Public interest in Invisalign in developed and developing countries: A Google Trends analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate long-term changes and possible seasonal variations in Google search volumes related to Invisalign in developed and developing countries. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, Google search-based study. METHODS: Google Trends (GT) was accessed to retrieve the Relative Search Volume (RSV) of Google queries related to the search term 'Invisalign' in 10 countries selected on the basis of population size, Internet usage and socioeconomic criteria between 1 January 2004 and 30 June 2021. The countries examined were the following: Australia, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Thailand, UK and USA. By applying the time series decomposition method, the trend component and the seasonal variation were identified. RESULTS: Overall, RSVs regarding Invisalign have increased significantly in all countries with the developed countries outperforming developing countries throughout most of the observation period. There was no meaningful pattern when the trends were compared either on a monthly or quarterly basis. Similar peaks and valleys were found in Australia - Brazil, UK - USA, Italy - Spain and Saudi Arabia - Philippines - Thailand. CONCLUSIONS: Public interest in online information for Invisalign has grown significantly over the years across countries of diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds while seasonal patterns were observed in the related Google searches. Seasonal fluctuations seemed to follow the academic calendar. The study results may have direct implications on practice management and professional development.

Class II Division 1 malocclusion treatment with extraction of maxillary first molars: Evaluation of treatment and post-treatment changes by the PAR Index.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate occlusal result and post-treatment changes after orthodontic extraction of maxillary first permanent molars in patients with a Class II division 1 malocclusion. SETTING AND SAMPLE: Retrospective longitudinal study in a private practice, with outcome evaluation by an independent academic hospital. Ninety-six patients (53 males, 43 females) consecutively treated by one orthodontist with maxillary first permanent molar extraction were studied, divided into three facial types, based on pre-treatment cephalometric values: hypodivergent (n = 18), normodivergent (n = 21) and hyperdivergent (n = 57). METHODS: Occlusal outcome was scored on dental casts at T1 (pre-treatment), T2 (post-treatment) and T3 (mean follow-up 2.5 ± 0.9 years) using the weighted Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) Index. The paired sample t test and one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: PAR was reduced by 95.7% and 89.9% at T2 and T3, respectively, compared with the start of treatment. The largest post-treatment changes were found for overjet and buccal occlusion. Linear regression analysis did not reveal a clear effect (R-Square 0.074) of age, sex, PAR score at T1, incremental PAR score T2-T1, overjet and overbite at T1, and facial type on the changes after treatment (incremental PAR score T3-T2). CONCLUSIONS: The occlusal outcome achieved after Class II division 1 treatment with maxillary first permanent molar extractions was maintained to a large extent over a mean post-treatment follow-up of 2.5 years. Limited changes after treatment were found, for which no risk factors could be discerned.

Tracking trends of transgender health research online: are researchers and the public on the same page?

Altmetric Explorer was searched for the most popular online articles published in Pubmed-indexed journals. The 75 articles with the highest Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) were screened for article information (date, journal, access), authorship (number of authors, affiliation and origin of the corresponding author), and research (type, subject, funding). The reviewed articles displayed a mean AAS of 241.52, were broadcast 17.03 times by news agencies, posted on Twitter 101.47 times, downloaded by 67.21 Mendeley readers, and received 62.67 citations. There was intense online interest in the transgender health literature, mainly related to mental health and social well-being. Online visibility of transgender health articles was not significantly correlated with citation counts, implying that the public, likely including transgender persons and allies, may place emphasis on different health issues than scholars. Monitoring altmetrics and interactions on electronic media may help researchers conduct research that is more meaningful to transgender individuals, and to society in general.

How has the dental literature evolved over time? Analyzing 20 years of journal self-citation rates and impact factors.

