Exploring Malaysian schoolchildren's perception of the advantages and disadvantages of the ToothPoly board game: a qualitative study.

The effectiveness of children's oral health education (OHE) is determined by the appropriateness of the educational materials used, which can influence their attitude towards oral health. However, there is a lack of studies exploring the benefits of OHE materials from the perspective of schoolchildren. This study aimed to explore schoolchildren's opinions on the newly developed ToothPoly board game as an OHE tool. A qualitative approach using focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted among 44 schoolchildren aged 12 years old from a public school in Malaysia. Convenience sampling was employed to recruit the schoolchildren. The ToothPoly board game was playtested and FGDs were conducted after the playtesting session ended. Data collection and analyses were performed concurrently until data saturation was reached. The data were transcribed and coded using Atlas.Ti software version 9.1.3 followed by the framework method analysis. Mixed opinions were observed among the schoolchildren with a majority expressing favourable opinions on the advantages of the ToothPoly board game as an OHE tool. Five themes emerged from the advantages aspect, i.e., fun and enjoyable, promote focus, attention and oral health-related learning, attractive board game features, and enhance peer interaction. Meanwhile, two themes emerged that were related to the disadvantages of the board game, i.e., "competition with online games and media" and "not practical for a large group activity". The findings showed that the ToothPoly board game was perceived as a useful, interactive, and enjoyable tool to learn about oral health in small groups. The findings of the study highlight the importance of tailoring OHE activities to fulfil the needs of specific target groups to ensure its acceptance and future success.

Periodontal health literacy in Germany-Results of a telephone survey.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the periodontal health literacy of German adolescents, adults and senior residents. BACKGROUND: The prevalence of periodontitis is high. One explanation for this may be that people lack periodontal health literacy (PHL). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Former participants of the 5th German Oral Health Study (n = 333 16-year-olds, n = 307 39-48-year-olds, n = 332 69-78-year-olds) participated in a computer-assisted telephone interview. Open-ended questions (OEQs) were used to assess the participants' current knowledge. Corresponding single- and multiple-choice questions (SCQs and MCQs) supplemented the OEQs to allow detailed analyses of the nature of the knowledge gaps. RESULTS: Less than 10% of the participants in the three age groups could explain the term 'periodontitis' or select the correct answer in an SCQ. Responding to the OEQs, 89% of 16-year olds, 64% of 39-48-year-olds, and 59% of 69-78-year-olds, could not name any consequence of periodontitis, and 83%, 51%, and 60%, respectively, could not name any risk factors. The OEQs regarding proper oral hygiene behaviour revealed that participants lacked awareness regarding important aspects of oral hygiene (e.g., systematics) or areas to which they should pay attention to (e.g., interdental spaces and gingival margins). CONCLUSIONS: The survey revealed PHL deficits in German adolescents, adults, and seniors and a need for community-based measures to improve PHL in all age groups. Dental teams should be aware that their patients might lack the PHL necessary for understanding and adherence to professional dental advice, and that they might even lack PHL regarding the proper use of oral hygiene devices.

Dutch dental hygiene students' knowledge of HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and HPV vaccination.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer is rising, thus the understanding of HPV infection and vaccination among oral healthcare professionals is becoming increasingly important. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge of Dutch dental hygiene students on HPV infection and vaccination and assessed various aspects of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study invited the entire Dutch dental hygiene student population registered in September 2016 to complete an online questionnaire concerning the knowledge of HPV infection and vaccination, including the aspects of HPV-related Oro-Pharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OPSCC). Data were analysed using t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Invited were all 1248 Dutch dental hygiene students and 232 (18.6%) students completed the questionnaire. More than 95% of the students indicated HPV infection as a risk factor for OPSCC and 48.7% was aware of the availability of HPV vaccination. Additionally, students considered it important to discuss HPV as a risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer with their patients. In general, the students scored highest on the questions about risk factors for OPSCC and poorest on the questions about general HPV knowledge and HPV vaccination. Although the mean overall knowledge score was significantly higher in senior compared with junior students, knowledge scores of senior students remained insufficient. CONCLUSION: This study identified deficits in knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccination among Dutch dental hygiene students. Future research should focus on improving the content of dental hygiene curricula and development of ongoing educational tools for dental hygienists.

eHealth, teledentistry and health workforce challenges: results of a pilot project.

