Oral Hygiene Research Articles

Oral hygiene status and oral care motivation in children aged 7–9 years in a Vietnam primary school: A cross-sectional study

IntroductionOral hygiene is a crucial factor in oral health, especially in children. To increase the awareness of oral care behaviour among children, oral care motivation plays a critical role in daily dental practices. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the current oral hygiene status and evaluate the association between oral care motivation and oral hygiene index in 7–9-year-old children at Primary School in Hanoi, Vietnam. MethodsClinical examinations were performed on 200 randomly selected children to assess the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S). Face-to-face interviews were applied to record students' intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for oral care through a questionnaire, which consisted of questions regarding demographic characteristics and oral care motivation. Data were analyzed using STATA 15.0 software and a p-value < 0.05 was statistically significant. ResultsThe mean OHI-S score was 2.48 ± 0.72. Good and fair oral hygiene were observed in 7.5 % and 66 % of participants, respectively. Students' motivation for dental care was predominantly extrinsic, with a mean score of 15.87 ± 1.322. Higher motivation in dental care is statistically significantly associated with oral hygiene index score (Coef=-0.27). ConclusionThese results indicate that students with intrinsic motivation exhibit better oral hygiene practices. Consequently, strengthening oral health educational programs in primary schools based on intrinsic motivation could be helped improve the oral hygiene status and oral care behaviours of children.

Dental bleaching: patient perception and satisfaction.

Teeth bleaching is a common practice performed by dental hygienists and dentists to correct aesthetic problems due to dental discoloration. Patients' opinions on this procedure may be different according to their personal experiences, expectations and individual sensitivities. The aim of this study is to assess the degree of satisfaction and related sensitivity of patients to professional and home bleaching treatment. A questionnaire consisting of 12 multiple-choice questions was submitted to 625 subjects among general population. These were related to: 1) patient's age and whether the patient is a smoker; 2) personal satisfaction; and 3) post-treatment tooth sensitivity. Descriptive analyses of all variables in the questionnaire were performed, and statistical analyses between variables were carried out by Chi-square test and Fisher's Exact test. Of the people surveyed, 66% performed home bleaching, while the remaining performed the treatment in a dental office. Thirty-three percent of patients had previously undergone teeth bleaching and the 95.7% stated that they were satisfied with the treatment. Of these, only 36.4% reported experiencing postoperative hypersensitivity. Most patients (91.3%) received professional scaling before undergoing bleaching treatment. Patient satisfaction with tooth whitening treatment can vary from patient to patient and represents a strong indicator of treatment efficacy and suitability. A proper communication, careful management and individualized patient assessment are key to maximizing satisfaction and ensuring a positive and fulfilling patient experience.

Effectiveness of a Universal Oral Hygiene Program to Promote Independence Among Inpatient Rehab Patients: A Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract Date Presented 03/21/24 This mixed-methods study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a universal oral hygiene program. It was implemented to educate and train rehab nursing staff in oral hygiene routines and to assess patients’ independence in performing meaningful occupations. Primary Author and Speaker: Manisha Sheth Additional Authors and Speakers: John Altre

Current Treatments and Future Directions for Facial Paralysis.

Facial palsy is a condition that affects the facial nerve, the seventh of the 12 cranial nerves. Its main function is to control the muscles of facial expression. This involves the ability to express emotion through controlling the position of the mouth, the eyebrow, nostrils, and eye closure. The facial nerve also plays a key role in maintaining the posture of the mouth and as such, people with facial paralysis often have problems with drooling, speech, and dental hygiene.Due to the devastating effects on the quality of life of individuals with facial palsy, there are a multitude of various treatment options for the paralyzed face. This article reviews current management strategies and points towards promising future directions for research in the field of facial reanimation.

