Dental Practice Patterns for Oral Care in Medical Oncology Patients-a Survey-Based Assessment of Massachusetts Dentists.

Oral complications associated with cancer therapy lead to a significant deterioration of oral health and overall quality of life. The primary aim of this study was to assess dental practice patterns followed by dentists for oral care of medical oncology patients and to identify potential barriers to recommended care. A questionnaire-based survey was developed using the Qualtrics online platform. It was electronically distributed to all dentists within the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS). Descriptive statistics were automatically computed by Qualtrics. A total of 363 responses (10.7%) were received. Dentists reported minimal correspondence from the oncology team during referrals. Most dentists communicate treatment recommendations to the oncology team with regard to extractions (74.6%), restorations (66.7%), periodontal health (68.8%), and other urgent needs (73.5%). Potential obstacles to providing care included insufficient time for dental care before start of therapy (61%), lack of patient education on oral complications associated with therapy (56%), and lack of dental insurance (31%). Only 50% of the dentists felt adequately trained to treat oncology patients, and 46% of dentists infrequently followed the recommendations set by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial research (NIDCR). The findings of this study indicate significant variability in the referral patterns and practice protocols for medically necessary oral care in oncology patients. The major barriers to following established guidelines for care may be attributed to the lack of correspondence between provider teams, inadequate training of professionals, and financial or insurance factors associated with increased cost of supportive care.

Surgical Uprighting Is a Successful Procedure for Management of Impacted Mandibular Second Molars.

PURPOSE: Impacted mandibular second molars can cause caries and root resorption on adjacent molars and can lengthen orthodontic treatment. Surgical uprighting is one management option. The purposes of this study were to 1) evaluate radiographic outcomes for surgical uprighting of impacted mandibular second molars and 2) propose an etiology for impaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who had surgical uprighting of mandibular second molars and had preoperative and at least 12-month postoperative panoramic images and an age- and gender-matched control group of patients undergoing routine orthodontic treatment. Predictor variables included age, gender, impaction type, preoperative angle of impaction, preoperative periodontal bone level distal to an adjacent first molar, posterior eruption space, pathology, and concomitant extraction of the adjacent third molar. Outcome variables were change in impaction type, postoperative periodontal bone levels around the first and second molars, postoperative tooth angle and posterior eruption space, periapical radiolucency, pulpal obliteration, root resorption, and need for extraction. Descriptive statistics were calculated. RESULTS: The sample and control groups each had 16 patients. The mean ages at the first radiographs were 13 ± 1.1 and 13.19 ± 0.61 years for the treatment and control groups, respectively, and the mean follow-up radiographs were obtained 2.4 ± 1.4 and 2.3 ± 0.82 years later. No preoperative images showed pathologic lesions obstructing eruption. Postoperatively, all uprighted molars were Pell and Gregory type IA. The mean change in the angles of the uprighted teeth was 23.5 ± 16.1° (P < .001). The mean distal bone levels of the adjacent first molar were 3.41 ± 1.52 mm preoperatively and 1.45 ± 0.54 mm postoperatively (improvement, 42.5%; P < .001). The preoperative posterior eruption space was 53.6% longer in the control than in the treatment group (P < .001), and the increase in this distance postoperatively was greater for the treatment group than for the control group (P < .001). Pulpal obliteration (n = 6; 31.5%), periapical radiolucency (n = 2; 10.5%), and root resorption (n = 1; 5.3%) were seen on postoperative radiographs. There were 2 failures (10.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical uprighting of mandibular second molars is a useful procedure with a low failure rate. Insufficient space for eruption is the likely primary etiology for impaction.

Velopharyngeal Insufficiency After Le Fort I Osteotomy in a Patient With Undiagnosed Occult Submucous Cleft Palate.

The authors present a 16-year-old patient with no known history of cleft palate who developed velopharyngeal insufficiency after a Le Fort I osteotomy performed for the correction of maxillary hypoplasia and a Class III malocclusion. Postoperative evaluation revealed the presence of velopharyngeal insufficiency and subtle findings of an occult submucous cleft palate. She had a pharyngeal flap 6 months later with successful correction of the velopharyngeal insufficiency. This case illustrates the need to screen for submucous cleft palate prior to orthognathic surgery.

Medical emergencies in a dental school clinic - A 12-year review and lessons learned.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to estimate the type and frequency of different medical emergencies that occurred over the study period (twelve years) and discuss the lessons learned and the modifications made in the curriculum to better equip dental students and faculty in their management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate all medical emergencies that needed activation of the response team at our school from 2008 to 2020. RESULTS: The emergency response system was activated 250 times during the 12-year period. There were 132 medical emergencies in the pre-doctoral clinic and 105 events in the post-doctoral clinic (p 0.0680). Most of the emergencies occurred in patients between 45 and 64 years of age. Syncope occurs most often followed by adverse cardiovascular, respiratory, anxiety, and hypoglycemic events. CONCLUSIONS: Medical emergencies occurring in a dental school provide a unique opportunity for students to gain experience in their management. The key lies in preparing the students and faculty to prevent them from occurring, but should these occur, then they should be able to promptly recognize symptoms and institute prompt intervention.

Commissuroplasty using the triangular cheek flap in patients with free flap reconstruction of through and through buccal defects.

Extensive resections of advanced stage oral cavity cancers can sometimes lead to significant through and through buccal defects with compromise of the oral commissure/lips. Post free flap reconstruction, such patients often require a secondary delayed commissuroplasty to assist with improved oral function and quality of life. In current literature, limited methods exist for free flap commissuroplasty with some key limitations, particularly their negative impact on buccal sulcus or oral vestibule. Our technique of the triangular cheek flap commissuroplasty allows the surgeon to reconstruct a neo-commissure without compromising the oral vestibular depth or decreasing mouth opening. Through this pictorial essay we describe a detailed surgical technique for secondary reconstruction of the oral commissure.

Alloplastic reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint.

Temporomandibular joint reconstruction (TMJR) is often necessary for patients with severe and/or refractory TMJ disease who have failed conservative treatment. TMJR aids to improve masticatory function and is associated with improved quality of life outcomes. Currently, alloplastic reconstruction is considered as the treatment of choice in most severe TMJ disorders due to its many advantages inclusive but not limited to early mobilization, stable longterm results, and significant improvement in jaw function. Broadly speaking, two types of TMJR prostheses are available for reconstruction: 1) stock, and, 2) custommade prostheses. The purpose of this article is to provide the reader with a brief overview of the basic principles and fundamentals of TMJR while referencing pertinent existing literature.