294. Study warns of the need for oral health care of the child population

The program Rinamaia (link RINAMAIA) - a joint operation between the ISAVE and the Municipal Maia, concludes that where there is oral hygienists to achieve better results in reducing dental caries.

Institute of Health Vale do Ave is preparing a study that aims to draw conclusions regarding the oral health of school children. The results are based on a screening done at 1,400 school children and preschool.

The study, done in collaboration with the Municipal Maia, concluded that the presence of oral hygienists in health centers, schools and nurseries may allow consigui the best results in terms of oral health. The authors of the study argue that there can only be a good oral health when basic needs begin to be solidified.

Estela Castro states that there are niches with high incidence in nurseries, where there may be 40% of children with caries.

Reflexo Digital

293. Dental care to 53 000 children and adolescents: National Health Service spent five million euros in 2007

The National Health Service (SNS in portuguese) guaranteed access to about 53 thousand children and young people to medical dentistry in 2007, a total of 5 million euros.

Official data from the Directorate General of Health state that the contracting of private practitioners to respond to the National Oral Health allowed last year, was reached the maximum number of 53 thousand children and young people aged between 3 and 16 covered by the consultations of this specialty, which represents an increase of four thousand people over the previous year. In all, during 2007, the SNS has spent 5 million euros in the oral health program, with funds distributed to all regional health administrations, and the accession of health centers has remained at about 90 %, with the exception of those located in health regions of Alentejo and Algarve mass that joined the program.

In this period, were employed 1 191 doctors and dentists who have made more than 112 thousand appointments to children and young people between the ages of 3 to 16 years. The Directorate General of Health are pleased with the results, pointing out that "were treated 68% of deciduous teeth and 91% of the permanent teeth had dental caries", refers to Lusa.

It is recalled that the Oral Health Program is divided into two distinct phases, the first of which comprises a step of oral hygiene education to be carried out in schools and, subsequently, will be referred for treatment children who have dental caries.

Fábrica de Conteúdos

* * *

It was you who heard in the National Oral Health in your child's school? Have you done two years I have asked the Ministry of Education to publicize the program in all schools of the country, get the names of doctors and dentists employed and details of their offices with all children and young people need to be treated urgently.

Still await response; simply disgraceful behavior of public officials in an attempt indirectly to hide this program to children and young people.

292. Brazilian physician do business with dental tourism

Vicente Belchior, dental (dentist) a Brazilian national with offices only in Fortaleza (Brazil), is promoting its services with advertisements in the Portuguese media. The goal? Take the lusos to fly over the Atlantic Ocean and steer themselves to the Brazilian state of Ceara in a mixture of holiday and medical treatment.

Fortaleza is a favorite destination of the Portuguese who choose to vacation in Northeast Brazil. And to think about it that Vicente Belchior remembered promote their services in Lusitanian soil. "Several years ago the Portuguese look to us to get some kind of dental treatment. The patients are under treatment for up to seven days and hours off the familiar beaches and tourist attractions of Ceara, with a driver made available by our clinic," said the dentist, told the Diário de Notícias, by e-mail.

Belchior explains that the offer to their Portuguese users work through "a partnership with the travel Entremares Portuguese, which offers package tours for 14 days in one of the best hotels in Fortaleza. But here begin the doubt because Belchior ducked to the telephone and only responded in an affidavit by e-mail that ignored some of the questions had been raised. And Paulo Santos, commercial director Entremares, assured the Diário de Notícias that "has no partnership with that gentleman." Also because Entremares acts as tour operator and only sells services directly to travel agencies.

Still, it would take to choose a Portuguese dental treatment across the Atlantic? Price, Vincente Belchior responds: "The value of treatment and the package is at least half the price charged in any country in Europe. And this without compromising the quality of care, because we have the latest techniques in dental rehabilitation."

