Search

Background: Patients with chronic renal failure may have their oral health impaired as a result of the disease itself, its treatment, and its associated lifestyle alterations. Objective: To assess the factors associated with poor self-rated oral health among adults with chronic renal failure treated by hemodialysis. Method: This is a cross-sectional study with 243 adults undergoing hemodialysis in a hospital in Minas Gerais, Brazil in 2013-2014. The outcome was assessed by the self-report of oral health categorized into good (excellent/good) and bad (fair/bad / very bad). The independent variables included sociodemographic conditions, general health, oral health, and the use of dental services were collected through a structured questionnaire. The association between the outcome and the independent variables was tested using multiple logistic models with hierarchical inclusion of variables. Results: The prevalence of poor self-rated oral health was 35.4%. The youngest (p = 0.015), those who have undergone hemodialysis in the shortest time (p = 0.016), have halitosis (p <0.001), need dental treatment (p <0.001), and had their last dental appointment not for pain (p = 0.027) expressed higher odds of poor self-rated oral health, independently of sociodemographic and health conditions. Conclusion: Sociodemographic conditions, time on hemodialysis, oral impairments, and use of dental services affected the oral health self-assessment among adults undergoing hemodialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the accuracy of a short version of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) in predicting caries treatment need for children. Methods: The study is a validation study using data from three previously published cross‐sectional studies. Participants were children with different dentitions from Kuwait, Brazil, and Spain. Children were clinically examined using ICDAS criteria. Children were classified into preventive, non‐operative, and operative categories. Sensitivity and specificity, predictive values, likelihood ratios, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to measure the discriminative and diagnostic accuracy of the proposed short version of ICDAS compared to the full ICDAS. Results: Clinical dental examination data from a total of 3076 children aged 1–15 years were used. The proposed short ICDAS and the full ICDAS showed a very good agreement on caries treatment need determination with Kappa scores of more than 0.833 in all dentitions. The short ICDAS showed excellent operating characteristics in all dentitions. The area under the ROC was more than 90% in primary dentition, 89% in permanent dentition, and 86% in mixed dentition in different populations. Lowest area under ROC and sensitivity values were observed when discriminating between non‐operative and operative treatment categories. Conclusions: The proposed short version of the ICDAS showed good diagnostic accuracy in classifying children according to their caries treatment need. By reducing the number of surfaces examined and the time needed for clinical assessment, the short version of the ICDAS is a convenient alternative to the full ICDAS to be used in community settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to examine the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS), its components, and periodontitis among Indonesian adults. Materials and Methods: Cross‐sectional data from the 2018 Indonesia National Health Survey (Riskesdas) was analysed. The sample included dentate individuals aged 35 years or older for whom complete information was available on components of MetS and periodontitis, including bleeding on probing (BOP) (N = 13,356), pocket depth (PD) (N = 13,273), and clinical attachment loss (CAL) (N = 13,000). Rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated with negative binomial regression models. Results: The prevalence of MetS was 41.0%. The prevalence of individuals having at least one tooth with BOP, one tooth with PD ≥4 mm, or one sextant with CAL ≥4 mm was 74.9%, 40.7%, and 40.6%, respectively. No associations were observed between MetS and BOP, PD, or CAL, but hyperglycaemia was constantly positively associated with BOP (RR = 1.06; 95% CI 1.01–1.11), PD (RR = 1.13; 95% CI 1.03–1.23), and CAL (RR = 1.15; 95% CI 1.08–1.23). Conclusions: Our findings support the potential influence of hyperglycaemia on periodontitis. Incorporating oral disease prevention strategies into the management of systemic diseases could be beneficial for reducing the burden of these diseases in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Knowledge regarding oral hygiene and routine practices of maintaining that hygiene contributes to good oral and overall health of a person. The objective of the study was to evaluate the oral hygiene perception and practices among patients belonging to rural and urban areas visiting a public dental institute. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the dental outpatient department (OPD) of the Institute of Dentistry Liaquat University Jamshoro Sindh from June-December 2019. All patients who reported the dental OPD during the duration of the study belonging to either gender and age 18-70 years were included in the study. While those who reported in emergency with painful conditions and chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, etc., were excluded. A written questionnaire was used to collect participant's information including socio-demographic details and information related to oral hygiene perceptions and practices. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 24.0. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 28.94±9.84 years, with an age range of 19-58 years. