Oral Problems Research Articles

The Effectiveness of Collaborative Learning on Developing Communicative Strategies in English for Specific Purpose Tour Guide Language Training Course at Tertiary Level

<p style="text-align:justify">The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of collaborative learning on learners’ communicative strategies in English for specific purpose (ESP) tour guide training course. The 12-week study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test, following the instruction of twelve topics in the ESP language training course. A total of 60 ESP language learners participated in the study. The experimental group was instructed using collaborative learning in the ESP tour guide language training and the control group was taught using a lecture-based approach. Data from the communicative strategies questionnaire were collected to assess the effectiveness of collaborative learning on learning communicative strategies in the ESP context. The results of the study showed that the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group on both the oral problem coping strategy scale and the listening problem coping strategy scale of the communicative strategies scale in the ESP environment. Based on the findings of the study, collaborative learning is effective in enhancing the language learners' communicative strategies in tour guide training course. Moreover, the study suggests that there should be a critical reflection on the ESP training course currently offered for tour guide language learners.</p>

Social cognitive predictors of regular dental visits and mouth self-examination behaviors among the elderly population: An application of the health action process approach model.

The present study aimed to identify the social cognitive predictors of regular dental visits and mouth self-examination behaviors among the elderly population, based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model. Regular dental visits and mouth self-examination can prevent oral and dental problems among the elders. Little information is available regarding the social cognitive predictive factors of these two behaviors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 24 municipality centers in Tehran, Iran in 2021. The centers were selected randomly using a multi-stage cluster sampling method and 301 elderly attendants aged 60≥years participated in the study. Data collection was done using a researcher-made questionnaire including demographic characteristics and the HAPA model constructs for two target behaviors. Data were analyzed using the Smart-PLS version 3.3.9 via correlation and PLS-SEM analysis. The mean age of the participants was 65.3±5.33 years and 79.7% were female. The SEM analysis showed that Action Self-Efficacy [b (SD) = 0.595 (0.065), P< 0.001] and Risk Perception [b (SD) = 0.218 (0.070), P< 0.002] were predictors of Intention for mouth self-examination but only Action Self-Efficacy [b (SD) = 0.651 (0.043), P< 0.001] was predictor of Intention for regular dental visits. Recovery Self-Efficacy and Planning directly contributed to the prediction of Mouth Self-Examination. The relationship between Maintenance Self-Efficacy and both behaviors is mediated by Planning. Also, the mediating role of Planning between Intention and target behaviors was confirmed. Action self-efficacy predicted the intention for regular dental visits and mouth self-examination behaviors. The relationship between intention and both behaviors was mediated by Planning. Emphasis on improving Action Self-Efficacy and Intention formation will enhance the effectiveness of interventions aiming at promoting the oral health of the elderly population.

Multi-function screening of probiotics to improve oral health and evaluating their efficacy in a rat periodontitis model.

The oral cavity is the second most microbially rich region of the human body, and many studies have shown that there is a strong association between microorganisms and oral health. Some pathogenic bacteria produce biofilms and harmful metabolites in the mouth that may cause oral problems such as oral malodor, periodontitis, and dental caries. Altering the oral microbiota by using probiotics may alleviate oral health problems. Thus, using multi-function screening, we aimed to identify probiotics that can significantly improve oral health. The main parameters were the inhibition of pathogenic bacteria growth, inhibition of biofilm formation, reduction in the production of indole, H2S, and NH3 metabolites that cause halitosis, increase in the production of H2O2 to combat harmful bacteria, and co-aggregation with pathogens to prevent their adhesion and colonization in the oral cavity. Tolerance to cholic acid and choline was also assessed. Bifidobacterium animalis ZK-77, Lactobacillus salivarius ZK-88, and Streptococcus salivarius ZK-102 had antibacterial activity and inhibited biofilm production to prevent caries. They also improved the oral malodor parameter, H2S, NH3, and indole production. The selected probiotics (especially L. salivarius ZK-88) alleviated the inflammation in the oral cavity of rats with periodontitis. The analysis of the gingival crevicular fluid microbiome after probiotic intervention showed that B. animalis ZK-77 likely helped to restore the oral microbiota and maintain the oral microecology. Next, we determined the best prebiotics for each candidate probiotic in order to obtain a formulation with improved effects. We then verified that a probiotics/prebiotic combination (B. animalis ZK-77, L. salivarius ZK-88, and fructooligosaccharides) significantly improved halitosis and teeth color in cats. Using whole-genome sequencing and acute toxicity mouse experiments involving the two probiotics, we found that neither probiotic had virulence genes and they had no significant effects on the growth or development of mice, indicating their safety. Taking the results together, B. animalis ZK-77 and L. salivarius ZK-88 can improve oral health, as verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments. This study provides a reference for clinical research and also provides new evidence for the oral health benefits of probiotics.

