vol. 11 núm. 21 (2015)

Introduction: a parafunctional habit is the result of the perversion of a regular function acquired by the repeated practice of a non-necessary action in the oral cavity. The goal of this study was to evaluate the frequency of parafunctional habits in a group of students from the Municipality of Nezahualcoyotl, State of Mexico. Methods: an observational descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in 300 children from 6 to 11 years old. The epidemiologic survey was developed in two times: the first one consisted in the application of a questionnaire to the parents and the second one, an oral examination to the students. For this purposes an examiner (kappa = 0.892) was standardized. Results: at least 34.7% of the analyzed students presented a parafunctional oral habit, being the most frequent in the ages from 6 to 7, showing no relevant differences regarding gender. Nail biting and buccal breathing were the most frequent habits (20.7% and 15.7%, respectively). Conclusions: the frequency of parafunctional habits was low, and it was not associated to age or gender.

Objetive: to evaluate micro-hardness and conversion levels after different postcuring techniques in two types of composite resins. Materials and methods: 36 12mmdiameter 4 mm-height specimens were manufactured with two resins: Flitek z350 and Ena Miscerium. After the manufacturing, specimens were taken to the microduremeter and infrared spectroscopy, and endured four post-polymerization processes: boiling water, microwave, dry heat, autoclave and horno gradia. Results: statistical analyses (by Anova) of two factors with Tukey’s Post Hoc Test by evaluated resin was performed, there appear media and standard deviation, conversion level degrees show a large increase in Ena resin compared to the control group (63.81%) when dry heat post-polymerization is performed (89.02%) and a large decrease when it is performed with boiling water (36.41%). Conclusions: the post-curing process by microwave and autoclave increase micro-hardness level and conversion level, while distilled water at high temperatures diminishes superficial micro-hardness of composite resins.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the cephalometric values found in patients of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Antioquia (Colombia) and the values reported in the study performed at the University of Michigan, USA, by Riolo et al. in 1974.   Materials and methods: Retrospective comparative non-experimental study with a sample of 204 cephalic side X-rays (127 women and 77 men) of patients diagnosed with Type I malocclusion with no previous treatment, from 7 to 11 years of age, traced by a single operator. The gathered information was digitalized, the media and the standard deviation were calculated to each variable by age and gender. To establish statistically significant differences, the non-parametric Mann Whitney U test (α=0.05) was applied. The results obtained were compared to the study of Riolo et al. (1974) in 83 individuals (36 women and 47 men), the similarities or differences among them were determined, as well as the cephalometric variables different than the used standards.   Results and conclusions: 26 cephalometric variables were observed, the results showed more differences than similarities among the found values and the values deemed standard, statistically significant sexual dimorphism was observed in 11 variables. The variables in which the use of Riolo et al.’s standards is still advisable are reported, as well as the variables in which it is not recommended, based on the comparison performed.

Introduction: the Faculty of Dentistry’s program is aimed to the formation of a comprehensive dental surgeon with a critical and responsible mindset to know and correct the oral component of the health-sickness process, using a pedagogical model focused on participative processes and the autonomy of the student, in which investigation is understood as the main axe of the formation of that critical and pondering attitude towards knowledge. This study is aimed to recognizing the experiences described by undergraduate students of this Faculty, related to the process of formative research, pondering and learned lessons. Methods: form a hermeneutical point of view, an intentional sample of 53 undergraduate students enrolled in the last stage of the study plan (eighth, ninth and tenth semesters), was used. Such students were distributed in eight discussion groups. Results: out of the students’ inputs, four main topics stood out: the selection and definition of the problem to be investigated, the professors/advisors’ company, the link between the study plan and the formative investigation and the institutional support. Discussion: in general, the results show a series of inconsistencies among the curricular proposal and the experiences of the students during the formative investigation. These inconsistencies go conversely to the teaching proposal, as important as that of a problematizing and flexible program, which cooperates with the formation as a process and a product.

