Caries prevalence and water fluoridation in Israel: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of Community Water Fluoridation (CWF) in the prevalence of dental caries and dental fluorosis in 12-year-old children living in Israel. Considering that CWF is important in the prevention of dental caries. Between 2002 and 2014, the water in communities of at least 5,000 individuals was fluoridated. In 2014, CWF in Israel stopped. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Data on 12-year-old children from all areas in Israel from the national cross-sectional epidemiological survey conducted in 2011 to 2012 were stratified by city water fluoridation and by city and school socioeconomic status. Two dependent variables were defined: (1) DMFT index of caries experience in the permanent dentition; (2) dental fluorosis in central incisors using the Thylstrup-Fejerskov classification of fluorosis. RESULTS: Data from 2,181 12-year-olds were analyzed. The average DMFT was 1.17 ± 1.72, and 49% were caries-free. Based on DMFT, the caries experience was significantly higher in nonfluoridated cities (1.38 vs 0.98 in fluoridated cities) and there were more caries-free children in fluoridated cities (56.4% vs 40.6% in nonfluoridated). DMFT was higher in cities with lower socioeconomic status than high socioeconomic status (1.29 vs 1.05, respectively, P < .001) and there were fewer caries-free children in low socioeconomic status cities (44.5% vs 53.0% in high socioeconomic status cities, P < .0001). Almost all the 10.3% of children with signs of fluorosis (scoring at least 1 in the Thylstrup-Fejerskov index), had questionable to mild fluorosis (9.3%). CONCLUSIONS: CWF is a cheap, simple method of dental health protection that reaches all socioeconomic levels, and cessation of water fluoridation reduced the health of Israel's children. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Water fluoridation provides substantial caries prevention, by reaching a substantial number of people. The relevance of this work is for policymakers to consider CWF as clinically proven method for reducing health inequalities.

Risk Factors for Severe Clinical Course in Epistaxis Patients.

Purpose: Epistaxis is a common medical emergency that may require admission to the emergency department (ED) and treatment by an otolaryngologist. Currently, there are no widely accepted indications for hospitalization, and the decision is based on personal experience. Methods: A retrospective study of 1171 medical records of patients with epistaxis treated at our tertiary medical center ED from 2013 to 2018 with no age limit. The presence of recurrent epistaxis, a posterior source of bleeding, the need for hospitalization, the need for blood transfusion, or surgical intervention defined severe clinical course. Results: The 1171 admissions included 230 recurrent admissions for a total of 941 patients (60% males) who were treated by an otolaryngologist. The average age was 57.6 in the adult population (>15) and 6.6 in the pediatric population (≤15). Of all patients, 39% had hypertension; 39% took antiplatelet/anticoagulation therapy; 63% came during winter-a significant risk factor; 34 (2.9%) had reduced hemoglobin levels of >1gr%, but only 7 received a blood transfusion; 131 (11%) were hospitalized, and 21 (1.8%) required surgical control of the bleeding. Age (OR 1.02; CI 1.01-1.023), male sex (OR 2.07; CI 1.59-2.69), hypertension (OR 1.76; CI 1.27-2.45), and antiplatelet/anticoagulation therapy (OR 2.53; CI 1.93-3.33, OR 1.65; CI 1.11-2.44, respectively), were significantly correlated with severe clinical course. Conclusion: Epistaxis is significantly more common and severe in older male patients with hypertension or antiplatelet/anticoagulation therapy. However, few need a blood transfusion or surgical intervention. In borderline cases with no definitive indication for hospitalization, we suggest adopting these factors as indications for hospitalization due to their marked influence on the clinical course. Routine coagulation tests are indicated in patients treated with warfarin or combined antiplatelet + anticoagulation therapy.

Orthodontic Treatment of Patients With Clefts: Satisfaction and Psychological Aspects.