Oral Health-Seeking Behavior During The COVID-19 Emergency Policy Period in Padang City, Indonesia

The increase in positive cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has encouraged the Indonesian government to take lockdown policies by implementing Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) and Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM), which affect the paralysis of the health sector, especially dentistry. All actions in dental practice are limited to emergency case handling only, and many dentists have closed during the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in oral health-seeking behavior during the first phase of the lockdown in Padang City, West Sumatra, Indonesia. A survey method with a cross-sectional design was done by involving 120 respondents who have dental pain history. The data was collected by a self-administered questionnaire via google-form then analyzed by computerization using the fisher test. The results showed that during the PSBB period, most of the people in Padang (85%) treated dental pain independently, and only 15% asked for caregiver aids, specifically, only 3.3% of respondents take professional service. Meanwhile, during the PPKM period, the utilization of healthcare has increased by around 56,7%, (especially 43.4% treated by dental professionals, and 43.3% of respondents did self-medication. Thus, there was a significant difference of finding dental pain treatment behavior during PSBB and PPKM in Padang City (p = 0.004). As a result, limitation search for managing oral problems during COVID-19 has encouraged society to take self-medication or non-professional caregivers, so it is highly recommended to consult with dental professionals in the course of the pandemic through teledentistry without face-to-face meetings.

Oral Manifestations in Diabetes Mellitus and Management Considerations: A Review

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder defined as an increase in sugar levels in the bloodstream brought onby either insufficient insulin secretion, resistance to insulin's effects, or both. All age groups are affected by the chronic conditionknown as diabetes mellitus. It is among the world's major causes of mortality and morbidity. Xerostomia, dental caries,periodontal disease, gingivitis, candidiasis, other oral infections, burning mouth syndrome, taste dysfunction, oral mucosalalterations, delayed wound healing, and localized osteitis are common oral manifestations of diabetes mellitus. Majorcomplications impacting a patient's quality of life include oral complications in diabetic individuals. Long-term oral problems inthese patients’ harm blood glucose regulation, making oral complications care and prevention important. The dental professionalshould be familiar with DM's oral manifestations to identify this disease complication. This article not only discusses the oralmanifestations but also discusses management considerations in diabetic patients which will help future dental professionals indental practice. This article aims to spread knowledge and awareness about the potential oral manifestations of diabetes mellitusand treatment considerations.Keywords: , , , , ,

Secondary lesions of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity as a side effect of complex anticancer treatment: a literature review.

Today, both Ukraine and the world at large are faced with a significant number of oncological diseases with various localizations. The current state of diagnosis, prevention, early detection, and access to treatment leads to a substantial number of people in each country's healthcare system who require comprehensive cancer treatments. Modern medical and diagnosis protocols in oncology involve the usage of ionizing radiation and aggressive toxic chemotherapeutic agents which can significantly disrupt the physiology of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract during treatment, especially of the oral cavity. The most common complication of complex anticancer therapy is the development of various lesions of the oral cavity, including mucositis, which harms the patient's quality of life, limits the doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy the patient can receive, and also negatively affects the effectiveness of complex therapy treatment. Acute oral mucositis is observed among almost 100% of treatment cases. This is a significant problem for clinical oncology as it may also reduce patient compliance with comprehensive anticancer treatment. The results indicate the presence of oral problems in 100% of patients receiving specialized antitumor chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as the presence of a high need for specialized dental treatment.

Prevention of Oral Diseases by Discharging Nasal Area

One of the main keys for life health is the oral health. But we need the key to learn oral health now most of the people are used to brush their teeth regularly comparing to the previous decades but we are experiencing more problems in oral health. In this paper we try to describe the main reasons of increasing the dental and oral problems.

