Prevalence, Etiology, and Types of Dental Trauma in Self-Assessment of 18-Year-Olds in Poland.

The aim of the study is to determine the occurrence and etiology of traumatic dental injuries of permanent teeth and to evaluate the relationship between diagnosed injuries and selected socio-economic indicators. In total, 1741 students aged 18 years, representing all the regions of Poland, took part in the survey. Questionnaires for monitoring studies were prepared in accordance with the criteria of the World Health Organization. Among the respondents, tooth trauma was reported by 18% of adolescents. The most common trauma occurred during other activities (e.g., playing) (64%). The most common direct cause of injury was a fall (43%) or a collision with an object or another person (36%). Risk of injury was increased by a low level of parents' education and poor financial situation of the family. Playing sports is important in the etiology of injuries. The incidence of injuries was highest in school, demonstrating the need for school education in injury prevention and first aid. Occurrence of injuries, their causes, therapy, and post-traumatic complications were similar in respondents of both genders, which can be explained by secularization trends. Risk of injury was increased by parents' low level of education and poor economic status. The research demonstrates the need for universal education on treatment of dental injuries.

Traumatic dental injuries in special health care needs children and association with obesity.

BACKGROUND: Special needs children are at a higher risk of dental trauma because of neurological, physical, mental, and behavioral impairments. They are also at higher risk of developing obesity due to the side effects of medication. OBJECTIVE: Assess the association between traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) and obesity in children with special health care needs. DESIGN: Analytical cross-sectional study. SETTING: Schools for special needs children. STUDY POPULATION AND METHODS: Special needs children with a diagnosis of TDI according to the Andreasen criteria were included in the study. Data on the disability status were obtained from a national demographic survey in 2016. Demographic and dental variables were measured for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyse any relationship between TDI prevalence and obesity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Relationship of body mass index (BMI) to TDI prevalence. SAMPLE SIZE: 350 (131 boys and 219 girls) special needs children with a median (interquartile range) age of 12.0 (2.0) years. RESULTS: Eighty-one (23.1%) children presented with TDIs. The mean (standard deviation) BMI for the entire study population was 24.7 (7.8). Children with obesity had a 30.3% TDI prevalence compared normal-weight children (20.6%) (P=.035), but BMI category was not statistically significant in the regression analysis (P=.541), which showed that children with an overjet of >3 mm were 4.82 times (CI: 2.55-9.09, P=.001) more likely to have TDI than children with an overjet of ≤3 mm. Those with inadequate lip coverage were 2.85 times (CI: 1.49-5.44, P=.002) more likely to have TDI. Children with cerebral palsy were 3.18 times (CI: 1.89-11.32, P=.024) more likely to have TDI than children with other disabilities. CONCLUSION: The study showed a significant association between TDI prevalence and increased overjet, inadequate lip coverage, and cerebral palsy. The prevalence of TDI among obese special needs children was statistically significant according to bivariate analysis, but not in a multivariate analysis that adjusted for other variables. LIMITATIONS: Causal relationship cannot be established with cross-sectional study. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Assessment of the Need for Dental Treatment Resulting From Dental Trauma in 12-Year-Old Brazilian Schoolchildren: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Objective: To identify the need for restorative treatment in 12-year-old Brazilian schoolchildren with dental trauma and its association with clinical and socioeconomic factors. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was carried out with sample composed of 588 12-year-old students from the city of Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected from August to November 2016 through clinical examination, adopting the Andreasen classification and semi-structured questionnaire to verify the etiology and location of the accident that resulted in dental trauma. Statistical analysis included the frequency distribution and bi and multivariate analysis, with 5% significance level. Results: The presence of 219 traumatized teeth in 176 students was observed (29.9%). The main lesion was enamel fracture (41.4%), followed by enamel and dentin fracture (39.4%). The presence of restorative treatment was observed only in 11.5% of students. Fall (43.5%) was the most frequent etiology, followed by accidents on the streets (35.8%). Need for treatment was present in 53.4% of adolescents. Statistically significant association between males (p=0.010), severe overjet (p<0.0001) and inadequate lip protection (p<0.0001) and presence of dental trauma was observed. Maternal schooling over 8 years of study was statistically associated with need for restorative treatment (OR = 2.047; CI: 1.099-3.813; p=0.023). Conclusion: Prevalence of dental trauma, need for restorative treatment and number of adolescents with no access to restorative treatment in this study were high, point out that the health system is unable to satisfactorily prevent dental trauma and absorb all dental treatment demand resulting from dental trauma.

