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

283. Oral health is a right of all citizens

Press release number 011/08

(CGTP-IN)

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The Government, instead of implementing a policy seriously prevention and treatment of oral health at the Health Center to cover the whole population, expands an existing program, admittedly insufficient to pregnant women and elderly beneficiaries of the Solidarity Supplement for the elderly, representing the latter only about 60 thousand people.

It was published the order number 4324/2008, the Office of the former Health Minister Correia de Campos, to extend the National Oral Health Promotion, to pregnant women followed in the National Health Service and the elderly, recipients of the supplement for the elderly that are users of the SNS (National Health Service in portuguese). The National Program, approved in 2005 set the goal of reducing the incidence and prevalence of oral diseases in children and adolescents, as stated in the order, while providing about 60 thousand children and young curative care is recognized as is inadequate and must be reviewed by the end of 2008.

This finding of the mismatch of the program is not surprising, because it is demonstrative of the failure of policies that do not have this strategic objectives, such as oral health. CGTP-IN complained, over time, that the SNS was equipped dental consultation, as the general population has no access to these consultations, and, although we know that oral health, as recognized in that order, is an important public health problem, since it affects a large population and influence their levels of health, welfare and quality of life.

In Portugal, the situation is a shame in this area and, therefore, are the countries of the European Union where there is more oral health problems, since only those with substantial means or gets into debt, you can go private, given the costs high, both in prevention and treatment. Data from the Directorate General of Health, 2006, and characterize the chaotic situation prevailing in the Health Centers.

In any Continental country, to about 10 million inhabitants, there are only 32 medical specialists: 12 and 20 dentists in dentistry.

As can be seen throughout the Alentejo region there is no single expert and there are sub-health regions, as Braga, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu, Leiria, Guarda, Castelo Branco and Santarem, where there is also no expert . In the sub-region of Lisbon, home to hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people, there are only 15 specialists in Health Centers.

The government, faced with this grave situation in the country, rather than implement a serious policy of prevention and treatment of oral health at the Health Center to cover the whole population, expands an existing program, admittedly insufficient to pregnant women and elderly beneficiaries the Solidarity Supplement for the elderly, the latter representing only about 60 thousand people.

And the big question that arises is that the vast majority of the population remains without access to such care in the SNS and has no economic conditions for use of the private sector, which until now accept payments for some benefits to the people he had access. This kind of political charity can not be rejected, oral health is a basic right of all people.

There is a dental check of 120 euros in total for pregnant women and 80 per year for the elderly are covered by minimum social network, to go to private clinics affiliated to the program, which solves the shortcomings. These populist measures at only serve to spend public money when the country needs is that the SNS (National Health Service in portuguese) provides such care to the entire population.

DIF/CGTP-IN Lisboa, 20.02.2008

282. AFID - National Association of Families for the Integration of Disabled Persons

Oral Health in AFID

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Currently, there is a growing public interest in maintaining your oral health in good condition, although there remain limitations with regard to economic conditions, availability of time and few medical resources.

Something has been done, but still much to be done, especially for this type of population. It is essential to continue this work. The training of coaches and parents is for us to be proud of, because all together we can help users with physical disabilities, physical or sensory impairment to have fewer health problems. The users acknowledge that they are removed, or at least minimized the problems of oral health for their quality of living is increasing.

Contacts: Centro Social e de Reabilitação do Zambujal, Quinta do Paraíso, Bairro do Zambujal, 2720-502 Amadora, Portugal, Phone: (00 351) 214 724 040 Fax: (00 351) 214 724 041 E-mail: afid@afid.org.pt

281. Oral Hygiene / Oral Hygienist (Characterization)

Decree Law 261/93 of 24 July and Decree Law 564/99 of 21 December - Activities to promote oral health of individuals and communities for epidemiological methods and actions of health education, provision of individual care aimed at preventing and treating oral diseases.

