Hard drugs use and tooth wear: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to map evidence on the relationship between hard drug use and dental wear. The scoping review is guided by the question: What is the relationship between hard drug consumption and dental wear? MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines, searches were conducted across PubMed, Embase, and four databases in March 2024. Inclusion criteria included studies investigating the association between hard drug use and dental wear, regardless of publication date or language. Data were presented through narrative exposition, tables, and a conceptual framework. RESULTS: Twenty-eight studies (four case-control, three cross-sectional, five case reports, and sixteen literature reviews) were included. Among case-control studies, 75% observed an association between drug use and dental erosion; however, no cross-sectional studies demonstrated this association. Despite questionable quality, reviews established connections between drug use and dental erosion. Studies aimed to elucidate potential causes for dental erosion. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis suggests a potential link between hard drug use and dental wear, though indirect. Factors like bruxism and reduced salivary pH may contribute to dental wear among drug users. Further investigation through primary studies exploring this relationship is necessary. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dentists should focus not only on clinical characteristics of dental wear but also on mediating factors such as bruxism and decreased salivary pH associated with drug use. This holistic approach allows for a deeper understanding of dental wear mechanisms, enabling targeted preventive and therapeutic interventions.

Assessment of patterns and related factors in using social media platforms to access health and oral health information among Sri Lankan adults, with special emphasis on promoting oral health awareness.

BACKGROUND: Social media has evolved beyond its conventional purpose of communication and information sharing to become a potent tool for disseminating health and oral health awareness. This study seeks to assess the patterns and related factors of using social media platforms to access health and oral health information among Sri Lankan adults, with special emphasis to promotion of oral health awareness. METHODS: In March 2023, individuals aged ≥ 18 years residing in Sri Lanka, who are users of social media participated in this electronic questionnaire-based survey. Statistical analyses of the collected data were done using the SPSS version 21 software, with a p-value of < 0.05 set to determine the level of statistical significance. RESULTS: A total of 421 persons participated in this survey. Majority (68.4%) belonged to the age category of 18 to 30 years, and 55.5% were females. WhatsApp (96.8%) was the most frequently used social media platform across all age groups and both genders. Statistically significant differences were identified between genders in the usage of Telegram, Twitter, and Viber within the 18-30 years age category, with a higher percentage of males using these platforms (p ≤ 0.05). Similar significant differences were observed in the 31-40 years age group for WhatsApp and Telegram (p ≤ 0.05). Among 95.4% of online health information seekers, YouTube (74.9%) was the most popular platform. One-quarter of the respondents preferred social media platforms, and 22.3% preferred websites for obtaining oral health information. Furthermore, 74.9% had positive opinions on obtaining oral health information via social media, while only 17% reported pleasant experiences with social media platforms for oral health promotion. In assessing the reliability of oral health information on social media, 48% relied on the quality of the information. The most preferred source of oral health information was short videos from professionals (43.1%). Additionally, 69.5% reported changes in their oral health behaviours after accessing information through social media. CONCLUSION: Social media is a viable platform for promoting public oral health awareness in Sri Lankan; hence, workable strategies need to be employed, to further ensure its effective and wider use in a culturally and socioeconomically diverse country like Sri Lanka.

Embedding patient and public involvement into a doctoral study: developing a point-of-care HIV testing intervention for dental settings.

Introduction: Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) can have a positive impact on research. PPI can make research more meaningful and appropriate as well as preventing research waste. For decades, patient advocates with HIV have played a key part in public health and research. This article presents the PPI activity undertaken during a doctoral study. The aim of this article is to demonstrate how PPI was embedded into a doctoral study that explored the feasibility of HIV testing in dental settings. Methods: Patients and the public were invited to be involved with the feasibility study through various organisations and charities. A comprehensive PPI activity strategy was devised, and appropriate funding was obtained. Patients and the public were predominantly consulted or collaboratively involved with several aspects of the study. Findings: Patients and the public positively contributed to the intervention development and the resources supporting its implementation. As a result, the study resources (i.e., questionnaire and information leaflets) were easier to read, and the intervention was more appropriate to the needs of patients. Furthermore, the training and focus groups conducted with dental patients and people with HIV benefitted from input of people with lived experience. Conclusions: PPI can be embedded within doctoral studies provided there is sufficient funding, flexibility, and supervisory support. However, PPI activity may be impacted by limited resource and a priori research protocol and funding agreements.

