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.

Dentists' knowledge and attitudes regarding PFPT: A single study in East Java, Indonesia.

Objective: Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue (PFPT) are infrequently encountered and inadequately documented pigmented lesions that pose challenges in diagnosis and subsequent treatment planning. The study was aimed at analyzing dentists' knowledge and attitudes regarding PFPT morphologies, to determine diagnosis and subsequent treatment planning. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among dentists in East Java through an online questionnaire. Four clinical photographs of PFPT were presented, accompanied by seven questions assessing dentists' knowledge of PFPT, including lesion types, tongue structure involvement, Holzwanger classification, lesion patterns, suspected diagnoses and the nature of the lesion (benign or malignant). Additional questions to evaluate attitudes included prior experience with PFPT in practice, potential malignant transformation, diagnostic investigation and required treatment. Knowledge-associated attitude differences were statistically analyzed with the Mann-Whitney test with a threshold of p < 0.05. Result: A total of 117 dentists participated, most of whom were women (69.23%) and were 26-30 years of age (44.44%). Dentists 41-50 years of age had superior knowledge to those 20-30 years of age (p = 0.005). Practitioners with 1-5 years of experience showed significant differences in knowledge regarding PFPT (p < 0.05). No significant differences in knowledge level and attitudes were observed, particularly regarding PFPT treatment and supporting investigation (p > 0.05). However, prior encounters with PFPT cases were significantly associated with treatment decisions and supporting investigations for diagnosis (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Most participating dentists had substantial knowledge of PFPT cases. Dentists' understanding, as reflected in their attitudes toward investigating and treating PFPT, was notably influenced by prior encounters with PFPT cases.

Pigmented Fungiform Papillae (PFP) of the Tongue: A Systematic Review of Current Aetiopathogenesis and Pathophysiology.

The pigmentation of the fungiform papillae of the tongue is a rare idiopathic condition in which only the fungiform papillae appear hyperpigmented. In the absence of any reviews on the subject, we conducted a systematic review of the aetiopathogenesis and pathophysiology of pigmented fungiform papillae (PFP) of the tongue, including its demographic and histopathological features, trying to outline a possible aetiology. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) was performed using PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE databases and manual searches, for publications between January 1974 and July 2022. Inclusion criteria were case reports defining patients' characteristics, their general medical and dental conditions, histopathological and/or immunohistochemical findings, all with a final definitive diagnosis of PFP. Overall, 51 studies comprising 69 cases of PFP which included histopathological descriptions were reviewed. Prominent features consisted of hyperpigmentation of melanocytes, melanophages, chromatophores, and a lymphocytic infiltrate in the subepidermal area of the fungiform papillae. On special staining, PFP contained melanin, not iron or hemosiderin. On immunohistochemistry, immune-reactive CD3+ T lymphocytes, S-100 and Sox10, but non-immune-reactive melan-A intraepithelial melanocytes were noted in some studies. The presence of hyperpigmented melanocytes and melanophages, with non-immune-reactive melan-A, suggests that PFP are a benign and physiological form of pigmentation. The inflammatory infiltrates described in some papillary lesions could possibly be due to traumatic events during mastication. Nevertheless, the true reasons for the hyperpigmentation of the fungiform papillae are as of yet elusive, and remain to be determined.

Response to Commentary: Fungal Infections of Oral Cavity: Diagnosis, Management, and Association with COVID-19.

This letter is a response to commentary by Ambadasu et al. on a review article by Santosh et al. on "Fungal Infections of Oral Cavity: Diagnosis, Management, and Association with COVID-19." In their commentary, Ambadasu et al. mentioned that in the list of COVID-19 associated fungal infections, mucormycosis should be added. In this response, we provide our thoughts on including mucormycosis in COVID-19 associated fungal infections of the oral cavity. We conclude that mucormycosis surge was more prevalent during the second wave of COVID-19 infection. Majority of published reports on oral fungal infections during the years 2019 and 2020 was focused on Oral Candidiasis, whereas mucormycosis appears to be re-emerging opportunistic entry of fungal infection among COVID-19 infection due to associated risk factors. Thus, Physicians and Dentists must be cautioned that other listed opportunistic fungal infections of oral cavity may also be seen among severe COVID-19 patients.be seen among severe COVID-19 patients.