Introduction: some studies have strictly treated the association between the most frequent oral pathologies and the social economic and educational levels, finding out that the lower the social economic and educative level, the higher the presence of oral pathologies. The goal of this study was to describe the social demographic variables, oral health habits, experience and prevalence of tooth decay of the trainees of sena oral health technical program, in Medellín, Colombia. Materials and methods: descriptive cross sectional study in 90 trainees from 15 to 40 years of age. Two dental surgeons were previously calibrated, students were evaluated, and the experiences and prevalence proportions on tooth decay were calculated by the cop-d Index, recommended by the who. The description of the variables was made, the association between the dependent variable and the social demographic variables was observed, as well as oral hygiene habits and access to health services. Results: 65.6% (59 trainees) belonged to a low social class. 61.1% (55 trainees) were affiliated to the subsidized health system. Prevalence of tooth decay was 30%, experience was 67.7%. There was a significant statistic association between “What elements do you use to brush your teeth?” with the dependent variable (p = 0.037). Conclusions: in general the population’s oral health was good, which coincides with the progressive decrease of prevalence of tooth decay showed in the third and fourth national study on oral health, in the same age range.

Introduction: This study aims to identify the frequency of dental consultation and the emotional factors associated in students of ninth year of Hans Drews Arango High School in the Municipality of Pereira, in 2014. Materials and Methods: study with application of two of surveys in 20 students. A mixed-approach descriptive study was performed. The quantitative component takes elements from a cross sectional study and data was gathered in the qualitative section by the application of pedagogical workshops with the use of field diaries. The analysis of the quantitative data was made on tabulation and analysis of the variables in the program Windows Excel 2010. The qualitative analysis was based on the information in the field diaries, and a process of identification of meaning units, codification and categorization was carried out. Results: 30% of the interviewees reported not to attend dental consultations, 20% to 25% of the people not attending dental consultation argue economic reasons and distance from the dental practice. Likewise, fear was the most relevant feeling among the students, especially towards needles, expressed by visual and oral expressions. They also expressed feelings associated with fear, anxiety and muscular tension. Discussion: These results revealed that fear and anxiety may be the motional factors that influenced attendance to dental consultation.

Introduction: This study’s main goal was to describe the oral status of 3 to 5-year-old children from Las Golondrinas Kindergarten, Carpinelo branch, in Medellín, according to some social demographic variables.   Methods: descriptive study in 93 children from 3 to 5 years old. Clinical evaluation under international parameters was performed. Social demographic variables of children and their parents were analyzed, as well as the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (ohi-s), prevalence and experience with tooth decay in primary teeth by the traditional and modified ceo index, Significant Caries Index (SiC) and treatment needs. Univariate and bivariate analysis and Chi Square Tests to determine significant differences among the variables.   Results: a prevalence of tooth decay in primary teeth of 59% and experience of 61% were reported when all the caries lesions are included, with a modified ceo-d average of 3.41 (+4.27). This indicator increases when the Sic (8.5) is calculated. The average OHI-S is of 1.36 (IC 95% 1.10-1.62), reporting levels of regular hygieneof 68.8% of the cases, and bad hygiene in 9.7%. There were differences in the indicators, according to social demographic characteristics. There were mediate needs for dental treatment in the studied population, especially dental fillings, sealants and fluoride varnish.   Conclusion: there were differences in the analyzed indicators according to social demographic factors, as well as population subgroups, proving inequality in the incidence of tooth decay. Strategies and policies for the wellbeing in the early childhood are required.

In the society of the 21st century —focused on the social economic development— the continuous industrialization, mining and productive activities such as agriculture, turn out to be attractive options. However, in the development of these activities, the use and emission of some chemical products to the environment, including heavy metals, is pretty frequent. Small amounts of some heavy metals may be in the organism of the living beings. Some of these heavy metals may intervene in biochemical reactions, while other metals do not have biological use. For this reason, occupational and passive exposure to heavy metals in the environment, or coming from the food, most be regulated, as quantities higher than the ones deemed normal may result in certain illnesses. Controlling exposures to heavy metals include monitoring the levels in different biological matrixes such as blood, urine, saliva, hair and nails. Each one of these matrixes shall be indicated according to the exposure experienced by the individual; it will also offer some advantages and limitations. That is why this revision aims to inform about the effects resulting from the excessive levels of some heavy metals, and the usefulness of biological matrixes to determine such levels.