Virtual reality-based simulation learning on geriatric oral health care for nursing students: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: There is a great need for training and education in the nursing curriculum to improve nurses' knowledge and skills to provide oral health care. METHODS: A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the use of a virtual reality (VR)-based Oral Health Care Learning System to train geriatric oral health care among nursing students. Fifty undergraduate nursing students were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 25) and control (n = 25) groups. The experimental group received the VR-based simulation training on geriatric oral health care and the training was implemented twice at two weeks apart from March to November 2021. The control group did not receive the training intervention. Knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy of geriatric oral health care as well as the intention to assist oral health care for older adults were assessed at the beginning, second, and fourth weeks. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the effectiveness of the VR-based simulation training. RESULTS: After the first round of training, students in the experimental group had significantly greater improvements in knowledge and self-efficacy of geriatric oral health care than in the control group. After the second round of training, students in the experimental group had significantly greater improvements in knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy of geriatric oral health care as well as the intention to assist oral health care for older adult than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The VR-based simulation training was effective to improve undergraduate nursing students' knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy of geriatric oral health as well as the intention to assist oral health care for older adults. The VR-based simulation learning system is an effective tool to provide practice experiences to build confidence and skills and to bridge the gap of understudied geriatric oral health content in entry-level nursing curricula. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05248542; registration date 21/02/2022).

The oral organ: a new vision of mouth as a whole for a gerophysiological approach to healthy aging.

This article brings a new perspective on oral physiology by presenting the oral organ as an integrated entity within the entire organism and its surrounding environment. Rather than considering the mouth solely as a collection of discrete functions, this novel approach emphasizes its role as a dynamic interphase, supporting interactions between the body and external factors. As a resilient ecosystem, the equilibrium of mouth ecological niches is the result of a large number of interconnected factors including the heterogeneity of different oral structures, diversity of resources, external and internal pressures and biological actors. The manuscript seeks to deepen the understanding of age-related changes within the oral cavity and throughout the organism, aligning with the evolving field of gerophysiology. The strategic position and fundamental function of the mouth make it an invaluable target for early prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and even reversal of aging effects throughout the entire organism. Recognizing the oral cavity capacity for sensory perception, element capture and information processing underscores its vital role in continuous health monitoring. Overall, this integrated understanding of the oral physiology aims at advancing comprehensive approaches to the oral healthcare and promoting broader awareness of its implications on the overall well-being.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Following Root Canal Treatment of First Permanent Molars Among Children. A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of pediatric patients (9-18 years old) who underwent root canal treatment (RCT) on first permanent molars (FPMs). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at three healthcare centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Participants (n = 482) completed the validated OHIP5-Ar questionnaire to assess OHRQoL. Responses were classified as "optimal" (no problems) or "less than optimal" (any reported problems). Logistic regression analyzed the relationship between OHRQoL and sociodemographic factors. Results: There were 66.8% children reported optimal OHRQoL after RCT. Logistic regression showed no significant association between optimal OHRQoL and gender, family income, or location of treated tooth. However, although not statistically significant. Treating only one FPM with RCT (compared to multiple teeth) and lower family income (compared to higher income) were more likely to have decreased or increased odds of optimal OHRQoL (AOR = 0.684 or 1.424; respectively). Conclusion: RCT on FPMs can be a successful treatment option for pediatric patients, offering optimal oral health-related quality of life.

Evaluation of the main disorders and microbiota of the oral cavity of capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella) under human care.

BACKGROUND: Although critical to the overall condition of animals under human care, there is still limited information about oral health in neotropical primates. METHODS: We analyzed the main oral conditions and microbiota using mass spectrometry from 13 capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella) under human care. The findings were registered on odontograms following the Triadan system. RESULTS: The most prevalent conditions were dental fractures (n = 9), mainly enamel fractures, and periodontal disease (n = 8), mainly grade 1 calculi. When exanimating teeth, alterations were identified in 90 out of the 416 evaluated pieces, being periodontal disease the most common (n = 60), followed by enamel fracture (n = 15) and missing teeth (n = 10). In the oral microbiota analyses, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species were the most prevalent, although no obvious association was observed between isolated organisms and oral conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings hold the potential to prevent oral disorders, including fractures and periodontal diseases, contribute to molecular identification of oral microbiota, and to improve the well-being of primates under human care.

