Dental Health Care Research Articles

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.

A life cycle analysis of the environmental impact of procurement, waste and water in the dental practice

Background Health care is a significant contributor to climate change. Global pressure for a change towards a more sustainable way of providing dental health care has resulted in the creation of the Green Impact Toolkit, which is comprised of a list of suggested changes that dental practices can make to become more sustainable in a number of categories, such as procurement, waste and water.Aims To compare the effectiveness of changes suggested by the Green Impact Toolkit.Materials and methods A comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted using the Ecoinvent database v3.8 and these data were processed using OpenLCA v1.10.3 software.Results The carbon footprint per patient was significantly reduced after the recommendations were implemented. For instance, using water from a rainwater collection tank instead of the mains supply saved 30 g CO2eq (carbon dioxide equivalents) per patient, a 90% reduction in carbon footprint.Discussion This comparative LCA identified some effective changes which can be easily made by a dental practice. Nevertheless, some actions require some initial financial investment and may be difficult to implement in a busy modern dental practice setting.Conclusion The findings from this study can be used to guide dental practices to making choices which are more sustainable and eco-friendly in the future.

A brief exploration of artificial intelligence in dental healthcare: a narrative review

Artificial intelligence is a computer system which can replicate human behavior and largely supports human actions and interpretation, but not replace human responses. Over the past few decades, the field of artificial intelligence (AI) has experienced phenomenal development and expansion. We are surrounded by several instances of AI. AI has applications in different branches of Dentistry. A total of 59 papers from an electronic search using Google Scholar and PubMed were used to create this narrative review. Artificial intelligence can be utilised for diagnosis, decision-making, treatment planning, early detection and prevention of oral disease, and finally result prediction by utilising cutting-edge technology in imaging. It shows how dentists can use it as a useful tool at various phases of clinical cases. The future of AI in dentistry appears to be outstanding with advancements in full artificial intelligence technology, dental assistance, and dental instructional tools. In order to help dental professionals better grasp AI as a tool to assist their work with enhanced efficiency, investigations need to be done to uncover patterns and foresee future related to oral health concerns. This review article attempts to highlight these points and lays an emphasis on how AI is driving dentistry in the present and will improve dental care in the future.

PENCEGAHAN KARIES GIGI MELALUI SIKAT GIGI PADA PPA IQ-641 AGAPE SIKUMANA KOTA KUPANG

Promotive and preventive actions in maintaining dental and oral health start from an early age. The indicator for maintaining dental and oral health is the time to brush your teeth because brushing your teeth is the main primary preventive measure. The effectiveness of brushing your teeth not only depends on the shape and method of brushing your teeth, but also depends on the frequency and duration of brushing your teeth. The aim of this community service is to provide information in the form of counseling on how to brush teeth properly and correctly to each individual so that they can maintain the health of their teeth and mouth and provide early preventive measures against caries in PPA IO-641 Agape Sikumana children through toothbrushing. The method used is in the form of counseling using a dental panthom model and practicing how to brush teeth properly and correctly, as well as supervision so that children can understand and get used to brushing their teeth correctly. The success of implementing this activity is marked by the child's ability to brush their teeth independently in the correct way so that tooth decay can be prevented. Result: counseling on how to brush teeth properly and correctly using a direct demonstration method using a dental panthom model to teach PPA children how to brush teeth correctly. This shows that it is important to provide dental health information in PPA so that children can understand the technique and how to brush their teeth properly and correctly. Conclusion: children aged 6-8 years have received promotive efforts in the form of education on how to brush their teeth properly and correctly as well as received preventive efforts in the form of brushing their teeth. Suggestion: It is hoped that PPA IO-641 Agape Sikumana can collaborate in dental health care services with the Dental Health Department to obtain routine promotive and preventive efforts so that newly erupted young permanent teeth are protected from caries

The Evolution of Digital Dentistry: A Comprehensive Review.

Digital dentistry has revolutionized the traditional practice of dentistry, offering new tools and technologies that enhance diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. This comprehensive review explores the evolution of digital dentistry, its role in modern dental practice, and the advantages, limitations, and future prospects. By examining the current state of digital dentistry, this review aims to provide insights into its transformative impact on dental healthcare.