The oral health-related quality of life for individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder – a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe oral health status of an individual can dramatically influence quality of life. Most individuals in Canada report having good oral health, however, this is not true for individuals with developmental disabilities such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The purpose of this study is to compare the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of individuals with FASD and the general population in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Additionally, it aims to suggest ways to improve the oral health status and OHRQoL of these individuals.MethodsFor this cross-sectional study, the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) survey was used to assess the impact that oral health related problems can have on an individual’s quality life. This study used a cross-sectional cohort study design with a survey methodology. The sample population compromised of 154 individuals with FASD along with a separate control group of 154 otherwise healthy adults.ResultsThe results of the study showed that most of the individuals in the FASD group experienced pain in the past month. In both groups, cost was most frequently cited as a barrier to accessing care. The majority of individuals in the control group experienced a low impact across all OHIP-14 domains except for physical disabilities. However, in the FASD group, most individuals experienced higher impact scores in some of the categories including functional limitation, psychological discomfort, psychological disability and handicap.ConclusionThe findings clearly demonstrate that there is a discernible effect on an individual’s quality of life if they have poor oral health. In conclusion, further research is required to determine the most effective methods to improve the OHRQoL of individuals with disabilities.

Salivary Biomarkers in Periodontal Diseases: A Review

Saliva represents an important biological material for diagnosis of oral problems. Salivary biomarkers like enzymes, proteins, or oxidative stress are used for early screening of oral diseases and evaluating of disease activity, and also measure the efficacy of therapy, therefore; it is used for determination of periodontal disease activity and prognosis. Salivary biomarkers are potentially important for determining the presence, risk, and progression of periodontal disease, therefore; it is not only reflecting the current status of periodontal diseases but may predict their progression and response to treatment. The prevalence of periodontitis is about 5–15% worldwide. There are some factors that may increase the incidenc e of periodontitis like smoking, obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases. Method of assessing and monitoring periodont al disease must be quick, easy and reliable and should provide important diagnostic information that improves and speeds treatment decisions.

The inhibitory effect of berberine chloride hydrate on Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation at different pH values.

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is one of the major cariogenic bacteria of dental caries owing to its ability to adhere to tooth surfaces and biofilm formation. Berberine chloride hydrate (BH), a quaternary ammonium salt alkaloid, has diverse pharmacological efforts against microorganisms. However, the effect of BH on S. mutans biofilm has not been reported. Considering that berberine is a quaternary ammonium salt alkaloid, which needs to adapt to a large variation in pH values and the acid resistance of S. mutans, we employed three groups including pH 5 (acidic), pH 8 (alkaline), and unprocessed group (neutral) to examine the antibiofilm activities of BH against S. mutans during different pH values. In this study, we found BH effectively suppresses S. mutans biofilm formation as well as its cariogenic virulence including acid production and EPS synthesis significantly, and the inhibitory effort was reduced under acidic condition whereas elevated under alkaline condition. In addition, we preliminarily explored the influence of pH values on the structural stability and biosafety of BHas well as the underlying mechanism of inhibition of S. mutans biofilm formation with BH. Our study showed BH could maintain a good structural stability and low toxicity to erythrocytes at different pH values. And BH could downregulate the expression of srtA, spaP, and gbpC, which play critical roles in the adhesion process, promoting bacterial colonization and biofilm formation. Furthermore, comX and ldh expression levels were downregulated in BH-treated group, which might explain its inhibitory effect on acid production.IMPORTANCEDental caries is a common chronic detrimental disease, which could cause a series of oral problem including oral pain, difficulties in eating, and so on. Recently, many natural products have been considered as fundamental sources of therapeutic drugs to prevent caries. Berberine as a plant extract showed good antibiofilm abilities against microorganism. Our study focuses on its antibiofilm abilities against S. mutans, which was defined as major cariogenic bacterium and explored the role of pH values and possible underlying mechanisms in the inhibitory effect of BH on S. mutans biofilm formation. This study demonstrated a promising prospect for BH as an adjuvant drug in the prevention and management of dental caries.

