A multi-centric, single-blinded, randomized, parallel-group study to evaluate the effectiveness of nasoalveolar moulding treatment in non-syndromic patients with complete unilateral cleft lip, alveolus and palate (NAMUC study): a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cleft lip and palate (CLP) are among the most common congenital anomaly that affects up to 33,000 newborns in India every year. Nasoalveolar moulding (NAM) is a non-surgical treatment performed between 0 and 6 months of age to reduce the cleft and improve nasal aesthetics prior to lip surgery. The NAM treatment has been a controversial treatment option with 51% of the cleft teams in Europe, 37% of teams in the USA and 25 of cleft teams in India adopting this methodology. This treatment adds to the already existing high burden of care for these patients. Furthermore, the supporting evidence for this technique is limited with no high-quality long-term clinical trials available on the effectiveness of this treatment. METHOD: The NAMUC study is an investigator-initiated, multi-centre, single-blinded randomized controlled trial with a parallel group design. The study will compare the effectiveness of NAM treatment provided prior to lip surgery against the no-treatment control group in 274 patients with non-syndromic unilateral complete cleft lip and palate. The primary endpoint of the trial is the nasolabial aesthetics measured using the Asher McDade index at 5 years of age. The secondary outcomes include dentofacial development, speech, hearing, cost-effectiveness, quality of life, patient perception, feeding and intangible benefits. Randomization will be carried out via central online system and stratified based on cleft width, birth weight and clinical trial site. DISCUSSION: We expect the results from this study on the effectiveness of treatment with NAM appliance in the long term along with the cost-effectiveness evaluation can eliminate the dilemma and differences in clinical care across the globe. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov CTRI/2022/11/047426 (Clinical Trials Registry India). Registered on 18 November 2022. The first patient was recruited on 11 December 2022. CTR India does not pick up on Google search with just the trial number. The following steps have to be carried out to pick up. How to search: ( https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/advsearch.php -use the search boxes by entering the following details: Interventional trial > November 2022 > NAMUC).

The value-for money of preventing and managing periodontitis: Opportunities and challenges.

This article gives an overview of the societal and economic aspects of periodontitis and periodontal care. Despite its largely preventable nature, periodontitis is highly prevalent worldwide and imposes a substantial health and economic burden on individuals and society as a whole. The worldwide estimated direct treatment costs and productivity losses due to periodontitis (including for periodontitis-related tooth loss) amounted to US$ 186 billion and US$ 142 billion in 2019, respectively. The burden of periodontitis is particularly evident in low and disadvantaged populations. Smoking, dietary habits, and presence of systemic diseases along with social and commercial determinants are considered as risk factors for the periodontal diseases. The cost-effectiveness of preventing and managing periodontitis has been explored in several studies but it has been highlighted that there is scope for improvement in defining the methodology and quality of reporting of such studies. A recent report by The Economist Intelligence Unit examined the cost-effectiveness of interventions to prevent and manage periodontal diseases, suggesting that prevention of periodontitis through prevention of gingivitis by means of individual home care would be more cost-efficient than four other examined approaches. Future research in this field is recommended to further decipher the economic burden of periodontitis to society and to assess the value for money of alternative approaches to address periodontitis with particular emphasis on public health preventive strategies and intersectoral care approaches that address the common risk factors of periodontitis and other non-communicable diseases simultaneously.

A mixed methods evaluation of the effectiveness of an oral health training program for disability care workers in Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: While efforts to improve the oral health of vulnerable populations have received little attention in general, the situation of children with disabilities in low- income countries (LICs) remains especially challenging. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of an oral health training provided to disability care workers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso thereby contributing to closing the knowledge gap in disability research in relation to oral health in LICs. METHODS: This was a single-arm pre-post study following an embedded mixed methods design using the New World Kirkpatrick training effectiveness evaluation model. For the purposes of this study, three levels of the Kirkpatrick (KP) evaluation were considered: reaction, learning and behaviour. RESULTS: A total of 44 care workers from 6 disability centres participated in the study. Care worker post-training scores (Md = 17) were significantly higher compared to pre-training scores (Md = 13) [Wilcoxon signed-ranks test: Z= -5.53, p < .001, r = .59.] The median value for care worker confidence in applying training material in their everyday job was 7 out of 10 points (IQR = 3). At the 1-month training follow-up, 3 centres had implemented daily toothbrushing for people with disabilities. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that tailored training led to an increase in care worker confidence and motivation to implement oral health activities, in knowledge about oral health and a partial implementation uptake of daily toothbrushing in disability centres. Further long-term evaluations with dental care provision in rural and urban settings are needed to lower the high oral disease burden of people with disabilities in Burkina Faso.

