COVID-19 related risk factors and their association with non-syndromic orofacial clefts in five Arab countries: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The environmental etiology of non-syndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFCs) is still under research. The aim of this case-control study is to assess COVID-19 associated factors that may be related to the risk of NSOFC in five Arab countries. These factors include COVID-19 infection, COVID-19 symptoms, family member or friends infected with COVID-19, stress, smoking, socioeconomic status and fear of COVID-19. METHODS: The study took place in governmental hospitals in five Arab countries from November 2020 to November 2021. Controls are matched in the month of delivery and site of recruitment. A clinical examination was carried out using LASHAL classification. Maternal exposure to medication, illnesses, supplementation, COVID-19 infection during their pregestation and 1st trimester periods were evaluated using a validated questionnaire. Maternal exposure to stress was assessed using the Life Events scale, fear of covid-19 scale, family member or friend affected with covid-19 infection, pregnancy planning and threatened abortion. RESULTS: The study recruited 1135 infants (386 NSOFC and 749 controls). Living in urban areas, maternal exposure to medications 3-months pregestation, maternal exposure to any of the prenatal life events and maternal fear of COVID-19 significantly increased the risk of having a child with NSOFC. On the other hand, mothers exposed to supplementation 3-months pregestation, mothers suspected of having COVID-19 infection, family members or friends testing positive with COVID-19 significantly decreased the risk of having a child with NSOFC. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that NSOFC may be associated with maternal exposure to lifetime stress and COVID-19 fear in particular, with no direct effect of the COVID-19 infection itself. This highlights the importance of providing psychological support for expecting mothers during stressful events that affect populations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the usual antenatal care.

Associations between maternal mental health, child dental anxiety, and oral health of 6- to 12-year-olds in Nigeria

Abstract Maternal mental health affects their children's oral health. This study assessed the associations between maternal mental health and dental anxiety level, dental caries experience, oral hygiene, and gingival status among 6- to 12-year-old children in Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study that recruited mother-child dyad participants through a household survey conducted in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Data collected included the independent (maternal mental health risk, depressive symptoms, and child's dental anxiety), and dependent (caries experience, oral hygiene status, and gingival health status) variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the associations between dependent and independent variables after adjusting for confounders (mothers' age, child's age, sex, and socioeconomic status). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Of the 1411 mothers recruited, 1248 (88.4%) had low mental health risk, and 896 (63.5%) had mild depressive symptoms. As for the children, 53 (3.8%) had caries, 745 (52.8%) had moderate to high dental anxiety, 953 (63.0%) had gingivitis and 36 (2.6%) had poor oral hygiene. The maternal mental health risk was not significantly associated with the child's caries experience (AOR: 1.012; 95%CI: 0.860-1.190; p = 0.886), poor oral hygiene (AOR:1.037; 95%CI: 0.975-1.104; p=0.250), and moderate/severe gingivitis (AOR:0.887; 95%CI: 0.764-1.030; p = 0.115). Maternal depression status was not significantly associated with the child's caries experience (AOR: 0.910; 95%CI: 0.802-1.033; p = 0.145), poor oral hygiene (AOR: 1.016; 95%CI: 0.976-1.057; p = 0.439), and moderate/severe gingivitis (AOR: 0.963; 95%CI: 0.861-1.077; p = 0.509). Maternal mental health risk and depression do not seem to be risk factors for schoolchildren's oral health in Nigeria. Further studies are needed to understand these findings.

Association between COVID-19 stress, coping mechanisms and stress-related oral conditions among Egyptian adults: a cross-sectional study.