The president of the Medical Association Portuguese (OMD), Orlando Moreira da Silva, has doubts about the formula proposed by Brazil. "It is true that dental tourism is growing in Europe. But in this case, I do not think they can offer a much more affordable than in Portugal, also due to the costs which do not vary that much," he noted to Diário de Notícias. "In times of crisis, do not know how the Portuguese would go to Brazil to deal with teeth," he added, saying that it was "an adventurous idea" of Vicente Belchior.

Not knowing where the Portuguese have already resorted to such services abroad, the president of the OMD leaves the warning: "If you are about to do so, inform yourself first with the Dental Association". In these cases, "you must always keep in mind the conditions and quality of treatment, the potential liability of doctors in question, the ability to repay. Patients should not forget that," she emphasizes.

The notice published in Portuguese newspapers raises another question: in Portugal is prohibited promising results in medical advertisements. "We can not promise results. To do so is to deceive the patient," says Orlando Moreira da Silva. But Vicente Belchior do it, to ensure "its fixed prosthesis in one day."

The case will be considered by the Council of Ethics of OMD - despite the Brazilian being out of its disciplinary jurisdiction.

Diário de Notícias

291. Bet on the creation of habits of proper oral hygiene to ensure a lifetime and lasting effect (conclusion)

Sound techniques to fight plaque - Brushing teeth starts after the eruption of the first tooth should be held after the main meals, being essential to brush them before bed. The toothbrush is a personal subject that should not be shared with others, consists of nylon hair and has an average duration of 3 months.

Brushing the teeth to help remove as much plaque without causing gingival or dental trauma, the duration of brushing should not be less than two minutes. Place the brush at an inclination of 45 ° to penetrate the hair between the teeth and gums, brush in one jaw at a time (external and internal surface), starting brushing the molars (back), moving up to the opposing molars . They are 10 small movements back and forth in each area covered by brush, then the chewing surfaces of both jaws and the end should brush your tongue horizontally, backwards. Rinse vigorously and spit, wash the brush and put it in the cup with the hair facing up. Brush your teeth with a fluoride paste.

Brushing buffer - is the removal of plaque from between the teeth where a toothbrush can not reach and can be made with the yarn / dental tape or with interdental spiral brush.

Using the wire / dental tape - Roll about 45 inches of tape on each of your fingers. Hold the ribbon between the thumb and index finger, leaving a space of about 5 centimeters between them. Use your thumbs to guide the tape in the upper teeth and indicators for the lower teeth.

Slide the tape vertically to the surface of the tooth and under the gum line, with gentle back and forth and never once, always with clean sections of tape to each tooth.

For most people with arthritis to use wire / dental tape can be difficult to implement and in many cases be impossible to use the method explained above. Are available on the market several wireless adapters / dental tape to facilitate its use. Whenever possible (when there is enough space between teeth) should resort to the use of interdental spiral brush as it is much easier to use, simply push it back and forth.

The role of fluoride in prevention - The fluoride is a substance that protects the teeth against decay. Can be found in drops or tablets, in the form of elixir for the implementation of mouthwash at home, in toothpaste and even in the form of gel. Depending on the child, the doctor will advise which of these forms, combined or not be the most appropriate.

The mechanisms of action of fluoride resides in the increased resistance of tooth enamel, harden the tooth enamel ( "restore" the incipient carious lesions) and has anti-bacterial effects (reduces the metabolism of sugars by bacteria, leading to a lower production of acids and lower development of plaque).

Reduce your intake of sugars - Where to consume sugary foods to brushing the teeth should be immediate, the frequency of sugar intake is more serious than the amount consumed. Never eat sweets between meals or before bedtime.

Fissure sealants - are resins (a kind of varnish) that cover the grooves and fissures existing in the chewing surfaces of back teeth, forming a barrier at the plaque. When the teeth are brushed, the hair of the brush does not reach the bottom of the cracks being held there plaque. Is why the place where dental caries was more often (molars).

The fissure sealants should be applied soon after the eruption of teeth, provided they are healthy or have small cavities (which involves only the enamel).

Remember that we should regularly visit the dentist or hygienist to see if there was any change in the health of your teeth, the detection of a problem still in its early stages makes treatment less traumatic and less expensive.