Objective: As journal impact factors (IFs) can be artificially inflated by excessive journal self-citation practices, research quality evaluation based solely on IF ranking may be manipulated and, therefore, ethically challenged. This study aimed to analyze the longitudinal development of journal self-citation rates (SCRs) and IFs in dental literature and to determine possible confounders.Methods: Twenty-eight journals with scope within general dentistry and (sub)specialties listed in 1997-2016 Journal of Citation Reports® were scrutinized. The following information was retrieved: publication year, total number of citations, number of self-citations, IF, corrected IF, and SCR.Results: Endodontic journals had the highest SCR (median = 35.3, IQR = 21.6-47.5), journals related to periodontics had the lowest (median = 14.7, IQR = 8.9-25.5). Periodontics had the highest IF (median = 2.1, IQR= 1.7-2.8) and general dentistry had the lowest (median = 0.9, IQR = 0.7-1.2). SCR significantly decreased over time (p < .0001) by 1 unit per year. Additionally, 1 unit increase in corrected IF resulted in 15.2 units decrease in SCR. IFs significantly increased 0.06 units per year (p < .000).Conclusions: Overall, favourable changes in citation metrics have been observed for dental journals during the 20-year observation period. SCR significantly decreased per observation year whereas IFs significantly increased, indicating a healthy publishing environment in the dental literature. SCR was regulated both by time and corrected IF.

Autotransplantation of teeth with incomplete root formation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the rates of survival and success and the complications related to autotransplantation of teeth with incomplete root formation. Additionally, we attempted to identify the prognostic factors that influence the outcome of tooth autotransplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search for all data published until July 2016 was conducted. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were specified. Risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle checklist. Meta-analysis was performed by using the DerSimonian-Laird random effect model. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates and the weighted estimated survival, success, and complication rates per year were calculated. RESULTS: Thirty-two studies were included for analysis. The survival rates reported after 1, 5, and 10 years were 97.4, 97.8, and 96.3%, respectively. The annual weighted estimated survival rate (98.2%), success rate (96.6%), and complication rates in terms of ankylosis (2.0%), root resorption (2.9%), and pulp necrosis (3.3%) were analyzed. No firm conclusions could be drawn with respect to the prognostic factors due to insufficient evidence of high quality. CONCLUSION: The survival and success rates of autotransplantation of teeth with incomplete root formation were high (> 95%), with a low rate of complications (< 5%). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Current evidence from the literature on autotransplantation of teeth with incomplete root formation shows favorable survival and success rates and low complication rates, indicating it is a reliable treatment option.

Looking Beyond Traditional Metrics in Orthodontics: An Altmetric Study on the Most Discussed Articles on the Web.

Objective: To evaluate the online visibility of the most popular orthodontic articles in Web platforms in relation to publication details and citations. Materials and Methods: Altmetric Explorer (Altmetric LLP, London, UK) was searched for articles published in 11 orthodontic journals without time limits in publication and citation on social media. The 200 articles with the highest Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) were collected and screened for data related to publication (date, journal, access), authorship (number of authors, affiliation and origin of the corresponding author), and research (type, subject, funding). Citation counts were harvested from Scopus. Results: The top 200 articles presented a median AAS of 8.0 (range: 5.0-196.0), and were mostly bookmarked in Mendeley (median: 16.6 references; range: 0-199.0). American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics, European Journal of Orthodontics and The Angle Orthodontist contributed 86 per cent of the total number of research outputs. Studies investigating socio-demographics had significantly higher AAS compared to diagnostic studies (median AAS: 19.0; range: 7.0-34.0; versus median AAS: 6.0; range: 5.0-10.0. No other study parameter was found to be statistically significant. AAS did not correlate to the number of citations as reported in Scopus. Limitations: The early stage of altmetrics and their complementary role in assessing together with the citation-based metrics the research impact need to be acknowledged in the interpretation of the results. Conclusions: Visibility of orthodontic articles on the Web is not significantly correlated with citations. Studies on socio-demographics had significantly higher number of online mentions. More constructive online presence of orthodontic journals is needed to reinforce dissemination of research data among scholars and non-scholars.