The present study investigated the association between COVID-19 stresses and oral conditions including gingivitis, oral hygiene, oral ulcers, and dry mouth. This was a cross-sectional study that collected data from adults in community settings in Alexandria, Egypt, between October 2021, and February 2022. Gingival condition and oral hygiene were assessed using the gingival and plaque indices. Participants were asked if they experienced oral ulcers during the past week and dry mouth during the past year. COVID-19 fears and coping were assessed using the COVID Stress Scale (CSS), and the Brief Resilience Coping Scale (BRCS), respectively. Oral health behaviors were assessed using the World Health Organization questionnaire. Regression analyses were used to assess the association between the dependent variables (clinically assessed gingival and plaque indices, reported presence of oral ulcers, and dry mouth) and explanatory variables (CSS and BRCS) after adjusting for confounders (COVID-19 status, oral health behaviors, smoking, age in years, sex, and highest educational level). The response rate was 88.8% (373/420). The mean (SD) age = 39.26 (11.45) with 74.3% females and 49.3% reporting completing high school or higher education. The mean (SD) plaque and gingival indices were 1.59 (0.66) and 1.39 (0.59), respectively. Only 20.1% reported the presence of oral ulcers and 41.6% reported xerostomia. Lower plaque score was associated with higher COVID-19 contamination fears (B = - 0.03, 95% CI - 0.05, - 0.02) and higher compulsive checking and reassurance-seeking (B = - 0.02, 95% CI - 0.03, - 0.009). Lower gingival score was associated with higher COVID-19 contamination fears (B = - 0.02, 95% CI - 0.03, - 0.002). Higher odds of reporting dry mouth were associated with greater fear of COVID-19 socioeconomic consequences (AOR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.001, 1.09), and lower coping scores (AOR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.88, 0.99). The findings suggest an association between COVID-19 specific stresses and stress-related oral conditions and shed light on the possible link between mental and oral health, emphasizing the importance of integrated planning of care services.

Differences in Oral Lesions Associated with Tobacco Smoking, E-Cigarette Use and COVID-19 Infection among Adolescents and Young People in Nigeria.

COVID-19 infection is associated with oral lesions which may be exacerbated by tobacco smoking or e-cigarette use. This study assessed the oral lesions associated with the use of e-cigarettes, tobacco smoking, and COVID-19 among adolescents and young people in Nigeria. A national survey recruited 11-23-year-old participants from the 36 States of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Data were collected using Survey Monkey®. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted. Statistical significance was set at p-value less than 0.05. There were 2870 participants, of which 386 (13.4%) were tobacco smokers, 167 (5.8%) e-cigarette users, and 401 (14.0%) were both e-cigarette and tobacco users; and 344 (12.0%) had ever tested positive to COVID-19. Adolescents and young people who smoked tobacco had more than twice the odds of reporting gingival inflammation, oral ulcers, dry mouth, and changes in taste than those who did not smoke. Those who used e-cigarettes had 1.5 times higher odds of reporting oral lesions. Respondents who had COVID-19 infection had higher odds of reporting gingival inflammation and lower odds of reporting dry mouth than those who did not have COVID-19 infection. These findings were significant, and may help clinicians to screen for tobacco use and COVID-19 among adolescents and young people in Nigeria.

Differences in risk indicators associated with electronic cigarette use and tobacco smoking among adolescents and young people in Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: The study determined the proportion of adolescents and young persons (AYP) in Nigeria who use e-cigarettes and smoke tobacco; and identified factors associated with the use of e-cigarettes and tobacco smoking. METHODS: AYP aged 11-23 years were recruited to participate in an online survey. The independent variables were respondents' health, HIV and COVID-19 status and their level of anxiety. The dependent variables were tobacco smoking and use of e-cigarettes. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the associations between the dependent and independent variables after adjusting for confounders (age, sex, educational level and vulnerability status). RESULTS: There were 2206 respondents of which 568 (19.8%) used e-cigarettes and 787 (27.4%) smoked tobacco. Individual (18-23 years, having a health condition, high anxiety and being vulnerable) and familial (having father, mother, siblings or friends who used e-cigarettes) factors were associated with both the use of e-cigarettes and tobacco smoking. Tobacco smoking was a significant risk indicator for e-cigarettes use and vice versa. COVID-19 infection (adjusted OR, AOR: 3.602) and living with HIV (AOR: 1.898) were associated with higher odds of using e-cigarettes. Males (AOR: 1.577), 15-17 years (AOR: 6.621) and moderate anxiety (AOR: 2.500) were associated with higher odds of tobacco smoking. AYP with health conditions had higher odds of using e-cigarettes (AOR: 1.514) while AYP with moderate anxiety had lower odds of using e-cigarettes (AOR: 0.627). CONCLUSION: The proportion of AYP in Nigeria who used e-cigarettes and smoked tobacco is high. Public health interventions that target the common risk factors for e-cigarettes use and tobacco smoking among AYP in Nigeria are urgently needed.

