Oral Health Care Management Research Articles

Studies on the antifungal effects of Hinokitiol on Candida albicans: inhibition of germ tube formation and synergistic pharmacological effects of miconazole.

One of the goals of oral healthcare management is to manage dry mouth. Thus, moisturizers containing antimicrobial ingredients, such as hinokitiol (HT), are applied to the oral mucosa after oral care. In this study, we investigated the preventive effect of HT against the growth of Candida albicans (C. al) and its synergistic effect when combined with miconazole (MCZ), an oral treatment for candidiasis. As the concentration of HT increased, the length and percentage of germ tubes (GT) decreased. Larger inhibition circles were observed for MCZ concentrations of 2.0 and 4.0μg/disc compared to the HT medium without HT. The increased inhibitory effect was observed in both aerobic and anaerobic cultures. This suggests that the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by C. al cells increased with the combination of HT and MCZ. The length and percentage of GT increased, whereas the amount of ROS decreased when ROS scavengers were used in combination with the drug. HT led to morphological changes that inhibited the GT associated with pathogenic C. al, exhibited a complementary action against MCZ, and showed a possible association with hydrogen peroxide and superhydroxy anion radicals. These effects suggest that HT is a promising candidate for inhibiting C. al. In conclusion, HT demonstrated a prophylactic effect by inhibiting C. al and a synergistic effect with MCZ, a drug used to treat oral candidiasis. HT may also be useful for suppressing the onset and reducing the severity of oral candidiasis.

Expanding the phenotype in Pitt-Hopkins syndrome; description of new oral finding and dental management considerations

BackgroundPitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder with physical, cognitive, and behavioral characteristics that is caused by heterozygous mutations in the TCF4 gene. Patients with PTHS might present a unique challenge for oral healthcare professionals because of the associated comorbidities.Case reportHere we describe a new case of PTHS in a 13-year-old girl with particular emphasis on oro-dental findings and oral healthcare management. Observed oro-dental findings in our case included shallow palate, absence of lingual frenum, gingival enlargement, thick lips and relative microdontia. The patient was unable to tolerate dental care under local anesthesia. Therefore, comprehensive dental treatment was performed under general anesthesia after a careful pre-anesthetic cardio-respiratory, neurological, and hematological evaluation. The patient was closely monitored intra-operatively for breathing rhythm, O2 saturation, and signs of respiratory distress. The patient was observed for 24 h post-op for respiratory distress and was discharged then uneventfully.ConclusionDental treatment under general anesthesia in these patients might be complicated by the abnormal breathing rhythm, and close monitoring and follow up for signs of respiratory distress after general anesthesia is necessary. Recognition of oral and dental findings might help to expand the phenotype and better characterize rare syndromes.

Creating and Validating a Questionnaire for Assessing Dentists' Self-Perception on Oral Healthcare Management-A Pilot Study.

Questionnaires designed to test knowledge and self-perception can be valuable tools for diagnosing a dentist's understanding of the management and administration of a practice. The objective of this study was to create and authenticate a questionnaire for assessing dentists' self-perception on oral healthcare management developed from discussions with experts in this field. In order to create and verify a questionnaire survey, a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study was carried out. Participants' personal information and 31 statements across four categories made up the final questionnaire form. The answers to the questionnaire were in the form of a Likert scale. After refining the initial version, a total of 36 interviews were conducted at dental offices to verify the validity. For the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), we used the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) index, the Bartlett sphericity test, and also Cronbach alpha coefficient for the validity of the questionnaire. The accuracy of the instrument was measured by intrarater and interrater reliability. For the EFA, all the communalities exceeded the threshold of 0.05. With a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.898, the questionnaire has sufficient internal consistency. The questionnaire demonstrates robust reliability and validity, thereby affirming its suitability for its intended purpose.