National Classification of Occupations / 2006 - It may act in promoting oral health of individuals and communities, using epidemiological methods and actions of health education:

-plans, executes and evaluates public health programs, oral;

-participates in education for health in the field of public awareness, provide knowledge on the implementation of oral care, personal hygiene in the prevention of oral diseases;

-running clinical techniques appropriate to the prevention and control of gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth decay, collecting clinical information through the evaluation of the registration of medical history, dental and food of the individual, measurement, evaluation and registration of vital signs, examinations of the head, neck and intra-oral health assessment of periodontal and oral hygiene examination of the dentition and occlusion, results of radiographic intraoral, recognition of emergencies and the implementation of dental impressions to develop models to study;

-executes and evaluates the effectiveness of treatments performed, including removal of the above computation and sub gingival root planing, polishing crowns and amalgams, application of topical fluoride, sealants for fissures and desensitization of hypersensitive teeth;

-perform other clinical tasks, including application and removal of surgical dressings, fillings debortantes detection, manipulation of media, application of the dike and cleaning of dentures, provides information on the implementation of individual oral hygiene.

Sindicato das Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde

280. Analysis of the National Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases in 2008 (Part 1)

PREFACE

This is a foreword to the National Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases 2008 published by the Directorate General of Health Follow up with further comments in due course where there will be a detailed and careful analysis of each of the chapters that make up the study.

A publication by the Directorate General of Health, the National Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases 2008, by the way, referring to the 2005/06 school year, come be a further document to the appropriate diagnosis and analysis of the health of the Portuguese, in which case regard to oral health.

Praising all the work done by the team that took him out, now it is suggested not to lose momentum, teamwork, persuading it to continue its invaluable work and to deepen the theme, extending it to a larger universe. Being one of the few research as part of oral health carried out at national level, may be suggested to the Directorate General of Health to strengthen the team that put it together and that they may continue their activities, now more favored with the expansion of new technologies for collecting, processing and analysis. It is suggested that the establishment of working partnerships between the team that conducted the study and the various national authorities that may somehow contribute to research in this area, either because they are directly related to oral health, for example the various professional and training entities associated with oral health or other entities independent of the Ministry of Education and that may contribute to the collection and processing of information, either by opening initiatives that allow the input of others, individually or collectively, to solve the problems detected.

Therefore, the National Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases 2008 is not an end but the beginning of a comprehensive national program to combat oral health problems affecting the population.

Another suggestion is made to the Directorate General of Health is allowing the release of National Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases 2008 at an address directly on the Internet without the need to necessarily download it from the site of the Directorate General of Health, allowing easier access to its content.

279. DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF HEALTH: Dental caries increased 21% in the last 20 years

Cavities in Portugal increased in young people between six and 15 years. The data are from a national study of the Directorate General of Health that reports of an increase of 21 percentage points over the last 20 years.

Young people between six and 15 years are more careless in the care they should have with their teeth and, therefore, increased tooth decay in our country over the past 20 years to 21 percentage points. The data come from a national study of the Directorate General of Health, which shows the evolution over 20 years of oral health of children and young Portuguese, a document that examines the period between 1986 and 2006.

The study also indicates that with increasing age there are more problems in the gums, as well as greater habit of brushing teeth at least twice a day, but also shows a positive trend in population with healthy teeth. Looking further study and a focus on regions shows that Lisbon and Tagus Valley comes up with the best results, as Madeira and the Azores registered the lowest values. The letter also says that with the contracting of private services also increased the number of people with teeth treated between 2000 and 2006.

In one of the most important part of dental hygiene, like brushing your teeth at least twice a day, the percentage tends to increase with age, rising from 50 percent to six years to 69 percent at age 15.

After revealing all the data the study recommends the implementation of the strategies of the National Oral Health Promotion, "as soon as possible, the lives of children" and prevention to be integrated into health promotion in general. The study of the Directorate General of Health also recommends the establishment of oral health care services accessible to children and young people, and a system for collecting epidemiological information for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of interventions.

RTP

278. Oral health plan leaves 1.7 million to spend

The plan that provides dental care for children from three to 16 years spent only 3.3 of the five million available in 2007. And not even cover the 65 thousand subjects provided. "Regrettable," says the Dental Association.

The National Oral Health Promotion Directorate General of Health (DGS) included 52,771 children and young people last year. Five thousand more than in 2006, but below the 65 thousand down, despite the budget increase. This amounts to an implementation rate of 81%, well below the 92% in 2006.

Despite the "remarkable" gains in the face of health conditions available, the president of Dental Association regrets that the implementation to "inexplicably not be complete. This in a country that has about 1.3 million children and young people in those age groups.