Assessment of iatrogenic damage to adjacent teeth during crown and bridge preparation.

INTRODUCTION: Iatrogenic damage to the adjacent tooth during crown preparation is a frequent disastrous effect. The aim of the study was, therefore, to determine the frequency of different types, degree and location of iatrogenic damage to the adjacent tooth during crown and bridge preparations in a tertiary care setting that lead towards the morbidity of tooth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in Aga Khan University dental laboratory in two months period in which a total of 150 dental casts fulfilling the inclusion criteria were analyzed using non-probability convenient sampling technique. The casts were examined using 3.5x magnifying loupes for the location, degree and type of damage to the proximal surface adjacent to the prepared tooth using Moonpar and Faulkner criteria. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 22. Chi square test was used to assess the association between the experience of practitioner and degree of damage to adjacent tooth. It was also used to determine the association between location of tooth and degree of damage to adjacent tooth. Inter-examiner reliability was assessed by using kappa statistics. RESULTS: A high prevalence of damage to the proximal surface of adjacent teeth (78% on mesial tooth and 60.6% on distal tooth) was observed, with the majority (32.6%) belonging to the mild categories. There were statistically significant associations between the experience of practitioner and the damage to the surface mesial to the preparation. However, more severe damages occurred in mandibular teeth preparations as compared to maxillary teeth preparations. CONCLUSIONS: A high frequency of iatrogenic damage to the adjacent teeth had been found during crown and bridge work with the middle of the tooth as the most susceptible site. However, the majority of damages were of milder type including only abrasions.

Avaliação penal de lesões dentais por peritos odontolegistas de Instituto Médico Legal - Brasil / Evaluación penal de lesiones dentales por expertos odontolegistas de Instituto Médico Legal - Brasil / Assessment of dental injuries by forensic odontology experts from the Legal Medicine Institute, Brazil

Introdução: o Código Penal Brasileiro tipifica, em seu artigo 129, o crime de lesão corporal como sendo a ofensa à integridade corporal ou a saúde de outrem. As penas previstas para este crime são graduadas de acordo com o resultado gerado pela lesão, sendo este estabelecido por meio do exame pericial requisitado pela autoridade competente. As lesões dentais são frequentes neste tipo de exame, sendo que as suas resultantes, expressas no Código Penal Brasileiro, são muito discutidas no âmbito pericial, existindo muitas divergências entre examinadores distintos. Objetivo: verificar a interpretação penal de lesões em dentes ântero-superiores por Peritos Oficiais Odontolegistas do Instituto Médico Legal Nina Rodrigues (Salvador, Bahia, Brasil). Métodos: foram analisados 2 738 laudos emitidos no período de janeiro de 2007 a dezembro de 2011, por estes peritos nesse intervalo de cinco anos. O critério de inclusão foi a descrição de acometimento de dente permanente na região ântero-superior e o critério de exclusão foi o não enquadramento com segurança em algum tipo de lesão especificada. A coleta de dados foi feita por um único indivíduo, o qual teve acesso aos laudos. As lesões dentais descritas nos laudos foram classificadas e codificadas, de forma a facilitar as anotações e os estudos estatísticos por meio do teste do Qui-Quadrado e teste Kappa (software R, versão 2.15.2, R Development Core Team, 2012) (p≥ 0,05). Resultados: dos 2 738 laudos, 277 atenderam os critérios de inclusão, em que 32,16 porcento descreviam fraturas dentais coronárias simples, 31,72 porcento como fraturas complexas e 36,12 porcento como avulsão. Os resultados obtidos apresentaram uma forte associação entre o perito examinador e a resultante penal estabelecida, na análise de lesões dentais. Conclusão: conclui-se que a avaliação penal das lesões dentais mostrou-se fortemente subjetiva, sendo necessários maiores estudos e discussões a respeito do tema, de forma a minimizar a subjetividade(AU)

