Terminology of e-Oral Health: Consensus Report of the IADR's e-Oral Health Network Terminology Task Force.

OBJECTIVE: Authors reported multiple definitions of e-oral health and related terms, and used several definitions interchangeably, like mhealth, teledentistry, teleoral medicine and telehealth. The International Association of Dental Research e-Oral Health Network (e-OHN) aimed to establish a consensus on terminology related to digital technologies used in oral healthcare. METHOD: The Crowdsourcing Delphi method used in this study comprised of four main stages. In the first stage, the task force created a list of terms and definitions around digital health technologies based on the literature and established a panel of experts. Inclusion criteria for the panellists were: to be actively involved in either research and/or working in e-oral health fields; and willing to participate in the consensus process. In the second stage, an email-based consultation was organized with the panel of experts to confirm an initial set of terms. In the third stage, consisted of: a) an online meeting where the list of terms was presented and refined; and b) a presentation at the 2022-IADR annual meeting. The fourth stage consisted of two rounds of feedback to solicit experts' opinion about the terminology and group discussion to reach consensus. A Delphi-questionnaire was sent online to all experts to independently assess a) the appropriateness of the terms, and b) the accompanying definitions, and vote on whether they agreed with them. In a second round, each expert received an individualised questionnaire, which presented the expert's own responses from the first round and the panellists' overall response (% agreement/disagreement) to each term. It was decided that 70% or higher agreement among experts on the terms and definitions would represent consensus. RESULTS: The study led to the identification of an initial set of 43 terms. The list of initial terms was refined to a core set of 37 terms. Initially, 34 experts took part in the consensus process about terms and definitions. From them, 27 experts completed the first rounds of consultations, and 15 the final round of consultations. All terms and definitions were confirmed via online voting (i.e., achieving above the agreed 70% threshold), which indicate their agreed recommendation for use in e-oral health research, dental public health, and clinical practice. CONCLUSION: This is the first study in oral health organised to achieve consensus in e-oral health terminology. This terminology is presented as a resource for interested parties. These terms were also conceptualised to suit with the new healthcare ecosystem and the place of e-oral health within it. The universal use of this terminology to label interventions in future research will increase the homogeneity of future studies including systematic reviews.

Psychometric Testing of HeLD-14 in a Colombian Geriatric Population.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the Colombian version of the Health Literacy in Dentistry (HeLD-14) in older adults. Materials and Methods: A translation and validation study of HeLD-14 was conducted on 384 non-institutionalized older adults attending the Dental Clinic at Universidad Cooperativa from Pasto, Colombia. A cross-cultural adaptation of a multidimensional HeLD-14 was completed, and the psychometric properties of this scale were evaluated through a cross-validation method using an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Internal consistency was measured with Cronbach's alpha (α) and Omega's McDonald (É·). The statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The EFA demonstrated that a single-factor structure with 11 items explained a cumulative 59.86% of the overall variance. The CFA confirmed that goodness of fit indices of this questionnaire had optimal adequateness (χ2S-B = 109.047; χ2S-B/(44) = 2.478, P=0.001; non-normed fit index = 0.901; comparative fit index = 0.908; root mean square error of approximation = 0.079 (90% CI (0.075, 0.083)); standardized root mean residual = 0.080). The coefficients indicated a high internal consistency for the total scale (α = 0.94; É· = 0.96). Conclusion: The developed adaptation of HeLD-14 for the Colombian population, HeLD-Col, is a unidimensional, reliable, and valid instrument to assess oral health literacy in older adults in Colombia.

Oral Health Literacy and Tooth Loss and Replacement in Older Adults at a University Dental Clinic in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Oral health literacy (OHL) is the ability of individuals to obtain, process, and understand oral health information and services, allowing them to make appropriate oral health decisions. The association between OHL and tooth loss and replacement have not been well understood. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the association between OHL and tooth loss and replacement in a Colombia population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 384 older adults age 65 to 89 years from Pasto, Colombia was carried out. The number of lost and replaced teeth was assessed intraorally; sociodemographic and prosthetic characteristics were collected, and the Health Literacy in Dentistry questionnaire was used to evaluate OHL. Generalized linear models were estimated to assess associations between independent variables (including OHL) and the number of lost and replaced teeth. KEY RESULTS: There were 224 (58.3%) men and 160 (41.7%) women. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) number of lost and replaced teeth was 27.78 (4.03) and 12.53 (9.89), respectively. One hundred fifty five (40.4%) individuals had full removable dental protheses, 122 (31.8%) partial removable dental protheses, 68 (17.7%) fixed prosthetics, and 36 (9.4%) dental implants. OHL was 33.29 (6.59) and significantly positively associated with the number of replaced teeth (ß = 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52-0.78, p < .001), but not with lost teeth. CONCLUSIONS: OHL may foster individuals' capabilities to replace lost teeth, although we did not find it associated with reduced tooth loss, likely as tooth loss was highly common in this older population. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2024;8(1):e21-e28.].