Note that often, even though all the proper techniques for good oral hygiene during crises derived from rheumatic diseases is impossible to have effective control of plaque and it is very important to the professional control of at least twice a year.

Joana Figueiredo Freire (hygienist)

Andai

290. Teething children: dental injuries suffered during childhood and youth have an impact on the rest of life

The rates of tooth decay in our country are frightening. The target suggested by the World Health Organization for 2000 was that Portugal reached an index of decayed, missing and filled (DMF) of two in each child. This means that if they had been taking the appropriate measures, oral health, we should already be down to two, instead of the current three to four bad teeth. The situation is even more serious when it rises in the age group. "Then, the index is so high that not even worth quoting him. The number of teeth in a state already passed the barrier that is behaving in terms of prevention," said Professor Jorge Acacio, President of the Portuguese Health Oral (APSO)." The teeth do not heal injured. You can replace the texture of materials for dental fillings, but its strength and durability are very limited. This is why dental injuries sustained during childhood and youth have an impact on the rest of life. The fewer problems with their teeth have a teenager at the end of compulsory schooling and much less treated teeth, the lower the costs of maintaining the good condition of your teeth for the rest of their lives, "notes one expert in Preventive Dentistry .

The problem seems to be the fact that practice in Portugal, "an oral health level of bad." That is, continues to fight to disease, instead of investing in prevention. "Countries like Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Canada or Japan take us 40 years of progress," added Jorge Acacio.

The oral health problems are, in general, perfectly avoidable. Children are not able to assess the consequences of inappropriate behavior, both with regard to food as to oral hygiene. The attitude of the smaller dependent on the goodwill of the adults who must take responsibility for what remains to children. It is known that parents and educators play an important role in raising children for dental care, but that's not enough to alter the scenario "catastrophic" that lives in our country.

The industry would be to create oral health programs is wrong. "It is well known in many cities in Europe and beyond, the high success of oral health programs of municipal responsibility. Compared with the organs of central power - the Health Ministry or the Directorate General of Health - the local authority, with closer to the individual, can respond more appropriately and effectively to their needs."

One form of action could be the local teams of oral health to undertake the screening of dental caries and diseases of the mouth of the population covered, in a systematic and regular, and well forwarding treatment needs. A task that can be done by dentists at the local level, health centers, hospitals and private clinics. "Such actions should not be confused with marketing campaigns often developed by manufacturers of toothpaste or other products in the field of dentistry", emphasizes Acacio Jorge.

According to the President of APSO, the Ministry of Health has, over the years, "neglected and forgotten" that the health sector. "There is no justification to continue to do so, since there are 4300 dentists in Portugal and colleges continue to train more." The Dental Association has created a working group to study and develop a program of oral health is wrong. One of the proposals involves the voluntary enrollment of school-age children in the Oral Health Program. When you enroll, the child is automatically covered by any preventive measures, including any dental care they need, but must meet a number of rules, such as regular visits to the dentist and the application of certain preventive treatments indicated.

These visits and these treatments will be recorded in a dental newsletter (which may be contained in the Health Card), the update will be mandatory for each child can remain enrolled in the program. Each round of screening, monitoring or treatment will be paid at the time by parents, which will be repaid immediately in the treasuries of the respective City Council. These programs begin for children, but will gradually cover all other population groups. For each group, the Oral Health Program will have the strategy and methodology.

Some teeth are halfway to a beautiful smile and pleasant. The first rule is simple and has to do with hygiene. The teeth should be brushed after meals, gently, on all internal and external surfaces, with movements to and fro along the gumline. The brush should be replaced every three months. We also recommend regular use of dental floss, which allows you to remove the brush can not reach. A healthy habit that you can practice before bedtime.

Food is another important factor in dental health. Avoid excess sugar (as we all know are harmful to the teeth) and increase their daily intake of vegetables, fish and dairy products.