To assess parents' satisfaction with cleft child's facial appearance and function; compare these findings with orthodontist (expert) satisfaction and evaluate influence of various factors on satisfaction.Cross-sectional study.Sixty-three parents of non-syndromic patients with clefts (ages 7-20 years), and an orthodontist, completed the Cleft Hearing, Appearance and Speech Questionnaire. Two scores were produced: cleft-associated, and non-cleft-associated features. Additional open questions were presented to the parents.Both parents and orthodontist gave high satisfaction scores (mean: 8.4 & 8.2, respectively), significantly correlated, for the cleft-associated features (P < .001). Parents were least satisfied with appearance of teeth, then nose, then lips. Scores did not vary significantly with age and sex of patients. Higher parents' satisfaction was found in the unilateral cleft lip + alveolus (UCL + alveolus) group, compared with the unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), regarding cleft-associated features, and compared with cleft palate (CP), regarding non-cleft-associated features (P < .05). Greater parents and orthodontist satisfaction were found when parents' education was >12 years. Parents of Jewish ethnicity showed higher satisfaction, compared with parents of non-Jewish ethnicity. Patients requiring future surgery received lower scores. Parents satisfaction was directly correlated to socioeconomic status.The following factors appear to lower parents' satisfaction: [1] cleft severity, [2] hearing or speech of CP/BCLP patients, [3] requirement for further surgery, and [4] low socioeconomic status.Severe cases may require additional explanation to parents in order to lower expectations. A more thorough explanation may be required in patients of lower socioeconomic status.

Does ultrasound guidance during Dilation and Curettage for first trimester missed abortion reduce complication rates?

BACKGROUND: Dilation and Curettage (D&C) may be performed with or without transabdominal ultrasound guidance. We aimed to evaluate the association between the use of ultrasound guidance during D&C for first-trimester missed abortion (MA) and D&C related complication rates. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study including women in the age of 20-45 years, who underwent D&C for first-trimester MA in a hospital-based setting between 2013-2019. The study population was divided into two groups - the study group which included women who underwent D&C with ultrasound guidance (US group) and the control group, which included women who underwent D&C without ultrasound guidance (N-US group). Gynecologic, obstetric and operative related data were collected from electronic medical records. RESULTS: Three-hundred and seventy-eight women were included in the study, 86 women in the US group and 292 women in N-US group. Baseline maternal characteristics and procedure-related characteristics did not differ between the groups. No significant difference between the US group and N-US group was shown when comparing D&C related complications - retained products of conception rate (2.3% vs. 5.5%, respectively; p=0.385), uterine perforation rate (1.2% vs. 0.3%, respectively; p=0.404), and the total complication rate (8.1% vs. 12.3%, respectively; p=0.338). In a multivariate analysis, the use of ultrasound guidance during D&C was not found to be associated with lower complication rate (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.468 (0.578-3.729), p=0.419). CONCLUSIONS: Performance of D&C under ultrasound guidance for first-trimester MA, in a hospital-based setting, was not associated with lower complication rate, suggesting that the common practice of performing D&C without the use of ultrasound is an acceptable approach.

Brazilian version of Positive Oral Health and Well-Being: cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric analysis.

Specific measures to evaluate positive oral health have been in a nascent stage in Dentistry, especially in developing countries. The present study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of Positive Oral Health and Well-Being (B-POHW). After forward-backwards translation to Brazilian Portuguese language, the cross-cultural adaptation of B-POHW was pretested, followed by the main study to perform psychometric analysis. We tested the model fit by Confirmatory Factor Analysis with categorical factor indicators in bifactor and simple structure models on a sample of 209 participants (mean age: 39.36 ± 12.26. Questionnaires about sociodemographic status, self-reported oral health-related outcomes, and general well-being were administered and used as external validation measures. Moreover, dental caries experience was clinically diagnosed. For test-retest reliability, 53 participants completed the B-POHW a fortnight later. The following results were found: a) the bifactor model presented the best model fit; b) the B-POHW demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's α and McDonald's ω > 0.8); c) the intraclass correlation coefficient suggested good reliability for the Global Factor of B-POHW in the test-retest (ICC = 0.84); d) evidence based on other variables and construct representation was in line with the positive oral health framework. The B-POHW is psychometrically sound to be used in a Brazilian context, and evidence of its internal structure confirmed its theoretical framework for measuring positive oral health. These findings advance in holistic approaches, enabling to assess positive oral health in Dental practice in Brazil.

