Dental Consultation Research Articles

The effectiveness of a self-reported questionnaire on masticatory function in health examinations.

Periodontal diseases have been reported to be lifestyle-related and associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The introduction of dental checkups in a health checkup program may create a synergistic effect and aid the prevention of MetS. In Japan, a chewing function questionnaire has now been introduced into the national health checkup program. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the questionnaire reflects dental and oral conditions and whether it helps improve general and oral health. A total of 6599 subjects who underwent health checkups or guidance specified by the National Health Insurance of Japan for two consecutive years were included. A single comprehensive question to evaluate masticatory function was asked. Medical and dental examinations and insurance data were collected and used for analysis. In terms of masticatory function during chewing, 82.3% of subjects experienced no problems, 17.3% experienced some difficulty, and 0.4% experienced severe problems. There was a significant relationship between the questionnaire response and dental examinations results for several items of examination. The overall dental consultation rate after health screening was 42.3%. Improvement in periodontal disease was achieved in those who reported some problems with chewing function. Improvement in blood pressure was also observed in those who reported some problem with chewing function and subsequently had a dental consultation. The results of this study indicate that questionnaires on masticatory function reflect the status of dental and oral health. In addition, the results suggested that questionnaire results are potentially linked to improvement in dental and oral health status, and improvement in MetS.

Acceptability of teledentistry use among residents and staff in aged residential care facilities in the Otago region of New Zealand.

To assess ARC residents' and staff perceptions of the benefits of, and comfort with, teledentistry use in ARC facilities in the Otago region of NZ, and identify end-user-level factors associated with its use. Difficulty in accessing oral healthcare services is a key barrier to aged residential care (ARC) residents' oral health and well-being. Teledentistry offers a possible solution, yet studies on its acceptability in ARCs are sparse, especially in New Zealand (NZ). This study assessed ARC residents' and staff perceptions of the benefits of, and comfort with, teledentistry use in ARC facilities in the Otago region of NZ and identified end-user-level factors associated with its use. Rest home-level residents and care staff in ARC facilities in the Otago region of NZ were surveyed to assess their awareness of teledentistry, perceptions of benefit and comfort using teledentistry, and end-user-level factors associated with the feasibility of using it in ARCs. One hundred residents and 77 care staff from 14 facilities participated. Three-quarters of resident participants thought that teledentistry was beneficial. Three in five resident participants were comfortable receiving remote dental consultations and care advice through teledentistry. Acceptability, as measured by perceived benefits and comfort, was lower among older participants. Staff participants were receptive to teledentistry use for residents and were comfortable facilitating remote dental consultations and care through teledentistry. No staff participants disagreed with the potential benefits of teledentistry for ARC residents. Teledentistry would likely be acceptable to residents and staff in ARC facilities in NZ, contributing to residents' improved access to oral health care and improved oral health and well-being.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Teledentistry in Periodontal Diagnosis Among Dental Interns at a College in Sebha, Libya: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study.