Differential effect of social mobility on tooth loss by race in adulthood: 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between social mobility and tooth loss in adults from the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study and whether race modifies this association. METHODS: The Oral Health Study used data from 541 individuals who were followed up to 31 years of age. Social mobility, composed of the participants' socioeconomic position (SEP) at birth and at age 30, was categorized as never poor, upwardly mobile, downwardly mobile and always poor. The outcome was the prevalence of at least one tooth lost due to dental caries when the participants were examined at 31 years of age. The effect modifier was race (Black/Brown versus white people). Log-binomial regression models were used to estimate crude and sex-adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) and to determine whether the association varied with race. Statistical interactions were tested using an additive scale. RESULTS: The prevalence of any tooth loss was 50.8% (n = 274). In social mobility groups, the prevalence of at least one tooth lost in the never-poor group was about 31% points higher for Black/Brown (68.2%) than for white people (37.4%). Antagonistic findings were found for the interaction between race and social mobility (Sinergy Index = 0.48; 95% CI 0.24, 0.99; and relative excess of risk due to the interaction = -1.38; 95% CI -2.34, -0.42), suggesting that the observed joint effect of race and social mobility on tooth loss was lower than the expected sum of these factors. The estimates for Black/Brown people were smaller for those who were always poor during their lives, relative to their white counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest a higher prevalence of at least one tooth lost among people in the downward mobile SEP group and Black/Brown people. Greater racial inequity was found among Black/Brown people who had never experienced episodes of poverty, with Black/Brown people having a greater prevalence of at least one tooth lost than their white counterparts.

Dental service use among adults with incident type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVES: It is not clear if or how the incidence of systemic conditions like type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects dental service utilization. Using nationwide Danish register data, the aim of this study was to analyse the use of dental services 7 years before and after being diagnosed with DM2, RA or IBD between 1997 and 2011. METHODS: Information about incident DM2 was obtained from the National Diabetes Register, and incident RA and IBD were defined based on diagnosis codes of hospital contacts identified through the National Patient Register. Separately, for each of the three conditions, each individual with the incident condition was matched to one control individual based on age, gender, country of origin, municipality of residence, highest completed education, the main source of income and income using coarsened exact matching in the year of incidence. The use of dental services and treatments received within each calendar year from 7 years before to 7 years after getting the condition were analysed with generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: People with incident DM2 were less likely (by seven percentage points) to be dental service users within a year than people without incident DM2 for a period extending from up to 7 years prior to 7 years after the diagnosis. This difference even slightly increased after the diagnosis. Those with incident IBD exhibited a consistently but modestly higher proportion of dental service use (three percentage points) than those without incident IBD before and after the diagnosis. Differences in the use of services between those with or without incident RA were minor. For all three systemic diseases, detected differences mainly mirrored differences in the provision of supragingival scaling and restorative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the impact of these three systemic conditions on dental service use was minor.

Evaluation of oral health, taste perception, nutritional status and emotional well-being in post-menopausal women.

BACKGROUND: In postmenopausal women (PMW), vasomotor symptoms, emotional oscillations and sleep disturbances can affect physiological and psychological functioning. However, the effect of menopause on oral health-related parameters is not been thoroughly studied. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate oral health, taste perception, eating habits, nutritional status and emotional well-being in PMW compared with a group of young and healthy pre-menopausal women (PrMW). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two groups (Group I: PMW and Group II: PrMW) with 30 participants each, participated in the cross-sectional study. The study proforma contained measures of oral health, taste perception, nutritional status and anxiety levels of the women in both groups using validated and previously used tools were designed and implemented. The data were analysed with student t, Mann-Whitney U, and chi-squared tests to evaluate the differences between the two groups. RESULTS: The cross-sectional study indicates no major differences in oral health, taste perception, nutritional and emotional status between PMW and PrMW. Nonetheless, there was a significant difference in perception of 'front teeth lengthening in size' and change in hot and cold sensations between the groups. Furthermore, the study group with PMW tends to have fewer natural teeth than the reference group. CONCLUSION: Overall, menopause does not appear to affect oral health, taste perception, nutrition or emotional health. It is suggested that oral health and taste perception, as well as nutritional and emotional status, are associated with gradual aging processes that may or may not be affected by menopause.

Oral Health and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Elderly People in Iran.

