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There is evidence from preclinical models of chronic pain and human psychophysical investigations to suggest that alterations in endogenous brainstem pain-modulation circuit functioning are critical for the initiation and/or maintenance of pain. Whilst preclinical models have begun to explore the functioning of this circuitry in chronic pain, little is known about such functioning in humans with chronic pain. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether individuals with chronic non-neuropathic pain, painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD), display alterations in brainstem pain-modulating circuits. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, we performed static and dynamic functional connectivity (FC) analyses to assess ongoing circuit function in 16 TMD and 45 control subjects. We calculated static FC as the correlation of functional magnetic resonance imaging signals between regions over the entire scan and dynamic FC as the correlation of signals in short (50s) windows. Compared with controls, TMD subjects showed significantly greater (static) FC between the rostral ventromedial medulla and both the subnucleus reticularis dorsalis and the region that receives orofacial nociceptive afferents, the spinal trigeminal nucleus. No differences were found in other brainstem pain-modulating regions such as the midbrain periaqueductal gray matter and locus coeruleus. We also identified that TMD subjects experience greater variability in the dynamic functional connections between the rostral ventromedial medulla and both the subnucleus reticularis dorsalis and spinal trigeminal nucleus. These changes may underlie enhanced descending pain-facilitating actions over the region that receives nociceptive afferents, ultimately leading to enhanced nociceptive transmission to higher brain regions and thus contributing to the ongoing perception of pain. PERSPECTIVE: Psychophysical studies suggest that brainstem pain-modulation circuits contribute to the maintenance of chronic pain. We report that individuals with painful TMD display altered static and dynamic FC within the brainstem pain-modulation network. Modifying this circuitry may alter an individual's ongoing pain.

Aim or Purpose A multitude of studies investigated the beneficial effects of periodontitis therapy on general health. In contrast, the present trial aimed to investigate the effect of an oral health education program combined with routine dental treatment on serum biomarkers of systemic health in a community of low-socioeconomic background with general dental treatment needs. Materials and Methods Eligible participants (plaque index >50%, bleeding on probing >30%, active carious lesion) were randomised to a group that received dental treatment combined with an oral health education program (OHE+GDT) or a group that received general dental treatment only (GDT). Participants in both groups received routine dental treatment. In addition, participants in the OHE+GDT group received 180 min of health education and a full-mouth debridement. Serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), lipid profiles, and HbA1c were measured at baseline and after 12 months. Results 295 participants (mean age, 45.4 ± 11 years) were analysed. Periodontal health significantly improved in both groups. However, no intergroup differences were detected (P=0.92 Generalised Estimating Equation (GEE)). A significant reduction of hsCRP levels at the follow-up assessment was observed in the OHE+GDT group, which was significantly different from the GDT group (P =0.01). Multivariate modelling indicated that baseline hsCRP levels, baseline body mass index, and higher consumption of vegetables (P = 0.021) predicted a reduction in hsCRP levels. Conclusions This study demonstrated that oral health education combined with routine dental treatment was associated with a significant reduction in hsCRP levels and hence suggests a beneficial effect on general health.

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different periodontal treatment strategies during pregnancy on perinatal outcomes. Study selection This systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines to assess the effect of mouthwash in addition to scaling and root planing (SRPM) on pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, gestational age, and birth weight. Pooled risk ratios (RR), mean differences (MD), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using the random effect model. Results Twenty trials involving 5938 participants, including thirteen trials comparing scaling and root planing (SRP) and seven trials comparing SRPM with control groups. SRPM was associated with reduced risk of preterm birth (RR=0.37; 95%CI=0.16–0.84; p=0.017; I2=93.26%; p Conclusion Using mouthwash in addition to scaling and root planing (SRPM) for the treatment of periodontal disease during pregnancy significantly improves perinatal outcomes.

While periodontal disease is associated with many risk factors, socioeconomically disadvantaged communities experience the highest disease burden. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized oral health education program, in combination with routine dental treatment, in participants from a low socioeconomic community. We used a randomized, controlled, examiner-blinded clinical trial. A total of 579 participants (aged 18&ndash, 60 years) were randomly grouped: the intervention group (n = 292) received a personalized oral health education program in combination with routine dental care and the control group (n = 287) received routine dental care. All participants were assessed for improvement in oral health care behaviors, dental plaque, and periodontal status at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months. We found a significant drop (p &lt, 0.001) in the plaque indices, Periodontal Probing Depths (PPD) and Bleeding on Probing (BOP) between baseline and the 12-month follow-up for both groups. For BOP, the number of sites positive was significantly different between baseline and the 24-month follow-up (p = 0.037). No differences were found between the two groups for any evaluated clinical outcome. The personalized oral health education program used in the current study did not appear to add significant improvement to clinical outcomes of periodontal health compared with routine restorative dental care per se.