Journal Self-Citation Rates and Impact Factors in Dentistry, Oral Surgery, and Medicine: A 3-year Bibliometric Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the evolution of journal self-citation rates (SCRs) and impact factors (IFs) over time in the dental journals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The journals listed under the category "dentistry, oral surgery, and medicine" in the Journal Citation Reports for the years 2014-2016 were screened for the following: citations and self-citations to years used in IF calculation, IF, IF without self-citations (corrected IF), SCR, and quartile of the IF distribution the journal occupied (Q1-Q4). Additional data regarding the number of issues published annually, journal's access options, and country of publication were extracted from the "Journal Profile Page." RESULTS: The median SCR significantly declined between 2014 and 2016 (13.725 [0-57.049], 12.687 [0-52.326], and 10.667 [0-53.208], respectively [P < .05]), while at the same time, IFs and corrected IFs significantly increased. SCR was significantly higher in subspecialty journals than that in general journals, as well as in the ones publishing more issues per year. Open-access journals tended to present lower SCR compared to journals requiring payment. No statistically significant differences in SCR were observed with respect to the origin and quartile. Nonsignificant correlations (r < 0.3, P > .05) were found for SCR-IF and SCR-corrected IF for all years. CONCLUSIONS: There was a statistically significant decrease in SCR during the observation period. SCR was not correlated to IF of dental journals. Subspecialty journals and journals publishing more frequently presented significantly higher SCRs. These findings suggest favorable publishing conditions and citation practices in the dental literature.

Does Orthodontic Extraction Treatment Improve the Angular Position of Third Molars? A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To systematically assess the available evidence on the effect of orthodontic extractions on third molar (M3) angulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three databases were searched up to April 25, 2016 to identify orthodontic studies comparing M3 angular changes in patients with and without extraction. Information on methodology, treatment procedures, and outcome was retrieved from each study. Assessment of overall and individual quality of the included studies was performed using validated criteria. RESULTS: Fourteen retrospective studies were considered eligible for this systematic review. Two studies achieved a moderate evidence score, whereas the lowest grade was assigned to 12 studies. The overall evidence level was classified as limited. Meta-analysis was not feasible because of the high heterogeneity across studies. Based on the best available evidence, premolar extraction followed by fixed orthodontic appliances can substantially improve the angular position of M3s by 10° to 18°. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited evidence that orthodontic extractions can substantially enhance the uprighting of M3s. Clinicians should be aware of the potentially beneficial effect of orthodontic extraction treatment on M3 development, although well-designed prospective studies are necessary to strengthen this statement.

Radiographic technique and brackets affect measurements of proximal enamel thickness on mandibular incisors.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of radiographic film and tube positioning, the presence and the size of brackets on in vitro measurements of proximal enamel thickness of mandibular incisors on periapical radiographs aimed to aid planning of interproximal enamel reduction procedures in orthodontics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty human mandibular incisors were assigned to sets of four and located in a customized base. Periapical radiographs were taken with the film positioned at three different angles (0°, 2°, and 5°) in relation to the frontal plane and the tube head positioned at five angles (0°, -2°, -5°, +2°, and +5°) in relation to the sagittal plane. The proximal enamel width was calculated by means of computerized image analysis and compared with measurements obtained at 0°. Statistical analysis was carried out to compare the enamel measurements on radiographs made with all angular combinations with and without the presence of brackets of different dimensions. RESULTS: A significant difference (P < 0.05) was found between the measurements of proximal enamel width obtained at the different angles in relation to the frontal and sagittal planes for all sets with or without brackets. The presence of brackets significantly affected the measured width only for the enamel side further away from the radiation source at the sagittal plane (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Angular changes in taking periapical radiographs of mandibular incisors and the presence of brackets significantly affect interproximal enamel measurements made with image analysis software.

Computer-aided planning and surgical guiding system fabrication in premolar autotransplantation: a 12-month follow up.

This case report describes the autotransplantation of maxillary right second premolar into the contralateral position in a 14-year-old female using computerized tomographic data and a customized guiding system produced by computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacture technology. Using innovative surgical guides and keys with navigation features, modification of the recipient socket and handling of the transplant were facilitated without harming the periodontal membrane. Postoperative clinical and radiographic examination showed periodontal and pulp healing earlier than 6 months after surgery.

