Oral Hygiene Study in Late Adolescence.

The objective of this study is to determine prevalent behaviors and knowledge of oral hygiene on the late adolescents. Only individuals in the late stage of adolescence, specifically between the ages of 18 and 24, that were students from the "Ovidius" University of Constanta were chosen. The involvement was optional. A printed questionnaire was provided for them to complete. A total of 50 participants took part in this study, consisting of 26% (n=13) males and 74% (n=37) females. When asked about their toothbrush preference, 50% (n=25) individuals indicated using just manual toothbrushes. Out of all individuals who have utilized orthodontic appliances, 70.8% (n=17) reported that the dentist recommended for them to receive professional dental hygiene care while undergoing treatment. 78.0% (n=39) individuals reported participating in oral hygiene meetings and would be interested for additional information regarding the topic. It is essential to provide youngsters with early instruction about the importance of oral hygiene in order to develop long-lasting healthy habits.

Validation of the Romanian Version of the Halitosis Associated Life-Quality Test (HALT) in a Cross-Sectional Study among Young Adults.

Halitosis is a common condition with a significant impact on individuals' quality of life. The Halitosis Associated Life-Quality Test (HALT) is a reliable instrument for measuring this impact. This study aimed to introduce and validate the Romanian translation of the HALT questionnaire (R-HALT). We hypothesized that the R-HALT would demonstrate good reliability and validity in measuring the impact of halitosis on quality of life among Romanian teenagers and young adults. Our objectives were to translate and adapt the HALT, validate it among a cross-sectional group, and evaluate the extent of halitosis in this population. A multicentric cross-sectional design followed, which was approved by the Ethics Research Committee in Romania. The translation process involved independent translations, retro-translations, expert review, and pre-testing. The psychometric properties were evaluated among 150 patients (mean age 23.6 ± 1.8; 51% males) at dental clinics, including reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity, using accepted statistical measures such as Cronbach's alpha and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). The R-HALT revealed strong internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.93 to 0.96, and an ICC value of 0.87 (95% CI = 0.70-0.99), demonstrating excellent test-retest reliability. Mean scores of individual items ranged from 0.82 ± 0.94 (Q3) to 3.23 ± 1.15 (Q11). The corrected item-total correlation ranged from 0.30 (Q2) to 0.90 (Q19). Organoleptic test scores diagnosed 41% (62 patients) with a score of 2, with increasing severity in 9% (13 patients) with a score of 5. The R-HALT exhibited robust reliability and validity in assessing the impact of halitosis among Romanian teenagers and young adults. The questionnaire is a strong tool for understanding, diagnosing, and managing halitosis in Romania, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of life of affected individuals. Further studies with diverse populations could enhance the applicability of the R-HALT.

Emotional and Social Impact of Halitosis on Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review.

Background and Objectives: Halitosis is a condition characterized by unpleasant breath smell that is starting to receive serious scientific attention, considering it reflects on people's social and personal life. While most studies focus on the prevalence of halitosis, its medical etiology, and the psychological impact on adults, there is a lack of evidence regarding the social impact of halitosis on the younger population. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to observe the social and emotional impact that halitosis has on adolescents and young adults. Materials and Methods: The review followed the PRISMA protocol, and four electronic databases (Scopus, Scholar, Web of Science, and ProQuest) were searched. From a total of 593 studies retrieved, only 6 were included in the study after assessing the eligibility criteria. Results: The main results showed that the levels of self-reported halitosis ranged from 23.1% to 77.5%, with an average of 44.7%, indicating a significant heterogeneity among the studies reporting this issue. Adolescents and young adults who experienced bad breath were feeling more anxious and depressed according to the non-standardized questionnaires and the standardized questionnaires (OHIP-14 and SCL-9-R). The respondents were isolated from social interactions and consequently had lower self-esteem and impaired quality of life. Conclusions: The conclusions drawn indicate the need for action on a medical level, as well as on a psychological level, in order to improve people's oral health and help them navigate through the difficulties of maintaining social interactions as they live with halitosis.

Giant basal cell carcinoma of the nasal pyramid - case report.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a frequent form of skin cancer, which usually affects people that have been exposed to the sunlight for longer periods of time. The cells of the lower part of the epidermis are called the basal cell layer. These cells constantly divide to form new cells to replace the squamous cells that wear off the skin's surface. As these cells move up in the epidermis, they get flatter, eventually becoming squamous cells. Therefore, the BCC develops from these cells. Most BCCs have indolent behavior, with cure rates very high after low-complexity treatment. However, some lesions are very aggressive and there are only a few papers focusing on the subtype of this skin cancer known with the name ulcus rodens or giant BCC. In this study, we evaluate a case of ulcus rodens or giant BCC, subtype of the BCC skin cancer located in the area of the nasal pyramid, stage III, TxNxMx, with lymphatic and vascular invasion present.