Objectives The present study aimed to determine the effect of a personalised oral health education program, in combination with routine dental treatment, on serum biomarkers of systemic disease compared to dental treatment alone in a population from a low-socioeconomic community with poor oral health. Methods This secondary analysis of a randomised clinical trial involved 295 participants (mean age, 45.4 ± 11 years) assigned to two groups. One group received dental treatment combined with the Oral Health Education Program (OHEPDT), while the second group (DT) received dental care without the Education Program. Serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and HbA1c levels were analysed at baseline and after 12 months. Changes in diet, smoking and alcohol consumption were also determined. Results No intergroup differences were observed for the lipid profile and HbA1c levels. A reduction in the hsCRP levels at the 12-month follow-up was observed in the OHEPDT group, which was significantly different from the DT group (p = 0.01). Multivariate modelling indicated that baseline hsCRP levels (p = 0.000), baseline body mass index (p = 0.000), and higher consumption of vegetables (p = 0.021) predicted a reduction in hsCRP levels. Conclusions This study demonstrated that personalised oral health education combined with routine dental treatment was associated with a significant reduction in hsCRP levels subsequent to dietary behavioural changes. These findings suggest that personalised oral health education in combined with routine dental treatment may have beneficial effects on general health. Clinical significance The strategy for developing an oral health program that involves education of the modifiable common risk factors for general health has beneficial effects and should be one of the priority components of these programs to improve oral and general health, particularly for at-risk communities.

This review investigated the association of periodontal disease with diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic complications. PubMed/MEDLINE was searched including search terms "periodontal" OR "periodontitis" AND "diabetic complications" OR "diabetic retinopathy" OR "diabetic nephropathy" OR "diabetic neuropathy" OR "cardiovascular disease diabetes" OR "myocardial infarction diabetes" OR "cerebrovascular disease diabetes" OR "stroke diabetes" OR "peripheral vascular disease diabetes". Fourteen studies included in this review consistently reported an increased risk for diabetic complications including microvascular, macrovascular and death in the presence of periodontal disease. Higher risks for diabetic retinopathy (odds ratios: 2.8-8.7), neuropathy (3.2-6.6), nephropathy (1.9-8.5), cardiovascular complications (1.28-17.7) and mortality (2.3-8.5) were reported for people with diabetes with periodontitis compared to those with diabetes who have no periodontitis. This novel review summarizes current data providing further evidence of a link between poor oral health and DM and its complications. It has also drawn attention to major limitations of the available data linking periodontal disease and diabetic complications.

Pain is a complex phenomenon that is highly modifiable by expectation. Whilst the intensity of incoming noxious information plays a key role in the intensity of perceived pain, this intensity can be profoundly shaped by an individual’s expectations. Modern brain imaging investigations have begun to detail the brain regions responsible for placebo and nocebo related changes in pain, but less is known about the neural basis of stimulus-expectancy changes in pain processing. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging study, we administered two separate protocols of the same noxious thermal stimuli to 24 healthy subjects. However, different expectations were elicited by different explanations to subjects prior to each protocol. During one protocol, pain intensities were matched to expectation and in the other protocol they were not. Pain intensity was measured continuously via a manually operated computerized visual analogue scale. When individuals expected the stimulus intensity to remain constant, but in reality it was surreptitiously increased or decreased, pain intensity ratings were significantly lower than when expectation and pain intensities were matched. When the stimulus intensities did not match expectations, various areas in the brain such as the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), and the midbrain periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) displayed significantly different patterns of activity compared to instances when stimulus intensity and pain expectations were matched. These results show that stimulus-expectancy manipulation of pain intensity alters activity in both higher brain and brainstem centers which are known to modulate pain under various conditions.