Assuming that you can not reach everyone - not least because many families opt for private - Orlando Monteiro da Silva considers that, at least, the children at health centers should be gradually covered, starting with the youngest. If so how many the children of pregnant women assisted in the National Health Service (65 000/year), will be between three to 16 years, 795 000. "The coverage does not reach 7%. There are children on the waiting list to enter the program and the country gives itself the luxury of not spending the money available."

Orlando Silva attributes the low performance of the shortage of dentists contractually agreed to the program (which involves schools and health centers). They are 1191 dentists in a recruitment process which bureaucracy "hangs" new accessions and the price - 75 euros / year / child - are unworkable.

Says the DGS (Directorate - General Health) that the 52 771 children involved 112 850 queries, ie, an average of 2.3 each. Arguing on the number of cavities treated (there were 150 147 before the intervention medical and dental, going to 34 321 after), to which we must add seals and fillings, we can see that "the number of treatments is much higher than the number of queries" . And, he adds, "the biggest complaint from colleagues is that the most frequent cases are children under ten or more cavities.

For OMD (Dental Association), the solution to improve a program that the former Minister Correia de Campos considered "inadequate" (in order of January in which determined the enlargement to 80 000 children this year) would impose the schedule dental check up for pregnant women and elderly people in need. Dentists are part voluntarily and receive 40 per consultation.

The few children from three to five years covered (4711, when there is in Portugal about a hundred thousand) is another critical Orlando Silva. Why is following them early on that it prevents and prevents tooth decay and meets the program.

Jornal de Notícias

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It is unfortunate that a socialist government almost completely devastates the access of children and adolescents to oral health programs, this is a very serious crime of negligence by the Public Health Ministry, so I would ask all readers of this blog they denounce this attack perpetuated by the government and they deliver their complaints to all the institutions of civil and human rights, both in Portugal and abroad.

The government can not continue to act criminally negligent by placing the health of children and young people at risk for permanent and the rest of their lives, with all the serious physical and psychological problems that result from irreversible, it is time to say enough is enough. Someone can put an end to this barbarity committed by a government of a country that is part of the European Union.

277. São José Hospital: A call from a mother

Helena said ... Reading the comments I regret to inform you that the health care system remains the same or worse than 34 years ago, because I have 2 children one with 6 and another 5 years I have asked family doctors to consult a dentist exactly to prevent cavities and other problems that may exist, the application was made for an appointment to the Hospital of São José in April and I am still waiting for a response - we are in August right?

August 10, 2008 21:44

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Please thank this mother who let their contacts in my e-mail address (tempogero@gmail.com) to myself determine the reasons and answer promptly to your request.

However left the balance of the Oral Health Program for children and adolescents for the year past, is here made its analysis within a few days. At the outset it seems that sin is of the same mistakes that have happened in previous years' programs, ie, the current pace only within 40 / 50 years is that all existing children and youth in Portugal are entitled to a consultation for the above program , that if within that period the birth rate were to be zero in the country.

276. State vs Oral Health: A mess

In the beginning was the PICS: Integrated Care for Oral Health. It was a program of oral health in the community. Implemented in 7 of the 11 municipalities in the district of Castelo Branco, the PICS lasted 6 years and ended in 1997.

Given the good results achieved, the Dental Association (Professional Association of Dentists, the relevant date), just as the Medical Association, concluded with the General Directorate of Health a partnership agreement providing for the contracting professional of his associates that, in their offices, make the necessary treatments to the permanent teeth of children attending public school, discriminated against those of private education. It began so PAMDIA - Program of Dentistry for Children and Adolescents. The treatment of permanent teeth of each child was worth 75 euros.

Came, then the PPSOCA: Program for Promotion of Oral Health in Children and Adolescents, for still and only students in public schools. Dental care of permanent teeth of each child started to cost 75 Euros.

Finally, there is the current PNPSO: National Program for the Promotion of Oral Health. Its first part requires the treatment of temporary teeth (deciduous, milk or deciduous) and permanent teeth of each child or adolescent. Despite the increased workload, increased taxes and the increase of dental materials, all the treatments still worth 75 euros per person treated.

Another component of this PNPSO is the Oral Health of Pregnant. Pregnant women are entitled to the issuance of checks issued in dental health care facilities for the treatments that need be made. However, only pregnant women who are followed in the health centers are entitled to such checks. The other, even if they are followed in the National Health Service, are not entitled to dental check. Discrimination is evident. According to several legal opinions, endorsed also by forensic experts, this is an outrage to the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic. It is therefore an unconstitutional situation wound.