Cigarettes' use and capabilities-opportunities-motivation-for-behavior model: a multi-country survey of adolescents and young adults.

The use of cigarettes among adolescents and young adults (AYA) is an important issue. This study assessed the association between regular and electronic-cigarettes use among AYA and factors of the Capability-Motivation-Opportunity-for-Behavior-change (COM-B) model. A multi-country survey was conducted between August-2020 and January-2021, Data was collected using the Global-Youth-Tobacco-Survey and Generalized-Anxiety-Disorder-7-item-scale. Multi-level logistic-regression-models were used. Use of regular and electronic-cigarettes were dependent variables. The explanatory variables were capability-factors (COVID-19 status, general anxiety), motivation-factors (attitude score) and opportunity-factors (country-level affordability scores, tobacco promotion-bans, and smoke free-zones) controlling for age and sex. Responses of 6,989-participants from 25-countries were used. Those who reported that they were infected with COVID-19 had significantly higher odds of electronic-cigarettes use (AOR = 1.81, P = 0.02). Normal or mild levels of general anxiety and negative attitudes toward smoking were associated with significantly lower odds of using regular-cigarettes (AOR = 0.34, 0.52, and 0.75, P < 0.001) and electronic-cigarettes (AOR = 0.28, 0.45, and 0.78, P < 0.001). Higher affordability-score was associated with lower odds of using electronic-cigarettes (AOR = 0.90, P = 0.004). Country-level-smoking-control policies and regulations need to focus on reducing cigarette affordability. Capability, motivation and opportunity factors of the COM-B model were associated with using regular or electronic cigarettes.

Oral manifestations in young adults infected with COVID-19 and impact of smoking: a multi-country cross-sectional study.

Background: Oral manifestations and lesions could adversely impact the quality of people's lives. COVID-19 infection may interact with smoking and the impact on oral manifestations is yet to be discovered. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the self-reported presence of oral lesions by COVID-19-infected young adults and the differences in the association between oral lesions and COVID-19 infection in smokers and non-smokers. Methods: This cross-sectional multi-country study recruited 18-to-23-year-old adults. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data on COVID-19-infection status, smoking and the presence of oral lesions (dry mouth, change in taste, and others) using an online platform. Multi-level logistic regression was used to assess the associations between the oral lesions and COVID-19 infection; the modifying effect of smoking on the associations. Results: Data was available from 5,342 respondents from 43 countries. Of these, 8.1% reported COVID-19-infection, 42.7% had oral manifestations and 12.3% were smokers. A significantly greater percentage of participants with COVID-19-infection reported dry mouth and change in taste than non-infected participants. Dry mouth (AOR=, 9=xxx) and changed taste (AOR=, 9=xxx) were associated with COVID-19- infection. The association between COVID-19-infection and dry mouth was stronger among smokers than non-smokers (AOR = 1.26 and 1.03, p = 0.09) while the association with change in taste was stronger among non-smokers (AOR = 1.22 and 1.13, p = 0.86). Conclusion: Dry mouth and changed taste may be used as an indicator for COVID-19 infection in low COVID-19-testing environments. Smoking may modify the association between some oral lesions and COVID-19-infection.

Associations between COVID-19 testing status, non-communicable diseases and HIV status among residents of sub-Saharan Africa during the first wave of the pandemic.

