In Australia, inclusive disability legislation is in place to support people with disabilities to access health services, including dental health. Yet evidence demonstrates children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) face barriers to accessing dental services. Developing an understanding of factors that contribute to these barriers, in consideration of disability legislation, is crucial to the provision of equitable dental care for this population group. Access, the ability to obtain dental services, is conceptualised to include six domains: accessibility, availability, affordability, accommodation, acceptability, and appropriateness. To understand the extent of inclusion of children with IDD in policies that guide dental services in Victoria, Australia, a structured, systematic grey literature review on dental policies in Australia was conducted. Four search strategies were incorporated: (1) grey literature database searching via Grey Literature for Health™, (2) domain-specific Google Chrome™ search engines, (3) targeted databases identified from a list on Australian dental associations, and (4) targeted databases identified from a list on Australian disability advocacy organisations' websites. Where relevant, to confirm the scope of the resources, author organisations were contacted. Inclusion criteria guided the screening of the documents yielding three documents issued at the national level, with none issued at the Victorian state level. The relative absence of children with IDD from inclusive dental policies suggests research, policy, and practice gaps that may inhibit equitable dental care access for this population group. The findings also present as a timely opportunity to address the identified gaps in the next iteration of the plans such as the Australian National Oral Health Plan 2026-2035.

To Vape or Not to Vape: Oral Health in the Age of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Electronic Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems.

To explore the perceptions and practices of women in peri/menopause towards oral healthcare in Australia. Hormonal changes associated with peri/menopause create a period where women may be more prone to developing oral health problems, which can significantly impact their quality of life. While healthcare providers are capable of addressing women's oral health needs across various life stages, limited evidence exists on the management of oral health by women in peri/menopause and the role of non-dental healthcare providers in promoting oral health. Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted with Australian women in peri/menopause using maximum variation and snowball sampling. A hybrid thematic analysis was used to construct themes and subthemes. Women who self-identified as being in peri/menopause with an age range of 43-59 years and residing across different Australian states participated in the study. Dry mouth was the most commonly reported oral health issue by participants, followed by tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, gum problems, and bad breath. Participants reported that these oral health problems impacted their mental health, lifestyle, and dietary choices. Barriers such as cost, lack of awareness of the impact of peri/menopause on oral health, systemic illness, carer responsibilities, and limited support from healthcare providers, including dentists, restricted participants in accessing oral healthcare. Women suggested that raising awareness, providing cost-effective dental services, and oral health promotion through their health care providers are needed to overcome the oral health challenges women face in peri/menopause. Women undergoing peri/menopause may experience greater susceptibility to oral health problems and encounter a range of challenges in managing their oral healthcare. These findings underscore the need for clinically informed, patient-centred strategies, including proactive screening, tailored preventive guidance, and improved access to care to support oral health during this transitional stage.

Religion and culture strongly influence daily life in many populations. Children rely on the beliefs and habits of parents, caregivers, and teachers to manage their oral health. This study explored the oral health knowledge, perceptions, hygiene habits and care-seeking behaviours of parents and teachers of children attending Islamic boarding schools in Pakistan. A qualitative study was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan, during May-June 2024, including Focus Groups (FGs) with teachers (N = 3) and semi-structured interviews with parents (N = 17). Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Interview guide was based on research questions and previous literature. Interviews were audio-recorded, translated, and transcribed in English for thematic analysis. From the thematic analysis, two overarching themes emerged: (A) religion, culture, and oral health, and (B) attitudes, behaviours, and oral health. These themes were further divided into two and three major subthemes, encompassing six and eight minor subthemes, respectively. The major subthemes from theme (A) were: 1) oral health as part of Islamic religious teachings, and 2) the use of alternatives to toothbrushes. For theme (B), the major subthemes included: 1) brushing habits and dental problems among parents and children, 2) oral health-seeking behaviour and its barriers, and 3) the positive role of schools. This qualitative study offered deeper insights from teachers and parents for improving children's oral health. To effectively educate children, culturally and religiously sensitive health campaigns involving parents and religious teachers at schools are essential, as these adults serve as role models for establishing lifelong habits, including good oral hygiene practices. • Religio-cultural influences and personal rationale impact oral health. • Parents and teachers believed that home remedies are better in tackling dental problems than going to a dentist. • Key barriers to seeking dental treatment included high cost, fear of pain and lack of trust in dentists. • Schools should encourage regular brushing, organize dental camps, lectures and provide dental products to children.

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Oral Health Across Age Groups Among Single-Person Households in South Korea.

Care approaches to oral health are shaped by the perspectives of both aged care and dental care professionals. This study provides a new and comprehensive understanding of how these two professional groups conceptualise and address oral care for care-dependent older adults. Researchers conducted 13 focus group discussions with 4-6 participants each in two Danish municipalities within the Lifelong Oral Health research project: nine with aged care staff and four with managers from aged care and dental care. Two semi-structured interviews were conducted with dental care staff. The research was guided by a qualitative methodological framework using inductive thematic analysis to explore participants' experiences and perspectives. Aged care and dental care staff held varying perspectives on four distinct care approaches: (1) knowledge of oral health; (2) prioritisation of oral health; (3) care practice in relation to oral health; (4) handling refusal of oral care. In contrast to dental care staff, aged care staff had rudimentary oral health knowledge and prioritised other care tasks over oral care. Aged care staff took a rehabilitative approach to oral care, whereas dental care staff favoured a compensatory approach. Aged care staff stated that the right to self-determination overruled the duty of care presented by dental care staff when patients refused oral care. These differences affected daily oral care practices and collaboration between both staff groups, who both endorsed better collaboration. Divergent care approaches to oral care between aged care and dental care staff can hinder good oral health in care-dependent older adults. To enhance oral health in older adults, this article identifies four divergent approaches and explores how they challenge inter-professional collaboration.

Mapping the Intersection of One Health and Oral Health: A Citation Analysis of Human, Animal, and Environmental Interconnections.

Oral hygiene represents a modifiable risk factor for systemic health and pulmonary complications yet is not routinely addressed in ALS care. This study aimed to examine the relationships between oral health, disease severity and determinants of health in people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (pALS), and to identify key predictors of oral hygiene outcomes. Individuals with ALS completed an oral hygiene and bulbar screening during their multidisciplinary appointment. Disease demographics, determinants of health, oral health outcomes and bulbar disease outcomes were collected. Descriptives and one sample t-tests were performed to compare oral hygiene outcomes with healthy reference values. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between disease demographics and oral health. Sixty-two pALS aged 64.0 (+/- 10.8), 40% female, 31% Hispanic/Latino and 37% bulbar onset disease were enrolled. Compared to healthy reference values, plaque index (M = 1.45, SD = 0.52, p < 0.0001), gingival index (M = 1.25, SD = 0.46, p < 0.0001) and bleeding on probing (M = 35.26%, SD = 26.1, p < 0.0001) were elevated in pALS. Lack of dental insurance was a significant predictor of bleeding on probing (BOP) (p = 0.001), plaque (p = 0.006) and gingival scores (p = 0.001). ALSFRS-R (p < 0.03) was also predictive of greater plaque, and care partner status (p < 0.04), and age (p < 0.02) were predictors BOP. Ethnicity and dysphagia severity were not significant predictors. Oral health screenings conducted during routine multidisciplinary visits identified periodontal disease in pALS, representing a feasible and immediately actionable pathway to improve oral care outcomes in pALS.

"Impact of the need for dental extractions on oral health-related quality of life in patients with cirrhosis: A cross-sectional study".

Missing teeth and missing years: Oral health and survival in a Brazilian aging cohort.

Background: People experiencing homelessness (PEH) have significantly poorer oral health compared to the general population, with barriers to dental care exacerbating health inequalities. Community-based dental interventions delivered by dental students offers a potential solution for improving oral health among PEH. Objectives: This scoping review aims to map existing literature on community-based dental interventions provided by dental students to PEH and to explore the reported outcomes of these from the perspectives of PEH. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the PRISMA-ScR checklist. The comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases and reference lists were hand searched. The Population, Concept, Context (PCC) framework using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology was followed to guide the search strategy and eligibility criteria. Studies were screened against the eligibility criteria by two reviewers. Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria, originating from the UK, Australia, the USA, and Canada. Interventions included oral health education and clinical treatments. Thematic analysis identified two overarching themes: 'experience of the intervention' and 'impact of the intervention.' High levels of satisfaction were reported, with participants noting improved oral health knowledge and intentions to improve oral health behaviours. Conclusions: Community-based dental interventions were well-received by PEH and led to improved oral health knowledge, oral health behaviour change and psychosocial wellbeing. The interventions fostered dignity and trust through respectful care, while also enriching dental education by promoting empathy and social accountability. Despite promising short-term outcomes, further inclusive and longitudinal research is needed to assess long-term impact and global relevance.

Association Between Oral Frailty and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: A Cross-sectional Study.

Emerging Technologies, Education, and Governance in Latin American Dentistry: Perspectives from Venezuela and Nicaragua.

While oral health status and psychosocial factors are associated with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), the mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate their relationships and explore potential mediating effects. Cross-sectional data were collected from dental examination and psychosocial scales of patients who visited the dental clinic for routine check-ups and/or preventive measures in 2023. All data were analysed using SPSS with the AMOS plugin. Data preprocessing included Little's MCAR test and multiple imputation. Reliability and validity tests were conducted to optimize the psychosocial scales. The Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman test analysed the differences and correlations between variables. A hierarchical multiple linear regression identified factors associated with the OHRQoL score and identified potential mediating effects. The structural equation model (SEM) supplementarily quantified the mediating effects. 104 adults, with a median age of 59 years, were included. The linear regression results were consistent with statistical mediation by oral health status (periodontal treatment need, plaque control record (PCR), caries treatment need), such that the direct association between psychosocial scores (self-efficacy of tooth-brushing score (SEoTB), self-efficacy of inter-dental cleaning (SEoIDC)) and the OHRQoL score was no longer evident after inclusion of oral health variables. The bias-corrected and accelerated (BCa) 95% confidence interval for the mediating path was -0.102 and -0.011 (P < .05). The mediating effect was -0.055, accounting for 12.6% of the total effect. Higher oral hygiene-related self-efficacy (OHRSE) is associated with better OHRoL, with this association partly explained by more favourable clinical oral health status. These results highlight the potential of combining psychological and oral health management strategies in both individualized treatment and public health programs. By strengthening oral hygiene self-efficacy, clinicians may reduce treatment needs, improve periodontal and caries status, and consequently enhance OHRQoL.

CONTENT DOMAINS OF ORAL HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN OLDER ADULTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND CONCEPTUAL SYNTHESIS.

Minimum Intervention Oral Care (MIOC) - Overcoming Implementation Barriers: An International Expert Consensus.

Correlation between oral disease and neurodegenerative disorders: Role of biological proteins for the modulation of oral-brain axis and gut-brain axis.

Food-microbiota interactions in the oral cavity: A comprehensive review of how food compositions affect oral microbiota homeostasis and oral health

Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PDL-1) expression in the oral mucosa of smokeless tobacco users from a low and middle-income country.

The aim of this mixed methods systematic review was to identify oral health interventions in rural areas of high-income countries and synthesise the evidence on how access is addressed. Searches were conducted in Cochrane, CINAHL, Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, PsycINFO and PubMed, with the last search in January-February 2025. All study types published in English since 2000 were included that reported oral health interventions aimed at addressing access to dental services. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess study quality. The Penchansky and Thomas model of access, with Saurman's adaptation, guided the thematic synthesis. The final dataset was 73 articles. Most authors reported small-scale interventions delivered by dental and primary health providers. Fluoride varnish application, treatments and health promotion were most reported in clinics, community settings and schools. Lack of service availability and accessibility caused by geographic distance required alternative service models, including telehealth. Free or minimal cost interventions were needed in low-income settings. Stakeholder partnerships and understanding of local context were critical. Evaluations of community acceptability and awareness were rare. There was a dearth of studies addressing the six dimensions of access, with wide variation in study quality. There is an absence of robust, well evaluated studies, with lack of homogeneity preventing meta-analysis. Rural oral health interventions should be informed by comprehensive frameworks of access, be grounded in equity, involve communities in design, development and evaluation, should reduce silos between oral and general healthcare, and should prioritise prevention. Access to high quality oral health is a fundamental human rights and equity issue for rural people.