Effect of retirement on self-rated oral health and dental services use: longitudinal fixed-effects instrumental variable study in 31 countries.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effect of retirement on self-rated oral health and dental services use. METHODS: Covering 31 countries, we used harmonized panel data from the English Longitudinal Study on Aging (ELSA), Health and Retirement Study (HRS), and the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Data comprised 485 085 observations from 112 240 individuals aged ≥50 years. Official and early retirement ages were leveraged as instruments in a fixed-effects instrumental variable approach. RESULTS: We found that retirement exhibited a negative effect on self-rated oral health (ß = -0.37; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.44- -0.30) and a positive effect on the propensity to seek dental care (ß = 0.56; 95% CI 0.53-0.60). Male retirees showed a stronger decrease in self-rated oral health and increase in dental services use than female retirees. Participants who previously worked in a physically demanding job showed a stronger effect on self-rated oral health. Conversely, participants without a physically demanding job in the past exhibited a stronger retirement effect on dental service use. Compared with other health system clusters, retirement effects on dental services use were stronger in three health system clusters: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and Sweden; Israel; and the United States. CONCLUSIONS: Using a quasi-experimental design, we found that transition to retirement lowers self-rated oral health and increases the use of dental services. Retirement effects appeared heterogeneous across sexes, type of previous labor, and health systems.

Evaluation of a Digital Decision Support System to Integrate Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontitis Care: Case-Vignette Study in Simulated Environments.

BACKGROUND: As highlighted by the recent World Health Organization Oral Health Resolution, there is an urgent need to better integrate primary and oral health care. Despite evidence and guidelines substantiating the relevance of integrating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontitis care, the fragmentation of primary and oral health care persists. OBJECTIVE: This paper reports on the evaluation of a prototype digital decision support system (DSS) that was developed to enhance the integration of T2DM and periodontitis care. METHODS: The effects of the prototype DSS were assessed in web-based simulated environments, using 2 different sets of case vignettes in combination with evaluation surveys among 202 general dental practitioners (GDPs) and 206 general practitioners (GPs). Each participant evaluated 3 vignettes, one of which, chosen at random, was assisted by the DSS. Logistic regression analyses were conducted at the participant and case levels. RESULTS: Under DSS assistance, GPs had 8.3 (95% CI 4.32-16.03) times higher odds of recommending a GDP visit. There was no significant impact of DSS assistance on GP advice about common risk factors for T2DM and periodontal disease. GDPs had 4.3 (95% CI 2.08-9.04) times higher odds of recommending a GP visit, 1.6 (95% CI 1.03-2.33) times higher odds of giving advice on disease correlations, and 3.2 (95% CI 1.63-6.35) times higher odds of asking patients about their glycated hemoglobin value. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study provide a proof of concept for a digital DSS to integrate T2DM and periodontal care. Future updating and testing is warranted to continuously enhance the functionalities of the DSS in terms of interoperability with various types of data sources and diagnostic devices; incorporation of other (oral) health dimensions; application in various settings, including via telemedicine; and further customization of end-user interfaces.

Effect of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation on sugars intake and dental caries: an umbrella review of a global perspective.

BACKGROUND: As part of the Global Strategy on Oral health, the World Health Organization (WHO) is exploring cost-effective interventions for oral health, including taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). To inform this process, this umbrella review aimed to identify the best available estimates pertaining to the impact of SSB taxation on the reduction of sugars intake, and the sugars-caries dose-response, such that estimates of the impact of SSB taxation on averting dental caries in both high (HIC) and low and middle (LMIC) countries be available. METHODS: The questions addressed were: (1) what are the effects of SSB taxation on consumption of SSBs and (2) sugars? (3) What is the effect on caries of decreasing sugars? and (4) what is the likely impact of a 20% volumetric SSB tax on the number of active caries prevented over 10 years? Data sources included PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, Cochrane Library, Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Systematic Review Register, and PROSPERO. The review was conducted with reference to JBI guidelines. The quality of included systematic reviews was assessed using AMSTAR to identify best evidence. RESULTS: From 419 systematic reviews identified for questions 1 & 2, and 103 for question 3, 48 (Questions 1 & 2) and 21 (Question 3) underwent full text screening, yielding 14 and five included reviews respectively. Best available data indicated a 10% tax would reduce SSB intake by 10.0% (95% CI: -5.0, 14.7%) in HIC and by 9% (range -6.0 to 12.0%) in LMIC, and that a 20% tax would reduce free sugars intake on average by 4.0 g/d in LMIC and 4.4 g/d in HIC. Based on best available dose response data, this could reduce the number of teeth with caries per adults (HIC and LMIC) by 0.03 and caries occurrence in children by 2.7% (LMIC) and 2.9% (HIC), over a 10-year period. CONCLUSION: Best available data suggest a 20% volumetric SSB tax would have a modest impact on prevalence and severity of dental caries in both HIC and LMIC.

