Teledentistry within oral health care providers' training: A scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: Despite teledentistry (TD) ubiquitous utilization, it has yet to be fully adopted by oral health care providers' educational training. This study aimed to explore TD incorporation in the training of oral health care providers. METHODS: This review included studies on the TD content offered to oral health care providers. The JBI (Joanna Briggs Institute) methodology was used, and two reviewers screened the literature. Studies published between 1989 and 4 June 2022 were searched using "Teledentistry" and "Education" as initial keywords. The searched databases included MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EPPI, Scopus, Epistemonikos, ERIC, MedEdPORTAL, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, and Google Scholar. All of the relevant literature, regardless of their language, were added. The data were extracted using an extraction table and are presented in tabular and narrative summary formats. RESULTS: A total of 2180 documents were found, and 1804 documents were screened by the title and abstract after deduplication; 59 were selected for full-text review; and 19 were eligible for data extraction. Of all studies, 63.15% were published after the COVID-19 pandemic. Practicing TD and TD reimbursement were some of the addressed topics. Didactic education and hands-on practice were the most employed training methods. Self/peer evaluations and surveys were among the employed assessment techniques. CONCLUSION: TD education has been emphasized during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a variation in the existing TD educational programmes, from addressing topics to assessment techniques. However, the number of educational programmes on this topic is sparse.

Curriculum Indigenization in oral health professions' education worldwide: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the literature on Indigenous content within the oral health professions' education curricula. METHODS: This scoping review included all types of literature on oral health care educational programs on Indigenous content, following the JBI (Joanna Briggs Institute) methodology. An initial search using "Indigenous," "education," and "oral health" as keywords informed a full search strategy for MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, ERIC, EPPI, MedEdPORTAL, Google Scholar, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, Australian Government Department of Health, and Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. The search included literature available until November 1, 2023, irrespective of language. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, and data were extracted and presented in tabular and narrative summary formats. RESULTS: A total of 948 records were identified, and 101 studies were chosen for full-text review. Twenty-three studies met the criteria for data extraction. Of all studies, 95.6% were published between 2007 and 2021, mostly from Australia and New Zealand. The most frequently covered content included Indigenous culture, followed by history, Indigenous oral health, and Indigenous Peoples' health. Rural and clinical placements were the most employed delivery methods, and evaluation surveys were the most employed assessment technique. Barriers to delivering an Indigenous curriculum included students' disinterest and limited interaction with Indigenous communities, while facilitators included cultural immersion and supportive mentorship. CONCLUSION: Despite progress in integrating Indigenous content into oral health education, challenges persist. Prioritizing Indigenous perspectives, community partnerships, and standardized assessment tools is needed. Future research should focus on long-term impacts and best practices for Indigenous curriculum development and delivery.

Teledentistry content in Canadian dental and dental hygiene curricula.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the extent to which teledentistry (TD) content is incorporated into Canadian dental and dental hygiene curricula. METHODS: An anonymous survey was distributed among all 10 dental and 35 dental hygiene programs across Canada in June and July 2022. The survey focused on TD teaching (methods employed, content taught, and barriers to TD education), with descriptive (frequency, maximum, minimum, mean) and inferential (Pearson chi-square for odds ratio test) data analyses using SPSS. A ρ - value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Thirty-four programs responsed to the survey, including all dental (n = 10) and 68% (n = 24) of dental hygiene programs; eighteen reported having TD content, including three dental programs. An average of 9.22 ± 4.86 h was reported for teaching TD, with lecture format as the most employed approach and using TD in dental practice as the most covered topic. While 53% of the dental hygiene programs employed formative and summative assessments, only one dental program reported having assessment for this content. Moreover, programs that dedicated less than 9 h to teaching this content were less likely to address more than seven topics (Odds ratio (OR) = 0.14). CONCLUSION: The dental and dental hygiene programs in Canada differ in their offering TD education, and 30% of the dental and 62.5% of the surveyed dental hygiene programs addressed TD content. This scarcity emphasizes the necessity for incorporating such content in future curriculum planning to consequently decrease the lack of knowledge, an identified barrier to TD implementation in education and practice, as today's students will be future educators.

Plaque Removal Efficacy of Three Cleaning Methods for Removable Orthodontic Appliances: A Crossover Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The mechanical plaque removal methods of removable orthodontic appliances (ROAs) may damage the appliance surface and may not effectively eliminate the entire microbial plaque. METHODS: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of brushing + denture cleanser tablets, brushing + propolis mouthwash and brushing only for plaque removal from each orthodontic appliance surface. This crossover randomized clinical trial evaluated 32 patients between 7-15 years with ROAs. The patients were randomly assigned to three groups of brushing (control), brushing + denture cleanser tablets (intervention group 1), and brushing + propolis mouthwash (intervention group 2). The plaque removal methods were switched among the groups during three 1-month periods. One month after practicing a certain protocol, the plaque disclosing agent was applied on the surface of the appliance. The photographs of appliances were analyzed by Image J software to calculate the surface area occupied by the residual microbial plaque. RESULTS: The ratio difference of residual plaque surface area to the surface area of the entire appliance was significant between the intervention group1 and control group (p<0.001), while it was not significant in intervention group 2 and control group (p=0.105). Also, this difference between the intervention group1 and 2 was statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Simultaneous use of toothbrush with denture cleanser tablets decreased the microbial biofilm on the surface of ROAs, compared with brushing alone. Thus, it seems that the use of denture cleaning tablets may be suitable for effective cleaning of ROAs.