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: The association between OHL and tooth loss and replacement has not been well understood. A study of 384 older adults was designed to evaluate the number of lost and replaced teeth and the association with OHL. We found that OHL may foster tooth replacement but was not associated with tooth loss itself.

Association between psychological factors and molar-incisor hypomineralization: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a developmental enamel defect characterized by opacities from white to brownish color. A suspected multifactorial etiology has been suggested, whereas psychological factors during pregnancy have only been limitedly analyzed. AIM: We assessed the association between stress, depression, and anxiety in pregnancy and the presence of MIH in children at a later age. DESIGN: Using a cross-sectional Web-based questionnaire, we included 384 mothers who had children aged 6 and 12 years from Pasto, Colombia. Data were collected between October 2021 and March 2022. Sociodemographic variables; maternal and child factors related to prenatal, natal, or postnatal problems; and psychological factors such as stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression in pregnancy were inquired. Utilizing photographs depicting MIH lesions, mothers assessed their child's MIH status. A directed acyclic graph (DAG) analysis was performed to create causal assumptions, and logistic regression models were estimated to evaluate these assumptions. p-value was set at p < .05. RESULTS: The prevalence of MIH was 33.3%; 12.8% of the participants exhibited hypomineralization in both molars and incisors. DAG analysis and logistic regression models determined that MIH (present or not) was associated with symptoms of maternal depression (ORadj = 3.26, 95% CI: 1.92-5.52, p < .001), and MIH (both molars and incisors) was associated with symptoms of maternal anxiety (ORadj = 3.49, 95% CI: 1.80-6.76, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Psychological factors, among others, were significantly associated with the presence of MIH.

¿Cómo Intervenir el Proceso de Caries en Personas Mayores? Adaptación del Consenso de ORCA/EFCD/DGZ / How to Intervene the Caries Process in Older Persons? Adaptation of the ORCA/EFCD/DGZ Consensus

Los cambios demográficos y epidemiológicos actuales determinarán un aumento en la prevalencia e incidencia de caries, específicamente lesiones de caries radicular (RCLs, por sus siglas en inglés) en personas mayores, por lo que la necesidad de tratamiento de mayor cobertura y efectividad será también cada vez mayor. Este artículo resume en español la evidencia actual disponible acerca de las recomendaciones clínicas para las intervenciones preventivas, no invasivas, micro o mínimamente invasivas e invasivas para el manejo de la caries dental en personas mayores, con especial énfasis en RCLs. La presente publicación se basa en un taller de consenso, seguido de un proceso de consenso e-Delphi, realizado por un panel de expertos nominados por la Organización Europea para la Investigación en Caries (ORCA), la Federación Europea de Odontología Conservadora (EFCD) y la Federación Alemana de Odontología Conservadora (DGZ). El propósito de este artículo es presentar las principales conclusiones alcanzadas en el consenso de ORCA/EFCD/DGZ para permitir una mejor difusión del conocimiento y la aplicación de estos conceptos en la práctica clínica, orientando la correcta toma de decisiones en el manejo de la enfermedad y RCLs en las personas mayores.

Current demographic and epidemiological changes will condition increased caries prevalence and incidence, specifically root caries lesions (RCLs) in the elderly. There will be a need, therefore, for therapeutic approaches with greater coverage and effectiveness. This article summarizes, in Spanish, the current available evidence leading to clinical recommendations for preventive, non-invasive, micro or minimally invasive and invasive interventions for the management of dental caries in older people, with special emphasis on RCLs. This publication is based on a consensus workshop, followed by an e-Delphi consensus process, conducted by a panel of experts nominated by the European Organization for Caries Research (ORCA), the European Federation of Conservative Dentistry (EFCD) and the German Federation of Conservative Dentistry (DGZ). The purpose of this article is to present the main conclusions reached in the ORCA/EFCD/DGZ consensus to allow a better dissemination of knowledge and the application of these concepts in clinical practice, guiding the correct decision-making for the disease management and the RCLs in the elderly.

