Oral Health Index Research Articles

Is there a difference in the oral health status of healthy patients and those with inherited bleeding disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies was to identify the differences in oral health status between inherited bleeding disorders (IBDs) and healthy patients. Only case-control studies were included in this review. The risk of bias was assessed using the NOS tool. The random-effects meta-analysis was performed for DMFT and Oral Health Index outcomes. Online databases were searched to identify studies reporting a comparison between IBDs oral health conditions (DMFT, Oral Health Index) and healthy patients. Eight case-control studies were included. The majority of the included studies presented a high degree of methodological quality, while one presented a high risk of bias. A meta-analysis regarding the mean DMFT between IBDs and healthy patients reported that children and teenagers ( p = 0.52; I² = 73%) or adult patients ( p = 0.96, I²= 0) did not present statistically significant differences compared to control groups. The overall DMFT mean difference between IBDs and healthy patients was -0.18 ( p = 0.64, I²=0). There are no differences considering the caries experience of inherited bleeding disorders compared to healthy patients. The available evidence indicates that patients with inherited bleeding disorders present similar caries experience with healthy subjects.

Oral Health status in traditional and health

Background and Aim: Periodontal diseases and dental caries are two of the most common oral health problems. The present study was carried out to evaluate the oral and dental health indices of sixth grade primary school students. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 162 male and female students were randomly selected in two steps from traditional primary schools and health-promoting schools (HPSs) in Hashtgerd City, Alborz Province, Iran. Demographic information and oral health behaviors were recorded. Examinations were performed by one person, and the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index and oral hygiene index simplified (OHI-S) were checked and recorded in the standard form of the World Health Organization (WHO). Data were analyzed by the t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient. Findings: The mean DMFT was 1.83 ± 2.17. There was no significant difference between genders. The mean OHI-S was 1.40 ± 0.57. Oral hygiene was good for girls, and it was moderate for boys, in which this difference was significant (p < 0.001). The relationship between DMFT and OHI-S in the total population was statistically significant (p < 0.01). DMFT and OHI-S were higher in the traditional schools than in HPSs.

To Determine the Relation of Oral Health Status and Selected Correlates among Students Attending Various Universities of Lahore, Pakistan

When health is concerned, we must pay attention to all the parts of human body specially the oral cavity. Oral cavity is the gateway of many diseases in human body. There are many reasons for this spread, one of the reason is food. In this regard, the health care of oral cavity is the most essential constituent of general health and wellbeing of any individual. Low health literacy is the cause of all oral health related issues. Health education creates awareness among people that for a better life style it is equally important to seek and get proper health care as obtaining of other necessities of life. The grave consequences of low health literacy have been reviewed many times. This study was conducted on the young adults of Pakistan currently enrolled at different universities and colleges of Lahore, Pakistan. The main objective of the study was to know about the oral health literacy level of the participants and then find out its relationship with their oral health status which was find out after clinical examination. The purpose of the study was to get an idea about the health outcome of the most efficient group of population. Sample for this study will be collected in 2 steps. Step 1 was conducted by doing the clinical examination of the participants in order to assess oral health index. Step 2 was conducted by doing the short interviews of each participant in order to assess oral health literacy of the participants. All the data was complied. The results of REALD 30 word list from all 400 participants were analyzed and the average score was calculated. The average score came out to be 22.46. With this study, it was proved that education plays a significant role in improving oral health status. Further studies can be conducted to help spreading awareness and basic education related programs for uneducated people.