Aims: To determine if the effects of experimental temporalis muscle pain on jaw muscle activity vary with the jaw task performed, jaw displacement magnitude, participant being studied, and with psychological measures. Methods: Jaw movement was tracked, and electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from the masseter and anterior temporalis and digastric muscles in 14 asymptomatic participants during standardized opening/closing jaw movement, free chewing, and standardized chewing tasks. Tasks were repeated in three blocks: Block 1 (baseline), Block 2 (during 5% hypertonic or 0.9% isotonic saline infusion into the anterior temporalis), and Block 3 (during infusion of the opposite solution). Participants also completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales 21 (DASS 21), the Fear of Pain Questionnaire (FPQ III), the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ), and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Analyses involved linear mixedmodel analysis and Pearson correlations. P < .05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The presence of a significant difference in jaw muscle EMG activity between hypertonic and isotonic saline infusions varied between tasks and between jaw muscle agonists and antagonists, but not in displacement magnitude. There were qualitative differences between participants in the effects of infusion on EMG activity. During hypertonic saline infusion, significant positive correlations were noted between jaw-closing EMG activity and anxiety, fear of medical pain, and PCS scores. Conclusion: Noxious stimulation of the temporalis muscle results in changes in jaw muscle activity, which can vary with the task, the muscle, the participant, and some psychological variables.

It has been proposed that pain competes with other attention-demanding stimuli for cognitive resources, and many chronic pain patients display significant attention and mental flexibility deficits. These alterations may result from disruptions in the functioning of the default mode network (DMN) which plays a critical role in attention, memory, prospection and self-processing, and recent investigations have found alterations in DMN function in multiple chronic pain conditions. Whilst it has been proposed that these DMN alterations are a characteristic of pain that is chronic in nature, we recently reported altered oscillatory activity in the DMN during an acute, 5 minute noxious stimulus in healthy control subjects. We therefore hypothesize that altered DMN activity patterns will not be restricted to those in chronic pain but instead will also occur in healthy individuals during tonic noxious stimuli. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure resting state infra-slow oscillatory activity and functional connectivity in patients with chronic orofacial pain at rest and in healthy controls during a 20-minute tonic pain stimulus. We found decreases in oscillatory activity in key regions of the DMN in patients with chronic pain, as well as in healthy controls during tonic pain in addition to changes in functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex and areas of the DMN in both groups. The results show that similar alterations in DMN function occur in healthy individuals during acute noxious stimuli as well as in individuals with chronic pain. These DMN changes may reflect the presence of pain per se and may underlie alterations in attentional processes that occur in the presence of pain., Highlights • Default mode network dynamics were measured in chronic and acute pain. • Altered infra-slow activity and connectivity occurred in chronic and acute pain. • Default mode network changes characterize pain per se.

The purpose of this paper is to review current evidence for a concomitant relationship between oral diseases and malnutrition in the elderly. A narrative overview of current literature was undertaken to combine the context for research with critical elaboration and commentary. Oral disease is one of the most common public health issues worldwide with significant socio-economic impacts, and yet it is frequently neglected in public health policy. Epidemiologic studies show that oral disease frequently causes malnutrition in the elderly. In particular, malnutrition is associated with poor quality of life and poor efficacy of oncologic therapy in oral cancer patients. As oral disease remains a major public health burden worldwide, it is of great importance to integrate oral health into the nutrition agenda via the Common Risk Factor Approach. As such the long-term sustainable strategy for global oral health should focus on health promotion and malnutrition prevention in the elderly.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder often seen in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Individuals with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular complications and this may be related, in part, to lipid abnormalities observed in these individuals. The objective of this systematic review is to compile the current scientific evidence of the effects of periodontal treatment on lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Through a systematic search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science, 313 articles were identified. Of these, seven clinical trials which met all inclusion criteria were chosen for analysis. Between baseline and 3-month follow-up, there was a statistically significant reduction in the levels of total cholesterol (mean differences (MD) −0.47 mmol/L (95% confidence interval (CI), −0.75, −0.18, p = 0.001)), triglycerides (MD −0.20 mmol/L (95% CI −0.24, −0.16, p < 0.00001)) favouring the intervention arm, and a statistically significant reduction in levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) (MD 0.06 mmol/L (95% CI 0.03, 0.08, p < 0.00001)) favouring the control arm. No significant differences were observed between baseline and 6-month follow-up levels for any lipid analysed. The heterogeneity between studies was high. This review foreshadows a potential benefit of periodontal therapy for lipid profiles in patients suffering from type 2 DM, however, well designed clinical trials using lipid profiles as primary outcome measures are warranted.

