Impact of Demographic Factors, Obesity, and Oral Health Status on Self-esteem among School-going Children in United Arab Emirates: A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine if oral health, obesity, and demographic factors have an impact on self-esteem among school-going children in United Arab Emirates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten schools (six private and four public) were selected using random digit table. Decayed, missing, and filled teeth index according to the World Health Organization criteria was used to assess dental caries. Obesity was measured by body mass index (BMI = weight [kg]/height [m2]). Data related to demographic details and toothbrushing were collected and entered into assessment forms. The mental well-being was assessed using Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. RESULTS: Self-esteem score was 19.8 (standard deviation [SD], ±3.8) mean, and ranged from 19.1 to 20.5. The presence or absence of dental caries or their body shape (obesity/overweight/normal weight) had no impact on the self-esteem scores. Of the participants, 93% brushed daily, whereas the brushing frequency was significantly greater in female children (98%) (P < 0.001) and children with higher self-esteem scores (P = 0.066). The self-esteem scores of school children was positively associated with age as elder children had higher scores (P = 0.001). Children of Indian origin had lower self-esteem (P = 0.004). BMI was negatively associated (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale scores were found to be lower in young children and Indian children. The child's obesity and dental caries status had no significant influence on their self-esteem. High self-esteem in older children can be linked with increased toothbrushing frequency.

Detection of Fusobacterium in oral and head and neck cancer samples: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: This systematic review aimed to analyse: a) the presence and the abundance of Fusobacterium; b) the Fusobacterium species most often found, and c) the most common methods used for their identification in oral/head and neck cancer samples. DESIGN: A protocol was registered on PROSPERO database. This review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Literature search was performed on five electronic biomedical databases, namely Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane from their start dates to 30 August 2018. Two reviewers independently assessed the eligibility for inclusion; extracted the data; and evaluated the risk of bias. RESULTS: From 118 unique abstract records, 88 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 17 publications were included in this review. Meta-analysis showed an increased prevalence of 6 % (95 % CI, 3-9) of Fusobacterium in tumour lesions than in non-tumour lesions (Fusobacterium prevalence of 16 % in tumour lesions and of 10 % in non-tumour lesions), and a 2.93 higher chance of Fusobacterium being present in tumour lesions (95 % CI, 1.47-5.81). The most common detection methods were based on molecular evidence (64.70 %) (95 % CI, 37.7-84.7). F. nucleatum was the most prevalent species (47.06 %) (95 % CI, 23.5-72). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Fusobacterium is present and in higher abundance in oral/head and neck cancer samples when compared to non-cancer samples, suggesting that Fusobacterium may contribute to oral/head and neck cancer development.

A core curriculum in the biological and biomedical sciences for dentistry.

INTRODUCTION: The biomedical sciences (BMS) are a central part of the dental curriculum that underpins teaching and clinical practice in all areas of dentistry. Although some specialist groups have proposed curricula in their particular topic areas, there is currently no overarching view of what should be included in a BMS curriculum for undergraduate dental programmes. To address this, the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE) convened a Special Interest Group (SIG) with representatives from across Europe to develop a consensus BMS curriculum for dental programmes. CURRICULUM: This paper summarises the outcome of the deliberations of this SIG and details a consensus view from the SIG of what a BMS curriculum should include. CONCLUSIONS: Given the broad nature of BMS applied to dentistry, this curriculum framework is advisory and seeks to provide programme planners with an indicative list of topics which can be mapped to specific learning objectives within their own curricula. As dentistry becomes increasingly specialised, these will change, or some elements of the undergraduate curriculum may move to the post-graduate setting. So, this document should be seen as a beginning and it will need regular review as BMS curricula in dentistry evolve.

Evaluating the risk factors that link obesity and dental caries in 11-17-year-old school going children in the United Arab Emirates.