306 Intraoral Spectroscopy for the Identification and Study of Molar Hypomineralization

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Molar hypomineralization (MH) is a highly prevalent dental disease that leads to rapid enamel decay even with preventative measures. While the harm is apparent, the etiology of the condition is not. Further, MH is difficult to study due to limited intact extracted teeth. Therefore, we need a method to study MH non-destructively and intraorally. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Recent work has shown excess proteins not commonly found in enamel are present in teeth with MH. This is theorized to be due to disruption and infiltration in the cells that form enamel leading to leftover protein and under mineralized enamel. We hypothesizethese proteins have specific spectroscopic signatures that can be detected using light. We further hypothesize that modern fiber optic probes can provide a method for non-destructive, pain-free, and rapid intraoral examination of MH. Initially, Micro Raman spectroscopy was used to detect specific vibrational bands associated with organics in teeth with MH followed by the collection of spectra of teeth with MH and heathy enamel using a spectrophotometer. These spectra were examined for any obvious differences. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Currently 12 teeth were collected, and micro-computed tomography reconstructions confirmed location in 3D of MH lesions. Micro Raman of a MH-affected tooth revealed clear organic associated Amide I and III vibrational bands when compared to a synthetic hydroxyapatite (mineral in enamel) powder standard. We determined the wavelength of light that can be used to detect spectral differences between healthy enamel and teeth with MH. The next steps include optimization of the protocol of the intraoral spectrometer with the determined wavelength for implementation in clinic to allow for collection of spectra without the need for tooth extraction. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: We hope that this work will lead to advancements in our understanding of the mechanism of MH as well as act as a proof of concept for a MH diagnostic tool. In the long term, the goal is to ideally lead to improvements in dental health care, decrease dental costs, and improve overall quality of life for the children with this condition.

Being a specialist is one thing, getting a job is another

Our editor explores the enduring need for specialist dental healthcare workers and how specialists will play a key role in reducing waiting times for patients seeking dental care.

The Efficacy of an Extraoral Suction Apparatus on Reduction of Splatter Contamination during Impacted Lower Third Molar Surgical Procedure: An Observational Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the delivery of dental care globally. Air contamination during aerosol and splatter-generating procedures is of great concern to dental healthcare provider during these times. Extra oral suction (EOS) apparatus has been shown to be effective in preventing infection by control of aerosol. But very limited data is available regarding the efficacy of the apparatus in preventing splatter contamination. To assess the efficacy of EOS apparatus in reducing frequency and mean intensity of splatter contamination at clinician, assistant, patient sites during lower third molar surgical procedures. Patients who required surgical removal of an impacted lower third molar were divided into two groups (EOS and non-EOS) with 20 patients each. Universal indicating paper (UIP) was placed in specific locations on the surgeon, patient, and assistant. Colour changes after the settling of splatter on the UIP were analyzed to calculate the percentage intensity of splatter contamination. The use of an EOS device has shown an overall reduction in the total number of contaminated sites, with a difference of 6.36%. Surgeon, patient, and assistant sites showed reductions of 6.25, 10%, and 1.66%, respectively. The apparatus has showed statistically significant reduction of splatter frequency and intensity at the patient's chest and left shoulder regions respectively, during surgical removal of the impacted 48. The magnitude of splatter contamination during minor dentoalveolar surgical procedures is inevitable. Therefore, to achieve a better working environment, usage of an EOS apparatus is advocated.

Collaborative Tooth Motion Diffusion Model in Digital Orthodontics

Tooth motion generation is an essential task in digital orthodontic treatment for precise and quick dental healthcare, which aims to generate the whole intermediate tooth motion process given the initial pathological and target ideal tooth alignments. Most prior works for multi-agent motion planning problems usually result in complex solutions. Moreover, the occlusal relationship between upper and lower teeth is often overlooked. In this paper, we propose a collaborative tooth motion diffusion model. The critical insight is to remodel the problem as a diffusion process. In this sense, we model the whole tooth motion distribution with a diffusion model and transform the planning problem into a sampling process from this distribution. We design a tooth latent representation to provide accurate conditional guides consisting of two key components: the tooth frame represents the position and posture, and the tooth latent shape code represents the geometric morphology. Subsequently, we present a collaborative diffusion model to learn the multi-tooth motion distribution based on inter-tooth and occlusal constraints, which are implemented by graph structure and new loss functions, respectively. Extensive qualitative and quantitative experiments demonstrate the superiority of our framework in the application of orthodontics compared with state-of-the-art methods.