The contemporary practice of lung auscultation as an essential part of physical examination can be traced back to the time of Hippocrates [1].

Background Children with complex neurodevelopmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy (CP), have a higher risk of dental disease related at least in part to greater difficulties in performing and maintaining effective oral hygiene and oral care practices. However, to date, there are very few studies that have considered the impact of dental disease on the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. This study aimed to investigate the association between dental caries experience and oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) among children and adolescents with cerebral palsy in a low-resource setting (Bangladesh). Methods A total of 90 children and adolescents with CP, 2–17 years old (median age 10 years; 37.8% female and 62.2% male) were randomly selected from the Bangladesh Cerebral Palsy Register (BCPR) The decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft/DMFT) index was used to measure caries experience. Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ) and Family Impact Scale (FIS) were used to assess oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL). Binary logistic regression was used to investigate factors that may contribute to dental caries experience. Results Dental caries were observed among 55.6% of the participants. After adjusting for age and gender, binary logistic regression analysis showed that dental caries experience was significantly associated with those who had teeth/mouth pain (rate ratio 7.3; P = 0.02), food caught between teeth (rate ratio: 6.4; P = 0.02), difficulty in eating and drinking (rate ratio 5.9; p = 0.02) and those who felt frequently upset (rate ratio: 54.7; P = 0.02). Conclusion In this study, we found that children and adolescents with CP in a low-resource setting had high dental caries experience and that dental caries had a negative impact on OHRQoL amongst these participants and their parents/caregivers. Health care professionals should be aware of the importance of dental health and oral hygiene in this population. These findings highlight the need for oral health promotion programs for children and adolescents with CP in these settings to reduce pain and to improve quality of life.

Background Measuring the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adolescents, including those with cerebral palsy (CP) (the major cause of childhood physical disability worldwide) in Bangladesh is pertinent although there is a dearth of validated instruments for assessing this concept. For application in a case-control study comparing HRQoL between adolescents with CP and peers without disability in Bangladesh (a typical low- and middle-income country) we cross-culturally translated and psychometrically tested KIDSCREEN-27. Methods KIDSCREEN-27 was translated to Bengali using forward and backwards translation protocol and interviewer administered to adolescents with CP and their age and sex matched peers without disability. Primary caregivers were included for proxy-report. Sociodeomgraphic characterists and clinical information were extracted from the Bangladesh Cerebral Palsy Register (BCPR) and adolescent mental health was assessed using the Bengali version Strenghts and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Feasibility, floor and ceiling effect, internal consistency, content and construct validity of KIDSCREEN-27 were tested. Results Feasibility, floor and ceiling effect and internal consistency of KIDSCREEN-27 was good for both self- and proxy-report questionnaires; nil missing scores except ‘school environment’ (11.0% to 74.7%) which correlated to rates of non-school attendance; floor and ceiling effect ≤10.4% except ‘peers and social support’ 23.4%; Cronbach’s alpha 0.67 to 0.91. Instrument validity was strong; factor analysis reflected original instrument dimensions within one to three factors and difference in known groups was observed by CP and adolescent mental health (p

Background Quality of life (QoL) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measurement in low and middle-income countries of people with cerebral palsy (CP), the major cause of childhood physical disability, is essential to assess the impact of interventions and inform policies that best improve people’s lives. The purpose of this study was to cross-culturally translate and psychometrically validate the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life-Teens (CPQoL-Teens) self- and proxy-report questionnaires for application with adolescents with CP in Bangladesh. Method The CPQoL-Teens questionnaires were translated to Bengali using forward and backwards cross-cultural translation protocols. The questionnaires were interviewer administered to adolescents and their primary caregivers, identified through the Bangladesh Cerebral Palsy Register. Feasibility, sensitivity, internal consistency, content, concurrent and construct validity were assessed. Results One hundred fifty four adolescents with CP (10 to 18y; mean 15y 1mo SD 1y 8mo; 31.2% female) participated. Feasibility, sensitivity and internal consistency of both self- and proxy-report questionnaires was excellent; nil missing scores except ‘school wellbeing’ which was associated with non-school attendance (48.4 to 74.7%); floor and ceiling effect ≤13.6%; Cronbach’s alpha 0.77 to 0.94. Instrument validity was good; confirmatory factor analysis reflected five of the seven original instrument dimensions. CPQoL-Teens correlated to Kidscreen-27 on most dimensions (r = 0.176 to 0.693, p