Opinions and Practices of Dentists on Oral Healthcare Management during Pregnancy

Background: Pregnancy period is a special stage in women life, in which several physiological and emotional changes take place. The hormonal changes that occur during this period may lead to some oral changes, making pregnant patient need a greater help and management from dentists. Numerous illustrious organizations emphasize that because pregnancy is not an illness, pregnant women shouldn't be treated any differently than the general population. Many dentists are still hesitant to treat pregnant patients despite these facts. Objective: The goal of this study is to discover about the way dentists in Kurdistan, Iraq, feel and behave when it comes to providing oral healthcare during pregnancy; a topic which is not studied before. Method: This research is conducted through an online survey form. Results: (96.5%) of the participants treat pregnant patients. Only (61.6%) find their knowledge as totally satisfactory in managing pregnant ladies. (33.7%) believe there is sufficient evidence to prohibit dental care during pregnancy. (73.3%) agree with the statement of ‘local anesthetics are safe during pregnancy’. (50%) of the respondents refuse to take an x-ray needed for diagnosis. Conclusion: Despite its safety, still, a significant portion of dentists still have fear and reluctance in dealing with pregnant ladies. The causes of this hesitation could be lack of knowledge, misconception among dentists regarding the safety of dental treatment during pregnancy and fear of dentists from the wrong beliefs of the population and its social and legal consequences.

Adaptations in dental public health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in municipalities of Southern Brazil: a grounded theory and collaborative research.

The aim of this study was to analyze oral health actions in four municipalities in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic according to a theoretical framework model on oral healthcare management. It was a qualitative study carried out in two stages. A theoretical-empirical model on the significance of oral healthcare management was developed, following the Grounded Theory method. Fourteen dentists and five healthcare managers participated, through open interview. Subsequently, collaborative research was performed, and the model was applied to analyze the documents produced to address the pandemic by each of four municipalities in Santa Catarina State. The model provided a framework for analyzing actions for coping with the pandemic regarding oral health services. Actions were identified in all dimensions of the model: reduction in supply of dental care due to restricted access to elective services; search for biosafety care standards; dissemination of standardized science-based guidelines; attempt to maintain comprehensive dental assistance through re-adaptation of specialized services and collective actions; and relocation of oral health professionals to assist in other sectors. The oral health care management framework can serve as a reference for redesigning oral health actions and services in other municipalities during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a broader perspective.

Evaluation Of Histopathological Lesion In Oral And Maxillofacial Department At Tertiary Care Hospital Peshawar

Around the world, maxillofacial disorders are distributed widely. The oral and maxillofacial area is affected by a wide variety of illnesses, from inflammatory lesions to benign and malignant cancers. Objective: This is a base line study that will aid in the diagnosis and management of oral healthcare and also guide recommendations and associated research in the local population in the future. Methods: In this descriptive observational study, 124 patients with orofacial lesions reported at the Hayat Abad medical complex, Department of Oral Maxillofacial and Dental Surgery between 2021 and 2022 were analyzed. Result: A total of 124 orofacial lesions were found, of which 47 were malignant and 57 benign, with the posterior mandible being the most commonly affected area. The pathology that affected most frequently was squamous cell carcinoma. In the fourth, fifth, and sixth decades of life, the soft tissue lesion affected 41% of males and 37% of females. These included squamous cell carcinoma well-differentiated in 32 (25.80%), fibrous epulis in 11 (8.8%), and pyogenic granuloma in 16 (12.90%) of cases. Conclusion: With the posterior mandibular area being the most common site, oral squamous cell carcinoma affects adolescents and the elderly with the most incidence rate.