Background Teledentistry, a subspecialty of telemedicine dedicated to dentistry, has shown promise in improving access to dental care, particularly in rural and isolated areas.It integrates digital and telecommunication technology with dentistry, allowing for the remote distance exchange of relevant clinical information and digital dental imaging for dental consultation and treatment planning. Periodontal disease diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and prevention of irreversible loss of periodontal structures. Early identification of periodontal disease can be pivotal in preventing periodontal tissue destruction and tooth loss and improving the overall quality of patients' lives. Sebha is a city located in the Fezzan region of southwestern Libya. It is the capital of the Sabha District and the Sabha Governorate. The city is situated in the Libyan part of the Sahara desert and is known for its strategic location as a gateway to the Sahara desert. However, there is a lack of information on the use of teledentistry in Libya in general and the use of teleperiodontics, especially in periodontal diagnosis. Hence, the aim of this questionnaire study was to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practice of teledentistry among dental interns at Sebha, Libya. Materials and methods A paper-based questionnaire consisting of 28 close‑ended Likert scale questions, including sections assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice of teledentistry and teleperiodontics, was administered to dental interns at the Faculty of Dentistry, Sebha University, Sebha, Libya. Results The study surveyed 42 dental interns of the Faculty of Sebha, Libya, in total, with an 82.35% response rate among them. The majority of participants (59.5%) felt that teledentistry is reliable in arriving at periodontal diagnosis. The majority of participants (64.3%%) also had acceptable levels of trust in teledentistry equipment. However, over 45% percent of dental practitioners voiced their worries about patient privacy. Most of the participants suggested using teledentistry in some form in their future practice. Conclusion Teledentistry and its branch teleperiodontics are recent developments and its penetration among dental healthcare workers, and their knowledge, attitude, and practice remain to be thoroughly understood. The changing trends in attitudes and practice as a consequence of changes in Internet and technological awareness and the effects of the pandemic warrant closer observation and study.

The Relationship Between Service Quality and Individual Characteristics with Patient Satisfaction of Teledentistry Service Users at RSGM Universitas Muhamadiyah Yogyakarta

Teledentistry is the use of information and communication technology in treatment, counseling, education, to improve dental and oral health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teledentistry services as a medium for dental and oral health consultation need to pay attention to the quality of service and individual characteristics which are the main determinants of health services. The purpose of the study was to identify the relationship between service quality and individual characteristics with patient satisfaction of teledentistry service users. Cross sectional type of research. The technique of taking subjects using simple random sampling. The number of respondents was 125 renpondents. The research instrument uses servqual with Likert scale and patient satisfaction instrument with Likert scale. Respondents filled in individual characteristic data consisting of age, gender, education level and occupation. Data analysis in this study used pearson correlation test and multiple linear regression test. The Pearson correlation test showed that there was a relationship between service quality (p = 0.001) and age with patient satisfaction (p = 0.001) and there was no relationship between sex (p = 0.076), education level (p = 0.542) and occupation (p = 0.363) with patient satisfaction using teledentistry services. The results of multiple linear regression tests showed a significant relationship between service quality (?= 0.126; p= 0.001) and age (?= -0.044; p=0.025) with patient satisfaction using teledentistry services at RSGM Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta. The better the quality of service, the higher the level of patient satisfaction, the younger the age, the higher the level of patient satisfaction. There is no influence of gender, education level and occupation on patient satisfaction of teledentistry service users at RSGM Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta.

Correlation of Antihypertensive Drugs Ca-Antagonist Amlodipine with Xerostomia

Xerostomia is defined as a subjective complaint of dry mouth. Interestingly, patients complaining of dry mouth often have no objective signs of decreased salivation and their symptoms vary. May be secondary to qualitative and/or quantitative factors. changes in the composition of saliva. Normal stimulated salivary flow averages 1.5-2.0 ml/min while unstimulated salivary flow is about 0, 3-0.4 ml/min. This review aimed to determine the correlation between the Ca antagonist of the antihypertensive drug (Amlodipine) and xerostomia through a literature review conducted by researchers which was used as a reference for making this literature review. Data were obtained by data collection methods related to the study being studied and analyzed descriptively. Several studies show that there are differences in prevalence between genders and xerostomia appears to increase with age. A possible explanation is that older people are at risk due to some xerogenic medications for their chronic conditions and this may cause an overall decrease in the rate of unstimulated saliva flow. Xerostomia remains a common unresolved complaint especially among the geriatric population, despite efforts for medical or dental consultation. It was concluded that Ca-Antagonist antihypertensive drugs (amlodipine) were associated with xerostomia.

