Comprehensive Oral Health Care Research Articles

Advances in the Study of the Relationship Between Orthodontics and Periodontitis

This comprehensive study employed a multifaceted research methodology encompassing a systematic review of existing literature, clinical case analyses, and a series of controlled clinical trials to explore the complex relationship between orthodontic treatments and periodontal health. The study focused on evaluating the biomechanical impacts of orthodontic procedures on the periodontium, including risks such as gum recession and bone loss, particularly in patients with varying periodontal biotypes and pre-existing periodontal conditions. The research methodology involved detailed assessments of periodontal health pre- and post-orthodontic intervention, monitoring changes in gingival and bone structures using advanced imaging techniques, and recording patient-reported outcomes regarding oral health quality. The findings of this study revealed a significant correlation between orthodontic force application and changes in periodontal tissue health, highlighting the necessity of personalized treatment planning that incorporates the patient's periodontal status. Preventive measures, including the use of controlled orthodontic forces, meticulous monitoring of tooth movement, and enhanced oral hygiene practices, were shown to be effective in minimizing periodontal complications. This study contributes significantly to the dental field by providing a deeper understanding of the orthodontic-periodontal relationship and offers practical guidelines for dental professionals in managing orthodontic treatments for patients with periodontal considerations. The study's findings underscore the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in dental care, advocating for closer collaboration between orthodontists and periodontists to optimize treatment outcomes and ensure comprehensive oral health care.

Assessment of Oral Health Behavior, Knowledge and Practice among Medical and Dental Undergraduates of Peshawar Medical and Dental College

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Oral health is integral to overall well-being, and understanding the behavior, knowledge, and practices of medical and dental undergraduates regarding oral health is crucial in healthcare education.</p>
 <p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the behavior, knowledge, and practice of medical and dental students in relation to oral health.</p>
 <p><strong>Methodology</strong>:  This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design to assess oral health behavior, knowledge, and practice among medical and dental undergraduates at Peshawar Medical and Dental College. Data collection involved distributing a three-part questionnaire to 385 participants on-site, ensuring convenience and consistency. Participants were required to provide voluntary consent, and statistical analysis using SPSS version 25 generated descriptive statistics to summarize responses, including frequencies, percentages.</p>
 <p><strong>Results: </strong>In our study 49.6% (n=191) believed in brushing after meals, 41.3% (n= 159) associated excess food consumption with dental caries, and 62.6% (n= 241) recognized bleeding gums as a sign of inflammation. Additionally, 55.6% (n= 214) thought regular brushing prevents all dental problems. Notably, 91.9% (n= 354) acknowledged sugar's role in tooth decay, while 88.1% (n= 339) linked dental plaque with caries. Most participants (87.8%, n= 338) believed fluorides strengthen teeth, and 89.6% (n= 345) recognized a link between overall body health and oral health. Majority (51.9%, n= 200) brushed teeth twice daily, with popular additional methods being mouthwash (31.4%, n= 121) and Miswak (30.4%, n= 117). Additionally, 50.9% (n= 196) adhered to the recommended 2-minute brushing duration. Dietary habits varied, with 44.7% (n= 172) consuming sweets 2-4 times daily, and soft drink consumption being prevalent once a week (51.2%, n= 197). Smoking prevalence was low, with 8.1% (n= 31) admitting to smoking.</p>
 <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong>The study reveals both strengths and areas for improvement in oral health behaviors among medical and dental undergraduates. While many students adhere to recommended brushing practices, there's a need to enhance education on oral hygiene, brushing duration, and dietary habits. Tailored interventions are essential to promote healthier behaviors among future healthcare professionals, ensuring their preparedness to deliver comprehensive oral healthcare.</p>

Evaluation of the Impact of Oral Health on the Daily Activities of Users of the National Health System.

the integration of dentistry services in the Unified Health System in Brazil (SUS) is essential in primary care assistance. we aimed to develop a tool for improving demand flowby evaluating the impact of oral health on the daily activities of users of the Family Health Unitusing the Oral Impacts of Daily Performance (OIDP)tool. In Barretos, Brazil, a cross-sectional study was conducted at a Family Health Unit (FHU)including patients over 12 years old. Oral health impact was assessed using the Oral Impacts of Daily Performance (OIDP) tool, and family risk was measured with the Coelho-Savassi scale. 430 participants, including 411 adults and 19 young people, were recruited. Of the adults, 31% had an average OIDP score of 16.61. For young people, 53% reported an impact (average OIDP score: 28.61). Family risk (R1) was prevalent in 57.9% of young people and 53.3% of adults. Among adults, different activities were affected by risk: smiling without embarrassment (risk level 2), enjoying contact with people (risk level 3), and performing one's job or social role (risk level 1). Emotional state (R3) had the lowest OIDP score (p = 0.029). implementation of the OIDP scale in clinical practice enhances healthcare planning and ensures better-quality and equitable services, thus emphasizing comprehensive oral healthcare within the SUS.

