Oral hygiene predicts lower life satisfaction and subjective health: experience of post-Soviet countries.

Oral diseases are among the most common non-communicable diseases around the globe and become a public health challenge that considerably impact general health and well-being in all ages across the lifespan. Oral health is an integral part of general health, where poor oral health and other lifestyle-related chronic diseases have a common risk factor background. The underlying causes of oral health inequalities are often complex and related to country-specific historical, economic, cultural, social, or political factors. For more than a decade, data from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey showed that tooth brushing rates are very low in post-Soviet countries. The general aim of our study was to focus on a more detailed profile of schoolchildren from post-Soviet countries, who have poor habits of teeth brushing, in terms of their family, social support, physical activity, nutrition, and other health-related behaviors. Data for this study was extrapolated from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children study, a World Health Organization collaborative cross-national study, conducted every 4 years since 1983/1984. For this study, the post-Soviet countries from Eastern Europe and Central Asia were selected: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Data from all countries (some exceptions for Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan) were collected within 2017-2018 HBSC study, following international research protocol. The sample consisted of 44,760 schoolchildren, aged 11, 13, and 15 years from 12 countries. Irregular tooth brushing is more common among boys, elder adolescents, and schoolchildren from less affluent families. Low own health measures, low life satisfaction, low physical activity, and low FAS relate to poorer adolescent dental hygiene in post-Soviet countries. Adolescents characterized by irregular tooth brushing were more likely to assess their health as fair or poor rather than excellent or good (OR = 1.22), and also had greater odds of reporting low life satisfaction (OR = 1.36). Individual mental health complaints-feeling low, being irritable, being nervous, and having sleep difficulties-were assessed as a possible outcome of irregular tooth brushing. However, irregular tooth brushing was not associated with poorer mental health outcomes (p > 0.05).    Conclusions: Oral hygiene in post-Soviet countries is still a major public health challenge and have to be addressed properly. What is Known: • Oral health strongly affects the overall health of children and adolescents in the future. • Oral diseases often share common determinants and risk factors with other chronic diseases. • The underlying causes of oral health inequalities are often complex and related to country-specific historical, economic, cultural, social, or political factors. What is New: • Irregular tooth brushing was more common among adolescents with low life satisfaction and poor or fair health as well as in less affluent families. • Irregular tooth brushing was not found to be associated with poorer mental health among post-Soviet countries adolescents.

A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess Diabetes as a Risk Factor for Root Caries Amongst the Elderly Population in Udupi District, Karnataka State, India.

Objectives: To compare the prevalence of root surface carious lesions among the nondiabetic and diabetic elderly population and its association with various risk factors. Methods: An observational analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 800 elderly participants, 431 males and 369 females, aged 50 years and above, with a minimum of ten teeth present, with 400 being diabetic and 400 nondiabetic from the various hospitals of the Udupi district. Demographics, socioeconomic status, oral hygiene practices, oral abusive habits, and history of type 2 diabetes were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire followed by an intraoral examination to assess root caries. The primary outcome measure was the presence of any carious or filled root surface. Binary logistic regression univariate analysis was done for all the predictor variables, and those with significant associations were further analyzed by multivariate analysis with the enter method in a single-step model. An appropriate nomogram was designed for risk prediction. Results: Overall, the root caries prevalence was 37.3%, and the mean root caries index was 14.28%. The prevalence of root caries was 46% in people with diabetes and 28.5% in nondiabetics. Participants with type 2 diabetes, less education, low socioeconomic status, and using finger cleaning had a significantly higher risk of developing root caries. Additionally, those who used removable partial dentures (RPDs) were found to be 4.65 times more likely to have root caries than those who did not use RPDs. Conclusion: Elderly diabetics are at a higher risk for developing root caries and are strongly advised to maintain good oral hygiene practices and to undergo periodic dental evaluations. Therefore, it is crucial to emphasize early diagnosis and treatment of root caries in this population.

Are parental sociodemographic factors, oral health knowledge and practices linked to the oral health habits of their children with cleft lip and palate?

OBJECTIVE: Children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) have a greater risk of dental caries. The parents' knowledge and attitudes may have an impact on their children's oral health and dietary habits. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the socio-demographic characteristics, oral health knowledge, oral health behaviours, and habits of the parents in addition to the relationship with the oral health and dietary practices of their children with CLP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The parents of 343 patients with CLP participated in the study. An online questionnaire with 52 questions regarding sociodemographic characteristics, oral health and oral hygiene practices was presented to them. RESULTS: Parents with higher level of education had better oral health knowledge (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the factors affecting the child's tooth brushing habits were the mother's age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.071, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.062-1.153), the father's employment status (OR = 2.089, 95%CI: 1.065-4.097), and the mother's last dental visit (OR = 1.995, 95%CI: 1.119-3.557). The factors affecting the child's toothpaste usage were the mother's age (OR = 1.106, 95%CI: 1.030-1.114), the father's employment status (OR = 2.124, 95%CI: 1.036-4.354), and the mother's last dental visit (OR = 2.076, 95%CI: 1.137-3.79). CONCLUSIONS: Parental factors have a significant influence on the oral health-related behaviours of children with CLP.