Introduction Most Australian universities have abbreviated the anatomy curriculum and modified its mode of delivery. This study examines dental student perceptions of different methods of head and neck anatomy teaching with respect to the adequacy of allocated time and the relative meaningfulness of the teaching methods. Methods All second-year students in the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences at Charles Sturt University (CSU) were invited to complete a matrix-grid questionnaire. Participants were asked to score four methods of teaching (lectures, study of prosected materials, tutorials and quizzes) using a 5-point Likert scale. The questionnaire included questions about the time adequacy for anatomy lectures, tutorials and laboratory study, and the potential value of learning anatomy through the study of prosected materials. SPSS (Version 21.0) was used to analyse the data, and statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results Seventy-two students (79.5%) responded to the survey. Overall, learning anatomy through the study of prosected materials was the single highest scored method, followed by lectures, tutorials and quizzes. Graduate entrants felt that not enough time was devoted to learning anatomy through the study of prosected materials, compared with school leavers (89.4% and 10.6%, respectively), having one extra session of learning in the anatomy laboratory (71.4% and 28.6%, respectively) and adding dissection (75.0% and 25.0%, respectively) would be helpful. Conclusion This study demonstrates that dental students perceive the study of prosected materials in the wet laboratory as the most valuable method of learning anatomy, but an extended anatomy curriculum would be even more effective and appreciated.

AIMS: To investigate differences between higher and lower pain catastrophizers in the effects of hypertonic saline-evoked jaw muscle pain on pain perception and jaw movement.METHODS: Repetitive open/close jaw movements were recorded in 28 asymptomatic participants (20 men, 8 women; ages 25 to 62 years) during continuous infusion of 5% hypertonic saline or isotonic saline into the right masseter muscle. All participants completed the McGill Pain Questionnaire; the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales; and the Jaw Function Limitation Scale. They were divided into two groups depending on the median Pain Catastrophizing Scale score. Statistical analyses involved multivariate analysis of variance, independent samples or paired t tests, and Pearson correlations (statistical α: P < .05).RESULTS: Pain intensity, unpleasantness, perceived area, and pain rating indices were significantly (P < .05) elevated in higher pain catastrophizers during hypertonic saline-evoked pain in comparison with lower catastrophizers. The higher catastrophizers exhibited significantly (P < .05) slower jaw velocity than the lower catastrophizers during hypertonic saline infusion in comparison with IS infusion. In comparison with lower catastrophizers, there was a significantly greater change in the percentage of coefficient of variation between hypertonic saline and isotonic saline infusions in higher catastrophizers for closing velocity and opening and closing amplitude.CONCLUSION: The increased reported pain intensity, pain areas, and pain rating indices are consistent with enhanced central sensitization processes in high-catastrophizing individuals. The slower velocity and greater variability of repetitive jaw movements in higher pain catastrophizing individuals in acute experimental pain may reflect changes in motor coordination as an example of avoidance behavior for the jaw motor system.

AimTo assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and mental health of adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) in rural Bangladesh.MethodsCase-control study of adolescents with CP (10 to ≤18-years) and age and sex matched controls without disability. Primary caregivers were included for proxy report. HRQoL was measured with Bengali versions CP Quality of Life-Teens (CPQoL-Teens) and KIDSCREEN-27. Mental health was measured with Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).Results154 cases and 173 controls matched on age and sex participated (mean age 15.1 (1.6) and 14.9 (1.6) respectively; female n = 48, n = 55 respectively, p>0.05). CPQoL-Teens was administered to adolescents with CP only; mean outcomes ranged from 38.5 (27.4) to 71.5 (16.1) and 'feelings about functioning' was poorest domain for both self- and proxy-report groups. KIDSCREEN-27 was administered to adolescents with CP and controls; adolescents with CP mean outcomes ranged from 25.9 (12.2) to 48.7 (10.56) and were significantly poorer than controls, mean difference 4.3 (95% CI 0.7 to 7.8) to 16.7 (95% CI 14.5 to 18.5), pInterpretationAdolescents with CP in rural Bangladesh are at high risk of poor HRQoL and mental health problems. Effort to reduce the disparity between adolescents with CP and those without disability should consider wellbeing holistically and target dimensions including physical, psychological and social wellbeing. Specific interventions to alleviate modifiable aspects of HRQoL including pain, social isolation, and physical in-activity are recommended.