BACKGROUND: This study determined if non-communicable disease status, HIV status, COVID-19 status and co-habiting were associated with COVID-19 test status in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: Data of 5945 respondents age 18-years-old and above from 31 countries in sub-Saharan Africa collected through an online survey conducted between June and December 2020, were extracted. The dependent variable was COVID-19 status (testing positive for COVID-19 and having symptoms of COVID-19 but not getting tested). The independent variables were non-communicable disease status (hypertension, diabetes, cancer, heart conditions, respiratory conditions, depression), HIV positive status, COVID-19 status (knowing a close friend who tested positive for COVID-19 and someone who died from COVID-19) and co-habiting (yes/no). Two binary logistic regression models developed to determine associations between the dependent and independent variables were adjusted for age, sex, employment, sub region and educational status. RESULTS: Having a close friend who tested positive for COVID-19 (AOR:6.747), knowing someone who died from COVID-19 infection (AOR:1.732), and living with other people (AOR:1.512) were significantly associated with higher odds of testing positive for COVID-19 infection, while living with HIV was associated with significantly lower odds of testing positive for COVID-19 infection (AOR:0.284). Also, respondents with respiratory conditions (AOR:2.487), self-reported depression (AOR:1.901), those who had a close friend who tested positive for COVID-19 infection (AOR:2.562) and who knew someone who died from COVID-19 infection (AOR:1.811) had significantly higher odds of having symptoms of COVID-19 infection but not getting tested. CONCLUSION: Non-communicable diseases seem not to increase the risk for COVID-19 positive test while cohabiting seems to reduce this risk. The likelihood that those who know someone who tested positive to or who died from COVID-19 not getting tested when symptomatic suggests there is poor contact tracing in the region. People with respiratory conditions and depression need support to get tested for COVID-19.

Associations between mental health problems and risky oral and sexual behaviour in adolescents in a sub-urban community in Southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: This study determined the association between mental health and risky oral health and sexual health behaviours. METHODS: A household cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ile-Ife, Nigeria between December 2019 and January 2020. Data were collected from 10 to 19-year-old on the sociodemographic profile (age, sex at birth and socioeconomic status); mental health problems (psychological distress, depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation); and mental (smoking habit, consumption of alcohol, use of psychoactive substances), sexual (history of vaginal or anal sexual intercourse; transactional sex, multiple sex partners, use of condom at last sexual intercourse) and oral (frequency of daily tooth brushing, daily frequency of consumption of refined carbohydrate in-between-meals, frequency of use of dental floss, history of dental service utilization in the last 12 months and dental anxiety) health risk factors. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between risky oral (neglecting to brush twice daily and frequent consumption of refined carbohydrates in-between-meals), and sexual (neglecting to use condoms during the last sex act and having multiple sex partners) health behaviours as outcome variables, and mental health status as the explanatory variables. An ordinal logistic regression model was also developed where the outcome variable was the number of risky health behaviours. The models were adjusted for the socio-demographic variables and history of dental service utilisation in the last 12 months of the survey. RESULTS: High psychological distress was significantly associated with lower odds of frequent consumption of refined carbohydrates in-between-meals (AOR = 0.32; 95%CI 0.23, 0.47), and having multiple sex partners (AOR = 0.10; 95%CI 0.02, 0.57); but higher odds of having a higher number of risky behaviours (AOR = 3.04; 95%CI 2.13, 4.33). Having depressive symptoms was significantly associated with higher odds of neglecting to use condom at the last sexual intercourse (AOR = 7.20; 95%CI 1.94, 26.76) and having multiple partners (AOR = 95.43; 95%CI 24.55, 370.90). Suicidal ideation was significantly associated with lower odds of neglecting to use condom at the last sexual intercourse (AOR = 0.00; 95%CI 0.00, 0.00) and having multiple sex partners (AOR = 0.00; 95%CI 0.00, 0.00). CONCLUSION: The associations between psychological distress and oral and sexual health risk behaviours in adolescents seem complex and need to be studied further.