Time spent away from bed is associated with oral hygiene and oral function: A cross-sectional and multi-institutional study.

BACKGROUND: Spending time away from bed is important in older adults. Not doing so can lead to functional decline rapidly. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between oral function and time spent away from bed in older adults living in nursing homes. METHODS: We enrolled 748 adults aged ≥65 years across eight nursing homes between April 2022 and March 2023. 'Problems with oral hygiene' and 'problems with oral function' were the dependent variables in the multiple regression analyses to determine their association with time spent away from bed. RESULTS: We selected 304 participants (76 men; mean age, 86.3 ± 7.5 years) and divided them into three groups: group S (< 4 h), group M (4 to < 6 h) and group L (≥ 6 h), with 28, 23 and 253 participants, respectively. Comparison of the characteristics between the groups demonstrated significant differences in the Barthel index (p < .001), time spent away from bed (p < .001), history of aspiration pneumonia (p < .001), confirmation of meals and food forms (p = .010), problems with oral hygiene (p = .014), and problems with oral function (p = .002). Based on multiple regression analyses, 'problems with oral hygiene' (p < .001) and 'problems with oral function' (p < .001) were significantly associated with time spent away from bed. CONCLUSIONS: The time spent away from bed was significantly associated with both oral hygiene and function in older adults, suggesting the importance of extending the time that older adults spend away from bed.

Oral self-care among dependent older New Zealanders.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to describe the occurrence and associations of oral self-care by dependent older New Zealanders. BACKGROUND: Dependent older adults who require some level of assisted daily care have been shown to have poorer oral health than their independent counterparts, yet national estimates are lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A secondary analysis was conducted of data from New Zealand's 2012 Older People's Oral Health Survey, a national survey that interviewed and examined a representative sample of 2,218 dependent older adults living in aged residential care or receiving home-based care. Survey data were weighted for statistical analyses, and modelling was carried out using a modified Poisson approach. RESULTS: Overall, 59.5% (95% CI: 55.1, 63.7) of participants brushed their teeth twice a day, with this rate higher among women, Asians and those without cognitive or physical impairment. Cleaning interdentally at least once a week was less common than brushing, at 25.9% (95% CI: 21.5, 30.9), and that proportion was significantly lower among those with higher dependency or who were cognitively or physically impaired. Almost 9 in 10 (87.8%; 95% CI 83.1, 91.4) used fluoride toothpaste, and adults of high socio-economic status had lower rates of fluoride toothpaste use. Only 15.0% (95% CI 12.4, 18.0) used mouthwash, with this being most prevalent in Pasifika. More than half of those who wore dentures also wore them at night. CONCLUSION: Oral self-care was sub-optimal among dependent older New Zealanders. Improving the situation should be a high priority.

Oral health behavior of pregnant women in Nigeria: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Oral health care behaviors during pregnancy affects maternal and child health outcomes. This scoping review sought to map the existing literature on the oral healthcare behaviors of pregnant women in Nigeria. METHODS: PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, EBSCOHOST, Sabinet, African Index Medicus, and Scopus data based were searched in August 2023. Articles with reports on the oral health behavior of pregnant women in Nigeria, published in English in peer review were included in the review. Articles whose full lengths could not be accessed, and commentaries on studies, and letters to the editor were also excluded. Data on authors and year of publication of the study, study location, study objective, study design, methodological approach for data collection, and study outcomes were extracted and descriptively synthesized. RESULTS: The search yielded a total of 595 articles of which 573 were unique. Only 21 articles were left after titles and abstracts screening and only 18 articles met the eligibility criteria. The proportion of pregnant women had utilized dental services ranged from 4 to 62.9%, the use of toothbrush and toothpaste ranged from 59.6 to 99.3%, twice daily tooth brushing ranged from 5.2 to 66.9%, and the use of toothbrush among pregnant women in the studies varies from 70.9 to 100%. Chewing stick was used by 0.1-27.7% of study participants. Dental problems such as caries, pain, swollen gums, and excessive salivation were reasons for seeking dental care. We identified individual, structural, and behavioral factors, including myths as barriers for dental service utilization. CONCLUSION: This scoping review shows that dental service utilization by pregnant women in Nigeria is poor and mainly due to curative than preventive needs. Oral health behaviours also need to be improved through tailored oral health education accessible to pregnant women in Nigeria.