Oral Care in Non-ventilated Hospitalized Patients

Oral Care in Non-ventilated Hospitalized Patients

Beyond Brushing: Identifying Supports &amp; Barriers to Oral Care for Children With Down Syndrome

Abstract Date Presented 03/23/24 Oral health is essential to overall health, but children with Down syndrome experience poor oral health. Findings from caregiver interviews reveal the barriers to and facilitators of oral health care for this population. Primary Author and Speaker: Sharon A. Cermak Contributing Authors: Elizabeth Isralowitz, Marinthea Richter, Leah I. Stein Duker

Evaluation of oral health in 148 patients with systemic sclerosis-data from a prospective interdisciplinary monocentric cohort.

In daily rheumatology practice, systemic sclerosis is primarily regarded as a potentially life-threatening disease characterized by fibrosis of various organs. Therefore, other manifestations, such as orofacial involvement, are often not of primary concern. Furthermore, due to its rarity, the disease might not be well known by dentists, which contrasts with the increased risk of various problems in the oral cavity. Periodontitis in particular is a known risk factor for morbidity and mortality and is associated with various systemic diseases. The risk of periodontitis appears to be increased in patients with systemic sclerosis, but little is known about the gender-specific differences. This study aims to elucidate the health-conscious behaviour of patients, their dental care and the risk of periodontitis with regard to gender-specific differences. This descriptive study of the Interdisciplinary Centre of Rheumatic Diseases (INDIRA) in collaboration with the Department of Orthodontics at the University Hospital of Tuebingen, Germany, examined the data of 148 patients with systemic sclerosis with regard to their oral health using a questionnaire and evaluating the risk of periodontitis with the DG Paro self-assessment score in this cohort. Among the participating patients, 90% reported regular visits to the dentist and good dental care. Nevertheless, more than half of the patients had missing teeth and problems opening their mouths. Sicca symptoms in the oral cavity were also common (40%). The risk of periodontitis among female participants was high (around 60%), and even higher among male study participants (around 80%). Gingival bleeding as a surrogate parameter for periodontitis was associated with salivary flow and the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS). Despite a high awareness of dental health, we observed a high risk of periodontitis, especially in male patients with systemic sclerosis. In addition, the association between xerostomia and missing teeth as well as gingival bleeding and mRSS may indicate an increased risk in patients with a more progressive disease. We would therefore recommend regular dental consultations and careful oral hygiene for patients with systemic sclerosis in addition to the-more organ-focused-regular examinations of patients.

To compare the frequency of ventilator-associated pneumonia among mechanically ventilated patients with four- hourly chlorhexidine mouthwash VS six-hourly chlorhexidine mouthwash.

Objective: To compare the frequency of ventilator-associated pneumonia among mechanically ventilated patients with four hourly chlorhexidine mouthwash VS six hourly chlorhexidine mouthwash. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Setting: Surgical Intensive Care Unit of the Department of Anesthesia, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan. Period: January 2020 to June 2020. Methods: Eighty patients admitted to ICU and mechanically ventilated for at least 48 hrs were randomly allocated, and 40 patients were treated with chlorhexidine mouthwash four-hourly per day group1, and 40 received chlorhexidine mouthwash six-hourly group2. The primary researcher followed patients for up to 7 days. Lower respiratory tract specimens were obtained on admission, and after 48 hrs of intubation, findings were entered in proforma. Results: The average age of the patients in group 1 was 37.55±10.16 years and in group 2 was a 38.65±9.25 year. There were 38(47.5%) male and 42(52.5%) female. The frequency of VAP was not significant between groups (11.25% vs 6.25%, p=.23). It was observed that the rate of VAP was not significant between groups in all age stratification. Gender stratification was performed and observed that no difference was found between groups. The frequency of VAP in females in group 1 was 7 (35%) and 4 (18.2%) in group 2, with p-value=0.21 and Chi-square=1.53. The frequency of ventilator-associated pneumonia differed between groups for males in group 1 (35%) and 1 (5.6%) in group 2, with p-value=0.61 and Chi-square=0.25. Conclusion: Our study concludes that oral hygiene care incorporating chlorhexidine mouthwash effectively reduces the development of VAP in adults in ICU. We found no difference between the efficacy of four hourly and six-hourly chlorhexidine mouth wash in VAP frequency.

