Dental Examination Research Articles

Can systematic dental examinations or treatments in addition to routine multidisciplinary treatment in a palliative care unit (PCU) improve the quality of life (QoL) and symptom burden (SB) of patients (Pt) receiving palliative care (PC)?

e23163 Background: Pt with advanced cancer who require PC often experience not only common symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, or nausea, but also oral health and dental problems. In many PC teams, and even in dedicated PCUs, the inclusion of dentists in the Pt care team is rare, resulting in a lack of routine dental screening or treatment. Objectives:To investigate the extent to which Pt admitted to a PCU suffer from oral health or dental problems and to explore the impact of incorporating dentists into inpatient PC, with a focus on improving QoL and reducing SB. Methods: In this monocentric study, data were collected in one PCU over a period of eight months. At admission, T0, Pt underwent both a dental examination and interviews using established questionnaires, the EORTC QLQ-C30 (core, general) and OH 15 (oral health). One week later, at T1, Pt underwent a follow-up examination and interview. The QLQ-C30 is a widely accepted instrument developed to assess health-related QoL in cancer Pt. Results: A total of n = 103 Pt (48.5% women) were enrolled. The median time since the last dental visit was 1 year. The dental status at T0 was worse (Table 1). At T1, statistically and clinically significant changes in oral QoL and SB were observed. Notable changes were observed in OH-QoL score (mean 60.60 vs. 88.40, p < 0.001), sticky saliva (mean 38.10 vs. 11.28, p < 0.001), sensitivity to food and drink (mean 35.25 vs. 8.16, p < 0.001), sore mouth (mean 23.87 vs. 4.98, p > 0.001), and poorly fitting dentures (mean 38.63 vs. 8.07, p < 0.001). Improvements in xerostomia, candidiasis and mucositis were also observed. A confidential survey was administered to both Pt and palliative care staff to assess their satisfaction with the addition of systematic dental care to routine multidisciplinary PC. 97% of respondents indicated a high level of satisfaction with this treatment program. Conclusions: The study underscores the powerful contribution of integrating a dentist into the PC, e.g. in a PCU, resulting in a notable reduction in oral symptom burden. This contributes to improved care status, alleviation of distressing symptoms and ultimately an improvement in QoL. The results strongly support the consideration of dental support (e.g. routine dental screening) as an integral part of PC. [Table: see text]

CLINICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE APPLICATION INNOVATIVE THERAPEUTIC AND PROPHYLACTIC TOOTHPASTE IN THE COMPLEX TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH MAJOR DENTAL DISEASES

The social and economic development of a society is largely determined by the level of health of its young population. The objective of this study was to increase the effectiveness of preventive and comprehensive treatment of young patients with major dental diseases using an innovative therapeutic and preventive toothpaste based on organic gel. A group of 32 volunteers participated in the study. All patients underwent a complex dental examination that included basic and additional methods (determination of indices of caries intensity, indicators of oral hygiene (simple hygiene index OHI-S, Silnes-Low index), evaluation of periodontal tissue status (papillary-limbal alveolar abscess index PMA, gingival bleeding in inflammatory periodontal disease index BI Müllmann), evaluation of pain (hypersensitivity) to stimuli using a visual analog scale (VAS), measurement of the electrical conductivity of tooth enamel using the Dentest electrodiagnostic device (ZAO Geosoftident), clinical evaluation of enamel remineralization rate, spectrophotometer "VITA (Easy Shade) (VITA) to evaluate tooth discoloration, oral fluid immunoassay, and cytomorphometric studies of the buccal epithelium. The results of the clinical trials showed that the therapeutic and prophylactic toothpaste has excellent consumer characteristics, has no allergic or local irritant effects on the oral mucosa, improves the natural protection of the oral cavity, effectively cleans up to 100% of the oral cavity, provides anti-inflammatory effects, eliminates gum swelling and bleeding from the first use, reduces tooth sensitivity, reduces tooth enamel structure, and was shown to have no toxic effect on the cells of the buccal epithelium. The results of the clinical trial suggest that the innovative therapeutic and prophylactic dentifrice can be recommended for daily use in a wide range of individuals, as well as in patients with low tooth enamel resistance, various periodontal diseases, and oral mucosa.