Dental caries prevalence in relation to the cardiovascular diseases: cross-sectional findings from the Iranian kurdish population.

OBJECTIVE: Oral and dental health (ODH) is a significant public health concern globally, affecting billions of people. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the prevalence of dental caries using the DMFT index and investigate its relationship with cardiovascular diseases in the Iranian Kurdish population. METHODS: A total of 3,996 individuals aged 35-70 years were included from the Dehgolan prospective cohort study (DehPCS). Clinical examinations were performed to assess decayed (DT), missing (MT) and filled (FT) teeth (DMFT index). Data on demographics, socioeconomic status, medical history, oral hygiene practices were also collected. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) history was self-reported via questionnaires assessing heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between oral health indicators and self-reported CVD, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: The mean DMFT score was 18.18 ± 19, indicating a high oral disease burden. Specifically, 60.04% had DT, 37.82% had more than 16 MT, and 38.83% had FT. Only 13.21% reported flossing regularly and 43.17% brushed less than daily, showing suboptimal oral hygiene. The overall CVD prevalence was 9.21%. Individuals with high DMFT (≥ 14) scores had approximately two times higher CVD prevalence than those with low DMFT. DMFT decreased by 10.23% with increase in education level, and by 5.87% as economic status increased In adjusted analyses, high DMFT scores (OR = 1.5, 95%CI: 1.2-1.9) and MT (OR = 1.5, 95%CI: 1.1-2.1) were associated with 50-150% increased odds of CVD, though associations weakened after adjusting for age. Among men, DMFT remained a significant predictor for CVD after age adjustment, with an odds ratio of 2.37 (95% CI: 1.22-4.60). CONCLUSION: This population had substantial oral disease and poor oral hygiene. Higher DMFT scores and MT positively correlated with increased CVD prevalence. Promoting preventive oral care and health education could help reduce dental issues and potentially lower CVD risk. Further research is needed to clarify biological mechanisms linking oral and systemic health.

Oral health care among children in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Oral health is crucial for caries prevention. Research reported variations in oral health practices among countries and individuals. Therefore, this study aims to examine and compare oral hygiene practices among children aged 3 to 11 years old across five areas of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study includes healthy children aged 3 to 11 from five areas/regions of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered, validated parental questionnaire was constructed according to the WHO Oral Health Questionnaire for children, which inquires about the child's socio-demographic factors, oral health evaluation, and oral hygiene practice. RESULTS: Out of the 1516 parents who participated, 21.2% reported their children brushing twice a day. Regression analysis found that the first-born children and those who visited a dentist displayed a significantly higher adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for parents reporting that their child practices oral health care compared to only children (AOR: 2.837; P = 0.016) and to those who did not visit a dentist in the last 12 months (AOR: 2.989; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study highlights that only 21.2% of parents reported their children practicing excellent oral hygiene by brushing twice a day. This underscores the importance of early dental visits, customized interventions, and prevention programs that account for regional and demographic factors, such as birth order, to effectively promote oral health.

The association between interdental cleaning and periodontitis in an urban Thai adult cohort: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Plaque biofilm is a major etiologic factor of periodontitis, and its effective removal prevents or ameliorates the disease. However, toothbrushing alone does not sufficiently clean the interdental area, and additional interdental cleaning is required to completely remove the plaque from this locale. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the association of interdental cleaning on the prevalence of periodontitis in a large urban Thai adult cohort. METHODS: Interdental cleaning data were retrieved from a dental survey of 1,743 employees of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) in 2019. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American Association of Periodontology (CDC/AAP) periodontal case definitions were applied. The participants were subdivided into two groups as those with or without periodontitis depending on their oral health status assessed by calibrated professional examiners. The proportion of subjects who performed interdental cleaning was assessed through a self-reported questionnaire by frequency (daily/ ≥ 1 per week/ none) and profile (correct/ incorrect) of interdental cleaning. Then, the association between interdental cleaning and periodontitis was calculated using logistic regression analysis controlling for the common risk factors of periodontitis such as age, sex, education, smoking, and diabetes. RESULTS: Participants who performed interdental cleaning on a daily basis and ≥ 1 per week were 27.5% (95% CI: 25.4, 29.6) and 29.1% (95% CI: 27.0, 31.3), respectively while the remainder did not practice. Of those who used interdental cleaning, about one-half focused on sites with food impaction. There was a significant 44% lower prevalence of periodontitis (adjusted odds ratio of 0.56 (95%CI: 0.40, 0.79) in the cohort with a frequent and correct group. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate an inverse association between interdental cleaning and periodontitis, particularly in those who routinely adhered to it. Regular interdental cleaning is likely to have a salutary effect on oral health. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered retrospectively in Thai Clinical Trials Registry, Registration number: TCTR20240817005, on 17 Aug 2024 ( https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org ).