Introducción: el Código Penal brasileño tipifica en su artículo 129, el delito de lesiones corporales como la ofensa a la integridad corporal o la salud de los demás. Las penas por este delito se clasifican de acuerdo con los resultados generados por la lesión, que se establece a través de un examen forense ordenado por la autoridad competente. Lesiones dentales son comunes en este tipo de examen, y del análisis de sus resultados a partir del Código Penal brasileño, es tema de frecuentes debates entre expertos forenses, con muchas divergencias entre los distintos examinadores. Objetivo: investigar la interpretación penal de las lesiones en los dientes anteriores superiores por expertos Oodontolegistas Oficial Forense Instituto Nina Rodrigues (Salvador, Bahia, Brasil). Métodos: se analizaron 2 738 informes emitidos entre enero de 2007 y diciembre de 2011, por los expertos en un intervalo de cinco años. El criterio de inclusión fue la descripción de la afectación de los dientes permanentes en la región anterior superior y el criterio de exclusión fue no haber implicación segura en algún tipo de lesión especificada. La reunión de datos fue hecha por un solo individuo, que tuvo acceso a los informes. Lesiones dentales que se describen en los informes fueron clasificadas y codificadas con el fin de facilitar las notas y estudios estadísticos mediante la prueba de chi cuadrado y la prueba de Kappa (software R, versión 2.15.2, Core Development Team R, 2012) (p≥ 0,05). Resultados: de los 2 738 informes, 277 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión, en los cuales 32,16 por ciento describe fracturas dentales simples coronarias, 31,72 por ciento fracturas complejas y 36,12 por ciento como avulsión. Los resultados muestran una fuerte asociación entre el experto forense y criminal establecido que resulta en el análisis de las lesiones dentales. Conclusiones: se concluye que la evaluación penal de lesiones dentales era fuertemente subjetiva, lo que requiere más estudios y debates sobre el tema, con el fin de reducir al mínimo la subjetividad(AU)

Introduction: Article 129 of the Brazilian Penal Code defines the crime of bodily harm as damage to the physical integrity or the health of others. Penalties for this crime are graded in keeping with the consequences of the injury, determined by forensic examination indicated by the corresponding authority. Dental injuries are common in this type of examination, and analysis of results based on the Brazilian Penal Code is the object of frequent debate among forensic experts, with many divergences between the various examiners. Objective: Analyze the penal interpretation of injuries to upper front teeth provided by official forensic odontology experts from Nina Rodrigues Forensic Institute (Salvador, Bahia, Brazil). Methods: Analysis was conducted of 2 738 expert reports issued in the five-year period extending from January 2007 to December 2011. The inclusion criterion was description of injury to permanent upper front teeth, whereas the exclusion criterion was lack of certainty as to the consequences of the injury specified. Data were gathered by a single individual, who had access to the reports. The dental injuries described in the reports were classified and encoded to facilitate annotation and the performance of statistical studies based on chi-square estimation and the kappa test (R software version 2.15.2, R Core Development Team, 2012) (p≥ 0.05). Results: Of the 2 738 reports, 277 met the inclusion criterion. Of the injuries described therein, 32.16 percent were classified as simple dental crown fractures, 31.72 percent as complex fractures, and 36.12 percent as avulsions. Results show the close relationship between forensic experts and criminal investigators in the analysis of dental injuries. Conclusions: Penal assessment of dental injuries was markedly subjective, requiring further study and discussion to minimize such subjectivity(AU)

Dental injury associated with anaesthesia: An 8-year database analysis of 592 claims from a major French insurance company.

INTRODUCTION: Dental injury is the most common incident associated with anaesthesia. Regarding recent recommendations on informed consent and changes in airway management practices, a large series of claims related to dental injury has not been recently described. The aim of this study was to analyse a recent database in order to describe the characteristics of dental injury in France. METHODS: A database that prospectively collected claims reported to Le Sou Médical-MACSF between January 2003 and December 2010, was analysed. Five hundred and ninety-two cases were reported. The following characteristics were analysed: number and type of teeth injured, mechanism of injury, anaesthetic procedure, risk factors and dental outcome after injury. RESULTS: Amongst the 1514 claims related to anaesthesia, 592 (39.2%) were classified as dental damage. Preoperative informed consent concerning possible perioperative dental injury was documented in only 34.8% of patients. Only one tooth was affected in 65.2% of patients, dental bridge injury in 12.8% of cases and damage to two or more teeth in 14% of patients. Incisors were involved in 50% of cases. Fracture was the most common type of injury (64.2%). Poor dentition was the most common risk factor (23.1%) followed by difficult intubation (15.4%). Both risks were combined in only 7.6% of cases. Tracheal intubation was the highest risk procedure (41.6%). CONCLUSION: Dental injury remains the most common anaesthesia-related claim. Dental examination and documentation in patient medical files requires improvement and better informed consent on dental injury risk needs to be provided to patients.