BACKGROUND: In the twenty-first century, health systems have to cope with the challenges posed by their rapidly changing environment. Among these changes, the emergence of digital health solutions is an opportunity to make health systems better, but also a compelling force to change. Community dentistry is one area of health care, where the rapid technological development has the potential for substantial performance improvement benefitting dental patients in terms of access to care and conveniance. METHODS: This study is based on a survey of the dental care provided by three units (Oral Medicine, Periodontology, Orthodontics) of the Department of Community Dentistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest. During a period of 12 weeks, we have collected time balance data on 1131 patients, 539 in the traditional and 592 in a pilot teledentistry setting, in order to estimate how much time could be spared by monitoring patients through videoconferencing instead of face-to-face visits. RESULTS: According to our findings, teledentistry has the potential to shorten the visit with an average of 5-10 min per patient, which adds up to 58-116 work hours in a year. If the pilot was rolled out to all the 13 chairs of the surveyed 3 specialties (orthodontics, periodontology and oral medicine) the time saving would sum up to 186 workdays in one shift alone, which would translate to close to 4500 additional patients per year, considering remote patient monitoring cases alone. Further, if inactive doctors and highly qualified dental hygienists were involved in delivering telecare, 2.67 times as many workdays could be spared, which would allow about 12,000 more patients treated per year. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid development of digital health technologies coupled with the evolving task distribution between health professionals have a great potential to improve health system performance in pursuit of population health. Unfortunately, the adaptation to these technological changes is uneven, and without a national strategy, the poor will unlikely benefit from these opportunities in public dental care.

Effectiveness of an integrated model of oral health-promoting schools in improving children's knowledge and the KAP of their parents, Iran.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of an Oral Health Promoting School (OHPS) model on children's oral health in Iran. METHODS: This interventional quasi-experimental study was conducted in the academic year 2019-20 among 354 primary school students and their parents. A questionnaire including 17 questions was distributed among children before and 5 months after the program (The ranges of possible scores = 0-17). Training workshops for the parents based on the theoretical domains framework were designed. Using educational sessions, pamphlets, tooth brushing dairies, assignments to do at home, educational videos and messages as reminders in social networks, parents were educated about dental caries, its risk factors and prevention principles. Best recommended oral health behaviors including tooth brushing and the use of fluoridated tooth paste were also educated. A questionnaire consisting of 18 knowledge (The ranges of possible scores = 0-18), 13 attitude and 10 practice questions were distributed among parents before and after the workshops. The data were fed into SPSS and analyzed by descriptive and analytic statistics such as T-test, ANOVA and Correlation Coefficients (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The mean pre-test knowledge (7.8 ± 1.7) was increased significantly in three schools after program, p < 0.001. In the post-test, girls gained significantly higher scores (9.61 ± 1.98 vs. 9.06 ± 1.4, p = 0.025). Among 147 parents, the mean knowledge was raised from 12.3 ± 3.1 (5-18) to 15 ± 3.03 (6-18), p < 0.001. Knowledge score of the parents attending both sessions was higher. Practice of the parents regarding the use of fluoridated tooth-paste was significantly improved (p < 0.001). Also, their attitude toward the ability of children to take care of their teeth was improved (p = 0.029). Based on the self-report of parents, 71.4% (n = 47) of mothers and 45.6% (n = 67) of their children used to brush once or two times daily and there was a correlation between their behaviors (p < 0.001, Spearman Correlation Coefficient = 0.4). CONCLUSION: It seems that the education provided in OHPS had positive effects on increasing students' awareness and to some extent, the knowledge, attitude and practice of the parents.

Improving dental-oral health learning in students using a mobile application ("My tooth"): A controlled before and after study.