Oral Health Knowledge, Practices, and Dental Complaints among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at a Tertiary Health Institution, North Central, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Oral health is of great importance during pregnancy because the hormonal changes during pregnancy affect oral and dental health. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate participants' oral health knowledge and practices during pregnancy in order to provide appropriate oral health practice recommendations at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi. METHODS: The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive method to collect data from 96 women who attended ANC on World Oral Health Day. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: The age range of the participants was 18-43 years, and the mean age was 29.1 ±5.5. Most participants (95.80%) brushed daily; 32.61% brushed for about two minutes, while 39.13% brushed twice a day. More than half of the participants (56.52%) were aware that they should change their brush every three months, and 36.96% brushed from top to bottom. Less than half of the participants (16.70%) had seen a dentist in the past, and the reason was mostly because they had a dental complaint (75%). Thirty-three percent (33.30%) reported having a dental complaint at the current visit, of which only 37.0% sought proper dental care. Fifty-two percent (52.08%) of the participants had a good level of oral healthcare knowledge and practices. Participants' educational level, occupation, religion, monthly income, and visits to the dentist significantly affected their level of oral health knowledge and practices. CONCLUSION: From this study, more than half of the participants had a good level of oral healthcare knowledge and practices. However, the study observed that the participants showed poor compliance with the recommended protocol.

CONTEXTE: La santé bucco-dentaire revêt une grande importance pendant la grossesse car les changements hormonaux qui s'opèrent pendant la grossesse affectent la santé bucco-dentaire. OBJECTIFS: Évaluer les connaissances et les pratiques en matière de santé bucco-dentaire des participantes pendant la grossesse afin de fournir des recommandations appropriées en matière de santé buccodentaire au Centre médical fédéral de Makurdi. MÉTHODES: L'étude a utilisé une méthode descriptive transversale pour collecter des données auprès de 96 femmes qui ont participé à la Journée mondiale de la santé bucco-dentaire. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide de SPSS version 20. RÉSULTATS: L'âge des participantes était compris entre 18 et 43 ans, avec une moyenne de 29,1 ± 5,5 ans. La plupart des participantes (95,80 %) se brossaient les dents quotidiennement ; 32,61 % se brossaient les dents pendant environ deux minutes, tandis que 39,13 % se brossaient les dents deux fois par jour. Plus de la moitié des participantes (56,52 %) savaient qu'elles devaient changer de brosse tous les trois mois, et 36,96 % se brossaient les dents de haut en bas. Moins de la moitié des participantes (16,70 %) avaient consulté un dentiste par le passé, et la raison en était principalement une plainte dentaire (75 %). Trente-trois pour cent (33,30 %) ont déclaré avoir une plainte dentaire lors de la visite actuelle, dont seulement 37,0 % ont consulté un dentiste. Cinquante-deux pour cent (52,08 %) des participantes avaient un bon niveau de connaissances et de pratiques en matière de santé bucco-dentaire. Le niveau d'éducation, la profession, la religion, le revenu mensuel et les visites chez le dentiste des participantes ont eu un impact significatif sur leur niveau de connaissances et de pratiques en matière de santé bucco-dentaire. CONCLUSION: D'après cette étude, plus de la moitié des participantes avaient de bonnes connaissances et pratiques en matière de santé bucco-dentaire. Cependant, l'étude a montré que les participantes présentaient un faible respect du protocole recommandé. MOTS-CLÉS: Soins prénataux, Plaintes dentaires, Connaissances, santé bucco-dentaire, Pratiques.

Audit of School Oral Health Promotion Activities and Association with Oral Health Behaviour of Adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria.

PURPOSE: The school is primed as an avenue for promoting health. Conversely, the high unmet dental needs among school-going adolescents raises concern about the role of schools in this task. This study therefore assessed the role of schools in supporting positive oral health behaviour of adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: From 30 secondary schools that were randomly selected, 2097 students aged 12-18 years were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from the students with self-administered questionnaires. A checklist was used to assess the availability of oral health promotional activities and evaluate the schools' tuck shops for the sale of healthy food. Data were analysed with SPSS version 23. RESULTS: The only oral health promotional role played by the schools was provision of oral health education reported in 8 (26.7%) schools and only 331 (15.8%) students had been educated about oral health. There was an absence of oral health promotional materials, dental clinics, or sick bays in schools and all the tuck shops had cariogenic foods and drinks for sale. Students from schools where oral health promotion activity had been conducted cleaned their teeth more frequently (AOR=1.9, 95%CI=1.4-2.5, p<0.001), consulted the dentist (AOR=2.5, 95%CI=1.6-4.2, p<0.001) and were more likely not to smoke (AOR=6.5, 95%CI=3.3-13.0, p<0.001) compared to others. CONCLUSION: Very few schools had exposed their students to oral health promotion activity and oral health education was the only activity conducted in schools. Adolescents who had participated in school oral health programme reported better oral health behaviour than others.

