Importance Of Regular Dental Care Research Articles

Variations in morphology of permanent maxillary lateral incisors and its impact on oral hygiene and diseases

The permanent maxillary lateral incisors are of great importance from an aesthetic standpoint, as any variation in their shape can lead to an unfavorable visual appearance. Furthermore, morphological variations such as peg-shaped, barrel-shaped, shovel-shaped, and canine-shaped teeth can impact oral hygiene and lead to additional health problems. The etiology of these variations is multifactorial, including genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the most common morphological variations of the permanent lateral incisors, including their causes, associated dilemmas, treatment modalities, and the various health and hygiene issues associated with these diverse physical characteristics. By highlighting the potential health and hygiene issues associated with these variations, this paper aims to increase awareness among dental professionals and the general public about the importance of regular dental care and check-ups to maintain oral health and aesthetics. A comprehensive understanding of the causes, dilemmas, and treatment modalities of these morphological variations can aid dental professionals in providing effective and personalized care to their patients. In conclusion, the morphology of the permanent maxillary lateral incisors plays a critical role in dental aesthetics, hygiene, and health.

Dental care access for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosae children in Russian Federation

To assess the quality and access to dental care for children with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosae (DEB) living in RF regions. 181 (55.9%) out of 324 DEB children registered in RF were enrolled in the study. The parents filled the survey assessing primary examination time, annual number of visits, quality of dental care and dental facilities, as well as access to urgent dental care, dental care under general anesthesia and dental caries prevention. 37.6% of children do not have regular dental examinations. Among these only in 13 cases the parents do not understand the importance of regular dental care and caries prevention, while in 55 cases the reasons are the absence of pediatric dentist and the refusal of dentist to perform examination and treatment. Only parents of 72 (40%) from 181 children think then can get proper dental care at the place of residence. Parents of 103 children stated the presence of facilities for dental treatment under general anesthesia at the place of residence but 40 of them could not have the access to it in case of urgent dental care need. In 61 cases (33.7%) the family must move to federal centers to receive urgent dental care and almost one third of children (51 from 181) receive any kind of dental treatment in federal institutions in Moscow. A large part of children with DEB living in distant RF regions have no access even to urgent dental care with cases of dentist's refusal to perform dental examination and treatment because of 'distressing' visual aspect of some DEB patients. This leads to the necessity for the family to move to state federal centers to receive dental treatment which for the financial reasons makes impossible proper frequency of dental examinations and preventive measures resulting in many cases of advanced oral pathology where multiply teeth extractions are needed.

Reasons for use and nonuse of dental services among people visiting a dental hospital in urban India: A descriptive study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:The aim and objective of this study was to sort out the reasons for use and nonuse of dental services among people visiting a private dental hospital in urban India.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 1800 people, aged 18–65 years, visiting a multispecialty dental hospital in urban India. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data about the history of dental visits and reasons for use and nonuse of dental services.RESULTS:For a majority of the people (45%), time since the last dental visit was more than 2 years, and the main reason for visiting a dentist was dental pain (38%). Majority of the people had received restoration of teeth in their previous dental visit (46%). The major reason cited for not visiting a dentist was lack of knowledge toward dental problems and their consequences (30%). Only few people visited dentists for preventive reasons. More patients with better educational levels visited dentists than patients with poor educational status.CONCLUSION:Majority of the people visited dentists when their problem was severe enough to have a dental appointment. Dental practitioners across locations should also educate the patients regarding the importance of regular dental care, discuss barriers for dental care, and promote attitudinal changes toward a positive health-seeking behavior.

Oral complaints and dental care of haematopoietic stem cell transplant patients: a qualitative survey of patients and their dentists.

