Association between dry eye and periodontal disease in community-dwelling Japanese adults: data from the Uonoma cohort study.

BACKGROUND: While research has explored the risk of periodontal disease in various eye conditions, the link between dry eye and periodontal disease remains underexplored, especially in Japanese adults. This study aims to investigate the association between dry eye and periodontal disease in community-dwelling Japanese adults. METHODS: This study is a subset of the Uonuma cohort study, which includes Japanese adults aged 40 years and older residing in the Uonuma area of Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Participants completed a self-administered, paper-based questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including the chi-square test, independent t test, ANOVA test, and logistic regressions, were employed to assess the association of periodontal disease with independent variables. RESULTS: Among 36,488 participants (average age 63.3 years, 47.4% men), 39.3% had a history of periodontal disease, and gender differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Significant associations were found between periodontal disease and dry eye diagnosis or symptoms. Univariable logistic regression revealed links between periodontal disease and age, gender, living status, alcohol consumption, remaining teeth, bite molar availability, and history of dry eye disease or symptoms. Multiple-adjusted regression found that doctor-diagnosed dry eye was associated with a higher likelihood of periodontal disease (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.22). Participants who never experienced dryness or foreign body sensation had lower ORs of periodontal disease than those who always experienced such symptoms across all models. CONCLUSION: A significant correlation was found between dry eye and periodontal disease in Japanese adults. Regular check-ups, early detection, and effective management of both conditions are strongly recommended.

Socioeconomic, behavioral, and psychological factors related to oral health in Myanmar: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effects of socioeconomic, behavioral, and psychological factors on oral health status and oral health-related quality of life in Myanmar adults. METHODS: Data were from a convenience sample of Myanmar adults who are from a township health center in Yangon city. Face-to-face interviews using a paper-based questionnaire in the Myanmar language and clinical oral examinations were performed at the health center. Mann-Whitney U test and linear regressions were used to assess the association of socio-demographic, behavioral, and psychological variables with oral health outcomes. RESULTS: In socio-demographic variables, significant associations were observed in individual income with periodontal pocket and OHIP-14, and history of COVID-19 infection with OHIP-14. However, there were no associations between behavioral factors and oral health outcomes. After adjustment for sex, age, educational level, and individual income, the depression subscale was statistically significant with the number of present teeth, decayed teeth, decayed, missing, and filled teeth, and OHIP-14. The anxiety subscale remained significant with periodontal pocket, but no stress subscale was associated with oral health outcomes. CONCLUSION: The experiences of oral health status were high, and the oral health-related quality of life was unfavorable in Myanmar adults. A large proportion of them suffers from psychological distress. Additionally, individuals with lower income and who experienced a history of COVID-19 infection were susceptible to poor oral health-related quality of life. Psychological distress indicates a higher risk for oral health problems in Myanmar adults.

Maternal Factors in Relation to Early Childhood Caries Among Preschool Children in Myanmar.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3- to 5-year-old preschool children in Yangon City in 2016-2017 to investigate the association between their caries experience and maternal factors. Children's oral examination and questionnaire surveys to their mothers were conducted. Children's caries prevalence was 82.9% with mean dmft of 6.4 ± 4.9. Mean oral health knowledge score of their mothers was 8.5 ± 2.8. Mother's educational level and oral health knowledge were significant predictors of childhood caries. Third- or later-born children were twice more likely to have dental caries than first-born children (P = .022). Mother's regular dental check-up resulted in significantly lower odds ratios for caries development in her child. Children's caries experience was high and mother's oral health knowledge regarding the importance of primary teeth was unsatisfactory. It is, therefore, necessary to improve awareness and attentiveness for prevention of childhood caries among parents and guardians in Myanmar.