Claims for compensation after injuries related to airway management: a nationwide study covering 15 years.

BACKGROUND: Securing the airway is one of the most important responsibilities in anaesthesia. Injuries related to airway management can occur. Analysis from closed claims can help to identify patterns of injury, risk factors and areas for improvement. METHODS: All claims to The Norwegian System of Compensation to Patients from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2015 within the medical specialty of anaesthesiology were studied. Data were extracted from this database for patients and coded by airway management procedures. RESULTS: Of 400 claims for injuries related to airway management, 359 were classified as 'non-severe' and 41 as 'severe'. Of the severe cases, 37% of injuries occurred during emergency procedures. Eighty-one claims resulted in compensation, and 319 were rejected. A total of €1,505,344 was paid to the claimants during the period. Claims of dental damage contributed to a numerically important, but financially modest, proportion of claims. More than half of the severe cases were caused by failed intubation or a misplaced endotracheal tube. CONCLUSION: Anaesthesia procedures are not without risk, and injuries can occur when securing the airway. The most common injury was dental trauma. Clear patterns of airway management that resulted in injuries are not apparent from our data, but 37% of severe cases were related to emergency procedures which suggest the need for additional vigilance. Guidelines for difficult intubation situations are well established, but adherence to such guidelines varies. Good planning of every general anaesthesia should involve consideration of possible airway problems and assessment of pre-existing poor dentition.

Traumatic dental injury.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the incidence of traumatic dental injury and consequential dental impairment following road traffic accidents and to examine the factors that can affect the monetary value of compensation for bodily injury payable pursuant to current insurance regulations. METHODS: From 2004 to 2014, 7233 persons involved in road traffic accidents in the province of Messina, eastern Sicily, were examined by insurance physicians to assess bodily injury damage. Data were collected from cases of traumatic dental injury causing malocclusion and temporomandibular joint dysfunction, either alone or concomitant with injuries to other parts of the body. Injury characteristics and consequential bodily injury damage were classified and the incidence calculated using Microsoft Excel software. RESULTS: The incidence of traumatic dental injuries was 3% of the total population (195 subjects - 127 males and 68 females); the majority of cases (56%) involved riders of two-wheeled vehicles. A high percentage of riders received injury to one or more teeth, i.e. fractures and dislocations, more frequently to the anterior teeth (68%) than the posterior teeth because of their position in the dental arch. Temporomandibular joint injuries were far fewer (8%) and resulted from either direct or indirect trauma associated with severe head and/or neck injury. The incidence of permanent bodily damage consequential to these injuries was fairly low. CONCLUSIONS: Although the incidence of dental trauma following road traffic accidents is low, the monetary compensation for consequential dental impairment based on current insurance regulatory law is far from negligible.

Assessment of traumatic dental injuries in patients with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term for a group of conditions characterized essentially by motor dysfunctions that may be associated with sensory or cognitive impairment. Such children tend to have a higher incidence of traumatic dental injuries than the general population. This increased incidence is often attributed to poor muscular co-ordination that predisposes individuals with Cerebral palsy to trauma Aim: The study was conducted to assess different dental injuries and the risk factors for dental trauma to occur in patients with cerebral palsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 70 children and adolescents with cerebral palsy attending special school in Durg and Bhilai city between 7 and 18 years of age. RESULTS: Dentinal fracture was seen in 40% of cases. Few cases had tooth displacement, discoloration, and pulpal involvement. CONCLUSION: Dentists should be well aware of the possible dental injuries in such patients. Preventive measure measures should be taken by health care provider to reduce traumatic exposure.