Gingival health and relapse tendency: a split mouth randomized controlled trial of two positions of lower fixed retainers.

To compare between lower permanent retainers placed in the middle of the incisal third and retainers placed in the middle of lower incisors in terms of gingival condition, lower incisors stability and retainers' failure rate. This is a split-mouth clinical trial. Fifty patients finished fixed orthodontic treatment and required fixed permanent retainer in the lower arch were recruited. A multistranded (0.0215 inch) retainer, with a vertical step in the midline placing half of the retainer in the incisal third and the other half in the middle of the lower incisors was attached to all the teeth in the lower labial segment. After one year, all the subjects were recalled. The primary outcome was to evaluate the plaque index (PI) and the gingival index (GI) of the lower labial segment teeth. The secondary outcome was to assess retainers' failure rate and the relapse in lower labial segment alignment. The GI and the PI scores were significantly smaller on the side where the retainer was placed incisally (P = 0.004, P < 0.001, respectively). There was no statistical difference in the average Irregularity Index (IRI) and the retainer's failure rate between the two sides (P = 0.52, P = 0.76, respectively). Placing lower fixed retainers in the incisal third will improve the lower labial segment oral hygiene and gingival health in the lingual area without affecting the efficiency or the integrity of the retainers. This trial was not registered Null Hypothesis: Placing the lower permanent retainer in the middle of the lingual surfaces of the lower labial segment' teeth or in the incisal third will not affect the gingival health of the lower incisors.

Clinical efficacy of a two-piece abutment conforming to the concept of one abutment one time in the posterior region: A clinical pilot study.

To assess the impact of a two-piece abutment workflow on enhancing the stability of the alveolar bone and gingiva surrounding the dental implant, and to determine the level of patient satisfaction. A total of 48 patients with dentition defect in the posterior region were included and divided into two groups: the two-piece abutment workflow (TAW) and the sealing screw with submerged healing workflow (SHW). Marginal bone level (MBL), soft tissue indicators, oral hygiene indicators, and patient satisfaction were assessed and recorded partially at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The primary outcome was the change of MBL in different time periods. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was used to take into account the correlated nature of the data, and adjust for potential confounding factors within inter-group differences. The survival rate of implants and prosthesis reached 100% at 12-month follow-up, with an average decrease of 0.25 mm (SD 0.23 mm) of MBL in the TAW group and 0.48 mm (SD 0.45 mm) in the SHW group. The change of MBL in the TAW group (0.15 ± 0.31 mm) was significantly lower than the SHW group (0.41 ± 0.41 mm) through the analysis of GLMM within 6 months, while no significance was found in 12 months. Moreover, less gingival pain and oppression during prosthesis loading, and less time consumption overall duration were showed in the TAW group through Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, p < 0.05). Within a 6-month period, the two-piece abutment workflow showed superior efficacy in preserving the integrity of the marginal bone level. Furthermore, it streamlined treatment procedures and mitigated discomfort, hence increasing patient satisfaction.

Antibacterial and oral tissue effectiveness of a mouthwash with a novel active system of amine + zinc lactate + fluoride.

Reflecting the need for an effective support for the daily oral hygiene routine of patients experiencing (symptoms of) gum inflammation, a new mouthwash has been developed containing an amine + zinc lactate + fluoride system. The in vitro efficacy of this product was assessed using traditional laboratory methods, as well as novel experimentation. This mouthwash has been evaluated in a series of laboratory tests including two short interval kill tests (SIKTs), a 12-h (longer term) biofilm regrowth assay, a plaque glycolysis assay, and an aerobic, repeated exposure biofilm model, as well as tests for soft tissue uptake and LPS neutralization. Several laboratory studies demonstrate that a mouthwash containing an amine + zinc lactate + fluoride system provides short-term and long-term antibacterial activity. While the immediate efficacy of this formula has been shown to be driven by the presence of the amine, zinc lactate provides a long-term antibacterial effect, as well as is able to inhibit bacterial metabolism. This research provides the basis for understanding the mode of action of this new mouthwash formulation and explains the previously observed clinical efficacy of this formula against plaque and gingivitis.