What do we know about uncommon complications associated with third molar extractions? A scoping review of case reports and case series.

The current study aimed to explore the types and frequencies of uncommon complications associated with third molar extractions based on a scoping review of case reports and case series. The study used an electronic literature search based on PubMed and Embase up to March 31, 2020, with an update performed on October 22, 2021. Any case reports and case series that reported complications associated with third molar extractions were included. The types of complications were grouped and the main symptoms of each type of complication were summarized. A total of 51 types of uncommon complications were identified in 248 patients from 186 studies. Most types of complications were post-operative. In the craniofacial and cervical regions, the most frequent complications included iatrogenic displacement of the molars or root fragments in the craniofacial area, late mandibular fracture, and subcutaneous emphysema. In other regions, the most frequent complications include pneumomediastinum, pneumorrhachis, pneumothorax, and pneumopericardium. Of the patients, 37 patients had life-threatening uncommon complications and 20 patients had long-term/irreversible uncommon complications associated with third molar extractions. In conclusion, a variety of uncommon complications associated with third molar extractions were identified. Most complications occurred in the craniofacial and cervical regions and were mild and transient.

Effect of Socioeconomic Status on Teeth and Dental Care - Evidence from a Population-based Study in Indonesia.

PURPOSE: Education is well-known as a determinant of oral health and dental behaviours in high-income countries, but much less is known for countries with lower incomes. This study aimed to identify the extent to which education affects oral health and dental behaviours in Indonesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used data from the Indonesian Basic Health Survey 2013. From this nationally representative sample of 945,057 people 5-100 years old, a series of mixed-effects Poisson regression models that accounted for sampling weights estimated the effect of educational attainment on edentulism, dental care utilisation, and toothbrushing behaviour. RESULTS: Consistent educational gradients were found for all outcomes and across all model specifications. People without a formal educational degree had a 1.03 (95% CI: 1.03-1.04) times higher risk of not utilising any dental care, a 3.15 (95% CI: 2.47-4.02) times higher risk of being edentulous, and a 15.6 (95% CI: 12.76-19.02) times higher risk of having low toothbrushing frequency than people having a university degree or higher. CONCLUSIONS: Stark and consistent educational gradients were observed in the dentate status, dental services utilisation, and toothbrushing in Indonesia. Educational inequalities were much larger for toothbrushing behaviours than for dental care utilisation. Intervention points for health policy should urgently prioritise public health interventions to promote overall educational attainment, preventive services, and dental care targeted at those with lower educational attainment.

Do Norwegian private dental practitioners with too few patients compensate for their loss of income by providing more services or by raising their fees?

OBJECTIVE: In Norway, supply of dental services exceeds demand, mainly because of the marked improvement in dental health during the last few decades. The aim of the study was to investigate whether private dental practitioners counteract a fall in demand for their services by providing more services or by raising their fees. METHODS: The data were collected using a questionnaire that was sent to all private dental practitioners in Norway. Altogether 1237 practitioners responded, which gave a response rate of 56%. Our sample was representative of the population of practitioners in Norway. As a measure of patient supply, responses from the following questions were used: 'Based on an overall assessment of economy, workload and other personal factors, is the number of regular patients adequate? If not, do you wish to have more patients, or fewer patients?' The outcome variables were dental fees, length of recall interval and mean cost per visit. The data were analysed using ordinary least square regression and a linear probability model. The following characteristics of the private dental practitioners were included as control variables: age, gender, work experience in years and whether they worked in a solo practice. To test the robustness of the findings, a supplementary analysis with the patient as the unit of analysis was carried out, using survey data of Norwegians aged 20 years and older. Based on this survey, the relationship between population: dentist ratio and mean cost per dental visit were examined. RESULTS: Nearly 40% of all practitioners reported that they had too few patients. They compensated for their loss of income by raising their fees, by recalling their patients more often and by increasing the cost per visit. The finding in the supplementary analysis using survey data from patients was similar to the findings in the main analyses using survey data from private dental practitioners. CONCLUSION: The findings show that practitioners have market power. They were able to counteract a fall in demand for their services by providing more services and by raising their fees. The dental profession should be encouraged to provide appropriate services, in the present situation where supply exceeds demand.

Affordability of essential medicines: The case of fluoride toothpaste in 78 countries.

