Browsing by Author "Correia, Ilidio J."
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- Fissure sealants: A review of their importance in preventive dentistryPublication . Veiga, Nélio J.; Ferreira, Paula C.; Correia, Ilidio J.; Pereira, Carlos M.Background: For the prevention of dental caries, fissure sealants application is recommended if pits and fissures are very deep and narrow, creating a physical barrier for the plaque's accumulation, in these specific anatomical areas of the tooth. Aim: This review article about fissure sealant aims to address the main properties, indications, advantages and limitations of fissure sealants that are used in order to acquire a higher level of knowledge about what is known today about this biomaterial and how and when it should be applied by clinicians. Review Results: Studies have shown that fissure sealants applied both in clinics and in schools, are highly effective in preventing dental caries, reducing caries in pits and fissures up to 60% for 2 to 5 years after its implementation. The application of fissure sealants has specific indications, such as: newly erupted teeth, with deep fissures and clinically free of dental caries; patients who present physical and mental disabilities; adult patients that are under medical treatment that involves a significant decrease of the salivary flow. Several studies analyzed do not clarify which type of fissure sealant, if a resin-based or glass ionomeric fissure sealant, has higher retention rate and effectiveness. Conclusion: The application of sealants is a recommended procedure to prevent or control dental caries. However, the relative effectiveness of different types of sealants has yet to be established. Clinical Significance: Fissure sealants are recommended to be applied soon after tooth eruption, mainly at the level of the first permanent molars. However, health professionals should always take into account that fissure sealants, currently used, have limitations such as microleakage. Regular reassessment, in order to avoid the development of dental caries, on teeth with partial or total loss of fissure sealants is recommended.
- Oral health behaviours in a sample of portuguese adolescents: an educational issuePublication . Veiga, Nélio; Pereira, Carlos; Ferreira, Paula; Correia, Ilidio J.Introduction: Oral health education is an important issue that should be given to children and adolescents, allowing the acquisition of correct oral health behaviors. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of oral health behaviors among a sample of portuguese adolescents and verify the association with socio-demographic factors, in order to analyze the main needs related with oral health education to improve oral health status among adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed with a sample of 447 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years old, attending a public school in Sátão, Portugal. A self-administered questionnaire was applied questioning about socio-demographic factors and oral health behaviors to each adolescent in the classroom. Prevalence was expressed in proportions and crude odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to measure the strength of association between oral health behaviors and socio-demographic factors. Results: The prevalence of tooth brushing (twice-a-day or more) was 90.6%. Five point eight percent of adolescents reported daily flossing, more frequent among female gender (female, OR = 2.03, 95% CI = (1.35 to 3.05)) and adolescents older than 15 years (>15 years, OR = 1.90, 95% CI = (1.24 to 2.92)). Sixty-seven percent had at least one dental appointment in the previous twelve months. The prevalence of dental appointments was associated with the father’s professional situation (unemployed, OR = 0.33, 95% CI = (0.17 to 0.65)) and crowding index (>1, OR = 0.4, 95% CI = (0.16 to 0.98)). Thirty-two point nine percent of adolescents referred having at least one episode of dental pain during their lives. Conclusion: Considering the results of the present study that show the need of improvement of some aspects related with oral health among adolescents, oral health community programs and primary preventive strategies, such as improvement of oral health education in schools should be considered in order to reduce the risk level of oral diseases and develop better oral health behaviors.