Sex-based influential factors for dental caries in patients with schizophrenia

BackgroundSchizophrenia is a common mental disorder that seriously affects patients’ daily lives and brings heavy psychological and economic burdens to their families and society. The oral problems of patients with schizophrenia are gradually gaining attention, among which dental caries are among the most common oral diseases. Sex differences may be related not only to the various clinical symptoms of schizophrenia but also to different oral hygiene statuses; therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to investigate sex differences related to influencing factors for dental caries in patients with schizophrenia.MethodInpatients with schizophrenia over 18 years old were included in this study, and multidimensional indicators such as demographics, symptom and cognitive impairment assessments, medications, and the caries index of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) were collected. An analysis of sex-based influential factors for dental caries in schizophrenia patients was performed.ResultsFour-hundred and ninety-six patients with schizophrenia were included, with a mean age of 46.73 ± 12.23 years, of which 142 were females and 354 were males. The mean DMFT was significantly higher in males (8.81 ± 8.50) than in females (5.63 ± 6.61, p < 0.001), and the odd ratio of caries in males to females was significantly higher as well (OR = 2.305, p < 0.001). The influential factors of caries in male patients were independently associated with age and smoking status, in which current smokers were at the highest risk for developing caries, and different smoking statuses had various influencing factors for caries. The influencing factors for caries in female patients were independently associated with age, antipsychotic dose, PANSS-positive symptoms, and MMSE levels.ConclusionOur findings suggest sex differences exist among influential factors for caries in patients with schizophrenia. These risk factors may even be associated with and affect the treatment and prognosis of psychiatric symptoms in patients. Therefore, oral hygiene management of patients with schizophrenia should be enhanced. These differential factors provide new visions and ideas for formulating individual interventions, treatments, and care priorities.

The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS): psychometric properties and application on preschoolers.

The concept of oral health related to quality of life involves the impact that oral health has on an individual's well-being. The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) was developed to measure the impact of oral health problems on the lives of children and their families. To evaluate the psychometric properties of ECOHIS applied to mothers of preschool children and estimate the influence of demographic characteristics, caries experience, and plaque index on the ECOHIS score. The fit of ECOHIS to the data was assessed by confirmatory analysis. Chi-square for degrees of freedom ratio (χ2/df), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) were used. Reliability was estimated by the ordinal coefficients alpha (α) and omega (ω). The factorial invariance was estimated by the difference in CFI (ΔCFI). Comparisons of the ECOHIS mean scores according to the demographic characteristics, caries experience, and plaque index was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). A total of 371 children participated in the study. Mothers' mean age was 33.0 (SD = 7.04) years. The ECOHIS presented a good fit to the data (χ2/df = 4.31; CFI = 0.95; TLI = 0.94; RMSEA = 0.09) and a strict model invariance. Children without caries and from higher income class had lower oral health impact. The data obtained with the ECOHIS were valid, reliable, and invariant. Children with caries experience and from lower income families had a greater impact of oral problems.

Physicians' Examination and Referral Practices on Orthodontic Problems Among 6-12-Year-Old Children in Saudi Arabia.

Physicians are more likely to examine children than dentists; thus, they may have a significant role in detecting oral and dentofacial problems. This study aimed to determine the rate and comprehensiveness of examinations, the rate and quality of referral practices, and the predictors of referral practice of physicians regarding orthodontic problems among children. In a multi-center cross-sectional study, a total of 518 physicians in Saudi Arabia were subjected to an e-questionnaire of four sections: (1) Physicians' demographic and work-related characteristics; (2) Physicians' comprehensiveness of oral and orthodontic examinations; (3) Physicians' referral practices to orthodontists and reasons considered for referral; and (4) Physicians' sources of orthodontic education. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the significant predictors of referral practice. The significance was set at p < 0.05. Most physicians reported partial oral (78.5%) and orthodontic (72.2%) examinations, while the full examination was reported by only 12% and 2.5% of physicians, respectively. Referral to orthodontists was practiced by most of the physicians (83.8%), yet for the majority of them, the quality of referral was poor (40.3%) or fair (46.1%), with only 13.6% who practiced quality referral. Dental development issues (53.3%) and functional issues (51.5%) were reported as the main reasons for referral, followed by family/patient request (42.9%), dental alignment (42.5%), oral respiratory issues (32.4%), and finally jaw relation (26.1%). Referral practice was predicted by the comprehensive oral (OR = 2.37, p = 0.007) and orthodontic (OR = 4.26, p < 0.001) examinations, number of patients seen by the physician (OR = 1.58, p = 0.007), and level of training (OR = 1.88, p = 0.03). Although most physicians reported high rates of examination and referral practices on orthodontic problems among children in Saudi Arabia, only a small portion showed comprehensive examinations and quality referral practice. Including dental courses in medical curricula and improving oral and orthodontic examination guidelines for physicians are recommended.