COMMON ORAL HEALTH ISSUES AMONG ELDERLY PATIENTS ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN WESTERN TAMIL NADU, INDIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objectives: Oral health is a pivotal and underestimated domain, especially among the various facets of our health. From the wear and tear accumulated over decades of use to the interplay of chronic health conditions and medications, the elderly population faces a distinct set of oral health concerns that demand careful attention and proactive management. Understanding the complex relationship between oral health and aging is essential, not only for promoting healthy smiles but also for safeguarding the overall well-being and quality of life of older adults. To address this concern, we conducted a study to identify the common oral health problems for the elderly attending a tertiary care hospital in Western Tamil Nadu, India. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done among 384 elderly adults and senior citizens who attended the Dentistry Outpatient Department (OPD) of a tertiary care center in Coimbatore, Western Tamil Nadu, India. A structured questionnaire was used to collect disease information and demographic data. Results: When assessed for common oral health conditions, 61.4% had periodontal diseases, 65% had dental caries, 13.8% had oral mucosal lesions, 55.5% had sensitive teeth, 13.3% had dry mouth, and 48.6% had edentulism. Conclusion: The data presented in the present study explains the significance of various dental conditions among the study population. It reinforces the imperative of providing comprehensive oral healthcare and prioritizing preventive measures. Taking proactive steps to address these dental concerns, including scheduling regular dental check-ups, instilling proper oral hygiene practices, and intervening early when necessary is paramount in fostering ideal oral health and overall well-being among older adults.

Hazards Associated With Nanotechnology in Clinical Dentistry.

Nanotechnology has transformed the field of dentistry with immense potential to provide comprehensive oral health care using nanomaterials, advanced clinical tools, and devices. New materials with superior properties can be developed using nanotechnology by making use of their atomic or molecular properties. Although there are numerous ways in which nanomaterials impact our health, the primary causeis that they comprise chemicals that may have an inadvertent reaction in the body. Moreover, they are used on a daily basis, increasing human contact with them. It is observed to be smaller in size than the physiological barrier in our bodies, making it much simpler for them to pass through and enter the body and they are being used more frequently. It is observed to be smaller in size than the physiological barrier in our bodies, making it much simpler for them to pass through and enter the body and being used more frequently. Although there are numerous ways in which nanomaterials impact our health, the primary causeis they comprise chemicals that may have an inadvertent reaction in the body. The review discusses various types of toxicity, including the cytotoxicity of composites, carbon nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (SNPs), and quantum dots. It also covers genotoxicity, the effect of nanoparticles on salivary secretion, oral and gastrointestinal mucosa passage of nanoparticles, the tooth surface microenvironment, and interactions with engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). It is concluded that there is scarce information regarding the presence of chemicals that are released from nanoparticles used in dental materials. Nanotechnology is at an infant stage, although it has progressed by leaps and bounds, hailing a new age that provides better treatment modalities in various branches of dentistry. Although the development and application of nanodentistry are of considerable interest, knowledge regarding the possible toxicity of such materials must be meticulously evaluated, and potential benefits must be weighed against the risks to identify potential gaps in the safety assessment. Further research is needed on workplace exposure to nanoparticles in dentistry.

Advancing dentistry: fractal assessment of bone health in pediatric patients with celiac disease using dental images.

