Risk factors for oral infection and dry socket post-tooth extraction in medically complex patients in the absence of antibiotic prophylaxis: A case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Dry socket and infection are complications of tooth extractions. The objective was to determine risk factors for post-extraction complications in patients without antibiotic prophylaxis stratified by early- and late-complications and complication type (oral infection and dry socket). METHODS: Retrospective, case (with complications)-control (without complications) study of patients (n = 708) who had ≥1 extraction performed at any Veterans Health Administration facility between 2015-2019 and were not prescribed an antibiotic 30 days pre-extraction. RESULTS: Early complication cases (n = 109) were more likely to be female [odds ratio (OR) = 2.06; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.05-4.01], younger (OR = 0.29; 95% CI:0.09-0.94 patients ≥ 80 years old, reference:18-44 years), Native American/Alaska Native (OR = 21.11; 95% CI:2.33-191.41) and have fewer teeth extracted (OR = 0.53 3+ teeth extracted; 95% CI:0.31-0.88, reference:1 tooth extracted). Late complication cases (n = 67) were more likely to have a bipolar diagnosis (OR = 2.98; 95% CI:1.04-8.57), history of implant placement (OR = 8.27; 95% CI:1.63-41.82), and history of past smoking (OR = 2.23; 95% CI:1.28-3.88). CONCLUSION: Predictors for post-extraction complications among patients who did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis were similar to prior work in cohorts who received prophylaxis. Unique factors identified in a medically complex population included being younger, Native American/Alaska Native, having mental health conditions, history of a dental implant, and fewer teeth extracted.

Effectiveness of fluorides in root caries prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs (2009-2018).

AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of topical fluorides in prevention of root caries-related treatment in high caries risk Veterans. METHODS: This retrospective analysis of longitudinal data examined the effectiveness of professionally applied or prescription (Rx) fluoride treatment, in VHA clinics from FY 2009-2018. Professional fluoride treatments included 5% Sodium Fluoride (NaF) varnish (22 600 ppm fluoride), 2% NaF gel/rinse (9050 ppm fluoride), and 1.23% APF gel (12 300 ppm fluoride). The Rx for daily home use was 1.1% NaF paste/gel (5000 ppm fluoride). Outcomes studied were new root caries restorations or extractions and percent of patients with treatment over 1 year. Logistic regressions were adjusted for age, gender, race, ethnicity, chronic medical or psychiatric conditions, number of medication classes, anticholinergic drugs, smoking, baseline root caries treatment, preventive care, and time between first-last restoration in the index year. RESULTS: Root caries at baseline was associated with a high risk for new root caries. Veterans without root caries during the index year who received a fluoride gel/rinse intervention were 32-40% less likely to receive caries-related treatment for root caries during the follow-up period. Once Veterans had root caries, fluorides did not exhibit a positive effect. CONCLUSION: In older adults with high caries risk, early fluoride prevention is key, before root caries requires treatment.

Effect of being overweight and obese on periodontal treatment costs.

BACKGROUND: Obesity can increase a person's risk of developing periodontal disease, and patients with obesity have greater health care costs. However, the effect of obesity on periodontal treatment costs has not been examined. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used data from the electronic dental records of adult patients examined from July 1, 2010, through July 31, 2019 at a US dental school. Primary exposure was body mass index, which was categorized as obese, overweight, or normal. Periodontal disease was categorized using clinical probing measures. Fee schedules and procedure codes were used to compute the primary outcome, which was total periodontal treatment costs. A generalized linear model with gamma distribution was used to examine the relationship between body mass index and periodontal costs after controlling for initial periodontal disease severity and other confounding variables. Parameter coefficients and mean ratios with 95% CIs were estimated. RESULTS: The study sample included 3,443 adults, of whom 39% were normal weight, 37% were overweight, and 24% were obese. Mean (SD) total periodontal treatment costs for patients who were obese were considerably higher ($420 [$719]) than those for patients who were overweight ($402 [$761]) and patients who were normal weight ($268 [$601]). After controlling for covariates and disease severity, patients who were obese had 27% higher periodontal treatment costs than patients who were normal weight. The additional periodontal treatment costs attributable to obesity were greater than those attributable to either diabetes or smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The study results suggest that among patients at a dental school, those who were obese incurred substantially higher periodontal treatment costs than patients who were normal weight, independent of initial periodontal disease severity. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The study findings have important implications for clinical guidelines and dental benefit design and coverage policies.

Effect of Overweight and Obesity on Periodontal Treatment Intensity.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is associated with greater utilization of medical resources, but it is unclear if a similar relationship exists for dental care. OBJECTIVES: This retrospective cohort study compared periodontal disease treatment among obese, overweight, and normal-weight patients attending an urban US dental school clinic. METHODS: Periodontal, demographic, and medical history data for 3,443 adult patients examined between July 1, 2010, and July 31, 2019, were extracted from electronic health records. Body mass index (BMI) was computed from self-reported height and weight and categorized as obese (≥30 kg/m2), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2), or normal (18-24.9 kg/m2). Periodontal disease was categorized using clinical probing measures. Procedure codes defined treatment type (surgical, nonsurgical, local chemotherapeutics, or none). Logistic regression models controlling for initial periodontal disease severity, age, gender, tobacco use, history of diabetes, dental insurance type, and follow-up (log of days) estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of any treatment among obese and overweight relative to normal-weight patients. The association between BMI and a periodontal treatment intensity score, based on treatment type, number of teeth treated, and number of visits, was evaluated with multivariable negative binomial regression. RESULTS: Mean age at baseline was 44 ± 15 y, and severe periodontal disease was present in 32% of obese, 31% of overweight, and 21% of normal-weight patients. Average follow-up was 3.9 ± 1.6 y. Obese and overweight patients were more likely to have nonsurgical scaling and root planing or surgical procedures than normal-weight patients. Adjusted odds of any treatment were higher among obese (OR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.14-1.72) and overweight (OR = 1.18; 95% CI, 0.97-1.42) relative to normal weight. Obese and overweight patients had 40% and 24% higher treatment intensity scores, respectively, than normal-weight patients. CONCLUSION: These results indicate obese and overweight individuals require more intensive periodontal treatment compared to normal-weight individuals, independent of initial disease severity. KNOWLEDGE OF TRANSFER STATEMENT: The results of this study can be used by dental providers and policymakers to better understand patient characteristics that influence the variability in frequency and length of periodontal treatment. Knowledge of a patient's body mass index may be useful in identifying patients who possibly will have a poorer periodontal prognosis.