BACKGROUND: Fluoride toothpaste (FT) has recently been included in the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. Whereas it is essential for preventing dental caries, its current affordability around the globe remains unclear. This study aimed to analyse the affordability of FT in as many as possible countries worldwide, to capture the extent of variations in FT affordability between high-, middle- and low-income countries. METHODS: A standardized protocol was developed to collect country-specific information about the characteristics of the cheapest available FT at a regular point of purchase. 82 members of the WHO Global Oral Health Network of Chief Dental Officers (CDOs), directors of WHO Collaborative Centres and other oral health experts collected data using mobile phone technology. In line with established methodologies to assess affordability, the Fluoride Toothpaste Affordability Ratio (FTAR) was calculated as the expenditure associated with the recommended annual consumption of FT relative to the daily wage of the lowest-paid unskilled government worker (FTAR >1 = unaffordable spending on fluoride toothpaste). RESULTS: There are significant differences in the affordability of FT across 78 countries. FT was strongly affordable in high-income countries, relatively affordable in upper middle-income countries, and strongly unaffordable in lower middle-income and low-income countries. The affordability of FT across WHO Regions was dependent upon the economic mix of WHO Regions' member states. CONCLUSION: FT is still unaffordable for many people, particularly in low-income settings. Strategies to improve the universal affordability of FT should be part of health policy decisions in order to contribute to reducing dental caries as a global public health problem.

Engaging patients to develop a customized digital health companion for periodontitis: Study protocol.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting in the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues. It affects billions of people around the globe and substantiates an enormous economic burden to society. Digital tools such as mobile Health (mHealth) applications have the potential to increase patient engagement, knowledge about the disease, and adherence to treatment recommendations. Digital health companions represent a new kind of digital tool aiming to support patients throughout their course of periodontal care. This paper presents the study protocol of the Paro-ComPas project which aims to co-develop and evaluate a digital patient companion application ("app") to empower patients along their journey with periodontitis. As a first step, a qualitative study design encompassing semi-structured interviews with patients and experts as well as focus group discussions (FGD) will be used. Patients in different stages of periodontal care will be recruited from dental practices across Germany and are invited to share their experiences and opinions about their care and potential areas for support. Experts from relevant areas (e.g., mHealth, behavior change psychology, oral health, and dental hygiene) will be interviewed to map a holistic view on the current delivery of care and best practices of mHealth development. After setting up a minimal viable product (MVP) based on a requirements analysis, FGDs with patients will take place to incorporate user feedback and finalize the development of the prototypic app. The prototypic app will then be evaluated in a randomized, multi-center clinical trial in comparison with the current standard of care. Finally, a comprehensive implementation roadmap will be developed together with all relevant stakeholders. This comprehensive approach will allow us to map the patient journey and develop a digital health companion tailored to the needs of patients with periodontitis using an already existing indication independent medical companion toolbox. Novel insights into patients' knowledge and perception of periodontal disease as well as barriers in adherence to periodontal care pathways will be provided. This knowledge will be converted in a systematically tailored companion app to serve the needs and preferences of people to better address periodontitis. The results from the clinical trial will provide unique insights into the extent to which the patient companion app contributes to adherence to periodontal care. Although mHealth applications have become popular in recent years, only few apps focusing on promotion of oral health have been released so far. Our study presents a novel and comprehensive approach to both co-developing and evaluating a proof of concept for a digital health companion for patients with periodontitis.

What is the Oral Health-related Quality of Life following Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE)? A prospective clinical cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE) is a non-surgical orthodontic treatment for transverse maxillary deficiency. This study aimed to investigate the Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) and pain perception of patients undergoing MARPE treatment. METHODS: 42 consecutive patients (9 men, 33 women) from the age of 16 onwards (mean: 27.4 ± 9.3 years; range 17.1-55.7 years) who received a MARPE treatment were included. OHRQoL was assessed with the short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire. Patients filled out the questionnaire at baseline (T0) and weekly during the expansion phase (P1) and in the post-expansion phase (P2). Pain intensity was assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) questionnaire and filled out daily during expansion, along with a question on the intake of analgesics. The mean weekly and total OHIP-score and OHIP-score per domain were calculated at T0, P1 and P2, as well as mean weekly and total VAS-scores for average pain, maximum pain and analgesics intake during P1. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to test for differences in OHIP between T0, P1 and P2. The level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: The mean OHIP-score was 10.86 ± 9.71 at T0 and increased to 17.18 ± 10.43 during P1 (p < 0.001), after which it returned to pre-expansion levels, 9.27 ± 7.92 (p = 0.907) during P2. At the domain level, there was a statistically significant increase in OHIP-score at P1 for functional limitation, physical pain, psychological discomfort and social disability. The mean VAS-score for average pain during expansion was 16.00 ± 19.73 mm. Both OHIP-score (25.00 ± 10.25), average pain (33.72 ± 16.88 mm), maximum pain (44.47 ± 17.99 mm) and analgesics intake (59%) were highest at initiation of the expansion and decreased by the end of expansion. CONCLUSIONS: MARPE is a generally well-tolerated expansion treatment. A temporary decline in OHRQoL and moderate pain are present at the start of expansion, followed by a recovery of OHRQoL and very mild pain during the rest of treatment. Clinicians should be aware of the effects of MARPE on patients' quality of life and manage the expected discomfort and impediments with adequate communication and patient education.