To assess the effects of a gluten-free diet on bone structure in children with celiac disease using fractal analysis on panoramic radiographs. A total of 49 patients with celiac disease aged 6-13 years, separated into 2 groups as previously and newly diagnosed, and a control group of 32 healthy individuals were evaluated. In previously and newly diagnosed patients with celiac disease, body mass index (BMI) Z-scores were calculated, calcium, alkaline phosphatase, vitamin D3, and parathormone levels were measured and bone mineral density (BMD) Z-scores obtained from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. In all patients, the fractal dimensions (FD) of the right and left temporomandibular condyles were evaluated with the fractal analysis method on panoramic radiographs. The mean values of serum biomarker levels and the BMI and BMD Z-scores for both celiac groups were within the normal reference range. No statistically significant difference was determined between right and left condyle FD values in the 3 groups examined. In terms of both right and left condyle FD values, there was a statistically significant difference between groups. The highest FD values were determined in the previously diagnosed group. Differences in FD values were observed among patients with celiac disease following the gluten-free diet. Utilizing fractal analysis on panoramic radiographs can prove valuable for dentists in evaluating BMD due to its cost-effectiveness, easy accessibility, and reduced radiation exposure for patients, enabling them to provide comprehensive oral health care and potential early interventions for patients with celiac disease.

Integration of Oral Health Screening, Intervention, and Referral Into the Pediatric Well-Child Visit

Parents of children usually understand the importance of getting primary care pediatric well-child checkups during certain stages of childhood, yet few know the importance of early routine dental visits to proactively incorporate good oral hygiene and relate the connection of oral care to overall systemic physical health. The purpose was to determine the impact of integrating oral health screening, intervention, and referral into the pediatric well-child visit. Children (aged 0-18 years) received oral health screening, oral photographs, fluoride varnish, oral health education, and referral during well-child visits. Forty-two percent of our population had never had a dental examination. Fifty-eight percent had no established dental home, and 73% drank sugar-sweetened beverages weekly. The overall impact of this model was providing comprehensive oral health care to children who have never been to the dentist and providing a smooth transition between medical and dental, increasing access to care.

Nanohydroxyapatite in dentistry: A comprehensive review

Enamel, being the hardest and the highest mineralized tissue of the human body, contains nearly 96% inorganic components and 4% organic compounds and water. Dentin contains 65% inorganic components and 35% organicand water content. The translucency and white appearance of enamel are attributed to Hydroxyapatite (HA), which constitutes the major part of the inorganic component of dental hard tissue. With the advent of nanotechnology, the application of Nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) has piqued interest in dentistry due to its excellent mechanical, physical, and chemical properties. Compared to HA, nHA is found to have superior properties such as increased solubility, high surface energy and better biocompatibility. This is due to the morphological and structural similarity of nanosized hydroxyapatite particles to tooth hydroxyapatite crystals. These nanoparticles have been incorporated into various dental formulations for different applications to ensure comprehensive oral healthcare. To prevent dental caries, several nHA based dentifrices, mouth rinsing solutions and remineralizing pastes have been developed. nHA-based materials, such as nanocomposites, nano impression materials, and nanoceramics, have proven to be very effective in restoring tooth deformities (decay, fracture, and tooth loss). The nHA coating on the surface of the dental implant helps it bind to the bone by forming a biomimetic coating. A recent innovative strategy involves using nHA to reduce dentinal hypersensitivity and to reconstruct periodontal bone defects. The purpose of the present review is to discuss the different applications of nHA in dentistry, especially in preventive and restorative dentistry, dental implantology, bleaching and dentine hypersensitivity management.

Oral healthcare provision at long-term care facilities in eThekwini: Perspectives of coordinators.

The prevalence and impact of oral disease among long-term institutionalised residents highlight the need for a scale-up of preventive and promotional oral health services that include oral health education and training for caregiving staff. However, opportunities to improve oral healthcare services are met with challenges. This study was undertaken to establish coordinator perspectives on oral health provision. Seven long-term care facilities in the eThekwini district, South Africa. An in-depth exploratory study was conducted with 14 purposively selected coordinators (managers and nurses). Semi-structured interviews were conducted and focused on coordinators' experience and perspectives on oral healthcare. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The following themes emerged from the study: A lack of comprehensive oral health care practices, inadequate support from the dental sector, insufficient oral health prioritisation, limited funding for oral health, and challenges associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). All respondents reported that no oral health initiatives existed. Plans for oral health training workshops presented with coordination and funding challenges. Oral health screening initiatives have ceased since COVID-19. The study findings indicated that prioritisation of oral health services was inadequate. There is a need for continual oral health in-service training for caregivers and support from coordinators in guiding the implementation of oral health training programmes.Contribution: It is envisaged that the findings of this study will bring about greater coordinator involvement and collaboration with the public and private dental sectors to improve oral healthcare at long-term care facilities.

ISP good clinical practice recommendations for gum care.