Prevalence and risk indicators of early childhood caries among toddlers in Caloocan City, Philippines: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundLimited published data exist on early childhood caries (ECC) among children 2 years old and below. The study aimed to determine ECC prevalence and its association with socio-demographic indicators, feeding practices and oral health behaviours among children aged 2 years and below in the Philippines.MethodsA cross-sectional study observed young children aged 4–24 months in primary health centers. Each child’s caregiver was interviewed and dental examinations were done on every child by one calibrated dentist using the ICDAS. Poisson regression using robust variance estimator analysis identified significant variables associated with ECC.ResultsSeven hundred three healthy children were observed at a mean age of 13.3 ± 2.4 months. ECC prevalence was 29.2% (95% confidence interval: 26.0–32.7) among toddlers who showed a mean number of 6.7 ± 3.1 erupted teeth. Multiple regression revealed that child’s age (prevalence ratio, PR = 1.07), caregiver’s educational level (PR = 1.43), continued breastfeeding (PR = 1.36), frequent eating (PR = 1.24), visible plaque observed by the caregiver (PR = 1.34) and in the oral examination (PR = 2.90) were significant to ECC prevalence.ConclusionsECC is alarmingly prevalent in toddlers, marked by early onset and untreated decay. Prioritizing preventive measures in the first two years of life is crucial for understanding dietary impacts and promoting oral hygiene.

Frenectomy management for Ankyloglossia in a 1-Year-old patient under general anesthesia: A case report

Introduction: Ankyloglossia is defined as a congenital disorder that alters tongue mobility and function. It is listed as one of the possible reasons behind breastfeeding issues. The WHO currently recommends mothers to breastfeed exclusively up to 6 months of age, emphasizing the importance of promptly identifying any breastfeeding obstacles and determining the root cause of the problems as the primary focus. The purpose of writing this article is to describe a frenectomy as a surgical procedure that addresses ankyloglossia by excising the lingual frenulum with general anesthesia. Case History: A 1-year-old male patient presented at Dr. Saiful Anwar Regional General Hospital with complaints of difficulty in breastfeeding and consuming complementary foods, as well as prolonged pain experienced by the mother during breastfeeding. The patient had no history of systemic diseases such as heart disease or blood disorders, and there were no known allergies to food or medications. The patient was uncooperative (Frankl scale number 1). After analyzing the ankyloglossia, the choice of frenectomy with general anesthesia was chosen to treat this case. Discussion: Dental examinations and treatments for uncooperative 1-year-old children can be challenging in regular dental offices. Effective behavioral management, such as general anesthesia (GA), is required for safe and efficient treatment. GA involves a multidisciplinary team to oversee the procedure stages, allowing for one-visit treatment, reduced anxiety, and a safer, less painful dental experience. Conclusion: Frenectomy procedure under GA has been performed as an option to facilitate restorative therapy, improve nutritional intake, and quality of life.

Atlas of Dental Near-Infrared Transillumination Images.

Technological improvements have introduced significant innovations in dentistry and broadened the array of tools and techniques in dental care. One technological development that has been widely researched over the past 20 years is the use of Near-Infrared Transillumination (NIRT) imaging for the diagnosis of dental caries. This paper aims to introduce a comprehensive collection of NIRT images, intended as a reference tool for routine dental examinations, dental research, pedagogical activities, and forensic odontology. The collection presents pairwise clinical and NIRT images categorized as follows: (a) healthy teeth, (b) carious teeth, (c) restored teeth, (d) enamel defects, and (e) diverse findings. This atlas could be a valuable tool for the dental community as it is designed as an identification guide of NIRT illustrated dental features.