OBJECTIF: L'école est amorcée comme un moyen de promouvoir la santé. À l'inverse, les besoins dentaires élevés non satisfaits chez les adolescents scolarisés soulèvent des inquiétudes quant au rôle de l'école dans cette tâche. Cette étude a donc évalué le rôle des écoles dans le soutien des comportements de santé bucco-dentaire positifs des adolescents à Ibadan, au Nigeria. MÉTHODES: Dans 30 écoles secondaires sélectionnées au hasard, 2097 élèves âgés de 12 à 18 ans ont été recrutés pour cette étude transversale. Les données ont été obtenues auprès des étudiants avec des questionnaires auto-administrés. Une liste de contrôle a été utilisée pour évaluer la disponibilité du matériel promotionnel de santé bucco-dentaire et évaluer les confiseries des écoles pour la vente d'aliments sains. Les données ont été analysées avec SPSS version 23. RÉSULTATS: Le seul rôle de promotion de la santé bucco-dentaire joué par les écoles était la fourniture d'une éducation à la santé buccodentaire signalée dans 8 écoles (26,7%) et seuls 331 (15,8%) élèves avaient été sensibilisés à la santé bucco-dentaire. Cela a été confirmé par l'absence de matériel promotionnel de santé bucco-dentaire, de clinique dentaire ou d'infirmerie dans les écoles et tous les magasins de confiserie vendaient des aliments et des boissons cariogènes. Les élèves des écoles où une activité de promotion de la santé buccodentaire avait été menée se nettoyaient plus fréquemment les dents (OR=1,9, IC 95 %=1,4-2,5, p<0,001), ont consulté le dentiste (OR=2,5, IC 95 %=1,6-4,2, p<0,001) et étaient plus susceptibles de ne pas fumer (AOR=6,5, IC à 95 %=3,3-13,0, p<0,001) par rapport aux autres. CONCLUSION: Très peu d'écoles avaient exposé leurs élèves à des activités de promotion de la santé bucco-dentaire et l'éducation à la santé bucco-dentaire était la seule activité menée dans les écoles. Les adolescents qui avaient participé au programme scolaire de santé bucco-dentaire avaient un meilleur comportement de santé buccodentaire que les autres. MOTS-CLÉS: Santé bucco-dentaire, Promotion de la santé, adolescents, Santé scolaire, Changement de comportement, tabagisme.

Oral hygiene status and vascular aging in schoolchildren and their mothers.

BACKGROUND: Poor oral hygiene, generally manifesting as dental caries, gingivitis, or periodontitis, is a common chronic condition among both children and adults worldwide and has been reportedly associated with hypertension and arterial stiffness mainly in adult patients. However, these associations have not been well-studied in children and adults in the general population. Therefore, we conducted this cross-sectional study to clarify the associations between oral hygiene indices and high blood pressure (BP)/hypertension and arterial stiffness as assessed by the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in children along with their mothers. The association between maternal oral hygiene and high BP in children was also examined based on the hypothesis that maternal awareness of oral hygiene is related to their children's oral hygiene. METHODS: This study was conducted as an Adjunct Study of the Aichi Regional Sub-Cohort of the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Participating children (n = 220, 85-104 months old) and their mothers (n = 217, 29-52 years old) underwent dental/intra-oral examination and BP and CAVI assessment. High BP in children and hypertension in mothers were diagnosed according to corresponding American guidelines. Logistic regression analysis or analysis of covariance was used to examine the associations of poor oral hygiene indices with BP and CAVI. RESULTS: Maternal dental caries ≥1 was associated with their hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12-6.61). Maternal dental plaque ≥1/3 was associated with maternal hypertension and children's high BP (aOR, 95% CI: 4.71, 1.33-16.73 and 5.67, 1.22-25.04, respectively). Maximum pocket depth ≥4 mm was associated with children's high BP (aOR: 6.85, 95% CI: 1.24-38.01). No associations were observed between oral hygiene indices and CAVI in children; however, there was a significant association between dental plaque and CAVI in mothers (F = 5.62, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The small sample size, especially the case number, made it necessary to refrain from drawing unambiguous conclusion. The hypothesis that warrants further investigation based on the present study results is that poor oral hygiene is associated with high BP in children and hypertension and arterial stiffness in mothers, and maternal oral hygiene is associated with high BP in children.