A Pilot Survey: Oral Function as One of the Risk Factors for Physical Frailty

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the association of the multiple facets of oral, motor, and social functions in community-dwelling older adults, to identify factors that might influence the risk of frailty. Methods: Of the 82 participants included in the study, 39 (5 males and 34 females) were young-old adults, with an average age of 70.5 ± 2.8 years, and 43 (14 males and 29 females) were old-old adults, with an average age of 78.7 ± 2.9 years. We assessed the risk factors for frailty among oral, motor, and social functions. Results: Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in the oral diadochokinesis between the groups (p = 0.006). According to the Spearman correlation analysis, a significant association was observed with age and oral diadochokinesis (rs = −0.262, p = 0.018), and social support (rs = −0.219, p = 0.049). Moreover, binomial logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association of frailty with the occlusal force (odds ratio, 0.031; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.002–0.430; p = 0.010), General Oral Health Index (odds ratio, 0.930; 95% CI, 0.867–0.999, p = 0.046), and availability of social support (odds ratio, 0.803, 95% CI, 0.690–0.934, p = 0.004). Conclusions: To prevent frailty at an early stage, assessments of oral functions, and also that of the availability of social support, are important.

Differences in Determinants Influencing Self-Rated Oral Health in Korean and American Adults.

This study aims to identify the differences in the determinants that influence self-rated oral health (SROH) among Korean and American adults aged 20 years or older and the differences in objective oral health status between Korea and the United States. It included 13,068 Koreans and 5569 Americans who participated in the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. All analyses were conducted using the SPSS 25 program. The 39% of Koreans and 27.7% of Americans rated their oral health as “poor”. The mean SROH score was lower in Korea (2.66) than in the US (3.15). Conversely, objective oral health was better among Koreans. Further, an analysis of the differences in the predictors of SROH between the two countries confirmed that there were significant differences in age, household income, education level, insurance type (none), type of smoking, self-rated health, and decayed teeth index. Government-led projects or policy-based changes that can improve objective oral health status are needed to boost SROH in Korea, and subsequent studies should examine other objective oral health indices (e.g., periodontal disease) as well as differences in sociocultural backgrounds between countries.

The impact of fixed orthodontic appliances and clear aligners on the oral microbiome and the association with clinical parameters: A longitudinal comparative study

Orthodontic treatment interferes with oral hygiene and promotes plaque retention, which leads to gingival inflammation and enamel demineralization. Although removable clear aligners (CAs) are designed to improve oral hygiene compared with fixed appliances (FAs), comprehensive studies comparing their respective effects on the oral microbiome are limited. This longitudinal study investigated the microbial changes during orthodontic treatment with FA and CA in correlation with clinical parameters. Clinical parameters and supragingival plaque were collected from 12 study participants for the FA or CA treatment groups at baseline and at least twice at the 1, 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up appointments. The plaque was also harvested from the aligner tray for the CA group. Microbiome composition was determined via 16S rRNA gene sequencing, compared between groups, and correlated with clinical parameters. Plaque (PI) and gingival indexes (GI) increased significantly in the FA but not the CA group. Beta but not alpha diversities of the microbial communities were distinct between the 2 treatment groups, even though genus-level differences were not significant except for Leptotrichia. The CA tray harbors a unique plaque community. Elevated PI and GI in the FA group correlated with a higher abundance of disease-related genera. Orthodontic treatments trigger appliance-related plaque community shifts from baseline, and the CA tray environment attracts distinct microbial communities. In comparison with FA, the use of CA resulted in better oral health index outcomes, which is reflected by the corresponding PI and GI-associated oral microbial communities.

The Effect of Implant Treatment on Index of "Oral Impact on Daily Performance"(OIDP) in Isfahan