Association of Oral Health and Periodontal Disease with Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: The association of orodental and cardiovascular health has been an area of extensive research for many years. As per American Heart Association hypertension 2017 guidelines, good periodontal health is associated with better systolic blood pressure control. However, there have been conflicting results for hypertension and dental correlation in a few other studies. Moreover, there are no recognized oral manifestations, seen in patients with hypertension. Indian data on this subject are scarce. Therefore, the present study was contemplated to determine the frequency and nature of oral manifestations in hypertensive patients as compared to normotensive patients. Materials and Methods: In this observational cross-sectional study, participants were divided into two groups. Group A included 40 hypertensive subjects and group B included 40 healthy normotensive volunteers. Oral symptoms such as dry mouth, altered taste sensation, mouth odor, and bleeding from gums were noted. An oral examination was performed to check periodontal pockets, lichenoid reactions, and gingival hyperplasia. Russell’s Periodontal Index was used to estimate gingival and periodontal health. Results: The mean age of patients in the hypertensive group was higher than normotensive groups (53.8 ± 11 vs. 42.45 ± 12, P = 0.001). Oral symptoms in the form of dry mouth, halitosis, and altered taste were reported in 60%, 52.5%, and 42.5% of hypertensive patients which were significantly higher as compared to the control group. Bleeding gums, lichenoid reactions, and gingival enlargement were also significantly higher in hypertensive than normotensive groups. The mean value of Russell’s index was 1.09 ± 0.41 in group A which was significantly different from group B (0.05 ± 0.10). Gingival hyperplasia and gum bleeding were predominantly found in patients on calcium channel blockers, whereas lichenoid reactions were significantly present in patients on angiotensin receptor blockers. Hyposalivation was reported with all four classes of antihypertensive drugs, predominantly diuretics. Conclusion: The orodental involvement in hypertensive subjects has a wide spectrum from mildly symptomatic halitosis and dryness of mouth to severe bleeding gums, lichenoid lesions, irreversible bone loss, and periodontitis that may require dental visits and interventions. The documented mucosal changes can also be attributed to antihypertensive drugs. Regular dental examinations should be made part of routine screening programs of hypertensive patients to protect them from various oral complications and subsequent inflammation-mediated changes in vasculature endothelium.

INDEX ASSESSMENT OF PERIODONTAL TISSUES AND DETERMINATION OF TREATMENT NEEDS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE

This study addresses the pressing scientific and practical issue in modern dentistry: enhancing dental care effectiveness for patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease. The purpose of this research is to comprehensively assess the condition of tooth-supporting tissues and quantify inflammatory phenomena in periodontal tissues among patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease, as well as to determine the necessary extent of periodontal care based on periodontal indices. Participants and methods. The periodontal tissues of 719 patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease from the Rheumatology Department of Lviv Regional Clinical Hospital, along with 290 clinically healthy individuals in the comparison group, were examined. To evaluate the clinical course of dystrophic-inflammatory periodontal diseases in patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease, we examined 267 individuals in the main group who had generalized periodontitis, categorized as follows: 42 patients with initial stage (I degree), 115 with moderate (II degree), and 110 with severe (III degree) periodontitis. The comparison group comprised 70 patients diagnosed with generalized periodontitis, among them, 21 had initial-stage disease, 29 had moderate-stage disease, and 20 had severe-stage disease. During the analysis, the oral hygiene was assessed by applying hygienic indices by J.C. Green and J.R. Vermillion (OHI-S, 1964) and Fedorov-Volodkina. The Muhlemann and Son index was used to objectively measure gingival papillary bleeding (RVI); the papillary-marginal-alveolar index (PMA) in the Parma modification, in combination with the Schiller-Pysarev test (1989), was employed to evaluate gingival inflammation. The periodontal index (PI) by A.L. Russel (1956) was used to assess the state of periodontal tissues, and pathological changes were recorded using the periodontal screening PSR test. Results were scored, and based on established criteria and scores, the need for treatment and its extent were determined. Results and discussion. According to the results of dental examinations in patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease, a high prevalence of periodontal diseases was found, reaching 92.49%. This was 13.18% higher compared to the prevalence in the control group. Dystrophic-inflammatory conditions with advanced severity levels were predominant, as evidenced by the index indicators. In chronic rheumatic heart disease patients, the average periodontal index was 6.11±0.10, compared to 4.14±0.19 in clinically healthy individuals (p < 0.05). Moreover, a higher lesion of periodontal tissues was observed in younger age groups. As the duration of rheumatic disease increased, the frequency of detecting generalized periodontitis also increased, with this condition being diagnosed in all subjects with a 10-year history of rheumatic disease. Conclusion. The Analysis of the research data on the condition of periodontal tissues, along with objective index assessments, reveals the following: periodontal diseases are more prevalent in individuals with chronic rheumatic heart disease, particularly affecting younger age groups. The severity and progression of these diseases are influenced by the course of the underlying condition. This underscores the presence of pathogenetic conditions that contribute to the rapid progression of the dystrophic-inflammatory process in periodontal tissues. It also emphasizes the importance of providing specialized periodontal care to patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease, with the level of care directly linked to the course and duration of the systemic disease.