Brazilian version of Positive Oral Health and Well-Being: cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric analysis

Abstract: Specific measures to evaluate positive oral health have been in a nascent stage in Dentistry, especially in developing countries. The present study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of Positive Oral Health and Well-Being (B-POHW). After forward-backwards translation to Brazilian Portuguese language, the cross-cultural adaptation of B-POHW was pretested, followed by the main study to perform psychometric analysis. We tested the model fit by Confirmatory Factor Analysis with categorical factor indicators in bifactor and simple structure models on a sample of 209 participants (mean age: 39.36 ± 12.26. Questionnaires about sociodemographic status, self-reported oral health-related outcomes, and general well-being were administered and used as external validation measures. Moreover, dental caries experience was clinically diagnosed. For test-retest reliability, 53 participants completed the B-POHW a fortnight later. The following results were found: a) the bifactor model presented the best model fit; b) the B-POHW demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's α and McDonald's ω > 0.8); c) the intraclass correlation coefficient suggested good reliability for the Global Factor of B-POHW in the test-retest (ICC = 0.84); d) evidence based on other variables and construct representation was in line with the positive oral health framework. The B-POHW is psychometrically sound to be used in a Brazilian context, and evidence of its internal structure confirmed its theoretical framework for measuring positive oral health. These findings advance in holistic approaches, enabling to assess positive oral health in Dental practice in Brazil.

Analytical methodology to measure periodontal bone morphometry following orthodontic tooth movement in mice.

INTRODUCTION: Basic research in orthodontics is commonly conducted in rodents. However, experimental studies on orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) lack a standard method to examine OTM and periodontal changes. This study describes a unifying protocol for the analysis of OTM and associated bone microarchitectural changes in mice using microcomputed tomography (µCT). METHODS: Mice (10 animals/group) were divided into control and OTM groups. OTM was generated by anchoring a nickel-titanium closed-coil spring to the upper incisors to pull the upper left first molar. A third group of TNFα -/- mice was added since these are known to have slower OTM. Using µCT, we implemented and tested a number of methods to measure OTM distance and examine 3D bone morphometric parameters associated with OTM in mice. RESULTS: In total, we tested five methods to measure the OTM distance in mice. The results indicated that measuring the intermolar diastema, and assessing tooth movement relative to the anterior root of the zygomatic arch, displayed the lowest standard deviation and enabled optimal detection of intergroup differences. We also developed two protocols for µCT analysis of the periradicular bone that yielded no false-positive results. Our results revealed that including the width of the periodontal ligament rather than excluding it from the region of interest in mice detected more statistically significant differences in the morphometric parameters between the OTM and control sides and between WT and TNFα -/- mice despite more subtle differences. CONCLUSIONS: We, therefore, propose new guidelines for a standardized µCT-based method to analyse OTM and the extent of the periradicular bone structural changes in mice.

SOS teeth with advanced caries and sociodemographic indicators, health-related habits and dental attendance patterns: data from the Dental, Oral, Medical Epidemiological (DOME) nationwide records-based study.

BACKGROUND: "SOS teeth" are teeth that need to be treated first, and represent dental teeth with deep caries seen clinically and radiographically which may require root canal treatment or extraction. The aims of the present research were to study the associations of SOS teeth with: socio-demographic parameters, dental attendance patterns, health-related habits among young to middle-aged adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional records-based research analyzed data from the Dental, Oral, Medical Epidemiological (DOME) repository that captures comprehensive socio-demographic, medical, and dental databases of a nationwide sample of 132,529 records of dental attendees to military dental clinics for 1 year aged 18 to 50 years. RESULTS: SOS teeth had a significant positive association in the multivariate analysis with male sex [OR 1.137, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.079-1.199], rural versus urban Jewish locality [OR 1.748 (1.082-2.825)], and consumption of sweetened beverages [OR 1.415 (1.337-1.496)]. SOS teeth retained significant negative associations (protective parameter) with academic [OR 0.647 (0.592-0.708)] and technicians (OR 0.616 (0.556-0.682)] compared to high school education, high [OR 0.437 (0.401-0.476)], and medium (OR 0.648 (0.598-0.702)] versus low socio-economic status, urban non-Jewish versus urban Jewish locality [OR 0.746 (0.693-0.802)], Asia (OR 0.658 (0.452-0.959)], North America (OR 0.539 (0.442-0.658)] and Israel [OR 0.735 (0.686-0.788)] versus western Europe birth countries. CONCLUSIONS: Health authorities should be familiar with this profile of the patient who is vulnerable to SOS teeth and formulate policies and allow the appropriate implementation of strategies in those in high-risk populations.

Patterns of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Utilization by Various Dental Specialties: A 4-Year Retrospective Analysis from a Dental and Maxillofacial Specialty Center.