And as in prevention is what is the gain, we must give special attention to children. If the baby like pacifier, do not pass the sugar, honey or jam, as leverage cavities. Use only orthodontic dummies and age appropriate. Avoid hanging cords or cloth diapers pacifier in, because the weight deforms the dental arch. Wash and boil the pacifier often, since the mouth is the largest port of entry of infection in the human body. Finally, when choosing a pacifier, keep in mind that the ring should follow the curvature of the baby's face for a more adequate lip closure, and must have side holes for ventilation. It is also known that prolonged use of pacifier may influence the development of the dental arch. There is the risk of babies cut their teeth crooked and projected forward or the upper and lower teeth do not fit. Therefore, physicians have established the age of two as the limit for the use of the pacifier, saying that it is withdrawn, no later than this age.

Maria do Rosário Lopes
Máxima

289. Analysis of the National Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases in 2008 (Part 3)

Preface (Working Paper)

Citing the National Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases 2008, the current study "covered children and young people who attended the educational establishments of public education." In the case of a nationwide study, the authors state that "all studies conducted with students who attend these institutions (private institutions) illustrate the prevalence and severity of oral diseases, lower or much lower as compared to those attend the public institutions." So the authors should have made clear that the national picture, overall, will be even better for the conclusions they draw from the tests carried out to the universe of public facilities.

It would be great to undertake a more thorough approach to detect the completion pointed - the severity of oral diseases a smaller effect on students in private schools. What factors may explain the differences in terms of oral health among children attending public schools and children attending private schools? We will be well to consider that this is due to the social background of children and the differences have more to do with the responsibilities (not) be borne by the various public educational institutions and private? What are the strengths and advantages that the frequency of private schools that can and should be used by public schools (and otherwise)?

The national study it produced "a collection of saliva and plaque to the young age of 12, which will serve the epidemiological study of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, conducted by the Institute of Health Sciences Abel Salazar, and aims to provide support for production of a vaccine against tooth decay." Without doubt, an excellent initiative which should have full support of public officials, including those linked to health and research.

Link: Estudo Nacional de Prevalência das Doenças Orais

288. Bet on the creation of habits of proper oral hygiene to ensure a lifetime and lasting effect (first part)

Oral health is closely linked with the well-being of each one of us, a factor which contributes to maintaining or restoring the physical, emotional and social reforms needed to increase our individual capacities, improving our quality of life. Unfortunately we can say that almost 100% of our population in general suffers from major oral diseases, dental caries and periodontal disease (gum disease). It is so urgent that education and promotion of oral health a reality in our country.

A child with rheumatic disease often have greater difficulties in the practice of their daily oral hygiene:

1. Motor difficulties in the upper limbs can complicate access to the oral cavity (can not reach with a toothbrush to the mouth);

2. Disturbances in the joint that may limit the opening of the mouth (and not reach the back teeth);

3. Deformations in the jaw can lead to dental malocclusion (greater retention of food);

4. Sometimes, though rarely in children, for the rheumatic disease may increase the likelihood of tooth decay and more prone to gingival inflammation.

All these factors hamper the techniques of oral hygiene and help to increase the prevalence of diseases in the oral cavity.

To combat this trend, prevention is the basic approach - placing a bet on individual initiative, with the learning of specialized techniques and addressing the needs of each one is undoubtedly the best way to achieve a good level of oral health.

We now know a little about our teeth, major diseases and their origin, their consequences and ultimately the best way to keep our teeth healthy, throughout our lives.

What is the origin of the major oral diseases?

The number one enemy of our teeth is plaque. Plaque is a whitish mass, which is formed daily, colonized by bacteria, strongly bonded to the surface of the teeth and gums. The plaque builds up in larger amounts in the gingival sulcus (space between the tooth and gum) and the inter-dental spaces.

It is the plaque bacteria that cause tooth decay and disease periodontist (gum disease), but fortunately the plaque can and should be removed daily, using the proper techniques of oral hygiene which will be later explained.

What is tooth decay?

It is an infectious disease that manifests itself after the eruption of the tooth and that causes the gradual softening of dental structures leading to the formation of cavities. In order to start a cavity, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that will destroy the tooth enamel. These acids are the result of fermentation of foods rich in sugars, also called carbohydrates (eg sweets).