Neurotrophins and vascular endothelial growth factor in oral fluid of elderly patients: diagnostic value for chronic periodontitis and oral lichen planus

Objective. To evaluate the vascular endothelial growth factor A and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the oral fluid of mature and elderly patients with chronic periodontitis and oral lichen planus. Materials and methods. The study involved 56 participants. The control group consisted of healthy volunteers aged 18–44 (n=10). The comparison group included relatively healthy elderly people aged 60–74 (n=12). The distinguished groups of patients with age-associated dental diseases included: moderate chronic periodontitis mature patients of 45–59 years (n=10) and elderly patients (n=14), as well as elderly patients with oral lichen planus (n=10). The patients underwent dental examination. The content of neurotrophins and vascular endothelial growth factor A in saliva (BDNF/ NGF beta/ VEGF-A Human ProcartaPlex Simplex Kit, Invitrogen, USA) was determined by the multiparametric fluorescence analysis with magnetic microspheres (xMAP, Luminex 200, USA) in compliance with the manufacturer protocol. Results. The groups reveal no differences in the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor beta. The elderly patients with oral lichen planus were found to obtain the highest angiogenesis factor, which diagnostic value was assessed by ROC-analysis. The test appears moderately accurate (AUC=0.875). Conclusion. Vascular endothelial growth factor A can be considered for laboratory monitoring of elderly patients with oral lichen planus.

Association Between Oral Malodor and Dementia: An 11-Year Follow-Up Study inJapan.

As infrequent social interaction is a potential risk of dementia, oral malodor may increase the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. This study investigated the association between malodor and dementia. We used the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study data obtained at Yokote City. A total of 1,493 individuals aged 56 to 75 years underwent a dental examination and self-reported survey from May 2005 to January 2006. Follow-up for the onset of dementia was conducted using long-term care insurance data from 2006 to 2016. Hazard ratios of oral malodor on dementia were estimated by the Cox proportional hazards model. The inverse probability-weighted Cox model was used as a sensitivity analysis. The study comprised 1493 participants (53.6% women) with a mean age of 65.6 (SD = 5.8) years old; at the end of the follow-up, 6.4% (n = 96) developed dementia, and the percentage was 20.7 in severe malodor group. Throughout 15274.133 person-years of follow-up, the average incidence rate for the onset of dementia per 1000 person-years was 6.29. The highest incidence rate was seen in participants with severe malodor (22.4 per 1000 person-years). After adjusting for confounders, compared to those with no malodor, there was a 3.8 (95% confidence interval: 1.5 to 9.4) times greater hazard of developing dementia in participants with severe malodor. The inverse probability weighted Cox model confirmed the same trend with an adjusted marginal hazard ratio of 4.4 (1.2 to 16.4). A significant association between oral malodor and the onset of dementia exists.

