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Background This study aimed to evaluate the moderating effect of sense of coherence (SOC) on the relationship between social capital and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among schoolchildren. Methods A cohort study was conducted in the city of Santa Maria, Brazil, involving children aged 1–5 years at baseline who were reassessed after 10 years in adolescence (11–15 years-old). Social capital was assessed at baseline and follow-up through social networks and social trust. Sense of coherence scale (SOC-13) and the short form of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 11–14 (CPQ11–14) were measured at 10-years follow-up. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, and dental caries were also evaluated. Moderating effect of SOC on the relationship between social capital and OHRQoL was tested using multilevel adjusted Poisson regression analysis and simple slope test. Results From the 639 subjects assessed at baseline, 429 were reassessed at follow-up (cohort retention rate 67.1%). Moderate and high levels of SOC demonstrated a moderating effect on the relationship between social capital and OHRQoL. Among individuals who presented low social capital at baseline and follow-up, those who had high SOC reported, respectively, an impact 63% and 70% lower on OHRQoL when compared to those with low SOC. The greatest margin effect was observed in individuals with low social capital and low SOC at follow-up (24.25; p Conclusion Our findings suggest that SOC moderates the negative impact of low social capital on poor OHRQoL in schoolchildren.

Background Dentofacial features are related to increased bullying episodes in young people. The aim of this study was to assess the association between gingival bleeding and reports of verbal bullying among adolescents. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted with a representative sample of 608 12-year-old adolescents from southern Brazil. The occurrence of verbal bullying was verified through adolescents' self-report. Oral health measurements included the presence of gingival bleeding, dental fracture, dental fluorosis, and dental caries experience. Gingival bleeding was assessed through adolescent self-perception by the following question: "Did you notice any bleeding in your gums?" Demographic, socioeconomic, and psychosocial variables were also evaluated. Poisson regression models with robust variance were used to evaluate the influence of gingival bleeding on the occurrence of verbal bullying. Results are presented as prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results Out of 608 adolescents evaluated, 577 answered bullying questions. The prevalence of self-reported verbal bullying was 12.8%. Adolescents who presented gingival bleeding had an 80% higher prevalence of verbal bullying than their counterparts (PR 1.80; 95% CI 1.01 -3.19). Dental shame, speech difficulties and influence of dental condition on studies also impacted the higher prevalence of bullying. Conclusion Our results suggest that the presence of gingival bleeding negatively impacts the social life of adolescents, causing more episodes of verbal bullying. These findings encourage public health policies aimed at reducing oral health inequities, thus reflecting on the well-being and quality of life of this target population.

This study evaluated the influence of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) on the consumption of alcohol and cigarette use in adolescents. This prospective cohort began in 2012 (T1) with an initial random sample of 1134 12-year-old adolescents followed for 6 years in Santa Maria, southern Brazil. The present study comprised data from the two cohort reassessments that took place in 2014 (T2) and 2018 (T3). OHRQoL was measured with the Brazilian short version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11-14) at T2. Socioeconomic, demographic, and oral health measures were also collected during this period. Alcohol and cigarette consumption (regular use) in the past 30 days was evaluated at T3 through questions in the of the National School Health Survey (PeNSE) questionnaire. A multilevel Poisson regression model was used to evaluate the influence of predictor variables on substance use. Of the 770 adolescents at T2, 575 and 576 adolescents were reassessed at T3 for alcohol and cigarette consumption, respectively. Adolescents with higher overall CPQ11-14 scores were at higher risk for regular consumption of alcohol (IRR 1.01; 95% CI 1.01-1.02) and cigarette (IRR 1.04; 95% CI 1.03-1.05). Non-white adolescents with low socioeconomic status, untreated dental caries, and who had not been to the dentist (last 6 months) were also associated with increased regular consumption of licit substances. Adolescents with worse OHRQoL presented a higher consumption of alcohol and cigarette. These findings are useful for planning public health strategies to improve adolescent OHRQoL and reduce the harmful substance use.