Association between Periodontal Treatment and Healthcare Costs in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: A Cohort Study Based on German Claims Data.

There is empirical evidence of an association between periodontitis and coronary heart disease (CHD). However, it is uncertain whether periodontal treatment in CHD patients might lead to reduced healthcare costs. This study aims to assess the association between periodontal treatment and healthcare costs in newly diagnosed CHD patients. Data from 21,263 adults who were continuously insured between 2011 and 2016 and who were newly diagnosed with CHD in 2013 were selected from a German claims database. The study population was differentiated by the utilization of periodontal treatment. The average treatment effect (ATE) of periodontal treatment on healthcare costs (total, inpatient, outpatient, drugs) was investigated using weighted Poisson regression models conditional on covariates and is shown as a ratio (of geometric means). Periodontal treatment was documented for 4.7% of the persons in the study population. Newly diagnosed CHD patients showed an ATE of 0.98 for total healthcare cost (95% CI 0.90-1.06), 0.79 for inpatient costs (95% CI 0.61-1.04), and 0.95 for drug costs (95% CI 0.87-1.04). A statistically significant 7% increase in outpatient costs was shown (95% CI 1.01-1.13). Despite a lack of statistical significance in most cases, the study provides evidence of a meaningful decrease in inpatient costs after periodontal treatment. Further studies are needed.

VALUE-BASED ORAL HEALTH CARE: IMPLEMENTATION LESSONS FROM FOUR CASE STUDIES.

Value-Based Healthcare has gained considerable attention in medicine but relatively little in oral health care so far. Implementation of Value-Based Oral Health Care (VBOHC) is complicated by a multitude of system-level and contextual factors, especially the siloed innovation culture in dentistry which has been evolving separately from the broader medical system. Previous literature has described 4 key limitations to adaptation of value-based health care, that is creating multidisciplinary units, measuring patient-centered outcomes, attributing and communicating costs, and bundling payments. This paper presents 4 case studies on oral health care which provide relevant learnings about addressing challenges when seeking to implement VBOHC: (i) The Nurse Practitioner-Dental (NPD) Model outlines an approach for creating a multi-disciplinary center in monitoring chronic diseases improving healthcare outcomes; (ii) Treatment of Early Childhood Caries displays the utility of quality measures in value measurement and placing patients at the center of their care; (iii) ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers outlines how cost attribution leads to better management and creation of value centers; and (iv) Proposed Payment Model Changes in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery outlines a method to cover all episodic care of this otherwise expensive disease. Despite the challenges of implementing VBOHC, this paper provides insights into its feasibility and actionability.

Effects of provider incentives on dental X-raying in NHS Scotland: what happens if patients switch providers?

BACKGROUND: In many market settings individuals are encouraged to switch health care providers as a means of ensuring more competition. Switching may have a potentially undesirable side effect of increasing unnecessary treatment. Focusing on the most common source of medical radiation (dental X-rays), the purpose of this study was to assess whether, upon switching dentist, X-ray exposure increases depending on the type of provider payment. METHODS: The analysis used longitudinal data from 2005 to 2016 covering a 5% random sample of the Scottish adult population covered by the National Health Service (NHS). Multiple fixed-effects panel regression analyses were employed to determine the correlation of provider remuneration with patients' likelihood of receiving an X-ray upon switching to a new dentist other things equal. A broad set of covariates including a patient's copayment status was controlled for. RESULTS: Upon switching to a dentist who was paid fee-for-service, patients had a by 9.6%-points (95% CI 7.4-11.8%) higher probability of receiving an X-ray, compared to switching to a salaried dentist. Results were robust when accounting for patient exemption status, as well as unobserved patient and dentist characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to staying with the same dentist, patients may be exposed to substantially more X-rays upon switching to a dentist who is paid fee-for-service. There may need to be better guidance and regulation to protect the health of those who have to switch provider due to moving and greater caution in advocating voluntary switching.