Background: The study aimed to investigate oral health status and its relationship with oral health-related quality of life in the elderly in Isfahan, Iran, in 2022. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Isfahan, with 460 elderly participants. During interviews with the participants, their demographic information, their medical and dental history, oral health-related behaviors, self-perceived oral health, and clinical examinations were collected, and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) was completed. The final conclusions were made using the Generalized Linear Model (GLM) test. Results: The mean (sd) scores were 45.05 (8.62) for GOHAI, 5.44 (2.96) for self-perceived oral health, and 18.11 (5.76) for DMFT (Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth). Moreover, the number of remaining teeth on average was 11.78 (11.89), 39.56% of the participants did not brush their teeth, 40% of the elderly had complete dentures, and 27.17% had dental insurance. After adjusting and modifying the variables, the GLM test revealed that strong predictors for higher GOHAI scores were the higher levels of education (p < .001), the higher frequency of remaining teeth (p = 0.002), more pleasant self-perceived oral health (p < .001), and dental insurance (p = 0.04). Conclusions: According to the findings, the elderly's oral health-related quality of life in Isfahan was low, which was caused by the following factors: edentulism, few numbers of remaining teeth, high DMFT score, elderly' non-adjustment with dentures and their low quality, inappropriate oral health-related behaviors, lack of complementary insurance for dentistry, and non-using dental services, and low levels of education.

A 12-year follow up of principles learned in a pediatric dentistry Master of Public Health dual degree program applied to professional practice.

Introduction: Dental public health professionals play a critical role in preventing and controlling oral diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the application of public health principles learned in a pediatric dentistry Master of Public Health (MPH) dual degree program to professional practice upon graduation. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with pediatric dentistry/MPH dual degree alumni who graduated from the program between 2012 and 2023. Interview questions inquired about characteristics of patient population, location of providers' clinic/organization, whether the program was worthwhile to their practice and application of principles learned in the program to their professional practice. Results: Twenty of the 22 program alumni agreed to be interviewed. All alumni thought the program was extremely worthwhile to their practice. They felt the MPH component of the program gave them the public health background and tools they needed to provide comprehensive and holistic care to their patients. Additionally, all alumni reported applying the public health principles they learned in the program to their professional practice through leadership roles, research and teaching that focuses on oral disease prevention and the promotion of dental health. Discussion: Given the importance of a dental public health professionals' role in reducing oral health disparities at the population level, more pediatric dentistry MPH dual degree programs are urgently needed. Additionally, more research is necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of these programs, which will be critical to helping ensure the value of a dual degree in dentistry and public health is recognized and promoted worldwide.

Developing oral health services for people experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage: a case study from Southwest England.

People experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage (SMD) have disproportionately high levels of dental disease and tooth loss but have limited access to dental care. This paper presents an evidence-based case study of co-designing, implementing, evaluating and refining a community dental clinic for people experiencing SMD in the Southwest of England. It shares challenges, lessons, and solutions. Tailored interventions that coordinate flexible and responsive care are important for facilitating dental access for individuals experiencing SMD. Participatory approaches can deliver a range of impacts both on research and service development. No single fixed model of co-design can be applied in service development, and the choice will vary depending on local context, available resources and joint decision making. Through co-design, vulnerable populations such as those with SMD can shape dental services that are more acceptable, appropriate and responsive to their needs. This approach can also ensure long-term sustainability by bridging treatment pathway development and commissioning.

Self-care ability and associated factors in community-dwelling older adults living with oral frailty using the COM-B model.

BACKGROUND: Self-care can improve overall oral health. However, few studies have investigated this in community-dwelling older adults with oral frailty. The Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour (COM-B) model may be an appropriate framework to identify factors that affect self-care ability. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of and factors influencing self-care ability in community-dwelling older adults living with oral frailty, and to analyse the risk factors of low self-care ability. METHODS: Two hundred seventy-five community-dwelling older adults with oral frailty participated in this cross-sectional study from October 2022 to March 2023. Participants underwent evaluations of oral health knowledge and behaviour, oral health literacy, nutritional condition, social support, oral health-related quality of life, self-efficacy and self-care ability using questionnaires. The self-care ability of older adults was assessed using the Chinese version of self-care ability scale for the elderly (SASE). The influencing factors were evaluated by single-factor analysis, correlation analysis and multi-factor analysis. Furthermore, we conducted additional analysis, wherein self-care ability was analysed as a categorical variable. RESULTS: Of the participants, the SASE score was 62.43 ± 7.33, and 73.09% were inadequate at self-care ability. There was a positive correlation between the level of self-care ability and each variable (p < .001). Multiple linear regression showed that health literacy (p < .001), age (p < .001), nutritional condition (p = .001), gender (p = .003), quality of life (p = .014) and self-efficacy (p = .040) were significantly associated with decreased self-care ability (R2 = 0.444, F = 19.241). Binomial logistic regression analysis showed that gender, educational level, nutritional condition, oral health literacy and quality of life (all P<0.05) were risk factors for developing low levels of self-care ability. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that health literacy, age, nutritional condition, quality of life, gender and self-efficacy are important factors that influence self-care ability in community-dwelling older adults living with oral frailty.