Experience in implementing a corporate program for prevention of dental health among working population

Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of the corporate program for the prevention of dental health among employees of an industrial enterprise. Material and methods. The program included 2 stages: informational (round tables, brochure) and dental (dental consultation). The participants are employees of one workshop of an industrial enterprise. 150 (50% men, average age 38.5±0.8 years) took part in the information stage, 20 employees (45% men, average age 41.1±2.8 years) took part in the dental stage. The effectiveness of the program was assessed by awareness, the CFE index, and the Green — Vermillion hygiene index. Results. The awareness of employees about the causes of hypersensitivity of teeth and the rules for cleaning them increased by 1.3 times, the need to use specialized toothpastes by 2.1 times, the use of mouthwashes and a change in nutrition by 14.3 times. Awareness of doctors providing care for increased tooth abrasion has increased: dental therapists 1.3 times, orthopedic dentists 3 times, general practitioners 3.7 times and periodontists 10.4 times. The differences are significant (p=0.001-0.041). The CFE index has not changed. The Green — Vermillion index decreased from 1.9±0.2 (from a score of "unsatisfactory") to 0.5 (p<0.001), which corresponds to a good level of oral hygiene. Conclusion. The introduction of a corporate program to strengthen dental health at an industrial enterprise has led to increased awareness among employees about the causes and methods of preventing increased tooth abrasion, and improving the level of oral hygiene.

The Causes of Rejection of Medical Care Benefits for Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance, A retrospective analysis

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the reasons of the claim rejections and denials compensated by dentalrelated the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) that is operated by the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service (COMWEL).Methods: We collected 803 claims from one consultant who responded to dental-related medical inquiries commissioned by the Daegu and Gyeongbuk Workers’ COMWEL from January 2021 to May 2023. We analyzed the approval status and the reasons for non-approval, based on the reviewed response materials and dental online medical consultation data.Results: Among the initial and supplementary compensation applications, there were 79 cases with insufficient examina-tions, 72 cases with incomplete records, 19 cases with errors, 148 cases due to pre-existing conditions, and 6 cases where the applicant was ineligible for medical benefits. The reasons for re-evaluation after data supplementation included 122 cases of inadequate examinations, 76 cases of incomplete records, 24 cases with logical errors, 11 cases with insufficient photographs, and 57 cases for a combination of these reasons.Conclusions: In the context of industrial injury compensation claims, the denial of claims often arises from missing or incomplete dental records, diagnostic omissions, or logical inconsistencies between records, diagnoses, and treatment plans. Therefore, it is essential to ensure accurate medical records, appropriate examinations, and evidence-based diagnosis. Spe-cial attention should also be given to the collection of clinical data, including photographs.

Lack of assent to dental examination in children with intellectual disabilities: Dentists' practices in Europe and ethical issues.

(1) To determine the repartition of criteria which can be considered as marks of lack of assent by the child with intellectual disabilities from the dentist's point of view and whether that influences the decision to examine the patient or not. (2) To explain the decision of practitioners and determine the ethical implications of these practices. An anonymous and structured questionnaire was distributed online using the scenario of a 9-year-old child with moderate cognitive impairment with eight different oppositional behaviours. The practitioners were asked about their perception of the patient's lack of assent and about their decision to perform the dental examination or not. The proportion of them who performed a dental examination despite the patient's refusal represented between 13% and 28.8% of the population of respondents. There was an ambivalence among the practitioners who carried out a dental consultation when children were uncooperative. They adopted a teleological point of view. It calls for us to reflect on the ethical principles of autonomy and beneficence.

Prospective Evaluation of Dental Practitioners' Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Toward Adult Dental Pain Management: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study.