Introduction: Teeth loss and its consequences, such as mental discomfort, most often negatively affects one's health and well-being. Dental implants were introduced in an attempt to raise patients’ satisfaction and improve health and quality of life in all dimensions. Hence, this study was performed to check the impact of implantation on the oral health indices in patients who were candidates for implant treatment in Isfahan city.
 Material and methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study, the lifestyle quality of 73 patients who were referred to Isfahan’s Islamic Azad Dental University (Khorasgan) and its affiliated private centers, was assessed using the OIDP index before and after their implant treatment between 2019 and 2020. Also, data analysis was done using Independent t-test, Paired t-test and analysis of variance ANOVA test (α = 0.05).
 Results: In the current study, the most common problem and with the most effect on oral satisfaction quality were teeth lost and extractions, respectively. Majorly, the effects were evident on the eating habits (83.6%), satisfaction of communication with others (68.5%) and quality of smile (64.4%). In the questionnaire, an attenuated score of OIDP was recorded, before the implant treatment compared to that of post-treatment, which was statistically meaningful (p value < 0.05). 
 Conclusion: According to the current study data, we can conclude that implant treatment can have a positive effect on the patients’ lifestyle quality.

Clinical Assessment of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Efficacy in Mild to Moderate Periodontal Affections: A Simple Randomised Trial.

Background and Objectives: Gum disease represents the condition due to the dental plaque and dental calculus deposition on the surfaces of the teeth, followed by ulterior destruction of the periodontal tissues through the host reaction to the pathogenic microorganisms. The aim of study was to present aspects regarding the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of periodontal disease, started from the already certified benefits of HBOT in the general medicine specialties. Materials and Methods: The participant patients in this study (71) required and benefited from specific periodontal disease treatments. All patients included in the trial benefited from the conventional therapy of full-mouth scaling and root planing (SRP) within 24 h. HBOT was performed on the patients of the first group (31), in 20 sessions, of one hour. The patients of the control group (40) did not benefit from HBO therapy. Results: At the end of study, the included patients in HBOT group presented significantly better values of oral health index (OHI-S), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), dental mobility (DM), and periodontal pocket depth (PD) than the patients of the control group. Conclusions: HBOT had beneficial effects on the oral and general health of all patients, because in addition to the positive results in periodontal therapy, some individual symptoms of the patients diminished or disappeared upon completion of this adjuvant therapy.

Exploring associations between multidimensional frailty and oral health in community-dwelling older people. A pilot study.

ObjectiveTo determine the associations between four validated multidimensional self‐report frailty scales and nine indices of oral health in community‐dwelling older persons.Materials and MethodsThis pilot study was conducted in a sample of 208 older persons aged 70 years and older who visited two dental practices in the Netherlands. Frailty status was measured by four different self‐report frailty questionnaires: Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI), Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI), Sunfrail Checklist (SC), and the Sherbrooke Postal Questionnaire (SPQ). Oral health was assessed by two calibrated examiners.ResultsThe prevalence of frailty according to the four frailty measures TFI, GFI, SC, and SPQ was 32.8%, 31.5%, 24.5%, and 49.7%, respectively. The SC correlated with four oral health variables (DMFT, number of teeth, percentage of occlusal contacts, Plaque Index), the TFI with three (number of teeth, percentage of occlusal contacts, Plaque Index), the GFI only with DPSI, and the SPQ with the number of teeth and the number of occlusal contacts.ConclusionOf the studied multidimensional frailty scales, the SC and TFI were correlated with most oral health variables (four and three, respectively). However, it should be noticed that these correlations were small.Clinical relevanceThe SC and TFI might help to identify older people with risk of poor oral health so that preventive care can be used to ensure deterioration of oral health and maintenance of quality of life. Vice versa early detection of frailty by oral care professionals could contribute to interprofessional management of frailty.

Knowledge and Practice of Oral Health and Hygiene and Oral Health Status among School Going Adolescents in a Rural Area of Sylhet District, Bangladesh