Association between mental health, caries experience and gingival health of adolescents in sub-urban Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the association of mental health problems and risk indicators of mental health problems with caries experience and moderate/severe gingivitis in adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in Osun State, Nigeria. Data collected from 10 to 19-years-old adolescents between December 2018 and January 2019 were sociodemographic variables (age, sex, socioeconomic status); oral health indicators (tooth brushing, use of fluoridated toothpaste, consumption of refined carbohydrates in-between-meals, dental services utilization, dental anxiety and plaque); mental health indicators (smoking habits, intake of alcohol and use of psychoactive drugs) and mental health problems (low and high). Gingival health (healthy gingiva/mild gingivitis versus moderate/severe gingivitis) and caries experience (present or absent) were also assessed. A series of five logistic regression models were constructed to determine the association between presence of caries experience and presence of moderate/severe gingivitis) with blocks of independent variables. The blocks were: model 1-sociodemographic factors; model 2-oral health indicators; model 3-mental health indicators and model 4-mental health problems. Model 5 included all factors from models 1 to 4. RESULTS: There were 1234 adolescents with a mean (SD) age of 14.6 (2.7) years. Also, 21.1% of participants had high risk of mental health problems, 3.7% had caries experience, and 8.1% had moderate/severe gingivitis. Model 5 had the best fit for the two dependent variables. The use of psychoactive substances (AOR 2.67; 95% CI 1.14, 6.26) was associated with significantly higher odds of caries experience. The frequent consumption of refined carbohydrates in-between-meals (AOR: 0.41; 95% CI 0.25, 0.66) and severe dental anxiety (AOR0.48; 95% CI 0.23, 0.99) were associated with significantly lower odds of moderate/severe gingivitis. Plaque was associated with significant higher odds of moderate/severe gingivitis (AOR 13.50; 95% CI 8.66, 21.04). High risk of mental health problems was not significantly associated with caries experience (AOR 1.84; 95% CI 0.97, 3.49) or moderate/severe gingivitis (AOR 0.80; 95% CI 0.45, 1.44). CONCLUSION: The association between mental problems and risk indicators with oral diseases in Nigerian adolescents indicates a need for integrated mental and oral health care to improve the wellbeing of adolescents.

Associations between a history of sexual abuse and dental anxiety, caries experience and oral hygiene status among adolescents in sub-urban South West Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual and oral health are important areas of focus for adolescent wellbeing. We assessed for the prevalence of sexual abuse among adolescents, oral health factors associated with this history, and investigated whether sexual abuse was a risk indicator for dental anxiety, caries experience and poor oral hygiene. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between December 2018 and January 2019 among adolescents 10-19 years old in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Survey data collected included respondents' age, sex, and socioeconomic status, oral health risk factors (dental anxiety, frequency of tooth brushing intake of refined carbohydrates in-between-meals, flossing, dental visits, smoking, alcohol intake, use of psychoactive substances), caries experience, oral hygiene status, history of sexual abuse, and sexual risk behaviors (age of sexual debut, history of transactional sex, last sexual act with or without condom, multiple sex partners). Regression models were constructed to determine the association between outcome variables (dental anxiety, presence of caries experience and poor oral hygiene) and explanatory variables (oral health risk factors and history of sexual abuse). RESULTS: The prevalence of sexual abuse in our cohort was 5.9%: 4.3% among males and 7.9% among females. A history of sexual abuse was associated with alcohol consumption (p = 0.009), cigarette smoking (p = 0.001), and a history of transactional sex (p = 0.01). High/severe dental anxiety was significantly associated with increased odds of a history of sexual abuse (AOR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.10, 2.98), but not with caries experience (AOR = 0.66; 95% CI 0.15, 2.97) nor poor oral hygiene (AOR = 1.68; 95% CI 0.95, 2.96). Dental anxiety was associated with increased odds of alcohol intake (AOR = 1.74; 95% CI 1.19, 2.56), twice daily tooth brushing (AOR = 1.48; 95% CI 1.01, 2.17) and daily consumption of refined carbohydrates in-between-meals (AOR = 2.01; 95% CI 1.60, 2.54). Caries experience was associated with increased odds of using psychoactive substances (AOR = 4.83; 95% CI 1.49, 15.62) and having low socioeconomic status (AOR = 0.40; 95% CI 0.18, 0.92). Poor oral hygiene was associated with increased odds of having middle socioeconomic status (AOR = 1.43; 95% CI 1.05, 1.93) and daily consumption of refined carbohydrates in-between-meals (AOR = 1.38; 95% CI 1.08, 1.78). CONCLUSION: Adolescents who are highly dentally anxious need to be screened for a history of sexual abuse to facilitate access to professional care and support.