Dental caries in the Myanmar population: Findings from the first national oral health survey in 2016-2017.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the dental caries status of indicator age groups as mentioned in the WHO pathfinder methodology, compare caries experiences among those age groups according to gender and geographical location, and assess the association between dental caries and related risk factors in primary and permanent dentition. METHODS: A sample of 5928 participants aged 6, 12, 15-18, 35-44 and 60-74 years were recruited from 21 selected townships in the first Myanmar national oral health survey. Clinical oral examinations and questionnaire-based surveys were conducted from December 2016 to January 2017. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth was 85.3% with a mean dmft of 5.7 at age 6 years. The prevalence of dental caries in permanent teeth and mean DMFT were 36.5% and 0.8 at 12 years, 43.8% and 1.1 at 15-18 years, 64.7% and 3.0 at 35-44 years, and 93.6% and 11.5 at 60-74 years. Missing teeth were higher in 60-74-year-olds, with 27 participants being fully edentulous. There were significant differences in caries experiences between males and females aged 15-18, 35-44 and 60-74 years. In the adjusted logistic regression, consumption of sweets or candies three times or more a day showed significantly higher risks of dental caries in primary teeth. Age, gender, consumption of sweets or candies and consumption of sweet drinks were associated factors for dental caries in permanent teeth. CONCLUSION: The findings from the first national oral health survey indicate that caries in primary teeth is an important oral health problem for Myanmar children. Tooth loss was also found to be a concern in the aging population. National oral health policies and strategies need to be developed to promote awareness and understanding of oral health, in particular the role of risk factors such as sugary foods and drinks in tooth decay in children and adults.

Clinical and Microbial Evaluation of Dental Caries Status and Associated Factors Among Primary Schoolchildren in Myanmar: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of dental caries on primary teeth and to evaluate the cariogenic bacteria in dental plaque and saliva among Myanmar schoolchildren. A cross-sectional study was undertaken among 264 schoolchildren from three primary schools in the urban area of Yangon city in 2019. Clinical oral examinations, caries risk tests, and questionnaire surveys were conducted. Overall caries prevalence was 84.1% with a mean decayed, missing, filled primary teeth (dmft) count of 5.84 ± 4.57. Children's caries experience and debris scores were significantly associated with their bacteria score level. Father's occupation was significantly associated with caries prevalence (P = .024) and dmft (P = .021). Father's occupation, snack types, habit of eating sweet food combinations, drink types, and debris score were five significant predictors of dental caries in our study. Dental caries is currently a public health problem among Myanmar children. Caries experience and oral hygiene status were strongly influenced by cariogenic bacteria.

Anti-caries and Anti-microbial Effects of School-based Fluoride Programs in Myanmar Schoolchildren.

PURPOSE: To investigate the anti-caries effects of the school-based fluoride varnish (FV) application at 3-month intervals and ?weekly fluoride mouthrins?ing? (FMR) ?on primary teeth and to evaluate the anti-microbial effects of FV or FMR on cariogenic bacteria among Myanmar children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 6-month interventional study was conducted on 234 schoolchildren who were divided into three groups: group A received FV application at 3-month intervals, group B received weekly FMR,? and group C received no fluoride application. A clinical oral examination and caries risk tests were performed at baseline and the 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Caries prevalence and ?the debris score did not change statistically significantly from baseline to the 6-month follow-up in all groups, whereas the dmfs score statistically significantly increased in group C (p = 0.001). The plaque and saliva scores of Dentocult SM statistically significantly decreased in group A (p = 0.049 and p = 0.006), but those scores statistically significantly increased in group C (p = 0.001 and p = 0.014) after six months. On the other hand, no statistically significant changes were observed in group B. Although the Cariostat scores decreased from baseline to the 6-month follow-up in group A and group B, but increased in group C, no statistically significant differences were observed in any of the groups. CONCLUSION: Better anti-microbial effects were obtained for children who received FV application than for those who received FMR, but no statistically significant difference existed between the anti-caries effects of these two approaches.

Effects of oral health education in Myanmar preschool children and guardians.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of oral health education on preschool children's oral health status and habits, and their guardian's oral health knowledge. METHODS: A 1-year interventional study was conducted for 201 preschool children from January 2016 to January 2017. A questionnaire survey and clinical oral examination were performed at baseline and at 1-year follow up. A 30-min oral health education session was given to children and their teachers and guardians separately by a dentist every 6 months. The impact of health education was evaluated by assessing the changes in guardians' questionnaires and children's oral health status during the 1-year period. RESULTS: The mean oral health knowledge scores of guardians significantly increased from 8.0 ± 2.0 at baseline to 9.0 ± 2.5 at 1-year follow up (P < .001). Most oral health habits, except drinking water after eating, significantly improved at 1-year follow up. Significant decreases in debris score (P = .008) and gingival score (P < .001) were found. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive oral health education was shown to improve guardians' knowledge of oral hygiene, and oral health habits and status of their children. It is necessary to adopt a comprehensive oral health-promotion program involving oral health-care professionals, parents, and teachers.