A smoking cessation induction intervention via virtual reality headset during a dental cleaning: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Effective smoking cessation programs exist but are underutilized by smokers, especially by disadvantaged smokers. Cessation interventions in dental settings have been shown to be effective, but are not consistently delivered due to provider burden and lack of training, especially on how to counsel smokers who are not motivated to quit. METHODS: This study is a 2-arm, phase III longitudinal randomized controlled efficacy trial to motivate utilization of evidenced based treatments (EBTs) for smoking cessation (e.g., state quitline, clinic-based counseling, the National Cancer Institute's text message program, and pharmacotherapy). Patients attending an urban dental clinic (n = 376) will be randomized to an intervention group (INT; smoking cessation induction video delivered via VR headset during their teeth cleaning, brochure about EBTs, and a 4-week text message program) or control group (CTRL; relaxation video delivered via VR headset during teeth cleaning, the same brochure as INT, and assessment-only text messages). Assessments will occur at baseline, immediately after the clinic appointment, one-month post-appointment and 3-and 6 months later. We hypothesize INT will be more likely to contact EBTs vs CTRL and have greater utilization rates of EBTs. Secondary objectives are to test the efficacy of INT on point-prevalence smoking abstinence, quit smoking attempts, and motivation to quit vs. CTRL. DISCUSSION: Incorporating smoking cessation into a dental clinic visit and targeting all smokers, regardless of motivation to quit, provides proactive reach to cigarette smokers who otherwise may not seek treatment for smoking. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04524533 Registered August 24, 2020.

Concordance of antibiotic prescribing with the American Dental Association acute oral infection guidelines within Veterans' Affairs (VA) dentistry.

OBJECTIVE: United States dentists prescribe 10% of all outpatient antibiotics. Assessing appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing has been challenging due to a lack of guidelines for oral infections. In 2019, the American Dental Association (ADA) published clinical practice guidelines (CPG) on the management of acute oral infections. Our objective was to describe baseline national antibiotic prescribing for acute oral infections prior to the release of the ADA CPG and to identify patient-level variables associated with an antibiotic prescription. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. METHODS: We performed an analysis of national VA data from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017. We identified cases of acute oral infections using International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes. Antibiotics prescribed by a dentist within ±7 days of a visit were included. Multivariable logistic regression identified patient-level variables associated with an antibiotic prescription. RESULTS: Of the 470,039 VA dental visits with oral infections coded, 12% of patient visits with irreversible pulpitis, 17% with apical periodontitis, and 28% with acute apical abscess received antibiotics. Although the median days' supply was 7, prolonged use of antibiotics was frequent (≥8 days, 42%-49%). Patients with high-risk cardiac conditions, prosthetic joints, and endodontic, implant, and oral and maxillofacial surgery dental procedures were more likely to receive antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Most treatments of irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis cases were concordant with new ADA guidelines. However, in cases where antibiotics were prescribed, prolonged antibiotic courses >7 days were frequent. These findings demonstrate opportunities for the new ADA guidelines to standardize and improve dental prescribing practices.

Department of Veterans Affairs Consensus: Preradiation dental treatment guidelines for patients with head and neck cancer.

Few protocols have been published for the dental management of patients with head and neck cancer to prevent complications from head and neck radiation therapy. Radiation therapy not only affects the tumor cells targeted, but also the dentition, bone, salivary gland, and oral soft tissue structures. A comprehensive dental evaluation prior to head and neck radiation therapy can help prevent many complications. The following clinical guidelines were established by a workgroup of oral health providers within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This workgroup focused on developing a set of recommendations regarding dental care prior to the initiation of head and neck radiation therapy based on the best clinical evidence and expert consensus. A systematic algorithm was developed for the evaluation including pre-exam data gathering, examination, education, and treatment, followed by maintenance and postradiation dental follow-up. This document is evidence-based, patient-centered, consistent with accepted practices of care and safety, and in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations.

Xerostomia and salivary hypofunction in vulnerable elders: prevalence and etiology.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this article is to review existing research on the prevalence and etiology of dry mouth in the vulnerable elders and identify knowledge gaps. STUDY DESIGN: Vulnerable elders (VE) are persons aged >65 years who have any or all of the following: limited mobility, limited resources, or complex health status. A systematic search was conducted of PubMed sources from 1989 to May 2010. Evidence was evaluated on the prevalence and etiology of xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction (SGH) in VE. RESULTS: The search identified 1,422 publications. The inclusion/exclusion criteria yielded 348 articles, 80 of which are cited herein. CONCLUSIONS: Research has showed a high prevalence of xerostomia and SGH in VE. Common etiologies include medications, poor general health, female gender, and age. Gaps still exist in the evaluation of dry mouth in VE. Nonetheless, oral dryness will remain an important health issue as life expectancy increases.