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between female and male participants regarding knowledge and perception of the role of oral cleaning in decay prevention, different methods of preventing dental problems, and the role of remnants of sweet food in damaging teeth. While statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the type of toothbrush used, brushing technique, and frequency of changing toothbrush was demonstrated between participants belonging to rural and urban regions. CONCLUSION: Knowledge and routine practices regarding oral hygiene are much lower in residents of the rural region compared with the urban region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Evidence of an association between periodontitis and MetS (metabolic syndrome) remains controversial. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between periodontitis and MetS in a cross‐sectional population survey. Material and Methods: WORALTH (Workers' ORAL healTH) Study is a cross‐sectional survey, conducted on a representative sample of the Spanish employed population, including 5154 participants. An oral examination following the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria evaluated the periodontal status using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and Clinical Attachment Levels (CAL). Logistic regression analysis with adjustment for potential confounders was used to evaluate the association between periodontitis and MetS, and its individual components. Results: Participants presenting a CPI = 4 were more likely to have MetS than subjects with CPI < 4 [odds ratio, OR = 1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10–1.81; p < 0.001]. High blood pressure was the component with stronger association with periodontal status (OR = 1.94 for CAL ≥6 mm; 95% CI 1.49–2.53; p < 0.001). After stratifying for sex, the association was higher in women (OR = 2.20 for CPI = 4; 95% CI 1.31–3.62; p < 0.001). Non‐metabolically healthy subjects, obese or not, presented a worse periodontal condition. Conclusion: Severe periodontitis (CPI = 4) was associated with MetS in a representative sample of the Spanish employed population. This association seems to be independent of body mass index and other potential confounders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the findings of clinical examination and panoramic radiograph regarding the occurrence of third molars in a population survey to find out how many third molars remain clinically unnoticed. Materials and methods: A two-staged stratified cluster-sampling method was used to select 8028 participants representing the adult population aged 30 years and older. Clinical oral examinations and panoramic radiographs were carried out for 5989 subjects (46% men, 54% women; mean age 52.5, SD 14.6; range 30–97 years). Clinical recordings of the presence of third molars were compared with the radiographs. Statistics included chi-squared, Fisher's, Wilcoxon's, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: In the 5989 subjects, 3742 third molars were recorded in the clinical examination, and 5912 were observed in the panoramic images, a difference of 2170 teeth. Furthermore, related to 3668 (61%) of the third molars, both clinical and radiographic recordings were attributed to the same third molar, while 2244 third molars were observed only in the panoramic image, and 74 only in the clinical examination. In every age group, the mean number of third molars per subject was larger radiographically compared with the clinical recordings (means for all 0.99 vs. 0.62; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Numbers of third molars, recorded in clinical examination alone, are underreported by approximately one-third compared with radiographic findings. Clinical relevance: The numbers of third molars in a population survey without a panoramic radiograph do not reflect the total number of third molars in a population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Denture use for recovery of major tooth loss can reduce the need for care, and thus, it is important for dentists to identify the types of patients who use removable dentures. Objective: To identify factors associated with removable denture use in independent older Japanese people. Methods: This cross‐sectional study investigated the oral condition; demographics; lifestyle; dental visit behaviour; and higher‐level functional capacity, as assessed using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology index of competence (TMIG index), of independent older people aged 65‐74 years. Participants were divided into four groups based on sex and condition of the posterior occluding pairs (POPs). Multivariate‐adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed for each group, with denture use or non‐use as the dependent variable and the other items as independent variables. Results: Denture use or non‐use was significantly associated with only dental consultation behaviour (regular dental visits and time since the last dental visit) in all groups. Subsequent analyses excluding dental consultation behaviour demonstrated that denture use or non‐use was significantly associated with educational background in female participants with decreased POPs, with the type of household in male participants with lost POPs and with the TMIG index (social role) in female participants with lost POPs. Conclusions: Denture use was associated with dental consultation behaviour. We revealed factors related to denture use or non‐use in females with decreased POPs and both males and females with lost POPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes associated factors to self-perceived oral health and use of oral health services in native and immigrant adults from the PELFI cohort in Spain. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted (401 adults ≥ 18 years, from Spain, Ecuador, Colombia and Morocco). Frequencies for sociodemographic, self-perceived general and oral health variables were calculated. The association between oral health/oral health services use and origin country was estimated by logistic regression (adjusted odds ratio-aOR-; 95% confidence intervals -95%CI-). Ecuadorian men were more likely to report dental caries (aPR 2.75; 95%CI 1.30–5.80) and Moroccan women were more likely to report gingival bleeding (aPR 3.61; 95%CI 1.83–7.15) and the use of oral health services ≥ 1 year/never (aPR 1.69; 95%CI 1.06–2.69). Colombian women were less likely to report missing teeth (aPR 0.73; 95%CI 0.56–0.95). Poor self-perceived oral health indicators were observed in immigrants and were modified for sociodemographic and general health variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the association between periodontitis, diabetes, and prediabetes, assessed by fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Materials and methods: Workers' Oral Health Study is a cross-sectional survey conducted on a representative sample of the Spanish employed population including 5154 participants (59.5% men, aged 16–65). Examination of periodontal status assessed Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and clinical attachment levels (CAL). Biochemical determinations included fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglycerides, and total cholesterol. Logistic regression analysis with adjustment for potential confounders was used to evaluate the association between periodontitis and abnormal glucose regulation. Results: Ninety-five participants (2.2%) of the study population had diabetes, while 373 (8.8%) presented prediabetes. Prediabetes was not associated with CPI or CAL in fully adjusted multivariate logistic regressions models. Diabetes was significantly associated with subjects having a CPI 4 after adjustment for potential confounders (odds ratio OR = 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–3.1). This association was stronger in subjects < 45 years (OR = 4.0, 95% CI 1.2–12.7). Conclusion: Periodontitis was associated with diabetes mellitus, but not with prediabetes, in a representative sample of the Spanish employed population. The association was stronger for younger subjects, which emphasizes the need for early detection of diabetes in younger patients affected by periodontitis, particularly because periodontal therapy may help to improve glycemic control. Clinical relevance: Periodontitis is associated with diabetes mellitus, having at the same time a negative effect on glycemic control. It is important to develop proper early diagnosis strategies for both conditions, particularly in young male adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the bias in estimating the prevalence of periodontitis due to partial-mouth periodontal examination protocols (PMPE) and to relate the severity and extent of periodontal damage to periodontitis misclassification when applying case definitions by Centres of Disease Control and Prevention and American Academy of Periodontology (CDC/AAP).Materials and Methods: A full-mouth periodontal examination (FMPE) was performed in 721 adults living in North Italy to identify moderate and severe periodontitis. These results were compared with those obtained with two PMPE protocols analyzing two interproximal sites on all teeth (fMB-DL) or four interproximal sites in two random diagonal quadrants (pMDB-MDL).Results: Both PMPE systems estimated the prevalence of moderate periodontitis with limited bias (-2.79% for pMDB-MDL and -3.49% for fMB-DL), whereas produced larger relative biases for severe periodontitis (-28.74% versus - 14.55%). The percentage of under-recognition of existing periodontal disease was 8.9% under fMB-DL and 15.5% under pMDB-MDL. The diagnosis of moderate and severe periodontal disease was correctly assigned to individuals with on average 8% and 30% of pathological sites, respectively.Conclusion: These findings suggest that PMPE systems provide high level of bias when using CDC/AAP case definitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess periodontal awareness among laypersons, to characterize the very aware of periodontitis and to disclose whether high awareness implies sufficient periodontal knowledge. Subjects and methods: Cross‐sectional study on laypersons randomly selected by quota sampling from March 2015 to June 2016. The questionnaire of periodontal awareness included aspects of aetiology, risk factors, signs and symptoms, related risks, prevention, treatment and related attitudes. It was applied by 12 interviewers in the community in each four province capitals, in a sort of pathfinder survey method. Results: A 43.3% response rate was obtained, and 3,553 people entered the study. "Very aware": 19.4%. "Aware": 42.7%. "Not aware": 37.9%. Age, oral self‐care and educational achievements characterized those "very aware." Any additional degree beyond compulsory education halves the chances for being "not periodontally aware." Very aware people likely to have periodontitis were elder, less educated, with a smoking history and less knowledge of the disease. Gaps of knowledge among the "very aware" were identified in all aspects except for "prevention" and "treatment.". Conclusions: Very periodontally aware people were in their late 40–60 s, followed sound oral care routines and held a degree but elicited insufficient knowledge about aetiology, signs‐symptoms, related risks or periodontal risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. Dental status and oral hygiene habits are poor in young population