The study aimed to analyze the uses of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the diagnosis and treatment in various dental specialties. This 4-year cross-sectional study analyzed the records of 1409 individuals who underwent a CBCT at the Oral and Maxillofacial Center at Sheba Medical Center, Israel. The average age of the patients was 27.9 ± 11.5 (range: 9-86 years). Patients were referred for CBCT by the following departments: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (1063; 75.5%), Endodontics (182; 12.9%), Periodontology (122; 8.6%) and Orthodontics (42; 3.0%). Most CBCT radiographs evaluated the maxilla (774; 55.0%), followed by the mandible (481; 34.1%) and both (154; 10.9%). The target anatomical structures included: bone (694; 49.3%), teeth (307; 21.7%), and both jaws (408; 29.0%). The main indications for CBCT use were: assessment of anatomical structures and implant sites (787; 55.9%), determine root canals morphology (182; 12.9%), visualization of impacted teeth, tooth alignment, and localization (177; 12.6%), suspected cysts or tumors (148; 10.5%), evaluation of Temporomandibular joint disorders (106; 7.5%) and other reasons (9; 0.6%). In 279 (19.8%) of cases, the diagnosis changed following CBCT, mainly in Orthodontics tooth analysis (28 (66.7%); p < 0.001). Practitioners and health authorities should be aware of this baseline information regarding CBCT use in the diagnosis and assessment of various oral and maxillofacial pathologies, anomalies and tooth position relative to anatomic structures. Continuing research and publications of CBCT utilization and guidelines are recommended.

"Dental Cluster" Versus "Metabolic Cluster": Analyzing the Associations of Planned and Delivered Dental Procedures with Metabolic Syndrome, Utilizing Data from the Dental, Oral, Medical Epidemiological (DOME) Cross-Sectional Record-Based Nationwide Study.

There are conflicting results existing regarding the association between dental status and metabolic syndrome (MetS). The present research analyzed the associations of the sum of the standard dental unit (SDU) scores of planned (SDU-P) and delivered (SDU-D) dental procedures per patient with MetS components, consequences, and related conditions. The SDU score of each dental procedure represents the time and complexity of the executed procedure. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the Dental, Oral, Medical Epidemiological (DOME) repository, which includes comprehensive socio-demographic, medical, and dental databases of a nationally representative sample of 132,529 military personnel. Univariate analyses revealed that SDU-P had statistically significant positive associations with all systemic morbidities related to MetS, while the SDU-D exhibited positive associations with some of the systemic morbidities and with lower ORs. SDU-P and SDU-D were associated with worse scores of auxiliary examinations used in the assessment of MetS components. SDU-P retained significant positive associations in the multivariate analysis with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (OR = 7.40 (1.91-28.57)), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (OR = 5.61 (1.53-20.83)), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (OR = 5.05 (2.40-10.63)), and fatty liver (OR = 1.82 (1.17-2.84)). In contrast, obesity was the only systemic parameter retaining a significant association with SDU-D following multivariate analysis (OR = 1.47 (1.23-1.76)). It can be concluded that SDU-P, but not SDU-D, is a better predictor of systemic morbidities related to MetS. In other words, MetS is associated with a higher dental treatment needs burden, rather than with dental treatments performed de facto. Dental and general health authorities should collaborate and share information and focus on reducing common health-related risk factors, such as smoking and sugar consumption, in particular among high-risk populations, such as immigrants and those with lower SES and rural locality.

Effects of an oral hygiene regimen on progression of gingivitis/early periodontitis: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Periodontal disease continues to be prevalent globally, but little clinical research has been undertaken to evaluate the long-term benefits of a daily oral hygiene regimen on progression of gingivitis/early periodontitis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an oral hygiene regimen (OHR) on the periodontal health of adults in good general health with established gingivitis and early periodontitis over 24 months. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in adults with established gingivitis, with isolated sites of probing pocket depth >4 mm. Study participants were randomized to the OHR (bioavailable stannous fluoride dentifrice, oscillating-rotating electric toothbrush, cetylpyridinium chloride rinse, and floss; P&G) or usual care products (sodium fluoride dentifrice and manual toothbrush; P&G) groups. At baseline and every 6 months, gingivitis and periodontal measures were assessed and a prophylaxis was conducted. The primary outcome was Gingival Bleeding Index-Bleeding Sites (GBI-BS). Analyses used ANCOVA at 5% significance levels. Results: A total of 107 individuals were enrolled; 87 completed the study. Mean GBI-BS, Modified Gingival Index, and Probing Pocket Depth (PPD) scores were significantly lower at each visit for the OHR versus usual care group by 28% to 39%, 12% to 18%, and 6% to 13%, respectively (p≤ 0.0009). The magnitude of reduction in median number of ≥2 mm PPD loss events for OHR versus the usual care group at 24 months was 74%. Conclusion: Long-term use of the OHR produced significant periodontal health improvements versus the usual care products.

