Tobacco products and sensory health: An assessment of taste and smell disorders using 2021 NHIS data.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to assess the relationship between use of tobacco products and taste and smell disorders. METHODS: A secondary dataset analysis of cross-sectional data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2021 survey cycle, a nationally representative annual cross-sectional interview of non-institutionalized US civilians, was used. Participants' senses of smell and taste are assessed using self-reported questions. Participants were categorized into five groups based on their tobacco use: non-tobacco users; cigarettes only; e-cigarettes only; cigar, pipe, or smokeless tobacco; and poly-tobacco product users. Disorders were defined as any self-reported difficulty in smelling, tasting, or reporting unpleasant odors or persistent tastes. Weighting procedures were used to estimate the national prevalence of taste, smell, and other disorders, stratified by tobacco products used. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to determine the association between tobacco products used and taste or smell compared to non-tobacco users. RESULTS: A total of 40.2 million US adults reported experiencing smell or taste disorders. Nearly one in 10 adults reported a taste disorder (9.8%), and 13.4% indicated a smell disorder. The prevalence of taste or smell disorder was higher among females (17.5%), Hispanics (19.5%), individuals identified as 'other' racial minorities (21.1%), and lower income groups (21%). Compared to non-tobacco users, the highest odds of experiencing smell or taste disorders were among poly-tobacco product users (adjusted odds ratio, AOR=1.44; 95% CI: 1.31-1.58), followed by e-cigarette-only users (AOR=1.38; 95% CI: 1.02-1.87), cigarette-only smokers (AOR=1.17; 95% CI: 1.04-1.32), and users of cigars, pipes, or smokeless tobacco (AOR=1.15; 1.00; and 1.33; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco product use was associated with an increased risk of smell and taste disorders. The rising use of e-cigarettes among adolescents and young adults is particularly concerning given the limited understanding of the sensory effects of e-cigarettes and their growing popularity among younger populations. The study findings highlight the need for interventions aimed at reducing tobacco use of all kinds.

Salivary Antibody Responses to Two COVID-19 Vaccines following Different Vaccination Regimens.

Background: To date, little is known about the salivary mucosal immune response following different COVID-19 vaccine types or after a booster (3rd) dose of the BNT162b2 (BNT) vaccine. Methods: A total of 301 saliva samples were collected from vaccinated individuals and arranged into two cohorts: cohort 1 (n = 145), samples from individuals who had received two doses against SARS-CoV-2; cohort 2 (n = 156), samples from individuals who had received a booster of BNT vaccine. Cohorts 1 and 2 were sub-stratified into three groups based on the types of first and second doses (homologous BNT/BNT, homologous ChAdOx1/ChAdOx1, or heterologous BNT/ChAdOx1vaccinations). Salivary immunoglobulin G (IgG) response to SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein was measured by ELISA, and clinical demographic data were collected from hospital records or questionnaires. Results: Salivary IgG antibody responses against different vaccines, whether homologous or heterogeneous vaccination regimens, showed similar levels in cohorts 1 and 2. Compiling all groups in cohort 1 and 2 showed significant, albeit weak, negative correlations between salivary IgG levels and time (r = -0.2, p = 0.03; r = -0.27, p = 0.003, respectively). In cohort 2, the durability of salivary IgG after a booster dose of BNT162b2 significantly dropped after 3 months compared to the <1 month and 1-3 months groups. Conclusions: Different COVID-19 vaccine types and regimens elicit similar salivary anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG with modest waning over time. Boosting with BNT162b2 vaccine did not produce an evident increase in mucosal IgG response whereby COVID-19 recovered subjects show higher salivary IgG than naive, post-vaccination subjects. The ChAdOx1/ChAdOx1 regimen showed better correlation between salivary IgG levels and durability. These findings highlight the importance of developing oral or intra-nasal vaccines to induce stronger mucosal immunity.

Comparison of student and faculty interviewers using ratings data for admissions decisions.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlations of cognitive and noncognitive dental school admission factors with interview ratings provided by faculty and student interviewers. METHODS: Interviewees for the 2019-2021 admissions cycles underwent a 90-minute period consisting of two 45-min interviews and received two interview scores ranging from 1.0 to 2.3. Regression models were utilised to evaluate factors associated with interviewer type and admission status, The correlation strength between faculty and student interview scores was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 177 applicants were interviewed, and 69 students were admitted over two admission cycles. Admitted students received higher interview ratings compared with nonadmitted applicants after adjusting for cognitive and noncognitive admission factors (average difference = -0.068; 95% CI = -0.123, -0.014). No statistically significant relationship was found between any cognitive admissions factor and interview score. However, having prior leadership role experiences was associated with better faculty score, after adjusting for student interviewee score. There was a strong linear correlation (r = .92) between faculty and student interview scores, with 0.809 change in faculty score with each additional student interview score (95% CI = 0.735, 0.883). CONCLUSION: The relationship between faculty and student scores was linear and strongly correlated, suggesting that faculty and student interviewers were comparable in their interview scoring. Leadership experience and potential could be advantageous qualities that improve faculty interviewer ratings. However, having a mix of faculty and Student interviewers may promote evaluation of candidates from different aspects, as students are familiar with the learning environment in dental school and may provide a unique perspective on an applicant's background and suitability for the program.

Comprehensive, School-Based Preventive Dentistry: Program Details and Students' Unmet Dental Needs.

BACKGROUND: In this paper, we describe the design, program details, and baseline demographics and oral health of participants in ForsythKids, a regional, comprehensive, school-based mobile caries prevention program. METHODS: We solicited all Massachusetts elementary schools with greater than 50% of students receiving free or reduced-price meals. Six schools initially elected to participate, ultimately followed by over 50 schools. Interventions were based on systematic reviews and randomized controlled caries prevention trials. Participating students received semiannual dental examinations, followed by comprehensive preventive care. Summary statistics regarding oral health indicators were derived from individual tooth- and surface-level data. RESULTS: Over a 6-year period, data were collected on 6927 children. The number of students per school ranged from 58 to 681. The overall participation rate was 15%, ranging from 10% to 29%. Overall, 57% of the children were younger than 8 years at baseline. Approximately, 54% of children experienced dental decay on any tooth at baseline; 32% had untreated decay on any tooth, 29% had untreated decay on primary teeth, and 10% untreated decay on permanent teeth. CONCLUSIONS: Untreated dental decay was double the national average, even in schools within several blocks of community dental clinics. These data demonstrate the need for caries prevention beyond the traditional dental practice.