Oral healthcare management practices in Brazil

Universal health coverage is a global target included in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals agenda for 2030. Healthcare in Brazil has universal coverage through the Unified Health System (SUS), which guarantees health as basic right to the Brazilian population. Considering the principles of SUS, public oral healthcare management is a huge challenge. Aim: To identify good management practices for quality care adopted by local public oral healthcare managers and teams around Brazil. Methods: This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42017051639). Five databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and Lilacs) as well as the reference lists and citations of the included publications were searched according to PRISMA guidelines. Results: A total of 30,895 references were initially found, which were evaluated according to the defined eligibility criteria. Twenty qualitative studies, eight surveys and two mixed-model studies were selected. The practices (codes) were organized into three main groups (families), and the Frequency of the Effect Size (FES) of each code was calculated. Among the 20 codes identified, the most relevant ones were: Diagnosis and Health Planning (FES=80%) and Family Health Strategy (FES=66,7). The Intensity of the Effect Size of each study was also calculated to demonstrate the individual contribution of each study to the conclusions. Conclusion: The evidence emerging from this review showed that healthcare diagnosis, planning, and performance based on the family health strategy principles were the most relevant practices adopted by public oral healthcare managers in Brazil. The widespread adoption of these practices could lead to improved oral healthcare provision and management in Brazil.

Knowledge, Awareness, And Practice of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Oral Health Care Management Among Dental Students

Knowledge, Awareness, And Practice of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Oral Health Care Management Among Dental Students

Effect of Oral Health Education Using a Mobile App (OHEMA) on the Oral Health and Swallowing-Related Quality of Life in Community-Based Integrated Care of the Elderly: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

This study investigated the effect of oral health education using a mobile app (OHEMA) on the oral health and swallowing-related quality of life (SWAL-QoL) of the elderly population in a community-based integrated care project (CICP). Forty elderly individuals in the CICP were randomized into intervention and control groups. OHEMA provided information on customized oral health care management, oral exercises, and intraoral and extraoral massage methods for 50 min/session, once a week, for 6 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention surveys assessed the unstimulated salivary flow rate, subjective oral dryness, tongue pressure, and SWAL-QoL, which were analyzed using ANCOVA and repeated measures ANOVA. In the intervention group, tongue pressure increased significantly from pre- (17.75) to post-intervention (27.24) (p < 0.001), and subjective oral dryness decreased from pre- (30.75) to post-intervention (18.50). The unstimulated salivary flow rate had a higher mean score in the intervention group (7.19) than in the control group (5.04) (p < 0.001). The SWAL-QoL significantly improved from pre- (152.10) to post-intervention (171.50) in the intervention group (p < 0.001) but did not change significantly in the control group (p > 0.05). OHEMA appears to be a useful tool for oral health education for the elderly as it improved the SWAL-QoL, with increased tongue pressure and reduced oral dryness.

An In Vitro Assessment of the Acid Resistance Characteristics of Nanohydroxyapatite/Silica Biocomposite Synthesized Using Mechanochemistry

This paper reports on the in vitro assessment of the acid resistance characteristics of mesoporous silica/nanohydroxyapatite (MSN@nHAp) biocomposite synthesized through the mechanochemical method. Bovine enamel models were used to study the acid resistance characteristics of the composite (n=5). X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the surface morphology of the MSN@nHAp. The XRD and FTIR results confirmed the successful syntheses and surface modification of nanohydroxyapatite with silica. The MSN@nHAp exhibits superior acid resistance characteristics. The salient aspect of this study suggests that mechanochemistry is a useful technique in the synthesis and surface modification of valuable biomaterials. The study concludes that the MSN@nHAp composite could be utilised in toothpaste formulation for oral healthcare management due to its acid resistance properties.

Oral Healthcare Management of Children after COVID-19 Outbreak.

The emergence of the novel 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a significant challenge to healthcare professionals. Among all the healthcare providers, dental clinical setup is exposed to the generation of potentially hazardous aerosols which could be a point of cross-contamination. Dentists catering to pediatric patients need to take special precautions, as they have milder symptoms or could be asymptomatic and hence potential vectors for the transfer of infection. One needs to change the perspective to manage the oral health of children as a child's oral health presents specific problems that could be time-bound and hence need to be treated accordingly. These problems can be managed on one hand by preventive methods, and on the other by implementing specific protocols relating to the conditions that represent an emergency, or those situations that fall into the category of elective dental procedures. This article highlights the routes of transmission in a dental practice and focuses on the categorization of treatment for children based on treatment needs. It proposes a restructuring of the treatment protocol and hence shifting to minimal invasive or non-aerosol-generating procedures (AGP). These techniques are also proposed to be used even after the end of the current emergency period to minimize the aerosol splatter.Clinical significanceThe article highlights the protocol that needs to be followed after treatment categorization during and after COVID-19 pandemic.How to cite this articleLamba G, Nagpal DI, Chowdhari P, et al. Oral Healthcare Management of Children after COVID-19 Outbreak. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(2):293–297.

