Periodontal Health Knowledge and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Caribbean Adults.

PURPOSE: To identify the relationship between periodontal health knowledge and oral health-related quality of life among Caribbean adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a representative sample from 3 Caribbean cities (weighted N = 1805). Participants completed a questionnaire on oral health knowledge, hygiene habits, and other practices, as well as the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire. The associations between knowledge and habits and OHIP-14 score and its tertiles were evaluated using negative binomial and multinomial logistic regression models, respectively, adjusting for confounders. Odds ratios and regression coefficients were reported. RESULTS: Participants reporting none, little, and adequate knowledge about gum health had higher odds of being in the worst tertile for OHRQoL, compared to those reporting "good knowledge" (ORnone vs good = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.59-3.54; ORlittle vs good = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.19-2.78; ORadequate vs good = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.11-2.57). Participants reporting toothbrushing ≥ twice/day were less likely to be in the worst tertile for OHRQoL, compared to those brushing less often (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.48-0.92). Self-reported gum bleeding was associated with double the odds of being in the worse tertile (OR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.60-2.58). CONCLUSION: According to the findings of this study, periodontal health knowledge is associated with reduced OHRQoL in Caribbean Adults. In addition, the frequency of brushing and the self-reported gum bleeding was related to a worse quality of life (QoL) level.

Comparative investigation of the efficacy of triclosan/copolymer/sodium fluoride and stannous fluoride/sodium hexametaphosphate/zinc lactate dentifrices for the control of established supragingival plaque and gingivitis in a six-month clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: This double-blind clinical study, conducted at the University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, was designed to compare the efficacy of two commercially available dentifrices for the control of supragingival plaque and gingivitis. METHODS: Qualifying adult male and female subjects from the San Juan, Puerto Rico area were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: 1) a commercially available dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan, 2.0% PVM/MA copolymer, and 0.243% sodium fluoride (Colgate Total); and 2) a commercially available dentifrice containing 0.454% stannous fluoride, sodium hexametaphosphate, and zinc lactate (Crest Pro-Health). All subjects received an oral soft and hard tissue examination, and were dispensed their assigned dentifrice product, along with a soft-bristled adult toothbrush for home use. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth for one minute, twice daily (morning and evening), using only the dentifrice provided. Examinations for supragingival plaque and gingivitis, and oral soft and hard tissue assessments were repeated after six weeks, three months, and six months of product use. RESULTS: One-hundred and nine (109) subjects complied with the protocol and completed the six-month examinations. At the six-month examination, both treatment groups exhibited statistically significant reductions from baseline with respect to supragingival plaque and gingivitis scores. Relative to the Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste group, the Colgate Total Toothpaste group exhibited statistically significant reductions in supragingival plaque index scores of 18.5%, 20.7%, and 25.8% after six weeks, three months, and six months of product use, respectively. For gingival index scores, statistically significant reductions of 20.5%, 18.9%, and 17.1% were exhibited after six weeks, three months, and six months of product use, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this double-blind clinical study support the conclusion that a dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan, 2.0% PVM/MA copolymer, and 0.243% sodium fluoride provides a significant reduction in established supragingival plaque and gingivitis, as compared to a dentifrice containing 0.454% stannous fluoride, sodium hexametaphosphate, and zinc lactate when used over a period of six months.

A clinical investigation of the efficacy of two dentifrices for controlling established supragingival plaque and gingivitis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of a dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan/2.0% polyvinylmethyl ether/maleic acid (PVM/MA) copolymer/0.243% sodium fluoride in a 17% dual silica base (Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste-Test Dentifrice) for controlling established supragingival plaque and gingivitis, relative to that of a commercially available dentifrice containing 0.243% sodium fluoride in a silica base (Crest Cavity Protection Toothpaste-Control Dentifrice). METHODS: Following a baseline examination for supragingival plaque and gingivitis, qualifying adult male and female subjects from the Barcelona, Spain area were randomized into two treatment groups. Subjects were given a complete oral prophylaxis and instructed to brush their teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for one minute with their assigned dentifrice and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Examinations for supragingival plaque and gingivitis were repeated after three months and six months of product use. RESULTS: Ninety-four (94) subjects complied with the protocol and completed the study. Relative to the Control Dentifrice group, the Test Dentifrice group presented statistically significantly lower whole-mouth plaque index and gingival index scores (18.6% and 15.8%, respectively) after three months of product use. Similarly, relative to the Control Dentifrice group, the Test Dentifrice group exhibited statistically significant reductions in plaque index and gingival index scores measured on proximal sites (17.0% and 16.3%,respectively), and statistically significant reductions in plaque severity index and gingivitis severity index scores (22.2% and 46.9%, respectively) after three months of product use. Relative to the Control Dentifrice group, the Test Dentifrice group presented statistically significantly lower whole-mouth plaque index and gingival index scores (23.4% and 21.3%, respectively) after six months of product use. Similarly, relative to the Control Dentifrice group, the Test Dentifrice group exhibited statistically significant reductions in plaque index and gingival index scores measured on proximal sites (21.1% and 23.0%, respectively), and statistically significant reductions in plaque severity index and gingival severity index scores (27.1% and 64.5%, respectively) after six months of product use. CONCLUSION: The overall results of this double-blind clinical study, conducted in accordance with the quantitative criteria established by the American Dental Association, support the conclusion that a dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan/2.0% PVM/MA copolymer/0.243% sodium fluoride in a 17% dual silica base is efficacious for the control of established supragingival plaque and gingivitis.

Latino oral health: A research agenda toward eliminating oral health disparities.

BACKGROUND: The Hispanic population has become the largest minority group in the United States, resulting in an increase in oral health care demands. Developing a research agenda and promoting collaboration on Latino oral health issues are crucial. METHODS: The Hispanic Dental Association and the University of Puerto Rico, School of Dentistry, San Juan, convened a workshop of health care providers and other experts to examine the current state of Hispanic oral health research and identify gaps in existing data and research methods. Participants were asked to break out into small groups to discuss research priorities. RESULTS: The participants discussed the following research areas: population-based studies, social and behavioral sciences, health promotion and communications, gene-environment interactions, and research training and workforce development. Participants emphasized the importance of understanding variations among subgroups within the Hispanic population in the development of future studies. CONCLUSIONS: Participants recommended collaborative research studies to advance existing oral disease prevention and oral health promotion efforts, with a stronger focus on the development of a multidisciplinary pipeline of researchers participating in Latino oral health research to address the growing needs of this population. Practice Implications. Building an infrastructure for research training and workforce development would supply researchers with the necessary tools to develop new studies that could affect the overall oral health of the Latino population. The translation and dissemination of these research findings will benefit clinicians by leading to a better understanding of new trends and specific population needs, as well as appropriate targeted interventions.