The effectiveness of a self-reported questionnaire on masticatory function in health examinations.

Periodontal diseases have been reported to be lifestyle-related and associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The introduction of dental checkups in a health checkup program may create a synergistic effect and aid the prevention of MetS. In Japan, a chewing function questionnaire has now been introduced into the national health checkup program. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the questionnaire reflects dental and oral conditions and whether it helps improve general and oral health. A total of 6599 subjects who underwent health checkups or guidance specified by the National Health Insurance of Japan for two consecutive years were included. A single comprehensive question to evaluate masticatory function was asked. Medical and dental examinations and insurance data were collected and used for analysis. In terms of masticatory function during chewing, 82.3% of subjects experienced no problems, 17.3% experienced some difficulty, and 0.4% experienced severe problems. There was a significant relationship between the questionnaire response and dental examinations results for several items of examination. The overall dental consultation rate after health screening was 42.3%. Improvement in periodontal disease was achieved in those who reported some problems with chewing function. Improvement in blood pressure was also observed in those who reported some problem with chewing function and subsequently had a dental consultation. The results of this study indicate that questionnaires on masticatory function reflect the status of dental and oral health. In addition, the results suggested that questionnaire results are potentially linked to improvement in dental and oral health status, and improvement in MetS.

Dental caries, oral hygiene status and deleterious habits among migrant construction workers of Belagavi, India.

Background: Occupation significantly influences oral health, with factors like the work environment, stress levels, access to dental care, and job-related habits playing crucial roles. The oral health of construction workers, especially migrant workers, is a noteworthy concern. Understanding the oral health of this population is crucial for enhancing their quality of life through various means. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dental caries, oral hygiene status, and deleterious habits in this occupational group of Belagavi district, Karnataka. Materials and methods: Study design was cross-sectional in nature. Before commencement of the study a pilot study was conducted. Multi-stage random sampling technique was employed, and 610 participants were recruited for the study. Trained and calibrated examiners recorded WHO dentition status and treatment needs (2013) and Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S). Collected data was analyzed using descriptive analysis, chi-square, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of dental caries among construction workers was significantly high (81%), and poor oral hygiene was observed among 36.9% of them. The prevalence of smoking, the tobacco chewing habit, and alcohol consumption among the construction workers was found to be 21.6%, 59.9%, and 37.3%, respectively. The dependence of OHI-S and DMFT on predictors (age, gender and deleterious habits) was found to be 21.5% and 39.6%, respectively. Conclusions: Migrant construction workers in Belagavi had a high caries prevalence, poor oral hygiene status, and a high prevalence of deleterious habits such as tobacco use. These results emphasize the necessity of awareness and dental health education programs to improve the oral health of construction workers.

Acceptability of teledentistry use among residents and staff in aged residential care facilities in the Otago region of New Zealand.

OBJECTIVES: To assess ARC residents' and staff perceptions of the benefits of, and comfort with, teledentistry use in ARC facilities in the Otago region of NZ, and identify end-user-level factors associated with its use. BACKGROUND: Difficulty in accessing oral healthcare services is a key barrier to aged residential care (ARC) residents' oral health and well-being. Teledentistry offers a possible solution, yet studies on its acceptability in ARCs are sparse, especially in New Zealand (NZ). This study assessed ARC residents' and staff perceptions of the benefits of, and comfort with, teledentistry use in ARC facilities in the Otago region of NZ and identified end-user-level factors associated with its use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rest home-level residents and care staff in ARC facilities in the Otago region of NZ were surveyed to assess their awareness of teledentistry, perceptions of benefit and comfort using teledentistry, and end-user-level factors associated with the feasibility of using it in ARCs. RESULTS: One hundred residents and 77 care staff from 14 facilities participated. Three-quarters of resident participants thought that teledentistry was beneficial. Three in five resident participants were comfortable receiving remote dental consultations and care advice through teledentistry. Acceptability, as measured by perceived benefits and comfort, was lower among older participants. Staff participants were receptive to teledentistry use for residents and were comfortable facilitating remote dental consultations and care through teledentistry. No staff participants disagreed with the potential benefits of teledentistry for ARC residents. CONCLUSION: Teledentistry would likely be acceptable to residents and staff in ARC facilities in NZ, contributing to residents' improved access to oral health care and improved oral health and well-being.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in a Paediatric Population in the Dominican Republic.