Knowledge level of physical educators regarding dental trauma in a brazilian subpopulation

To evaluate the knowledge of physical education professionals and athletes about dental trauma. The state of Paraiba Brazil has 3.9 million inhabitants and innumerable centers of physical activities.Material and Methods:The sample consisted of 103 physical education professionals and 101 gym-goers, randomly chosen, in the city of João Pessoa, Brazil. The participants filled out a specific questionnaire for each group (teachers and students) regarding their knowledge about dental trauma and how they would proceed in such situations. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square and FischerÆs exact tests were used at 1% significance to test for significant differences in the sample.Results:Most of the professionals did not have adequate knowledge about the concept of dental avulsion (77.7%), and only 14 of them reported having sought a dentist after an avulsion. Of the students, 10.9% reported having suffered any dental injury during physical activity, and only 4 of them reported having sought a dentist soon after the accident. Regarding the most appropriate means to transport an avulsed tooth, saline solution was most cited by both the physical education teachers (56.3%) and the students (60.4%).Conclusion:This study revealed a level of lay knowledge regarding dental trauma; the number of participants who knew the correct way to act in such situations was small. For most of the individuals surveyed, the dissemination of information on the subject through educational programs would contribute to knowledge on how to address dental trauma...

Health considerations for oral piercing and the policies that influence them.

With the increase in popularity of piercings, the health care professional needs to be aware of the complications that can occur due to lack of regulations of the piercing establishments. Due to lack of training of piercing professionals and lack of enforcement of sterilization procedures, infection and life threatening complications can arise. Complications include, but are not limited to, hemorrhage, nerve damage, gingival recession, HIV, tongue swelling, tooth fracture, Bactermia, Ludwigs angina, increase salivary flow, jewelry aspiration, and localized infection. Texas requires an individual to be 18 years of age to receive a piercing. However, Texas does not regulate the piercing establishment or the artist providing the services. Oral health care providers should be aware of the lacking regulations of piercing studios so they can be more vigilant of oral complications that may occur.

[Financial and medicolegal impact of dental trauma]. / Impact financier et médicolégal des traumatismes dentaires.

INTRODUCTION: Dental injuries are among the most common complications of general anesthesia. Yet few studies have assessed the costs and factors that involve the responsibility of the anesthetist. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was conducted at the university hospital of Reims on 46 cases of dental injuries directly related to anaesthesia. RESULTS: Ten patients made a claim for compensation. Two of them have received compensation following a medical expertise, which revealed for the first patient a possible alternative to general anaesthesia, and the second, hardware failure of intubation. The Administrative Court was entered once in 9 years. The global insurance-cost amounts to 4476 euros for all patients. The review of all cases of anaesthesia shows clearly that the dental claims are associated with a significant under clinical evaluation of dental status and criteria for difficult intubation during the anaesthesia. The information to the patient on this risk is not obvious from reading the anaesthesia records. No mouth guard was used. CONCLUSION: This work proves that the statements of caution are the most common and a minority of dental trauma lead to a claim. Claims are due to the high cost of dental care repair. The proportion of patients receiving benefits is extremely low. Medical expertise is an essential part of the evaluation of medical responsibilities. No compensation was paid without expertise. The lack of physical examination and information are contrary to our professional obligations and may involve our responsibility. The lack of patient information is not generated for compensation to the extent that the consequences of failure are easily dental weighed against the benefits of the entire medical-surgical procedure that the patient has agreed.

[Dental trauma and anaesthesiology: epidemiology and insurance-related impact over 4 years in Rouen teaching hospital]. / Lésions dentaires et anesthésie : épidémiologie et impact assurantiel sur quatre années au CHU de Rouen.

OBJECTIVES: Dental injuries are the first cause of sinistrality in anaesthesiology. However, few insurance-related data are available concerning the publicly-owned establishments, in particular on the cost of the complaints deposited. We studied the epidemiology of dental trauma in a teaching hospital and brought it closer to the induced insurance-related costs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study, examining the files of declaration of dental trauma, from January 2005 to December 2008. The litigations for dental injuries treated by Quality and Services Department were also analysed. RESULTS: Seventy-two cases of dental lesions were declared, i.e. 1/1528 general anaesthesias. Concerning the risk factors of lesion, 47 patients (65%) presented bad dental conditions identified during the pre-anaesthetic consultation; 27 patients (37%) had criteria for difficult intubation listed on the sheet of anaesthesia. The association of the 2 factors was found among 20 patients. The indication of information to the patient on the dental risk was registered on the sheet of anaesthesia in 17% of cases. The Quality and Services Department recorded 23 complaints for dental trauma over the period. In 4 cases the complaint was followed by a compensation for an average amount equal to 608 (256-1002) Euros, i.e., a total cost of 2434 Euros. CONCLUSIONS: The two main risk factors of dental lesion are well identified with the consultation of anaesthesia and are noted on the file. However, information to the patient on this risk is seldom notified. The incidence of dental lesions is important, but few complaints open right to financial repair for a very low insurance-related total amount.