A cross-sectional, descriptive study was done at a rural high school in Zakiganj Upazila of Sylhet District, Bangladesh, between January and December of 2014, to determine knowledge and practice of oral health and hygiene and oral health status among school going adolescents. Students from three classes: class VIII, IX and X, and aged 12-16 years were taken for the study. Study samples were collected by using simple random sampling technique. A total of 90 students were divided into two age groups: 12-14 years and 15-16 years. A pre-designed, self-administered questionnaire was used for demographic survey and knowledge of oral health and hygiene (a 10-point questionnaire) and practice (a 7-point questionnaire). Then a plane mouth mirror and periodontal probe was used for examining oral health status in those school children. Oral hygiene status was measured by simplified Green and Vermillion Oral Hygiene Index. The mean age of the respondents was 14.37±0.50 years. Females were 68 (75.6%) and males were 22 (24.4%). 31 (34.4%) were from class VIII, 30 (33.3%) from class IX and 29 (32.2%) were from class X. 33.3% of the respondents have scored below the mean of the total knowledge score while 66.7% has scored above the mean (6.86±2.05). Pearson’s correlation coefficient (+0.342) revealed that an increase in knowledge score would lead to increase in practice score. The younger group had higher mean knowledge score than older group (7.15+1.35 vs. 6.58+2.54; P=0.017); however, no significant difference was found between males and females (6.90±1.74 vs. 6.85±2.15; P=0.432). There was no significant difference in Debris Index (DI), Calculous Index (CI) and Oral Health Index (OHI) scores in between age groups and genders. On educational status, significant difference was observed only in OHI score (P=0.001) among those three classes of students. Overall, only 31% had good oral hygiene, while 59% respondents had fair and 10% had poor oral hygiene status.
 CBMJ 2021 January: vol. 10 no. 01 P: 30-36

Measuring oral health: The Physical Oral Health Index

ObjectivesOral health is an important component of a person's general health. Studies focusing on this issue need valid and reliable tools to assess oral health. Aim was to develop a comprehensive measure for physical oral health and to establish its measurement properties. MethodsThe construct physical oral health was defined based on a systematic literature review and a modified Delphi technique in an expert panel (n = 31). The preliminary tool was applied in a multicenter study (n = 609) to gain empirical data on acceptance, item characteristics, reliability, and responsiveness. Validity was assessed as correlation of sores with patients’ and experts’ global oral health ratings and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) summary score. Based on findings of field testing, the tool was modified to derive the final version of the Physical Oral Health Index (PhOX). Finally, measurement properties of the PhOX were determined. ResultsThe PhOX consists of 14 items covering all relevant oral health structures and conditions. For repeated measures, reliability of the summary score was high (ICC = 0.87). The summary score was correlated in the expected direction to patients’ (r = 0.43) and examiners’ (r = 0.55) global oral health ratings and to OHIP summary scores (r = -0.41). Among patients receiving dental treatments between two assessments, PhOX summary scores increased from baseline to follow-up statistically significantly (p = 0.002). ConclusionsThe newly developed PhOX is a methodologically sound and easy to apply tool for the comprehensive assessment of physical oral health.

Oral Health Status of Children Living with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Diabetes is a well-known predisposing factor for oral diseases, so prevention in an early age is mandatory. Objective: To provide oral screening for children living with type 1 diabetes. We aimed to investigate the oral and general health indexes of T1DM children and compare these data to healthy siblings and controls. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 120 DM patients and 78 siblings, thereafter 80 DM children and 95 controls, took part. A detailed questionnaire, panoramic radiographs, and lateral cephalograms were obtained in every orthodontic consultation. We used Pearson’s chi-square test for statistical analysis and compared the data of the study and control groups. Results: The oral health values of DM children were significantly better (DMF-T 0.83–1.3) than the national average (3.8–4.5). A total of 75% (n = 60) of the children needed orthodontic treatment for orthodontic or skeletal anomalies. The prevalence of skeletal anomalies was significantly (p < 0.05) higher among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) than in the control group. The frequency of coeliac disease was significantly elevated compared to any literature data (1–3.5%) in the study (15%) and in the control sibling group (13%). Conclusions: Co-morbidities such as CD should get more attention as a prognostic factor for a future higher incidence of diabetes. T1DM children can be motivated and health-conscious patients with excellent oral hygiene and dental status. Orthodontic treatment can help eliminate the oral complications of DM. Special diabetes ambulances may help provide oral care for patients with DM.