Treatment comfort, time perception, and preference for conventional and digital impression techniques: A comparative study in young patients.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this crossover study was to assess perceptions and preferences for impression techniques in young orthodontic patients receiving alginate and 2 different digital impressions. METHODS: Thirty-eight subjects aged 10 to 17 years requiring impressions for orthodontic treatment were randomly allocated to 3 groups that differed in the order that an alginate impressions and 2 different intraoral scanning procedures were administered. After each procedure, the patients were asked to score their perceptions on a 5-point Likert scale for gag reflex, queasiness, difficulty to breathe, uncomfortable feeling, perception of the scanning time, state of anxiety, and use of a powder, and to select the preferred impression system. Chairside time and maximal mouth opening were also registered. RESULTS: More queasiness (P = 0.00) and discomfort (P = 0.02) during alginate impression taking of the maxilla were perceived compared with the scans with the CEREC Omnicam (Sirona Dental Systems, Bensheim, Germany). There were no significant differences in perceptions between the alginate impressions and the Lava C.O.S. (3M ESPE, St Paul, Minn) and between the 2 scanners. Chairside times for the alginate impressions (9.7 ± 1.8 minutes) and the CEREC Omnicam (10.7 ± 1.8 minutes) were significantly lower (P <0.001) than for the Lava C.O.S. (17.8 ± 4.0 minutes). Digital impressions were favored by 51% of the subjects, whereas 29% chose alginate impressions, and 20% had no preference. Regardless of the significant differences in the registered times among the 3 impression-taking methods, the distributions of the Likert scores of time perception and maximal mouth opening were similar in all 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Young orthodontic patients preferred the digital impression techniques over the alginate method, although alginate impressions required the shortest chairside time.

Time relevance, citation of reporting guidelines, and breadth of literature search in systematic reviews in orthodontics.

INTRODUCTION: As the importance of systematic review (SR) conclusions relies upon the scientific rigor of methods and the currency of evidence, we aimed to investigate the currency of orthodontic SRs using as proxy the time from the initial search to publication. Additionally, SR information regarding reporting guidelines, registration, and literature searches were recorded when available. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic PubMed search was carried out using the Clinical Queries page to identify orthodontic SRs cited between 1 January 2008 and 7 November 2013. Data related to reporting guidelines, review registration, dates of review processing, literature search, and abstract reporting were retrieved and classified by journal type. Survival analysis was used to assess the time to reach predefined manuscript stages for orthodontic and non-orthodontic journals. RESULTS: One hundred twenty seven of the originally identified 585 SRs were considered eligible. The median interval from search until publication was 13.2 months (interquartile range: IQR = 9.7 months) irrespective of the journal type. There was evidence (P = 0.05) that SRs published by non-orthodontic journals appeared in PubMed faster than in orthodontic journals (non-orthodontic: median = 6.5 months; IQR = 5.7 months; orthodontic: median = 10.2 months; IQR = 5.6 months) from submission to publication and from acceptance to publication (non-orthodontic: median = 1.5 months; IQR = 2.4 months; orthodontic: median = 6.0 months; IQR = 6.2 months; P < 0.001). More than half of these SRs did not cite adherence to any reporting guidelines, whereas all but five studies were not prospectively registered. Search of unpublished research was undertaken in approximately 21 per cent and 29 per cent of the SRs published in non-orthodontic and orthodontic periodicals, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that SR users should be aware that median time for orthodontic SRs from search to publication is 13.2 months. SRs published in non-orthodontic journals are likely to be more current in terms of submission until time to publication and acceptance until time to publication compared with those published in orthodontic journals.

Full-text publication of abstracts presented at European Orthodontic Society congresses.

INTRODUCTION: Empirical evidence has indicated that only a subsample of studies conducted reach full-text publication and this phenomenon has become known as publication bias. A form of publication bias is the selectively delayed full publication of conference abstracts. The objective of this article was to examine the publication status of oral abstracts and poster-presentation abstracts, included in the scientific program of the 82nd and 83rd European Orthodontic Society (EOS) congresses, held in 2006 and 2007, and to identify factors associated with full-length publication. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar databases was performed in April 2013 using author names and keywords from the abstract title to locate abstract and full-article publications. Information regarding mode of presentation, type of affiliation, geographical origin, statistical results, and publication details were collected and analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Approximately 51 per cent of the EOS 2006 and 55 per cent of the EOS 2007 abstracts appeared in print more than 5 years post congress. A mean period of 1.32 years elapsed between conference and publication date. Mode of presentation (oral or poster), use of statistical analysis, and research subject area were significant predictors for publication success. LIMITATIONS: Inherent discrepancies of abstract reporting, mainly related to presentation of preliminary results and incomplete description of methods, may be considered in analogous studies. CONCLUSIONS: On average 52.2 per cent of the abstracts presented at the two EOS conferences reached full publication. Abstracts presented orally, including statistical analysis, were more likely to get published.