living in deprived socioeconomic conditions. The aim of this research was to ascertain oral hygiene habits in adolescents attending high schools in urban area, determine the incidence of tooth loss at the age of 15-16 years and the gender difference. Methods. The epidemiological cross-sectional study included 234 randomly selected high school students. The research instruments were questionnaire (focusing on socio-demographic characteristics, habits, attitudes and behavior related to general and oral health) and clinical examination (tooth loss, normative need for prosthodontics restorations and presence of restorations). Results. Gender-related data comparison revealed that 32.5% of girls and 8.1% of boys had at least one tooth extracted (p < 0.05). Also, 56.2% of girls and 75.7% of boys brushed their teeth twice a day. Caries complications were identified as the indication for tooth extraction in 82.8% of participants. The data analysis confirmed the correlation between gender and tooth loss as well as treatment needs. Tooth loss was correlated with oral hygiene habits and reasons for dental visits. Treatment need was also affected by the reasons for tooth extraction and the absence of adequate prosthodontics therapy (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Sociodemographic conditions significantly influenced the number of participants with extracted teeth. A prosthodontic treatment need was influenced by the reasons for tooth extraction, adolescents' knowledge about the importance of adequate treatment and previous unpleasant experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the practice of dentistry in intensive care units. Methods: An observational survey study was conducted in which questionnaires were sent via the online platform for collaboration in intensive care research in Brazil (AMIBnet). The study was carried out from June to October 2017. The questionnaires, which contained 26 closed questions about hospitals and dentistry practices in the intensive care units, were sent to 4,569 professionals from different specialties practicing in the units. Results: In total, 203 questionnaires were returned, resulting in a response rate of 4.44%. Most of the responses were from intensive care units in the Southeast region of the country (46.8%). Public hospitals (37.9%) and private hospitals (36.4%) had similar participation rates. Of the respondents, 55% indicated that a bedside dentistry service was present, and they were provided in different ways. Conclusion: The presence of dentistry services and oral health service delivery training and protocols were correlated. The oral care methods varied greatly among the intensive care units surveyed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because conducting population-based oral health screening is resource intensive, oral health data at small-area levels (e.g., county-level) are not commonly available. We applied the multilevel logistic regression and poststratification method to estimate county-level prevalence of untreated dental caries among children aged 6-9years in the United States using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2010 linked with various area-level data at census tract, county and state levels. We validated model-based national estimates against direct estimates from NHANES. We also compared model-based estimates with direct estimates from select State Oral Health Surveys (SOHS) at state and county levels. The model with individual-level covariates only and the model with individual-, census tract- and county-level covariates explained 7.2% and 96.3% respectively of overall county-level variation in untreated caries. Model-based county-level prevalence estimates ranged from 4.9% to 65.2% with median of 22.1%. The model-based national estimate (19.9%) matched the NHANES direct estimate (19.8%). We found significantly positive correlations between model-based estimates for 8-year-olds and direct estimates from the third-grade State Oral Health Surveys (SOHS) at state level for 34 states (Pearson coefficient: 0.54, P=0.001) and SOHS estimates at county level for 53 New York counties (Pearson coefficient: 0.38, P=0.006). This methodology could be a useful tool to characterize county-level disparities in untreated dental caries among children aged 6-9years and complement oral health surveillance to inform public health programs especially when local-level data are not available although the lack of external validation due to data unavailability should be acknowledged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the association between family social risk (RSF), oral individual risk and collective risk of caries with the demographic of adults and children (families) of the Family Health Unit (USF) in Sorocaba, SP. Materials and Methods: This is an exploratory descriptive research with quantitative analysis. The study sample consisted of children in the age group of 6 to 12 years, with higher dental needs, of both sexes and all components of the family nucleus and that are registered in the USF north of Sorocaba. We obtained a total of 20 children who participated in the study with an average of 4 components of their nuclear families, totaling 79 people at the end. To collect data from this study were used two indicators: the DMFT index -- epidemiological tool -- and the sheet for families of registration (Form A) of the Information System of Primary Care (SIAB) -- form with information and data of the nuclear family. Results: The data collected during home visits were grouped and compiled into a made spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel, and then we calculated the familiar score -- according to Coelho Scale and Savassi -- and the DMFT