Revista Facultad de Odontología Universidad de Antioquia

National Open Science Policy (Colombia) implications for research groups and their knowledge generation: the case of the Facultad de Odontología of the Universidad de Antioquia

2024-05-29T17:10:20-05:00

Frequency, distribution, and risk factors of oral mucosal lesions in a Colombian population: cross-sectional study

2024-03-17T10:23:15-05:00

Introduction: oral mucosa lesions (OML) are any abnormal variations in appearance, color, texture, swelling, or loss of integrity of the oral mucosa. The worldwide prevalence varies from 4.9 % to 64.7 %. This study aimed to determine the frequency of oral lesions in patients who consult the Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia. Methodology: a cross-sectional study was carried out using a structured instrument with sociodemographic, clinical, and habit variables and systematic clinical examination according to the WHO. Statistical analysis was univariate and bivariate, calculating the average and standard deviation for the age variable and absolute and relative frequencies for each sociodemographic and clinical variable. Chi-square tests were done for differences in proportions. Results: 539 patients, the average age was 35.2 years (SD=23.5 years). The frequency of patients with oral lesions was 75.9 % (409). Statistically significant differences were found between the number of lesions and age, use, and type of appliances. Orthodontic appliances were the most common cause of injury (43.1 %). The most frequent lesions were traumatic (68.2 %), followed by vascular (22 %), exfoliative cheilitis (20 %), infectious (17.1 %), and reactive (5.13 %). Conclusions: the prevalence of OML in this population is high, with women mainly affected. The study highlights the importance of making a systematic clinical examination and correlating the findings with the patient's history to establish a diagnosis, prognosis, and appropriate treatment.

Dental anxiety and social factors in adults in a private dental practice in Arequipa, Peru

2024-05-28T08:53:03-05:00

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental anxiety and its relationship with social factors in adults from a private dental practice in Arequipa, Peru. Methods: This descriptive and prospective study had a sample of 150 adult patients (mean age = 38.04 years; men = 54%; women = 46 %) who attended a private dental clinic in Arequipa in 2022. A face-to-face questionnaire included items on dental anxiety assessed with the Short Version Anxiety Scale (SDAI) and demographic characteristics (age, sex, and educational level). The S-DAI questionnaire was analyzed for validity (Aiken's V = % 95) and reliability (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.92). The Mann-Whitney U and Kru+skal-Wallis tests were applied to compare dental anxiety according to demographic factors at a significance level of 0.05 %. Results: Dental anxiety had a prevalence of 88 % and was frequent at a mild level (44.7 %). Dental anxiety scores were associated with sex (P = 0.019), but not with age (P = 0.085) or educational level (P = 0.222). A higher dental anxiety score was present in women (median = 18; IQR = 14.28) than in men (median = 14; IQR = 11.2). Conclusion: Dental anxiety had a high prevalence, a mild level, and was associated with female sex.

Relationship between lunch box quality and salivary pH in schoolchildren of a primary educational institution, Peru, 2023

2024-09-11T13:50:07-05:00

Introduction: The intake of certain foods can favor or affect oral health since those with a high proportion of glucose, sucrose, and starch produce more acids and have a high adhesiveness, slowing down their elimination and leading to the appearance and proliferation of carious lesions due to the spread of acid in the teeth, prolonged retention, or variation in the salivary pH level. The objective of the study was to determine if there is a relationship between the quality of the lunch box and salivary pH in schoolchildren in the fifth grade of primary school at the Inmaculada Concepción Public Educational Institution from Monsefú, during the year 2023. Methods: The design was descriptive with analytic and correlational purposes. The sample was made up of 123 fifth-grade primary school students from the I.E.P.; saliva samples were taken four times, before and after consuming their lunch box, whether healthy or not, determining their salivary pH according to age and sex. Descriptive analysis was applied, as well as regression and variance analysis. Results: Schoolchildren with a healthy lunchbox had a neutral salivary pH at 5 minutes (average: 6.5), 30 minutes (average: 6.8), and 60 minutes (average: 6.9) after eating the lunchbox, unlike those with an unhealthy lunchbox, who had an acidic salivary pH at 5 minutes (average: 5.7), 30 minutes (average: 6.0), and 60 minutes (average: 6.1). Conclusion: There is a positive and moderate correlation between salivary pH and the type of school lunchbox ingested by the schoolchildren studied.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices on the management of dentoalveolar trauma in caregivers of children and adolescents