Association among oral health and academic performance: a longitudinal study in a university in Southern Brazil.

This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the association between self-perceived oral health, oral-health-related quality-of-life (OHRQoL), toothache, and university students' academic performance or dropout. A cohort of 2,089 students from 64 different courses at a public university in southern Brazil was interviewed in 2016 regarding their self-perceived oral health (Locker instrument; dichotomized into good/poor), OHRQoL (Oral Impacts on Daily Performances instrument, OIDP) and having had any toothache over the last 6 months (yes/no). After three years (2020), the academic records of 1,870 of these students were assessed, their average grade over all courses evaluated, and their dropout status was determined. Multivariable linear or logistic regression adjusting for gender, skin color, age, family income and maternal education was used to associate oral health variables (self-perceived oral health, OIDP, toothache) and academic performance or dropout. In 2016, 28.6% reported negative self-perceived oral health through the Locker instrument and 31.4% had toothache in the last 6 months. Over the next three years, 36.2% had dropped out. In multivariable regression, toothache in the last 6 months had a decrease of 0.32 (ß -0.32, CI95% -0.59; -0.04) points in the final grade and were 35% (OR 1.35 CI95% 1.08; 1.69) more likely to dropout than students without toothache. In conclusion, this study showed that worse oral health conditions may be associated with worse academic performance or dropping out.

Cariogenic diet consumption during lockdown.

BACKGROUND: During stressful situations such as pandemic-associated lockdowns, individuals' diets may change towards (cariogenic) 'comfort food'. This study assessed the dietary patterns during the lockdown in the Colombian population. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was designed. A convenience sample of 489 adults was drawn, with 50% of them being in COVID-19 lockdown and the other being not or only partially in lockdown. The questionnaire collected data about the type and frequency of food consumed, with a special focus on cariogenic (i.e., rich in free sugars and starches) food. Descriptive analyses were performed, and a generalised linear model was estimated to predict the frequency of cariogenic diet consumption in this period of time. RESULTS: Sweet whole wheat bread (38.2%, p = 0.005), flavoured milk (26.4%, p = 0.002), sugar-sweetened bubble gums (39.8%, p = 0.001), toffees (35.4%, p = 0.004), soft candies (e.g., gums) (35.4%, p = 0.018), chocolates (55.3%, p = 0.017), filled doughnuts (28.5%, p = 0.013) or grapes (51.2%, p = 0.002) were significantly consumed more during the lockdown. Multivariable generalised linear modelling showed being single, having children and being in lockdown were significantly associated with higher frequency of cariogenic food consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Lockdown was found to be associated with detrimentally altered food consumption patterns and, specifically, a more cariogenic diet. Healthcare professionals should consider this when reopening services, and political decision-makers may want to reflect on the unwarranted side effect of lockdown.

Clustering of Signs and Symptoms of Oral Diseases in a Colombian Population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate disease pattern clusters and co-occurrences of oral signs and symptoms in a Colombian population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out through a telephone survey amongst 1155 people registered in the telephone directory from Pasto, Colombia. The calls were made from July to November 2019. A 14-item self-report questionnaire about signs and symptoms related to oral diseases that included sociodemographic characteristics was employed. Descriptive and multivariable analyses such as hierarchical clustering, multidimensional scaling, and generalized linear models were used to determine co-occurrences in different sex and age strata. RESULTS: Age- and condition-specific clusters of signs and symptoms were identified, while sex differences were limited. Calculus and denture sore mouth were related in 18- to 34-year-olds; tooth loss and calculus in 35- to 54-year-olds, and teeth holes or pits (dental caries) and dental abscess in those aged 55 years and older. We found stronger associations between periodontal disease (bleeding gums) and dental caries (odds ratio [OR], 2.484; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.812-3.405; P < .001) as well as grinding/clenching and facial tension (OR, 7.162; 95% CI, 5.227-9.814; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Age-specific clustering of signs and symptoms and diagnostic patterns wer present in ths Colombian cohort.