Investigation of bacteremia induced by removal of orthodontic mini-implants.

The aim of this study was to investigate potential occurrence of bacteremia in orthodontic patients after removal of miniscrews.The study group comprised 30 healthy subjects (17 males, 13 females) with a mean age of 24.1 years treated with self-ligating fixed appliances and mini-implant anchorage. Two 20 ml venous blood samples were obtained prior to and 30-60 seconds after miniscrew explantation following an aseptic technique. Blood culturing in aerobic and anaerobic conditions was carried out by means of the BACTEC blood culture analyzer. Microbiological analysis showed that none of the pre- and post-operative samples exhibited detectable bacteremia. Future research should be focused on determining the collective bacteremic effect of a sequence of orthodontic procedures including miniscrew placement or removal, typically performed during a single treatment session.

Maxillary sinus floor extension and posterior tooth inclination in adolescent patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusion treated with maxillary first molar extractions.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to investigate potential associations between maxillary sinus floor extension and inclination of maxillary second premolars and second molars in patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusion whose orthodontic treatment included maxillary first molar extractions. METHODS: The records of 37 patients (18 boys, 19 girls; mean age, 13.2 years; SD, 1.62 years) treated between 1998 and 2004 by 1 orthodontist with full Begg appliances were used in this study. Inclusion criteria were white patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusion, sagittal overjet of ≥4 mm, treatment plan including extraction of the maxillary first permanent molars, no missing teeth, and no agenesis. Maxillary posterior tooth inclination and lower maxillary sinus area in relation to the palatal plane were measured on lateral cephalograms at 3 time points: at the start and end of treatment, and on average 2.5 years posttreatment. Data were analyzed for the second premolar and second molar inclinations by using mixed linear models. RESULTS: The analysis showed that the second molar inclination angle decreased by 7° after orthodontic treatment, compared with pretreatment values, and by 11.5° at the latest follow-up, compared with pretreatment. There was evidence that maxillary sinus volume was negatively correlated with second molar inclination angle; the greater the volume, the smaller the inclination angle. For premolars, inclination increased by 15.4° after orthodontic treatment compared with pretreatment, and by 8.1° at the latest follow-up compared with baseline. The volume of the maxillary sinus was not associated with premolar inclination. CONCLUSIONS: We found evidence of an association between maxillary second molar inclination and surface area of the lower sinus in patients treated with maxillary first molar extractions. Clinicians who undertake such an extraction scheme in Class II patients should be aware of this potential association and consider appropriate biomechanics to control root uprighting.

Subjective and objective perception of orthodontic treatment need: a systematic review.

The aim of this work was to investigate the published evidence on the comparison of self-perception and diagnosis of orthodontic treatment need. A search of Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Scopus databases, and archives of two orthodontic journals was carried out from January 1966 to August 2011 by the two authors using Medical Subject Heading terms. Studies that investigated solely either self-perception of orthodontic need by laypersons or assessment of orthodontic need by professionals were excluded from the data analysis. The methodological soundness of each study and the aggregate level of evidence were evaluated according to predetermined criteria. Moderate level of evidence, the relatively highest grade, was assigned to 9.1 per cent of the 22 studies, finally included in the data analysis. The overall evidence level provided by the evaluated publications was rated as limited. However, the existing body of evidence indicated a highly variable association between self-perception of orthodontic treatment need and orthodontist's assessment. Future controlled studies with well-defined samples and common assessment methodology will clarify further the relationship between perception of treatment need by laypersons and orthodontists and enhance international comparison and development of health care strategies.

Management of children with autism spectrum disorder in the dental setting: concerns, behavioural approaches and recommendations.

OBJECTIVES: This article reviews the present literature on the issues encountered while coping with children with autistic spectrum disorder from the dental perspective. The autistic patient profile and external factors affecting the oral health status of this patient population are discussed upon the existing body of evidence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The MEDLINE database was searched using the terms 'Autistic Disorder', 'Behaviour Control/methods', 'Child', 'Dental care for disabled', 'Education', 'Oral Health', and 'Pediatric Dentistry' to locate related articles published up to January 2013. RESULTS: Most of the relevant studies indicate poor oral hygiene whereas they are inconclusive regarding the caries incidence in autistic individuals. Undergraduate dental education appears to determine the competence of dental professionals to treat developmentally disabled children and account partly for compromised access to dental care. Dental management of an autistic child requires in-depth understanding of the background of the autism and available behavioural guidance theories. The dental professional should be flexible to modify the treatment approach according to the individual patient needs.