Oral health is vital for the general well-being, overall body health and the quality of life throughout our lifetime. Most of the oral diseases and conditions are largely related to the maintenance of oral hygiene, lacking that people suffer from diverse oral diseases at different times in their life. With greater life expectancy, the individuals have teeth involved with periodontal diseases that would not only require professional care but also home gum care for them to last a lifetime. Indian Society of Periodontology (ISP) has recognized the need for systematic documents to update everyday clinical practice of general dental practitioners and have provided evidence-based consensus documents, namely good clinical practice recommendations from time to time to raise the oral health-related awareness and standards of oral healthcare delivery across the country. The current set of clinical practice recommendations focused to "Gum Care for All", is aimed at emphasizing and enhancing the awareness regarding oral health promotion, maintenance, and disease prevention. Twenty-five subject matter experts from across the nation, prepared these recommendations after a thorough literature review and group discussions. The document has been prepared in three distinct sections, namely pretherapeutic, therapeutic, and post therapeutic, to provide guidance during the respective phases of patient management and may serve as a quick and concise reference to the readers. The guidelines shall provide the distinct definitions, signs and symptoms, treatment required; recall visit specifications for plausible clinical case situations, home care advice regarding maintenance of oral hygiene including information on brushing technique, care and change of brush, use of interdental aids, and mouthwashes, etc. The document should advocate and guide the combined efforts of general dentists, and the population at large toward an empowered, evidence based, integrated, and comprehensive oral health care, which shall enhance the healthful functioning and longevity of the dentition and general health of the individual.

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN DENTISTRY - SOON TO BE CALLED NANODONTICS

No field is untouched by nanotechnology, like wise it has also restructured the field of medicine as well as the dentistry. Nano dentistry as an advanced clinical tool with the help of nanomaterials and nano devices will be able to provide comprehensive oral health care. Some of them are Inducing anaesthesia, Hypersensitivity cure, Tooth repair, Nanorobotic dentifrice, Orthodontic nanorobots, Diagnosis of oral cancer, Treatment of oral cancer etc. with ongoing developments in this branch, will offer more sophisticated methods for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, so that a new era in dentistry is in near future. This review is focused on the recent developments, various approaches. particularly of nanoparticles, materials and its applications in the fi eld of dentistry.

Parents' oral health promotion efforts for their children with Down syndrome and the children's oral health.

The study evaluated parents' oral health care experiences and practices for their children with Down syndrome and its effect on the child's teeth and gingiva's condition METHOD: 75 parents of children with Down syndrome between 0 and 16 years of age responded to 18-item bilingual questionnaire concerning their child's oral health status RESULT: Most parents rated their child's teeth and gingiva health as good. There is no correlation found between experience score and practice score (r=-0.057), and no correlation between practice score on the child's both teeth (r=-0.001) and gingiva's condition (r=0.031). The parental oral health care experience and practices for their children with Down syndrome are deemed sufficient. However, a tailor-made comprehensive oral health care for them is very advisable, thus eradicating the barriers and challenges.

The changing perception of pediatric dental practice post-COVID: The new normal

The outbreak of coronavirus has wreaked havoc as it has become a global emergency. It has affected the entire world population as well as the economy due to its uncontrolled spread. Amidst all sectors which are heavily affected, the health-care unit is exposed to the highest risk as they are on the frontline of combating the novel virus. This risk is far more elevated for dentists due to their work being confined to the oral cavity through which maximum transmission has occurred. Pediatric dentists faced a formidable challenge as the children are mostly asymptomatic carriers of the novel virus. Recently, various protective guidelines have been recommended by various health-care associations such as World Health Organization, American Dental Association, and Center for Disease Control and Prevention around the globe. However, due to the boisterous expansion of this virus, the various spheres such as markets, government and private offices, transport, and dental practice have now started to function with proper guidelines and safety measures. Thus, the most afflicted dental practice is also back to serve the masses for comprehensive oral health care. Along with emergency procedures undertaken ensuring strict regulations of protection, dentistry is now emerging to service with the new normal post-COVID era to take up all essential procedures. Thereupon, this article will shed some light on the post-COVID new normal era of pediatric dentistry.