Association among oral health and academic performance: a longitudinal study in a university in Southern Brazil

Abstract This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the association between self-perceived oral health, oral-health-related quality-of-life (OHRQoL), toothache, and university students' academic performance or dropout. A cohort of 2,089 students from 64 different courses at a public university in southern Brazil was interviewed in 2016 regarding their self-perceived oral health (Locker instrument; dichotomized into good/poor), OHRQoL (Oral Impacts on Daily Performances instrument, OIDP) and having had any toothache over the last 6 months (yes/no). After three years (2020), the academic records of 1,870 of these students were assessed, their average grade over all courses evaluated, and their dropout status was determined. Multivariable linear or logistic regression adjusting for gender, skin color, age, family income and maternal education was used to associate oral health variables (self-perceived oral health, OIDP, toothache) and academic performance or dropout. In 2016, 28.6% reported negative self-perceived oral health through the Locker instrument and 31.4% had toothache in the last 6 months. Over the next three years, 36.2% had dropped out. In multivariable regression, toothache in the last 6 months had a decrease of 0.32 (β -0.32, CI95% -0.59; -0.04) points in the final grade and were 35% (OR 1.35 CI95% 1.08; 1.69) more likely to dropout than students without toothache. In conclusion, this study showed that worse oral health conditions may be associated with worse academic performance or dropping out.

Association of children's toothbrushing and fine motor skills: a cross-sectional study.

Fine motor skills (FMS) allow for the control and coordination of the distal musculature of hands and fingers, a skill required to brush teeth. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between FMS and toothbrushing efficacy. This cross-sectional study included 42 low-income Latino children aged 5 to 9 years from Pasto, Colombia. Toothbrushing efficacy was determined by the children's dental plaque Quigley-Hein Index (QH-I) mean-score difference from before and after toothbrushing. FMS were evaluated using the 5-15R parent evaluation, the spiral drawing Archimedes test, and a neurodevelopmental assessment of movements and prehension patterns during toothbrushing. A descriptive analysis was performed to assess the characteristics of FMS and children's toothbrushing, and a generalized linear model was used to determine associations between these skills and toothbrushing efficacy. Eighty-six percent of the children had at least one difficulty with FMS, and in 7%, they interfered with daily activities. Fourteen percent presented a moderate pattern in the Archimedes test, and 43% had inefficient prehension patterns. Toothbrushing reduced the QH-I by a mean of 1.45 (SD = 0.78-2.12) (p < 0.001). Toothbrushing efficacy was only significantly associated with age (mean-difference = -0.315, 95%CI: -0.481 to -0.148, p < 0.001). FMS and toothbrushing efficacy were not significantly associated. Other components of fine motor control should be analyzed to understand the kinetics of toothbrushing.

Augmented Vision for Dental Students' Education in Detecting Proximal Carious Lesions on Bitewing Radiographs: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This two-arm, parallel, randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the effect of augmented vision (AV, using interactive color overlays) on the education of dental students in detecting proximal carious lesions on bitewing radiographs compared to black-and-white textbook-like illustrations. Forty-eight preclinical third-year dental students were randomized using a random number generator into two learning groups: test (AV, allowing interaction with color-highlighted carious lesions, n = 24) and control (showing the native radiograph and a black-and-white illustration displaying the carious lesion, n = 24). First, students had 2 weeks to assess 50 bitewings (lesion prevalence on the tooth level: 54.5%) in the test or control. Due to the nature of the intervention, participants could not be blinded toward the intervention. After that, they were asked to detect lesions on 10 independent bitewings and to assess lesion extent (outer/inner enamel; outer/middle/inner dentin). The reference test was constituted by two experienced dentists. No significant differences in accuracy (test 0.84 [95% CI: 0.79, 0.88]; control 0.83 [0.78, 0.87]), AUC (test 0.82 [0.81, 0.84]; control 0.81 [0.80, 0.83]) and F1 score (test 0.79 [0.75, 0.82]; control 0.77 [0.72, 0.81]) were observed between groups. Students of both groups showed difficulties in differentiating enamel from dentin carious lesions. While AV was reported to be motivating by students, it did not increase their accuracy.

