Oral Health Of People Research Articles

Public Periodontal Screening Increases Subsequent Regular Dental Visits: The Life Study.

A public oral health screening, periodontal disease screening, has been implemented in Japan, but it remains unclear whether screening encourages subsequent regular dental visits. This study aimed to examine whether people who underwent periodontal disease screening were more likely to regularly visit dentists after undergoing the screening than before using a difference-in-differences (DID) approach. This study used health care claims data of municipality residents who underwent periodontal disease screening in 2017 or 2018. For each screening recipient, 4 individuals were extracted from those who did not undergo screening as controls. In the DID analysis, we assessed the change in the proportion of dentist visits at least once every 180 d after undergoing screening. A total of 4,050 participants were included in the analysis. The proportion of participants visiting dentists was consistent throughout the study period (approximately 45%) among the participants who did not undergo the screening. However, among the participants who underwent the screening, while the proportion who visited dentists was consistent before screening (approximately 60%), the proportion was higher after screening (1-180 d after, 81.2%). DID analysis indicated that the proportion increased by 12.9% after the screening. In addition, the age-subgroup DID estimates were higher in the younger population (aged 20-35 y, 13.9%; 40-55 y, 12.8%; 60 y, 12.6%). Among people who underwent periodontal disease screening, a higher proportion visited dentists after undergoing the screening than before, suggesting that periodontal disease screening was associated with an increase in subsequent regular dental visits. Our results provide evidence that a public oral health screening could increase regular dental visits, which has the potential to improve and maintain people's oral health, especially in the younger population.

Linear and non-linear associations of depressive symptoms with oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices among rural older adults in China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundDepression affects the oral health of older adults; however, little is known about its impact on oral health among rural older adults in developing countries, which warrants further research. Taking China as an example, there is a large population base of rural older adults suffering from depression, and many rural older people also have long-term oral health problems, which have seriously affected their quality of life in later life. Therefore, this study aimed to explore linear and non-linear associations of depressive symptoms with oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices among rural older adults in China.MethodsFrom November 2020 to December 2020, 1,902 rural community-dwelling older people aged 60 years and older were investigated, via a cross-sectional survey. The general information, depressive status, oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the participants were obtained through face-to-face structured questionnaires. Among them, the Zung Depression Self-Rating Scale was used to investigate the depressive symptoms of the participants in this survey. The generalized linear model and classification and regression tree model were used, separately.ResultsBased on linear analysis results, we found that minimal to mild depressive symptoms [regression coefficient (β) = -0.345; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.582 to -0.109, P = 0.004] and depressive symptoms (β = -1.064; 95% CI: -1.982 to -0.146, P = 0.023) were significantly correlated with oral health knowledge. A negative correlation was observed between minimal to mild depressive symptoms (β = -0.385; 95% CI: -0.600 to -0.170, P < 0.001) and oral health attitudes. In addition, while both minimal to mild depressive symptoms (β = 0.018; 95% CI: -0.312 to 0.347, P = 0.916) and depressive symptoms (β = 0.604; 95% CI: -0.675 to 1.883, P = 0.355) were associated with oral health practices. Furthermore, the non-linear analysis showed a combined effect of depressive symptoms on oral health attitudes, indicating that older people of a younger age, not living alone, and not suffering from depressive symptoms are more likely to report better oral health attitudes.ConclusionBoth the linear and non-linear analyses in our study showed that depressive symptoms are significantly correlated with the poor oral health attitudes of older adults in rural communities. Furthermore, depressive symptoms were associated with oral health knowledge in the linear analysis. However, no statistically significant difference was found between depressive symptoms and oral health practices in either analysis. This research deepens our knowledge and understanding of relevant evidence in the mental and oral health of people in later life. In addition, analyzing the factors that affect the oral health of older people from the perspective of their depressive status provides new thinking directions and scientific references for improving the oral health of older adults in practical life.

Kommunikation bei Demenz

A scoping review investigated the effectiveness of different communicative interventions for patients with dementia. It demonstrated that communication between caregivers and dementia patients is improved by music, multisensory stimulation, and communication training. As a result agitation, mania, fear, anger and corrective touching are reduced, and fluency, spontaneous speech, eye contact, smiling and affective touching are enhanced. The recommendations, summarized in a fact sheet, also contribute to improved therapeutic decision making with bystanders and oral health of people with dementia.