All the dental care of pregnant worth 120 Euros - an amazing recovery for the value of treatment provided to children and adolescents. But there's more: no dental check can be issued if there is no dental care to be undertaken. A scaling (cleaning) does not warrant the issuance of a check, as set out in the circular normative Directorate General of Health. And the first check issued to a pregnant then the Health Center of Olivais and sponsored by the Health Minister has served, according to recipient to make a clean, since there was no need for other treatments. Television showed and gave voice to that user of the Center for Health. The conclusion seems obvious: the rules conveyed by circular normative not be honored.

Finally, watch out about the third part of PNPSO: the issue of dental checks by family physicians in health centers, pensioners who benefit from the Solidarity Supplement for the elderly. Although morally acceptable - are vulnerable members of society - the present situation involves, once again, a trampling on the Constitution, given the explicit discrimination in the rules of the Oral Health Program for the elderly.

With regard to payment of medical and dental instruments, we are witnessing yet another surprise: the processing undertaken in the oral cavity of elderly worth 80 euros per senior per year, without specifying the amount of work is pursued. Thus, the oral health of the elderly, which is worth 80 Euros, worth more than the oral health of the child or adolescent (75 Euros) and unless the oral health of pregnant (120 Euros). No one explained the criteria that led to the allocation of those values. Nor is it explained why the Health Centers Oleiros, Castelo Branco, Covilhã and Belmonte were not allowed to deliver dental checks, if the Minister of Health stated that all health centers in the country could do.

Other situations exist that make up something wrong in the Ministry of Health, as part of Oral Health. The circular establishing the normative PNPSO clearly says that will be handled by professional contractors in the program that users can not treat the institutions of the National Health Service. The Health Minister certainly does not agree with this position that determines PNPSO since it excludes the hypothesis of a citizen to enjoy a medical and dental consultation in the Health Center asks: who should do the Doctors in office at the Health Center? There is also advise that the verification of existing resources, as the Doctors concerned. There is only "about 20" of those professionals working in the National Health Service should be clarified: in 16 health centers of the Azores work 17 Doctors, in Castelo Branco, there are 2 more, the IPO of Porto, 2; in Viseu, 2, plus more of those oral health professionals in Aveiro, Bragança, Hospital S. João, ...

The attachment of the Dentists National Health Service is a real surprise in terms of legal violations, there's the Dental Board Staff, Technicians and Career General in conducting clinics. Within the same career, there are Dental Clinic prohibited from exercising within the National Health Service, with purely administrative functions. There Dentists Resolves contract with a fixed term that are based on the Medical Career Hospital and others that are based on the Career of General Technicians. Both of clinical functions and do the same work schedule. However, they have ordered different. To all these receipts, there was also green.

The conclusions, of course, belong to the reader. Likewise, the anger that can lead to action.

Manuel Nunes

Dentist

Jornal Reconquista

275. Project Area of the 12th year of the School of Tondela

Link: Enter here

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We are a group of project area in the 12th year of the Secondary School of Tondela. We are conducting a project entitled "Oral Health: How to increase pride in our teeth?"

274. ENTRONCAMENTO: The Board pays the brushes

Children who first enrolled in pre-school will be involved in sessions on oral health, organized by the Center for Health and the Alpha grouping of Kindergartens. The idea is to warn children and parents "to the importance of oral health and general welfare, in particular the practice of daily brushing of teeth."

The Board unanimously decided to award a grant of € 43.56 for the purchase of 200 toothbrushes, the essential "educational tool".

Via Esquerda - Entroncamento

273. Healthy teeth - first step to a healthy life

Was this today at our school a Superior Technique for Oral Health Center of Cacém, as part of the National Oral Health Promotion Directorate General of Health said a nice lady, this program is developed through various observations pupils aged between seven and twelve / thirteen. Sometimes also observed students in kindergartens. The first observation is given in the second year, becoming another in the fourth year and one third in the sixth year students previously reported as having some decay.

Also according to figures provided by the dental hygienist contacted in the previous academic year (2006/07) the percentage of caries-free children in kindergartens in the area of public Cacém was 71% and the group of boys from the age of seven was 42% caries-free. At national level there are no updated statistics.