Background Dental pain among adults is a prevalent concern impacting oral health and quality of life. Dental pain management presents a significant challenge for dental practitioners in effectively alleviating patient discomfort. Among the medications available, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are considered the most effective analgesics in dental care. While numerous studies have been conducted to assess the role of antibiotics in dental practice, there is a scarcity of studies specifically examining the prescription patterns of analgesics. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental practitioners (DPs) in India concerning the management of adult dental pain. Method This survey utilized a computer-aided questionnaire-based approach. A total of 110 dentists, including 16 from metropolitan areas and 84 from non-metropolitan cities practicing at dental healthcare setups, clinics, and hospitals, were interviewed as part of the survey. The participants comprised dental professionals specializing in prosthodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, pedodontics, and oral medicine. The study was conducted between September 2022 and January 2023. Results The primary reason patients seek dental consultation, as reported by 95% of dentists, is tooth cavities, followed by tooth sensitivity, post-root canal treatment, and pulpitis. All surveyed dentists prescribed NSAIDs to their patients for managing dental pain. Local anesthesia (LA) was the second choice for 75% of dentists, prescribed to 23% of their patients. The primary use of NSAIDs was for patients experiencing severe pain and to manage post-procedure pain. Eighty percent of DPs recognized ketorolac as a fast-acting molecule, providing immediate relief within 10-15 minutes. Overall, analysis indicated that 98% of DPs are satisfied and 67% are extremely satisfied with ketorolac among monotherapies for dental pain management due to its quick onset of action, fast pain relief, and usefulness in post-surgical pain management. Conclusion NSAIDs like ketorolac, diclofenac, and aceclofenacwere the preferred prescriptions for overall dental pain management. Dental practitioners associated ketorolac with fast pain relief, quick onset of action, and effectiveness in post-surgical pain management, emphasizing its lasting effects. The insights from the study contribute to enhancing dental pain management strategies.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric dental procedures in primary healthcare settings in Piracicaba, Brazil: an ecological study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to dental care, which may have affected pediatric dental care offered in primary healthcare settings. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the quantity of dental procedures performed in primary healthcare for children aged 6 to 12 years, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThis is an ecological study using data from the health information system of Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. The variables considered were: coverage of first programmed dental consultation, restoration of permanent and deciduous teeth, topical fluoride application (individual per session), emergency care, and deciduous tooth extraction. Two periods were considered: period I (March 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020) and period II (April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021), before and during the pandemic, respectively. Comparisons between periods were made using the paired nonparametric Wilcoxon test with a significance level of 5%.ResultsThere was an increase in emergency care from 15.4 to 32.4% (p = 0.0095) and a decrease in the number of restorations of deciduous teeth from 32.8 to 20.2% (p = 0.0217). The first programmed consultation showed a decrease of 9.60% (p = 0.0930) in period II.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has hindered access to primary dental care for children, impacting the quantity of emergency care, reducing restorations of deciduous teeth, and first programmed dental consultations. These findings highlight the need for strategies to ensure that pediatric dental care is not neglected during pandemics.

Investigating hope in oral health promotion for adolescents: an exploratory study based on observations at the dental clinic.

Maintaining well-being is crucial, especially in challenging conditions, considering the common public health issue of dental caries. Within the context of adolescent oral health, this research explores the techniques employed by dental professionals to potentially foster hope -a positive manner that promotes well-being- in adolescents during consultations, opening a window into the realm of patient engagement and well-being. Data were collected through observations conducted at public dental clinics in Norway, with the participation of three dental professionals and four adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15 years. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Practices were observed from dental professionals in their interactions with adolescents, which align with features of hope. Three core themes were identified: (1) bonding strategies; (2) verbal and non-verbal strategies for creating positive relationships; and (3) adolescents' empowerment in dental consultations. Although a new concept within oral health promotion, it seems that dental professionals in this study were observed to be facilitating hope in adolescents when they were providing their dental care. Consideration should be given to the potential for future approaches to be developed for use in dental consultations to facilitate hope strategically. While these approaches are likely to contribute to improving patient-centredness, consideration is needed of challenges and barriers to their implementation.

