Repositório Institucional da Fernando Pessoa
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Impact of female hormonal changes throughout life on oral health: a scoping review
Publication . Lopes Cardoso, Inês; Fryde, Mayane; Guimarães, Maria Inês; C. Leal, M. Fernanda
This work looks at the impact of female hormonal fluctuations throughout life, during puberty, pregnancy and the menopause, on oral health. These physiological periods, marked by major variations in estrogen and progesterone levels, influence oral health, so the following question was formulated: to what extent do female hormonal fluctuations influence
oral health? Through a scoping review of 37 scientific articles selected using a rigorous methodology (in particular using the Rayyan tool), it was possible to highlight clinical manifestations specific to each hormonal stage. In adolescent girls, puberty is frequently accompanied by exacerbated gingivitis, independent of dental plaque. During pregnancy, the increase in hormones leads to increased gingival inflammation and transient tooth mobility. Finally, the menopause is associated with a drop in female sex hormones, which can lead to dry mouth, altered salivary flora and accelerated bone loss, all of which contribute to the worsening of periodontal disease. These results underline the importance of a preventive and personalized approach to oral health care for patients, taking into account the hormonal context. They also highlight the collaboration between dentists, general practitioners and gynecologists, to optimize comprehensive care for women at every stage of their hormonal life.
Assessing the preparedness of dental professionals for bioterrorism events: protocol of a scoping review on knowledge gaps and strategies
Publication . Guimarães, Maria Inês; Chiadmi, Yasmine; Sá, Mariana; Moreira, Teresa; Lopes Cardoso, Inês
Introduction: Forensic dentistry and bioterrorism are distinct concepts, yet they are connected through the role forensic dentistry plays in identifying victims and analysing biological threats. This review examines the intersection and significance of these factors, considering the available training, protocols, and preventive measures. Hence, this scoping review aims to assess the current literature on the role of dental professionals in bioterrorism response, identify existing knowledge gaps, and propose strategies for enhancing preparedness.
Methods: A scoping review will be performed according to Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Scientific databases as well as grey literature will be used and the following keywords will be applied: bioterrorism, dental health services, dentists, dental care, emergency response.
Results: This scoping review is expected to identify and map the extent of existing evidence regarding the preparedness of dental professionals to respond to bioterrorism events. Anticipated findings include significant gaps in knowledge, limited integration of bioterrorism-related content in dental education, and uneven preparedness across countries and professional backgrounds. The review will likely highlight that while most dentists express willingness to assist in emergency responses, they often lack the specific competencies and formal training required. Additionally, it is expected to identify effective educational strategies and models—such as simulation-based training, online learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration—that may enhance preparedness. The synthesized evidence will inform recommendations for curriculum development, continuing
professional education, and policy-making aimed at strengthening bioterrorism readiness within dental healthcare systems.
Conclusions: This scoping review will enhance our understanding concerning dental practice and bioterrorism in a forensic context. According to the available data, it will help implement guidelines for dental preparedness. This protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework.
Mapping the importance of pink teeth in forensic medicine for determining cause of death: protocol of a scoping review
Publication . Lopes Cardoso, Inês; Sá, Mariana; Chiadmi, Yasmine; Moreira, Teresa; Guimarães, Maria Inês
Postmortem pink teeth have been described in forensic casework for more than a century and are frequently reported in association with deaths involving drowning, asphyxiation, trauma, or electrocution. Despite recurrent mention in forensic literature, the underlying mechanisms, prevalence, and diagnostic value of this phenomenon remain unclear and inconsistently interpreted. The aim of this scoping review is to map the existing evidence on postmortem pink teeth and to explore their potential relevance in determining the cause of death in forensic medicine. Specifically, this review seeks to identify how the phenomenon has been reported, which pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed, and which contextual or en-vironmental factors may influence its occurrence. Particular attention will be given to the challenges of differentiating postmortem pink teeth from antemortem dental discolora-tions, such as those resulting from trauma or congenital conditions. This protocol was developed in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) meth-odology for scoping reviews and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search strategy was predefined and applied across multiple databases. The study selection pro-cess was conducted at the protocol stage, and the results of identification, screening, and eligibility assessment are documented using a PRISMA-ScR flow diagram. A total of twelve studies met the predefined inclusion criteria and were identified as eligible for in-clusion in the final scoping review. Data extraction and synthesis will be performed following protocol publication, using a standardized JBI-based data extraction tool. The extracted data will be presented in narrative and tabular formats, enabling a structured mapping of the current evidence base, identification of knowledge gaps, and clarification of the potential forensic significance of postmortem pink teeth.
Perception of Portuguese and Brazilian dentists regarding the importance of teeth and dental materials after exposure to high temperatures: forensics perspective
Publication . Ramos, Beatriz; Abreu, Isabel; Moreira, Teresa; Silveira, Augusta; Lopes Cardoso, Inês; Guimarães, Maria Inês; Mele, Federica; Santoro, Valeria
Background: The main objective of this study was to carry out an online questionnaire in order to assess dentists’ knowledge and perception of dental materials submitted to high temperatures, helping to clarify and raise awareness of possible gaps in the area of forensic dentistry, especially in human identification. Results: Out of a total of 272 respondents, there was a greater influx of responses from countries such as Portugal and Brazil, the majority being female (66.3%), with an average age of 39 years. Most dentists consider complete clinical records to be extremely important. In addition, professionals with less experience provide fewer models in releasing their clinical records. In the case of dental materials, dentists consider composite resin and glass ionomers to be more susceptible to changes in shape and colour, while amalgam is considered the most stable, followed by ceramic and metal-ceramic crowns. On the other hand, dentin is considered more susceptible to colour changes than enamel. Enamel is seen by most professionals as resistant, undergoing few changes in shape at high temperatures. Conclusions: The opinion of the surveyed dentists on this subject is broadly in line with the existing literature. The only observed differences were related to exposure time and enamel resistance, since they assume that enamel is more resistant, and dentin is more vulnerable.
Bioactive compounds from marine macroalgae in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases
Publication . C. Leal, M. Fernanda; Duarte, Rúben Jorge Guedes; Lopes Cardoso, Inês; Catarino, Rita; Pimenta, Adriana; Souto, Renata
To date, neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, have no cure. The identification of natural compounds that can be used to treat and prevent neurodegeneration is of growing scientific interest. Marine macroalgae are associated with added value in the areas of therapeutics, food, and industry, and are unexplored sources of bioactive compounds including phlorotannins, terpenes, pigments, phytosterols, and polysaccharides, with beneficial properties for human health. Their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-amyloidogenic properties increasingly reinforce their great neuroprotective potential, acting to protect against oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, which are related to the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. Few compounds from marine macroalgae have been studied in clinical trials to date. However, the recent approval in China by the National Medical Products Administration of a marine macroalgae oligosaccharide, sodium oligomannate, for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease has paved the way for the discovery of drugs with potential for the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases based on marine macroalgae. This manuscript reviews the mechanisms of neurodegeneration characteristic of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and the bioactive compounds of marine macroalgae that exhibit neuroprotective effects, as well as their application in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.