Now, seven years old, 42% of students in a city area were free of cavities, which means that 58% already have tooth decay. These cases are referred and then sent to parents. Unfortunately, many do not have the health centers for further treatment of children. Unfortunate at all levels!

It follows appeals to parents to address oral hygiene and good health of children.

O LENCASTRE, BLOGUE-JORNAL

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A number to remember: 58% of children under seven years of age already have caries. Does this number does not mean anything to the Ministries of Health and Education? Then there are those who say that there are more dentists in Portugal.

272. Workshop Learning Oral Health

Workshop Learning Oral Health

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Information and registration on the link:

ISAVE - Institute of Health Alto Ave

271. Guinea-Bissau: Portuguese World Smile will open a dental clinic and provide free consultations

The non governmental organization (NGO) World of Smile will open a dental clinic in Guinea-Bissau and to provide free dental care to the entire population of Guinea, said today its chairman Miguel Pavão. Built three years ago to the World Smile is an association of dentists that Portuguese is to work in the area of oral health, especially among poor communities, excluded and marginalized.

In addition to projects in Portugal, the World Smile also has work in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, countries where volunteers from the World Smile provide medical care and raise awareness of oral hygiene. The idea of opening a clinic in Guinea-Bissau arose because the World The Smile had only a portable dental chair that limited the work of volunteers. "We had difficulty working. The only practical way was a portable dental chair, which helps but it has limitations," said today the agency Lusa Miguel Pavão.

A World of Smile contacted the orphanage Casa Emanuel, in Bissau, "a partner in the field, which allied with the initiative and offered a space in its facilities to build the clinic, said the person. "I was sent a dental chair courtesy Associação Abraço and 15 boxes of material in dentistry and dentistry that the Portuguese Institute for Development Support us chartered a container," said the president of the organization.

According to Miguel Pavão, next month to follow the Guinea-Bissau a group of volunteers, including two university graduates, which will install the seat, and the clinic to open in mid-August. The clinic will provide free service to all the Guinean population.

Waiting for "many customers," Miguel Pavão said he will have to be set some rules in attendance, with priority being given to partners and for priority cases. For now, the care provided will be "almost palliative, focusing on the treatment of caries, pain management, prescriptions and care for the young.

"Because they have a consumption of sugar too low, it pays to gamble when it comes to their first tooth. Up to 12 years can apply them to a treatment that prevents tooth decay," said the head.

Besides the clinical aspect, another tip of the organization is the training of local technicians and public awareness for the care of oral hygiene.

Sapo Notícias

270. Portugal: 5 districts without dentists in the National Health Service (S.N.S.)

The District of Santarém is one of five national level where people are forced to use private dentists because this specialty does not exist in public health services, according to a survey of the Dental Association. The remaining Braga, Guarda, Viseu and Portalegre.

According to the "Survey information carried in the health centers and hospitals throughout the continent" by the Dental Association (O.M.D.), which was presented at the XIV Congress of these professionals, nine out of ten health centers do not have doctors and dentists in seven ten hospitals suffer from the same shortcoming. The situation is worse in the five districts mentioned, since none of the hospitals or health centers serving those populations have this specialty.

The coordinator of the Sub-Health Region Santarém, Fernando Afoito, confirms that there is not staffing to dentists in health centers and specialty also not enter the accounts of public hospitals in the district. But he stresses that "Santarém is not zero in this field."

Been going on for five years a program of oral hygiene, guaranteed by qualified technicians, originally intended for schoolchildren. This year has been extended to pregnant women and users of rehabilitation centers for children.

"We have ten oral hygienists that cover eleven health centers - Benavente, Salvaterra, Coruche, Cartaxo, Rio Maior, Almeirim, Torres Novas, Tomar, Entroncamento, Fátima and Ourém," said Fernando Afoito. To ensure the service in other health centers, the Sub-Health Region contracted dentists. "Only in Santarem we contract with five," says the same charge.

The work is mainly done to prevent tooth decay and maintaining oral hygiene. From there, it only dentist in the private market. Where sometimes the service is paid its weight in gold.