Orthodontic patients' oral hygiene compliance by utilizing a smartphone application (Brush DJ): a randomized clinical trial.

Considering the widespread use of smartphones and their applications (apps), as well as the undeniable role of reminders and apps in behavioral interventions, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of a smartphone app (Brush DJ) for oral hygiene compliance of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. In this randomized clinical trial, 120 patients between 15 to 25 years who had just started fixed orthodontic treatment were randomly divided into two groups (n = 60). Control patients received conventional oral hygiene instruction, while patients in the intervention group were asked to use the Brush DJ smartphone app, after receiving conventional oral hygiene instruction. The plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) were measured at baseline (T0), and at 4 weeks (T1), 8 weeks (T2) and 12 weeks (T3) after the onset of study. A questionnaire was given to all patients to assess the frequency and duration of tooth brushing per day, and the frequency of app usage and reminder noticing in the intervention group. Improvements in PI and GI were noted in the intervention group; while these parameters increased in the control group. Significant differences were noted in PI and GI changes between the two groups (p < 0.001). Brushing frequency and duration were positively correlated with app usage during the follow-up period. Ultimately, we believe that smartphone apps, as motivators and reminders, can greatly help in improving the orthodontic patients' oral hygiene compliance, especially in adolescents.

Extraction versus non-extraction orthodontic treatment: Soft tissue profile changes in borderline class I patients.

BACKGROUND: The decision regarding the selection of extraction or non-extraction orthodontic treatment is a common challenge in orthodontic treatment planning. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of extraction and non-extraction orthodontic treatment on the soft tissue profile of borderline class I patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, 70 patients were selected from among those referred to the Department of Orthodontics of the Faculty of Dentistry at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in Iran. The inclusion criteria were skeletal class I, 4-10 mm of space deficiency, and the possibility of applying both extraction and non-extraction orthodontic treatment. All patients underwent fixed orthodontic treatment with the use of 0.022-inch-slot edgewise brackets. The patients were divided into 2 groups (n = 35) according to the 4-premolar extraction or non-extraction treatment plan. The 2 groups were compared by means of the cephalometric analysis. RESULTS: There were 11 males and 24 females at a mean age of 17.46 years in the non-extraction group, and 9 males and 26 females at a mean age of 18.46 years in the extraction group. The upper and lower incisors as well as the lower lip moved forward in the non-extraction group (lower lip to E­plane = 0.87 ±1.39 mm, U1-SN = 2.83 ±8.03°, IMPA = 4.64 ±5.47°). The incisors and the lips moved backward in the extraction group (upper lip to E­plane = -1.42 ±2.08 mm, lower lip to E­plane = -1.56 ±1.97 mm, U1-SN = -7.63 ±9.02°, IMPA = -7.05 ±6.79°). The differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Mentolabial sulcus became more pronounced in the non-extraction group (1.92 ±2.73 mm; p < 0.001) and shallower in the extraction group (-1.90 ±4.2 mm; p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic treatment can change the soft tissue appearance of the lower third of the face. The lips and the incisors moved forward in the non-extraction group and backward in the extraction group.

Prevalence of permanent numeric dental anomalies in panoramic radiography in an Iranian population

Aim: Dental number anomalies are a group of congenital developmental disorders divided into two groups supernumerary and missing teeth. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of numeric dental anomalies using panoramic images in patients referred to the Hamadan Dental Faculty. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 2,197 panoramic radiographs of patients aged 6-49 years were evaluated. These anomalies are divided into two groups: 1) Supernumerary teeth, including Mesiodens, Distodens, and Peridens, and 2) Missing teeth, including Hypodontia, Oligodontia, and Anodontia. A Chi-square test was performed to assess the relationship between the anomalies. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 16, in which P-value < 0.05 was considered the statistical significance level. Results: Of 736 males (32.2%) and 1548 females (67.8%) in this study, 32 (4.3%) and 55 cases (3.8%) had supernumerary teeth, respectively. The prevalence of supernumerary teeth was 0.3%, 0.5%, and 0.6% in males and 0.2%, 1% and 1.2% in females for mesiodens, distodens, and peridens, respectively. Also, 243 males (10.6%) and 655 females (28.6%) had missing teeth anomalies. Hypodontia in the maxilla was the most common anomaly in both genders, while mesiodens was the least common. Conclusion: Hypodontia was the most common anomaly, followed by peridens; the least common anomaly was mesiodens. The prevalence of supernumerary teeth was greater in males, though the difference was not statistically significant. In comparison, females had a greater prevalence of missing teeth