Assessment of Motivations, Treatment Risks, and Oral Health in Adults with Fixed Orthodontic Care: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aim: This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the reasons why adults seek orthodontic treatment, their perceived treatment risks, oral hygiene habits, and awareness of oral health. Materials and Methods: This study, which involved 246 adults, used a self-report questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data and examine the participants' understanding of oral health, self-assessment of oral health status, adherence to oral hygiene routines, and use of oral hygiene products. In addition, the reasons for opting for orthodontic treatment, negative associations, and expected outcomes were examined. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis, including descriptive and regression methods. Results: The results showed that factors such as previous oral health education and regular use of specialized toothbrushes, including rotary toothbrushes, were significantly associated with higher knowledge levels (p < 0.05). However, daily oral hygiene practices were suboptimal, with the low utilization of aids: only 58.9% reported using interdental brushes, and 36.6% used dental floss regularly. Commonly reported dental problems included food debris between teeth (46.3%), tartar (35.4%), and tooth sensitivity to cold (26.4%). The primary motivations for orthodontic treatment were aesthetic improvement (63.8%), enhancements in oral function (49.6%), and addressing psychosocial concerns (42.7%). In contrast, the most frequently mentioned negative aspects associated with fixed orthodontic treatment were aesthetic concerns (30.9%), treatment duration (27.6%), and mouth ulcers (24.0%). Conclusions: Based on the research findings, regular oral hygiene education is recommended for adult patients considering fixed orthodontic therapy, including the use of additional tools such as interdental brushes and floss to improve oral health and reduce the risk of complications during treatment. The importance of chemical compounds in dentifrices and mouthwashes cannot be overstated, as they play a crucial role in addressing various dental issues. In addition, it is crucial to carefully weigh the pros and cons of therapy and to visit a dentist regularly to maintain oral health and monitor progress during treatment.

A Survey of Lithuanian Pregnant Women's Knowledge about Periodontal Disease, Its Prevalence and Possible Influence on Pregnancy Outcomes.

Background: This study aimed to subjectively assess the changes in the oral health status of pregnant women, to find out their attitudes and knowledge about possible changes in the oral cavity that occurred during pregnancy, and their influence on the outcomes of pregnancy. Methods: 112 pregnant women who visited the Republican Siauliai Hospital during their pregnancy participated in the study. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used to conduct the research, surveying their demographic characteristics, oral health changes and habits during pregnancy, and awareness of possible negative pregnancy outcomes. Results: The study involved 112 pregnant women, with 35 in the first trimester, 28 in the second, and 48 in the third trimester. The findings revealed that pregnant women do not take sufficient care of their oral health: more than half of the respondents did not visit an oral care specialist during pregnancy; 22.3% of women reported brushing their teeth only once a day or less; and 35.7% did not clean interdental surfaces at all. Statistically, significantly more urban women believed there is a relationship between maternal oral health and adverse pregnancy outcomes than women living in rural areas (p = 0.013). While significant oral health changes were not observed in the first trimester, more women in the second and third trimesters reported issues such as bleeding gums, swelling, plaque accumulation, tartar, and caries (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The attitude of women towards oral health during pregnancy and their understanding of the possible risks for unfavorable pregnancy outcomes are insufficient. Notably, oral health issues become more prominent in the second and third trimesters, necessitating appropriate oral care to reduce the incidence of oral and dental diseases during pregnancy. This underscores the importance of educational and preventive public health policies focused on oral care for pregnant women, aimed at increasing awareness and promoting practices that safeguard both maternal and fetal health.

Periodontal health literacy in Germany-Results of a telephone survey.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the periodontal health literacy of German adolescents, adults and senior residents. BACKGROUND: The prevalence of periodontitis is high. One explanation for this may be that people lack periodontal health literacy (PHL). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Former participants of the 5th German Oral Health Study (n = 333 16-year-olds, n = 307 39-48-year-olds, n = 332 69-78-year-olds) participated in a computer-assisted telephone interview. Open-ended questions (OEQs) were used to assess the participants' current knowledge. Corresponding single- and multiple-choice questions (SCQs and MCQs) supplemented the OEQs to allow detailed analyses of the nature of the knowledge gaps. RESULTS: Less than 10% of the participants in the three age groups could explain the term 'periodontitis' or select the correct answer in an SCQ. Responding to the OEQs, 89% of 16-year olds, 64% of 39-48-year-olds, and 59% of 69-78-year-olds, could not name any consequence of periodontitis, and 83%, 51%, and 60%, respectively, could not name any risk factors. The OEQs regarding proper oral hygiene behaviour revealed that participants lacked awareness regarding important aspects of oral hygiene (e.g., systematics) or areas to which they should pay attention to (e.g., interdental spaces and gingival margins). CONCLUSIONS: The survey revealed PHL deficits in German adolescents, adults, and seniors and a need for community-based measures to improve PHL in all age groups. Dental teams should be aware that their patients might lack the PHL necessary for understanding and adherence to professional dental advice, and that they might even lack PHL regarding the proper use of oral hygiene devices.