Comparison of the efficacy of different techniques to seal the alveolus during alveolar ridge preservation: Meta-regression and network meta-analysis.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of different techniques to seal the alveolus (flap advancement [FA], open healing with barrier [OHB], and open healing without barrier [OHNB]) during alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) in terms of horizontal ridge width resorption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomized trials of at least 2 months duration comparing at least two techniques to seal the alveolus against each other or against spontaneous healing (SH) were eligible. Searches were conducted in MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Central. Conventional meta-analysis, meta-regression, and network meta-analysis (NMA) were conducted, with clinical and tomographic ridge width changes as outcomes. Predictive intervals (95% PI) were reported. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies were included, accounting for 52 study arms. Meta-regression identified that the socket sealing technique and publication year explained the observed heterogeneity. NMA showed that FA and OHB led to significantly lower ridge resorption than SH, resulting in 1.18 mm (95% PI 0.21-2.13) and 1.10 mm (95% PI 0.49-1.69) wide alveolar ridges, respectively. No significant difference between OHNB and SH was found (0.46 mm, 95% PI -0.70 to 1.64). The treatment with the largest probability for ARP was FA (52.7%), followed by OHB (39.1%) and OHNB (8.2%). CONCLUSIONS: FA and OHB are efficacious techniques to seal the alveolus during ARP.

¿Cómo Intervenir el Proceso de Caries en Niños? Adaptación del Consenso de ORCA/EFCD/DGZ / How can the Caries Process in Children be intervened? Adaptation of the ORCA/EFCD/DGZ Consensus

RESUMEN: La caries dental afecta alrededor del 70% de los niños y en Latinoamérica este problema es aún más complejo, dadas las barreras socioeconómicas y culturales que dificultan el acceso a la salud bucal, con grandes inequidades. Durante el año 2019, un panel de expertos de la Organización Europea para la Investigación en Caries (ORCA), la Federación Europea de Odontología Conservadora (EFCD) y la Federación Alemana de Odontología Conservadora (DGZ) elaboraron revisiones sistemáticas de la literatura y consensuaron recomendaciones basadas en evidencia destinadas a dentistas, mediante un taller en Berlín, Alemania, seguido de un trabajo de consenso mediante metodología e-Delphi. El propósito de este artículo es presentar las principales conclusiones del consenso adaptadas idiomáticamente al español y al contexto de Latinoamérica para permitir una mejor difusión del conocimiento generado y su aplicación en la práctica clínica. El artículo proporciona evidencia y recomendaciones clínicas para las intervenciones preventivas, no invasivas, microinvasivas, mínimamente invasivas e invasivas mejor sustentadas por la ciencia para el manejo de la enfermedad de caries y de las lesiones de caries en niños, con énfasis en la caries de la infancia temprana (CIT), dientes primarios y superficies oclusales de dientes permanentes.

ABSTRACT: Dental caries remains the most prevalent chronic disease in the world, affecting around 70% of children and posing a challenge for public health. Given the socioeconomic, cultural barriers and great inequalities that hinder access to oral health, in Latin America this problem is even more complex. During 2019, a panel of experts from the European Organization for Caries Research (ORCA), the European Federation for Conservative Dentistry (EFCD) and the German Federation for Conservative Dentistry (DGZ) prepared systematic reviews of the literature to reach consensus and generate evidence-based recommendations for dentists on how to manage caries in children. In a workshop in Berlin, Germany, followed by an e-Delphi methodology the experts published the consensus. The purpose of this article is to present the main conclusions of the consensus adapted idiomatically to Spanish and to the Latin American context to allow a better dissemination of the knowledge generated and facilitate its application in clinical practice. The article provides evidence and clinical recommendations for the best science-supported preventive, non-invasive, micro-invasive, minimally invasive, and invasive interventions for the management of caries disease and caries lesions in children, with an emphasis on early childhood caries (ECC), primary teeth and occlusal surfaces of permanent teeth.

Association of children's toothbrushing and fine motor skills: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Fine motor skills (FMS) allow for the control and coordination of the distal musculature of hands and fingers, a skill required to brush teeth. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between FMS and toothbrushing efficacy. This cross-sectional study included 42 low-income Latino children aged 5 to 9 years from Pasto, Colombia. Toothbrushing efficacy was determined by the children's dental plaque Quigley-Hein Index (QH-I) mean-score difference from before and after toothbrushing. FMS were evaluated using the 5-15R parent evaluation, the spiral drawing Archimedes test, and a neurodevelopmental assessment of movements and prehension patterns during toothbrushing. A descriptive analysis was performed to assess the characteristics of FMS and children's toothbrushing, and a generalized linear model was used to determine associations between these skills and toothbrushing efficacy. Eighty-six percent of the children had at least one difficulty with FMS, and in 7%, they interfered with daily activities. Fourteen percent presented a moderate pattern in the Archimedes test, and 43% had inefficient prehension patterns. Toothbrushing reduced the QH-I by a mean of 1.45 (SD = 0.78-2.12) (p < 0.001). Toothbrushing efficacy was only significantly associated with age (mean-difference = -0.315, 95%CI: -0.481 to -0.148, p < 0.001). FMS and toothbrushing efficacy were not significantly associated. Other components of fine motor control should be analyzed to understand the kinetics of toothbrushing.