The survey conducted by OMD now updates an earlier study in 2001, and reveals that, for the provision of treatment in oral health, "the situation has not changed, rather, has worsened." The Dental Association points out that the dentists' can only perform their duties as professionals, since there is no legislation that falls within the National Health Service. "

The lifting of the Dental Association covered 410 medical institutions spread across 79 hospitals and 340 health centers, the 18 districts of mainland Portugal. Taking into account all health facilities surveyed, "only 11 percent of cases there is a" specialty of dentistry or dental, which represents a reduction compared to 2001, concludes the Dental Association.

O Mirante online

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It is unfortunate that this country will see on television the main national leaders at the inauguration of the health units of privately and these same governments never do anything for an increasingly dire oral health in central hospitals and health centers.

How can the tax money paid by all who work in this country continue to be diverted to lucrative business of private hospitals, where only the rich can get? What the politicians responsible for this situation?

269. More than 5,000 dental checks delivered to pregnant women and elderly, but only 10% used

More than 5,000 dental checks were given to pregnant women and elderly in just over a month of operation of the oral health project, the vast majority of mothers, according to official figures provided today to Lusa. Dental checks were created by the Government as a way to address the shortage of oral health in the National Health Service (SNS - Serviço Nacional de Saúde in Portuguese).

According to figures from the Dental Association, 27 May to 07 July were issued more than 4483 dental checks for pregnant women and only about 600 checks for the elderly. Each pregnant then the health centers are entitled to three dental checks, a maximum total of 120 euros, a program that provides cover 65 thousand pregnant. The elderly beneficiaries of the solidarity supplement can enjoy a maximum of two dental checks for a total of 80 euros.

Although they were issued more than five thousand checks, the figures compiled by Monday show there are only 559 checks were used (about 10 percent of already issued). For the president of the Dental Association, Orlando Monteiro da Silva, the difference between the checks and have already used to do with the fact that people to schedule consultations for later, stressing that the use of checks is to have " in recent days an exponential growth. This is evidenced by the number of calls with requests for information to the dentist, they have been around an average of 60 calls daily, and the Chairman of the Dental Association decided to allocate only two officials to answer questions from users.

In the geographical distribution of the issue of dental checks, the Regional Health Administration (ARS) North emerges as the most checks is delivered, then the ARS Lisbon and Tagus Valley, the ARS Center, the Algarve and Alentejo. In the north there are 92 health centers to spend these coupons to users of the National Health Service (SNS), 87 Center, 79 in Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Alentejo 23 and 15 in the Algarve, a total of 296 structures throughout the country.

So far there are over 2,300 private physicians who joined the program of checks by the NHS, with more than 3,000 different sites that users may apply for consultations or treatments. The Dental Association estimates there will be 195 thousand consultations for pregnant women - a total of 7 800 000 EUR - and 190 thousand appointments for seniors, a total of 7 600 000 EUR. If there were a fair distribution of checks by medical members, each clinician had revenues of more than 6800 per year.

RTP

268. Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Group (Azores)

The situation of children and youth at risk is manifested in various forms, the most common situations of physical abuse and psychological health problems, neglect, sexual abuse, parental responsibility and school dropout. Children under five are suffering most from the attacks on their well-being, followed by a band of six to 11 years. In most cases, children are victims of their own family.

(...) In the Azores, this reality must be considered. Furthering the problem, we are led to a paradox: 13 years after the proclamation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which definitely puts the child as having rights, it has never been wider policies to protect children. Therefore, the current situation of children, cited above, seems to be due mainly to the deep inequality in contemporary society, with emphasis on the situations of material deprivation and school that affect large segments of the population, providing, within families , land structural risk of mistreatment in childhood, especially on the major shortcomings of basic care.

Thus, the resolution of the paradox may lie in adopting economic policies and effective social transformation and change social realities that promote exclusion. In Portugal, since 1990 that have been working towards the implementation of policies at various levels who value the status of children and adolescents. Since that free health care in childhood and adolescence, extends to the pediatric health centers and hospitals, to the effective development of a network of public institutions for preschool education, while establishing the mechanisms to combat underachievement and school dropout.

(...) In the Azores, the approach to the issue of children and youth at risk marker is on the one hand, national legislation and, secondly, the implementation of these decisions on the ground with the regulations and adjustments will need to verify that there is a protection effective, and, not least so that they prevent the timely appearance of contexts vulnerable to those situations.