Caries indicators in relation to healthcare access and hygienic-dietary habits in Spanish preschoolers.

INTRODUCTION: Dental caries continues to be a public healthcare problem due to its high prevalence and morbidity. It was proposed to evaluate caries indicators in relation to healthcare access and hygienic-dietary habits in Spanish preschoolers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on a random sample consisting of 343 patients ranging from 3 to 5 years of age in the primary care setting, the main measurements were: dental care access, hygienic-dietary habits, and caries registration according to WHO criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of caries was 35.3% and mean ± standard deviation (SD) dft was 1.51 ± 2.93. Preschoolers who had ever visited the dentist had a higher dft occurrence than those who had never attended the dentist. The lower prevalence of caries was significantly associated with the frequency of two daily brushings versus non-daily brushing (p = 0.007; 25.3% vs. 47.1%) and was 10.7% lower in patients who had the habit of night brushing (p = 0.041). The consumption of sugary liquids between meals implied a higher dft index. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of early childhood caries and the dental care access associated with poor oral health suggest the need to implement a multidisciplinary oral healthcare program that involves both healthcare and dental healthcare professionals in Primary Health Care Units without forgetting the participation of the community and local administrations.

Dental treatment of children under general anesthesia during the period of matrial law.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To summarize the experience of providing dental medical care under general anesthesia to children from different regions of Ukraine during the martial law, taking into account the factors affecting the choice of optimal conditions for dental treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: Dental treatment under general anesthesia of 1,258 children from different regions of Ukraine has been performed since March 2022. The condition of the teeth (df, df+DMF, DMF) and hygienic state of the oral cavity (OHI-S) were determined. The level of awareness of parents regarding the preservation of children's dental health was studied through a questionnaire. RESULTS: Results: An unsatisfactory oral hygiene, a high level of caries were found in the vast majority of children. The highest df was observed in the group of children aged 3 to 6 years (7.14±0.33), which is significantly higher than in the group of children under 3 years of age (4.32±1.04, p≤0.05). The worst oral hygiene was observed in children aged 6-12 years (OHI-S 2.62±0.32). An insufficient level of awareness of parents and children regarding dental health was revealed. A total of 1,712 operations under general anesthesia were performed. The majority of patients could not regularly appear for follow-up examinations due to the forced departure from the country. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The organization of dental treatment under general anesthesia allows solving a number of problems of dental care for children during the war.

Oral care measures for preventing nursing home-acquired pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia in residents of nursing homes can be termed nursing home-acquired pneumonia (NHAP). NHAP is one of the most common infections identified in nursing home residents and has the highest mortality of any infection in this population. NHAP is associated with poor oral hygiene and may be caused by aspiration of oropharyngeal flora into the lung. Oral care measures to remove or disrupt oral plaque might reduce the risk of NHAP. This is the first update of a review published in 2018. OBJECTIVES: To assess effects of oral care measures for preventing nursing home-acquired pneumonia in residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. SEARCH METHODS: An information specialist searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, one other database and three trials registers up to 12 May 2022. We also used additional search methods to identify published, unpublished and ongoing studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of oral care measures (brushing, swabbing, denture cleaning mouthrinse, or combination) in residents of any age in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: At least two review authors independently assessed search results, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias in the included studies. We contacted study authors for additional information. We pooled data from studies with similar interventions and outcomes. We reported risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous outcomes, mean differences (MDs) for continuous outcomes, and hazard ratios (HRs) or incidence rate ratio (IRR) for time-to-event outcomes, using random-effects models. MAIN RESULTS: We included six RCTs (6244 participants), all of which were at high risk of bias. Three studies were carried out in Japan, two in the USA, and one in France. The studies evaluated one comparison: professional oral care versus usual oral care. We did not include the results from one study (834 participants) because it had been stopped at interim analysis.  Consistent results from five studies, with 5018 participants, provided insufficient evidence of a difference between professional oral care and usual (simple, self-administered) oral care in the incidence of pneumonia. Three studies reported HRs, one reported IRRs, and one reported RRs. Due to the variation in study design and follow-up duration, we decided not to pool the data. We downgraded the certainty of the evidence for this outcome by two levels to low: one level for study limitations (high risk of performance bias), and one level for imprecision. There was low-certainty evidence from meta-analysis of two individually randomised studies that professional oral care may reduce the risk of pneumonia-associated mortality compared with usual oral care at 24 months' follow-up (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.76, 454 participants). Another study (2513 participants) reported insufficient evidence of a difference for this outcome at 18 months' follow-up. Three studies measured all-cause mortality and identified insufficient evidence of a difference between professional and usual oral care at 12 to 30 months' follow-up. Only one study (834 participants) measured the adverse effects of the interventions. The study identified no serious events and 64 non-serious events, the most common of which were oral cavity disturbances (not defined) and dental staining. No studies evaluated oral care versus no oral care. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Although low-certainty evidence suggests that professional oral care may reduce mortality compared to usual care when measured at 24 months, the effect of professional oral care on preventing NHAP remains largely unclear. Low-certainty evidence was inconclusive about the effects of this intervention on incidence and number of first episodes of NHAP. Due to differences in study design, effect measures, follow-up duration, and composition of the interventions, we cannot determine the optimal oral care protocol from current evidence.  Future trials will require larger samples, robust methods that ensure low risk of bias, and more practicable interventions for nursing home residents.