What are periodontal disease (gum disease)?

Gingivitis and periodontitis are diseases affecting the tissues that surround and support teeth, and may even come to involve the entire periodontium (which surrounds the tooth, the gums, bone and other tissues that are responsible for maintaining strong teeth in jaws ). Again are the bacteria in plaque that initiate infection.

Gingivitis occurs when we build up plaque in the gingival sulcus (space between the teeth and gums). The gums become sore, red and bleed easily. To return to its normal state, just remove plaque from the gingival sulcus (brushing the teeth with the right technique).

If gingivitis is not treated, can progress to periodontitis, ie the ligament and bone supporting the teeth are lost and the teeth are disabled. In these cases there is also a predisposition for this disease.

There is also stress the existence of tartar (stone teeth), which is not removed, mineralized, it becomes hard and contributes strongly to infection of the gums.

(Continued)

Joana Figueiredo Freire (hygienist)
Andai

287. Oral health in Canada

Canada is a federation of ten provinces and three territories of about 32 million inhabitants. Access to and availability of health services and the regulation of occupational health care are the responsibility of provincial and territorial governments. It is estimated that government spending and private health services were 130.3 thousand million in 2004, 5, 9% more than the previous year. Government spending accounts for seven of every ten dollars spent on health.

The goal of the program of health insurance financed by the Government is to ensure that all Canadian residents have fair access to medical and hospital services without direct costs to the patient. Dental surgical services provided in hospitals are also covered.

Approximately 18,300 dentists, 14,800 hygienists, 2,200 auxiliary dental prosthesis, 2,000 dental technicians and 27,000 dental assistants of Dentistry are involved with providing dental services in Canada, mostly in the private sector. There are 57 dentists and 46 hygienists per 100,000 Canadians. The number of dentists rose 6% between 1988 and 1997, while the number of hygienists rose 64% in the same period. There are nine dental specialties recognized in Canada and the experts make up 10% of the population of dentists.

Of 9.28 thousand million spent on oral health in Canada in 2004, about 95% originated payments provided by private insurance or direct payments from patients. Approximately 63% of Canadians are covered by private dental insurance, which are an employment benefit not subject to collection of income tax. This favorable treatment of tax exemption is also available for dental plans purchased by private tutors without employment ties.

People who have dental insurance private dental service use considerably more than those who do not. According to a 2003 survey, 74% of Canadians who have insurance and 48% of those who have not visited the dentist in the previous year. According to figures from the government agency Statistics Canada, approximately 76% of Canadians who have higher incomes visited the dentist in 2003, while only 35% of Canadians with lower incomes visited the dentist.

In a 2006 survey conducted by the Dental Industry Association of Canada, 60% of Canadian dentists (1,011 surveyed) perform dental activities in urban areas, 22% in suburbs, while 18% describe the location of dental practice in rural areas. The majority of respondents (79%) are owners of their own business, and less than half of all respondents (47%) indicated that work without the company of other professionals.

Only half of the dental clinics surveyed had four or more surgeries. A quarter of those surveyed do not employ dental hygienists and other quarter employs a hygienist, while nearly half employ two or more hygienists. The percentage of dental hygienists that employ two or more increased 14% since 1997.

Dental Clinics Canadians are becoming increasingly high-tech. Since 2001, the percentage of offices with computer terminals in the area of care (as opposed to just the reception) increased from 20% to 36% in 2006. Half of the dentists without computers in the areas of care currently say they will acquire such equipment within two years. Currently, 57% of dentists have Internet connection at home or the office. This number more than doubled from 24% in 2000.

The digital radiography has also been adopted by a growing number of professionals. Currently 21% have such a system, compared to 3% in 2000. Approximately 8% of professionals rely on computerized instruments in helping care; similar percentage has lasers for the treatment of soft tissue and hard. In 2000 less than 2% of professionals used such equipment. Resin restorations and dental hygiene services represent the two largest sources of income for most professionals.