Determinants of oral-health-related quality of life among adult people in Iran

Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) assesses the subjective perception of oral health and its impact on the quality of life. The aim of this study is to measure the OHRQoL and its determinants among adult people living in Kerman, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 5657 adult people (18-64 years) residing in the Kerman district, both in the rural and urban areas, were enrolled in the study between September 2014 and April 2018. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and the oral health indices, such as the total decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT), community periodontal index (CPI), gingival index (GI), and xerostomia, were measured by an experienced dentist. The demographic variables of gender, age, educational status, and marital status were also recorded. The impact of the studied variables on OHRQoL was evaluated with multiple logistic regression. Participants were 2239 (39.58%) men, and average age was 45.39. The mean scores for OHRQoL, DMFT, CPI and GI were respectively: 24.07 (7.76), 10.7 (6.86), 0.76 (0.96), 0.63 (0.8). The frequency of people with xerostomia was 37.4. 301 (53.3%) of people had poor quality of life related to oral health. In multivariable analysis, there was a statistically significant increase in OHRQoL with an increase in the DMFT (P < 0.001), xerostomia (P < 0.001), CPI, (P < 0.001). Men had a significantly higher OHIP score than women (P < 0.001). According to the results of this study, DMFT, xerostomia, and CPI scores are strongly related to OHIP scores. In addition, between CPI and GI scores, the CPI score is the better predictor.

Self-reported oral health and normative indices of dental caries among adolescents: a cohort study.

This study assessed the association between self-reported oral health and the normative indices of dental caries in an adolescent population. This study is based on a 6-year data from a cohort, beginning in 2012, with 1,134 twelve-year-old adolescents. After three phases of data collection, 68% of the samples were followed up. Self-reported oral health was evaluated through the question: "Would you say that the health of your teeth, lips, jaws, and mouth is …?", and answers were categorized as "good" or "poor." Calibrated dentists examined clinical conditions using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. Statistical analysis was performed using multilevel logistic regression models, considering the dependence of those observed thrice and adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic, and dental visit variables. Adolescents who evaluated their oral health as poor had higher mean DMFT (OR: 1.35; CI95% 1.22-1.50). When evaluated separately, decayed (OR: 2.43; CI95% 1.83-3.23) and missing (OR: 3.94; CI95% 1.26-12.26) teeth also presented significant results, showing poor self-reported oral health associated with a higher mean. Adolescents' self-perceived oral health was associated with normative dental caries indices, and this association was maintained throughout adolescence.

Importance of preventive dentistry in the elderly: A personal approach.

Background:Oral diseases and their impact on health and quality of life have now evolved into a polarized epidemiological state in which their incidence is especially affecting the most vulnerable in the population: the elderly, especially those with low incomes economical. On the other hand, the noticeable increase observed in the proportion of older adults in developing countries such as Iraq during the last decades. Such a high proportion of older adults is causing an increase in their stomatological care needs that necessitate dentists to know precisely both the etiological factors, such as the pathogenesis and factors that determine the specificity of oral disorders at this stage of life. Only with this knowledge will professionals be able to face these patients with a modern dentistry based on prevention. The objective of the study was to show the impact of oral health on the quality of life of older adults in Iraq.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Iraqi adults focused on demographic characteristics factors, lifestyle, the Geriatric Oral Health Index, and Oral Health Diagnosis. Data were evaluated using ratios, the Chi-square analysis for the correlation among factors and odds ratios to verify statistical significance at P ≤ 0.05.Results:This research confirms the impact of oral health on the quality of life of older adults in Iraq. Endodontic problems compromise the quality of life of older adults.Conclusion:Oral health problems, especially those of traumatic, endodontic, and periodontal origin, negatively affect the quality of life of older adults in Iraq.

