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Introduction: Poor dental hygiene has been associated with various perinatal complications in studies done worldwide but few studies in Nepal have explored the knowledge of pregnant ladies regarding dental hygiene. The aim of the study was to know the knowledge and practices of pregnant women regarding oral health in a tertiary care center in Nepal., Methods: A qualitative study was carried out in Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital from January 15, 2018 to June 15, 2018 after approval from the Institutional Review Committee of Nobel Medical College. Convenience sampling was done. Fifty pregnant women admitted in antenatal ward were interviewed regarding their knowledge of dental care in pregnancy, the common dental problems they faced and the treatment taken. A predesigned proforma was used and results were analyzed using SPSS version 17., Results: Twenty two (44%) patients reported dental problems during pregnancy. Bleeding gums was seen in 7 (14%) and toothache in 7 (14%) were commonly reported dental problems. Forty seven (94%) patients acknowledged that routine dental care was needed for health, only 6 (12%) were aware that poor dental health could affect baby weight. Oral health not seen as priority in 24 (48%) was the main barrier to seeking dental care in pregnancy followed by costs of treatment in 18 (36%) and safety concerns in pregnancy in 8 (16%) cases., Conclusions: Though dental problems were a common occurrence in pregnancy, utilization of services was low for the same. The participants reported significant barriers to obtaining dental care including lack of knowledge about the importance of maternal oral health and the treatment costs.

Pediatric dentistry has evolved. Seasoned pediatric dentists believe that patients, parents, and behavior techniques have changed over their practice lifetimes. The purpose of this article is to provide dentists with a framework in which to adapt to the changes in society. Understanding cultural diversity, current societal values, technology and media influences, and contemporary parenting philosophies is essential to fostering communication with patients and their families. Building and honing behavior guidance skills are part of the process by which dentists help turn child patients into fearless adult patients with excellent oral health. This article reviews basic techniques and offers practical examples of implementing these in daily practice. The discussion also addresses changing parental and societal acceptance of various techniques and dentists' responsibility for informed consent regarding the risks and benefits of advanced behavior guidance techniques. Treating a patient from childhood to adulthood is the ultimate opportunity for the dentist to play a vital role in advancing the health and wellness of another human being.

Background: Poor oral health is associated with a reduced quality of life and serious illnesses. Consequently, nurses need to be more aware of oral health to improve the general health of residents in care., Aim: To evaluate and compare oral health behaviours and levels of salivary haemoglobin and dental biofilm acidogenicity, which can be used to evaluate oral disease activity, between residents and community dwellers in South Korea., Methods: This cross-sectional study included 133 participants: 64 residents and 69 community dwellers. All participants completed a questionnaire and tests to measure their salivary haemoglobin and dental biofilm acidogenicity., Results: A higher percentage of community dwellers than of residents brushed their teeth three times a day, cleaned their tongue, used interdental cleaning devices and had visited a dental clinic within 1 year. The levels of salivary haemoglobin and dental biofilm acidogenicity tended to be higher in residents than in community dwellers., Conclusion: Residents showed poorer oral health behaviours and higher levels of gingival bleeding and acid production by oral bacteria than did community dwellers., Implications for Nursing Practice: Nursing staff should enhance their monitoring of oral hygiene status and provide quality oral care to residents through cooperation with dental professionals., Implications for Nursing and Health Policy: Policymakers should be aware that oral health is an essential component of improving general health and well-being and therefore strive to develop policies to promote oral care services provided to residents. Nursing policies, such as mandating oral care and hands-on training in oral care for nursing staff, are important. We also suggest that factors related to oral care be added to the establishment or accreditation standards of care facilities., (© 2017 International Council of Nurses.)

The aim of the study was to assess age and gender related features of oral status and oral hygiene. The study included 234 patients (76 males and 158 females) aged 25 to 74 years. It is proved that females have more dental appointments than males mostly because of specific oral conditions associated with pregnancy and menopause as well as better compliance with prevention programs. Thus, females require more intense follow-up than males which should be taken into consideration in treatment and follow-up plans.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common chronic motor disorder with associated cognitive, communicative, and seizure disorders. Children with CP have a higher risk of dental problems creating significant morbidity that can further affect their wellbeing and negatively impact their quality of life. Screening for dental disease should be part of the initial assessment of any child with CP. The objective of this article is to present an updated overview of dental health issues in children with CP and outline important preventative and practical strategies to the management of this common comorbidity. Providing adequate oral care requires adaptation of special dental skills to help families manage the ongoing health issues that may arise. As oral health is increasingly recognized as a foundation for general wellbeing, caregivers for CP patients should be considered an important component of the oral health team and must become knowledgeable and competent in home oral health practices.