Introduction: During the summer of 2019 and within the framework of a social dentistry program carried out in the low-income town of San Francisco de Macorís (Dominican Republic), a descriptive study was carried out on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), aiming to find out the oral health status of a population of children in the aforementioned Dominican city. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the oral health status of a child population and its relationship with the quality of life perceived by these children in the aforementioned population of San Francisco de Macorís in order to develop an specific oral health program taking into account not only the existing oral health status but also the perceptions and feelings of the child population in this regard. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on a representative sample of children who were examined on their oral health status, following WHO guidelines, by professionals from the University of Seville (Spain) together with professionals from private practice (USA) and students from the Universidad Católica Nordestana (UCNE, Dominican Republic). Likewise, the children's parents voluntarily completed the Oral Quality of Life questionnaire COHIP-19 in its culturally adapted Spanish version. Results: For this purpose, 94 children with a mean age of 10.34 (SD 3.38) were observed in our study following WHO recommendations for oral health studies and evaluating OHQoL using the specific questionnaire validated in Spanish COHIP-19 in its short format (SF). The results show a state of oral health with a significant prevalence of caries (80.9%) and a DMFT of 1.70 (SD 1.90). The OHQoL perceived by these children shows that pain, bad breath or feeling sad because of the condition of their teeth were the factors with the worst evaluation score. Conclusions: The conclusion that mainly emerges from this study is that caries continues to be the main problem to be solved (more than other variables studied, such as malocclusion or fluorosis), and this ailment also causes pain, dysfunction, and bad breath and is therefore perceived as a problem to be solved in the children of this Dominican city.

Exploring the Interplay Between Lifestyle Medicine and Oral Health: A Bidirectional Relationship.

Lifestyle medicine, characterized by its evidence-based approach, recognizes the profound impact of lifestyle choices on overall health. The six pillars of lifestyle medicine encompass nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, avoidance of risky substances, and social connections. While their significance in promoting general health is well-established, their specific influence on oral health is an area of growing interest. A balanced and nutritious diet contributes to strong teeth and healthy gums, while regular physical activity enhances blood circulation and salivary flow, which is vital for maintaining optimal oral health. Effective stress management techniques can mitigate oral health issues related to anxiety and bruxism. Quality sleep supports oral health, allowing for tissue repair and immune system rejuvenation. Avoiding risky substances like tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption reduces the risk of oral diseases such as periodontitis and oral cancer. Lastly, social connections and supportive networks positively influence oral health by promoting positive oral hygiene behaviors and providing access to dental care resources. Understanding the impact of lifestyle medicine's six pillars on oral health offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals and individuals seeking to improve their oral well-being.

Oral health and nutritional status in care-dependent, community-dwelling older adults in Zurich, Switzerland.

The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status (OHS), Oral health impact profile (OHIP-G-14), and the nutritional status (NS) in community-dwelling, dependent older adults. Information on OHS including DMF(T), plaque (PI) and gingival (GI) indices, community-periodontal-index-for-treatment-needs (CPITN), OHIP-G-14, maximum bite force (MBF), chewing efficiency [subjective (SA) and quantitative (VoH) assessments] were collected. NS was obtained by Mini-nutritional assessment (MNA) and body mass index (BMI). Cognitive status was evaluated by the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). 240 elders (mean-age = 81.5 ± 8.9y; men =85, women =155) were recruited. Average number of teeth, functional occlusal units and DMF(T), were 18.8 ± 8.9, 7.7 ± 3.5, and 22.3 ± 5.3 respectively. Mean PI, GI, CPITN and OHIP-G-14 were 1.8 ± 0.8, 1.2 ± 0.8, 1.9 ± 1.1, and 8.0 ± 12.0, respectively. MBF, VoH, SA were 219.6 ± 193.6, 0.3 ± 0.2, and 3.3 ± 1.4, respectively. MNA and BMI were 22.9 ± 4.7 and 25.5 ± 5.3, respectively. Number of teeth reduced significantly with age (P < 0.001), cognitive decline (P < 0.001). Oral hygiene significantly deteriorated with cognitive decline (P < 0.001). OHIP scores were negatively affected by increasing cognitive decline (P < 0.001). MNA deteriorated in women (P = 0.026), with increasing age (P = 0.015), and advancing cognitive decline (P < 0.001). BMI reduced with advancing age (P = 0.003) and in women (P = 0.016). Based on the findings of this study, it may be concluded that advancing age and cognitive decline, negatively impacted the oral health, oral function, oral health-related quality of life, and the nutritional state of care-dependent community-dwelling older adults.