Orthodontic-Surgical Correction of a Skeletal Class III Malocclusion: Case Report

Introduction: Class III malocclusions and anterior crossbites are disturbing for patients because they are very apparent and often cause aesthetic and functional damage. Description: The clinical case describes a 19-year-old patient in good general health attended the dento-facial orthopedics service at the Rabat Hospital Center for Dental Consultation and Treatment presenting an anterior crossbite. The clinical examination and the cephalometric analysis showed that the patient had a Class III malocclusion of maxillary and mandibular origin with hyperdivergent facial type. An orthodontic-surgical treatment was well indicated for correction of the skeletal discrepancy in three phases: presurgical orthodontic preparation, orthognathic surgery and orthodontic finishing. Results: In reviewing the patient’s final records, the major goals set at the beginning of treatment were successfully achieved; the facial profile and proportion were significantly improved with solid functional occlusion Conclusion: In class III malocclusion when facial aesthetics is altered, the surgical-orthodontic treatment is the most indicated for patients who do not present facial growth.

Evaluation of Prevalence and Cause of Endodontic Treatment of Permanent Molars in 10-Year-Old Children of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT The study aimed to assess the prevalence and cause of endodontic treatment in the first permanent molars of children aged ten in Saudi Arabia. Out of 824 children, 104 had dental caries, with a prevalence rate of 12.62%. The research revealed that the most involved teeth were mandibular left first molar, followed by mandibular right first molar, maxillary left first molar, and maxillary right first molar. Majority of patients had grossly decayed teeth, followed by caries, restorations, and endodontic treatment. The study emphasizes the importance of early dental consultations to reduce morbidity and financial burden on parents.

The changing profile of infective endocarditis: A multi-year retrospective study for dentists.

Infective endocarditis (IE) has high morbidity and mortality and is often attributed to dental procedures. This study characterized variables related to paediatric IE in a paediatric hospital cohort. A retrospective review of medical records, from January 1, 2008, to January 1, 2020, to examine demographic, medical and dental history, and risk factors associated with children diagnosed with IE at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Of the 242 patients who were admitted with tentative IE diagnoses, 67 met the inclusion criteria: 46 (69%) had underlying cardiac conditions and 21 (31%) had not. One-third had an infection with S. aureus and viridans streptococci. Age was significantly associated with intracardiac devices in children with IE. Mean hospitalization was 25 days, and the mortality was 6 (9%); 41(61%) required surgery for causative defects, and 24 (32%) had dental consultation during admission. Although cardiac-related conditions were present in most cases, IE occurred in patients without cardiac factors.

First dental consultation in pediatric patients. Machalilla, period September 2022 to July 2023

Dental caries is the most prevalent oral disease, and the main cause of tooth loss and its sequelae, in pediatric age. In Ecuador it is reported that 45% of children between 1 and 9 years old have cavities in untreated temporary teeth. The objective was to determine the age and reason for the first dental consultation in pediatric patients, in the parish of Machalilla, province of Manabí, Ecuador, in the period september 2022 to july 2023. A descriptive study was carried out that included all children aged 0 – 14 years who received a dental consultation for the first time in the First Level Health Center, or in extramural visits in the community. All guardians and caregivers signed the informed consent for their dental care. During the period, 54 patients were treated, 35 (64.9%) in extramural visits and 19 (35.1%) in the dental office, the majority in the age group of 1-4 years, with 26 (48.1%) children, and the main reason for consultation was for a dental examination, 39 (72.3%) children. From the clinical examination carried out, it was determined that 37 children (68.5%) had dental caries and needed conservative restorative treatments or tooth extraction. The results indicate that it is necessary to improve health education and oral disease prevention actions in the pediatric population of Machalilla, involving their guardians and caregivers from an early age

Barriers and facilitators to using an objective risk communication tool during primary care dental consultations: A Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) informed qualitative study

