Search

Background: Oral health is a critical component of overall well-being. However, students with disabilities (SWDs) face unique challenges in maintaining oral hygiene and accessing dental care. This study aims to explore oral health behaviours, dental care utilisation, and barriers to accessing dental care among SWDs in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, from the perspectives of their parents. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among parents of SWDs in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire covering oral health behaviours, dental care utilisation, and barriers to care. The sample size was determined based on the SWDs population in the region. Data were analysed using descriptive and analytical statistics, with significant associations identified at p < 0.05. Results: Findings revealed that 45.7% of SWDs brushed irregularly, with only 16.8% brushing twice a day or more. Dental flossing was reported by just 4.3% of SWDs. Emergency-based dental visits were common (51.9%), and 29.5% of SWDs had never visited a dentist. Significant associations were found between maternal education and tooth brushing frequency (p = 0.004) and between parental education and the frequency of dental visits (p = 0.035). The most reported barriers included fear of treatment (47.1%), difficulty finding willing dentists (45.5%), and long wait times for appointments (44.7%). Conclusions: The study emphasises the pressing need for targeted interventions to improve oral hygiene practices and enhance accessibility to dental services for SWDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tanaka and Johnston mixed dentition analysis is a widely used method to predict the size of unerupted permanent canines and premolars. The aim of the present study was to determine the applicability of the Tanaka and Johnston analysis to Western Australian adolescents and develop a new regression equation.

Background: Persons with disabilities (PWDs) face significant barriers in accessing dental care, resulting in poorer oral health outcomes compared to the general population. To reduce dental healthcare disparities, dental professionals must develop positive attitudes and acquire the necessary skills to treat PWDs effectively. This study aimed to assess the experiences, education, training levels, and attitudes of dental students and interns toward PWDs, and to explore the relationships between their exposure to PWDs, their education/training regarding managing PWDs, and their attitudes toward PWDs. Methods: Participants were recruited using convenience sampling. From May to June 2023, a pretested, validated online questionnaire (developed based on existing survey instruments and modified to fit the study context) was distributed to 98 eligible dental students and interns at King Faisal University. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used for analysis. Results: The response rate was 88.78%. There was a statistically positive correlation between students' exposure to PWDs and their attitudes (p < 0.05). Statistically significant relationships were found between students' education/training and their attitudes towards educational experiences and instructors (p < 0.01) and interpersonal interactions with PWDs (p < 0.05). No statistically significant relationship existed between the year of study and future encounters with PWDs (p = 0.176). Additionally, 42.5% of students felt inadequately prepared to treat PWDs, and 88.5% expressed a desire for further education. Notably, 20.7% reported no training on PWDs, while 70.1% preferred clinical education. Conclusions: The study underscores the importance of exposure and training in shaping dental students' attitudes toward PWDs. Dental schools should prioritize structured teaching, greater contact with the disabled community, and hands-on experiences to ensure dental professionals are both well prepared and positively inclined to treat PWDs. These findings have significant implications for improving dental education curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The availability of hospital‐based dental services across Australia varies with a number of hospitals disestablishing dental departments due to rising costs. However, the perceived costs are difficult to quantify as funding models used to capture activity are not uniform across health facilities. To investigate this the predicted funding generated using current models of activity‐based funding in the provision of specialist dentistry in Australian public hospitals was examined. Using data from Fiona Stanley Hospital regarding the dental treatment for head and neck cancer patients as part of their work‐up for cancer management, expected funding was estimated using the existing fee‐for‐service and capped‐fee models currently in use. Funding estimates were based on the Department of Veterans' Affairs Fee Schedule of Dental Services and the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority's Australian Non‐Admitted Care Classification. A total of 127 patients received dental treatment over 209 appointments including 17 patients who had all their remaining teeth removed. Analysis revealed the fee‐for‐service model generated more expected funding than the current capped‐fee model, or an average of AUD$458 (USD$356) per patient. Differences in how activity was recorded resulted in 81.7% uncaptured funding between the two models. This study shows that fee‐for‐service models capture activity more accurately. However, this model is not used in public hospitals despite it being standard practice in stand‐alone public dental clinics. As a result, hospital‐based dental clinics appear to be unproductive. Further research can include developing a model that better captures both the activity undertaken as well as patient complexity. Key points: Dental clinics in Australian hospitals are perceived to be costly and inefficient; however, they may do so as a result of discrepancies and biases inherent in medical funding models.Current funding models do not accurately capture the complexity of patients presenting for specialist dental care.Governments should develop a model that captures the activity of hospital‐based dental clinics in managing patients with complex health‐care needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This systematic review aimed to comprehensively summarize and critically assess studies conducted on oral health outcomes among individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study followed the Participants, Exposure, Control and Outcomes (PECO) framework to formulate a focused research question. We conducted an extensive