Traumatic dental injuries among children attending the public after-hours emergency dental clinic in Bergen, Norway.

To investigate traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) among children who for 1 year attended a Norwegian public after-hours emergency public dental (EPD) clinic. The study included 7-18-year-olds (n = 312) who presented at the EPD clinic, underwent a clinical dental examination, and consented to the disclosure of clinical information. Recording of TDIs was restricted to anterior permanent teeth. Potential TDI predictors were also analysed. Almost half (n = 148) of the children were assessed with TDIs in permanent teeth, showing a mean age of 11.0 (standard deviation [SD]: 3.5) years. Males constituted 54.7%. The children experienced TDIs often outside school hours (43.9%), and the majority (58.1%) were caused by falls/accidents. Sixty of them experienced only one TDI. The most common location was the maxillary central incisors. Assessment of TDIs according to severity, could only be done in 131 individuals, involving 253 TDIs. Of these, 81.8% were mild. The odds of visiting the emergency clinic for a TDI were higher (odds ratio [OR] = 2.64, confidence interval [CI]: 1.61-4.31) among children with previous TDIs and lower (OR = 0.28, CI: 0.12-0.68) among those with poor dental attendance. Traumatic dental injuries were a common reason for seeking emergency care. Milder injuries dominated and involved mostly one maxillary central incisor. Previous episodes of TDIs and attendance patterns seemed to be associated with seeking care for TDIs.

Retrospective study of a pilot program focused on educating dental patients on human papillomavirus and vaccination in a hospital setting.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an epidemic currently affecting 80 million people in the United States. The HPV virus can be passed from one person to another via sexual intercourse, oral sex, open mouth kissing and skin-to-skin contact. In some cases, the infection is not eliminated by the immune system and can cause cancer of the head and neck, cervix, anus, and genitals. There has been a rise in oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) associated with HPV, which can be missed on conventional dental screening examinations. Dentists should engage in promoting HPV vaccination as a primary measure for OPC prevention. The goal of this HPV pilot program was to educate and offer same day HPV vaccination to dental patients by using a multidisciplinary approach in a hospital setting. Patients 18 through 26 years of age who presented to the Erie County Medical Center's dental clinic were approached and educated on HPV. Eligible patients received a direct recommendation for the HPV vaccine. Those interested in same day vaccination were referred to the division of infectious diseases' YOU Center for Wellness. A retrospective chart review was completed for patients who were HPV educated from March 5, 2020, through December 15, 2021. Charts were evaluated for age, sex, race, ethnicity, reason for visit, HPV vaccine referral, and HPV vaccine administration. 326 patients were included in the chart review. The prominent sex, race, and ethnicity were male, Black or African American, and non-Hispanic origin. The median age was 23. Most patients presented to the dental clinic for an emergency visit and were not previously vaccinated against HPV. 110 patients were unvaccinated, and 44 patients were referred to the division of infectious disease for same day vaccination. Of these 44, 24 patients initiated the vaccination process. Five patients received all three doses, three patients received two doses, and 16 patients received one dose. This pilot program successfully vaccinated 24 patients with at least a single dose of the HPV vaccine. This multidisciplinary model can be implemented in other health care settings.