SIDALUT Prototype Application for Patient Dental and Oral Health Care

Background Dental and oral therapists are required to carry out dental and oral health care services. The results of the researcher's observations showed that there were still obstacles in the health service to implement a good care process. Problems include not understanding or forgetting how to write a diagnosis statement according to the concept of dental hygienist darby & walsh, not having a dental hygienist darby & walsh textbook as a guideline, and it is impractical to use the textbook because of the thick pages of the book and in a foreign language. Therefore, a more effective and efficient tool is needed as a reference / guideline by students and TGM at the health center, one of which is in the form of a web application prototype. in this study the researcher intends to develop a dental and oral health care application which is the main task of dental and oral therapists. The initial focus of the case is for pediatric patient services at the health center. The purpose of this study is to determine the prototype form of a web-based oral health care application as a guideline for pediatric patient services at the health center. This type of research method is research and development (R & D). Initial research was carried out with descriptive qualitative. The stages of the activity are preparing the material database, making web-based applications with the help of the IT team, then reviewing the material by experts. The results of the research Prototype of oral health care applications can be accessed online based on a website both through laptops, PC, tablets and handphone. The application contains patient data menu features, assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation, and documentation (printing). Expert review shows the majority of answers strongly agree and agree to 9 indicators of material suitability Conclusion A prototype of oral health care application for pediatric cases at the health center has been created under the name SIDALUT (oral health care documentation system).

Hepatitis B and C infections among Japanese dental health workers: Insights from vaccination rates and screening results in the Oita prefecture.

This study examined the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection rates and vaccination rates for hepatitis B (HB) among dental healthcare workers (DHCWs) in the Oita prefecture, Japan. Hepatitis virus testing was conducted on 1920 participants (486 dentists and 1434 dental staff). Anonymous data on age, gender, occupation, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV), history of HB vaccination, and antiviral treatment for individuals with positive anti-HCV were collected. The positivity rates for HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV were 0.5%, 39.7%, and 0.6%, respectively. Dentists had significantly higher rates of anti-HBs positivity (53.9% vs. 34.9%; p < .0001) and anti-HCV positivity (1.4% vs. 0.3%; p = .0080) compared to dental staff. The vaccination and non-vaccination rates among 1395 with a known HB vaccination history were 59.1% and 40.9%, respectively. Dentists had a significantly higher HB vaccine vaccination rate than the dental staff (73.6% vs. 54.0%; p < .0001). Those in the vaccination group were younger (p < .0001), had a higher proportion of males (p = .0022) and dentists (p < .0001), a lower HBsAg positivity rate (p < .0097), and a higher anti-HBs positivity rate (p < .0001) compared to those in the non-vaccination group. The positivity rate of HBsAg and anti-HBs in the unvaccinated group increased with age, with HBsAg positivity reaching 3.8% in the 70s and anti-HBs positivity reaching 40.4% in the 70s and 66.7% in the 80s. This study highlights the need to raise awareness about hepatitis prevention vaccination, particularly among dental staff, due to differences in HB vaccination rates across occupations. In particular, they indicated that elderly DHCWs may be more vulnerable to HBV infection. Regular monitoring of the vaccination rate and infection risk is crucial.

Patients’ Perceptions of Sound and Noise Dimensions in the Dental Clinic Soundscape

In the area of dental healthcare services, where patients and professionals deal with multiple auditory stimuli, this cross-sectional study reports on the various dynamics of sound preferences, noise obstacles, and the profound impact of music on anxiety reduction within dental office settings. The sample comprises 134 dental patients, primarily females (56.7%), with varying age groups, education levels, and therapy durations in the university clinics of the Department of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and four private dental offices at the metropolitan area of Athens, Greece. Notably, 92.5% of the participants reported no hearing loss, and 56.7% exhibited some level of noise sensitivity. This study reveals a moderate to good perceived health status (M = 3.84, SD = 0.95) among participants, with low perceived noise disturbance in university dental clinics. Preferences for instrumental music, foreign pop, and classical music are prominent during waiting times. Potential irritations include impersonal treatment (44%) and staff behavior (41.8%). Correlations and predictors indicate associations between age, gender, educational status, music preferences, and noise disturbances. Findings aim to optimize eco-soundscapes in dental offices, contributing to enhanced patient well-being. The research underscores the potential of music interventions to alleviate dental anxiety and improve the overall dental experience and quality care.