Little is known about the understanding of the oral and dental needs of haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients or about dentists' views and experiences regarding this patient group. This information is essential if we want to improve the standard of peri-HSCT dental care. The primary objective of this qualitative survey was to explore the following: (1) The understanding of dental care pre- and post-HSCT (2) The subjective oral complaints of HSCT patients both short- and long-term (3) The relationship of these oral complaints to the severity of oral mucositis during hospitalization The secondary objective was to explore the opinions of dentists regarding dental care before and after HSCT. All adult patients who survived HSCT at the Radboud University Medical Centre between 2010 and 2011 (n = 101) received a questionnaire. During hospitalization, mucositis scores were recorded daily in the patient's chart. The patients' dentist (n = 88) was also sent a questionnaire after permission of the patient. Ninety-six out of 101 patients (95%) responded. The average period since HSCT was 19 months (range 8-31 months). The overall mean maximum mucositis score was 6.6 (sd = 3.3). Only eight patients reported not having visited a dentist pre-HSCT. The majority of the patients (59%) reported short-term oral complaints, and 28% reported long-term oral complaints. Fifty-two dentists responded (59%). Nine had not performed pre-HSCT screening and eight dentists reported screening their patients but could not complete the necessary treatments. Only 44 dentists succeeded in completing the required treatments. The most important advice of the dentist was to reinforce the importance of regular dental care. Most patients report short-term and/or long-term oral complaints after HSCT. Most dentists stress the importance of regular dental care before and after HSCT but report not being familiar with the particular dental care needs of this patient group. The high response rate and the high rate of HSCT-related oral complaints emphasize the need of further research in this area.

Influence of dental correction on nociceptive test responses, fecal appearance, body condition score, and apparent digestibility coefficient for dry matter of Zamorano-leonés donkeys (Equus asinus)1

The influence of dental correction on nociceptive (pressure) test responses, fecal appearance, BCS, and apparent digestibility coefficient for DM was studied in 18 Zamorano-Leonés donkeys, an endangered local breed from the Zamora province in Spain. For this purpose, donkeys were divided into 2 homogeneous control and treatment groups, based on age, BCS, and dental findings. On d 1, 45, 90, and 135, BCS and nociceptive test responses were evaluated in all donkeys. Feed and fecal samples were collected from all donkeys for 3 consecutive days, starting at each of the aforementioned days. Apparent digestibility coefficient for DM was estimated, using ADL as an internal marker. A progressive decrease of positive nociceptive test responses was observed from d 1 up to 90 (P < 0.01) in the treatment group. No difference between groups was observed for BCS. However, BCS at d 90 was greater (P = 0.018) than observed on d 1 or 45, indicating a time influence. Concerning apparent digestibility coefficient for DM, there were differences among collection days in apparent digestibility coefficient for DM (P < 0.05). No differences in fecal appearance were observed between treatments or collection days. This study highlighted the importance of regular dental care for not only Zamorano-Leonés donkeys but also the equid population, in general, to improve their welfare.

A Clinical Survey Evaluating the Prevalence of Incisor Disorders in Zamorano-Leonés and Mirandês Donkeys (Equus asinus)

Recent clinical and post-mortem studies documented a high prevalence of dental disorders in donkeys, but less information appears to be available specifically about incisor disorders in donkeys. A study to investigate the prevalence of oral and dental disorders affecting incisor teeth was performed, in two endangered breeds of donkeys: the Mirandês Donkey and the Zamorano-Leonés Donkey, through a prospective cross-sectional study in 800 donkeys, divided in 7 age groups (ranging 0-34 years), in 86 villages inside their geographic area of distribution, thinking on welfare and genetic preservation issues. The 74% of donkeys suffer from incisors disorders, ranging from 56.8% in the youngest group to 90.3% in group 7. Craniofacial abnormalities (49.25%), abnormalities in the occlusal surface (21.63%), fractures (17%), periodontal disease (16.13%) and diastemata (14.38%) were the main disorders recorded. Incisors disorders are significant, presenting at a much higher prevalence when compared to other studies involving the incisor teeth of equids, affecting all ages but particularly in older animals. This study provide essential information in dentistry applied to donkeys but also highlighted the importance of regular dental care in endangered breeds, improving their welfare and preserving a unique genetic heritage.

