Browsing by Author "Flores-Fraile, Javier"
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- Literacy in the scope of radiation protection for healthcare professionals exposed to ionizing radiation: a systematic reviewPublication . Rodrigues, Belinda V.; Lopes, Pedro C.; Mello-Moura, Anna C.; Flores-Fraile, Javier; Veiga, NelioBackground: The use of radiation is important in different medical procedures, and to ensure a high level of good medical practice, radiation protection (RP) should be seen as a very important subject. This review shows information about the knowledge in the scope of radiation protection among healthcare professionals exposed to ionizing radiation. There are not many studies that evaluate the radiation exposure of healthcare professionals. Methods: A systematic search was performed, using PRISMA guidelines, in Pubmed and Scopus databases and manually to identify relevant articles to answer the PICOS question, “Is there an adequate level of literacy in the scope of radiation protection among healthcare professionals exposed to ionizing radiation?”. This systematic review included cross-sectional studies with the following inclusion criteria: (i) in Portuguese, Spanish, or English; (ii) about literacy in the scope of radiation protection; (iii) published between 2017 and 2024; and (iv) participants must be dentists, radiographers, doctors, and nurses. The JBI critical assessment tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Results: The search identified 566 potentially relevant references, which, after applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, resulted in 12 articles. Studies found that the overall knowledge of these healthcare workers was unsatisfactory, and a lack of knowledge in radiation protection negatively affects health services’ quality. Training is essential and must emphasize how radiation exposure can be minimized, safeguarding health professionals’ trust and sense of security. Results showed that more years of experience make workers more attentive to protection measures, suggesting that training strategies focused on basic radiological risks and radiation safety are needed. Conclusions: Key findings recommend implementing a standardized national training program on the basic principles and safety of ionizing radiation for all healthcare professionals.
- Unravelling the benefits of thermal waters enhancing oral health: a pilot studyPublication . Lopes, Sara; Morgado, Susana; Gomes, Ana T. P. C.; Lopes, Pedro C.; Couto, Patrícia; Correia, Maria J.; Flores-Fraile, Javier; Veiga, NélioBackground: Oral health represents a public health problem due to its remarkable social impact and medical costs. Crenotherapy with sulfur water is shown to be a complementary, less toxic, and traumatizing therapy, but the number of studies that evaluate the effect of natural mineral waters effect on oral health are scarce. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the impact of thermal water therapy on the oral health of the participants, assessing parameters such as plaque index, gingival bleeding index and periodontal probing depth as well on the perception of symptoms of oral mucosa diseases (OMD). Methods: An observational, longitudinal and comparative study was designed, and 90 thermalists were randomly allocated to two treatment groups for 14 days: Thermal sulfuric natural mineral water of the Amarante Thermal baths group (TW_TA group) (n = 45) or saline solution (control group) (n = 45), in May 2022. The study was based on clinical observation and application of a self-response questionnaire involving sociodemographic data and quality of life assessment. The evaluation was carried out in 2 different moments: before and at the end of treatment (14 days). Results: The study involved 90 thermal practitioners, evenly split between the TW_TA group and a control group. Most participants were women (70%), with a similar average age in both groups. Oral examination showed a high prevalence of filled and missing teeth, and around 25% of participants used removable prostheses, predominantly in the control group. Thermal treatment had a positive impact on oral health. In the TW_TA group, gingival bleeding significantly decreased from 68.9% to 40%, while it remained unchanged in the control group. Periodontal health improved, with no participants in the TW_TA group having pockets deeper than 5 mm by the end of the study, indicating reduced periodontal pathology. Also, plaque levels dropped in both groups after treatment, as assessed by the O’Leary index. Additionally, quality of life related to OMD improved, particularly in the TW_TA group. The overall reduction in symptoms was significant, although the differences between groups were not statistically significant. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the positive effects of thermal water treatment on oral health, including reduced gingival bleeding and plaque levels, along with improved quality of life related to OMD. Further targeted research is needed to explore the benefits of thermal water effects and optimize oral health practices in Portugal using thermal waters.
- Using the modified apical access technique to treat peri-implant mucosa defects: description of the technique and three-dimensional quantitative measurement of buccal augmented tissuePublication . Quispe-López, Norberto; Marques, Tiago; Guadilla, Yasmina; Flores-Fraile, Javier; Garrido-Martínez, Pablo; Montero, JavierThe importance of augmenting the peri-implant soft- and hard-tissue architecture is now widely accepted. However, while most contemporary research supports this premise, clinicians are encountering peri-implant soft tissue defects with increasing frequency, which they are therefore required to reconstruct. These complications can result from the difficulty of establishing an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan or from suboptimal clinical situations (implant malposition, insufficient vestibular alveolar bone thickness or inadequate mucosal thickness). In this context, it is the peri-implant soft-tissue phenotype that most influences esthetic and health-related results in the short and long term. This article describes two clinical cases in which a modification of the apical access technique is presented that may be useful in clinical scenarios requiring large gains in mucosal thickness. Use of the modified bilaminar apical access with de-epithelialized free gingival graft technique showed promising results, with a significant increase in mucosal thickness and satisfactory outcomes in esthetics and peri-implant health.