The Federal Ministry of Health paid dental services for patients of organized aboriginal communities through service charges in private dental practices. The federal government also organizes dental programs for refugees and their dependents, prisoners in jails, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Forces and former members of the Armed Forces.

The publicly funded dental services offered in most provinces and territories are similar in terms of population groups eligible high-risk and the types of services covered. Many of these programs do not pay full insurance. The drinking water in most urban areas, with the exception of Montreal and Vancouver, has fluoride.

As health is administered by the provinces and dental epidemiological surveys are conducted differently in various jurisdictions, there are many gaps in our knowledge regarding the oral health of Canadians. National survey of this approach, the first in 30 years, is currently in the planning stage. Data collection will begin in early 2007.

The newly created Office for the Coordination of Oral Health's mission is to collect epidemiological data on oral health status of Canadians and promote oral health. From the information currently available, it is safe to say that the situation of oral health of most Canadians and the quality of dental services available in Canada are among the best in the world.

The dental profession is self-regulated in Canada, the provincial regulatory authorities are responsible for the licensing of dentists and the control that ensures a high quality of service to Canadians. The regulatory authorities have created an organization, the Canadian Dental Regulatory Authorities Federation (CDRAF), a non-regulatory powers whose aim is to anticipate and address regulatory challenges at the global, national and interprovincial.

Dentists trained in 10 dental schools (eight in English and two French) in Canada, with an estimated 520 graduates per year. While only 25% of Canadian dentists are women, approximately 50% of dental students are female. Education programs offered by these schools receive accreditation from the Commission of Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC).

Because of an accreditation agreement between the CDAC and the Commission of Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, graduates of dental schools in the U.S. and Canada are eligible for the creation of Certification Exam provided by Canada's National Dental Examining Board (ndeber). Of all the professionals are required to obtain a certificate for ndeber dental practice in Canada.

For graduates from non-accredited programs (currently, only North America is accredited), there is a special way to the exam ndeber. These graduates must complete a qualification program for two years offered by Canadian dental school. The first step is the Qualifying Examination administered by the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (ACFD).

These examinations of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada are used by many dental authorities of the provinces as part of the requirements for licensing specialist and are known as the National Examination for Dental Specialty (NDSE). Those who seek a license specialist should seek information from the dental authority in the province that intends to make the practice.

In four provinces, the regulatory body functions as an association that promotes the interests of dentists, while in other provinces, the securities association and regulatory body are performed by separate institutions. The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) is the national association that acts as spokesman for all Canadian professional Dentistry. It maintains liaison with the provincial associations, dental schools, other health organizations, industry dental insurance, as well as the federal government to advance the oral health of Canadians.

The CDA is a regular member of the International Dental Federation (FDI) and actively participates in discussions of this global entity. In 2007, the first time, a Canadian, dr. Burton Conrod, will be president of IDF. The executive director of CDA, George Weber, the president of the World Dental Development and Health Promotion of FDI, which administers the Development Committee Dental World and coordinates projects in developing countries. The coordinator of the Oral Health of Canada, dr. Peter Cooney, the chairman of the Section of Public Health of the IDF.

John P. O'Keefe, Cirurgião dentista, E-mail: jokeefe@cda-adc.ca

Associação Brasileira de Odontologia

286. Dentists and the National Health Service (S.N.S.) in Portugal

In affirming that the national health service should include dentists in his paintings, what we mean by this statement? We can conclude that there should be dentists in public hospitals? What should be distributed to health centers?Well, to answer these questions we begin by recalling that, according to WHO (World Health Organization), Health is complete physical - physical, psychological and social, is not only the absence of disease or infirmity. In the light of this definition any medical specialty, and medical personnel should be integrated into the national health service. I think that this reasoning is correct.

Let us return then to the main subject. There is no emergency or in dentistry to justify the presence of a dentist in the emergency department? Indeed, there is. In the area of Oral Health few "true emergency" can have. So, be urgent in fact, jaw fractures, and these will be at the mercy of Maxillofacial Surgeons - Facial. Emergency will actually avulsion of teeth, and there we have in many central hospitals dentists to settle the case. A toothache, aka toothache, is not an emergency that justifies the presence of a professional in the emergency room.