Investigation of Dental and Oral Health in Children and Adolescents with Special Support Needs from a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Perspective.

The current literature lacks scientific research on child and adolescent psychiatrists' (CAPPS) perspectives on dental and oral health. This study aims to investigate the opinions and approaches of child and adolescent psychiatrists and their patients regarding oral and dental health. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among members of the Professional Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy in Germany. Out of the association members, 10.9% (n = 109) participated, with 5.2% (n = 52; 38f/14m) completing the questionnaire. Dental and oral health topics were discussed with one-fifth of the patients (19.2%), while 11.5% reported that they were "never" a part of their therapy. Patient-related concerns about dental and oral health were primarily brought into the context of child and adolescent psychiatric work. Dental treatment anxieties were prominent. Only 3.8% of the participants regularly assigned diagnoses related to dental status. The CAPPS employ a bio-psycho-social model for the genesis of oral health-related conditions in Children and Adolescents with Special Needs. CAPPS have a foundation in relationship-based work for assessing oral and dental healthcare and providing recommendations for further dental care. Regional networking and science must be further developed.

Edukasi dan Pemeriksaan Kesehatan Gigi dan Mulut Di Sekolah Menengah Pertama Negeri 30 Makassar

The dental and oral health care program takes the form of dental health care carried out directly and in a planned manner by Indonesian Dental and Oral Therapists (TGMI) either individually or in groups. This community service activity was carried out with the aim of empowering female students to increase their knowledge and skills regarding the correct way to brush their teeth using a tongue scraper. The method of this PkM (Community Service) activity is Education and Dental and Oral Health Examination for students at Makassar 30 State Junior High School and distributing questionnaires to students. As a result of the activity evaluation, there has been an increase in students' knowledge and skills after education and demonstrations regarding how to maintain dental health by brushing their teeth and using a tongue scraper correctly. Students who have good knowledge about how to maintain dental and oral health have increased and the number of students who are able to brush their teeth properly has increased and students are able to use a tongue scraper correctly too. Therefore, extension activities need to be held periodically to get optimal results.

Oral health with focus on dental fear and dental caries in Swedish preschool child populations attending public dental health care: Trends over 30 years.

To study changes in oral health with focus on reported dental fear prevalence and interrelationships between dental fear and prevalence of dental caries and performed restorative dental treatment in preschool child populations attending regular public dental health care between 1983 and 2013. Every 10 years, random samples of about 100 children aged 3 and 5 years, respectively, took part in cross-sectional studies based on oral examination and a questionnaire. One question, put to the child and answered by the parent, mirrored dental fear: "What do you feel at the prospect of an appointment with a dentist?". Agreement to at least one of three alternatives, ill at ease, frightened and sick, indicated dental fear. Frightened and/or sick mirrored severe dental fear. 79%-94% of the samples answered the question and constituted the study group. Prevalence of caries and number of filled tooth surfaces were recorded. Dental parameters were presented in mean values. During the 30 years, dental fear prevalence was fairly constant. 21% of 3-year-olds and 15% of 5-year-olds reported dental fear in 2013. Positive relationships between dental fear prevalence and caries prevalence and number of filled tooth surfaces were found. Dental caries was reduced during the study time, but to a lesser degree in children with dental fear compared to children without dental fear. Although children were offered public dental health care, the prevalence of dental fear remained high. Children with dental fear are caries risk individuals.