Ethnicity-based analysis of supragingival plaque composition and dental health behaviours in healthy subjects without caries

ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study was to scrutinise the disparities in the diversity, structure, and function of the oral microbiome among caries-free children from the Zhuang and Han ethnic groups with a focus on the influence of ethnically distinct oral health behaviours on the composition of the oral microbiota. MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted to assess oral health behaviours and dental plaque samples were collected from 96 Zhuang and Han children aged 4–5 years living in Guangxi, southern China for high-throughput sequencing. PCR amplification was performed for sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rDNA gene, and second-generation sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform to compare and analyse the diversity, structure and function of the microbiota. ResultsSingle-factor analysis revealed significant differences between the Zhuang and Han ethnic groups regarding juice consumption, the frequency of consuming sugar-sweetened food or beverages before bedtime, the age that individuals started toothbrushing, the frequency of toothbrushing and the frequency of parental assistance with toothbrushing (p < 0.001). The dominant phyla were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, etc., and the dominant genera included Streptococcus and Neisseria. The dental plaques of the caries-free Zhuang and Han ethnic groups had similar core microbiomes, with no significant differences in the diversity and structure of the microbiota and no significant differences in the abundance of the dominant genera. In addition, no significant difference in metabolic function was observed between the Zhuang and Han ethnic groups. ConclusionThe core oral microbiota was consistent in caries-free Zhuang and Han children. Despite differences in dietary habits and oral hygiene behaviours between the Zhuang and Han ethnic groups, with a high frequency of sugary food intake but better oral health behaviours in the Zhuang group, there were no significant differences in the diversity, structure and function of the oral microbiota of caries-free children in the Zhuang and Han ethnic groups.

Postextraction infections, prevention, and treatment.

Postoperative infection is one of the most common complications of tooth extraction. It may manifest as localized infection or develop to systemic infection. Clinically, oral surgeons can prevent postoperative infections by urging patients to strengthen oral hygiene, applying antibiotics in a rational and compliant manner, and choosing appropriate surgical methods for tooth extraction. For the treatment of infection, the oral surgeon should formulate a response strategy on the basis of different diagnoses. For local infections such as dry socket, delayed alveolar osteitis, gap infection, and marginal osteomyelitis of the jaws, the infection can be controlled by local debridement, therapeutic use of antibiotics, and incise and drain if necessary. For patients suspected of necrotizing fasciitis, timely extensive debridement should be made to reduce the area of tissue necrosis. For those who have received radiotherapy or anti-resorptive drugs, tooth extraction should follow the recommendations of the relevant clinical guidelines or expert consensus to minimize the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaws. For patients with poor systemic health or dysfunction of the immune system, attention should be paid to identifying infective endocarditis and intracranial infection to ensure the life safety of patients. In this study, the author intends to combine literature review and clinical experience to tackle postextraction infection and its prevention to provide a reference for colleagues on oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Simultaneous determination of 10 quaternary ammonium salt bactericides in oral care products by high performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light-scattering detection