OBJECTIVES: Tooth decay is one of the most common problems amongst students. Despite considerable educational interventions, it is still very prevalent. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a dental-oral health mobile educational application with the common dental-oral health education amongst elementary school students. METHODS: This interventional study was carried out on 158 girl students in the age range of 10-12 years in Mobarakeh City, Iran. The participants were categorized into the intervention and control groups and investigated in the academic year of 2018-2019. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire with confirmed validity and reliability. Initially, all students completed the questionnaires. Later, the intervention group members were trained using dental-oral health mobile educational application and control group received the common dental-oral health educations in lectures and demonstrations. Two months after the last intervention, the same questionnaire was completed and data were analysed by SPSS software. RESULTS: Before the intervention, the mean score of behaviour was 13.69 ± 3.89 and 13.93 ± 3.02 (of 21) for the intervention and control groups. At this phase, the difference between the two groups was not significant in the studied dimensions (p > 0.05). After the intervention, mean scores of the intervention group increased significantly with regard to all variables (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study confirmed the positive effect of learning through mobile applications on increasing the students' knowledge, attitude and performance regarding dental-oral health education.

Oral health literacy, self-rated oral health, and oral health-related quality of life in Brazilian adults.

The aim of this study was to investigate associations between oral health literacy (OHL), self-rated oral health (SROH), and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in Brazilian adults. A sample of 523 Brazilian adults completed the short-form Health Literacy in Dentistry (HeLD-14) and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) instruments that measure OHL and OHRQoL, respectively. The prevalence ratios (PRs) for outcome variables and their 95% CIs were quantified. Multivariable log-binomial regression models were applied, as the statistical models, to estimate bivariate and multivariable relationships of oral health outcomes with OHL, after adjusting for covariates. No significant association was found between poor SROH (as measured by single items) and OHL (PR = 1.28; 95% CI: 0.87-1.88); by contrast, significant associations were found between poor SROH and income (PR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.04-2.21), toothbrushing frequency (PR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.11-2.58), reason for dental visiting (PR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.03-2.13), and self-rated general health (PR = 3.44; 95% CI: 2.38-4.97). The OHL level (PR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.21-2.56), educational level (PR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.41-0.93), reason for dental visiting (PR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.30-2.61), and self-rated general health (PR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.03-2.23) were associated with poor OHRQoL.

Regular dental attendance and periodontal health knowledge: A cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: To explore dental clinics' performance on periodontal education by comparing knowledge about periodontal health of regular and inconsistent dental attenders. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A population-based study with a cross-sectional design was performed in Galicia (Northwestern Spain). Participants were randomly selected from 16 different areas and a questionnaire applied face-to-face. The survey included items on socio-demographic features, habits and routines, periodontal status and periodontal health knowledge. Participants were grouped according to the median of overall knowledge, and a logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between good periodontal knowledge and frequency of dental visits. RESULTS: A total of 8,206 individuals were invited to enter the study, and 3,553 of them accepted the invitation (43.3%). Most participants (59.3%; n = 1,945) fit within the regular dental attenders' group. Younger women holding a university degree and visiting their dentist regularly elicited higher knowledge about periodontal health. Regular use of dental services increased the chances of being in the higher knowledge group (OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.40-2.00). CONCLUSIONS: Reported regular dental attendance is related to periodontal health knowledge. Specific interventions for promoting tailored patient education on periodontal topics during routine dental visits may have a positive effect on laypersons' knowledge about periodontal health.

Progressive muscle relaxation therapy to relieve dental anxiety: a randomized controlled trial.

Dental anxiety causes patients to refuse or delay treatment, which may exacerbate oral diseases. The aim of the current randomized controlled trial was to determine whether progressive muscle relaxation therapy could relieve dental anxiety. The trial included 68 periodontal patients with dental anxiety scores of ≥13 who were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group (n = 34 per group). The intervention group was administered progressive muscle relaxation therapy for 20 min and oral health education for 15 min before periodontal treatment once per week for 4 wk. The control group was provided with oral health education only, for the same duration. Changes in dental anxiety, depression symptoms, blood pressure, heart rate, and salivary cortisol were evaluated 4 wk and 3 months after the intervention. The intervention group exhibited statistically significantly greater reductions in dental anxiety scores than did the control group at the 4-wk (-3.82 vs. -0.89) and 3-month (-4.22 vs. -0.28) assessments. They also exhibited significantly greater reductions in depression symptoms, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, and salivary cortisol levels at both time-points. Progressive muscle relaxation therapy relieves tension and anxiety in dental patients.

A peer-led dental education program for modifying oral self-care in Mexican children.