Contexte: La maladie parodontale continue d'être prévalente sur le plan mondial, mais peu de recherches cliniques ont été effectuées pour évaluer les avantages à long terme d'un régime d'hygiène buccodentaire sur la progression de la gingivite ou de la parodontite précoce. L'objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer les effets d'un régime d'hygiène buccodentaire (RHB) sur la santé parodontale des adultes en bonne santé générale qui présentent une gingivite établie et une parodontite précoce au cours de 24 mois. Méthodologie: Un essai contrôlé randomisé a été effectué chez des adultes présentant une gingivite établie et des sites isolés de profondeurs de poches au sondage >4 mm. Les participants de l'étude ont été confiés à un groupe de RHB aléatoire (pâte dentifrice au fluorure stanneux biodisponible, une brosse à dents électrique rotative et oscillante, un rince-bouche au chlorure de cétylpyridinium et la soie dentaire; P & G) ou à un groupe de produits de soins habituels (dentifrice au fluorure de sodium et une brosse à dents manuelle; P & G). La gingivite et les mesures parodontales ont été évaluées au début de l'intervention et tous les 6 mois et une prophylaxie avait été effectuée. Le résultat primaire était l'Indice de saignement gingival­les sites de saignements (ISG­SS). L'analyse de covariance a été utilisée à des seuils de signification de 5 %. Résultats: Un total de 107 personnes ont été inscrites : 87 ont terminé l'étude. Les cotes moyennes de l'ISG­SS, de l'indice gingival modifié et des cotes de profondeurs des poches au sondage (PPS) étaient significativement plus faibles à chaque visite du groupe de RHB par rapport au groupe de soins habituels, de 28 % à 39 %, 12 % à 18 % et 6 % à 13 %, respectivement (p≤ 0,0009). L'ampleur de la réduction en nombre médian d'événements de perte de PPS ≥2 mm du groupe de RHB par rapport au groupe de soins habituels était de 74 % à 24 mois. Conclusion: L'utilisation à long terme du RHB a produit des améliorations significatives de la santé parodontale par rapport aux produits de soins habituels.

Cognitive Performance and Its Associations with Dental Caries: Results from the Dental, Oral, Medical Epidemiological (DOME) Records-Based Nationwide Study.

Relatively few studies have analyzed the association between cognitive performance and dental status. This study aimed to analyze the association between cognitive performance and dental caries. Included were data from the dental, oral, medical epidemiological (DOME) study; cross-sectional records-based research, which integrated large socio-demographic, medical, and dental databases of a nationally representative sample of young to middle-aged military personnel (N = 131,927, mean age: 21.8 ± 5.9 years, age range: 18-50). The cognitive function of draftees is routinely measured at age 17 years using a battery of psychometric tests termed general intelligence score (GIS). The mean number of decayed teeth exhibited a gradient trend from the lowest (3.14 ± 3.58) to the highest GIS category (1.45 ± 2.19) (odds ratio (OR) lowest versus highest = 5.36 (5.06-5.68), p < 0.001). A similar trend was noted for the other dental parameters. The associations between GIS and decayed teeth persisted even after adjusting for socio-demographic parameters and health-related habits. The adjustments attenuated the OR but did not eliminate it (OR lowest versus highest = 3.75 (3.38-4.16)). The study demonstrates an association between cognitive performance and caries, independent of the socio-demographic and health-related habits that were analyzed. Better allocation of resources is recommended, focusing on populations with impaired cognitive performance in need of dental care.