of each family member rated. Later, the data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA. Conclusion: The analysis showed no significant differences when comparing the vulnerability risks of the average DMFT families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The aim of this study was to translate the Child Oral Impact on Daily Performance index into Serbian language and to evaluate its reliability in practice. Material and Methods. Following internationally established methods, adaptation of the Child Oral Impact on Daily Performance index for children and adolescents in the Serbian speaking areas consisted of three steps: forward translation of the Child Oral Impact on Daily Performance index, backward translation, and a pilot study. Results. A pilot study included 42 participants (21 males and 21 females), mean age of 12.0 ± 1.01 years. All items showed a corrected item-total correlation coefficient above >0.20 and the standardized Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.80. All correlation coefficient values were positive. The prevalence of oral health impact measured by the Child Oral Impact on Daily Performance index was relatively high and 54.8% of the participants reported at least one oral impact on the daily performance in the last 3 months. The most common activities affected were eating (38.1%) and cleaning the teeth (16.7%). Conclusion. The Serbian version of the Child Oral Impact on Daily Performance index is suitable for use in everyday practice and it provides useful information in the evaluation of oral health-related quality of life. The prevalence of oral impacts was high with the most prevalent impact referring to eating. Further clinical research, including larger number of participants, is required for exact verification of the Child Oral Impact on Daily Performance index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Salivary buffering capacity might be related to an individual's susceptibility to Dental Caries. Aim: to find the association between the Oral Hygiene Index Simplified by Green & Vermillion (OHI-S) and the DMFT Index, and the salivary pH among students with special needs mentally retarted of the Center Ann Sullivan of Peru (CASP). Materials and Methods: A cros-sectional, prospective and clinical study was conducted in 45 students among 10 and 50 years old, who atended to the CASP, were assesed to determine the index of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT Index) and plaque scores by OHI-S by Greene & Vermillion. 45 samples of saliva were collected, as a mínimum of 6ml. in order to measure its pH and buffer rate, by using a digital PHmeter. Results: for the whole group, it was registered a OHI-S = 2.0 which equals to a regular index; and a DMFT very low according to the World Health Organization. Ph rated were average 7.7. Though ANOVA parametric test, with a confidence level of 95%, it was determined a level of significance of 0.362 was determined for the relationship between the OHI-S and the salivary pH, and a level of 0.280 for the relationship between the DFMT Index and rhe salivary pH of the students attending to the CASP. Conclusions: Oral higiene status might be more related to their psychomotor disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to research carbonic anhydrase (CA) VI one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and its potential association with dental-oral health status (dental caries, Plaque Index (PI) and Gingival Index (GI)) and salivary parameters (salivary buffering capacity, salivary flow rate (SFR)) in children. A total of 178 children were divided into two groups: non-carious ( n = 70, 34 boys and 36 girls) and carious ( n = 108, 47 boys and 61 girls). The clinical evaluations were performed according to the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft/DMFT) index by a specialist. Clinical parameters including PI, GI, and simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S) were recorded. Salivary pH (SpH) was measured using pH paper. Blood samples and unstimulated whole saliva were collected, and SFR was calculated. The CA VI rs2274327 polymorphism was determined by a LightSNiP assay on the realtime PCR system. The frequencies of rs2274327 were not significant between groups ( p > 0.05). There was a positive correlation between OHI-S and SpH in the carious and non-carious groups ( p < 0.05). There was no correlation among the SNPs' frequencies and OHI-S, PI, GI, SFR, and SpH ( p > 0.05). CA VI SNP (rs2274327) had no statistically significant association with OHI-S, PI, GI, SFR, and SpH in the children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontal disease has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether a correlation between periodontitis and chronic heart failure exists, as well as the nature of the underlying cause. We enrolled 71 patients (mean age, 54 ± 13 yr; 56 men) who had stable chronic heart failure; all underwent complete cardiologic and dental evaluations. The periodontal screening index was used to quantify the degree of periodontal disease. We compared the findings to those in the general population with use of data from the 4th German Dental Health Survey. Gingivitis, moderate periodontitis, and severe periodontitis were present in 17 (24%), 17 (24%), and 37 (52%) patients, respectively. Severe periodontitis was more prevalent among chronic heart failure patients than in the general population. In contrast, moderate periodontitis was more prevalent in the general population ( P <0.00001). The severity of periodontal disease was not associated with the cause of chronic heart failure or the severity of heart failure symptoms. Six-minute walking distance was the only independent predictor