Aim To describe the oral health status and investigate factors affecting dental caries experience among children with cerebral palsy (CP) in rural Bangladesh. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted among children with CP who are part of the Bangladesh Cerebral Palsy Register (BCPR) study. Caries experience was measured by identifying decayed, missing, and filled teeth for deciduous and permanent teeth (dmft/DMFT). Clinical periodontal index, body mass index, oral hygiene behaviour, masticatory ability, and dietary habits were recorded. CP motor types and severity of functional mobility (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS]) were assessed. Results Of 90 children with CP (mean age 9y 7mo, range 2–17y, 37.8% female and 62.2% male), 35% of 2 to 6 year olds, and 70% of 7 to 11 year olds (p=0.014) experienced caries (dmft+DMFT>0). The mean values (standard deviation [SD]) of dmft and DMFT were 2.46 (3.75) and 0.72 (1.79) respectively. After adjusting for age and sex, binary logistic regression analysis showed a significant relationship with dental caries for children who had quadriplegia (odds ratio [OR] 5.56, p=0.035), tooth cleaning less than one time/day (OR 0.08, p=0.016), using toothpowder or charcoal for cleaning (OR 7.63, p=0.015), and snacking between meals more than one time/day (OR 6.93, p=0.012). Interpretation Early oral health preventive care is required for children with CP because dental caries is highly prevalent in these children.

Summary The aims of this study were to examine the incidence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) over a 3-year period and to evaluate the risk of self-reported TMDs among university students in Japan. The study population comprised 2374 university students examined at the start of their undergraduate course and 492 students re-examined after 3 years using questionnaires on symptoms of TMD and experiences of jaw injury, stress, orthodontic treatment and parafunctional habits. Cumulative incidence (%) and relative risks were calculated overall. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine the degree of risks of these variables for symptoms of TMDs using logistic regression. Results of logistic regression analysis showed that male subjects with experience of jaw injury had a 3·54 (CI = 1·45–8·68, P

Objective: To assess the relationship between dietary intake of folate and gingival bleeding in non-smoking adults in Japan. Materials And Methods: Data were obtained from residents who participated in the regional nutrition survey and survey of dental diseases conducted by the administrative office of northernmost prefecture of Japan. Dietitians visited households to collect data on dietary intake. Clinical parameters, including Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and bleeding on probing (BOP), were examined in community centers. Information on smoking habit was obtained from the interview. Then the data from 497 non-smoking adults with 20 teeth or more, aged 18 years or older, were analyzed. The relationship between dietary intake of folic acid and gingival bleeding status was estimated using multivariate analysis. Results: Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed a significant negative correlation between dietary folate level and bleeding on probing. The negative association between folate level and bleeding on probing remained statistically significant in multiple regression analysis (standardized β = −0.204, P

Objectives The purpose of this clinical study was to examine the relationships of v-shaped noncarious cervical lesion (NCCL) formation with occlusal factors. Methods A total of 159 male self-defense force officials with a mean age of 36.2 years participated in this study. All present teeth were examined for the presence and type of NCCL using the Tooth Wear Index (TWI). The subjects were then interviewed about bruxing and toothbrushing habit. Finally, occlusal force, occlusal contact area and average pressure were measured using a pressure-detecting sheet. Subject-level logistic regression was carried out to assess the associations of factors with presence of v-shaped NCCL teeth. Subjects without v-shaped NCCL were designated as control subjects. Results Totally, 4518 teeth were examined. Seventy-eight subjects (49.1%) had one or more teeth with typical v-shaped NCCL (259 teeth). The number of teeth with v-shaped NCCL of grade 2 (defect less than 1 mm in depth) was 195 (4.3%), and the number of teeth with v-shaped NCCL of grade 3 (defect 1–2 mm in depth) was 54 (1.2%). The prevalence of teeth with v-shaped NCCL was significantly higher in the maxilla than in the mandible. Most of the NCCL teeth were premolars. There was no significant difference between teeth with NCCL on the right side and those on the left side. Subject-level logistic regression analysis revealed that age (OR = 1.11), toothbrushing pressure (400 g, OR = 2.43) and occlusal contact area (>23.0 mm2, OR = 4.15) were associated with the presence of NCCL teeth. Conclusions It is concluded that aging, toothbrushing pressure and occlusal contact area are associated with the presence of NCCLs.