Treatment strategies for periodontitis patients with systemic disease.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that destroys the integrity of tooth-supporting tissue. Periodontitis is listed as a major oral disease by the World Health Organization and is a public-health problem affecting global oral and systemic health. The fourth national oral health epidemiological survey has revealed that periodontitis is one of the most common oral problems in China. With the development of science and medicine, increased attention is being paid to the importance of oral health and its influence on general health. Accordingly, stomatologists are required to master more relevant information on clinical diagnosis and treatment, as well as to pay more attention to the diagnosis and treatment methods of patients with different systemic diseases. This article expounds the diagnosis and treatment strategy of patients with systemic disease periodontitis. We aimed to help stomatologists make more reasonable diagnosis and treatment decisions.

The implication of instructional design for deciduous tooth identification in a dental morphology course for undergraduate dental students

Background/purposeThe pediatric dentistry courses are lacking in our six-year undergraduate dental education. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implication of instructional design for deciduous tooth identification in a dental morphology course for undergraduate dental students through students’ perspectives. Materials and methodsA total of 34 s-year dental students who took this dental morphology course were invited to fill out the questionnaire for survey of instructional design for deciduous tooth identification after the class. ResultsOf the 34 dental students, 32 of them participated in the survey with a valid response rate of 94.1%. The results showed that most students found the learning activity of instructional design for deciduous tooth identification to be helpful for improving their knowledge about deciduous dentition. Most of them also had positive attitude towards this instructional design. ConclusionSince the proportion of pediatric dentistry courses in the undergraduate dental education is very low and children's oral problems are indeed faced by all dentists, it is important to add learning units of pediatric dentistry-related knowledge in different undergraduate dental professional courses or to propose strategies to promote students' awareness of self-directed learning about pediatric dentistry. This study may serve as a model for other undergraduate dental courses in Taiwan.

Dental health of patients using antidepressants and methamphetamines

The search was performed in the PubMed database, and the results of own research on the effects of antidepressants on dental health were presented. Literature data on the impact of methamphetamine use on dental health are also provided. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been shown to cause bru-xism, which can exacerbate temporomandibular joint disorder, and tricyclic antidepressants (especially low-dose amitriptyline) can reduce the risk of bruxism caused by another antidepressant. Antidepressants, mostly tricyclic, cause xerostomia, leading to the salivary hypofunction. Similar effects such as bruxism and xerostomia are also noted when using methamphetamines. Saliva contains a high concentration of calcium and phosphate ions, which serve as raw materials for the remineralization process, it also buffers organic acids formed by dental plaque, thereby preventing periodontitis and caries. Xerostomia due to the use of antidepressants or methamphetamines causes taste disorders, the appearance of bad breath, mouth ulcers, impairs the processes of chewing, swallowing and speech, changes the microbial colonization of the oral cavity, causing the development of dental ca-ries, candidiasis, atrophy of the mucous membrane and a burning sensation, difficulties in keeping dentures, negatively affects the quality of life of patients. Therefore, it is important for dentists to be aware of the oral problems associated with the use of methamphetamines and antidepressants, identify them early, and not only provide topical treatment, but also discuss with patients the risks associated with their lifestyle or treatment.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Oral Hygiene Among Pupils in Ahenema Kokoben

The study examined the knowledge, attitudes and practices of oral hygiene among students in Ahenema Kokoben. The study employed descriptive design of the quantitative approach. The study sampled 60 respondents of which 85 was made up of students. The study employed questionnaire. With the quantitative data, it was analysed using frequencies and percentages with the aid of Statistical Package for Service Solution. The study found that students were knowledgeable about oral hygiene. Students have good attitude towards oral hygiene. They thought that brushing their teeth regularly will help prevent oral problems; regular visit to dentist is relevant; and think that maintaining good healthy teeth is an individual responsibility. Students have good practice regarding oral hygiene. Respondents spend small time in brushing their teeth while small respondents brush under the supervision of their parents. It was recommended that students should be encouraged to continue to visit the dentist regularly and not to wait till they have issue with their teeth. Also, students should be encouraged to spend more time in brushing their teeth regularly and also twice a day. Moreover, parents should be encouraged to supervise their children when brushing their teeth, especially, among students who have decayed teeth or oral problems. Students should be educated or sensitize about the negative effect of sweet on their oral health. Rinsing of their mouth after meals should be encouraged among students to ensure proper oral hygiene.

