Adequacy of the Oral Environment Through the Atraumatic Restoration Treatment in HIV Infected Pediatric Patients

Objective: To describe the procedures done in children infected with the HIV and to assess the effectiveness of care of the oral cavity by comparison of the levels of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus. Method: Consisted of the sealing of cavities, instructing oral hygiene, supervising and improving the brushing techniques already in use, nutritional counseling for children and their caretakers, and fluoride therapy. Outpatient children from de immunology department of the University Hospital Gafrée e Guinle (UNI-RIO) were selected for this study. Children had different levels of immunosupression categorized as severe (50.0%), moderate (33.0%) and none (17.0%). Results: The results demonstrated that all children had salivary flow below 0,7ml/min. As for the counting of S. mutans and Lactobacillus, 33.0% kept the same numbers found in the first colonies/ml count. This was due to the presence of radicular remains which constitute an ideal medium for the proliferation of such organisms. There was a decrease in the number of colonies/ml in 67.0% of the children when the second count was made. Conclusion: The procedures carried out were effective in diminishing the number of colonies/ml of S. Mutans and Lactobacilli in the mouths of the target population, thus improving their health. This research intends to present with a protocol description in the odontological care of pediatric patients infected with the HIV and suggests that new studies with a larger population in order to confirm the findings.