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to study the effect of obesity on dental caries among schoolchildren in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample comprised 803, 11-17-year-old schoolchildren. The study was in the form of a randomized cross-sectional manner. Method used was two questioners. The first assessed socioeconomic and general health and the second detailed their demographic, oral hygiene, and dietary habits. Dental examination included dental caries assessment using the World Health Organization 1997 criteria and gingival health valuation. Clinical examination consisted of height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Data analysis was done by descriptive, univariate, and multiple regressions. RESULTS: In this sample, 75% had dental caries and the mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) was 3.19 (standard deviation: 2.9). Obesity was seen in 15% of the adolescents and the mean BMI was 21. The link between DMFT and BMI, when evaluated using univariate analysis, showed a significant correlation (r = 0.097, P = 0.006), indicating that the rise in BMI by 10 points resulted in an increase in DMFT by 0.57. However, in the multivariate analysis, a significant relationship was observed only between father's education (P < 0.001), adolescent's age (P < 0.001), gender (P = 0.008), ethnicity (P = 0.001), and soft drink consumption with DMFT while BMI showed a significant association with age (P < 0.001), school fees (P = 0.005), obesity in family (P < 0.001), and soft drink consumption (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity and dental caries were not significantly associated. The most important predictor for obesity and dental caries was soft drink consumption.

The relationship between childhood body weight and dental caries experience: an umbrella systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and dental caries are global public health problems which can impact in childhood and throughout the life course. In simple terms, childhood dental caries and body weight are linked via the common risk factor of diet. An association between dental caries and obesity has been described in a number of studies and reviews. However, similarly, a relationship has also been noted between low body weight and caries experience in children. This protocol will provide the framework for an umbrella review to address the following question: Does the available evidence support a relationship between dental caries experience and body weight in the child population? METHODS: This review protocol outlines the process to carry out an umbrella systematic review which will synthesise previous reviews of childhood dental caries experience and body weight. An umbrella review methodology will be used to examine the methodological and reporting quality of existing reviews. DISCUSSION: The final umbrella review aims to aggregate the available evidence in order to provide a summary for policymakers and to inform healthcare interventions. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42016047304.

The timing of mandibular tooth formation in two African groups.

BACKGROUND: Ethnic differences in the timing of human tooth development are unclear. AIM: To describe similarities and differences in the timing of tooth formation in two groups of Sudanese children and young adults. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of healthy individuals from Khartoum, Sudan, aged 2-23 years. The Northern group was of Arab origin (848 males, 802 females) and the Western group was of African origin (846 males, 402 females). Each mandibular left permanent tooth from first incisor to third molar was assessed from dental radiographs into one of 15 development stages. Mean ages at entry for 306 tooth stages were calculated using probit regression in males/females in each group and compared using a t-test. RESULTS: Mean ages were not significantly different in most tooth stage comparisons between ethnic groups for both males (61/75) and females (56/76), despite a tendency of earlier mean ages in the Western group. Mean ages for most tooth stage comparisons between males and females (137/155) were not significantly different within ethnic groups suggesting low sexual dimorphism. CONCLUSION: The mean ages of most mandibular tooth formation stages were generally not significantly different between ethnic groups or between males and females in this study.

An in vitro scanning microradiography study of the reduction in hydroxyapatite demineralization rate by statherin-like peptides as a function of increasing N-terminal length.

Enamel demineralization is slowed by salivary proteins that inhibit calcium hydroxyapatite (HA) demineralization. Statherin (StN43), a 43-residue phosphorylated salivary protein with primary sequence similarities to osteopontin and caseins, binds calcium and HA. The aim of this study was to identify the minimum length of the functional domain of the statherin molecule required for cariostatic function by measuring the efficacy of peptides of progressively shorter length (i.e. containing only the N-terminal 21 (StN21), 15 (StN15), 10 (StN10), or 5 (StN5) residues) to reduce HA demineralization rates (RD(HA) ). Porous HA blocks were used as enamel analogues, and were exposed to 0.1 M acetic acid at pH 4 for 120 h, rinsed, and treated with StN21, StN15, StN10, or StN5 peptides (1.88 × 10(-5) M) for 24 h, then demineralized for a further 120 h. The RD(HA) was measured, before and after peptide treatment, using scanning microradiography. Hydroxyapatite blocks treated with StN21 and StN15 demonstrated a 50-60% reduction in the RD(HA) . However, no reduction in the RD(HA) was observed following treatment with either StN10, StN5, or buffer only. The mechanism by which statherin-like peptides reduce RD(HA) may be associated with their binding to HA surfaces. Comparisons with previously published binding energies of statherin to HA also suggest that statherin-like peptides containing 15 N-terminal residues or more, are required for binding, suggesting a link between binding and demineralization reduction.