There is the problem of patients who can not afford to treat their teeth. However, for these patients could medical schools tooth has agreements with Social Security. If we make an analysis on the investment we make in setting up a dental average, about € 20,000 in equipment alone will not be difficult, so the math, figuring the money for a national investment in this area. Adding to these figures the wages of Dentists, the maintenance of offices and equipment, the bill to pay for these services is very high.

I am convinced that the best and most economical to serve a population in the Specialty of Dental Medicine is the national health service to make contracts with the Clinics and dental. With this measure the state required all offices and clinics to work legally. In Support the consultations could bring prices between suppliers and so most people were safeguarded from speculation. The state would raise more in taxes, because all patients would ask for a receipt to be reimbursed. The population would be better served just as well resort to the Dentists with qualifications. The Dentists would be well integrated into the National Health Service (S.N.S.) which would be beneficial to all parties.

Put Dentists in hospitals or health centers would give force to the Dental Association in a way that, in my view, is entirely devoid of rationality. The serious problem of Health in Portugal has two main culprits. The Ministry of Health and the Medical Association. The first because they are afraid of giving orders, the second because it orders the most. Do not want to put a third player in the disorder of Health.

Carlos Borrego

Jornal da Nova Democracia

285. Tooth for a tooth, the true impact of oral health

A beautiful smile is golden. And years of life, too. More and more studies are finding unexpected links between oral health and chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and degenerative brain.

If questioning one hundred Portuguese, only one is not going to complain about the state of health of your teeth. Subdued belong to the study on oral health presented by the Portuguese Society of Stomatology and Dental Medicine (SPEMD) and refer to more than 13 thousand surveys conducted during 2006. Diagnosis was established again, and swept vastly negative adults and children alike, which shows that education for oral health has benefited teeth Portuguese.

Main problems: decay, filled teeth, missing teeth, infections. Of the eight to 16 years, 47% of children have dental caries in permanent teeth, 16% had infections, tenderness or pain, but only 50% sought treatment. Adults aged 17 to 30 years are the most decayed teeth present - an average of 3.45. Thirty-eight percent we experience pain or abscesses and 71% periodontal problems, but only 42% tried to solve these problems with dental treatment.

This "allergic" to the dentist's chair away from the Portuguese of the average citizen, the most recent survey shows that the annual check up more often in Europeans is exactly the health of teeth. You can not guess what is causing this exemplary preventive behavior of European citizens, but attendance can shine a lot more than tooth enamel.

A study published in the journal Heart of September shows that the more caries and missing teeth have a young adult, the greater the risk of cardiovascular disease in the future. The article suggests that the bacteria lodged in the mouth can get some way into the bloodstream and cause infection or chronic inflammations.

Although not identify a cause-effect relationship, also the American Dental Association admits there is a connection between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease, Ave and bacterial pneumonia. Other studies have found a dangerous relationship between periodontal disease in pregnant women and premature births, and complications of diabetes. Not causing infections in the teeth and mouth can cause increased blood insulin and make chronic disease more difficult to control.

One of the most widely investigations this year, the area of oral health, has the right to highlight the Wall Street journal. Perhaps because it is one of the most deadly cancers and the relevance of the sample: 51 thousand men. Compared with those who had sound mouths, men with gum disease have a 64% greater risk of suffering from pancreatic cancer. Although rare, this risk is more than 36 cases per 100 thousand people.

At the time, researchers from Harvard "accused" to Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium that affects the gums and can also trigger the formation of chemical nitrosamides, a carcinogenic substance in the body.

But neglecting oral health can also be reflected in the brain. A British study conducted around 2500 elderly people found that not having any teeth increases 3.57 times the odds of experiencing some sort of cognitive dysfunction. In addition to the above-mentioned risks from continuous exposure to a bacterial infection, the study of Robert Stewart and Vasant Hirani adds another possible explanation - the poor and unbalanced diet that older people without teeth may tend to keep open the way for degenerative diseases of the brain such as Alzheimer's.