Assessing the Relationship Between COVID-19 and Dental Decay Risk in Youth: A Retrospective Analysis.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted public health globally, with particular attention on the effects on children, adolescents, and young adults. This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between COVID-19 and caries risk in this age group. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 120 patients between the ages of six and 25 years who received dental treatment at a university-affiliated dental clinic between January 2020 and December 2021. Demographic and medical data were collected, and dental examinations were performed to record the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) and decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (DMFS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, and multivariate regression analysis. Of the 120 patients, 40 were COVID-19-positive, and 32 of those patients were at high caries risk. Of the 80 patients who were COVID-19 negative, 48 were at high caries risk. There was a statistically significant association between COVID-19 exposure and caries risk. Participants who tested positive for COVID-19 had 1.8 times higher odds of dental caries than those who tested negative. However, no significant association was found between caries risk and age, gender, or previous dental history. The findings suggest that COVID-19 may be a risk factor for caries in children, adolescents, and young adults. Dental professionals should consider COVID-19 exposure as a potential risk factor when assessing caries risk in this age group. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanism underlying this association.

A large case-control study indicates a breed-specific predisposition to feline tooth resorption

Tooth resorption (TR) is one of the most common dental diseases of cats. It is a painful condition leading to tooth loss. The etiology of TR remains unclear, but old age, breed, other oral and dental diseases, and environmental factors are suspected predisposing factors. In our study, we used part of the data from the extensive feline health online survey of 8115 Finnish cats. As TR is difficult to detect and as the feline health survey included diagnoses defined by both veterinarians and the owners, we limited our study to a subpopulation of cats diagnosed with oral or dental disease by a veterinarian and had dental examination or surgery under sedation (n=944). We utilized case-control study analysed by multivariable logistic regression to determine the risk factors and breed variation of feline TR. The 202 cats diagnosed with TR were defined as TR cases and the remaining 742 cats as controls. The frequency of veterinarian-diagnosed TR was 3.9% in the health survey data (316/8115) and 21% in the subpopulation (202/944). The risk of TR increased with age (14.7% in youngest and 25.3% in oldest age group). Our finding that TR was significantly associated with gingivitis or periodontitis in cats that had also calculus (OR: 2.49 and 3.70, respectively) suggests that inflammatory changes caused by calculus increase the risk of TR. We found that Cornish Rex, European, and Ragdoll are at higher risk for TR (OR: 2.44, 2.98 and 2.90, respectively). Exotic-Persians breed group had lower risk (OR: 0.28). TR was not observed in Turkish van or Devon Rex. The differences between breeds highlight a genetic contribution. In addition, female cats that had food available constantly had significantly less TR than female cats that had feeding times (OR: 0.44). The underlying reasons for this remain unexplained in our study.

Comparison of dmft and behavior rating scores between children with systemic disease and healthy children at the first dental visit

PurposeTo evaluate and compare oral health and behavior scores at the first dental visit and dental treatment need using general anesthesia/sedation (GA/S) of children with systemic diseases (SD) and healthy children.MethodsData were obtained from healthy children (n = 87) and children with SD (n = 79), aged 4 to 6 years, presenting to a hospital dental clinic for a first dental examination. The total number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft), dental behavior score using Frankl Scale, and dental treatment need using GA/S were recorded. Chi-square / Fisher’s exact test and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for statistical analyses.ResultsThe patients with SD were diagnosed with cardiac disease (61%), renal disease (9%), and pediatric cancers (30%). The median dmft values of the SD group (3.00) were significantly lower than those of healthy children (5.00) (p = 0.02) and healthy children exhibited significantly more positive behavior (90.8%) than children with SD (73.4%) (p = 0.002). The number of patients needing GA/S for dental treatment did not differ significantly between the two groups (p = 0.185). There was no relationship between dental treatment need with GA/S and dental behavior scores of the patients (p = 0.05). A statistically significant relationship was found between the patients’ dmft scores and the need for dental treatment using GA/S; and the cut-off value was found to be dmft > 4 for the overall comparisons.ConclusionThe presence of chronic disease in children appeared to affect the cooperation negatively at the first dental visit compared to healthy controls, however, it did not affect the oral health negatively. Having a negative behavior score or SD did not necessitate the use of GA/S for dental treatment.