Providing better access to oral health care for people receiving substance use treatment: A timely discussion.

Substance use disorders are a risk factor for poor oral health which in turn impacts quality of life. Resultant oral problems contribute to chronic illness, premature mortality, social stigma, embarrassment and reduced opportunities for employment and social interaction. Providing dental services to people with substance use disorders is often difficult due to high rates of oral disease, anxiety, behavioural and drug use changes, and lifestyle factors. Previous studies have demonstrated that alcohol and other drug service clients find accessing and navigating oral health services complex and suggest a multidisciplinary care approach to improve outcomes. In this commentary, we describe individual and structural barriers that limit the use of oral health care among people with substance use disorders, alcohol and other drug clinicians' challenges to integrating oral health into their practice and identify key issues for oral health services in delivering care. We draw on our experience to recommend a multidisciplinary approach be used to develop strategies in order to increase access to oral health services at a standard similar to the general population for clients of alcohol and other drug services.

Evaluation of Oral Health Related Quality of Life in a Group of Dental Students enrolled in Cairo University: A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: The oral health affects every person’s emotional and social experience and physical functioning; therefore, even on the level of the undergraduate students those with better dental appearance and proper dental function have higher self-esteem and social acceptance than those with dental and/ or oral problems.&#x0D; Aim: This study aims to evaluate the Oral Health Related Quality of Life among a group of undergraduate dental students using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire.&#x0D; Methods: The short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 questionnaire (OHIP-14) was used to evaluate Oral Health Quality of Life on dental students. Oral and dental diseases’ experienced were also evaluated across the perceived quality of life to find out whether a correlation existed. Statistical analysis was performed with IBM® SPSS® Statistics Version 26 for Windows. Categorical data were presented as frequencies and percentages and were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test.&#x0D; Results: Among the 346 participants 237 (68.5%) were females, and 109 (31.5%) were males. Their mean age was (20.83±1.83), and most of them were Egyptians 255 (73.7%). The mean of total OHIP-14 score for the studied sample was 12.95±9.80. The highest scores were found with physical pain (3.25±2.04), psychological discomfort (3.03±2.36) and psychological disability (2.04±2.00).&#x0D; Conclusion: The mean OHIP-14 total score is considered relatively higher than other populations. The most prevalent impact was reported in both the physical pain and psychological discomfort domains.&#x0D; Keywords Oral Health Related Quality of Life. Dental students. Oral Health Impact Profile-14.

The impact of health education interventions on oral health promotion among older people: a systematic review

BackgroundOne of the most common pathologic changes in older people is oral and dental problems. The oral health of older people is a public health concern. Promotion of good oral health for this cohort will have beneficial impacts on the longer-term quality of life. This study aimed to identify the types of health education interventions for the oral health of older people and to determine their effects on the oral and dental health of older people.MethodsPotential articles were retrieved from four electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Embase) up to 31 September 2022 in English without limit of time. Experimental and quasi-experimental interventional studies investigating the impact of educational interventions on oral and dental health among older people over 60 years old in both sexes were considered. The quality assessment tool was the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP).ResultsIn the initial search, 1104 articles were retrieved. Finally, according to the inclusion criteria, 23 studies (seventeen randomized controlled trials (RCT) and six quasi-experimental studies) were reviewed. In this review, educational interventions for older people and their caregivers are classified. Theoretical frameworks were used in only three interventions related to older people. Outcome measures were both self-reported and objective measures. Fifteen of the included studies were of moderate quality.ConclusionThis review provides evidence that the use of oral and dental health educational interventions was effective in improving the oral health of older people. Educational interventions were carried out both among older people and among their caregivers. Although a variety of interventions were used in the reviewed studies, more lectures were used in the interventions related to older people. In the interventions related to caregivers, in addition to lectures, practical education was also used. It is recommended to perform higher quality studies for assessing the effectiveness of interventions in this field.