Background Pain catastrophizing significantly affects an individual's experience of pain. High pain catastrophizing is associated with increased fear avoidance behaviours, pain intensity and disability. The aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of pain catastrophizing on ongoing brain activity and movement-evoked brain activity during acute orofacial muscle pain. Methods Thirty-four healthy, pain-free subjects were recruited. In 17 subjects, the effect of catastrophizing on regional brain activity was determined. In 19 subjects, functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine the effects of pain catastrophizing on brain activation patterns during jaw movements in the presence of ongoing pain. Results We found that in the presence of pain, catastrophizing was significantly correlated with activity in multi-sensory integrative brain regions, including the dorsolateral and medial prefrontal cortices. Importantly, this relationship did not exist when subjects were not experiencing pain. In addition, during repetitive open–close jaw movements in the presence of pain, activity in the primary motor cortex, cerebellar cortex and the trigeminal motor nucleus was positively correlated with pain catastrophizing scores. In contrast, in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, as pain catastrophizing scores increased, the magnitude of signal intensity change during jaw movements decreased. Again, no such relationships occurred when the individual was not in pain. Conclusions These data show that during pain, catastrophic thinking has a significant impact on activity in motor and sensory integrative regions. Reducing negative coping strategies may be an effective means in reducing fear avoidance behaviours and the intensity of ongoing pain.

BACKGROUND: There has been no nationwide study in Japan on reasons for extraction of permanent teeth. This survey was aimed to determine the reasons for extraction of permanent teeth in Japan.METHODS: Five thousand, one hudred and thirty-one dentists were selected by systematic selection from the 2004 membership directory of the Japan Dental Association. The dentists selected were asked to record the reason for each extraction of permanent teeth during a period of one week from February 1 through 7, 2005. Reasons for tooth extraction were assigned to five groups: caries, fracture of teeth weakened by caries or endodontics, periodontal diseases, orthodontics, and other reasons.RESULTS: A total of 2,001 dentists (response rate of 39.1%) returned the questionnaires, and information on 9,115 extracted teeth from 7,499 patients was obtained. The results showed that caries and its sequela (totally 43.3%, 32.7% and 10.6%, respectively) and periodontal disease (41.8%) were the main reasons for teeth extraction. Extraction due to caries or fracture was commonly observed in all age groups over 15 years of age, whereas periodontal disease was predominant in the groups over 45 years of age.CONCLUSIONS: Most of the permanent teeth were extracted due to caries and its sequela and periodontal disease. Prevention and care for dental caries for all age groups and periodontal disease for over middle age groups are required.J Epidemiol 2006; 16: 214-219.

– Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine associations of lifestyle with dental health behaviors such as tooth brushing frequency, use of extra cleaning devices, and regular dental visits to a dentist. Methods: Data were collected from 1182 dentate residents 18 years of age or older who resided in a typical farming district. The data included data on the demographic factors, dental health behavior, and various aspects of lifestyle, i.e. mental condition, alcohol consumption, smoking habit, physical activity, social activity, dietary habits, and presence of systemic diseases. Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that subjects in a younger group (18–39 years of age) and subjects who had never smoked brushed their teeth more frequently. Experience of social volunteer work and presence of systemic disease were correlated with use of extra cleaning devices. Associations of female gender with frequency of tooth brushing and use of extra cleaning devices were weakly positive. The subjects who considered dietary combination carefully and those who lived alone were predisposed to visit a dentist regularly. Conclusions: The results indicate that dental health behavior is associated with lifestyle as well as demographic factors.

The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com, The prevalences of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in Bangladeshi adolescents and their associations with intake of various hard food items were investigated. A group of 1,200 randomly selected high school students aged 12-17 years from three communities (rural, semi-urban and urban) completed a questionnaire on dietary habits and presence of TMD symptoms and were examined clinically. In bivariate analysis, no significant relationship was observed between TMD symptoms and eating of hard foods. However, in logistic regression analysis, clicking showed a significant correlation with consumption of hard vegetable and fruits more than 3 times per week (P

Some management strategies for chronic orofacial pain are influenced by models ( e.g., Vicious Cycle Theory, Pain Adaptation Model) proposing either excitation or inhibition within a painful muscle. The aim of this study was to determine if experimental painful stimulation of the masseter muscle resulted in only increases or only decreases in masseter activity. Recordings of single-motor-unit (SMU, basic functional unit of muscle) activity were made from the right masseters of 10 asymptomatic participants during biting trials at the same force level and direction under infusion into the masseter of isotonic saline (no-pain condition), and in another block of biting trials on the same day, with 5% hypertonic saline (pain condition). Of the 36 SMUs studied, 2 SMUs exhibited a significant ( p < 0.05) increase, 5 a significant decrease, and 14 no significant change in firing rate during pain. Five units were present only during the no-pain block and 10 units during the pain block only. The findings suggest that, rather than only excitation or only inhibition within a painful muscle, a re-organization of activity occurs, with increases and decreases occurring within the painful muscle. This suggests the need to re-assess management strategies based on models that propose uniform effects of pain on motor activity.