Alterations in salivary biomarkers in relation to periodontal health and obesity among Hong Kong adolescents

ObjectivesTo explore the association among salivary biomarkers, periodontal inflammation, and adiposity status in adolescents. MethodsThis study included 180 Hong Kong adolescents aged 12–15 years. Anthropometric measurements including central obesity surrogate, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and dental examinations were conducted. The participants were classified into four groups as follows: with normal WHtR and less extensive periodontal inflammation (NW+LP); with high WHtR and less extensive periodontal inflammation (HW+LP); with normal WHtR and more extensive periodontal inflammation (NW+P); and with high WHtR and more extensive periodontal inflammation (HW+P). Saliva were collected to measure salivary physicochemical parameters, total bacterial load, and levels of protein biomarkers including secretory phospholipase A2 group IIA (sPLA2-IIA) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Data were analysed by Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman correlation coefficient. ResultsSalivary IL-6 levels and sPLA2-IIA and IL-6 output differed significantly between groups (P = 0.041, 0.027, and 0.043, respectively). The NW+P group had significantly higher salivary IL-6 output than the NW+LP group (P = 0.034) and significantly lower salivary sPLA2-IIA output than the HW+LP group (P = 0.038). Salivary IL-6 levels were negatively correlated with the number of sextants with healthy gingivae and positively correlated with salivary sPLA2-IIA levels in participants with normal WHtR. Salivary sPLA2-IIA levels were negatively correlated with total salivary bacterial load in participants with high WHtR. ConclusionsSalivary IL-6 levels were associated with the extent of periodontal inflammation in participants with normal WHtR but not in those with high WHtR. Adolescents with different adiposity status may have different mechanisms of periodontal inflammation. Clinical significanceInvestigating salivary biomarkers of periodontal health holds potential benefits in identifying individuals at risk and customizing oral health promotion strategies for individuals with varying levels of adiposity, even as early as adolescence.

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.

Structural and Functional Characteristics of the Oral Cavity Organs and Tissues in Workers of the Petrochemical Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the dental status, level, and structure of dental diseases, as well as to identify some clinical and functional deviations in the organs and tissues of the oral cavity among workers in certain industrial enterprises. Methodology: A comprehensive dental examination was conducted on 1600 individuals, including 420 from the Fergana Oil Refinery Plant (FNPP - main group (MG)-1), 425 from the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Plant (AGMK - MG-2), and 605 from the Navoi Chemical Plant (NavCP - MG-3), as well as 150 patients as a control group (CG) who visited a dental clinic. Tooth sensitivity (TS), pain and discriminatory sensitivity (PS and DS) of the oral mucosa, taste perception threshold, and functional mobility of the taste receptors on the tongue, enamel resistance to caries, microhardness (MH) of enamel and dentin, and the condition of periodontal tissues and pH of mixed saliva were determined. The data obtained were processed using statistical methods. Findings: It was determined that the levels and relative weights of the main dental diseases among workers in the studied industries remain quite high; carious and non-carious lesions of the tooth hard tissues, deformation and defects of teeth and dental rows (18.5%), periodontal tissue diseases (74.7%), diseases of the oral mucosa - 38.7%; the need for prosthetics (58.4%) and other pathologies. Additionally, almost all clinical and functional indicators and local non-specific reactivity of the tissues of the oral cavity in workers were disrupted. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The presence of the main dental diseases among those surveyed from the studied groups is quite high, with noted reductions in the excitability threshold of teeth, around tooth tissues and the oral mucosa, disruption of PS and DS of the oral mucosa, as well as deterioration of the condition of tooth hard tissues. Based on the obtained results, the authors suggest continuing in-depth scientific research with the aim of developing effective methods for the diagnosis and prevention of dental diseases among workers in these industries.

Association of general anxiety and pediatric dental preventive examination utilization, National Survey of Children's Health, 2021.

