RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo analisa o conhecimento e a atuação sobre doença falciforme de cirurgiões-dentistas de Unidades de Saúde da Família no Recife/Pernambuco. Métodos: O estudo transversal foi conduzido em amostra representativa de profissionais utilizando-se questionário padronizado. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva. Resultados: Dos 132 cirurgiões-dentistas elegíveis, 124 (93,9%) foram entrevistados. A maioria era composta por mulheres (81,5%) com idade entre 28 e 39 anos (53,2%), com mais de 15 anos de formado (52,4%). Um percentual de 89,5% sabia a definição e as manifestações bucais (53,2%) da doença, apenas 17,7% conhecia o protocolo de atendimento odontológico. Verificou-se que 13,6% dos profissionais que conheciam o manejo do atendimento obtiveram esse conhecimento durante o curso de graduação. Quanto à atuação, 71,8% dos profissionais atenderia paciente com doença falciforme, no entanto, 67,7% dos profissionais nunca fizeram este acolhimento. A maioria se sente seguro para realizar procedimentos odontológicos (82%) e a principal dificuldade para o atendimento foi à falta de conhecimento sobre o assunto (57,1%). Conclusão: Este resultado sugere a necessidade da implementação de políticas públicas que objetivem reforçar a capacitação dos cirurgiões-dentistas que atuam na atenção básica, a fim de minimizar os riscos durante o atendimento odontológico desses pacientes.

ABSTRACT Objective: This study analyzes dental surgeons’ knowledge and clinical practice regarding sickle cell disease (SCD) at Family Health Units in Recife, northeastern Brazil. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a representative sample of dentists using a standardized questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results: Out of 132 eligible dental surgeons, 124 (93.9%) were interviewed. Most of them were women (81.5%), aged between 28 and 39 years (53.2%), with more than 15 years of experience (52.4%). A percentage of 89.5% knew the definition and oral manifestations (53.2%) of the disease, but only 17.7% knew the dental care protocol. It was verified that 13.6% of the dentists who knew how to conduct the treatment had acquired this knowledge during their undergraduate studies. Conclusion: Regarding clinical practice, 71.8% said they would treat patients with SCD; however, 67.7% had never done that. Most dentists felt confident of performing dental procedures (82%) and their major difficulty was their lack of knowledge about the disease (57.1%). The findings suggest the need for the implementation of public policies for improving the qualification of dental surgeons who work in primary healthcare, thus minimizing risks during the dental care of SCD patients.

Abstract Sickle cell anemia, a genetic disease caused by a mutation in the beta-globin gene, can present oral manifestations such as delayed tooth eruption and hypomineralized enamel and dentin. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of developmental defects of enamel (DDE) and delayed tooth eruption in children with sickle cell anemia. The sample comprised 56 male and female children with sickle cell anemia aged 6 to 12 years and treated at the Hematology and Hemotherapy Center of Pernambuco, Brazil. The data were collected according to the WHO criteria for DDE and tooth eruption. The prevalence of DDE was 58.2% and increased with age, affecting 43.8% of children aged 6 to 8 years and 66.7% of those aged 10 to 12 years (p>0.05; Pearson’s chi-square test). There was no significant association between DDE and sex; the most prevalent type of DDE was diffuse opacity (6.2%). Tooth eruption was delayed in 18 children (32.1%). The delay increased with age and was detected in 11.8% of children aged 6 to 8 years, in 20.0% of those aged 8 to 10 years and in 54.2% of those aged 10 to 12 years (p<0.05; Pearson’s chi-square test). Delayed tooth eruption was higher in males (36.7%, p>0.05). The prevalence of DDE was high, increased with age and was similar between sexes, while delayed eruption was higher in males and showed a significant association with age.

The aim of the present study was to investigate caries prevalence and socioeconomic factors in children with sickle cell anemia. This study was conducted in 160 children with sickle cell anemia aged 3 to 12 years attending the Center for Hematology in Recife, Brazil . Data collection included interviews with guardians concerning social factors and oral examinations to determine the caries prevalence. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson's chi-square tests at a 5% significance level. The caries prevalence was 55.0%. The dmft index was 2.12, and the DMFT index was 1.50. Income significantly influenced dmft; the mean dmft was 4.57 in children whose family income was less than the Brazilian minimum wage (BMW), whereas in children with a family income three times the BMW or higher, the mean dmft was 2.27. No statistically positive association was found between the educational level of parents and guardians and the caries indices. A statistically significant association was found between dental caries prevalence and family income.