Ethical considerations when informing patients about suboptimal treatment completed by another dentist

Q: As an experienced general dentist with more than 30 years in practice, one of the most difficult ethical issues I have been concerned with lately is when I evaluate a new patient for either comprehensive oral health care or a second opinion, and I discover multiple examples of recently rendered treatment that are not acceptable and will need to be replaced. The process of informing the patient about the inadequate treatment is difficult. This dilemma becomes even more complicated when the colleague who placed the restorations is an experienced oral health care provider whom the patient trusted and had built a good relationship with over many years.

Autism: Where the Little Things are Never Little

The aim of this write up is to furnish nearly all elemental aspects on varied behavioral patterns along withdifferent management strategies which may lead to an improvement in treatment planning and managementby the dental practitioners, and comprehensive oral health care of the children suffering from Autism. Alongwith it, this article focuses on raising concerns among primary health care providers and parents of thosechildren regarding there un-mate dental needs.

Earlier the Better: Interceptive Orthodontics to Correct Various Forms of Malocclusion in a Nine-year-old Boy

Guidance of eruption and development of the primary, mixed, and permanent dentitions is an integral component of comprehensive oral healthcare for all pediatric dental patients; which should contribute to the development of a permanent dentition that is stable, and functionally and esthetically acceptable. In this case note, we present a case in which various forms of interceptive treatment modalities like; extraction of impacted and erupted supernumerary teeth, correction of anterior crossbite and irregularities using Z-springs and Hawley’s labial bow, and provision of lingual holding arch space maintainer were done to correct malocclusion in a nine-year-old patient. Arch alignment was achieved within seven month of starting of treatment, which was acceptable to the patient.

Evidence-based dental management in the new era of sickle cell disease: A scoping review

BackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD) is an emerging global health issue with rapid progress in therapy especially since 2017. However, systematic reviews found no clinical trials on dental treatment of SCD. Types of Studies ReviewedUsing a scoping review approach, the authors examined citations from 13 national SCD guidelines and 10 books spanning 4 decades. The authors also searched the following databases: PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, ScienceDirect, Scientific Electronic Library Online, and GoogleScholar. Eligibility criteria included SCD, oral health care and dental treatment, related to oral and systemic health, original data, or observations. ResultsSystemic treatment of SCD might have opposing effects on caries, perhaps explaining the conflicting results published. Malocclusion correlates with marrow expansion. Other unusual orofacial findings reflect ischemia. Of 86 full-text articles examined, only 1, a Brazilian esthetic dentistry study, was a randomized clinical trial. No disease-specific data were found on risk of developing bacterial endocarditis, safety of inhaled nitrous oxide, safety of epinephrine with local anesthetic, or the benefit of comprehensive oral health care. Practical ImplicationsIn SCD, oral health and systemic health could be strongly linked. Penicillin, vaccines, and hydroxyurea might impact caries and bone. The interaction of SCD treatments and oral health merit study.

Asynchronous pediatric caregiver simulation in a virtual setting during the COVID pandemic.

Patient simulation has been used widely in health professions education.1-3 The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) Adams School of Dentistry has embraced patient simulations as a core component of student assessment. Students complete in-person interviews with standardized patient (SP) actors to practice interviewing skills and develop deeper diagnostic reasoning and critical thinking. Simulation exercises are treated as real-life events subject to professional codes of conduct and confidentiality regulations.4 Each SP encounter is video-recorded for student assessment and debriefing, and the videos are stored on university-approved digital storage platforms. In the spring semester of 2020, patient simulations were integrated into a pediatric dentistry course for second-year dental students. The pandemic prevented students from completing their final in-person simulation. As part of a larger evaluation of patient simulation in dental education, the UNC-CH Institutional Review Board deemed this nonhuman subjects research (IRB #20-0292). The original objective of the final encounter was to assess the student's ability to deliver oral health counseling and pediatric dental treatment plans. As an alternative to the in-person encounter, the SP encounter occurred virtually. Using secure Zoom, the course director video-recorded a simulated caregiver interview with the SP training specialist at the UNC-CH School of Medicine's Clinical Skills and Patient Simulation Center. Students responded to SP questions and delivered a prioritized list of treatment options. They had 24 hours to prepare and submit a 5–10-minute video for grading. The Clinical Skills and Patient Simulation Center provided a communication rubric template to the course director. Departmental faculty added checklists for the clinical interview, and Likert items for oral health counseling and pediatric treatment planning. Calibration occurred during weekly faculty meetings. Following the pandemic modification, the final rubric omitted all checklists, and included only 12 Likert items using a 4-point scale, with 1 = “poor” and 4 = “outstanding” (Figure 1). Originally, departmental faculty were scheduled to grade the in-person simulations remotely via video simulcast (Figure 2). Following the pandemic modification, the same faculty had 1 week to complete grading. A critical component of SP encounters is student debriefing and reflection.4 Better guidance from faculty would have standardized student attire and professionalism for their recordings. Students expressed enthusiasm for the future potential of asynchronous teledentistry; however, some were uncertain about the widespread applicability in comprehensive oral health care. Peer-to-peer reflection helped students understand alternative perspectives and integrate key concepts. As a quality improvement exercise, the consent process for recording SP encounters was revisited. Students signed a generic electronic media policy that included recording for educational purposes, which was assumed to cover SP encounters. Following the course modification, students will sign course-specific consents for recording these encounters moving forward. The main takeaway from the faculty was the general success of this modification to patient simulation in terms of providing students an opportunity to demonstrate their grasp of oral health counseling and pediatric dental treatment planning prior to entering clinic. By applying lessons learned, asynchronous teledentistry simulation may become a regular part of the student curriculum.