Comparison of Oral Health Problems in Children: A Cross Sectional Survey in Pakistan

Aim: To determine and compare the oral health, in term of oral health, community periodontal and DMFT index, of primary and elementary school children. Subjects and method: In this study 694 students were examined for oral health. 347 students were from primary school whereas other half were from elementary school. The sample population was selected via a purposive sampling technique. Data was collected using Simplified oral health index (OHI-s), community periodontal index (CPI) and decay missing Filled tooth (DMFT). Results: in the study 39(11.2%) of primary school students and 49(14.1%) of elementary school students have poor oral hygiene. Similarly among primary school students 62(17.9%) have bleeding gums and 30(8.6%) of the students have calculus teeth. Among elementary school students 74(21.3%) have bleeding gums and 40(11.5%) of the students have calculus teeth. Conclusion: In primary and elementary school students simplified oral health index and community periodontal index was satisfactory and no difference was observed whereas on the basis of decay missing Filled tooth index primary school students have low average score. Keywords: Oral health, school, children, cross sectional survey

Oral Hygiene Awareness, Practices and Attitudes among Syrian Refugees in Zaatari Camp and Their Impact on Oral Health Status.

To characterise the oral hygiene habits, attitudes, and oral health practices in relation to sociodemographic factors among refugees in Jordan and to investigate their impact on the oral health status of these refugees. This cross-sectional study consisted of two parts. First, a face-to-face interview was conducted using a structured questionnaire including demographic and oral health-related questions. Second, clinical oral examination was performed using WHO criteria, DMFT and oral health indices (OHI-S). The participants were adults, aged 18 and older. All patients attending dental clinics and accompanying personnel in the waiting areas at Zaatari camp during the study period were invited to participate, with a sample size of 547 refugees (males = 212, females = 335). 547 adult refugees participated. 75.3% reported toothbrushing less than twice daily, while flossing was uncommon (9.5%). Toothbrushing habits were significantly associated with gender and smoking status. Untreated carious lesions had a high incidence (94.1%); the mean number of decayed teeth was 5.4 and was statistically significantly higher in males and smokers. The mean number of missing teeth was 3.2 and was significantly associated with males, age, smoking, and presence of chronic disease. Participants who reported conditions that had persisted 1 year or more and required ongoing medical attention or limited activities of daily living or both (e.g. diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart diseases, thyroid disease, chronic renal disease, rheumatoid arthritis, anemia, peptic ulcer, or asthma) were recorded as having chronic disease. The mean number of filled teeth was 3.2 and was statistically significantly associated with age and presence of chronic disease. The mean DMFT was 11.8 and was statistically significantly higher in males, older people, smokers, and those with chronic disease. The OHI-S was 2.2. The most common complaint was pain (92.2%), and only 1.1% visited a dentist for a check-up. The prevalence of caries was extremely high, with poor oral hygiene practices among refugees, justifying the urgent need to develop and implement targeted oral health promotion, preventive programs and curative strategies and to enable collaboration of the oral healthcare providers and funding agencies to design the most appropriate interventions for this disadvantaged population. In addition, this information can be used as a basis upon which preventive programs can be assessed for efficacy.