Many factors influence preventive dental health service access for children. The objective of this research was to examine one factor, general anxiety, in accessing at least one preventive dental examination in the past 12 months in children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) and children without special healthcare needs (CWSHCN). National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) 2021 were obtained for this cross-sectional research. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to determine association of anxiety and past 12-month preventive dental examinations. The sample included 10493 CSHCN, and 35675 CWSHCN. Overall, 72.7% had past 12-month preventive dental examinations, and 9.9% had a healthcare provider indicate they had general anxiety. CSHCN with anxiety, CWSHCN with anxiety, and CSHCN without anxiety were more likely to have a past 12-month preventive dental examination visit than CWSHCN without anxiety (Adjusted Odds Ratios: 1.86, 1.39, 1.32, respectively). Our results suggest children with general anxiety (both CSHCN and CWSHCN) are more likely to have had at least one regular preventive dental visit within the past 12 months than CWSHCN and without general anxiety. There is a need for further understanding the relationship of general anxiety and dental health to improve the health of all children. CWSHCN without anxiety need individualized, comprehensive care with enough time, attention, instruction, and rewards to demonstrate to parents/guardians the importance of making routine preventive dental examinations a priority for their child.

A longitudinal study on the impact of breastfeeding with or without formula milk on dental caries

Concerns exist about prolonged breastfeeding increasing dental caries risk, but evidence is mixed. This 2-year cohort study followed 486 toddlers, to examine the association between breastfeeding duration and caries at age 3. Caregivers reported feeding practices and potential confounders every 6 months. “Full breastfeeding” was defined as feeding breastmilk without formula milk regardless of other foods/liquids, whereas “any breastfeeding” was feeding breastmilk with/without formula milk. A calibrated dentist performed dental examinations. We used multivariable log-binomial and negative binomial regressions to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for caries prevalence and severity, adjusted for confounders. At 3-year-old, 60.3% of children exhibited caries (mean decayed-and-filled-teeth, dft: 3.3). Notably, full breastfeeding for 6–17 months reduced caries prevalence (RR = 0.84, 95%CI 0.73–0.98 for 6–11 months; RR = 0.78, 95%CI 0.63–0.96 for 12–17 months). Conversely, any breastfeeding ≥ 18 months significantly increased caries risk (RR = 1.45, 95%CI 1.31–1.60). Full breastfeeding ≥ 6 months or any breastfeeding 6–17 months was associated with lower dft scores in children. Our findings suggest a complex relationship between breastfeeding duration and caries. Full breastfeeding for moderate durations (6–17 months) offers protective benefits, while any breastfeeding ≥ 18 months increases risk in this population.

Profile of Nagasaki Islands Study (NaIS): A Population-based Prospective Cohort Study on Multi-disease.

In an aging society, it is important to visualize the conditions of people living with diseases or disabilities, such as frailty and sarcopenia, and determine the environmental and genetic factors underlying such conditions. Atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness are key conditions between these factors and noncommunicable diseases. In 2014, we launched a population-based prospective open-cohort study, the Nagasaki Islands Study (NaIS), which was conducted in Goto City, located in the remote islands of Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, mostly involving middle-aged and older residents. We conducted our own health checkups along with the annual standardized checkups organized by the municipality; recruited study participants; and started to follow them for vital status (death), migration, and occurrence of diseases, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, fracture, and human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-associated uveitis. Our checkups were conducted as baseline surveys in different areas of Goto City during the fiscal years 2014-2016, secondary surveys during 2017-2019, and tertiary surveys since 2021, consisting of medical interviews, physical examinations, blood and urine tests, body composition measurements, osteoporosis screening, arterial stiffness measurements, carotid ultrasonography, and dental examination. A total of 4,957 residents participated in either the baseline or secondary surveys and were followed; 3,594 and 3,364 residents (aged 27-96 and 28-98 years) participated in the baseline and secondary surveys, respectively. In conclusion, the NaIS has been undertaken to reveal the influence of aging and risk factors of noncommunicable diseases and disabilities, with an aim to contribute towards better healthcare in the future.