Psychometric Properties of the SOC-13 Scale in Colombian Adults.

The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the SOC-13 in Colombian adults. The SOC-13 questionnaire was administered to 489 individuals aged ≥18 years who were in lockdown from March to July 2020 in Nariño County, Colombia. Psychometric properties of the scale were examined using a cross-validation method via exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Additionally, configural and metric invariance were tested. To determine the internal consistency of the questionnaire, McDonald's omega (ω), Cronbach's alpha (α), and composite reliability (CR) coefficients were estimated. The EFA determined that a three-factor structure best fit the data (comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness) and CFA confirmed this three-factor model structure showing a good fit (χ2S-B = 188.530, χ2S-B/(62) = 3.615, p = 0.001; NNFI = 0.959; CFI = 0.968; RMSEA = 0.052 (90% CI [0.041-0.063]) and SRMR = 0.052).The invariance analysis indicated the same underlying theoretical structure between genders. Additionally, (ω), (α), and (CR) coefficients confirmed a high internal consistency of the instrument. The SOC-13 scale, reflecting comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness, is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the sense of coherence in Colombian populations.

Demystifying artificial intelligence and deep learning in dentistry.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a general term used to describe the development of computer systems which can perform tasks that normally require human cognition. Machine learning (ML) is one subfield of AI, where computers learn rules from data, capturing its intrinsic statistical patterns and structures. Neural networks (NNs) have been increasingly employed for ML complex data. The application of multilayered NN is referred to as "deep learning", which has been recently investigated in dentistry. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are mainly used for processing large and complex imagery data, as they are able to extract image features like edges, corners, shapes, and macroscopic patterns using layers of filters. CNN algorithms allow to perform tasks like image classification, object detection and segmentation. The literature involving AI in dentistry has increased rapidly, so a methodological guidance for designing, conducting and reporting studies must be rigorously followed, including the improvement of datasets. The limited interaction between the dental field and the technical disciplines, however, remains a hurdle for applicable dental AI. Similarly, dental users must understand why and how AI applications work and decide to appraise their decisions critically. Generalizable and robust AI applications will eventually prove helpful for clinicians and patients alike.

Smartphones addiction associated with academic achievement among dental students: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: The study sought to examine the association between dental students' smartphone addiction and academic achievement. METHODS: Study participants were 374 dental students from the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia school of dentistry. Smartphone addiction was assessed using the short version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SV), an instrument that was validated a priori using item response theory, information function test, and confirmatory factor analysis. Students' semester grade point average (GPA) served as a measure of academic performance. The association between SAS-SV scores and GPA was tested using generalized linear modeling adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: The prevalence of smartphone addiction was low (4.8%) in this sample of dental students. Smartphone use was significantly and positively associated with GPA (b = 0.012; 95% confidence interval = 0.005-0.020; P = 0.001) while accounting for students' age and year of study. CONCLUSIONS: Smartphone usage was positively associated with dental students' academic performance. Importantly, a small number of students were identified as suffering from smartphone addiction. Future research should help clarify the mechanisms underlying this association, identify students at risk for smartphone addiction, and further elucidate the relevance of these findings in dental education.