Dental care utilization among dentate adults with asthma: findings from the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

This study investigated dental care service utilization among dentate adults with asthma and identified factors affecting dental care use among this population. Data from 414,509 adults in the United States who participated in the 2008 Behavioral and Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to estimate the percentage of dentate adults with asthma who had at least one dental visit within the past year. The proportion of respondents with asthma who had at least one dental visit within the past year compared with the general population was significantly lower (67.4 percent versus 71.2 percent, P < 0.001 for dental visit for any reason; 64.3 percent versus 69.6 percent, P < 0.001 for dental cleaning). The adjusted odds of a dental visit for any reason within the past year for those with asthma were 0.86 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.81-0.91], and for dental cleaning 0.82 (95% CI, 0.78-0.87) times that of those without asthma, respectively. Multivariable modeling showed dentate adults with asthma who are male, high school or less educated, unemployed, lower income, current smokers, and have lost more than six teeth were less likely to have a dental visit within the past year. Compared with nonasthmatic individuals, dentate adults with asthma had a lower frequency of dental visits in the past year. Given a higher risk of oral disease among this population, healthcare providers should focus more effort on educating certain subgroups of patients with asthma on the importance of regular dental care.

Subpar Utilization of Dental Care Among Americans With a History of Stroke

Persons with poor oral hygiene are prone to periodontitis, an inflammatory gum disease independently linked to stroke. Regular dental examinations allow for early detection and treatment of oral conditions associated with the risk of further vascular events. Little is known about patterns of dental care among persons at risk for stroke. We assessed the prevalence and independent predictors of at least one visit to the dentist within the preceding 12 months among stroke survivors in the United States using data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2006 survey. The 24,275 adults who completed the survey self-reported a total of 706 strokes, for an incidence of 3%. The rate of at least one visit to the dentist over the previous year among stroke survivors (mean age, 67 ± 15 years) was 46%. Factors independently associated with visiting the dentist were female sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-2.57), being married (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.37-2.77), having a high school or greater education (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.51-2.93), and having contact with a primary care doctor in the previous year (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.04-2.93). Factors independently associated with not visiting the dentist were black race (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.43-0.92) and the presence of a significant medical comorbidity (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.48-0.97). In 2006, less than half of stroke survivors in the United States received dental care, leaving substantial room for improvement. Stroke survivors need education about the importance of regular dental care, particularly minority groups.

Occurrence of ameloblastoma in a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after treatment by irradiation

Ameloblastoma is the most common clinically significant epithelial odontogenic tumor, and is considered a benign but locally aggressive tumor of the craniofacial region. We present the case history of a 46-year-old male patient who had a nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated by irradiation, which was complicated by the occurrence of an ameloblastoma. Following a review of the English language literature, this case history was identified as being the first report, to our knowledge, of the occurrence of ameloblastoma in a patient who had been irradiated for an NPC. This case report highlights the importance of regular dental care for a patient who had an NPC and was treated with radiation therapy.

The dentofacial manifestations of XXXXY syndrome: a case report

This paper presents a six-year-old patient with XXXXY syndrome, whose oral findings included a cleft soft palate, hyper- or meso-taurodontism in eight primary molars and in the mandibular permanent first molars, five congenitally missing premolars, and delayed development of the permanent tooth germs. The maxillary and mandibular primary central incisors were in a cross-bite relationship. Cephalometric findings showed a short ramus of the mandible and a short maxilla in the anterioposterior plane. The anteroposterior jaw relationship was in harmony. The cross-bite was considered to be due to the retroinclination of the maxillary primary incisors. This case emphasises the importance of regular dental care, and monitoring of facial growth and dental development in children with XXXXY syndrome.

Understanding dental service use by older adults: sociobehavioral factors vs need.

This study investigated correlates of dental care use in a representative sample of adults aged 70 and older throughout New England. Data were collected in in-home interviews and dental examinations. Following Andersen's behavioral model of health services utilization, varied measures of sociodemographic characteristics, dental health attitudes and practices, perceived need for care, and need objectively determined by clinical examination were included as potential correlates. Recency of last visit was associated with positive attitudes toward dental care, regular dental hygiene, and having a usual source of care. Among dentulous subjects, recency of last visit also was related to sex and living arrangements. Frequency of visits for dentulous subjects was associated with the same variables, as well as with age and social class or education, in addition to need for care. For edentulous subjects, only a usual source of care and higher social class were associated with more frequent visits. Perceived need and attitudes toward dental care are important influences on use of care. Older persons must be convinced of the importance of regular dental care.