OBJECTIVE: To compare peer-led dental education (PLDE) versus conventional dental instruction (CDI) in modifying children's oral self-care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The intervention group (two schools) received PLDE and the control group (two schools) received CDI. The quality of oral self-care practice (OSC-P) and oral self-care skills (OSC-S) were indicated by dental plaque levels (%) and compared before and after dental education. RESULTS: There were no baseline OSC-P differences between the control (55.8 ± 12.8%) and intervention (55.5 ± 14.6%) groups or OSC-S differences between the intervention (38.5 ± 13.2%) and control (38.1 ± 12.5%) groups. At the three-month follow-up we observed OSC-P deterioration in the control group (63.2 ± 15.0%) and OSC-P improvement in the intervention group (52.2 ± 15.6%). The OSC-P/OSC-S regression models found these predictors: baseline oral self-care, group affiliation, and mother's education (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis was confirmed and significant predictors were baseline oral self-care levels, group affiliation, and mother's education.

OBJETIVO: Comparar un programa educativo guiado por pares (PEGP) versus un programa basado en educación convencional (EC) dirigido al autocuidado bucal en niños. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: El grupo de intervención recibió un PEGP y el grupo control recibió EC. La calidad de prácticas de autocuidado (OSC-P) y habilidades de autocuidado (OSC-S) fueron indicadas por los niveles de placa dental (5) y comparadas antes y después de la intervención. RESULTADOS: No se observaron diferencias en los datos de línea base del OSC-P entre el grupo control (55.8 ± 12.8%) y el de intervención (55.5 ± 14.6%) o en el OSC-S entre el grupo de intervención (38.5± 13.2%) y el control (38.1 ± 12.5%). En el seguimiento a tres meses, se observó un deterioro en las OSC-P en el grupo control (63.2 ± 15.0%) y un mejoramiento en las OSC-P en el grupo de intervención (52.2 ± 15.6%). Los modelos de regresión lineal para las OSC-P/OSC-S encontraron como significativos los siguientes predictores: autocuidado bucal de línea base, el grupo de afiliación y la educación materna (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONES: La hipótesis fue confirmada y los predictores significativos fueron los niveles de autocuidado bucal de línea base, el grupo de afiliación y la educación materna.

The effect of mobile personalised texting versus non-personalised texting on the caries risk of underprivileged adults: a randomised control trial.

BACKGROUND: In the Republic of Ireland (RoI), fluoridation has been effective and efficient for caries prevention at population level, regardless of income status; however, at individual level it still has limitations. This study aimed to compare personalised versus non-personalised text messaging on 'chance of avoiding new cavities' with the Cariogram, a computer-based caries risk assessment (CRA) model, in an economically disadvantaged adult population in the RoI. METHODS: The intervention was via a CRA summary letter plus 24 weekly personalised mobile-phone short text messages (text messages) based on the individual's CRA, compared with a non-personalised approach via a non-personalised letter and a predetermined, fixed set of 24 weekly text messages. The study was designed as a two-arm parallel-group, single-blinded (assessor), randomised controlled study in County Cork, RoI. The primary outcome was a comparison of 'chance of avoiding new cavities' calculated by the Cariogram with clinical examination, interview, CRT® (Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein) and three-day food diary between the two groups at follow-up. We combined stratified randomisation with blocked randomisation for 171 participants who completed baseline. Of them, 111 completed follow-up and were analysed (56 and 55 from the personalised and non-personalised groups, respectively). Due to protocol violations, both intent-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The ITT analysis did not show a personalised intervention effect on 'chance of avoiding new cavities'. Of the secondary outcome measures, only the stimulated saliva flow factor showed a personalised intervention effect, p = 0.036, OR = 0.3 (95% CI = 0.1, 0.9). The per-protocol analysis with 21 personalised and 33 non-personalised participants within two-message deviations showed no significant effect on 'chance of avoiding new cavities'. CONCLUSIONS: The null hypothesis in regard to the primary outcome for both ITT and per-protocol analyses was not rejected; however, as the minimal clinically important difference was included in the 95% CI for the per-protocol analysis, replication studies will be worth conducting to explore the potential of mobile devices for individual caries risk reduction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry ( UMIN000027253 ) on 10 May 2017. The study was retrospectively registered.

Readying Community Water Fluoridation Advocates through Training, Surveillance, and Empowerment.

