Intraosseous mandibular schwannoma managed via submandibular approach: a case report with a review of previously published cases.

A 40-year-old female presented with right mandibular swelling. A panoramic radiograph showed a unilocular radiolucency from the mandibular angle to tooth #46. Biopsy confirmed a schwannoma. Surgical resection was performed via a submandibular approach with a reconstruction plate. Teeth 46 and 47 were extracted. Surgery was complication-free, and histopathology confirmed the tumor's benign nature. The patient was discharged on the second postoperative day. At the 1-year follow-up, she had no paresthesia, normal mouth opening, and full mandibular motion. The reconstruction plate was intact. This case adds to the limited literature on intraosseous schwannomas, emphasizing early detection, thorough radiological assessment, and meticulous surgical planning.

Oral and emotional health experience of refugees' in the state of Massachusetts - A mixed methods approach.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to explore the oral and emotional health challenges experienced by a sample of refugees in Massachusetts across different stages of resettlement using a mixed methods approach. METHODS: We collaborated with two Federally Qualified Health Centers to identify and recruit participants for either surveys (n = 69) or semi-structured interviews (n = 12). Data collection was conducted in 2018. We performed descriptive statistics using STATA 14, and analyzed the interviews using qualitative methods. RESULTS: Overall, cost and lack of structure were the largest barriers identified for accessing dental care in participants' home and host countries. In the US, participants reported receiving state-provided public health insurance, but still experienced disrupted access to dental care due to coverage limitations. We identified several mental health risk factors that may affect participants' oral health, including trauma, depression, and sleeping problems. Despite these challenges, participants also identified areas of resilience and adaptability in both attitude and actions. CONCLUSIONS: The themes identified in our study suggest that refugees have attitudes, beliefs, and experiences that contribute to their perspectives on oral health care. While some of the reported barriers to access dental care were attitudinal, others were structural. Access to dental care in the US was reported to be structured and available, but with limited coverage issues. This paper underscores the oral and emotional health aspects of refugees for future considerations and planning of appropriate, affordable and cost-effective policies in the global health care systems.

Oral health outcomes among adults with diabetes served at HRSA-funded health centers.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of diabetes with tooth loss and oral manifestations among adult health center patients (HCPs). METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilized the nationally representative 2014 HCPs-Survey. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses limited to adults (n = 5524) were used to compare self-reported responses of tooth loss and oral manifestations (i.e., loose teeth, bleeding gums, mouth sores, and dry mouth) among HCPs with and without diabetes. RESULTS: Almost a quarter of the HCPs reported having diabetes. Among patients with diabetes, more than half were 45-64 years old, had low-income status, and attended rural health centers. Analyses revealed that diabetes was significantly associated with permanent tooth loss and presence of at least one oral manifestation after controlling for confounders. Among adults with diabetes, probability of "missing at least one tooth." were two times higher compared to not missing any teeth [AOR = 2.10, (95%CI 1.40-3.16); P ≤0.001]. Adults with diabetes had higher odds of having one or more "oral manifestations" compared to adults without diabetes [AOR = 1.60, (95%CI 1.22-2.11); P = 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Diabetes disproportionately affects HCP adults (23%) compared to the general U.S. adult population (10%). In HCPs having diabetes was associated with a higher prevalence of oral manifestations (i.e., loose teeth, bleeding gums) and losing "At least one" of their permanent teeth. These findings suggest that adults with diabetes had higher prevalence of oral manifestations and tooth loss, highlighting the need for innovative interprofessional models for early screening and identification.