OBJECTIVE To carry out a critical review of the literature on the use of race, color, and ethnicity in the field of public health dentistry. METHODS A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE via PubMed for articles published between 2014 and 2019. Using a data extraction form, we collected information on (1) bibliographic characteristics of the selected papers; (2) race, color, and ethnicity of the study participants and their sociodemographic profiles; and (3) the extent to which the original publications followed the recommendations by Kaplan and Bennett (2003) on the use of race, color, or ethnicity in biomedical research. RESULTS Our initial search identified 2,032 articles, 53 of which were selected for full-text examination and assessment following pre-established eligibility criteria. Around 60% (n = 32) of the included studies did not justify the use of race, color, or ethnicity in their analyses, and 9% (n = 5) took these variables as indicators of the participants’ genetic makeup. On the other hand, 68% (n = 36) of the reviewed papers considered race, color, and ethnicity as risk markers – not risk factors – for adverse oral health outcomes, whereas 80% (n = 42) adjusted racial/ethnic inequities for a range of socioeconomic and demographic factors in statistical models. Only one study (2%) explicitly took race, color, or ethnicity as a contextually dependent dimension of the participants’ identities. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that research on oral health inequities is often based on reductionist and stigmatizing conceptions of race, color, or ethnicity. Such harmful misconceptions should be replaced with anti-racist narratives in order to effectively address racial oral health inequities.

It is uncertain whether the interchangeable use of two adhesive systems would yield comparable shear bond strength (SBS) for both Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK); investigating this was the main objective of this study. Milled PEEK (Bredent, Senden, Germany) and PEKK (Pekkton Ivory, AnaxDent, Stuttgart, Germany) blocks were prepared with standardized roughness (0.20 μm) and randomly assigned into two groups (n = 72): with and without aluminum oxide air abrasion (AquaCare Twin, Medivance Instruments, London, UK). Two adhesive systems (Visio.link, Bredent, Senden, Germany, or PEKKBond, AnaxDent, Stuttgart, Germany) were randomly applied (n = 36). Flowable gingival composite (AnaxGum Gingiva, AnaxDent, Stuttgart, Germany) was bonded, and the samples were stored in water (37 °C, 24 h). SBS was measured (MPa) and data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). All main effects and interactions were significant (p < 0.05), except for polymer (p = 0.163) and the triple interaction (p = 0.601). In the PEEK group, Visiolink showed higher SBS (p < 0.001), regardless of prior air abrasion. For the PEKK group, PEKKBond significantly increased SBS values (p < 0.001) for both pre-treatment groups. Previous air abrasion only significantly increased the SBS of controls without adhesive. This study highlights the importance of material-specific adhesive selection, rather than interchangeable use, for optimal results. The bond strength of PEEK and PEKK is influenced by the adhesive system applied. Moreover, PEKK consistently demonstrated higher SBS values in comparison to PEEK, even without the need for pre-treatment or adhesive conditioning. This characteristic renders PEKK a preferred choice for the fabrication of adhesive restorations.

O carcinoma mucoepidermoide (CME) é um tumor epitelial maligno produtor de mucina que acomete as glândulas salivares. O CME representa uma entidade patológica intrigante e relevante devido à sua complexidade clínica e biológica. Paciente sexo masculino, 65 anos, raça branca, procurou atendimento odontológico com queixa de um "caroço no céu da boca", indolor e presente há 5 anos sem alterações. Ao exame físico foi observada uma lesão papular, com coloração semelhante a mucosa, no palato duro, medindo aproximadamente 7x5 mm, flutuante à palpação. Não foram identificados sinais de envolvimento ósseo ou linfonodomegalia. A hipótese diagnóstica foi de mucocele, no entanto, após realização de biópsia, o laudo histopatológico revelou CME de Baixo Grau. O paciente foi encaminhado para avaliação médica e está em acompanhamento, sem recidivas. O CME de Baixo Grau pode apresentar características benignas, embora seja uma lesão maligna com potencial invasivo e até metastático. O conhecimento sobre o comportamento biológico, clínico e o grau de malignidade do CME são fundamentais para o correto diagnóstico, manejo clínico e prognóstico do paciente.

Light-curing gingiva-colored composite resins (GCCs) are widely used for their esthetics and versatility, although they remain susceptible to discoloration. This in vitro study evaluated the effect of GCC thickness on color stability under different staining solutions and immersion times. Four hundred specimens were fabricated with a 3D-printed resin (P Pro; Institut Straumann AG), incorporating circular intaglio areas of varying thicknesses (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 mm), into which paste (Nexco; Ivoclar AG) or flowable (Gradia Gum; GC Corp) GCCs were applied. After artificial aging in water at 55 °C for 5 days, specimens were immersed in coffee, black tea, red wine, or distilled water (control). Color differences (ΔE₀₀) were assessed using digital photocolorimetry (eLAB protocol) and the CIEDE2000 formula at 2.5, 5, and 7 days. Data for each consistency were analyzed with 3-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey HSD (α = 0.05). Thicker GCCs (0.6–1.0 mm) showed significantly greater discoloration (p < 0.05). Flowable GCCs were more prone to color changes induced by coffee (p < 0.05), whereas paste GCCs exhibited more discoloration with black tea (p < 0.05). Extended immersion time increased color change, particularly in flowable GCCs. Overall, GCC thickness, immersion duration, and material consistency influenced long-term color stability.

O Granuloma Periférico de Células Gigantes (GPCG) é uma lesão benigna relativamente comum observada na cavidade oral, surgindo de uma resposta hiperplásica exuberante do tecido conjuntivo diante de fatores irritantes ou trauma local. Paciente sexo feminino, 52 anos, parda, procurou atendimento odontológico queixando-se de “lesão com sangramento e inchaço facial de rápida evolução”. Durante o exame físico, foi observado abaulamento no lado esquerdo da face e presença de uma massa exofídica pulsátil na gengiva vestibular do elemento 24 até a tuberosidade maxilar. A tomografia computadoriza revelou uma extensa lesão hipodensa envolvendo o seio maxilar, palato, cornetos nasais e assoalho da órbita. A biópsia incisional, combinada com exames bioquímicos, confirmou o diagnóstico de GPCG. A paciente foi encaminhada a um serviço hospitalar para a remoção da lesão. Posteriormente, foi necessária a reabilitação da função mastigatória, fonética e estética com uma prótese adaptada, devido à comunicação entre a cavidade oral e nasal. O GPCG pode atingir grandes dimensões, gerar comorbidades e impactos significativos na qualidade de vida do paciente, necessitando de reabilitação multidisciplinar.