¿Cómo Intervenir el Proceso de Caries en Adultos? Adaptación del Consenso de ORCA/EFCD/DGZ / How to Intervene the Caries Process in Adults? Adaptation of the ORCA/EFCD/DGZ Consensus

RESUMEN: El manejo terapéutico de lesiones de caries primarias y secundarias concentra gran parte del quehacer de los dentistas en el mundo. Recientes cambios en la concepción de la enfermedad de caries llevaron a un panel de expertos de la Organización Europea para la Investigación en Caries (ORCA), la Federación Europea de Odontología Conservadora (EFCD) y la Federación Alemana de Odontología Conservadora (DGZ) a analizar la evidencia y consensuar recomendaciones sobre manejo de caries en adultos. Mediante una reunión en Berlín, Alemania en 2019 y con metodología e-Delphi, los expertos analizaron la evidencia y propusieron recomendaciones clínicas. El propósito de este artículo es presentar una adaptación idiomática de las principales recomendaciones, que incluyen terapias no invasivas (higiene, uso de fluoruros y control de dieta), terapias microinvasiva (sellantes e infiltrantes), terapias necesariamente invasivas y la reparación de restauraciones. Todas las recomendaciones se basan en un enfoque mínimamente invasivo, con un adecuado manejo restaurador. Los dentistas de países hispanoparlantes podrán encontrar recomendaciones basadas en evidencia, provenientes de un consenso de expertos a nivel global, que orienten sus decisiones clínicas, apoyándose en los principios de la odontología de mínima intervención.

ABSTRACT: Therapeutic management of primary and secondary caries lesions concentrates much of the work of dentists throughout the world. Recent changes in caries disease conception and therapeutic management led a panel of experts from the European Organisation for Caries Research (ORCA), the European Federation for Conservative Dentistry (EFCD) and the German Federation for Conservative Dentistry (DGZ) to analyze the evidence and reach consensus on recommendations for caries management in adults. Through a meeting held in Berlin, Germany in 2019 and using an e-Delphi methodology, the experts analyzed the evidence and proposed clinical recommendations. The purpose of this article is to present an idiomatic adaptation to Spanish of the main recommendations, which include non-invasive therapies (hygiene, use of fluoride and diet control), microinvasive therapies (sealants and infiltrants), invasive therapies and repair of restorations. All recommendations are based on a minimally invasive dentistry approach, with a technically adequate restorative management. Spanish-speaking dentists may use these consensus recommendations to guide their clinical decisions, based on the most recent evidence and experts opinions, under the principles of minimal intervention dentistry.

Oral health and academic performance or absenteeism: Findings from a University in Southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between oral health conditions and academic performance and absenteeism in university students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out on a comprehensive sample of 1865 freshman students from the Federal University of Pelotas/Southern Brazil in 2017. A self-administered questionnaire was applied in the classroom, inquiring about socioeconomic, demographic, psychological, academic characteristics and oral conditions (tooth loss, self-reported oral health and toothache). For the dependent variables, academic performance was evaluated by the question: 'How would you describe your academic performance?' while absenteeism was assessed with the question 'In the last six months, have you missed some class for dental reasons?'. Multivariable analyses used hierarchical Poisson regression with backward selection. RESULTS: The prevalence of low academic performance was 38.6% and absenteeism due to dental reasons 6.2%. The prevalence of toothache and poor self-perceived oral health was 28% and 20%, respectively. Multivariable analysis found low academic performance to be more prevalent in students with poor self-perceived oral health (PR 1.46; 95% CI 1.22-1.77), and absenteeism to be almost six times more prevalent (PR 5.85; 95% CI 3.84-8.90) in students reporting toothache. CONCLUSIONS: Poor oral health is associated with both poor academic performance and absenteeism in university students.

Decontamination of N95 respirators against SARS-CoV-2: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: This scoping review aimed to map and compile the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of decontaminating N95 respirators against the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). DATA: We selected studies written in English assessing or discussing the decontamination strategies of N95 respirators against SARS-CoV-2. Two independent researchers performed the search and study screening. A descriptive analysis was carried out considering the study design of the included studies. SOURCES: PubMed, SCOPUS, and Preprint platforms (bioRxiv and medRxiv). STUDY SELECTION: We included 55 reports from PubMed and SCOPUS. Nine articles were letters to the editors, 21 were in vitro studies, 16 were literature reviews, and 9 were classified as other study designs. We included 37 preprints. Two articles were letters to the editors, 24 were in vitro studies, 3 were literature reviews, and 8 were classified as other study designs. In general, vaporized hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet irradiation were the strategies most cited and most promising. However, there is a lack of evidence and consensus related to the best method of N95 respirator decontamination. CONCLUSION: The evidence regarding decontamination strategies of N95 respirators against SARS-CoV-2 remains scarce. Vaporized hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet irradiation seem to be the current standard for N95 respirator decontamination. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Vaporized hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet irradiation appear to be the most promising methods for N95 respirator decontamination.