literature search across multiple databases, including PubMed, Medline, Scopus and Embase, in addition to clinical trial registers. Inclusion criteria encompassed clinical studies conducted in either English or Arabic, focusing on CP as defined by the International Classification of Diseases 10 (ICD10), and examining various oral health conditions and parameters. Nonclinical studies, commentaries, other systematic reviews and letters to the editor were excluded. Data extraction included comprehensive information about the study characteristics, oral health outcomes (dental, oral or periodontal disease; changes in standardized indices; dental trauma and other types of oral diseases) and an assessment of the risk of bias using the Appraisal Tool for Cross‐Sectional Studies (AXIS). Results: The initial search yielded a total of 879 articles, ultimately resulting seven studies that met our stringent inclusion criteria. All of these studies were conducted as cross‐sectional investigations in different cities within Saudi Arabia. The sample sizes ranged from 46 to 400 participants, all falling within the age range of 2–18 years. Notably, the prevalence of dental caries among individuals with CP in these studies varied significantly, with rates ranging from 52.9% to as high as 98.6%. Additionally, a substantial portion of CP patients exhibited poor oral hygiene, with figures ranging between 34.6% and 66.2%, and dental trauma was reported in 47.5% of the cases. Moreover, these studies underscored the influence of motor function and intellectual disabilities on the oral health status of CP individuals. Furthermore, various secondary outcomes, including periodontal parameters and oral health‐related quality of life, were also assessed. However, it is essential to acknowledge that several sources of bias were identified within these studies, raising questions about the generalisability of their findings. Conclusion: In conclusion, the systematic review revealed a concerning pattern of high dental caries prevalence and other oral health issues among individuals with CP in Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, the need for comparative studies between CP patients and those without CP is evident to establish a definitive understanding of the oral health status of CP individuals. Initiating early interventions such as oral hygiene education, preventive dentistry programs, and orthodontic interventions could potentially contribute to improved oral health outcomes for individuals with CP in Saudi Arabia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral cancer is a malignant neoplasia that can originate in the oral cavity or lips. It is a serious global health problem and one of the ten most common cancers worldwide. Over the years, changes in the trends of the oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers have been observed. The management of oral cancer is complicated due to the functional and cosmetic consequences of treating malignancies at these anatomical locations. The tumor and its treatment can affect a variety of functional activities, including smell, sight, speaking, respiration, taste, jaw function, and mastication, either temporarily or permanently. Based on the importance of this tumor, screening oral cancer for early detection and finding the best biomarkers for diagnosis is a crucial concern. In this review of literature, the etiology, risk factors, treatment, and diagnosis of oral cancer will be reviewed with a focus on the most important biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: This retrospective study investigated the effect of lockdowns for Covid‐19 on the rates of oro‐facial trauma hospitalisations in children in Australia and the United Kingdom (UK). Materials and Methods: Hospitalisation data for children up to 19 years old for oro‐facial trauma injuries (according to ICD‐10‐AM principal diagnosis codes) over 5 years were collected for Australian and UK children. The age‐standard rate (ASR) for each age group was calculated per 100,000 population. Results: In the younger Australian children, there was no statistically significant change in the ASR of oro‐facial trauma hospitalisations during the 'Covid year', compared to the average rate over the 3 years preceding. However, there was a significant decrease in the ASR of oro‐facial trauma hospitalisations during the 'Covid year' in older Australian children (aged 10–19), and for all UK children, except for infants under one‐year‐old. Conclusions: Reduction of the ASR of hospitalisations due to oro‐facial trauma during the 'Covid year', and the implementation of lockdown measures in the two countries provides further evidence of the impact of physical activities and travel as contributing factors to oro‐facial injuries in children. In addition to its role in reducing the spread of virus infections during the pandemic, the lockdown measures also resulted in a simultaneous decrease in trauma injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in remote parts of Australia are some of the most underserviced communities in regard to oral health care. These communities rely on volunteer dental programmes such as the Kimberley Dental Team to fill the gaps in care, however, there are no known continuous quality improvement (CQI) frameworks to guide such organizations to ensure that they are delivering high‐quality, community‐centred, culturally appropriate care. This study proposes a CQI framework model for voluntary dental programmes providing care to remote Aboriginal communities. Methods: Relevant CQI models wherein the (i) behaviour of interest was quality improvement, and (ii) the health context was volunteer services in Aboriginal communities were identified from the literature. The conceptual models were subsequently augmented using a 'best fit' framework and the existing evidence synthesized to develop a CQI framework that aims to guide volunteer dental services to develop local priorities and enhance current dental practice. Results: A cyclical five‐phase model is proposed starting with consultation and moving through the phases of data collection, consideration, collaboration and celebration. Conclusions: This is the first proposed CQI framework for volunteer dental services working with Aboriginal communities. The framework enables volunteers to ensure that the quality of care provided is commensurate with the community needs and informed by community consultation. It is anticipated that future mixed methods research will enable formal evaluation of the 5C model and CQI strategies focusing on oral health among Aboriginal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]