2024-11-05T10:00:08-05:00

Introduction: Adequate immediate management of dentoalveolar trauma (DT) can improve the prognosis of fractured or avulsed teeth. The aim was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) on DT management in parents or caregivers of children and adolescents aged 3 to 15 years in Villavicencio, Colombia. Methods: Descriptive study with a representative sample of 383 parents or caregivers from different boroughs. An instrument previously validated in Peru was used. It was adapted to Colombian terminology with a focus group (Aiken's V: 0.92) and then pilot tested, obtaining a Cronbach's alpha of 0.768. Following validation, it was applied to the entire sample. Statistical analysis was carried out using the U-Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: A lack of information on dental first aid was identified in 80.7 % (n= 309). Only 38.1 % (n= 146) knew how to transport a tooth or fragment, although 68.1 % (n= 261) would seek dental care in a dental emergency, and 73.4 % (n= 281) would seek immediate care. Most parents, 91.1 % (n= 349), would not attempt re-implantation in the event of tooth avulsion, and 62.9 % (n= 241) would not search for the fragment in the event of tooth fracture. Conclusion: KAPs for managing DT in children and adolescents are lacking among most parents and caregivers. There is a significant relationship between the three dimensions and three factors: previous experience, having received information, and educational level.

Implementation of a culture of comprehensive self-evaluation in the Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Antioquia: retrospective from 1993 to 2023*

2024-09-30T11:26:50-05:00

Introduction: Since 1993, the Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Antioquia, has been continuously and comprehensively developing self-assessment processes aimed at ensuring the academic quality of the program. This study aimed to identify the impact that this process has had on the implementation of a culture of self-assessment and improvement. Methods: A qualitative approach that corresponds to a case study, which incorporates some ethnographic techniques was conducted. The study consisted of four phases: diagnosis of how the academic community conceives self-assessment, description of the main results of these processes, historical review between 1993-2023, and the proposal of a tool for information management. It also included the application of a survey applied to 40 representatives of the academic community. After categorization, triangulation and analysis of the data, different ways of perceiving the process were identified, the results were validated and socialized. Results: Self-assessment is done with objectives such as academic process evaluation, qualified registration, opening of a cohort for postgraduate studies and high-quality accreditation, but are often conceived as an administrative requirement. The decentralization of information and inconsistency in data generates trauma. Continuous academic improvement is recognized as a product of these exercises. Conclusions: The trajectory of the Faculty of Dentistry in strengthening a culture of self-assessment has generated changes in the attitudes and habits of its members by shifting the focus from the process as a norm to assuming it as a reflective and participatory exercise that guides the achievement of program quality objectives. The need is emphasized to continue articulating validity and reliability in the process, through continuity in the reflection-action-registration cycle and systematic tracking of information and actions.

Evaluation of apical lesions in endodontically filled teeth from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), using the periapical index (PAI) modified

2024-09-04T10:32:58-05:00

Introduction: Apical Periodontitis (AP) usually presents without symptoms and is diagnosed mainly by radiographic imaging. Using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), periradicular radiolucent areas could be studied and characterized from reproducible anatomical references. This study aimed to characterized periradicular lesions in endodontically filled teeth from a Colombian population with CBCT, by means of modified periapical index (PAI). Methods: Descriptive study. 1113 computed tomographs showing apical lesions were analyzed (165 patients, equivalent to 192 teeth with 396 canals), according to the inclusion criteria. Technical errors associated with endodontic treatment were recorded. The size of the lesion was characterized based on the CBCT/PAI of Estrela 2008, maintaining the classification from 0 to 5. Measures of central tendency and dispersion were calculated. Results: On average, the lesions were 5.24 mm high, 4.73 mm wide and 4.92 mm deep. This research determined that 46.35% of the lesions were found in category 3, 40.1% in category 4, 10.42% in category 5 and 3.12% in category 2. The errors evaluated were under-obturation with 68.01%, over-obturation with 6.8%, untreated canal with 4.3%, root perforation with 1.2%, and fractured instrument with 0.25%. Conclusion: 85% of the endodontically treated teeth with periapical lesion presented an error in the procedure, being under-obturation the most predominant error with a lesion size between 3 and 8 mm corresponding to category 3 and 4. This periapical inflammatory condition should draw the attention of the dental communities in order to promote new protocols for evaluation, treatment, and control.

Comprehensive rehabilitation of a patient with Dentinogenesis imperfecta type II: case report

2024-10-18T08:54:00-05:00

Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI) type II is a rare hereditary dysplasia affecting dentin that occurs during the histodifferentiation stage of tooth development, resulting in dental fractures, especially in the posterior teeth, which often require extraction. This often results in a loss of posterior occlusion and occlusal vertical dimension. In addition to wear and fracture, anterior teeth often have an unaesthetic appearance due to discoloration. Clinical signs also include globular crowns, short roots, and obliteration of root canals. Current treatments of choice are generally suggested to preserve the remaining teeth and tooth structure, allowing for precise and effective treatment with promising potential in the treatment of dentitions affected by DI. This case report describes the comprehensive management of a 30-year-old male patient from his diagnosis, orthodontic, prosthetic-aesthetic treatment, and implant-surgical intervention, demonstrating the restoration of functional occlusion and aesthetics. The results were favorable after a three-year follow-up, contributing to the successful rehabilitation of patients with type II DI. However, well-designed research is needed to conduct long-term follow-ups and obtain evidence-based knowledge.