Using an anti-racist research framework to design studies of oral human papillomavirus and oropharyngeal cancer in San Francisco: rationale and protocol for the Health Equity and Oral Health in People living with HIV (HEOHP) qualitative study

IntroductionThe goal of our research programme is to develop culturally appropriate patient-specific interventions for primary and secondary prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) among people living with HIV...

Developing a Consensus Statement to Target Oral Health Inequalities in People With Severe Mental Illness.

Oral diseases are more prevalent in people with severe mental illness (SMI) compared to those without mental illnees. A greater focus on oral health is needed to reverse unacceptable but often neglected oral health inequality in people with SMI. This provided the impetus for developing 'The Right to Smile' consensus statement. We aimed to develop and disseminate a consensus statement to address oral health inequality, highlighting the main areas for concern and recommending an evidence-based 5-year action plan to improve oral health in people with SMI. The Right to Smile consensus statement was developed by experts from several professional disciplines and practice settings (mental, dentaland public health) and people with lived experience, including carers. Stakeholders participated in a series of online workshops to develop a rights-based consensus statement. Subsequent dissemination activities were conducted to maximise its reach and impact. The consensus statement was developed to focus on how oral health inequalities could be addressed through a set of 5-year improvement targets for practice, policyand training. The consensus was reached on three 5-year action plans: 'Any assessment of physical health in people experiencing SMI must include consideration of oral health', 'Access to dental services for people with SMI needs to improve' and 'The importance of oral health for people experiencing SMI should be recognised in healthcare training, systems, and structures'. This consensus statement urges researchers, servicesand policymakers to embrace a 5-year action plan to improve oral health for people with SMI. The team included people with lived experience of SMI, their carers/family membersand mental and dental health service providers. They were involved in every stage of developing the consensus statement, from conception to development and dissemination.

Network Analysis about Study on the Oral Health of People with Disabilities

Network Analysis about Study on the Oral Health of People with Disabilities

Association of Sleep Quality and General, Mental, and Oral Health with Lifestyle Traits (Dietary Intake, Smoking Status) in Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS).

Arthritis is associated with health challenges. Lifestyle traits are believed to influence arthritis development and progression; however, data to support personalized treatment regimens based on holistic lifestyle factors are missing. This study aims to provide a comprehensive list of associations between lifestyle traits and the health status of individuals with arthritis in the Canadian population, using binary logistic regression analysis on data from the Canadian Community Health Survey, which includes 104,359 respondents. Firstly, we explored the association between arthritis and various aspects of health status including self-reported lifestyle factors. Secondly, we examined the associations between self-reported dietary intake and smoking status with general, mental, and oral health, and sleep disturbance among individuals both with and without arthritis. Our analysis revealed that individuals with arthritis reported considerably poorer general, mental, and oral health, and poorer sleep quality compared to those without arthritis. Associations were also found between self-reported dietary intake and various measures of health status in individuals with arthritis. Smoking and exposure to passive smoking were associated not only with arthritis but also with compromised sleep quality and poorer general, mental, and oral health in people with and without arthritis. This study highlights the need for personalized and holistic approaches that may include a combination of dietary interventions, oral health improvements, sleep therapies, and smoking cessation for improved arthritis prevention and care.

Investigating the Relationship between Oral Health and Severe Mental Illness: Analysis of NHANES 1999-2016.

To explore whether: (i) people with severe mental illness (SMI) experience worse oral health than the general population, and (ii) the risk factors for poor oral health in people with SMI. Cross-sectional data were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2016), including on self-rated oral health, oral pain, tooth loss, periodontitis stage, and number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth. Candidate risk factors for poor oral health included demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, physical health comorbidities, and dental hygiene behaviours. Ordinal logistic regression and zero-inflated negative binomial models were used to explore predictors of oral health outcomes. There were 53,348 cases included in the analysis, including 718 people with SMI. In the fully adjusted model, people with SMI were more likely to suffer from tooth loss (OR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.34-1.92). In people with SMI, risk factors identified for poor oral health outcomes were older age, white ethnicity, lower income, smoking history, and diabetes. Engaging in physical activity and daily use of dental floss were associated with better oral health outcomes. People with SMI experience higher rates of tooth loss than the general population, and certain subgroups are particularly at risk. Performing regular physical exercise and flossing may lower the risk of poor oral health, while smoking and diabetes may increase the risk. These findings suggest opportunities for targeted prevention and early intervention strategies to mitigate adverse oral health outcomes in people with SMI.