This paper describes the Community Water Fluoridation Advocacy Training Project that was designed to develop networks of community water fluoridation advocates in rural communities. The South Carolina (SC) Department of Health and Environmental Control Division of Oral Health staff and the SC Dental Association were responsible for developing and facilitating the training sessions for key policy influencers, which included medical and dental providers, early childhood educators, and water system operators and managers. Findings from the post-training survey indicate that participants increased their knowledge and skills to discuss the impact of water fluoridation on the dental health of community residents. Participants identified a need for online access to water fluoridation education and advocacy materials. Dental public health competencies illustrated: communication and collaboration with groups and individuals, and advocate, implement and evaluate public health policy, legislation and regulations.

"Karius and Baktus": A Critical Appraisal of Enger's Seminal Storybook.

Karius and Baktus, first published in 1949, is one of the most influential storybooks with dental caries as main theme and it remains in wide use for domestic health education. This study aimed at assessing oral health related contents of the historic storybook in the light of the current body of cariologic evidence. Two investigators independently identified phrases in the storybook with cariologically relevant content. Dental health related contents were systematically evaluated with respect to the current body of cariologic evidence. Karius and Baktus highlights important etiopathogenetic and preventive aspects such as sugars consumption and tooth brushing with toothpaste. Its behavior management techniques and narrative health didactics concerning dental care for children are, however, outmoded. The cariologic core statements in Karius and Baktus have remained valid whereas certain narrative features may have some drawbacks when employing the historic storybook for educational purposes for young children.

Communities in action: developing a dental ambassador training programme for adults with learning disability.

Adults with learning disabilities may be at higher risk of poor oral health. The community outreach programme attached to Plymouth University Peninsula Dental School used established links with local agencies for this group to try out an intervention using service users as dental ambassadors. A programme was developed to meet the needs of the group and training in oral health key messages was provided along with support in presentation skills. Early evaluation shows promise in terms of feasibility, interest and improved self-care. Public health competencies being illustrated: Strategic leadership, communication, teaching and training, and collaborative working for health and oral health improvement.

Evaluation of an educational activity in the oral health of students.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of educational activity in the school environment based on prescriptive and subjective oral health indicators. METHODS: Cross-sectional, comparative study involving students between 9 and 12 years of age, from schools that have educational activities and those that do not, designated schools A and B. The oral health indicators used were the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and the Community Periodontal Index (CPITN). Knowledge and attitudes with regard to oral health were evaluated using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 289 schoolchildren took part, 50.5% from school A and 49.5% from school B, in the town of Montes Claros, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. In school A, the schoolchildren's OHI-S was satisfactory for 9.6%, normal for 78.8% and deficient for 11.6%, while in school B, the respective percentages were 3.5%, 17.5% and 79% (chi-squared, P < 0.001). The students in school A showed better CPITN results, namely lack of bleeding for 61.6%, the presence of bleeding for 29.5% and presence of tartar for 8.9%, while in school B, the respective results were 25.2%, 45.5% and 29.4% (chi-squared, P < 0.001). Students in school A achieved more correct answers in questions that evaluated knowledge of oral health. The account of daily use of dental floss in school A was 21.7% and in B, 3.6% (chi-squared, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It is believed that educational activity in the school environment had a positive effect on oral health conditions, the consolidation of knowledge and incorporation of oral hygiene habits.

Motivational Interviewing-Based Approaches in Dental Practice Settings May Improve Oral Health Behaviors and Outcomes.

ARTICLE TITLE AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: Motivational interviewing in general dental practice: A review of the evidence. Kay EJ, Vascott D, Hocking A, Nield H. Br Dent J 2016; 221(12):785-91. SOURCE OF FUNDING: National Institute for Health Care Excellence (UK) TYPE OF STUDY/DESIGN: Systematic review.

Promoting good dental health in older people: role of the community nurse.

Good dental health enables a person to eat, speak, and socialise. It contributes to nutrition, general health, and quality of life. The dental health of people living in the UK has improved in the last 40 years, and older people are retaining their natural teeth throughout their life; nontheless, a significant proportion of people over 75 years still rely on partial and full dentures. Dental disease in all age groups is readily prevented by daily oral hygiene and adherence to a healthy diet, avoidance of smoking, and sensible alcohol intake. Some older people may simply need reminding and encouragement to carry out oral hygiene, while more dependent adults may need support and active help to do so. Nursing teams and health professionals play a key role in promoting oral health by supporting oral hygiene and adequate nutrition, preventing discomfort, and detecting dental diseases early. This article gives a brief overview of how nursing teams and health professionals can promote oral health and provides details of resources from which further detailed information may be obtained.