Caries experience, periodontal status, and metabolic morbidity in patients with psychiatric disorders.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of psychiatric disorders with (1) caries experience, (2) periodontal status, and (3) metabolic syndrome (MetS) components. METHOD AND MATERIALS: This 7-year cross-sectional study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 504 individuals aged 18 to 90 years who attended the student dental clinic. Collected data included: demographics, smoking habits, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, pulse, waist circumference, full-mouth plaque score (FMPS), full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS), maximal pocket probing depth (PPD), average and maximal radiographic bone loss (RBL), the sum of the number of decayed (D), missing (M), and filled (F) teeth (DMFT score), and presence of MetS components, consequences and related conditions including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, s/p stroke, and cancer. RESULTS: 68 (13.5%) had psychiatric disorders with an average age of 53.42 ± 15.71 years. Psychiatric disorders were positively associated with smoking (P = .008), smoking pack-years (P = .004), DMFT score (P = .005), and negatively associated with hypertension (P = .046). Psychiatric disorders had no statistically significant associations with all periodontal indices studied and with other components of MetS. Following multivariate analysis, psychiatric disorders retained a statistically significant positive association with smoking (odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.24 [1.28 to 3.92]) and with DMFT (OR and 95% CI = 1.08 [1.02 to 1.14]), and a statistically significant negative association with hypertension (OR and 95% CI = 0.46 [0.25 to 0.84]). CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric disorders were positively associated with smoking and caries experience but not with periodontal status and metabolic morbidity. Communication between dental and medical professionals is needed to address the higher smoking consumption and caries morbidity in psychiatric patients. (Quintessence Int 2021;52:516-526; doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b1044091).

Hypertension and Its Associations with Dental Status: Data from the Dental, Oral, Medical Epidemiological (DOME) Nationwide Records-Based Study.

Conflicting results have been published regarding the associations between dental status and hypertension. This study aims to explore whether or not hypertension is associated with dental status among young to middle-aged adults. To that end, data from the Dental, Oral, Medical Epidemiological (DOME) study were analyzed. The DOME is a cross-sectional records-based study that combines comprehensive socio-demographic, medical, and dental databases of a nationally representative sample of military personnel. Included were 132,529 subjects aged 18-50 years who attended the military dental clinics for one year. The prevalence of hypertension in the study population was 2.5% (3363/132,529). Following multivariate analysis, the associations between hypertension and dental parameters were lost and hypertension retained a positive association with obesity (Odds ratio (OR) = 4.2 (3.7-4.9)), diabetes mellitus (OR = 4.0 (2.9-5.7)), birth country of Western Europe vs. Israeli birth country (OR = 1.9 (1.6-2.2)), male sex (OR = 1.9 (1.6-2.2)), cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.9 (1.6-2.3)), presence of fatty liver (OR = 1.8 (1.5-2.3)), the birth country Asia vs. Israeli birth country (OR = 1.6 (1.1-2.3)), smoking (OR = 1.2 (1.05-1.4)), and older age (OR = 1.05 (1.04-1.06)). Further analysis among an age-, smoking- and sex matched sub-population (N = 13,452) also revealed that the dental parameters lost their statistically significant association with hypertension following multivariate analysis, and hypertension retained a positive association with diabetes (OR = 4.08 (2.6-6.1)), obesity (OR = 2.7 (2.4-3.2)), birth country of Western Europe vs. Israel (OR = 1.9 (1.6-2.3)), cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.8 (1.5-2.2)), fatty liver (OR = 1.7 (1.3-2.3)), high school education vs. academic (OR = 1.5 (1.3-1.8)), and low socio-economic status (SES) vs. high (OR = 1.4 (1.03-1.8)). We analyzed the associations between C-reactive protein (CRP) and dental parameters and combined the statistically significant variables to create a dental inflammation score (DIS). This crated a final model with the appropriate weights written as follows: DIS = (periodontal disease × 14) + (the number of teeth that required crowns × 11) + (missing teeth × 75). The mean DIS was 10.106 ± 25.184, and it exhibited a weak positive association with hypertension in the univariate analysis (OR = 1.011 (1.010-1.012)). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of the DIS against hypertension produced a failed area under the curve (AUC) result (0.57 (0.56-0.58)). Moreover, the DIS also lost its statistical significance association with hypertension following multivariate analysis. We conclude that hypertension had no statistically significant nor clinically significant association with dental status. The study established a profile of the "patient vulnerable to hypertension", which retained well-known risk factors for hypertension such as older age, male sex, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver but not dental parameters.

Pre-Operative Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Attending Surgical Removal of Mandibular Third Molar Teeth.