Relationship between dental caries, oral hygiene and malocclusion among Syrian refugee children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundLittle is known about the oral disease burden in refugee children and associated risk factors. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the oral hygiene status and prevalence of caries, and to investigate their association with malocclusion characteristics in a child refugee population.Methods606 Syrian refugee children and adolescents aged 7–19 years, registered as refugees in Jordan and residing in Zaatari camp, were recruited to the study. Oral hygiene and caries status were recorded using DMFT (mean of decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth) and OHI-S (Simplified Oral Hygiene Index) according to WHO criteria. Oral health results were then cross tabulated with previously reported malocclusion traits for the same study sample (crowding, spacing, contact point deflection and IOTN) to detect any associations. Statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square test, independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Welch test and Post Hoc testing (Gabriel and Games-Howell).ResultsOverall DMFT and OHI-S were 4.32 and 1.33 respectively with no difference between males and females. Around 40% of the sample showed ≥ 5 DMFT score. 96.1% of the sample either do not brush or brush occasionally: females showed better oral hygiene practices (P = 0.002). No significant differences in DMFT scores were noted for gender or age, other than the 7–9.9 year old group having significantly higher mean DMFT scores than all other age groups (P < 0.01);the mean of OHI-S was not significantly different between different age groups (P = 0.927). Subjects with malocclusion, specifically crowding, contact point deflection and IOTN grades 3, 4 and 5 had higher scores in both arches for OHI-S and DMFT than subjects without malocclusion traits, although this was not statistically significant for DMFT scores. Overall, patients with generalized spacing had a significantly lower OHI-S score than those without spacing (P = 0.021). Significant correlations were found between parameters of intra-arch and inter-arch relationships and oral health indices (DMFT and OHI-S).ConclusionMalocclusion may increase the risk of caries and periodontal disease; the magnitude of this risk is amplified in populations with poor oral health and limited access to oral healthcare services, highlighting the need for preventive and curative oral health programs.

Dimensional Structure and Preliminary Results of the External Constructs of the Schizophrenia Coping Oral Health Profile and Index (SCOOHPI).

The Schizophrenia Coping Oral Health Profile and Index (SCOOHPI) was developed to assess oral health coping strategies in people with schizophrenia. We show that the difficulty and discrimination indices of 18 items, selected for the final version, are acceptable according to the Rasch model, as are the inter-item (0.25) and inter-score (α = 0.85) correlations. This scale can be considered as an index, giving a global score between 0 and 72, with a Likert scale with five response modalities. This is also a profile with the following three dimensions of coping-related oral health, emerging independently of each other: (1) physical well-being strategies (α = 0.72); (2) moral well-being strategies (α = 0.60); (3) access strategies for oral well-being (α = 0.79). The sub-scores, ranging from 0 to 24, specify populations focused on the themes of coping strategies that may be most affected, depending on the subject’s characteristics and their clinical oral health status. The validation study of this scale is still in progress, to evaluate the reproducibility of the results, sensitivity to change, and reliability for other populations of people with schizophrenia.

Self-perception of childrenś oral health by their parents

Abstract Background Neglecting oral hygiene can lead to early tooth loss, pain, discomfort and, consequently, a great monetary investment to repair the damage caused in the stomatognathic system, whether of masticatory, phonetic or aesthetic origin. The aim of the present study consists in the characterization of oral health perception and oral hygiene habits of the children by their own parents and the creation of a scale to classify children's oral health perception by their parents. Methods A cross-sectional observational epidemiological study was performed. The population of this study was made up of 422 parents whose children are between five and eleven years of age and who attend schools in the districts of Viseu and Lisbon. The data collection was achieved through the application of a self-administered questionnaire in order to characterize the parentś perception of the oral health of their own children. Results Through the analysis of the questionnaires, 54.8% of the sample considered that their own children present inadequate oral health behaviors; 40.3% sufficient and only 4.8% consider that their children have good and adequate oral health behaviors. Regarding oral hygiene, most of the children did it one to five times a day, 44.7% took ‘2 minutes' to perform this activity, 70.3% did not use dental floss, 77.9% do not brush their teeth after lunch, 49.3% only use toothbrush for oral hygiene, 13.6% never went to the dentist, 26.9% are afraid, 38.1% have already suffered from toothache, 28.8% had gingival hemorrhage and 12.6% had gingival inflammation. Conclusions Oral health is a determining factor for a good quality of life. To this end, it is essential to implement oral health education and promotion strategies with all members of the household, in order to guarantee better oral health indexes in the community. Key messages Oral health literacy and knowledge is essential in order to improve oral health indexes in the community. The characterization of the oral health of children and adolescents is crucial to improve oral health behaviors and establish the correct oral health promotion programs.