ObjectivesObjective risk communication tools can supplement clinical judgement and support the understanding of potential health risks. This study used the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to identify barriers and facilitators to implementing a risk communication aid within primary care dental consultations. MethodsDentists (N = 13), recruited via a dental practice database and through professional contacts were interviewed using a TDF-informed semi-structured interview schedule. Data were analysed inductively and deductively coding the themes using the TDF. ResultsEight theoretical domains (environmental context and resources; beliefs about consequences; goals; memory, attention, and decision processes; optimism; reinforcement; social influences and behavioural regulation) and thirteen sub-themes were identified. Insufficient resources and patient factors were commonly encountered barriers and led to increasing pressure to prioritise other tasks. Whilst dentists had a favourable view towards a risk communication aid and acknowledged its benefits, some were sceptical about its ability to facilitate behaviour change. Self-monitoring strategies and colleague support facilitated tool usage. ConclusionsThis study identified six barriers and seven facilitators to implementing a risk communication tool within primary care dental settings. Dentists appreciated the value of using a risk communication tool during dental consultations, although some required further support to integrate the tool into practice. Clinical significanceOur findings provide a sound theoretical base for interventions aimed at facilitating patient behaviour change through the use of risk communication in dentistry. Further research should apply behavioural science to support the implementation of the tool in clinical practice.

Epidemiological Survey on Self-Medication among Patients of the Dental Consultation and Treatment Center, Casablanca, Morocco

Epidemiological Survey on Self-Medication among Patients of the Dental Consultation and Treatment Center, Casablanca, Morocco

Light in the Horizon: A Perspective on Photodynamic Therapy

Dental treatment, in general, has been associated with fear and anxiety. The prospect of undergoing a painful experience compels many prospective patients to postpone his/her dental appointment. A previous occurrence of the distressful event has often left patients traumatized. Repeated visits for follow-up treatments also serve as a deterrent for seeking dental consultation. Alternative methods need exploration to mitigate such inconveniences. Photodynamic therapy is emerging as an extension of dental therapeutic options with the benefits of improved treatment outcomes and patient acceptability. The present narrative review explores its applications in general dentistry and highlights its potential in the periodontal discipline. Being minimally invasive, it offers promise in pain-free management of dental conditions, particularly infections. It has relevance in managing oral mucosal lesions, periodontitis, and dental caries. Current evidence suggests photodynamic therapy as an adjuvant to contemporary measures of dental rehabilitation.

Establishment of Health Cadres In The Aisyiyah Branch Karangwaru

Abstract. This service aims to improve the quality of life of the female members of Aisyiyah Karangwaru, most of whom are over 40 years old. Degenerative disease can affect a person's quality of life. The formation of health cadres in the Aisyiyah Branch is intended to prevent and early detect degenerative diseases among Aisyiyah Karangwaru members. General health and dental health consultation was carried out, as well as simple blood tests, namely blood sugar, uric acid and cholesterol, and training for the health cadres.

Evaluation of the Oral Health of Hemophiliac Patients in Cameroon

Introduction: The aim of our study was to identify oral pathologies, determine their frequencies and assess the oral care needs of hemophilia patients in Cameroon. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2021 to June 2021 in the approved Hemophilia Treatment Centres in Cameroon, one in the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital and the other one in the Gynaeco-obstetric and Paediatric Hospital of Douala. A survey form was used to collect data for the description of our sample. The patients’s files were useful for additional information. Mucosal, dental and periodontal conditions were described using the hygiene indices of Silness and Loë, DMFT and CPITN. The data were entered into the Google forms mask and analysed using SPSS 20. Results: A total of 52 hemophiliac patients were included in our study, all of them males aged between 15 months and 42 years. The mean age of our sample was 14.6 years old ± 10.7. The CAO index was 1.71. 88.46% had episodes of gingivorrhagia caused by brushing. Only 21.15% had a history of dental consultations. Only 7.69% had good hygiene. The oral pathologies encountered were gingivitis 78.85% and periodontitis 1.92%. Conclusion: In view of these results, it would be necessary to integrate regular oral care into the follow-up of haemophilia patients in order to improve their quality of life.