Longitudinal analysis of cost and dental utilization patterns for older adults in outpatient and long-term care settings in Minnesota.

BackgroundDental utilization patterns and costs of providing comprehensive oral healthcare for older adults in different settings have not been examined.MethodsRetrospective longitudinal cohort data from Apple Tree Dental (ATD) were analyzed (N = 1,159 total; 503 outpatients, 656 long-term care residents) to describe oral health status at presentation, service utilization patterns, and care costs. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) repeated measures analysis identified significant contributors to service cost over the three-year study period.ResultsCohort mean age was 74 years (range = 55–104); the outpatient (OP) group was younger compared to the long-term care (LTC) group. Half (56%) had Medicaid, 22% had other insurance, and 22% self-paid. Most (72%) had functional dentitions (20+ teeth), 15% had impaired dentitions (9–19 teeth), 6% had severe tooth loss (1–8 teeth), and 7% were edentulous (OP = 2%, LTC = 11%). More in the OP group had functional dentition (83% vs. 63% LTC). The number of appointments declined from 5.0 in Year 1 (OP = 5.7, LTC = 4.4) to 3.3 in Year 3 (OP = 3.6, LTC = 3.0). The average cost to provide dental services was $1,375/year for three years (OP = $1,427, LTC = $1,336), and costs declined each year, from an average of $1,959 (OP = $2,068, LTC = $1,876) in Year 1 to $1,016 (OP = $989, LTC = $1,037) by Year 3. Those with functional dentition at presentation were significantly less costly than those with 1–19 teeth, while edentulous patients demonstrated the lowest cost and utilization. Year in treatment, insurance type, dentition type, and problem-focused first exam were significantly associated with year-over-year cost change in both OP and LTC patients.ConclusionCosts for providing comprehensive dental care in OP and LTC settings were similar, modest, and declined over time. Dentate patients with functional dentition and edentulous patients were less costly to treat. LTC patients had lower utilization than OP patients. Care patterns shifted over time to increased preventive care and decreased restorative care visits.

Longitudinal Follow-up Survey of Effects of Oral Comprehensive Healthcare Measures on Early Childhood Caries.

To assess the effect of oral comprehensive healthcare on the prevalence of early childhood caries in urban areas of China. A total of 398 children aged 4-5 years from six different kindergartens in Qingdao were recruited to participate in a 1-year single-blind randomised controlled clinical trial. They were randomly assigned into either an experimental group (187 children) or a control group (211 children). The experimental group received comprehensive oral healthcare including oral health examinations, oral health education for children and their guardians, and local fluoride application and dental treatment, whereas children in the control group only received oral health examinations twice a year. The children's parents finished a comprehensive oral health questionnaire before and after the experiment. After a year, the oral health status of two groups of children was statistically analysed to determine the effect of oral comprehensive healthcare on early childhood caries. After 1 year, the numbers of decayed teeth (dt), decayed tooth surfaces (ds), filled teeth (ft), and filled tooth surfaces (fs) in the experimental group were significantly lower than the control group (p <0.001). The dmft and dmfs were also significantly different between the two groups (p <0.05). Statistically significant differences were additionally shown in oral hygiene habits and eating habits of both the children and their parents in the two groups compared with 1 year before (all p <0.001). Implementation of comprehensive oral healthcare measures both prevents and reduces early childhood caries.