(...) To prevent the emergence of land structural risk, when:

• If you decide to school integration of children and youth with special needs and challenges teachers with expertise in the area;

• If endows the framework of school psychologists (soon to be 46);

• If vaccinated children;

• If you create, unique initiative in the country, the report Oral Health for Children and the Regional Oral Health;

• If underpins the debate on the subject and the training of educators, teachers, health professionals, social workers, psychologists, sociologists, law enforcement officials, judges, etc...

(...) Speaking a little more about the phase of the signal, it must be with the school space as the privileged to do so, given that every child goes to school and there are many hours. Thus, educators must be aware of the observation of behaviors of children and young people, and should be given training to enable the observation of behavior, detecting any signs of abuse.

Moreover, it is essential that the school institution is organized to offer opportunities and contexts for their students unload their tensions, to confide, be themselves without fear of criticism. We need to establish a trust relationship they entres and education community, so that they feel they can count on the school institution to everything they need, including accusations of mistreatment to which they are subject, with particular reference for sexual abuse, the subject of difficult approach, as is well known to us all.

(...) Often, the referral of the child or young person is at risk for institutionalization in shelters or temporary homes. Currently, there are, throughout the Region of the Azores, about 580 children and young institutionalized. To respond to this reality, the policy of Government has been marked by:

• Building and / or create new equipment, providing all the islands (except the island of Corvo), a reception center or a home, preventing children from leaving their own island;

• Remodeling the large homes for young people - known for boarding, replacing them with equipment having the host family for 10/12 users, which provides a more human, more customized education and therefore better personal development and well-being for the young;

• All children and young people with disabilities, have specific sites, no longer need to stay locked at home in sub-human conditions;

The routines of life of children and young people promote their development from the point of view emotional, social, motor, intellectual and emotional level. So, what is needed is to define policies and which, on an ongoing basis to improve on these routines in the day-to-day life, as has been done by governments the responsibility of the Socialist Party / Azores.

The multidimensionality of the area requires a combination of various efforts in a speech which must be increasingly regionalized. Therefore, the articulation between the authority and all social organizations working in the area, with particular reference to Local Authorities, Private Institutions of Social Solidarity, non-governmental organizations, not to mention his own family, it is essential that the designs and develop an effective plan of action that would prevent and combat situations of children and young people in danger.

Horta, Session Room, September 19, 2003

Regional Socialist Party Maria Natividade Luz

Grupo Parlamentar do Parido Socialista (Açores)

267. VILA REAL: Inform the younger population on prevention in oral health

Built in 2002, the Clinic of Dentistry Dr. Daniel Azevedo (Qt. St Iria Lt. 6-Lj 1 Vila Real 5000-722 VILA REAL Phone.: 259327004) has been growing, with new expertise and contributing to improving the quality of care provided in the municipality of Vila Real. Inform the younger population on prevention in oral health is increasingly important.

Aware of this reality, Daniel Azevedo is developing a project together with local authorities, which relates to screening in schools and at the same time, motivate the children to the importance of prevention. "Initially this project will be done only with the schools of Vila Real, and later be extended to the whole county."

According to our interviewee, in the last ten to 15 years dentistry has undergone many changes, particularly in terms of materials. "The materials are becoming more advanced, giving greater security to doctors, for it can be solved more quickly and quality problems of users. This is very important for people to stop being afraid of going to the dentist, "waging a daily struggle to combat the phobia of visiting your dentist and slowly we have achieved great results at this level, which is very important, especially if given that ten percent of the world population is totally toothless. Our trip to the schools will also contribute greatly to the children stop being afraid of going to the dentist, then they will themselves encourage parents to take better care of their dental hygiene, because oddly enough, many Portuguese still do not know What is a toothbrush. "

In oral health, the most frequent problems in terms of prosthesis fixation. Although at first glance this seems very simple, turns out to be complex, because users who have this problem end up not getting a nice relationship with others, become more depressed and isolate themselves from society. "We wanted enough to solve such problems. Today is starting to be a change of mentalities and the implants are becoming increasingly in demand."

Contrary to popular belief, sometimes it is easier to rehabilitate a patient who had an implant than one that has an extraction, "which got three to four hours the user get out of here with my teeth fixed and ready to chew," it said . On the other hand, Daniel Azevedo advice to parents of children that they should begin to brush their teeth since very young, and to consult your dentist in order to familiarize them with doctors and with their own dentists. "By maintaining a daily dental hygiene from an early age can avoid more serious problems in the future."