Individual and familial factors associated with caries and gingivitis among adolescents resident in a semi-urban community in South-Western Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: We describe the prevalence, and individual and familial risk indicators for dental caries and gingivitis among 10-19-year-old adolescents in Ile-Ife, South-West Nigeria. METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected data through household surveys conducted between December 2018 and January 2019. Adolescents were recruited through multistage sampling. Oral health outcomes were caries, measured by the 'Decayed, Missing due to caries, and Filled Teeth' (DMFT) index, and gingivitis, measured by the Loe and Silness gingival index. Explanatory variables were individual (sex, age, oral health perception) and familial (socioeconomic status, birth rank, family size and parental living status) factors. Oral health behaviors (daily tooth-brushing, use of fluoridated toothpaste, consuming refined carbohydrates in-between meals, use of dental floss, dental service utilization in past 12 months, and smoking habits) were treated as confounders. Poisson regression models with robust estimation were constructed to determine associations between explanatory factors and oral health outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1472 adolescents were surveyed. Caries prevalence was 3.4%, with mean (standard deviation) DMFT of 0.06 (0.36) and plaque index of 0.84 (0.56). Only 128 (8.7%) adolescents brushed their teeth twice daily, 192 (16.1%) used dental floss daily, 14 (1.1%) utilized dental services in the last 12 months, and 508 (36.1%) consumed refined carbohydrates in-between meals less than once daily. The proportion of respondents who currently smoked cigarettes was 1.6%, and 91.7% of respondents used fluoridated toothpaste daily. The adjusted prevalence ratio of having caries increased by 18% for every additional age-year (APR: 1.18; 95% CI 1.004, 1.34). Additionally, participants with high socioeconomic status had significantly lower prevalence of caries compared to those with lower status (APR: 0.40; 95% CI 0.17, 0.91). Moderate/severe gingivitis was significantly associated with higher frequency of consuming refined carbohydrates in-between meals (APR: 2.33; 95% CI 1.36, 3.99) and higher plaque index scores (APR: 16.24; 95% CI 9.83, 26.82). CONCLUSION: Caries prevalence increased with increasing age and was higher among Nigerian adolescents with low socioeconomic status, while moderate/severe gingivitis was associated with frequent consumption of refined carbohydrates and higher plaque index score. While behavioral interventions may reduce the risk of gingivitis, structural interventions may be needed to reduce the risk for caries in this population.

Intention to provide tobacco cessation counseling among Indonesian dental students and association with the theory of planned behavior.

BACKGROUND: Use of tobacco is a serious public health problem in Indonesia that requires a multidisciplinary approach by healthcare providers to address it. The study assessed the intentions of undergraduate students in dental schools to provide tobacco cessation counseling (TCC) and their association with the constructs of the theory of planned behavior (TPB). METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted in October 2019 using an electronic survey for dental students in Indonesian dental schools (n = 30). The survey assessed schools and students' characteristics and eleven statements assessed their perspectives toward TCC based on the TPB using a 5-point Likert scale. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify components within the items of perspective. Multilevel linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between intention to provide TCC and the constructs of the TPB as identified in the perspectives' items using TPB controlling for confounders. RESULTS: About 1288 students participated from 30 dental schools, 83.3% females with mean age = 21.5 years with average intention to provide TCC = 4.3 out of 5. They had above average positive attitude about provision of TCC being the dentist's role (mean = 3.8 out of 5). PCA identified two components: confidence in their own abilities and perception of favorable environment with average scores = 3.2 and 2.7 out of 5. Intention to provide TCC was significantly associated with more positive attitude recognizing TCC as a dentist's role (B = 0.10, P < 0.0001), greater confidence in skills to provide TCC (B = 0.17, P < 0.0001) and less perception of favorable environment supportive off providing TCC (B = - 0.20, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Indonesian dental students' intention to provide TCC can be explained by the constructs of the TPB. Development of dental curricula promoting professional responsibility toward TCC should be given attention. Improving students' attitude and confidence potentially may support their patients' efforts to quit smoking.

Internet Addiction, Oral Health Practices, Clinical Outcomes, and Self-Perceived Oral Health in Young Saudi Adults.