Oral Pathologies in Subjects Living with HIV (PLHIV) At Campus University Hospital of Lomé

Objective: To assess the dental care needs of people living with HIV who are regularly monitored at Campus University Hospital of Lomé. Method: This was a descriptive prospective survey conducted on patients followed regularly, from January 1 to December 31, 2016. Results: Our study involved 111 patients, 76.58% of whom were female. The most represented age group was between 30 and 39 years old. Fourteen percent of the patients had a CD4˃500cell / mm3 count and 37.5% of the lesions were seen in patients with WHO stage III HIV infection. Mucosal lesions were more common in subjects with low CD4 counts. Periodontitis represented 59.03%, candidiasis 3.47%. Seventy-six percent of the subjects required oral care. Conclusion: People living with HIV have a real need for oral health care. Systematic management of oral health care in in these subjects should improve their well-being and ensure them a life that is more balanced with their serological status.

Understanding the role of smoking and chronic excess alcohol consumption on reduced caloric intake and the development of sarcopenia.

This narrative review provides mechanistic insight into the biological link between smoking and/or chronic excess alcohol consumption, and increased risk of developing sarcopenia. Although the combination of excessive alcohol consumption and smoking is often associated with ectopic adipose deposition, this review is focused on the context of a reduced caloric intake (leading to energy deficit) that also may ensue due to either lifestyle habit. Smoking is a primary cause of periodontitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that both induce swallowing difficulties, inhibit taste and mastication, and are associated with increased risk of muscle atrophy and mitochondrial dysfunction. Smoking may contribute to physical inactivity, energy deficit via reduced caloric intake, and increased systemic inflammation, all of which are factors known to suppress muscle protein synthesis rates. Moreover, chronic excess alcohol consumption may result in gut microbiota dysbiosis and autophagy-induced hyperammonemia, initiating the up-regulation of muscle protein breakdown and down-regulation of muscle protein synthesis via activation of myostatin, AMPK and REDD1, and deactivation of IGF-1. Future research is warranted to explore the link between oral healthcare management and personalised nutrition counselling in light of potential detrimental consequences of chronic smoking on musculoskeletal health outcomes in older adults. Experimental studies should investigate the impact of smoking and chronic excess alcohol consumption on the gut-brain axis, and explore biomarkers of smoking-induced oral disease progression. The implementation of behavioural change interventions and health policies regarding smoking and alcohol intake habits may mitigate the clinical and financial burden of sarcopenia on the healthcare system.

Burning Mouth Syndrome: A State of the Art Review for the Oral Healthcare Provider

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a neurosensory disorder that affects the oral mucosa by causing a burning or stinging pain of varying degrees in different individuals. It is difficult to diagnose the condition as it does appear in conjunction with any clinical or laboratory abnormalities. The psychological and psychiatric issues involved along with the oral symptoms make oral healthcare provision in such individuals a challenging task. This review presents the oral healthcare provider an insight into the peculiar nature of BMS and the oral healthcare management of patients with BMS.

Clinical Significance of Oral Care and Oral Management on the Treatment and Prevention of Aspiration Pneumonia in the Elderly: Evidences and Pitfalls

Oral care and oral management are important for preventing aspiration pneumonia (ASP). The main pathology of ASP is microaspiration of oropharyngeal contents during night, swallowing rehabilitation must be necessary for the ASP treatment. However, swallowing rehabilitation cannot totally restore the normal swallowing function. Oral healthcare management should be initiated and continued in parallel with antibiotic treatment of ASP. Oral care helps to prevent aspiration pneumonia by reducing oral bacteria, while oral management helps by improving masticatory and rehabilitating functions. The efficacy of oral care for reducing the incidence of pneumonia has been clearly observed in untreated frail elderly patients, but not in well-cared elderly persons. It has been established that oral care is cyclically significant for the prevention of ASP in the elderly. However, oral problems are not the primary cause of ASP in the elderly. Although there is an amount of evidences of oral care for ASP prevention, there are some controversies of the clinical significance of oral care for ASP treatment.

