Métodos de prevenção primária da cárie dentária no paciente adulto

: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract

Aim: Preventive approaches to oral health problems, mainly dental caries, require individual and collective policies. Thus, a systematic review was carried out, through which it aims to know the primary prevention methods of dental caries in adults so that can improves and maintain the oral health at a clinical and a community level. Materials and Methods: The articles selection, publication date between 2015-2021, was carried out on computer platforms (Medline/Pubmed, SciELO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, LILACS), resulting in 9 studies, which were analyzed according to the inclusion criteria and that presented methodological quality. Results: It was found that the main primary prevention methods, applied in dentistry in adults, are the application of fluoridated toothpaste (brushing 2-3 times/day), use of dental floss, mouthwash with chlorhexidine at home, the application of pit and fissure sealants in the dental clinic, topical application of fluoride in the dental clinic, use of xylitol, recommendation for regular appointments with the dentist, the need to inform patients about the saliva buffer capacity and adoption of a non-cariogenic diet. For that purpose, preventive policies should be taken in order to prevent dental caries. These include three major challenges: providing the adult population more knowledge regarding their own oral health; empowering patients through the adoption of healthy lifestyles; development of new preventive strategies and awareness campaigns aimed at the adult population to promote proper oral health habits. Conclusions: As a result of this study, a small number of studies were found whose participants were adult patients. Therefore, it is essential to do primary studies with participants aged ≥18 years, for a more effective knowledge of primary prevention methods of dental caries, as primary prevention necessarily has an impact on the general populatio health.

Date of Award	19 Jul 2021
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Nélio Jorge Veiga (Supervisor), Patrícia Couto (Co-Supervisor) & Ana Karina Mascarenhas (Co-Supervisor)