Prevalence of Dental Fear and Anxiety among School Children in Zawia City, Libya

Odontophobia, also known as dental fear and anxiety (DFA), is a type of phobia that can negatively affect the dental and oral health of people who experience it. This phobia has psychosocial characteristics that make it complex to address in dental practice. Dealing with dental fear is a challenging issue in dentistry for various reasons. Although this issue has been studied in children for quite some time around the world, no such studies have been conducted in Zawia, Libya. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental fear and anxiety (DFA) among pupils aged 5 to 12- years in public and private schools in Zawia City. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Zawia City over three months. In the survey, 205 students were randomly selected from several private and public schools. All participants were given a self-reported questionnaire containing ten closed-ended questions about DFA. After collecting the data, the results were analyzed based on gender and school type and entered into a Microsoft Excel sheet for further analysis. Results of the study showed that 31.71% of all pupils experienced dental fear and anxiety (DFA). Furthermore, the slight variations in fear levels based on school type indicate that the school environment may influence a pupil's perception of dental visits. Most private school students experienced DFA during physical contact with their dentists and upon seeing dental anesthesia injections. Whereas pupils attending government schools experienced DFA when hearing voices during treatment. Across all areas studied, female students reported slightly higher levels of anxiety than male students. Based on the survey results, it is evident that many pupils experience high levels of dental fear and anxiety (DFA). This highlights the need for intervention and attention in such situations, as DFA can significantly affect a pupil's dental experience and oral health outcomes. Therefore, it is essential to address these fears and anxieties to improve the overall dental experience of pupils and promote better oral health

New orthodontic treatment alternative in a teenager. clinical case study

Dentistry is essential to maintain good general health, since dental problems can affect the health of the rest of the body. Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that is responsible for preventing, diagnosing and correcting dental malpositions and irregularities in the jaw. The dental world is constantly changing, so the use of alternatives in orthodontic treatment presents greater susceptibility to innovation and implementation of new techniques. The objective of this research is to found a new alternative to complete orthodontic treatment in the final stage. A clinical case of a teenager was shown, whose treatment was prolonged due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of fluid resin pins was used on the teeth and elastic therapy was performed. Correct settlement was evident after two months of treatment. Measures are proposed to maintain people's oral health after orthodontic treatment with fixed or removable techniques. Furthermore, the importance of treatment in adolescents is noted.

Oral health in systemic sclerosis: A scoping review

Background: Limited research on oral health in systematic sclerosis poses a significant challenge for people with systematic sclerosis and health care professionals. We conducted a scoping review to map existing research on oral health–related quality of life in systematic sclerosis across domains including (1) oral manifestations or symptoms, (2) functional consequences, (3) psychosocial aspects, (4) associated patient factors and (5) self-care and management considerations. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and CINAHL databases to 10 March 2023 for studies on oral health in people with systematic sclerosis. Study data were mapped into pre-specified domains of oral health–related quality of life, subtopics and types of research and reported in tabular form. Results: Of 1460 unique studies reviewed, 91 were eligible and included in the scoping review; of these, 69 (76%) were published as full-text versions, 72 (79%) were from Europe or North America, and 63 (69%) included ⩽50 participants. Only 1 study had &gt;200 participants (N = 382). By domains, 85 (93%) studies reported aspects of oral manifestations or symptoms, with the most common subtopics being oral opening and mandibular function, sicca, periodontitis and soft tissue changes and pathology; 36 (40%) studies provided information on associated patient factors, 23 (25%) on self-care and management, 19 (21%) on psychosocial aspects and 6 (7%) on functional consequences. No studies related to interventions included &gt;50 participants. Conclusion: Most studies on oral health in systematic sclerosis report on manifestations or symptoms, and there are relatively few studies on other important domains. Most studies have been conducted with small samples. Updated systematic reviews should evaluate the quality of existing evidence in domains where enough studies have been done. Large, well-conducted primary studies are needed to address knowledge gaps across domains, including studies that test approaches for supporting oral self-care, improving routine professional care and addressing major disability-causing manifestations.