Medical Conditions, Oral Health Practices, and Barriers to Treatment among Patients Visiting a Teaching Dental Hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of medical conditions, oral hygiene practices, and dental visits among patients who attended a teaching dental hospital in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Materials & Methods. This retrospective cross-sectional study used patient records from 2009 to 2015 from the dental hospital of the College of Dentistry Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam. Patients' demographics, medical history, oral hygiene practices, reasons for attending the facility, attendance patterns, and smoking habits were studied. RESULTS: The study included 1502 records of patients with 65.1% of males and 34.9% of females. The prevalence of medical conditions was 25.7% in the study. The most common medical conditions included diabetes mellitus (7.2%), hypertension (6.5%), and anemia (4.7%). Only 21.8% reported visiting the dental hospital in the past one year. The prevalence of smoking was 16.7%, and this did not differ significantly between healthy and medically compromised patients (P=0.165). Fillings were the most common (21.6%) reason for visiting a dental hospital, followed by treatment for periodontal problems (12.9%) and oral lesions (12.6%), whereas treatment for braces (orthodontics) was the least common (5%) reason for visiting the hospital. The reasons for visiting the hospital did not differ significantly between healthy and medically compromised patients (P > 0.05). The three most common barriers to dental visits included long waiting time (18.1%), fear of dental treatment (14.4%), and difficulty in getting an appointment (11.3%). CONCLUSION: The study showed that dental patients had a high prevalence of medical conditions. Diabetes mellitus was the most prevalent problem. Most patients visited the dental hospital to receive restorative treatment, and a long waiting time was the most common barrier to dental visits. Public health measures should be taken to improve the general health and oral care of patients.

Oral health status and practices of 6- to 7-year-old children in Amman, Jordan: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries affects the majority of children in Jordan, with some evidence of its prevalence steadily increasing. Previous studies have shown that families struggle to establish good oral health practices. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current oral health status and practices of 6- to7-year-old children in Amman, Jordan.r METHODS: A cross-sectional cohort study. The sample consisted of 6- to 7-year-old children attending six randomly selected schools in Amman, Jordan. Measures collected were: I) Caries experience (d3mft/D3MFT), II) Oral hygiene, measured using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index, III) Dietary, toothbrushing, and dental attendance practices, measured using diaries and parental questionnaires, IV) Participants' basic characteristics: age, education and employment. Data were analysed using SPSS20. RESULTS: In total, 942 children were recruited. Four hundred and fifty-seven were boys, 485 were girls. Their average age was 6.5 years. Eighty-nine percent had decay in their primary teeth. Mean d3mft was 5.1(1 (range = 0-12, SD = 2.9). Only 8% of carious teeth were restored. Mean DMFT score was 0.3 (range = 0-4, SD = 0.8). Mean debris score was 1.07 (range = 0-3, SD = 0.37). Children indicated that they brush their teeth 1.6 times a day (range = 0-3, SD = 0.6). The majority (81%) were unsupervised. Sixty-seven percent of parents did not know the appropriate fluoride toothpaste concentration. Children were having 1.5 sugary snacks in-between their meals (Range = 1-6, SD = 1.1). They scored a mean of 2.5 (Range = 0-5.87, SD = 1.7) in sweetened drinks intake (recommended ≤ 1) and 2.8 (Range = 0-18.57, SD = 1.5) in non-core food intake (recommended ≤ 2) on a dietary questionnaire. Most parents (84%) indicated that their child attends the dentist only when in pain, and 18% indicated that their child is extremely afraid of dentists. Only 32% and 18% were familiar with fluoride varnish and fissure sealants, respectively. Regression analysis revealed that debris score and dental attendance were reliable predictors of caries experience. CONCLUSIONS: Six- to seven-year-old children in Amman, Jordan have a high caries experience. Most show signs of poor oral hygiene, excessive intake of cariogenic foods, and symptomatic dental attendance. Their parents lack knowledge on fluoride varnish and fissure sealants. There is a need for oral health promotion tailored to this cohort's need.