ABSTRACT Cyberchondria is a psychopathological behavior that affects people who compulsively consult the internet, by searching the symptoms of different pathologies from which they believe they are suffering, and when influenced by what they read, are sure they have some of these diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the cyberchondria level and associated factors among Brazilian and Portuguese dentists. A total 597 Brazilian and Portuguese dentists participated in this cross-sectional study. They were contacted via WhatsApp and asked to complete an online questionnaire on the Google Forms platform, from January 17 to 31, 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sociodemographic information was collected and cyberchondria was measured using the Portuguese language version of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale. Binary logistic regression models were used to estimate the unadjusted and adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association of cyberchondria and covariates. Each covariate was individually included in the regression model, and the unadjusted OR (95% CI) was estimated. Most participants were Brazilian (62.8%), women (75.5%), married (60.5%) and with children (55.6%). Average age was 42.1 years (+ 12.5). In the final model, it was found that with each increase of one year in age, the chance of a high level of cyberchondria decreased (OR=0.97; 95% CI 0.95-0.98). Brazilian dentists were 1.85 times more likely (95% CI 1.25-2.75) to have a high level of cyberchondria than Portuguese dentists. Women were 1.62 times more likely (95% CI 1.07-2.44) to have a high level of cyberchondria than men. It was concluded that young age, Brazilian nationality, and female gender favored the high level of cyberchondria among the participants in this sample during COVID-19 pandemic.

RESUMO A cibercondria é um comportamento psicopatológico que atinge as pessoas que consultam compulsivamente a internet, pesquisando os sintomas das diferentes patologias de que acreditam estar sofrendo e, quando influenciadas pelo que leem, têm a certeza de possuir alguma dessas doenças. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o nível de cibercondria e fatores associados entre dentistas brasileiros e portugueses. Participaram deste estudo transversal 597 dentistas brasileiros e portugueses. Eles foram contatados via WhatsApp e solicitados a preencher um questionário online na plataforma do Google Forms, no período de 17 a 31 de janeiro de 2021, durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Informações sociodemográficas foram coletadas e a cibercondria foi mensurada através da versão em língua portuguesa da Cyberchondria Severity Scale. Modelos de regressão logística binária foram usados para estimar a Odds Ratio (OR) não ajustada e ajustada e o intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95% correspondente para a associação de cibercondria e covariáveis. Cada covariável foi incluída individualmente no modelo de regressão, e o OR não ajustado (IC 95%) foi estimado. A maioria dos participantes eram brasileiros (62,8%), mulheres (75,5%), casados (60,5%) e com filhos (55,6%). A média de idade foi de 42,1 anos (+ 12,5). No modelo final, verificou-se que a cada aumento de um ano de vida, a chance de um nível elevado de cibercondria diminuía (OR = 0,97; IC95% 0,95-0,98). Os dentistas brasileiros tiveram 1,85 vezes mais probabilidade (IC95% 1,25-2,75) de apresentar alto índice de cibercondria quando comparados aos portugueses. As mulheres tinham 1,62 vezes mais probabilidade (IC 95% 1,07-2,44) de ter um alto nível de cibercondria em comparação com os homens. Concluiu-se que a idade mais jovem, a nacionalidade brasileira e o sexo feminino favoreceram o alto índice de cibercondria entre os participantes desta amostra durante a pandemia COVID-19.

Abstract: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the factors associated with the search by Brazilian and Portuguese dentists for oral health information on social networks during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 597 Brazilian and Portuguese dentists answered an online questionnaire between January 17 and 31, 2021. Respondents were asked about sociodemographic data, weight and height, hours of sleep per night, screen time for work and leisure, and where they sought information about general and/or oral health for themselves and for their loved ones and information about COVID-19. Descriptive statistics and binary regression were used for the statistical analysis. Most participants were Brazilian (62.8%) and 451 (75.5%) were female. Mean age was 42.1 years (± 12.5 years). For every lost hour of sleep, the chances of participants frequently or always searching for information about self-perceived oral health problems on lay websites increased by 1.33 times. For every additional hour spent on social networks or on the Internet, the likelihood of participants frequently searching for self-perceived oral health problems on lay websites increased by 17% (OR = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.06–1.30). Individuals who searched the Internet for information about COVID-19 symptoms before consulting their doctors were 3.85 times more likely (95% CI: 2.22–6.67) to frequently or always search for information about self-perceived oral health problems on lay websites. Dentists used lay websites to search for general and oral health knowledge during the COVID-19 pandemic, and shorter sleep duration favored screen use.

A negligência dentária é definida como a falta intencional do responsável pela criança na procura e manutenção do tratamento necessário para garantir um nível de saúde oral essencial para a função adequada, livre de dor e infeção. Neste sentido, pretendemos esclarecer, de acordo com a literatura científica atual, os indícios clínicos para a identificação de negligência dentária em crianças. Após pesquisa em bases de dados e motores de busca, com as palavras-chave "child", "dental", "neglect", entre 1996 e 2016, os resultados revelaram que a identificação desta condição requer, não só a obtenção de uma história clínica detalhada e de dados clínicos que evidenciem claramente a falta de cuidados na saúde oral como também a investigação dos determinantes sociais e parentais em que a criança se insere. Assim, inserir o médico dentista nas equipas de análise nos casos de suspeita revelou-se indispensável para o despiste desta e outras situações de abuso.

Dental neglect is defined as an intentional failure of the caretaker in the pursuit and continuity of necessary treatment to achieve an oral health that allows adequate function, free from pain and infection. We intend to clarify, according to the current scientific literature, the clinical indications for the identification of dental neglect in children. After the search in databases and search engines with the keywords "child", "dental" and "neglect", between 1996 and 2016, the results revealed that identifying this condition requires not only a detailed clinical history and clinical data that clearly show the lack of oral health care but also investigating the social and parental determinants in which the child is involved. Thus, inserting the dentist in teams of analysis in case of suspicion proves to be indispensable for the detection of this and other situations of abuse.