The study aimed to measure the pre-operative oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and to identify patient and teeth pathologies associated with worse OHRQoL among patients attending mandibular third molar tooth extraction. Data were collected preoperatively from 199 patients attending surgical removal of their mandibular third molar. To that end, we measured the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and analyzed its association with: (1) demographics; (2) health-related behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and dietary habits; (3) Plaque Index (PI); (4) Decay, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT); and (5) clinical characteristics related to third molar extraction, such as the indication for extraction, tooth angulations, and radiographic pathology. The mean age of the study population was 21.5 ± 3.2 years and the mean OHIP-14 global score was 22.5 ± 8.3. The present study identified patient and teeth profiles that are associated with worse pre-operative OHRQoL in patients attending mandibular third molar extraction. The "vulnerable patient" profile includes poor health-related behaviors, particularly the performance of physical activity less than once a week (p = 0.028). The "disturbing teeth" profile includes higher plaque scores (p = 0.023) and specific characteristics of the third molar teeth, such as pericoronitis (p = 0.027) and radiolucency around third molars in panoramic radiography (p < 0.001). These findings support the hypothesis that OHRQoL is a complex phenomenon which is associated with the patient's health-related behaviors as well as with specific tooth pathologies.

Beneficial effect of aged garlic extract on periodontitis: a randomized controlled double-blind clinical study.

The purpose of this study is to assess the long-term efficacy of aged garlic extract to improve periodontitis. Two hundred and one participants were randomly stratified and assigned equally to the regimen group or the control group. At the start, 12 month, and 18 month subjects received dental examination and periodontal evaluation. Probing Pocket Depth and Gingival Recession were examined. For each efficacy parameter, the mean value of examination was calculated and assessed using paired-difference t tests. Statistical tests were two-sided using a 5% significance level. The mean value of pocket depth for the aged garlic extract group at 18 month was 1.06 ± 0.49 as compared to the baseline value of 1.89 ± 0.74 (p<0.001) and the corresponding value of 1.50 ± 0.46 for the placebo group (p<0.001), indicating the beneficial effect of aged garlic extract on periodontitis. According to a Multiple linear regression analysis the only three variables which reached statistical significance as predictors of PPD level were the baseline PPD scores (p<0.001), smoking (p = 0.020), and consumption of daily dose of aged garlic extract (p<0.001). These results demonstrated that aged garlic extract is an effective supplement for preventing or improving periodontal disease. The well demonstrated benefits of aged garlic extract for the oral disease may also be used as a means to improve general health because of the close relationship between periodontitis and some systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and others.

Caries prevalence among 18 years old, an epidemiological survey in Israel.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of evidence on caries prevalence among 18 years old Israeli young adults with only a scarce evidence regarding this index age group. In the last few years dental care policy in Israel underwent substantial changes and a major reform in dental services was led by the Israeli Ministry of Health, including coverage of dental care for children by the state. In addition, a cessation of community water fluoridation was in a debate. The objective of the current study was to describe prevalence of caries among 18 years old Israeli young adults and to evaluate possible associations with personal and demographic variables. METHODS: The study was a cross sectional clustered survey. Participants were recruited to the study at their first day of military service. Participants completed a questionnaire for personal and demographic data, including: age, country of birth, education, and current smoking status. Then participants underwent clinical evaluation included DMFT and caries free rates. No radiographic evaluation was included in the current study. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis were performed. RESULTS: A total of 702 participants were included in the study, 58.4% were males. Their mean age was 19.03 ± 0.65 years, 91.3% of the participants were born in Israel. Mean DMFT was 1.95 ± 2.67, and 46.7% (n = 328) were caries free. Higher DMFT score was significantly associated with participant's parents' education, country of birth, and smoking status. Lower caries free rates were significantly associated with participant's parents' education, and smoking status. After linear regression for total DMFT, all variables were significant predictors to higher DMFT, except father's education, while logistic regression for caries free, only mother's education was found to be a significant predictor. CONCLUSIONS: The current study presents encouraging low DMFT levels. Participants in this study were not included in the dental care services reform, and did enjoy the benefits of water fluoridation, enabling the results to play an important baseline data for future reference. Additionally, results should be considered when planning intervention programs for at risk groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier No. NCT02958891 , November 8th, 2016) and was approved by the IDF Institutional Review Board (#1524-2015).