The study assessed the relationship between Internet addiction and oral health practices and clinical outcomes and whether this was affected by oral health perception. In 2017, a cross-sectional study included university students in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Questionnaires assessed demographic background, oral health practices (consuming sugar, tobacco use, and oral hygiene), perceived oral health, and Internet addiction. Caries experience and gingivitis were assessed using the World Health Organization criteria. The multivariate general linear analysis assessed the relationship between dependent variables (oral health practices, DMFT, and gingivitis) and exposure (Internet addiction). Data were available for 919 participants, 75.4% females, mean age = 19.8 years, and 1.6% with significant Internet use problem. The mean percentage of teeth with gingivitis was 8.5% and mean DMFT was 2.9. Among those with good perception of oral health and compared with participants with significant Internet use problem, average Internet users had lower consumption of sugar and tobacco (B = -6.52, P = 0.03 and B = -2.04, P = 0.03), better oral hygiene practices (B = 2.07, P = 0.33), higher DMFT (B = 2.53, P = 0.10), and lesser gingivitis (B = -15.45, P = 0.06). Internet addiction was associated with negative oral health practices and poor clinical outcomes among young Saudis. Holistic health promotion approaches need to address the negative impact of Internet addiction on health and oral health status for this at-risk age group.

Oral health and tobacco research in the Eastern Mediterranean Region in relation to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is associated with oral diseases. Evaluating research on tobacco use and oral health can provide insight into the prevailing situation and help engage dental personnel in tackling the tobacco problem. AIMS: This study aimed to map knowledge gaps on tobacco and oral health research in the Eastern Mediterranean Region based on four articles of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). These were: article 12 - use of communication tools to promote tobacco education and awareness; article 14 - promotion of tobacco cessation; article 20 - exchange of information on determinants and outcomes of tobacco use; and article 22 - international cooperation to transfer expertise to strengthen national tobacco control strategies. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted that included publications on tobacco use and oral health in the Region. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Proquest theses were searched. Information extracted included: country, study type, whether more than one country was included and whether the publication addressed FCTC articles 12, 14, 20 or 22. RESULTS: In all, 322 publications were included, of which 82.0% were observational studies and 4.3% were clinical trials. Most publications (87.9%) were from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, Pakistan Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Only 32 (9.9%) publications included participants from more than one country. Of all the publications, 21.5% related to article 12 of the FCTC, 4.3% to article 14, 94.7% to article 20 and 6.5% article 22. CONCLUSIONS: Research on oral health and tobacco needs to be better aligned with the FCTC articles.

Dentists' practices and patient safety: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To assess the frequency of dentist-reported practices to ensure patient safety in the dental office and the impact of training and work environment on this frequency using the framework of the International Patient Safety Goals (IPSGs). METHODS: Dentists attending major conferences in Egypt and Saudi Arabia were recruited in a cross-sectional study in 2018. They completed a questionnaire assessing professional background and the frequency of practices for the IPSGs. The relationship between explanatory variables: training (postgraduate degrees and continuing education) and work environment (years in profession, working in public sector and performing surgical procedures) and the outcome variable: frequency of practices for 4 IPSGs was assessed using multivariate general linear model, and univariate general linear model was used to assess their relationship to the overall score of safety practices calculated for all goals. RESULTS: The response rate was 81.1%. Practices related to reducing harm in the office environment were significantly less frequent than practices ensuring medication safety, ensuring safe surgery and controlling infection. The overall frequency of safety practices was significantly higher amongst senior than junior dentists. There were significant differences in safety practices frequency based on postgraduate degrees and receiving safety training. Dentists performing surgical procedures reported less frequent safety practices. CONCLUSION: Practices to reduce harm because of the dental office environment were less frequent than other safety practices. Senior dentists, dentists who had postgraduate degrees and who received safety training reported more safety practices whilst those performing surgical procedures reported fewer safety practices.