Quaternary ammonium salt bactericides are broad-spectrum bactericides often used in oral care products because of their high antibacterial efficacy, strong penetration, and low toxicity. However, the excessive use of quaternary ammonium salt bactericides may cause contact dermatitis, scalding poisoning, and even death. Existing methods to determine quaternary ammonium salt bactericides are unable to meet current requirements owing to the lack of determination components. Therefore, establishing a simple and accurate method for the simultaneous detection of more quaternary ammonium salt bactericides is necessary. In this study, a method that couples sample pretreatment with high performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light-scattering detection (HPLC-ELSD) was developed for the simultaneous determination of quaternary ammonium salt bactericides in oral care products, including dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride, dodecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, tetradecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, tetradecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, N-hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium chloride, trimethylstearylammonium chloride, stearyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, and docosyltrimethylammonium chloride. Some of these bactericides do not absorb ultraviolet light, so a universal evaporative light-scattering detector was used owing to testing cost and stability concerns. The paste samples contained thickening agents, which are highly soluble in water but insoluble in organic solvents; these agents can seriously affect the results of sample pretreatment and damage the chromatographic column. Hence, sample dehydration was necessary. In this study, four dehydration methods were compared. Anhydrous sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) was selected, and the amount of Na2SO4 was optimized. Based on the solubility of the 10 target compounds and extraction efficiency, three extraction solvents were compared, and ethanol was selected. Ultrasonic extraction was the primary extraction process used in this study. The effects of different ultrasonication times, temperatures, and powers on the extraction recoveries were also investigated. Ultimately, the optimized conditions were as follows: extraction of the dehydrated paste and powder samples using ethanol at room temperature (25 ℃) for 20 min under 100 W ultrasound power, and dilution of the liquid sample with ethanol. After extraction, the samples were separated on an Acclaim Surfactant column (150 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) with 50 mmol/L ammonium acetate aqueous solution (pH=5.5) (A) and acetonitrile (B) as mobile phases. The gradient elution program were as follows: 0-5.0 min, 75%A-35%A, 5.0-15.0 min, 35%A-20%A, 15.0-20.0 min, 20%A, 20.0-21.0 min, 20%A-75%A, 21.0-25.0 min, 75%A. An external standard method was used for quantitative determination. The 10 compounds were analyzed within 25 min. Linear equations, correlation coefficients, and linear ranges were obtained by analyzing a series of mixed standard working solutions. The limits of detection (LODs, S/N=3) and quantification (LOQs, S/N=10) of the 10 components were determined. Stearyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride and docosyltrimethylammonium chloride showed good linear relationships in the range of 10-200 mg/L, while the other compounds demonstrated good linear relationships in the range of 5-100 mg/L. In all cases, correlation coefficients (R2) of no less than 0.9992 were obtained. The LODs and LOQs were in the range of 1.42-3.31 mg/L and 4.25-9.94 mg/L, respectively. Ten analytes were spiked in blank matrices, such as toothpaste (paste), mouthwash (liquid), and dentifrice powder (powder) at three levels, and the recoveries and precisions were calculated. The average recoveries were 87.9%-103.1%, and the corresponding relative standard deviations (RSDs) did not exceed 5.5% (n=6). The developed method was used to detect 109 oral care products. Benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium chloride and stearyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride revealed high detection rates. Moreover, the amount of stearyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride in one toothpaste sample exceeded regulatory requirements. Given its advantages of good precision and accuracy, the developed method is suitable for the quantitative analysis of the 10 aforementioned compounds in typical oral care products. The study findings can serve as a reference for the quality and safety monitoring of oral care products.

Effectiveness of Mobile App Interventions to Improve Periodontal Health: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Periodontal health plays a key role as a shared reference point for evaluating periodontal diseases and identifying significant treatment outcomes. Providing adequate instruction and enhancing the motivation of patients to maintain proper oral hygiene are crucial factors for successful periodontal treatment, with self-performed regular oral hygiene identified as a critical factor in improving the outcomes of treatment for periodontal diseases. Recently, mobile health (mHealth) solutions, especially mobile apps, have emerged as valuable tools for self-management in chronic diseases such as periodontal disease, providing essential health education and monitoring capabilities. However, the use of mHealth apps for periodontal health is complex owing to various interacting components such as patient behavior, socioeconomic status, and adherence to oral hygiene practices. Existing literature has indicated positive effects of mHealth on oral health behaviors, knowledge, attitude, practice, plaque index score, and gingivitis reduction. However, there has been no systematic review of mobile apps specifically targeting patients with periodontal disease. Understanding the design and impact of mHealth apps is crucial for creating high-quality apps. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effectiveness of existing mobile apps in promoting periodontal health. A comprehensive search strategy will be performed in multiple electronic databases (PubMed, EBSCOhost, CINAHL Plus, Dentistry & Oral Sciences, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) with the following keywords in the title/abstract: "mobile application," "mobile health," "mHealth," "telemedicine," "periodontal health," "periodontitis," and "text message." Only randomized controlled trials will be included that assessed the following outcomes to measure periodontal health improvement: gingival index, bleeding index, periodontal pocket depth, and clinical attachment loss. Covidence will be used for data collection, and a PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) flowchart will be used to describe the selection process of the included, identified, and excluded studies. The Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis approach will be used for meta-analysis of the extracted data from the included studies. This review will not require ethical approval since no primary data will be included. As of July 2024, a total of 83 articles retrieved from various databases have been imported to Covidence with 13 articles deemed eligible for inclusion in the review. The review is currently ongoing and is expected to be complete by the end of 2024 with the results published in early 2025. This systematic review and meta-analysis will contribute to developing mobile apps with enhanced criteria to improve periodontal clinical outcomes. The review emphasizes the importance of mHealth and preventing periodontal disease, which can set the stage for informed global health care strategies. PROSPERO CRD42022340827; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=340827. DERR1-10.2196/50479.

