Training of Public Service Professionals
- Partnership between PPGO (Prof. Elcio Magdalena Giovani) with PAHO/WHO (2018, 2019, 2020) and with the IST/AIDS Coordination of the Municipality of São Paulo, in the area of Assistance. Concurrently with the project of social inclusion and health promotion carried out by this partnership, Continuing Education Courses were also developed, with the aim of socializing knowledge and updating all Dental Surgeons of the RME (Municipal Specialized Network), Primary Care and Surgeons Dentists who work in private clinics. These actions directly reflect on the improvement of professional knowledge, which, in turn, affects the quality of care provided to the population. During the last quadrennium, 22 courses were held. In 2020, nine courses took place, mainly focused on the Covid-19 pandemic, when 691 connected points were registered, with up to 12 people at each point, which represents an important coverage. At the beginning of the pandemic, two Continuing Education courses were also held on Biosafety in Dental Care in the Covid 19 era and the number of participants (adding the ACDs, THDs). The courses and meetings were given by professors, students or graduates of UNIP guided by Prof. Elcio M. Giovani.
- Continuing Education Meeting for Dental Surgeons of the units of the IST/AIDS Program of the Municipality of São Paulo on the theme “Facial Lipoatrophy”, to guide professionals in the network to identify and diagnose patients with this disease, in an attempt to minimize its effects and restore aesthetic, phonetic, masticatory and facial functions.
- Continuing Education Meeting for Dental Surgeons of the units of the IST/AIDS Program in the Municipality of São Paulo on the theme “Rehabilitation in Dentistry, aesthetic function and longevity. Trends, materials and technologies”, taught by Prof. Dr. Cintia H.C. Saraceni (2019).
- Continuing Education Meeting for Dental Surgeons of the units of the IST/AIDS Program in the Municipality of São Paulo on the theme “Atraumatic Surgery for the Dental Surgeon: Tips, Techniques and Surgical Complications”, given by Prof. Dr. Gustavo Mota, graduate of the PPGO in Dentistry at UNIP (2019).
- Continuing Education Meeting. Theme “Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): from diagnosis to therapeutic approaches recommended for each case”, taught by Prof. Dr. Elcio M. Giovani (2019).
- Training of professionals from the south-south axis: In 2018, with the support of CEAPE - Center for Studies and Assistance to Special Patients - UNIP, a training and training event for multipliers for Latin American countries in the care of Patients with Needs was held Specials. Dental surgeons from Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia participated in this event. Participated in this activity, in addition to Prof. Elcio M. Giovani, Prof. Ruth A. Merlin, originally from Peru, graduated from the doctorate level and works as a professor at CEAPE-UNIP and in the Research Group “Service to Special Patients”. In May 2019, the second meeting took place along the same lines.
Interface with Basic Education PIBIC/EM
During the four-year period, UNIP and the Graduate Program in Dentistry were awarded two scholarships from the Institutional Program for Scientific Initiation Scholarships for High School, PIBIC/EM, under the guidance of Prof. Cristina F. Ortolani, results of social actions already developed by this teacher and her advisees.
The participating schools were: Alexandre de Gusmão State School and Aparecida Rahal State School and the surveys were:
- Assessment of the knowledge of teachers and caregivers of schoolchildren about oral trauma procedures.
- Analysis of the knowledge of parents of elementary school students regarding oral health practices.
Started in 2018, the Knowing and Caring for Teeth project continued in 2019, in public and private schools in the East Zone of São Paulo and registered with the East 1 Teaching Directorate, with a view to training teachers in the area of oral health; guidance for students and parents regarding oral health and the relationship between general diseases and facial development. The project, coordinated by Prof. Cristina L. F. Ortolani, had the active participation of students from the Program. Print media have been used as a means of learning and dissemination, such as textbooks and printed books for reading, as well as computer resources (videos, multimedia presentations and related websites).