To evaluate the impact of community and individual social capital during early childhood on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) over a 10-year follow-up period.A prospective cohort study was conducted in the southern Brazil. Baseline (T1) data collection occurred in 2010 with preschool children aged 1-5 years. Participants were assessed in 2012 (T2), 2017 (T3), and 2020 (T4). OHRQoL was assessed using the B-ECOHIS at T1 and T2 and through CPQ8-10 at T3 and CPQ11-14 at T4. Community social capital was evaluated through the presence of formal institutions in the neighbourhood and individual social capital by social networks, both at T1. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics were also evaluated. Multilevel Poisson regression analysis was performed to estimate the impact of social capital measures on OHRQoL.Of the 639 children assessed at T1, 469 were followed at T2 (73.3% response rate), 449 at T3 (70.3% response rate), and 429 at T4 (67.1% response rate). Individuals living in neighbourhoods with the presence of social class associations at T1 had higher OHRQoL at T3 and T4. Individuals whose families visit friends and neighbours less than once a month or never at T1 had lower OHRQoL at T1, T3 and T4. Attending religious meetings less than once a month or never at T1 was associated with lower OHRQoL at T2 and T4.Social capital at the community level had a long-term effect on OHRQoL, especially during adolescence, while individual social capital levels impacted OHRQoL across the assessments.The findings indicate that psychosocial variables can impact OHRQoL, a fundamental aspect of clinical practice.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the number of dentists in the neighborhood on the incidence of dental caries in the children permanent dentition. This cohort began in 2010 (T1) with a random sample of 639 children (1 to 5 years-old) followed for 7 years, in southern Brazil. The follow-up reassessment (T2) took place in 2017. Untreated dental caries was evaluated at T2 through the Decayed, Missing, and Filled surfaces index (DMF-S). The number of dentists in the neighborhood was obtained from the city’s official database and used as a contextual variable. Socioeconomic, demographic, and oral health variables at the individual level were evaluated at T1. A multilevel Poisson regression was performed to evaluate the influence of the predictor variables in the incidence of untreated dental caries. From 639 children at T1, 449 were reassessed at T2 (a 70.3% retention rate). The mean of decayed surfaces at T2 was 0.92 (SE 0.01). The greater the number of dentists in the neighborhoods where the children lived, the lower the incidence of dental caries. Children with low socioeconomic status, who have not routinely visited the dentist in the last 6 months, who presented a experience of dental caries, and whose parents perceived their oral health as fair/poor showed a higher incidence of surfaces with untreated dental caries. As conclusion, children who live in neighborhoods with fewer dentists have a higher incidence of untreated dental caries in permanent dentition. Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a influência do número de cirurgiões-dentistas do bairro na incidência de cárie dentária na dentição permanente. Esta coorte teve início em 2010 (T1) com uma amostra aleatória de 639 crianças (1 a 5 anos) acompanhadas por 7 anos, no sul do Brasil. A reavaliação (T2) ocorreu em 2017. A cárie dentária não tratada foi avaliada no T2 por meio do índice de superfícies cariadas, perdidas e obturadas (CPO-S). O número de dentistas do bairro foi obtido no banco de dados oficial da cidade e usada como uma variável contextual. Variáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas e de saúde bucal no nível individual foram avaliadas no T1. Foi realizada uma análise de regressão de Poisson multinível para avaliar a influência das variáveis preditoras na incidência de cárie dentária não tratada. Das 639 crianças no T1, 449 foram reavaliadas no T2 (taxa de retenção de 70,3%). A média das superfícies cariadas no T2 foi de 0,92 (EP 0,01). Quanto maior o número de dentistas nos bairros em que as crianças residiam, menor era a incidência de cárie dentária. Crianças com baixo nível socioeconômico, que não consultaram rotineiramente o dentista nos últimos 6 meses, que apresentaram experiência de cárie dentária e cujos pais perceberam sua saúde bucal como regular/ruim apresentaram maior incidência de superfícies com cárie dentária não tratada. Como conclusão, crianças que moram em bairros com menos dentistas têm maior incidência de cárie não tratada na dentição permanente.