Pediatricians’ Awareness and Knowledge of Young Children’s Oral Health: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Most childhood oral diseases can be prevented, and the indispensable role of pediatricians in childcare uniquely positions them to champion standard oral and dental healthcare for children. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of pediatricians regarding early childhood caries (ECC), oral health, and the treatment needs of their young patients. Subject &amp; Methods: A total of 449 pediatricians were randomly shared in an online self-reported cross-sectional survey which covered personal details, their approach to pediatric dentistry, and their knowledge of oral health. Results: Importantly, 67.9% of surveyed pediatricians recognized the significance of pediatric dentistry, and 88.9% reported conducting regular oral examinations. However, only 22.3% demonstrated familiarity with ECC, and a mere 5.6% acknowledged the cariogenic nature of medicated syrups. All pediatricians who participated in this study did not advise bottle feeding, nearly 91.75% of the pediatricians could relate the importance of breastfeeding and oral health, 60.1% of pediatricians reported that health education should be given to mothers about nursing caries starting early in life. Conclusion: The study highlights a notable deficiency in the surveyed pediatricians' knowledge concerning ECC, oral health, and the dental treatment needs of children. The identified knowledge gaps emphasize the imperative for pediatricians to enhance their understanding by staying current with recent recommendations. Continuous education initiatives, workshops, or other professional development avenues are essential for pediatricians to address these deficiencies effectively, enabling them to contribute significantly to the standardization of oral and dental healthcare for children and ultimately promoting improved overall health outcomes.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Among Non-institutionalized Elderly in Malaysia: A Teaching Hospital-Based Survey.

Background In Malaysia, the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) has been recognized as a vital instrument for evaluating oral health-related quality of life among the elderly population. Its integration into the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) in 2018 demonstrates the country's dedication to understandingand addressing the unique oral health challenges faced by older individuals. The NHMS, led by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, serves as a crucial platform for identifying and addressing healthcare needs, while also working towards achieving sustainable development goals. This study aimed to provide valuable information for stakeholders and researchers by investigating the relationship between quality of life related to oral health and demographic factors, with the ultimate goal of enhancing oral healthcare for older individuals. Objective The objective of this research was to identify the variables that impact the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of non-institutionalized elderly individuals who visit the Klinik Pergigian Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM). By utilizing the OHRQoL, dental practitioners can gain insight into the elderly's oral health-related quality of life, which is crucial information for dental healthcare providers to effectively reach out to and cater to the elderly at the institution. Methodology A cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing a non-probability sampling method to select eligible elderly individuals at the clinic. A validated questionnaire comprising 18 items covering sociodemographic details and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) was distributed to individuals above 60 years via printed forms. One way ANOVA, unpaired t-test and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to analyze the data. Results The overall mean GOHAI score among non-institutionalized elderly attending Klinik Pergigian MUCM was 48.38±9.33, indicating poor OHRQoL. The psychosocial impact domain had a mean score of 19.33±5.21, surpassing the pain and discomfort domain with a score of 10.73±2.82, highlighting the significant impact of psychosocial factors on poor oral health-related quality of life. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed no significantassociations between OHRQoL and factors such asethnicity, living arrangements apart from spouse and family, or tertiary education among older individuals after adjusting for confounding variables. Conclusions This study indicates that sociodemographic aspects have minimal impact on the OHRQoLof seniors. Further examination is needed to understand the economic aspects of tooth replacement options and preventive measures in this age group. To enhance the OHRQoLof older adults, especially those not living infacilities like nursing homes or assisted living centers,tailored oral healthcare plans and strategies arecrucial. Interdisciplinary collaboration among mental health professionals, geriatric experts, and oral healthcare providers is crucial for empowering both healthcare practitioners and seniors to maintain optimal oral health.

Oral Health Status and Factors Related to Oral Health in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Matched Case-Control Observational Study.