"Dear Doctor, greetings of the day!": A 1-year observational study of presumed predatory journal invitations.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at investigating the predatory publishing phenomenon in orthodontics by analyzing the content of unsolicited e-mail invitations received within 12 months. METHODS: All electronic invitations for manuscript submission, review and editorial membership received between 1 October 2021 and 30 September 2022 were collected from an orthodontist's inbox. The following data were recorded for each e-mail: date, journal title and origin, requested contribution, e-mail language, relevance to the researcher's discipline, journal characteristics (claimed metrics, editorial services, article types accepted, and publication fees), journal/publisher contact information and online presence. Journal/Publisher legitimacy and publishing standards were evaluated by listing in the Beall's list of potential predatory journals and publishers, the Predatory Reports of Cabell's Scholarly Analytics, and the Directory of Open Access Journals. RESULTS: A total of 875 e-mail invitations deriving from 256 journals were retrieved within the observation period, with most of them soliciting article submissions. More than 76% of the solicitations originated from journals and publishers included in the blocklists used in the study. Salient features of predatory journals like flattering language, abundant grammatical errors, unclear publication charges and wide variety of article types and topics accepted for publication were confirmed for the examined journals/publishers. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 8 out of 10 unsolicited e-mail invitations sent to orthodontists for scholarly contribution may be related to journals suspicious for publishing malpractices and suboptimal standards. Excessive flattering language, grammatical errors, broad range of submissions, and incomplete journal contact information were commonly encountered findings. Researchers in orthodontics should be alert to the unethical policies of illegitimate journals and their harmful consequences on the scientific literature.

Perceived esthetics and value of clear aligner therapy systems: A survey among dental school instructors and undergraduate students.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the attractiveness, acceptability, visibility and willingness-to-pay for clear aligner therapy (CAT) systems in first-year and final-year dental students and instructors. METHODS: A questionnaire designed to collect information regarding esthetic preferences and intentions related to seven CAT systems was handed out to 120 undergraduate students and instructors at the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA). Proportional odds models and population average generalized estimating equation models were used to examine potential association between participant characteristics, esthetic perceptions and CAT systems. RESULTS: Overall, the examined CAT systems received favorable esthetic ratings. Expertise status was significantly associated with willingness-to-pay additionally for CAT, compared to fixed orthodontic appliances. There was no association between sex, previous orthodontic treatment history, satisfaction with own dental appearance and potential interest in treatment and aligner visibility and willingness-to-pay. CAT system was significantly associated with the perceived aligner visibility, acceptability and attractiveness by students and instructors. CONCLUSIONS: CAT systems were considered to a great extent attractive and acceptable for future treatment by dental school instructors and students. Willingness-to-pay for CAT systems was significantly associated with expertise status, with instructors appearing more reluctant to pay for CAT.

Impact of COVID-19 Dentistry-Related Literature: An Altmetric Study.

INTRODUCTION: Scientific literature on COVID-19 has grown rapidly during the pandemic. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the popularity on the web of the available dental publications on COVID-19 and to examine associations amongst article characteristics, online mentions, and citations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An Altmetric Explorer search was conducted for COVID-19 articles published in dental journals using 3 keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, and pandemic. The following Altmetric data were collected: Altmetric attention score (AAS), mentions by news outlets, tweets, Mendeley readers, and Web of Science citations. Additionally, article title, type, topic, origin and open access status, journal title, quartile of impact factor (IF) distribution, and time lapse between COVID-19 pandemic onset and publication date were analysed. RESULTS: In all, 253 articles published in 48 dental journals were eligible for the study. AAS was significantly influenced by article topic, type, origin, and journal IF quartile. There was a negligible correlation between AAS and Web of Science citations. Mendeley was the only Altmetric source highly correlated with citations. CONCLUSIONS: There was substantial online interest in COVID-19 dentistry-related literature, as depicted by the AAS of the reviewed articles and social media metrics. Mendeley reader counts were highly correlated with citations, and they may therefore be valuable in research impact evaluation.