Oral healthcare management in heroin and methadone users

Heroin addiction is associated with poor oral health. Oral and dental care in heroin addiction might be complicated by altered mental status, negative attitude towards oral health, dental anxiety and fear, drug interaction, and associated medical co-morbidity. We present the oral findings and discuss the dental, behavioural, and anaesthetic management considerations in a 46-year-old man who had dental anxiety and had been an intravenous heroin user for the past 23 years.

Assessment of oral and general health status in older adults

Introduction: The World Health Organization defines people aged 65 and over as “older adults”. With the development of preventive and curative services and the decrease in fertility and mortality rates, the world population, especially in developed countries, is rapidly aging. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the oral-dental health profile and variables such as some socio-demographic characteristics and habits of oral health in older adults. Material and methods: A questionnaire was used to record socio-demographic characteristics and habits of oral health, and a special examination form was used to evaluate oral health. In total, 422 patients were divided into three groups of ages 65–74, 75–84 and 85+. The SPSS 22.0 version was used for the analysis of data. Results: If demographic information of groups are compared, gender and educational status are not statistically significant, but marital status is statistically significant. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of nutritional content and nutritional limitation. When the questions about oral health were evaluated, a statistically significant difference was found between the groups regarding the status of removable prostheses. Conclusion: Data related to the socio-demographic characteristics, oral health habits and general/oral health status constitute an important resource for dentists and health managers. However, further research is needed to improve the quality of life of the older adult population. The increase of such resources will be beneficial in many areas related to individual oral health care and public health management in older adults.

A curriculum for behaviour and oral healthcare management for dentally anxious children-Recommendations from the Children Experiencing Dental Anxiety: Collaboration on Research and Education (CEDACORE).

Dentists need training in the management of children's anxiety (DA), fear (DF) and behaviour management problems (DBMP) but little is known of their competence on this topic. To report dentists' opinions and attitudes about protective stabilisation and pharmacological techniques for the management of children with DA/DF/DBMP; to propose a postgraduate curriculum focussing on DA/DF/DBMP. A survey of 301 Brazilian dentists and later a modified Delphi process to outline the curriculum in two phases: (a) face-to-face discussions with 33 early career researchers mentored by six researchers, both from UK and Brazil; (b) online discussions by eight early and senior researchers on the knowledge, experience, and competencies necessary for a specialist in paediatric dentistry in Brazil that should be included in the core curriculum of postgraduate courses. Almost all (99.0%) of the survey respondents provide treatment to children with DA/DF/DBMP, and 91.2% do not systematically diagnose these conditions; 94.3% use protective stabilisation, and 20.0%-30.0% have training in pharmacological techniques. The four-domain framework supporting the proposed curriculum is as follows: DA/DF/DBMP assessment, non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches, and decision-making. Dental curricula should be customised to solve the misconceptions and promote a comprehensive and positive attitude to DA/DF/DBMP by paediatric oral healthcare practitioners.

Ozone therapy a new vista in dentistry: integrated review.

Application of ozone in oral care comes as new and alternative treatment modality in dentistry. The impact of biological and digital information leads to use of ozone application by various means for numerous treatment options in oral cavity. Ozone is a form of oxygen, which has an effective role in management of oral diseases. This review mainly emphasizes on utility of ozone in oral health care management. Its therapeutic potential and its clinical application in oral pathologies, periodontology, endodontics, oral surgery, prosthodontics, orthodontics, restorative dentistry, wound healing, tooth mineralization as treatment choice are reviewed.

Survey research concerning the current status of oral functions and oral healthcare management targeting inpatients in general hospitals

Survey research concerning the current status of oral functions and oral healthcare management targeting inpatients in general hospitals