The influence of proteins on demineralization kinetics of hydroxyapatite aggregates.

Salivary proteins influence the biomineralization of hydroxyapatite (HAp) within enamel. Their effect on the crystal growth has been extensively studied, but, their effect on demineralization kinetics is less well investigated. In this study bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as a model protein to measure its effect on demineralization kinetics of hydroxyapatite aggregates using scanning microradiography (SMR). HAp aggregates (8 and 20% porous) were cut into 5 x 5 x 2 mm blocks. SMR cells were prepared containing hydroxyapatite blocks. BSA was added to demineralising solutions (0.1 mol L(-1) acetic acid, buffered to pH 4.0; degree of saturation zero and 0.062 respectively) at a concentration range 0.76-75.8 micromol L(-1). Demineralising solution without added BSA was used as a control. The demineralising solutions were circulated past the samples at 0.4 mL min(-1). SMR was used to measure the rate of mineral loss (RML(HAp)) at 14 points in each sample repeatedly for 3 weeks. The results show that BSA increases or decreases the RML(HAp) depending on; BSA concentration, HAp porosity, and the degree of saturation of the demineralising solution. It is suggested that BSA influences demineralization kinetics of HAp either by modifying solution properties, or, by affecting the surface energy of hydroxyapatite.

Diffusive transport within dentinal tubules: an X-ray microtomographic study.

The hydrodynamic theory of dentine hypersensitivity proposes that external stimuli cause dentinal fluid movement within dentinal tubules thereby triggering mechanosensitive nerves and eliciting a pain response. The aim of this study was to employ X-ray microtomography (XMT) to monitor diffusion of caesium acetate through dentine to investigate the extent to which transport occurs within the primary tubules compared to that through branched microtubules believed to run perpendicular to the direction of the primary dentinal tubules. 2.0-mm thick coronal dentine disks masked to leave half of the upper surface exposed were imaged by XMT, initially in water, which was then replaced with an aqueous solution of 0.50 mol l(-1) caesium acetate. Further XMT images were acquired after 1 and 6 days immersion. The XMT images were used to measure the change in the X-ray linear attenuation coefficient resulting from caesium acetate ingress into dentine. There was clearly considerable ingress of caesium acetate into the dentine lying below the exposed surface, but considerably less beneath the sealed surface, suggesting that diffusive transport occurs predominantly in the direction of the primary dentinal tubules, with no significant lateral transport. Primary tubules are clearly the dominant transmission route for triggering the mechanosensitive nerves present at the dentine-pulp interface, and for delivery of nerve desensitising agents.

Children's dental health: British expatriate residents in Tokyo, Japan.

AIM: To identify in expatriate British parents resident in Tokyo, Japan, their levels of dental health knowledge, patterns of dental health behaviour, and caries status of their children compared to Japanese children. METHODS: 223 parents with children at one school were asked to complete a structured questionnaire. Data were collected on: parental knowledge and behaviours with respect to caries prevention, and sweet consumption of the children. The caries status of the children was established by a clinical examination, using standard criteria. RESULTS: The questionnaire response rate was 66.8%. The mean age of the children was 7.6 years (range 3-11 years). The responses related to 51 British, 21 Japanese, and 20 children who had British and Japanese mixed parents. 33% of British and none of Japanese children had sweet foods frequently. Fluoridated toothpaste was used by 67% of British and 10% of Japanese children. British parents knew about dental caries more than Japanese. 13% of British and 38% of Japanese children were found in the higher caries experience group. CONCLUSION: Parental access to information in the UK and to fluoridated toothpaste in Japan could have helped to prevent dental caries in these expatriate British children.