Inclusão de indicadores microbianos num índice de risco de cárie numa população adulta

Abstract

Introduction: Carie is the most common chronic disease that affects human beings. Therefore, it is extremely important to assess the risk of caries in order to identify individuals with a higher propensity to develop these lesions and thus personalize the treatment plan. This approach allows for the provision of preventive measures to avoid the onset or progression of the disease. Goal: To contribute to gathering information of the risk of dental caries in adult patients attending the CDU-UCP. To utilize the collected saliva samples to characterize the oral microbiome of the patients in terms of total bacterial load and the cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus sobrinus. Increase the total patient sample by continuing the project initiated by Fonseca, 2022 (20). Perform recalls on patients observed for more than 8 months and assess the changes that have occurred. Propose the factors to include in a chairside application. Materials and methods: This study consisted of a longitudinal observational study that included 123 patients who attended the CDU-UCP, between March 2022 and May 2023. Each patient who met the necessary requirements to participate in this study was observed by the researchers, who collected the patient´s data through the administration of a questionnaire, an intraoral assessment, and the collection of saliva and biofilm samples. Among the patients, some (20) underwent a second assessment 8/10 months after the first evaluation. The data were collected using the Qualtrics platform and analyzed using the SPSS software. Results: In the 123 evaluated patients, we classified 58.54% (n=72) as low risk, 28.46% (n=35) as moderate risk, 11.38% (n=14) as high risk, and 1.63% (n=2) as severe risk. A recall was performed on 20 patients, where 3 patients had a change in their risk classification: the first patient transitioned from high risk to moderate risk, the second one transitioned from high risk to low risk, and the third transitioned from moderate risk to low risk. Risk classification was conducted on 66 patients with the addition of Streptococcus sobrinus quantification, revealing changes in caries risk compared to the risk without this variable. However, improvements are needed, especially in the microbiological analyses to be performed, such as quantification of other cariogenic and carioprotetive species. Conclusion: In this study, the objectives of provisionally classifying 123 patients in relation to caries risk were achieved, serving as starting point for identifying treatment needs and establishing preventive strategies. A reevaluation was conducted on 20 patients to assess the changes that occurred. Additionally, the analysis was expanded by provisionally classifying 66 patients in relation to caries risk incorporating the variable of Streptococcus sobrinus quantification.

Date of Award	24 Jul 2023
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Maria José Correia (Supervisor), Rute Rio (Co-Supervisor) & Pedro Lopes (Co-Supervisor)