Economic, social and cultural impact of the Program
One of the lines of action of the PPGO are projects with a strong socio-economic and cultural impact. The projects are developed in partnerships with public agencies, parent societies, public schools, the third sector, and range from assistance to populations with special needs, development of care protocols, professional training, even technological innovation to reduce rehabilitation costs. The main projects developed by PPGO professors in the quadrennium are as follows:
Oral Health Project for Children with Microcephaly Due to Congenital Zika Syndrome
Under the coordination of Prof. Cristina Ortolani Feijó and her advisees, PPGO offers assistance to children with microcephaly due to Congenital Zika Syndrome in five Northeastern states, in partnership with Parent Associations: AFAEAL (Association Family of Angels of Alagoas), Associação Filhos de Benção ( Ceará), AME Microcephaly (Rio Grande do Norte), Association of Fathers of Angels of Bahia (APAB) and Association of Mothers of Angels of Paraíba (AMAP). In 2019, eight meetings were held, with trips financed by the Vice-Rectory of Graduate Studies and Research. The visits included a survey of oral health and care for children, with the donation of orthodontic appliances to facilitate swallowing and breathing, which are limited by the disease. In addition to the consultations, lectures were given to parents and caregivers on oral health and brushing methods adapted to children. As an educational measure, an oral hygiene booklet was developed with accessible printed and digital versions, since many mothers are illiterate. The action also generated research by a doctoral student under the theme “Survey of the dental situation of children affected by microcephaly resulting from the Congenital Zika Syndrome”. The work will study the oral characteristics of those affected by microcephaly, in order to understand their possible dental implications, to establish guidelines for specialized treatment. The teacher Cristina also participated in the Public Hearing of the Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Norte, which addressed the theme “Learning from microcephaly, overcoming challenges and prejudices”, in which the results of the research were presented and a protocol of care was proposed. The partial results of the ongoing research generated interviews with the aforementioned teacher for newspapers and television. This action, in 2019, also involved the Stricto Sensu Graduate Program in Environmental and Experimental Pathology at UNIP, which participates in the project: “Psychomotor stimulation in the neuropsychomotor development of children with the Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome”. The study proposes the creation of a Psychomotor Stimulation Protocol for children with the Syndrome. For the protocol, a mobile application will be created with videos and exercise instructions adapted from the various Psychomotor Stimulation techniques already used in a therapeutic context.
Rehabilitation of Patients with Oral and Maxillofacial Deformities Due to Oral Cancer - Partnership with the Third Sector: OSCIP - Instituto Mais Identidade
To make it possible to carry out assistance and scientific work in partnership between UNIP and the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at UNIFESP, in the area of oral and maxillofacial rehabilitation, the Civil Society Organization of Public Interest (OSCIP) Instituto Mais Identidade was founded. Chaired by Prof. Luciano Dib, the Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to the care of patients with facial deformities in partnership with UNIP, with the participation of students and application of techniques resulting from research developed at PPGO. The activities represent a strong social impact, both in the care of patients with deformities who are reintegrated into society, as well as in the training of professionals specialized in the sector, in addition to preventive activities in the community. The significant donations received in 2018 and 2019 allowed the assembly of a new digital technology laboratory in the facilities of UNIP's dental clinics. The cooperation agreement with UNIP provided that the University would be responsible for the works to adapt the physical space, as well as the cost for the operation of Mais Identidade and patient care. The laboratory started its activities in 2020. The partnership is unprecedented within the academic structure and makes UNIP an “incubator” of the Institute, which will be able to use the funding means to seek new partners and continue with its activities. The PPGO-Instituto Mais Identidade partnership already benefits countless patients, through the proposal of therapeutic protocols, technological innovation and reduction of the costs of making facial prostheses.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with HIV/AIDS in Partnership with the IST/AIDS Program of the Municipality of São Paulo and the Third Sector
Participation of Prof. Elcio Giovani as Advisor to the Coordinator of the IST/AIDS Program in the Municipality of São Paulo, in the area of Oral Health. Partnership carried out by the Pan American Health Organization together with the World Health Organization and the STI/AIDS Program of the Municipality of São Paulo, for the implementation of the Continuing Education program, through courses/lectures for training and provision of advice to Dental Surgeons of the referred Program. In addition to the courses, patients are referred for care at CEAPE-UNIP, where clinical diagnosis associated with laboratory and imaging tests and treatment are performed. Undergraduate, IC and graduate students (specialization, master's and doctoral) participate in this project.