Genetic alteration of p53 is a significant determining factor in the carcinogenesis. The loss of function, mutant p53 can possess a dominant negative effect on wild-type p53 and may also exert gain-of-function activity. It is, however, not clear how p53 functional status due to various types of mutation results in outcome of patients with oral cancer. A total of 60 oral SCC samples were subjected to yeast functional assay that screens human p53 function in yeast, and sequencing for determination of p53 mutations. The detected mutants were further investigated for their dominant negative activity using a yeast-based transdominance assay that tests dominant negative activity of a mutant p53 over wild-type p53 by coexpressing the mutant and wild-type p53 in a yeast transcriptional reporter system. p53 mutation was found in 42 out of 60 of which 10 (24%) exhibited dominant negative activity and 32 (76%) without dominant activity (recessive mutation). The remaining 18 (30%) were considered to have wild-type p53. The patients with dominant negative mutation had significantly shorter disease-free survival than patients with no mutation (log-rank test, p < 0.001) and those with a recessive mutation (p < 0.016). There were slight significant differences in disease-free survival were found between the patients with tumours harbouring a recessive p53 mutation and those with tumours harbouring a wild-type p53 (p < 0.038). The presence and absence of a dominant negative p53 mutation may thus provide a predictor of early recurrence in oral SCC patients.

Aim: To determine the relationship between betel quid chewing additives and established periodontitis in Bangladeshi subjects. Material and Methods: A total of 864 subjects participated in this study. Among them, 140 pairs of sex- and age-matched case subjects and control subjects were selected. A case was defined as a person who had at least two sites with a clinical attachment level (CAL) ≥ 6 mm and at least one site with probing depth (PD) ≥ 5 mm. Subjects who did not fulfill these criteria were considered as controls. Information on sociodemographic variables, psychological stress, dental health behaviour, smoking and betel quid chewing habits was obtained. Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that current betel quid chewers had greater probabilities of having established periodontal disease than did non-chewers (odds ratio = 3.97, p < 0.05). Mean PD, mean CAL, mean percentage of bleeding on probing and number of missing teeth were significantly higher in chewers of betel quid with tobacco and masala than in chewers of betel quid without such additives adjusting for age, sex, smoking habit, body mass index, dental visit pattern, stress and plaque index. Higher frequency and longer duration of betel quid chewing showed a significant relation to an increase in periodontal parameters. Conclusion: The results indicate that betel quid additives might significantly enhance periodontitis in the population studied.

Background To investigate the associations of aural symptoms, headache and depression with the presence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms in a young adult population in Japan. Methods A personal interview survey was conducted on first-year university students (n = 1,930) regarding symptoms of TMD, aural problems, headache, shoulder pain and depression. Logistic regression was applied to assess the associations of these problems with the presence of TMD symptoms after controlling for age and gender. Results Among the 1,930 students, 543 students exhibited TMD symptoms and were classified into 7 groups: clicking only (Group I, n = 319), pain in the TMJ only (Group II, n = 21), difficulty in mouth opening only (Group III, n = 18), clicking and pain (Group IV, n = 29), clicking and difficulty in mouth opening (Group V, n = 48), difficulty in mouth opening and pain (Group VI, n = 11), and combination of three symptoms (Group VII, n = 97). The control group (n = 1,387) were subjects without any TMD symptoms. After adjusting for age and gender, a strong association was observed between TMD symptoms (Group II and IV) and tinnitus (OR = 12.1 and 13.2, respectively). TMD symptoms (Group I, II and III) were also associated with vertigo and headache. Otalgia and depression were significantly associated with the presence of clicking only. Conclusions TMD symptoms were significantly correlated to aural symptoms and headache. A functional evaluation of the stomatognathic system should be considered in subjects with unexplained aural symptoms and headache.