We investigated the prevalence and risk factors for preoperative dental clearance failure in joint arthroplasty patients. Over a 5-month period, all patients scheduling total joint arthroplasty completed a dental questionnaire. Data collected included demographics, medical and dental history, dental hygiene practices, frequency of dental care, and results of dental clearance. Of the 300 patients, 35 (12%) failed dental clearance. Risk factors included tobacco use, poor flossing habits, history of tooth extraction, age, narcotic use, and lack of a dentist visit within 12 months. Of 189 patients who lacked the 3 least prevalent risk factors (tobacco use, narcotic use, no dental visit within 12 months), 11 (6%) failed dental clearance. Selective dental clearance based on patient risk stratification may be a reasonable approach., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To assess the oral health status and treatment needs of Iruliga tribal community residing at Ramanagara District, Karnataka, India., Methods: The total population of 2605 Iruligas residing at 26 villages of Ramanagara District was included for the study. Data were collected using World Health Organization (WHO) 1997 'Oral Health Assessment Form'. Examination was done under good natural light using a mouth mirror and community periodontal index (CPI) probe., Results: The total study population was 2605, comprising 1545 males and 1060 females in the age group of 1-80 years with the mean age of 30.56 +/- 19.51. The majority of Iruligas (79.8%) used chew sticks as an oral hygiene aid. Subjects with leukoplakia were found to be 3 (0.12). The most commonly seen enamel opacity/hypoplasia was diffuse opacity affecting 930 (35.7%) subjects. A mild form of dental fluorosis affected 1658 (63.65%) subjects. Subjects with bleeding were only 4.22%; subjects with calculus were 57.9%; those with shallow pockets (4-5 mm) were 22.0% and subjects with deep pockets (> or = 6 mm) were 3.67%. The prevalence of dental caries among Iruligas was found to be 7.52%. The mean number of decayed, missing, filled (DMF) permanent teeth per person was 0.55 +/- 0.1. Definite malocclusion, which required elective treatment, was noted in 14.1%. Iruligas with need for referral were found to be 29.94% (n = 780) according to the various treatment needs required for different oral diseases., Conclusion: This study revealed less prevalence of oral diseases among Iruligas, highlighting the role of good oral health practices prevalent among this isolated population.

The main data on oral health and dental pathologies affecting Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients were reviewed. Oral health declines and dental pathologies increase with progression of AD. Poor oral hygiene, difficulty in wearing dentures, and the inability to self-care, including carrying out oral hygiene procedures are the most probable cause of impaired oral health in AD. Collection of information on oral/dental conditions from AD patients or their caregivers/relatives is often difficult and scientific literature on the topic is sparse . The majority of data on the subject consist in retrospective studies affected to some extent by subjective views of dental professionals involved. Appropriate dental interventions in adult-onset dementia disorders will decrease pain and oral pathology and consequently could contribute to maintain enough oral and nutritional health in these patients. Dental treatment in early stages of the disease are important and should be finalized at producing a stable oral condition. This could improve the quality of life and contribute to decrease worsening of oral situations in the later stages of the disease when dental treatment may be difficult. The problem of awareness of good oral health for keeping quality of life more acceptable in adult-onset dementia disorders is discussed.

For a variety of reasons, residents of long-term care facilities often lack basic dental care, leading to poor nutrition, needless pain, medical complications, and unnecessary tooth loss. The "Healthy People 2010" initiative included a goal to reduce the number of older adults who have had all their natural teeth extracted, and increase the proportion of long-term care residents who use the oral health care system each year. Medication is a primary or contributing cause of oral problems. Although the overall incidence of dental disease is decreasing, around 50% of adults have some signs of periodontal disease; 35% have some root damage. Poor oral health in long-term care facilities has numerous causes and tragic results. Several steps, including calcium and vitamin D supplementation and careful medication monitoring can help prevent tooth loss, combat caries, and decrease periodontal disease.

This study investigated levels of dental health knowledge and factors associated with adequate dental health knowledge in a group of black adolescents living in rural areas. Using a self-administered questionnaire, data were collected on a convenience sample of 151 black adolescents aged 10 to 18 yrs living in rural South Carolina. The mean percent correct on the dental health knowledge questions was 55.0%. Using 75% as the cutoff for adequate dental health knowledge, only 7.9% of the respondents achieved this level. Two thirds of the younger adolescents (aged 10-12 yrs) were below the median on dental health knowledge. Respondents selected dental health professionals, family, and school as the three main sources of dental health information. Results from univariate logistic regression analyses indicated that being older, having a regular dentist for routine care, and having learned about dental health from dental health professionals, family, mass media, and friends were significantly associated with adequate dental health knowledge. After adjusting for other explanatory factors, adequate dental health knowledge was associated with being older and having learned about dental health from friends. This group of adolescents seems to have limited dental health knowledge with misconceptions concerning periodontal health and caries prevention. This was especially evident in younger adolescents. Incorporation of peer dental health education in school is worthwhile to investigate as a means to enhance the dental health knowledge of these adolescents.