Dental Care for Patients With HIV/AIDS Who Developed Lipodystrophy/Facial Lipoatrophy, hosted in the Municipal Network Specialized in STI/AIDS in the Municipality of São Paulo
The project, coordinated by Prof. Elcio Magdalena Giovani, started in 2019 and still active, aims to rescue the oral health of patients with lipodystrophy caused by the HIV virus and HAART (highly potent antiretroviral therapy), mitigating the undesirable effects of this complication and the loss of dental elements. The project covers all service stations in the central and peripheral areas of the City of São Paulo. A total of 2497 patients were evaluated in the 15 units that have dental care from the STI/AIDS Coordination of the Municipality of São Paulo and 1592 complete and/or partial denture units were made. Patients treated in this project still benefit from the partnership with the NGO VIDA NOVA – East Zone, where they have access to physical activities.
Hospital for Kidneys and Hypertension at UNIFESP
Dental care for patients with kidney failure – kidney transplant patients with the aim of promoting oral health at all levels and improving their quality of life. Educational manual with a specific target for this population is in the editing phase.
Social Inclusion Projects Named “University in the Community”
In partnership with the undergraduate course, this action aims at the social inclusion and citizenship of vulnerable and at-risk populations in or around São Paulo's peripheral regions. The PPGO participates in the action through the project entitled “Questionnaire applied in the social immersion project 'University in the Community', to assess the degree of knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases according to their sexual experiences”. After approval by the Research Ethics Committee of UNIP, in parallel with the application of the questionnaire, education workshops are offered to work on issues of health promotion and improvements in quality of life. When oral manifestations are present, the population is referred to CEAPE-UNIP for diagnosis and treatment. In addition, an educational booklet and a clarifying blog were created to resolve the doubts of this population. Undergraduate, IC and graduate students (specialization, master's and doctoral) participate in the project.
Insertion in Basic Education - Project Knowing and Caring for Teeth
In compliance with social responsibility, since 2014, PPGO has been part of basic education with the project “KNOWING AND CUIDING DOS TEETH”. The project, coordinated by Prof. Cristina Lucia Ortolani Feijó and with the participation of PPGO students, it was initially developed at Escola Estadual Prof. Pedro Voss, located at Rua José de Magalhães, nº 477, Vila Clementino and included 400 elementary school students, cycle I, aged between 6 and 12 years old. As a means of learning and dissemination, print media have been used, such as textbooks and printed books for reading, as well as computer resources (videos, multimedia presentations and related websites), for training teachers and orienting students and parents about the oral health and its relationship with general diseases and facial development. Among all the activities carried out, during the art class, the children developed the work: “Preventing with sustainability”, in which they made a toothbrush holder with recycled material.
Based on the data from the questionnaire to assess teachers' knowledge about Oral Health applied in schools where lectures and activities took place, a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) course on "Oral Health Prevention" is in progress. ” for elementary school teachers. The course content was prepared by UNIP master's and doctoral students, based on the instructional design carried out by Prof. Cristina and the computational development by students of the Postgraduate Program in Management and Informatics in Health at UNIFESP, a result of the partnership between the institutions. Students from both institutions participate in meetings and activities of the Research Group ‘Informatics in Dentistry’ at UNIP, duly registered with CNPq and led by Prof. Christina.
Other schools benefited from the project and this action generated the approval of two scholarships from the Institutional Program for Scientific Initiation Scholarships for High School, PIBIC/EM, under the guidance of Prof. Cristina Feijo Ortolani.
The participating schools are: Alexandre de Gusmão State School and Apparecida Rahal State School and research in progress are, respectively:
- Assessment of the knowledge of teachers and caregivers of schoolchildren about oral trauma procedures.
- Analysis of the knowledge of parents of elementary school students about oral health practices.