Prevalence and association of dental injuries with socioeconomic conditions and alcohol/drug use in adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of dental trauma, etiological factors, predisposing factors, and associations with socioeconomic status and the risk of alcohol and illicit drug use among adolescents in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out that included clinical examinations and self-administered questionnaires. The sample population was composed of 891 adolescents from public and private schools. The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) was used for socioeconomic classification. Information on alcohol and illicit drug use was obtained using two questionnaires: the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). RESULTS: The prevalence of traumatic dental injury (TDI) was 24.7%. Falls (17.7%) was the most frequently cited etiological factor in dental injury. Among the participants with TDI, 32.8% were students in the private school system (P = 0.006). A total of 56.8% of individuals with accentuated overjet had some type of TDI (P = 0.000). There was a high prevalence of adolescents who consumed alcoholic beverages (50.3%) and used illicit substances (15.2%). However, no statistically significant associations were found between these variables and the presence of TDI. The results of the analysis demonstrate that individuals in a private school system [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.11; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-1.20] and those with accentuated overjet (>3 mm) (PR = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.10-1.25) had a 1.11- and 1.17-fold greater chance of belonging to the group of individuals diagnosed with some type of TDI. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dental trauma in the study population was high. The same was true regarding alcohol and illicit drug use among the adolescents examined, although no statistically significant associations were found between these variables and a history of TDI. Private school system and accentuated overjet were significantly associated with dental trauma.

Assessment of dental trauma among cerebral palsy individuals in Udaipur city.

OBJECTIVE: (i) To assess the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in individuals with cerebral palsy and its possible relationship with type of palsy at Udaipur city, Rajasthan, India. (ii) To assess the prevalence of temporomandibular joint symptoms in cerebral palsy individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The total sample comprised of 281 cerebral palsy individuals in the age group of 10-35 years. Clinical examination for dental trauma was performed on the basis of Andreasen & Andreasen classification (1994). Chi-square test, multiple logistic and stepwise linear regression analyses were carried out to find out the relationship between cerebral palsy individuals with different independent variables. RESULTS: Findings of the study indicated that there was highest prevalence of TDI in cerebral palsy patients with hemiplegia (40.6%) (P = 0.00). Stepwise and multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the best predictors for dental traumatic injuries was overjet and type of cerebral palsy. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that hemiplegic cerebral palsy patients were most prone to TDI.

Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom Survey version 2.0: report of the development and initial testing of a subscale for assessment of oral health.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence, severity, and functional implications of adverse oral health outcomes attributed to head and neck cancer therapy are largely undefined. We report development of an oral health outcome subscale for the Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom Survey (VHNSS). METHODS: Oral health outcome questions were formulated through literature review and consultation with an expert panel. Questions were incorporated into the VHNSS resulting in a 50-item survey, scored 0 (none) to 10 (severe). The tool was administered to 70 subjects who completed radiation to assess for feasibility. RESULTS: Patient acceptance was high with a completion time <10 minutes. A full range of scores was noted for 46 of 50 questions. Oral health symptom burden was high early and late posttreatment. CONCLUSIONS: The VHNSS version 2.0 was feasible and could be completed in a timely manner. Validation studies are ongoing. The high prevalence of adverse oral health outcomes warrants further study.

[Insufficient preoperative anaesthesiological assessment of dental status]. / Insufficient præoperativ anæstesiologisk vurdering af tandstatus.

We conducted a comparison of the preoperative airway and teeth status assessment with a dedicated postoperative assessment. We included 211 patients with a preoperative airway and teeth assessment performed by the designated physicians at the department of anaesthesia. 27% of the patients had an incomplete preoperative assessment. 66% were not informed about the risk of damages to the teeth and 16% of the patients were postoperatively considered to have periodontitis compared to only 3% preoperatively. Postoperatively we found, that many more patients had an overall poor dental status.

Cost-effective dental protection during rigid endoscopy.

We describe a simple method to create a reusable and customizable dental guard using readily available materials. Our method does not require an extra patient visit and does not add operative time. Furthermore, our guard is rigid, which allows force to be distributed over adjacent teeth, unlike soft mouth guards.