Source: Revista Performance - October 07

Fórum 100xnatural

284. Analysis of the National Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases in 2008 (Part 2)

Summary

In the summary of the document it is stated that "Portugal in the last 20 years, has developed programs to promote health and prevent oral diseases based on universal strategies (for the entire population), selective (for risk groups) and indicated (for who have the disease), which monitoring has been conducted regularly by the Directorate General of Health." Here arises the reader the question about which programs to which you want to mention, should have been more specific and list which programs are implemented the country over the last twenty years and its population - the target for each. The question is asked: what was the program that the Health Ministry has implemented to promote the prevention of oral diseases, and a universal strategy for the entire population.

This study is the outcome of the survey of the situation in the 2005/06 school year, based on the diagnosis of the "prevalence of dental caries, periodontal diseases and fluorosis and understand some of its determinants, particularly those related dietary habits and oral hygiene" based on a sample of 2612 children aged 6, 12 and 15 years in public schools from across the country, including the autonomous regions. Knowing that most children attend public education, it is hereby open the possibility of moving to another study also to the universe consists of the remaining children who are out of public education: to what extent there will be coincidences and contrasts between the two universes and the reasons for that to happen?

Can the sample of 2612 children to be safe, to make himself an extrapolation to the global universe of children in the country, for those ages? The document points to "confidence indices within and between observers reached values of 92.8% and 88.9%, respectively", in relation to dental caries.

The study revealed knowledge and behaviors related to oral health. Thus, it was found that "at 6 years of age, 51% of Portuguese children are free of caries in deciduous or temporary or permanent"; in other words, at 6 years of age, half the children have had dental problems dentistry. Most aggravating is the fact that the DMFT index (Dental Caries) go from 0.07 to 6 years of age to 1.48 at 12 years of age and 3.04 at 15 years of age.

These values, albeit in different populations, a conclusion that there is a tendency of oral health problems worsen dramatically in late childhood and early adolescence of young people in our country. Thus, it is essential that the competent authorities to engage in prevention and treatment of dental problems of the population of primary school, generalizing their accessibility to medical oral health, while investing in education, encouraging the purchase of responsible behavior.

The analysis of these indicators shows that the situation is even more worrying in the islands, so the existence of an oral health card for all children and young people should be vital for epidemiological monitoring of this disastrous situation in some parts of the country.

The study notes that between 2000 and 2006, "there was an increase of 30% of young people with their teeth treated. These gains in oral health have resulted in large part, the process of contracting with the private sector for the provision of medical and dental care to children and young people." If so, then there is the immediate possibility of all children and young people to have access to these processes of contracting, since that will result in gains in oral health.

Advances the paper that "oral hygiene, questioned through the implementation of brushing teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, was performed for 50% of children aged 6 years and 12 to 15 years by 67% and 69 % of young people respectively", ie between a third to half of children and young people is the best oral hygiene habits, the situation is serious, in that school and society are not complying with the duties of training leave the health of a large slice of its juvenile population. Since no one is born taught, the competent authorities to take no immediate measures to change this picture, facilitating the acquisition of a health education, not just in theory but mainly practice for children and young people, this role is for the school in addition to the family.

The study found that "the perception that young Portuguese had their oral health was good or very good for 50% and reasonable to so many"; sometimes happens that reality is very different from what is perceived by young people, so long but really, be done in terms of epidemiological surveillance of oral diseases among children and adolescents.

"After 20 years of oral health programs, aimed primarily at children and young people, the percentage of children free of caries at age 6, went from 10% in 1986 to 51% in 2006, the DMFT index of 1 , 1 to 0.07 and at 12 years of 3.97 to 1.48." Too little, too little, for a member country of the European Union, which came many thousands of euros for everything and anything which organized all sorts of events on a global scale, but where oral health for a wide most children and young people is only just a mirage, with the consequent permanent and irreversible consequences for the rest of their lives.

Link: Estudo Nacional de Prevalência das Doenças Orais