Oral health of people with emotional disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aims to determine the association between severe mental disorders and oral health among individuals over 18years of age. An electronic search was conducted in six electronic databases and gray literature. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed on studies that met the inclusion criteria. The methodology of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool. A meta-analysis of proportions with a random effect was carried out. The certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE tool. After searching the databases, 5,734 references were retrieved, and twenty articles were selected for synthesis. Considering the DMFT index between the groups with mental disorders and the control group, the values of the DMFT index were higher among individuals with schizophrenia [MD = 5.27; 95% CI = 4.13 - 6.42; I2 = 35%] and bipolar disorder [MD = 1.90; 95% CI = 0.87 - 2.93]. Values were lower among individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder [MD = -0.85; 95% CI = -1.46-0.24]. The risk of bias was considered low for 16 studies, and four were classified with a moderate risk of bias. The certainty of evidence was very low. Patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder exhibit increased frequency in the number of decayed, missing, or filled teeth. There was no effect in relation to periodontal probing depth, plaque index, and TMD, but the evidence is still uncertain for this outcome. These findings underscore the need for a comprehensive health approach.

Effects of eating disorders on the oral cavity

This article focuses on bulimia, also known as an eating disorder disease, but it is not just an eating problem, but a type of preventative compulsion that can have a significant impact on the tissues and symptoms that worsen the entire oral cavity.. It is very important to know these pathologies so that the dentist can manifest these symptoms early and the clinical picture can be treated with an adequate and correct treatment plan depending on the patient. There are poor dietary patterns in the world, one of which is eating disorders (EDs), which cause severe malnutrition with consequences for the development of dental, psychological and social health. Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, are serious illnesses that arise from both the physical and oral health of sufferers. These disorders can have a significant impact on the tissues and symptoms persist throughout the oral cavity. It is essential that health professionals, including dentists, become more familiar with these pathologies in order to develop symptoms early and provide an appropriate and specific treatment plan for each patient. Next, this study will be deepened, we will address the issue of oral health in people who suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia; The most important manifestations that have caused these diseases in budental disease are: dental erosion, caries, periodontal, mucosal alterations, etc. For each one we can find a definition, what are their causes, what sign or symptom they cause.

Abstract 7475: The contribution of the oral bacteriome and mycobiome in cancer risk in people with HIV in Puerto Rico

Abstract Although under highly effective antiretroviral therapy, people with HIV (PWH) still experience an increased risk of developing cancer compared to people without HIV (PWOH). Dysbiosis of the oral microbiota in PWH can contribute to persistent inflammation and cancer risk. We previously showed higher levels of inflammation in saliva of PWH measured by TGF-β1 and IL-2. In addition, microbial products such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) can regulate the transcription of immune-related genes, particularly those necessary for the innate immune response to pathogens. In this study, we characterized the composition of the oral bacteriome and mycobiome in saliva of Puerto Rican PWH and PWOH, and analyzed these data in relation to markers of inflammation and cancer risk in saliva. Saliva, sociodemographic, and clinical data from 100 adults were collected (50 PWH and 50 PWOH). PWH were virally suppressed (&amp;lt;50 copies/mL) and had a median CD4 count of 699.8 cells/µL. We sequenced the 16S rDNA and the ITS in extracted DNA from saliva to characterize and quantify the bacterial and fungal communities, respectively. Furthermore, measurement of inflammatory markers (TGF-β1, IL-2, and IL-8) in saliva was performed using quantitative immunoassays. Microbiome data was processed using Qiime2, and statistical analysis was carried out using R-statistical software. Biological pathways associated to changes in the microbiome were inferred using PiCRUST2. PWH showed lower alpha diversity in the oral bacteriome (Observed OTUs: p=0.02, Faith: p=0.03) and oral mycobiome (Shannon: p=0.02) when compared to PWOH. In a multivariate analysis, lower alpha diversity in the bacteriome was associated with biological sex and HIV status. Lower alpha diversity in the oral bacteriome was associated with higher levels of acetate (r=-0.38, p&amp;lt;0.001) and lower levels of IL-8 (r= 0.21, p= 0.056) in saliva independent of HIV status. Taxonomic analyses showed PWH had a significantly lower abundance of Porphyromonas, Peptostreptococcus, Oribacterium, Parvimonas, Leptotrichia, Fusobacterium, Eubacterium, Dialister, and Alkalibacter genera of bacteria but there not significant changes in taxonomy in the oral mycobiome. Biological processes significantly affected by dysbiosis of the oral mycobiome include cytosolic and mitochondrial NADPH production, amino acid and sugar degradation, and phospholipid remodeling. Dysbiosis of both the oral bacteriome and mycobiome occur in HIV infection, which can contribute to chronic inflammation. However, the bacteriome and mycobiome may have different biological mechanisms, which suggest different roles in increasing cancer risk in Puerto Rican PWH. These findings provide more information regarding the oral health in people with HIV and may contribute to innovative cancer prevention strategies and screening guidelines for this high-risk population. Citation Format: Veronica Sofia Sanchez Gonzalez, Yakshi N. Ortiz-Maldonado, Gabriel Borges-Vélez, Tanner L. Shull, Jeannette L. Salgado-Montilla, Josué Pérez-Santiago1. The contribution of the oral bacteriome and mycobiome in cancer risk in people with HIV in Puerto Rico [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 7475.