PROJETO DENTE SORRIDENTE: RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA

Dentistry efforts are mainly focused on preventing oral diseases. In addition to highlighting the need to teach and help develop oral hygiene habits. Education and motivation methods aim to inform patients about oral diseases and change their hygiene habits. The objective of this work is to describe the Smiling Tooth Program, an oral health education program for children, young people, adults and the elderly. This work focuses on students from the João Rodrigues da Silva School of the EJA class (Youth and Adult Education) in the city of Altamira- Pa. For the success of this work, the innovations in the proposed activities of the program, an educational booklet was created with oral health guidance and distributed oral hygiene kits to students. Therefore, the development of education and motivation programs for oral health in schools is essential for the search for full oral health.

Orthodontic YouTube™ videos made by patients for patients: What are they about and are they accurate?

To evaluate the characteristics and content of YouTube™ videos created by patients undergoing orthodontic fixed appliance treatment and to assess the content accuracy of these videos. A mixed-methods quantitative and qualitative study. YouTube™ webpage. The term 'braces' was used to search for relevant videos on the YouTube™ webpage between 18 August and 30 August 2020, with no limits imposed regarding how long the video had been available on YouTube™. Videos were included if they were made by patients and were predominantly about patients' experiences during treatment with labial fixed appliances. The main themes/subthemes of the included videos were identified. A checklist was then developed to assess accuracy of the video content for two of the main themes and the videos were assessed against the checklist. The video search identified 350 videos, of which 64 were selected as potentially eligible; 41 were subsequently excluded as they related primarily to the bond up/debond experience or had minimal information about orthodontics. This meant that 23 videos were ultimately included for analysis. Six main themes were identified in the videos: problems with fixed appliances, effects of fixed appliances, oral hygiene maintenance, dietary advice, treatment duration/appointment frequency and auxiliaries used with fixed appliances. From the 23 videos, 20 were assessed against the checklist for content accuracy related to two selected themes: oral hygiene maintenance and dietary advice. The majority of videos had low content accuracy scores, indicating that important and relevant content was generally missing. Several included videos focused on oral hygiene maintenance and dietary advice associated with fixed appliances; however, the content was incomplete and not always accurate. This is concerning to the profession, and it is therefore recommended that clinicians consider collaborating with patients to produce videos that are patient-centred and that also contain accurate information.