Clinical utility of dermoscopy on diagnosing pigmented papillary fungiform papillae of the tongue: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: The practice of dermoscopy in dental and oral examination is low due to less popularity and not well established of the diagnostic tool in dental practice. The dermoscopy examination provides a specific dermoscopes details for pigmented papillary fungiform of tongue (PPFT) as cobblestone appearance and rose-petal appearance. With this dermoscopes details serves as a non-invasive diagnostic tool and prevents biopsy procedure. OBJECTIVE: We performed a systematic review to evaluate the published papers related to pigmented papillary fungiform on the tongue, aiming to understand the diagnostic role of dermoscopy examination in pigmented papillary fungiform. DATA SYNTHESIS: Initial result was 136 studies. Final exclusion of 27 articles was made based on the following factors: reports with no clinical images, studies that did not confirm the diagnosis of PPFT and studies that did not use the dermoscopes details. Finally, seventeen studies with nineteen cases, reported of pigmented papillary fungiform of the tongue. Six studies (consist six cases) reported the dermoscopy and histopathology diagnosis of pigmented papillary fungiform, eleven studies (consist thirteen cases) reported only the dermoscopy. The dermoscopy examination presented cobblestone appearance is 47.37% and rose petal appearance is 52.63%. The comparation study by histopathology diagnosis was done, revealed no specific appearances. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical appearance and dermoscopy is the key for diagnosis of the papillary fungiform on the tongue. Further research is needed for determining the etiology and predisposing factor in papillary fungiform so that the possibility of developing this condition can be predicted and proper treatment could be performed.

Viral infections of oral cavity.

Viral infections of the oral cavity usually manifest as either ulceration or blistering presentation of oral tissues. Oral viral infections are encountered in dental practice but received less clinical interest due to the lesser frequency of patients and diagnostic challenges. The clinical presentation, pathogenic mechanism, investigations, and management of oral viral infections are integrated into the article which will enable general dentists to develop critical thinking processes on differential diagnosis and management through a multidisciplinary approach with specialist dentists.

Oral Mucosal Infections: Insights into Specimen Collection and Medication Management.

Oral mucosal infections appear as localized or generalized lesions. Symptoms range from almost unnoticeable lesions to severe pain. Systemic disease, age, immunocompromised condition, and medication use are common causes. Local causes include dentures, poor oral hygiene, traumatized epithelium, ulcerations, dentures, implants, oral piercing, and reduced salivary secretion. Oral mucosal infections are underdiagnosed and microbiological diagnosis should be more frequently used. Candidiasis is most frequently diagnosed. Clinical appearances are not always clear and are varied, creating a diagnostic challenge. Thorough understanding of clinical appearance and updated information on diagnostic and therapeutic management are essential for successful patient outcome.

Medication Management of Jaw Lesions for Dental Patients.

Most pathologic lesions of the jaws or of oral mucosa are treated successfully by surgical interventions. For treatment of the central giant cell lesion, aneurysmal bone cysts, histiocytosis of the mandible, hemangioma, odontogenic keratocyst, Paget disease, oral submucous fibrosis, and oral lichen planus, medical management consisting of intralesional injections, sclerosing agents, and systemic bisphosphonates is as successful as surgical procedures with fewer complications. Pharmacology of agents used and protocols are presented.

Bilateral coronoid hypoplasia and complex odontoma: a rare concurrence of developmental pathology and odontogenic tumour of the mandible.

We present a rare case of concurrent bilateral coronoid hypoplasia and complex odontoma in the mandible, with replacement of missing posterior teeth in both sides of the lower jaw. A 20-year-old woman was diagnosed with bilateral occurrence of coronoid hypoplasia and unerupted complex odontoma after radiographic and histopathological examination. The patient was surgically treated with complete removal of the unerupted complex odontoma and prosthetic replacement of the missing teeth.

The epithelial-mesenchymal interactions: insights into physiological and pathological aspects of oral tissues.

In the human biological system, the individual cells divide and form tissues and organs. These tissues are hetero-cellular. Basically any tissue consists of an epithelium and the connective tissue. The latter contains mainly mesenchymally-derived tissues with a diversified cell population. The cell continues to grow and differentiate in a pre-programmed manner using a messenger system. The epithelium and the mesenchymal portion of each tissue have two different origins and perform specific functions, but there is a well-defined interaction mechanism, which mediates between them. Epithelial mesenchymal interactions (EMIs) are part of this mechanism, which can be regarded as a biological conversation between epithelial and mesenchymal cell populations involved in the cellular differentiation of one or both cell populations. EMIs represent a process that is essential for cell growth, cell differentiation and cell multiplication. EMIs are associated with normal physiological processes in the oral cavity, such as odontogenesis, dentino-enamel junction formation, salivary gland development, palatogenesis, and also pathological processes, such as oral cancer. This paper focuses the role EMIs in odontogenesis, salivary gland development, palatogenesis and oral cancer.