Abstract This study evaluated the association between sense of coherence (SoC) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among conscripts of the Brazilian Army, in two cities of southern Brazil. A cross-sectional study included all 18-19-year-old adolescents who joined the Brazilian Army as draftees for mandatory military service in the cities of Itaqui, RS, and Santiago, RS (n = 505). Data collection was conducted from 2019 to 2021, and included the application of questionnaires and a clinical oral examination to record gingivitis, malocclusion, and dental caries. OHRQoL was collected through the Brazilian short version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP), composed of 14 questions. The adolescents’ SoC was assessed using the validated Brazilian version of the SOC-13 scale. The primary outcome of this study was OHRQoL, modeled as a discrete variable (OHIP-14 scores). The main predictor variable was SoC, categorized as low, moderate, or high. The association between predictor variables and OHRQoL was assessed by Poisson regression models using a hierarchical approach. Unadjusted and adjusted rate ratios (RR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. All the analyses were performed using STATA software version 14.2. Adolescents with a moderate and high SoC had 27% (RR = 0.73, 95%CI = 0.64–0.84) and 51% (RR = 0.49, 95%CI = 0.41–0.58) lower mean OHIP-14 scores, respectively, than those with a low SoC score, after the inclusion of behavioral and clinical variables. This study showed a significant association between SoC and OHRQoL among 18–19-year-old southern Brazilian adolescents. Strengthening the SoC as a psychosocial resource may improve the well-being and OHRQoL of adolescents.

Abstract This study aimed to assess the prevalence, extent, and associated factors of underlying dentin shadows (UDS) in the occlusal surfaces of permanent posterior teeth among 12-year-old schoolchildren from southern Brazil. A population-based cross-sectional study that included a representative sample of 1,528 schoolchildren was conducted in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil (participation rate: 83.2%). A questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, behavioral habits, and access to dental services was sent to parents/legal guardians of each student selected. Caries examination included the recording of non-cavitated and cavitated lesions, including the presence of UDS, as defined by the ICDAS Group (i.e., a shadow of discolored dentin visible through an apparently intact enamel surface that may or may not show signs of localized breakdown – ICDAS Code 4). The association between predictor variables and UDS prevalence was assessed using survey Poisson regression models. The prevalence of UDS was 6.3% (95%CI = 1.2 –11.3). The mean number of affected teeth among the schoolchildren presenting UDS was 1.51 (95%CI = 1.40 –1.61), ranging from 1 to 6. Type of school (public, PR = 2.23, 95%CI = 1.22 –4.07) and caries experience (DMFT 1-2, PR = 2.41, 95%CI = 1.15 –5.04; DMFT ≥ 3, PR = 3.09, 95%CI = 1.52 –6.27) were significantly associated with UDS prevalence. In conclusion, this population-based cross-sectional study found a low prevalence of UDS in the occlusal surfaces of the permanent posterior teeth of 12-year-old southern Brazilian schoolchildren. Overall caries experience and type of school were associated with UDS in this population.

Resumo A religiosidade tem sido associada a uma melhor condição dentária e autopercepção positiva de saúde, mas não há estudos sobre a relação entre a prática religiosa e qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal (QVRSB), especialmente entre escolares. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a associação entre religiosidade da família e a QVRSB em escolares de 12 anos de idade. Nós realizamos um estudo transversal em uma amostra representativa de escolares de 12 anos de idade de Santa Maria, uma cidade no sul do Brasil. Um total de 1.134 escolares foram avaliados em uma seleção aleatória em 20 escolas públicas da cidade. Os participantes foram examinados por 4 dentistas calibrados (valor mínimo do Kappa para concordância intra e inter-examinador foi de 0,79 e 0,77, respectivamente) de acordo com cárie dental (Índice de Dentes Cariados, Perdidos e Obturados) e sangramento gengival (Índice Periodontal Comunitário). QVRSB foi avaliada pela versão reduzida brasileira do Child Perceptions for Questionnaire (CPQ11-14). Os pais ou responsáveis responderam a um questionário estruturado sobre sua condição socioeconômica e prática religiosa. Os dados foram analisados usando análise de regressão de Poisson multinível para avaliar a associação de religiosidade e escores de QVRSB geral e por domínio específico. A prática religiosa menos de uma vez por semana foi associada com maior escore do domínio sintomas orais e maior média do escore total do CPQ 11-14 em escolares. Em conclusão, nossos achados demonstram que religiosidade familiar foi positivamente associada com a QVRSB dos escolares.

Abstract Religiosity has been associated with a better dental condition and positive self-perception of health, but there are no studies on the relationship between religious practice and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), especially among schoolchildren. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between family religiosity and OHRQoL in 12-year-old schoolchildren. We conducted a cross-sectional study in a representative sample of 12-year-old schoolchildren from Santa Maria, a city in southern Brazil. A total of 1,134 schoolchildren were assessed in a randomly selected in 20 public schools in the city. Participants were examined by 4 calibrated dentists (minimum Kappa-value for intra and inter-examiner agreement were 0.79 and 0.77, respectively) according to dental caries (Decayed, Missed, Filled Teeth Index), and gingival bleeding (Community Periodontal Index criteria). OHRQoL was assessed by the Brazilian short version of Child Perceptions for Questionnaire (CPQ11-14). Parents or guardians answered a structured questionnaire regarding their socioeconomic status and religious practice. Data were analyzed using multilevel Poisson regression analysis to assess the association of religiosity and overall and domain-specific CPQ 11-14 scores. Religious practice less than once a week was associated with higher mean symptoms domain scores and higher mean CPQ 11-14 overall scores in schoolchildren. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that family religiosity was positively associated with schoolchildren’s OHRQoL.