticos. El 76,6 % de la muestra eran de profesores de enseñanza infantil y solo uno era del sexo masculino. La media de edad de los dos grupos fue de 41 años y el grado de escolaridad fue de posgrado completo (88,1 %). La investigación identificó comportamiento muy semejante en las respuestas del cuestionario en ambos los grupos encuestados, siendo sus respuestas muy cerca a las del sentido común. Esta investigación concluye que no hay diferencias significativas en el conocimiento sobre salud oral entre los grupos evaluados.

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disease, normally associated with oral lesions that generally affects patients aged 40 - 60 years. The aim of this study was to report a case of pemphigus vulgaris presenting at an uncommon age with advanced periodontal disease, and to describe the treatment performed from the time of diagnosis through oral environment restoration and follow-up monitoring. One gingival vesicular lesion was biopsied. After the histological confirmation of pemphigus vulgaris, the patient was referred to a specialist for treatment of this systemic disease. With the improvement of the patient's clinical condition, teeth were extracted and oral rehabilitation was performed. The patient is being followed and is taking the appropriate medication. A direct immunofluorescence test was performed, but the patient had already started treatment with immunosuppressive medication at the time of the perilesional biopsy. The result of this test was negative. Pemphigus vulgaris manifests as extremely painful and persistent oral lesions. Thus, patient motivation to maintain oral health, preventive measures and the promotion of oral health, should be prioritized to avoid the worsening of the patient's systemic condition.

El pemphigus vulgar es una enfermedad autoinmune, que normalmente está asociada con lesiones orales que afectan a pacientes de 40 a 60 años. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un caso de pénfigo vulgar en una edad poco común con enfermedad periodontal avanzada, así como describir el tratamiento realizado desde el momento del diagnóstico, restauración de la salud oral y el seguimiento del monitoreo. Se realizó la biopsia de una lesión vesicular gingival. Después de la confirmación histológica del pemphigus vulgar, el paciente fue presentado a un especialista para el tratamiento de esta enfermedad sistémica. Con la mejora de la condición clínica del paciente, los dientes fueron extraídos y se realizó la rehabilitación oral. El paciente está siendo acompañado y tomando la medicación apropiada. Fue realizado el exámen de inmunofluorescencia directa, pero el paciente ya había comenzado el tratamiento con medicamentos inmunosupresores en el momento de la biopsia perilesional. El resultado de este examen fue negativo. El pemphigus vulgar se manifiesta en forma de lesiones orales extremadamente dolorosas y persistentes. Por lo tanto, la motivación del paciente para mantener la salud oral, las medidas de prevención y promoción de la salud oral deben ser priorizadas para evitar el empeoramiento de la condición sistémica del paciente.

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of socio-behavioral variables on the prevalence and severity of dental caries in 4- to 6-year-old children. A cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 1993 children enrolled in 58 public preschools from Araçatuba City, São Paulo State, Brazil, during 2010. The exams were made using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (World Health Organization methodology) and detection criteria for non-cavitated lesions. A tested, self-administered questionnaire was sent to parents to obtain information about their socio-behavioral characteristics. Standardization was performed to verify concordance among examiners (kappa = 0.84). The prevalence of cavitated caries lesions was 41.2% (821), and the prevalence of both, cavitated and non-cavitated caries lesions, was 43.9% (875). The means ± standard deviations of the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index for children aged 4, 5, and 6 years were 1.18 ± 2.45, 1.65 ± 2.67, and 1.73 ± 2.77, respectively. Caries were significantly more prevalent in children from families with low incomes and low educational levels. The presence of dental caries was associated with access to dental services (p < 0.05). The associations between both, cavitated and non-cavitated dental caries lesions, and the frequency of oral hygiene were statistically significant. The prevalence of dental caries in preschoolers was strongly associated with factors related to the children's parents. Therefore, information about parents' socio-economic status, behaviors, and attitudes in relation to oral health should be considered when planning prevention and educational programs for the oral health of preschool children.