Oral health experiences of people living with Parkinson's disease: a scoping review.

Background and aim Parkinson's disease is the fastest growing and second most common progressive neurodegenerative condition in the UK; poised to represent a major societal and health care challenge. The scoping review aims to provide an overview of the literature on the oral health (OH) experiences of people living with Parkinson's, identifying current research gaps and future priorities.Method Search strategies included three electronic databases, two grey literature databases, relevant organisations, specialist journals and hand searching of the reference lists. A data extraction tool was developed and piloted.Results A total of 121 items were included in the review. Four themes were identified: OH impact, education and training, service delivery and wider impacts of OH for people with Parkinson's (PwP). The majority of studies included were cross-sectional in design, describing the OH status of PwP.Conclusion The majority of research to date has focused on OH impact. Areas for future research include use of qualitative studies exploring the experiences, attitudes and priorities of PwP and their care partners. Inclusion of medical, dental and allied health care professionals, together with people with lived experience, is required to develop, implement and evaluate interventions to support OH.

Comparing approaches to determining poor oral health among older adults in a national survey.

To compare the clinical validity of the three approaches in residential care facility residents. In NZ residential care facilities, the interRAI assessment tool is used by trained registered nurses for assessing oral status when new residents are admitted, but its validity has been questioned. Although Locker's global oral health item has been used to measure oral health in surveys and health services research, it is not routinely used in care facilities, yet its clinical validity has been demonstrated in population-based samples. Self-perceived oral health need may also be useful. Using a secondary analysis of clinical and self-reported data from a national survey of nursing home residents (the 2012 New Zealand Older People's Oral Health Survey, or OPOHS), we compared the validity of Locker's item, the interRAI tool and self-reported treatment need for identifying three key clinical indicators of poor oral health among dentate older adults; those were coronal caries (3+ teeth affected), root caries (1+ teeth affected) and xerostomia. Analyses were conducted using STATA, and survey weighting was used to obtain estimates for a source population of 25-843 individuals. The prevalence of 3+ teeth with coronal caries was 28.7% (23.9, 34.0), the prevalence of 1+ teeth with root caries was 33.7% (28.7, 39.0), the prevalence of xerostomia was 23.1% (18.4, 28.3). Marked gradients in prevalence risk ratio were seen across different categories of Locker's global oral health item and the interRAI assessment tooth for coronal caries and xerostomia. Locker's global oral health item gave a better fitting model and was more discriminative in detecting coronal caries than the interRAI assessment tool (Lockers AIC = 0.76, interRAI AIC = 0.81). None of the approaches was particularly discriminative for root surface caries experience. Self-reported approaches are discriminative for poor oral health. Standardised assessment tools used in residential care facilities should consider including a self-assessment component such as Locker's global oral health item.

Learning in conversation-A feasibility pilot study involving dental students and older people.

Older people represent a growing proportion of the population in most high-income countries. The impact of oral diseases on health and well-being is far-reaching, and future graduates should be able to meet their needs in this phase of life. This research tested the feasibility of involving dental students in direct community engagement to explore older peoples' oral health concerns and information needs. Seventeen older people were recruited locally to attend workshops with eight dental students in a health and well-being centre. First, older people selected oral health-related topics important to them, raising relevant questions and concerns. Students provided evidence-informed feedback on these selected topics at a subsequent workshop. Participants (students and older people) reflected on their involvement (via questionnaires, discussions and personal reflections). Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. The structure, process and outcome of the study were explored. Structure: Both students and older people were willing to participate in workshops. Workshops in the community facilitated active engagement between both groups without the constraints of clinics. Students considered pre-workshop preparations adequate but raised issues about their ability to manage 'strong characters' within discussion groups. Older people welcomed the initiative. Important topics raised by them were addressed by students giving them advice on maintaining their oral health. Students reported an improved understanding of how older people can be supported and expected a significant impact on future practice. Student involvement in direct community engagement was welcomed by all, demonstrating the feasibility and positive impact of the design whilst highlighting issues of importance for older people's oral health.