Effectiveness of oral health interventions for schoolchildren from disadvantaged backgrounds: a systematic review protocol.

Disadvantaged schoolchildren from rural and low socioeconomic backgrounds face persistent oral health inequalities, specifically dental caries, and periodontal diseases. This protocol aims to review the effectiveness of promotive and preventive oral health interventions for improving the oral health of primary schoolchildren in these areas. We will search the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) via EBSCOhost, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Dentistry and Oral Sciences databases for studies published from 2000-2023. The review includes randomised/nonrandomised controlled trials and community trials evaluating the effectiveness of promotive and preventive oral health interventions on at least one of these outcomes: changes in dental caries status, periodontal disease status, oral hygiene status/practices, sugar consumption, or smoking behaviours. Two reviewers will independently assess the searched articles, extract the data, and assess the risk of bias in the studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (ROB 2) for randomised controlled trials and Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) for non-randomised controlled trials. Both narrative and quantitative analyses will be conducted. However, only narrative synthesis will be performed if the data are substantially heterogeneous. The synthesised evidence from this review can inform policymakers on evidence-based interventions to improve the oral health outcomes of schoolchildren from rural and low socioeconomic backgrounds. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD42022344898).

Oral Health Education for Children: Development of a Serious Game with a User-Centered Design Approach.

Background: Children can learn efficiently with well-designed serious games. The use of applications to promote health has proliferated, but there is a lack of scientific studies on educational games in oral health. Materials and Methods: We developed the Brazilian version of a British and Jordanian oral health education game for children from the perspectives of Brazilian specialists and users. This descriptive study, with a qualitative and quantitative approach, comprised three phases: I-Experts' discussion of the appropriateness of the previous version of the game to Brazil; II-Development of the first Brazilian version of the game; and III-Evaluation of the first version with 15 children from 4 to 8 years of age. Results: In Phase I, the specialists agreed with the development of the Brazilian version of the game, with minor adjustments on: advice on eating; advice on oral hygiene habits, users' age group, game characters, and game purpose. Phase II: a version with a few changes in images and recommendations, written and spoken in Brazilian Portuguese. Phase III: The global average of correct answers in the game's tasks was 75.3%, ranging from 50.0% to 100%. Children reported having fun with the game, and most understood the content and its interface; their parents found the information relevant and enjoyed the gameplay with their children. Conclusions: The Oral Health Education Game offered basic information for preventing dental caries to Brazilian children aged 4-8 years old in an interactive and fun way; it could support professionals in improving oral health education.

Bridging the knowledge-Practice gap: Insights from a survey of Belgian dental professionals on diagnosis and supportive oral cancer treatment in comparison with international guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: Early detection significantly improves the prognosis of oral cancer patients, contingent upon the knowledge of dental professionals. This study aimed to assess and compare the knowledge, practices and perceptions regarding oral cancer among dental professionals in Belgium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was distributed via Qualtrics to general dentists, dental specialists, dental hygienists, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The self-administered questionnaire comprised three sections: demographics (4 questions), knowledge (9 questions) and clinical practices (19 questions) related to oral cancer detection and treatment. Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis, with Chi-square tests assessing responses by specialization, gender, years of experience and number of oral cancer patients treated. RESULTS: A total of 262 questionnaires were completed, with the majority of respondents being general dentists (61%) followed by dental specialists (25%), oral hygienists (8%) and oral and maxillofacial surgeons (6%). 70% of the respondents reported treating fewer than four oral cancer patients throughout their careers. 5 out of the 9 knowledge questions achieved over 50% correct responses, with an average correct answer rate of 54%. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons and dental professionals who have treated more than four oral cancer patients, demonstrated significantly higher scores on multiple knowledge questions. Responses to clinically oriented questions showed less diversity across professions, and generally aligning with guidelines from professional oncological societies. CONCLUSION: This survey highlights the need for enhanced education on oral cancer among Belgian dental professionals. Knowledge levels were notably higher among more experienced respondents. The development and implementation of comprehensive guidelines tailored to dentists and oral hygienists for oral cancer prevention and patient care are warranted to optimize clinical practice standards.