The Clinic has established protocols with the Medis, with Caixa Geral de Depósitos, with the SAMS Quadros and with Visavital. The latter protocol was established about a year and, according to our interviewee, is having very positive results, "because it is an insurance policy that greatly reduces the cost of any dental treatment."

The cost of dental care continues to be one of the factors that most people away from doctors. "It's difficult for us to work around this problem, because the cost of the materials are very high due to its quality, as someone who values the quality has to use better materials and of course this increases the cost to the customer. So it is that we try to present several solutions, such as financing and insurance with which we work."

Daniel Azevedo admits he tried to establish protocols with other institutions, which was not possible because they have sufficient providers in the region. "We face an increasing demand for some health subsystems. I believe that the needs of these people are not being taken into account. On the other hand, is an injustice to the young professionals who come into the market with more timely and concepts which can not provide a response to being denied the convention, which ends up determining some treatments.

The investment in space, materials and equipment required a major financial undertaking. The Clinic has acquired all the equipment necessary to develop the best possible job. "Today, we are aiming primarily at the level of material we put into the mouth of users, because that is what gives us more immediate results. In terms of equipment, the differences are many brand to brand. I think that always accompany the technological developments and the moment there is nothing on the market to justify the purchase of new equipment. My dream, since I created the clinic, was to end with the drill, but it is not yet possible. There is a laser treatment that replaces the drill, but only in very specific and does not justify spending a copious enough money in equipment to treat an estimated one percent of situations."

The future should be always at the forefront in terms of technological developments. Daniel Azevedo also states that in the months of October or November, along with other professionals in the country, will steer a course in dentistry in the area of implant. This course will be held at the clinic and is intended for all practitioners who want to start in implantology.

Motor

266. Disclosure of other blogs and sites

The friend reader knows other blogs and sites relating to health and especially about oral health? National or foreign, in any language?

Use e-mail tempogero@gmail.com to make their suggestions.

265. Regional Study on oral health in school-age population shows improvement in health care

The regional secretary for Social Affairs chaired, in Angra do Heroísmo, the public presentation of the Regional Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases in the Population Educated in the Azores, which started in 2006 by the Executive and which shows a reduction in the incidence of dental caries in Azorean youth. According to Domingos Cunha, the document that will be delivered to all schools and health units of the Azores, clearly demonstrates that the measures implemented by the Government of the Azores and supported by the Working Group on Oral Health, resulted in favor of oral health".

Integrated in the Regional Oral Health, the study, prepared by dentists Ricardo Cabral, Madalena Mont´Alverne and Artur Lima, covered 517 children from six, 12 and 15 years, examined in schools and health centers in all the islands, and been proven to reduce the rates of dental caries in young populations of the Azores. Praising the "judicious work, methodical, with scientific and clinical support" a team led by screening, the regional secretary highlighted the regional characteristics of the study: "first, was done by professionals who are active in the region, and second, is the first directed study in the area of oral diseases; third is a study that goes from Santa Maria and Corvo".

The minister also recalled the "pioneer" of the region in this sector, having created the Bulletin Single Oral Health for the users of the Regional Health Service, through Decree No. 93/2005 of 29 December.

In the presentation of research, Dr. Ricardo Cabral stressed that the Azores are the only regions of the country that holds 25 thousand visits per year, also having a "single policy for reimbursement." The investigator said that, under this project, is already prepared the Regional Study of the Determination of Fluoride in drinking water that is intended to cover the 154 municipalities existing in the Azores.

Currently, there are 108 dentists in the Region, 15 of which are integrated into regional health centers and 14 fellows, seven of them with degree completion.

Canal de Notícias do Acores.Net

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For when the placement of a multidisciplinary team of oral health professionals in each of the groups of health centers in Portugal? For when the creation of a hierarchy which will include the provision of oral health care in the country, finally established the link between family doctors, schools, homes and families and the structures of oral health state and private nurseries in the existing country? There will be technical enough to line ministries with the ability to establish these recommendations?

Just the policy loose and having no connection with reality on the ground that the governments have been toast for years, follow up, instead, a public policy toward people because they pay taxes and need to they are provided health care.