Oral health and type 2 diabetes in a socioeconomic perspective

AimsThis study aimed to examine the association between type 2 diabetes and poor self-rated oral health, and to investigate whether such association is modified by socioeconomic position. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study, including a population aged 18–75 years with self-reported type 2 diabetes (N = 41,884) and a sex-, age- and municipality-matched reference population from the Health in Central Denmark survey (2020). Multivariable logistic regression was used, and effect modification of indicators of socioeconomic position was examined. ResultsOral health was rated as poor in 37.0% of the population with type 2 diabetes and in 23.8% of the reference population without diabetes. Individuals with diabetes had higher risk of poor oral health (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.46 (95% CI: 1.39; 1.53)) than references. Interaction was seen between type 2 diabetes and highest attained education (p < 0.001). Stratified analyses showed higher risk of poor oral health in people with type 2 diabetes across all educational levels. ConclusionsPeople with type 2 diabetes were more likely to rate their oral health as poor than the reference population. Low education strengthened the association between diabetes and poor oral health.

Inanspruchnahme zahnmedizinischer Versorgung von Erwachsenen mit und ohne Beeinträchtigungen und Behinderungen – Ergebnisse der Studie GEDA 2014/2015-EHIS

ZusammenfassungHintergrundBeeinträchtigungen und Behinderungen können sich nachteilig auf die Mundgesundheit auswirken. Studien zur Mundgesundheit von Menschen mit Beeinträchtigungen und Behinderungen gibt es jedoch nur wenige. Dieser Beitrag untersucht die 12-Monats-Prävalenz der Inanspruchnahme zahnmedizinischer Versorgung von Erwachsenen mit und ohne Beeinträchtigungen und Behinderungen in Deutschland.MethodenDie Analysen basieren auf Daten von 23.372 Personen ab 18 Jahren mit ständigem Wohnsitz in Deutschland der Studie GEDA 2014/2015-EHIS. Die Teilnehmenden wurden gefragt, wann sie zuletzt bei einem Zahnarzt, Kieferorthopäden oder einem anderen zahnmedizinischen Spezialisten waren, um sich selbst beraten, untersuchen oder behandeln zu lassen – „vor weniger als 6 Monaten“, „vor 6 bis weniger als 12 Monaten“, „vor 12 Monaten oder länger“ oder „nie“. Für die Analysen wurden die ersten und letzten beiden Antwortoptionen zusammengefasst, um die 12-Monats-Prävalenz der Inanspruchnahme zahnmedizinischer Leistungen zu erhalten.ErgebnisseErwachsene mit Beeinträchtigungen und Behinderungen haben im Jahr vor der Befragung etwas häufiger keine zahnmedizinische Praxis aufgesucht als Erwachsene ohne Beeinträchtigungen und Behinderungen (21,5 % vs. 18,4 %; p = 0,002). Der Zusammenhang zwischen dem Vorliegen von Beeinträchtigungen und Behinderungen und einer geringeren Inanspruchnahme zahnmedizinischer Versorgung blieb aber nach Kontrolle für Alter, Geschlecht, Partnerschaft und sozioökonomischen Status nicht bestehen.DiskussionEs zeigen sich kaum Unterschiede in der Inanspruchnahme zahnmedizinischer Leistungen zwischen Personen mit und ohne Beeinträchtigungen und Behinderungen. Dennoch ist aufgrund ihrer im Mittel schlechteren Mundgesundheit zu überlegen, wie die zahnmedizinische Versorgung dieser sehr heterogenen Gruppe weiter verbessert werden kann. Die Auswertungen zeigen Versorgungsbedarfe und Präventionspotenziale auf.

A PhD completed. Oral health of people with Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease, characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. Because of the higher prevalence of Parkinson's disease in older adults, the hypothesis was that Parkinson's disease patients would have worse oral health. Since the quality of life deteriorates with Parkinson's disease, it is important to study what the influence of the mouth is in this. The aim of this thesis was to further our knowledge of Parkinson's disease and oral health (oral health and its diseases, and orofacial pain and dysfunction). The overall conclusion was that oral health is worse in patients with Parkinson's disease than in healthy patients, with consequences for Oral Health-Related Quality of Life. Furthermore, it is argued that to overcome disease-related problems, interdisciplinary collaboration is needed. However, because this also brings several difficulties with it, the discussion was initiated that if dental and medical students are more often taught together, a natural collaboration would occur.