Plaque Removal by a Powered Toothbrush Versus a Manual Toothbrush in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relative plaque reduction efficacy of powered versus manual toothbrushes in children. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted based on a literature search that included Medline, Embase, FDA publications, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Dentistry and Oral Science, and Berman Medical Library, Hebrew University. Studies were chosen that were randomized controlled trials and published between 1980 to 2019 in English that compared plaque reduction with manual and powered toothbrushes in children. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the quality of evidence. Results: From a search of 1,502 articles, nine articles were selected for meta-analysis. A statistically significant plaque reduction benefit for a powered toothbrush versus manual toothbrush (P<0.001): combined mean difference (MD) was 0.590 and the 95 percent confidence interval was 0.352 to 0.828 (random-effects model). Two tests revealed considerable heterogeneity (I² equals 96 percent; Cochran's Q, P<0.001). A low possibility of bias was indicated by Begg-Mazumdar and Egger tests (P>0.1 for both). Evidence quality was given a GRADE score of moderate. Conclusions: Powered toothbrushes were more effective than manual toothbrushes for plaque removal in children.

Diet Practices, Body Mass Index, and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults with Periodontitis- A Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare dietpractices, body mass index (BMI), and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in adults with and without periodontitis. METHODS: Demographics, health-related behaviors, BMI, dental and periodontal parameters, diet practices, and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) were collected from 62periodontitis patients and 100 controls without periodontitis. RESULTS: Havingperiodontitis was positively associated with male sex (p=0.004), older age (p<0.001), smoking pack-years (p = 0.006), weight (p = 0.008), BMI (p = 0.003), number of meals per day (p<0.001) and had a negative associationwithdecayed teeth (p = 0.013), alcohol (p = 0.006), and sweets (p = 0.007) consumption.Periodontitis patients were more likely to avoid carbonated beverages (p = 0.028), hot (p = 0.003), and cold drinks (p = 0.013), cold (p = 0.028), hardtextured (p = 0.002), and fibrous foods (p = 0.02) thanthe controls, and exhibited higher global OHIP-14 (p<0.001) andmost domain scores. Age (p<0.001), BMI (p =0.045), number of meals per day (p = 0.024), and global OHIP-14 score (p<0.001) remained positivelyassociated with periodontitis in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontitis patients exhibitedhigher BMI and altered dietpracticesand OHRQoL as compared to controls. Assessment of diet practices, BMI,and OHRQoLshould bepart of periodontal work-up. Dentists and dietitians shouldcollaborate to design strategies to addressthese challenges.

Cervical Muscle Tenderness in Temporomandibular Disorders and Its Associations with Diagnosis, Disease-Related Outcomes, and Comorbid Pain Conditions.

AIMS: To analyze cervical tenderness scores (CTS) in patients with various temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and in controls and to examine associations of CTS with demographic and clinical parameters. METHODS: This case-control study included 192 TMD patients and 99 controls diagnosed based on a questionnaire and a clinical examination following the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) guidelines. CTS, adapted from the widely used total tenderness score, was the mean sum of the palpation scores from the suboccipital, sternocleidomastoid, and trapezius muscles. Depending on the variables, data were analyzed using Pearson chi-square, analysis of variance, t test, Bonferroni post hoc adjustment, and/or multivariate linear regression analyses. RESULTS: CTS was higher in TMD compared to controls (P < .001). Across TMD subgroups, CTS was notable only in those with a myogenous TMD diagnosis, but not in arthrogenous TMD (P = .014). CTS was positively associated with: female sex (P = .03), whiplash history, higher verbal pain scores, comorbid headaches, body pain, increased pain on mouth opening, and higher masticatory muscles tenderness scores (MTS) (P < .001 for all). Sex (P < .001), MTS (P < .001), comorbid headache (P = .042), and pain on opening (mild: P = .031; moderate: P = .022) retained significant associations with CTS in the multivariate analysis, and these main effects were influenced by interactions with whiplash history and comorbid body pain. CONCLUSION: CTS differentiated between TMD patients and controls and between TMD diagnoses. Specific patient and pain characteristics associated with poor outcome in terms of CTS included effects of interactions between myogenous TMD, female sex, whiplash history, comorbid body pain and headaches, and pain on opening. It can therefore be concluded that routine clinical examination of TMD patients should include assessment of the cervical region.