Correlation between tooth decay and insulin resistance in normal weight males prompts a role for myo-inositol as a regenerative factor in dentistry and oral surgery: a feasibility study

BackgroundIn an era of precision and stratified medicine, homogeneity in population-based cohorts, stringent causative entry, and pattern analysis of datasets are key elements to investigate medical treatments. Adhering to these principles, we collected in vivo and in vitro data pointing to an insulin-sensitizing/insulin-mimetic effect of myo-inositol (MYO) relevant to cell regeneration in dentistry and oral surgery. Confirmation of this possibility was obtained by in silico analysis of the relation between in vivo and in vitro results (the so-called bed-to-benchside reverse translational approach).ResultsFourteen subjects over the 266 screened were young adult, normal weight, euglycemic, sedentary males having normal appetite, free diet, with a regular three-times-a-day eating schedule, standard dental hygiene, and negligible malocclusion/enamel defects. Occlusal caries were detected by fluorescence videoscanning, whereas body composition and energy balance were estimated with plicometry, predictive equations, and handgrip. Statistically significant correlations (Pearson r coefficient) were found between the number of occlusal caries and anthropometric indexes predicting insulin resistance (IR) in relation to the abdominal/visceral fat mass, fat-free mass, muscular strength, and energy expenditure adjusted to the fat and muscle stores. This indicated a role for IR in affecting dentin reparative processes. Consistently, in vitro administration of MYO to HUVEC and Swiss NIH3T3 cells in concentrations corresponding to those administered in vivo to reduce IR resulted in statistically significant cell replication (ANOVA/Turkey tests), suggesting that MYO has the potential to counteract inhibitory effects of IR on dental vascular and stromal cells turnover. Finally, in in silico experiments, quantitative evaluation (WOE and information value) of a bioinformatic Clinical Outcome Pathway confirmed that in vitro trophic effects of MYO could be transferred in vivo with high predictability, providing robust credence of its efficacy for oral health.ConclusionOur reverse bed-to-benchside data indicate that MYO might antagonize the detrimental effects of IR on tooth decay. This provides feasibility for clinical studies on MYO as a regenerative factor in dentistry and oral surgery, including dysmetabolic/aging conditions, bone reconstruction in oral destructive/necrotic disorders, dental implants, and for empowering the efficacy of a number of tissue engineering methodologies in dentistry and oral surgery.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Refugees: A Questionnaire-Based Study.

The issue of oral health problems among refugees, not only during their journey but also once they arrive at their destination, is a current one. This study aimed to evaluate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of refugees, with the intention of highlighting a potential need for improved education and easier access to dental care. A questionnaire based on the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) was distributed via hyperlink on social media, targeting individuals with a refugee background to collect data on their OHRQoL. A total of 401 participants completed the questionnaire. The median OHIP score for all participants was 8 (IQR 2-17) out of a maximum of 56, with 0 representing the best possible OHRQoL. The median OHIP score was 6 (IQR 2-16) for male and 8 (IQR 2-18) for female participants. A comparison of the OHIP score from this study with reference values from non-refugee populations shows an elevated score and, thus, a lower oral quality of life. The findings of this study indicate a clear need for enhanced access to dental care for refugees, coupled with an educational initiative aimed at fostering an appreciation of the importance of daily dental hygiene.

The Effect of Oral Care Protocols on Mucositis in Pediatric Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background/Aims: Standard oral care protocols can reduce the incidence of mucositis. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the "Oral Care Protocol" containing sodium bicarbonate or saline on mucositis development, degree, and duration in pediatric cancer patients. Methods: This study is a blind, parallel trial design, randomized controlled study. Patients (n = 43) who received inpatient chemotherapy treatment for more than three days at the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit were included. The oral care protocol with saline was given to the patients in the control group (n = 22), and the oral care protocol with sodium bicarbonate was given to the patients in the study group (n = 21). The primary outcome was the development of mucositis. The secondary outcomes were mucositis degree, patient data at the time of mucositis development, and the duration of mucositis. The characteristics of the patients in the study and control groups and the data of patients with and without mucositis were compared with Fisher's exact test, t-test, and chi-square analysis. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the study and control groups in terms of mean age, gender, diagnosis, relapse status, treatment stage, risk group, and treatment protocols. Mucositis developed in 18.2% of the patients in the control group and 9.5% of the patients in the study group. No statistically significant difference was found in terms of mucositis development, degree, and duration. Conclusions: The oral care protocol with sodium bicarbonate can be used to prevent mucositis in pediatric cancer patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCTXXX.