Dental Services Research Articles

Accessing dental services in Slovenia: A quantitative study

This research focuses on patients’ perceptions regarding the accessibility of dental services in Slovenia across four dimensions: financial accessibility, time accessibility, geographical accessibility, and service quality. We observed how specific factors impact accessibility dimensions of dental services in Slovenia, that patients perceive important. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted using proportionate stratified sampling. Data was collected through an online questionnaire, and 599 completed responses were received from patients regarding their experiences and perceptions of accessibility to dental care. A SEM (structural equation model) approach was used to examine the data. The analysis revealed that patients perceive all four dimensions of accessibility: financial, time, geographical, and service quality important and they all constitute the perception of dental accessibility. The findings of this study can assist policymakers in developing a more accessible dental health system by considering the results proposed in our model.

Gender differences in cost-related unmet healthcare needs: a national study in Turkiye

BackgroundUnmet healthcare needs are a complex and multifaceted issue, influenced by individual, socioeconomic, and healthcare system factors. This study aimed to investigate the determinants influencing cost-related unmet healthcare needs within the Turkish population, emphasizing a comprehensive analysis of gender disparities in accessing healthcare services.MethodsThis secondary analysis scrutinizes the 2019 Turkiye Health Survey data of 16,976 individuals aged 15 and older. The dependent variables included cost-related unmet medical, dental, and prescribed medication, and mental services. The independent variables were considered under a three-domain approach for the determination of health service utilization, developed by Andersen. Logistic regression models with predisposing, enabling, and need factors were run for any self-perceived cost-related unmet need for each sex and overall population. Another six regression models for both sexes were run for each subgroup of indivuals with unmet healthcare needs.ResultsThe study revealed that 15.4% of individuals cannot access healthcare due to financial constraints, with 16.8% for women and 13.5% for men. The highest level of unmet needs is associated with accessing dental care services for both sexes. According to multivariate analyses, the unmet need for both sexes decreases with older age and higher education level, and it is greater for those who have difficulties communicating in Turkish. By adding enabling and needs factors, the odds ratios of education decreased for men, while education became nonsignificant for women. Having chronic disease impacts unmet needs for both sexes. However, the inability to perform daily activities due to health problems was not a significant factor for men. Poorer household income increases overall unmet needs. Education is a determinant of both medical and mental care needs.ConclusionsThis pioneering study illuminates the multifaceted gender disparities in cost-related unmet healthcare needs across Turkiye, reflecting the intertwined issues of access influenced by a complex interplay of factors. Our findings underscore the significance of adopting an intersectional approach to address health inequalities.

"Ethnic disparities in the prevalence of Molar-Incisor-Hypomineralisation (MIH) and caries among 6-12-year-old children in Catalonia, Spain".

To study the prevalence of MIH and caries in 6- and 12-year-old schoolchildren and their association with ethnic disparities and other relevant factors. In recent years, there has been uneven improvement in school children's oral health, highlighting inequalities in access to dental care and health outcomes, particularly among ethnic minorities. The most prevalent oral disease in childhood, caries, is preventable, as its risk factors are well known. However, MIH, a common condition affecting the enamel of permanent incisors and/or molars, has no established aetiology or preventive measures. A cross-sectional study among schoolchildren was conducted in 725 children from Masnou (Barcelona, 2013) and in 577 children from Sant Andreu de Llavaneres (Barcelona, 2018-2020). Data collection was carried out by means of clinical examination and a selfreferenced questionnaire. Oral health outcomes included: presence of dental caries, presence of MIH, hypomineralised second primary molars (HSPM). All variables were analysed according to ethnic disparities and other variables such as socioeconomics, diet, hygiene habits, plaque and access to dental services. We performed multivariate Poisson regression models with robust variance to examine ethnic disparities in MIH and caries. This cross-sectional study based in Catalonia, Spain showed that there are ethnic disparities in caries as observed with other child's diseases; however, they do not seem to follow the same pattern for MIH. More studies are needed (i) to explore how MIH behaves among populations in terms of inequality; (ii) to study the aetiological factors of MIH; and (iii) to identify potential factors associated with MIH and caries that have not been studied and that may contribute to the observed ethnic disparities.

A Novel View on Dental Service Management Optimization Using Markov Processes

To develop a mathematical model for managing dental services as a Markov random process based on the state graph of the process of providing dental care to the population. Markov chains, limiting probabilities of states and equations of A.N. Kolmogorov, and a graph of possible states of the dental care provision process, enabling to mathematically describe and optimize the process of managing dental services using a Markov random process in Moscow. With a full return of patients for correction of defects in the same dental medical organization where the poor-quality service was provided and a maximum warranty period of 5 years, the average financial result (gross profit) of the considered dental medical organization and the relative average increase in the financial result are maximum and equal to Rub 5,018,18 and 64.42%, respectively. It is shown that with a slight increase in the warranty period from one to three years, the financial result (gross profit) grows faster than with a warranty period of 3 to 5 years. To achieve a relative average increase in financial results by a factor of 1.5, the warranty period for dental services provided should be 3.13 years. Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2024-05-03-05 Full Text: PDF

The vulnerability of UK dentistry to dental tourists and dental tourism

A growing trend in dental health tourism reflects growing pressures on dental services and risks to the NHS.

Factors Associated With the Suspension of Domiciliary Dental Care for Older Adults During the First Wave of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: A Comparative Study in the Japanese Local Government.

Objective The novel coronavirus has reduced the availability of dental services, including domiciliary dental care. The suspension of dental treatment worsens the dental condition. However, the impact on domiciliary dental care during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on domiciliary dental care and associated factors. Materials and methods This comparative study used Japanese prefectural claims data, including data from older adults who utilized domiciliary dental care. We compared the suspension of dental treatment during the firstwave of the COVID-19 pandemic with that before the COVID-19 pandemic. The outcome was the completion of four consecutive months of treatment. The chi-squared test, t-test, and logistic regression were applied. Result Approximately 23.4% of participants suspended home dental services during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas 11.7% suspended these services before COVID-19. Logistic regression clarified the effect of the following variables (during the first wave of COVID-19 vs. before COVID-19): care need level of long-term care was 1-5 (=severe) (odds ratio (OR): 0.92 vs. no significance (NS)), visit by hospital dentists (OR: 1.83 vs. NS), volume of patients in the visited place (2-9 people, OR: NS vs. 0.72; over 10 people, OR: 0.58 vs. 0.32), planned physicians' visit (OR: 0.71 vs. 0.77), and taxed income per population (OR: NS vs. 1.00). Discussion Domiciliary dental care, especially those in care facilities, were a vulnerable population during the pandemic. This may contribute to the delivery of domiciliary dental care during any future pandemics.

Impact of Direct Observation on Hand Hygiene Compliance in a Dental University Hospital: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction Hand hygiene is crucial for preventing healthcare-associated infections in dental settings. Despite its importance, the hand hygiene compliance rates remain unclear, particularly in dental university hospitals where teaching, research, and clinical practice intersect. This study aimed to establish a baseline of hand hygiene compliance rates in a dental university hospital, evaluate the effectiveness of direct observation in improving compliance, and compare practices among different categories of healthcare workers. Materials and methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Kanagawa Dental University Hospital from April 2022 to March 2023. The design included four blinded direct observations to establish baseline compliance rates, followed by educational training and four unannounced explicit observations. Compliance was assessed based on the World Health Organization's "Your 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene: Dental Care," adapted for dental outpatient services. The study focused on hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and compliance rates were calculated for dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and trainee dentists. Monthly consumption of hand sanitizer per patient was tracked from January 2019 as a secondary measure. Statistical analysis included Fisher's exact test, unpaired t-tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results The baseline hand hygiene compliance rate was low at 15.6%, with the highest compliance (25.0%) for "After touching patient surroundings." Post-intervention, the overall compliance rate increased significantly to 36.0% (p < 0.001). Significant improvements were observed in moments "After body fluid exposure risk" (11.1% to 31.3%, p = 0.004), "After touching a patient" (12.0% to 52.9%, p = 0.006), and "After touching patient surroundings" (25.0% to 73.3%, p = 0.001). Dental hygienists, assistants, and trainee dentists showed significant increases in hand hygiene compliance, while dentists did not. Hand sanitizer consumption increased significantly from 2019 (2.38 ± 0.29 mL per patient) to 2020 (3.47 ± 0.49 mL, p < 0.001) and remained elevated through 2023. Conclusions This study revealed low baseline hand hygiene compliance in a dental university hospital setting. While direct observation and education led to significant short-term improvements, especially among allied health professionals, the disconnect between observed compliance rates and hand sanitizer consumption suggests these changes may not represent sustainable behavioral shifts. The varying improvement rates among different healthcare workers and the challenges in maintaining long-term adherence highlight the need for tailored, continuous interventions in dental education and practice settings to enhance hand hygiene compliance.

Reducing single-use plastics in dental practice: a quality improvement project.

Introduction Climate change is a major issue facing the global population. Healthcare services, including dentistry, have an obligation to examine current practice and reduce the carbon footprint of their services. Single-use plastics, for example, those used to cover dental equipment, are not necessarily essential for cross-infection purposes.Materials and methods This quality improvement project was carried out in 2023 across 12 dental practices in the North London dental foundation training scheme. Baseline financial and environmental costs were estimated for the weekly single-use barrier plastics used in each practice. This was communicated to each practice. Practices using single-use plastics were contacted three months later to see if they had made any changes.Results In total, 10 out of 12 practices were using one or more of the single-use plastics at baseline, with an estimated carbon footprint ranging from 0.07-27.02 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per week. Three practices reduced or eliminated their single-use plastics as a result of this quality improvement project, which resulted in an equivalent saving of 46.87 kg CO2e per week.Discussion and conclusion The use of single-use plastic barriers varies widely between dental practices and is associated with a financial and environmental cost. Infection control guidelines are unclear with their recommendations. The authors urge dental services to reduce their single-use plastic barriers and would encourage infection control guidelines to consider the environmental impact when making recommendations.

Patient- and Provider-Level Factors Associated with Patient Portal Usage Among Medicaid Recipients.

Background: Patient portals can improve access to electronic health information and enhance patient engagement. However, disparities in patient portal utilization remain, affecting disadvantaged communities disproportionately. This study examined patient- and provider-level factors associated with portal usage among Medicaid recipients in a large federally qualified health center (FQHC) network in Texas. Methods: Deidentified electronic medical records of patients 18 years or older from a large Texas FQHC network were analyzed. The dependent variable was a binary flag indicating portal usage during the study period. Independent variables included patient- and provider-level factors. Patient-level factors included sociodemographic, geographic, and clinical characteristics. Provider characteristics included primary service line, provider type, provider language, and years in practice. Because the analysis was at the individual level, a multivariable logistic regression model focused on adjusted associations between independent variables and portal usage. Results: The analytic sample consisted of 9,271 individuals. Compared with individuals 18-39 years, patients 50 years and older had lower odds (50-64 OR: 0.60, p < 0.001; 65+ OR: 0.51, p < 0.001) of portal usage. Males were less likely to use portals (OR: 0.44, p = 0.03), and compared to Non-Hispanic Whites, Non-Hispanic Black (OR: 0.86, p = 0.02) and Hispanics (OR: 0.83, p < 0.001) were significantly less likely to use portals. Individuals with 1 or more telemedicine consults had a two-times greater odds of portal usage (OR: 1.97, p < 0.001). Compared to individuals who had clinic visits in December 2018, portal usage was significantly higher in the pandemic months (March 2020-November 2020, all p's < 0.01). Importantly, the behavioral health service line had the greatest odds (OR: 1.52, p < 0.001), whereas the dental service line had the lowest odds (OR: 0.69, p = 0.01) compared to family practice. No other provider characteristics were significant. Conclusion: Our finding of significant patient-level factors is important and can contribute to developing appropriate patient-focused health information technology approaches to ensure equitable access and maximize the potential benefits of patient portals in health care delivery.

Parental Knowledge, Attitudes, and Utilization of Preventive Dentistry Modalities in Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Parents play a vital role in modeling good oral hygiene practices for their children; thus, their attitude, knowledge, and awareness toward preventive dentistry can be one of the major factors contributing to children's oral health. Objectives The objective of this study is to determine the parental knowledge and attitudes toward the modalities of preventive dentistry for their children in Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was carried out using an online self-administered questionnaire designed for parents living in the Al Qassim region. The questionnaire included demographic data, parent knowledge and attitude toward preventive dentistry, and awareness of preventive dentistry procedures. The data collected were analyzed using RStudio. Results Data were collected from 392 Saudi parents (male: n = 190 (48.5%), female: n = 202 (51.5%)). The majority of participants (n = 336, 85.7%) considered the importance of primary teeth for general body health, while 320 participants (81.6%) believed that primary dentition influences permanent teeth. Awareness regarding special preventive measures like using toothpaste with fluorides comprised 87.5% (n = 343), and that of the benefits of early dental visits was 77.3% (n = 303). However, there was marked unawareness and use of preventive procedures such as serial extraction (n = 226, 57.7% of respondents unaware) and silver diamine fluoride (n = 276, 70.4% unaware). The higher levels of education and income were positively related to better knowledge and attitudes about preventive dentistry. Conclusions The current paper highlights the importance of educational interventions for enhancing parental knowledge and awareness about preventive dentistry. Community-based educational programs and increased availability of preventive dentistry services might be helpful in eliminating the knowledge gap among parents about good oral health practice.

A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF PARENTS' PATTERNS AND BARRIERS TO BRINGING CHILDREN TO THE DENTIST

Caries at an early age is a global problem that affects almost half of preschool children, the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) globally varies widely. One of the causes of caries in children less than 5 years old is the delay in the first visit to the dentist. The purpose of this study is to identify patterns of service utilization and obstacles that cause low visits to dentists so that programs can be planned that are able to increase the number of dental visits. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, ProQuest, SpringerLink, and ScienceDirect databases with keywords such as Dental care, Dental attendance, dental utilization, and Oral health promotion. The data were then thematically analyzed to uncover trends, common challenges, and effective interventions across the literature. The results of this systematic review show a pattern in visiting the dentist, including visiting for routine dental checkups, preventive treatments, acute pain conditions that have been experienced and trauma. The patterns of use of dental and oral health services in children are influenced by the level of parental education, the type of dental health care that is covered by limited health insurance, low socio-economic factors, socio-demographic factors, and lack of adequate insurance. This study aims to offer valuable insights into the patterns of dental care utilization and the obstacles preventing higher visitation rates to dental services. The findings are synthesized to highlight consistencies and gaps, ultimately providing insights to inform the development of programs aimed at improving dental visit rates.

Dental Services of the International Summer Camp Event: Experiences from the 25th World Scout Jamboree, South Korea

This study aims to analyze dental care at the 25&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) using a predesigned standardized dental chart to provide a reference for the operation of dental emergency clinics at future large-scale youth events. The dental charts of all patients treated at the 25&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; WSJ emergency dental clinic were examined. Fisher’s exact tests were used to analyze the differences between youth scouts and adult leaders. Eighty visits of 71 patients were included in the study. The largest number of patients was from Asia-Pacific (49.3%), followed by patients from Europe (40.8%). In terms of chief complaints, oral ulcers (19.7%), lesions of the lips (18.3%), and orthodontic discomfort (15.5%) were the most prevalent. The analysis showed a significant difference (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.0023) between youth scouts and adult leaders in the distribution of patients in the first half (July 30&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; - August 3&lt;sup&gt;rd&lt;/sup&gt;) and second half (August 4&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; - August 8&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt;) of the event. There was a higher incidence of dental conditions associated with hot and humid environments, unlike typical emergency dental settings. Therefore, despite adequate preparation, unexpected dental visits may occur, and it is recommended that operations be conducted in community-based dental hospitals to allow for immediate and efficient responses in international camps.

Validation of a Comprehensive Oral Health Literacy Tool for Thai Older Adults: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study

Objectives: This study aimed to develop and validate the Oral Health Literacy Assessment for Thai Older Adults (OHLA-OA) tool. Methods: The study comprised two phases: tool development and data collection. The OHLA-OA consists of three sections: Reading Comprehension, Understanding Directions, and Self-evaluated OHL skills. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 408 participants from four regions in Thailand. The average age of the participants was 66.8 years (SD=5.6). The descriptive analysis was performed to explore general information, and reliability and validity of OHLA-OA were tested using Kuder-Richardson Formula 20, Cronbach’s Alpha, correlation, and logistic regression analyses. Results: The OHLA-OA showed high reliability with a KR-20 coefficient of 0.79 and Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.85. Concurrent validity demonstrated significant correlations between OHLA-OA scores and variables such as age, income, self-assessed literacy ability, and dental service utilization. Convergent validity showed a significant correlation (r=0.319, p&lt;0.001) between OHLA-OA and the Thai Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (Th-REALD). Predictive validity indicated that higher OHLA-OA scores were associated with better oral health outcomes, including fewer decayed teeth (r= -0.166, p=0.01) and more filled teeth (r=0.184, p&lt;0.01). The study proposed cut-off scores for 3 levels: Inadequate, Sufficient, and Excellent OHL. Conclusions: The OHLA-OA tool demonstrated good psychometric properties, making it suitable for assessing oral health literacy among Thai older adults. It highlights the necessity of integrating literacy assessments into dental care and public health interventions to improve oral health outcomes in aging populations.

Factors affecting small dental business in rural Germany: Evidence from Hessen.

To determine how social factors influence career decisions of dental service providers, particularly focusing on examining the impact of dentists' origins. Online survey of Hessian panel dentists, with pairwise comparisons to a set of factors impacting their decision-making process. An Analytic Hierarchy Process examined the weighting of influencing drivers in career choice. Dentists from rural backgrounds were more likely to establish practices in rural areas than those from urban origins. Origin correlated with entrepreneurial intentions and a strong association of rural origin. Dentists who grew up in rural areas were 4.19 times more likely to start a business. These findings may support efficient resource allocation and support for rural dental businesses.

Care-experienced young people’s views and experiences of accessing general practice and dental services and attending health reviews in England: a qualitative study

BackgroundChildren in care and care leavers have worse health outcomes than their peers without care experience. This study addresses an evidence gap in exploring care-experienced young people’s views and experiences of accessing general practice and dental services and attending health reviews in England.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study using podcasting as a creative medium. We recruited young people from two sites: one in South England (A) and one in greater London (B). We held two paired discussions in site A and two focus groups in site B, with 14 participants in total. Participants were aged between 13 and 22 years and were diverse in gender, ethnicity, and care experiences. Data were analysed thematically using candidacy theory as a theoretical framework.ResultsMental health was a prevailing concern for participants, but general practice was not considered a place to discuss it. Most participants reported distant relationships with primary healthcare professionals and considered opening-up to a professional to be risky, for example, it could result in an unknown/unwanted outcome. A lack of time and personal connection in appointments, and experiences of feeling judged, dismissed, or misunderstood, hindered young people’s ability to disclose mental health or relationship concerns. Participants reported variation in the timeliness and location of services, with salient examples of extensive waiting periods for braces. Participants perceived annual health reviews to be largely inconsequential.ConclusionsAny primary care presentation by a care-experienced young person should trigger additional professional curiosity. To build rapport and trust, professionals should not underestimate the power of active listening, being reliable and honest, and small acts of thoughtfulness, for example, ensuring medical letters are provided promptly. Carers and other trusted professionals should help care-experienced young people to understand the role of primary care and support them with access. Health reviews may not be of value to all young people in care. Further research is needed to examine primary healthcare access for care-experienced young people with significant safeguarding and healthcare needs.

The child dental care reform in Israel – service uptake from 2011 to 2022

BackgroundThe 2010 Child Dental Care Reform of the National Health Insurance Law marked a turning point in the Israeli oral healthcare system by establishing Universal Health Coverage of dental care for children. Initially, the reform included children up to age 8 and gradually expanded to age 18 in 2019. The basket of services includes preventive and restorative treatments provided by the four Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO). The aim of this study was to examine the uptake of child dental services during the first decade of the reform.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted to determine the treatment uptake, type and amount of the services delivered based on annual service utilization reports submitted by the HMOs to the Ministry of Health in the years 2011–2022.ResultsThe number of insured children increased from 1,546,857 in 2011 to 3,178,238 in 2022. The uptake of dental services gradually increased during the study period with a slight decrease in 2020. The percentage of children who used the services gradually increased from 8 to 33%, with the incremental inclusion of additional age groups. From 2012 onwards the most common treatments provided were preventive, however the single most common treatment was dental restoration. In 2022 35% of the population of Israel was under the age of 18. Out of these, about a third received dental treatment via the HMOs. This is a significant achievement, since before the reform all treatments were paid out-of-pocket. After a short period of increasing uptake, a stable service utilization pattern was evident that can indicate better public awareness and service acceptance.ConclusionAlthough this is a reasonable uptake, additional efforts are required to increase the number of children receiving dental care within the public insurance. Such an effort can be part of a multi-disciplinary approach, in which pediatricians and public health nurses can play a vital role in dental caries prevention, enhancement of awareness and service utilization.

Impact of Hospital Dentistry on Patients' Food Intake Status in Convalescent Rehabilitation Ward.

Treating oral problems with dentist intervention during hospitalisation may improve patients' food intake status. This study aimed to clarify whether convalescent rehabilitation ward inpatients in a hospital with hospital dentistry (HHD) had a better diet at discharge than those in a hospital without hospital dentistry (HNHD). Retrospective observational study including inpatients with dental involvement in a HHD with dentists and dental hygienists and HNHD with dental hygienist and visiting dental service between 1 March and 31 August 2022. Data included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), Functional Independent Measure (FIM) motor and cognitive, Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) score, Food Intake LEVEL Scale (FILS), whether the FILS ≥8 (indicating that patient eats also a non-texture-modified diet), remained and functional tooth numbers and speech language hearing therapist (SLHT) and dentist interventions. Comparisons between the two hospitals and factors that affected the FILS ≥8 were examined. A total of 333 and 89 inpatients were included in the HHD and HNHD groups, respectively. After propensity score matching, the HHD group had a significantly higher rate of FILS ≥8, functional tooth numbers at discharge, and SLHT and dentist intervention rates. The multivariable logistic regression analysis for propensity score matching participants showed that the significant independent variables for FILS ≥8 were age, BMI, FILS, FIM motor (all at admission) and SLHT and dentist interventions. Odds ratio for dentist intervention was 14.46 (95% CI: 4.36-48.01). Dentists are necessary to improve patients' food intake status in convalescent rehabilitation wards.

Virtual dental autopsy: undertaking forensic dental identification remotely using an intra-oral video camera.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a forensic odontologist working remotely could accurately undertake forensic dental identifications using videos produced by non-dental forensic staff operating an intra-oral video camera (IOVC). The study's aims were to assess the accuracy and time taken to perform remote forensic dental identifications in this manner. Eight cadavers from the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHID), University of Dundee, UK, were examined by a forensic odontologist via a traditional dental examination. Their dental condition was recorded to serve as ante-mortem records for this study. Videos of each dentition were produced using an IOVC operated by a medical student. Post-mortem records were produced for each dentition from the videos by a remote second forensic odontologist who was not present at the traditional dental examination. The ante-mortem and post-mortem records were then compared, and identification was classified as positively established, possible or excluded. Established identifications were positively made in all eight cases although there were some non-critical inconsistencies between ante-mortem and post-mortem records. Before the second opinion, 85.6% of the teeth per study subject were charted consistently. After the second opinion, the percentage of consistency increased to 97.2%. Each video on average was about 4.13 minutes in duration and the average time taken to interpret and chart the post-mortem dental examination at the first attempt was 11.63 minutes. The time taken to chart from the videos was greater than is typical of a traditional dental examination. This pilot study supports the feasibility of undertaking remote dental identification. This novel "tele-dental virtopsy" approach could be a viable alternative to a traditional post-mortem dental examination, in situations where access to forensic dental services is difficult or limited due to geographical, logistical, safety, and/or political reasons.

Employees from Community Dental Services CIC make a splash for charity

Employees from Community Dental Services CIC make a splash for charity

Pattern of pediatric emergency dental care during COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia

ObjectiveAt the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was recommended to provide emergency dental care and avoid aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) when possible. This study aimed to determine how Saudi Arabian pediatric patients utilized emergency dental services at the national level at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and what situations required an AGP. MethodsData was collected from all Ministry of Health dental facilities in Saudi Arabia between March and May 2020. All pediatric dental patients who received emergency dental care during the COVID-19 lockdown were included in this study. ResultsThe majority of the 1,544 pediatric dental patients who received emergency dental care during this period received treatment for caries (77.9 %). AGPs were predominant in the treatment of urgent dental conditions (51.5 %). About 64 % of cases with pulpal inflammation and 52.4 % with abscesses underwent an AGP. ConclusionEmergency and urgent dental conditions were the main reason for seeking dental care during the pandemic (75.8 %), while only 24.2 % of cases were considered non-urgent. Despite the recommendations, AGPs were required for some urgent conditions to relieve the associated pain, and this comprised 46.8 % of dental treatment provided.