Association between developmental dental anomalies, early childhood caries and oral hygiene status of 3-5-year-old children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: To determine the association between developmental dental anomalies (DDA), early childhood caries (ECC) and oral hygiene status of 3-5-year-old children resident in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. We analyzed data for 3-5-year-olds extracted from the dataset of a household survey collected to determine the association between ECC and maternal psychosocial wellbeing in children 0-5-year-old. The outcome variables for the study were ECC and poor oral hygiene. The explanatory variable was the presence of developmental dental anomalies (supernumerary, supplemental, mesiodens, hypodontia, macrodontia, microdontia, peg-shaped lateral, dens evaginatus, dens invaginatus, talons cusp, fusion/germination, hypoplasia, hypomineralized second molar, fluorosis, amelogenesis imperfecta). The prevalence of each anomaly was determined. Poisson regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between presence of developmental dental anomalies, ECC and oral hygiene status. The model was adjusted for sex, age and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: Of the 918 children examined, 75 (8.2%) had developmental dental anomalies, 43 (4.7%) had ECC, and 38 (4.1%) had poor oral hygiene. The most prevalent developmental dental anomalies was enamel hypoplasia (3.9%). Of the 43 children with ECC, 6 (14.0%) had enamel hypoplasia and 3 (7.6%) had hypomineralized second primary molar. There was a significant association between ECC and enamel hypoplasia (p < 0.001) and a borderline association between ECC and hypomineralized second primary molars (p = 0.05). The proportion of children with poor oral hygiene (PR: 2.03; 95% CI: 0.91-4.56; p = 0.09) and ECC (PR: 2.02; 95% CI: 0.92-4.46; p = 0.08) who had developmental dental anomalies was twice that of children with good oral hygiene and without ECC respectively, although the differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Enamel hypoplasia and hypomineralized second primary molars are developmental dental anomalies associated with ECC. developmental dental anomalies also increases the probability of having poor oral hygiene in the population studied.

Association between gingivitis severity and lifestyle habits in young Saudi Arabian males.

BACKGROUND: Gingivitis is a risk factor for periodontitis, which is associated with several systemic disorders. Adolescence provides an opportunity to establish good oral health practices but there are few studies on gingivitis in adolescents. AIMS: This study assessed the association between lifestyle habits and gingivitis severity in young Saudi Arabian males. METHODS: A sample of Saudi Arabian males (n = 685) aged 13-15 years from Dammam and Khobar were included in a cross-sectional study in 2016. A questionnaire assessed socioeconomic background and daily lifestyle habits - tooth-brushing, current smoking and consumption of sugary drinks and foods. Clinical examinations recorded plaque and gingival indices on 6 index teeth. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of gingivitis severity with tooth-brushing and smoking adjusted for sugary drinks and foods, socioeconomic factors and dental plaque. RESULTS: The response rate was 96.2%. Only 38% of the respondents brushed their teeth twice daily, 10.2% smoked, and 82.8% and 68.3% consumed sugary drinks and sugary foods respectively. The prevalence of plaque and gingivitis was 87.9% and 73.9% respectively. Tooth-brushing was not significantly associated with more severe gingivitis (regression coefficient = 0.17; 95% CI: -0.16 to 0.49). Current smoking was significantly associated with more severe gingivitis only when consuming sugary drinks (regression coefficient = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.04 to 1.22). CONCLUSIONS: Gingivitis severity was not associated with tooth-brushing but significantly increased with smoking when sugary drinks were used, indicating the effect of unhealthy lifestyle on gingival health, and the need to promote healthy lifestyle habits in this age group.

Carious lesions of permanent molars and oral health practices of parents and peers in Saudi male adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between carious lesions in first and second permanent molars in adolescents and their parents' and peers' oral health practices. Methods: This cross-sectional study of 12-15 year-old male adolescents was conducted in  Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on February 2016. Data collection included dental examination to measure carious lesions and plaque. There was a questionnaire to assess oral health practices such as brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, current daily tobacco use, and daily consumption of sugary food and drinks. Logistic regression models assessed the association between first and second molars carious lesions with adolescents', parents', and peers' oral health practices. Results: Of 302 students, 294 participated. The mother's brushing was significantly associated with a lower odds of carious lesions in the first molar (odds ratio [OR] = 0.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04 - 0.77). The mothers' sugary food intake and students' own brushing were significantly associated with carious lesions in the second molar (OR = 1.95 and 0.36, 95% CI: 1.01-9.89 and 0.12-0.89). Friends' intake of sugary drinks had a strong, but non-significant, association with second molar's carious lesions (OR=3.61, 95% CI: 0.35 - 7.44). Conclusion: In Saudi society, mothers have a major influence on their adolescent sons' carious lesions. Adolescents' oral health strategies should involve parents to reduce their risk of caries.