Background: Schizophrenia (SCZ) patients have disproportionately poor oral health outcomes owing to a multidimensional set of factors, such as pathophysiology of the disease, drug-related adverse effects and lower utilization rate of dental healthcare services. The aim of the present observational study was to compare the indicators of dental and periodontal health in patients with SCZ to those of nonaffected healthy controls; furthermore, the influence of various anamnestic factors and lifestyle habits on oral health status were also assessed. Methods: A total of 50 SCZ patients-in remission-receiving treatment at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Szeged, were compared with 50 age- and gender-matched healthy controls attending the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Szeged. Participants' dental (decayed, missing and filled surfaces [DMF-S] and decayed, missing and filled teeth [DMF-T]) and periodontal (plaque index [%], bleeding on probing [BOP%], pocket depth [PD] and attachment loss [AL]) status was measured according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Results: In total, 74.0%, 80.0% and 78.0% of SCZ patients received second-generation antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and mood stabilizers, respectively. Patients with SCZ had significantly higher DMFs (81.30 ± 40.16 vs. 61.64 ± 40.56; p = 0.010), D (8.18 ± 7.73 vs. 4.18 ± 4.22; p < 0.001) and DMF-T (18.20 ± 8.36 vs. 14.42 ± 8.21; p = 0.024) scores but significantly lower F (1.84 ± 0.29 vs. 4.62 ± 3.98; p < 0.001) scores compared to the controls; male subjects had significantly lower DMFs (74.52 ± 39.72 vs. 90.67 ± 39.1; p = 0.020) and DMF-T (16.52 ± 8.12 vs. 20.52 ± 8.32; p = 0.031) scores. Additionally, SCZ patients had significantly higher plaque indices (56.96 ± 23.19 vs. 27.44 ± 17.53; p < 0.001), BOP% (58.96 ± 22.89 vs. 23.56 ± 17.53; p < 0.001), PD (2.84 ± 0.67 vs. 2.19 ± 0.49; p = 0.024) and AL (3.39 ± 1.72 vs. 2.49 ± 0.76; p < 0.001) values compared to controls. Smoking > 10 cigarettes/day was associated with worse dental and periodontal indices, while consuming ≥ 4 units/week of alcohol was associated with worse periodontal indices, respectively (p < 0.05 in all cases). In contrast, coffee consumption rates and vitamin supplementation status had no significant effect on oral health status indicators. Conclusions: Our study highlights the overall poor oral health status of individuals affected by SCZ and the need for targeted preventive interventions.

Behaviour Management of Children in a Dental Clinic

The dental healthcare team treats a child in a pediatric clinic using a child management approach that is both effective and efficient. Managing children in a pediatric clinic requires a delicate balancing act between the child, the parent, and the dentist. It takes effective communication abilities to give dental treatment to youngsters. In addition to the well-known personality trait of anxiety, additional factors have also been discovered to contribute to the persistence of behavioral issues during dental procedures. It is often acknowledged that behavior management plays a crucial role in providing dental care for kids. It is undoubtedly difficult to deny a child the necessary dental care if their behavior in the office or dental clinic cannot be controlled.

Promoting Dental Health Through Teledentistry: Assessing Awareness and Attitudes in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Teledentistry has emerged as a promising solution to enhance dental healthcare accessibility and quality. Understanding public awareness and attitudes towardteledentistry is crucial for its successful implementation, especially in regions like Saudi Arabia where digital health initiatives are rapidly expanding. This study aims to assess the level of awareness, attitudes, and perceptions towardteledentistry among the Saudi Arabian population, as well as examine the demographic factors influencing its acceptance. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 474 participants, employing a structured questionnaire to collect data on demographics, awareness, knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward teledentistry. Statistical analyses, including correlation and chi-square tests, were performed to analyze the data. Results The majority of respondents (64%) reported awareness of teledentistry, primarily through the Internet (44.5%) and healthcare providers (36.3%). The average self-assessed knowledge score was 3.04 out of 5, indicating moderate familiarity with teledentistry concepts. Attitudes towardteledentistry were generally positive, with 54% expressing belief in its effectiveness. However, a significant portion of the sample showed reluctance towardusing teledentistry for routine dental check-ups, with only 45.1% showing willingness. High technological accessibility was reported, yet 55.9% of participants preferred traditional in-person consultations. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive relationship between knowledge and belief in effectiveness (r = 0.21), but a negligible correlation with willingness to use teledentistry (r = 0.016). A strong positive correlation was found between belief in effectiveness and willingness for routine check-ups (r = 0.673). Educational level significantly influenced teledentistry acceptance, with higher education correlating with greater receptiveness. Conclusion While there is a moderate level of awareness and a generally positive attitude towardteledentistry among the Saudi population, hesitance remains regarding its use for routine care. The findings highlight the need for educational initiatives to improve knowledge and perceptions of teledentistry, potentially enhancing its acceptance and integration into the healthcare system.