of severe periodontitis. Periodontal disease is highly prevalent in chronic heart failure patients regardless of the cause of heart failure. Prospective trials are warranted to clarify the causal relationship between both diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting in destruction of tissues and structures surrounding the teeth thus, if left untreated causes loss of teeth and ultimately results in edentulism, posing a great negative impact on individuals' quality of life. Hence the global epidemiological data suggests periodontal disease to be one of a major burden on oral diseases. To reduce this burden it is necessary to know the true prevalence of the disease according to which proper initiatives can be formulated. India being home to nearly 1.2 billion people and one amongst the rapidly developing country, its population requires being systemically as well as orally healthy to lead a good quality of life. However due to large heterogenecity amongst its residing population in terms of geographical area, culture, education, socioeconomic status, a variety of oral diseases like periodontal diseases are prevalent here. Even though the early studies suggested that the population is highly susceptible to the disease, the true prevalence of periodontal disease has not been found yet due to paucity in literature available. Aim: To systematically review the available literature taken from various parts of India and find the prevalence rate of periodontal disease amongst the general population of India. Materials and Methods: A literature search was performed using PUB MED, COCHRANE and EMBASE databases on August 6, 2015. Following full text assessment a thorough references search was made and potential studies were included. A Quality assessment of retrieved articles from 2nd round was done using a self designed questionnaire and only field survey studies were included in the systematic review. Results: The literature search yielded six studies which had performed field surveys to find the prevalence of periodontal disease in their respective areas. These studies have observed different sets of age groups and the same has been accomplished by using Community Periodontal Index (CPI) or Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN). It was also found that no prevalence studies have been carried out in few North and North Eastern states and Union Territories of India. Conclusion: Due to non-availability of same age groups in selected studies an overall prevalence rate could not be obtained. However, it was observed that few areas of states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Assam have reported a prevalence rate of periodontal disease of more than 85% in their general population. The data from the present systematic review calls for a combined initiative from the Government of India and Dental council of India to have a nationwide multicentric prevalence studies to obtain the true prevalence rate of periodontal disease in India and interventions should be provided for the same to maintain the oral health and quality of life of the affected population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the main arguments made in favor of community water fluoridation is that it is equitable in its impact on dental caries (i.e., helps to offset inequities in dental caries). Although an equitable effect of fluoridation has been demonstrated in cross-sectional studies, it has not been studied in the context of cessation of community water fluoridation (CWF). The objective of this study was to compare the socio-economic patterns of children's dental caries (tooth decay) in Calgary, Canada, in 2009/10 when CWF was in place, and in 2013/14, after it had been discontinued. Methods: We analyzed data from population-based samples of schoolchildren (grade 2) in 2009/10 and 2013/14. Data on dental caries (decayed, missing, and filled primary and permanent teeth) were gathered via open mouth exams conducted in schools by registered dental hygienists. We examined the association between dental caries and 1) presence/absence of dental insurance and 2) small area index of material deprivation, using Poisson (zero-inflated) and logistic regression, for both time points separately. For small-area material deprivation at each time point, we also computed the concentration index of inequality for each outcome variable. Results: Statistically significant inequities by dental insurance status and by small area material deprivation were more apparent in 2013/14 than in 2009/10. Conclusions: Results are consistent with increasing inequities in dental caries following cessation of CWF. However, further research is needed to 1) confirm the effects in a study that includes a comparison community, and 2) explore possible alternative reasons for the findings, including changes in treatment and preventive programming.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to analyze the knowledge of oral health and its relationship with the socioeconomic status in adults. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out. Information on sociodemographic and oral health knowledge was collected through a household survey. Sample size was determined by establishing a confidence level of 95% (381 individuals) for the generalization of results. A simple random sampling design was used for the selection of households to be surveyed. In addition, this was supplemented with a non-probability quota sampling procedure for selecting the individuals to be interviewed. Results: A scale ranging from 0 to 28 points was used to measure knowledge on oral health. The adults of the city of Corrientes have an acceptable level of knowledge on this matter since they had a minimum score of 15 points in said scale. The results for individuals with a low SES were similar to those obtained by individuals with a medium-high and high SES. Individuals with a mediumlow SES had a significantly lower level of knowledge on oral health. Conclusion: These results should be considered in the design of intervention strategies that affect the social and cultural determinants of the health-disease process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objetive: To describe the knowledge on the cariogenic potential of certain foods, to analyze frequency and moment of ingestion, and to compare consumption of cariogenic food in groups with different socio-economic levels. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study. Information concerning the study variables was collected through an in-home survey in the city of Corrientes, Argentina in 2013. The sample size was established with a 95% confidence level (381 adults between 35-44 years). A simple random sampling design was applied, which was complemented with a non-probability quota sampling. Results: Most survey respondents can differentiate cariogenic from non-cariogenic food. Daily frequency of consumption was significantly associated to the moment of ingestion (between meals). In groups with different socio-economic levels no statistically significant differences were found. Conclusion: Although most of the population in this study can differentiate cariogenic from noncariogenic food, their daily consumption is high, specially "between main meals" when the cariogenic potential is higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The level of dental awareness of a pregnant woman affects the sanitary condition of her own teeth and the health of the child to be born. Poor oral health is considered to be a probable risk factor for the pre-term birth or low birth weight. The aim of this work was to assess the level of oral health knowledge that determines oral health condition of pregnant women in Poland. Material and Methods: Empirical data were obtained from the National Monitoring of Oral Health and Its Determinants, financed by the Ministry of Health. This socio-epidemiological study assessed oral health status and dental health awareness, which affects that status. Study subjects included 1380 pregnant women at the age ranging from 15 to 44, randomly-selected from urban and rural environments. Dental health status was recorded in the clinical examination sheets supplied by the World Health Organization, and the socio-medical data were recorded in the questionnaire interview sheets. Results: Almost 3/4 of the pregnant women evaluated their dental health as unsatisfactory or poor. Over 60% of the pregnant women rated their knowledge and practical skills concerning care of their own teeth and of the child to be born as limited, inadequate or none. Only 40% of the pregnant women provided right answers to the questions about dental issues. Conclusions: Low oral health awareness results in poor oral health status of the study subjects. A statistical pregnant woman has a total of 13 teeth showing the symptoms of tooth decay or caries. Over 70% of the pregnant women developed gingivitis or periodontitis. There is an urgent need in Poland to make the European principle of treating pregnant women as a dentally vulnerable group obligatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In an average Polish person aged 35-44, more than 16 teeth have or had been affected by dental caries. Of that number, almost half of the teeth have already been extracted. Oral health behaviours contribute to this civilization disease in 50%. Such poor oral health status limits the ability of the affected people to take many social and professional roles. Objectives: To evaluate current oral health behaviours and their trends among 35-44 year old Polish people during the period of recent 30 years. Material and Methods: The data were obtained from the International Collaborative Studies conducted in 1978 and 1988 at the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland, under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as from 3 stages of the study on Nationwide Monitoring of Oral Health Status and Its Conditioning performed in 1998, 2002 and 2010. The researchers evaluated oral health behaviours and oral health condition of 5425 subjects. Results: Despite a noticeable improvement, poor oral health behaviours are observed in 30%-40% of the adults. In the analysed period, the number of people brushing their teeth at least twice a day increased by more than 10% and the number of people using dental floss increased by 38%. Only 60% of the adults visited a dentist at least once a year. Reduced accessibility of state-run, free-of-charge dental care has caused that over 58% of Poles paid for their dental services. Every 3rd person of working age has not visited a dentist for longer than 2.5 half years, primarily due to behavioural and financial reasons. Oral health behaviours of Polish people are among the poorest in Europe. Conclusions: Despite a noticeable improvement of the behaviours, gap between the Poles and citizens of other highly developed countries is around 20 years. A health promotion programme including oral health issues, if implemented in workplaces, might considerably reduce this gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine prevalence of oral diseases and oral surgical procedures at Department of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University in Sarajevo. Methods: The current study is retrospective analysis of oral surgical procedures performed from January 2011 to December 2012 at Department of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University in Sarajevo. The data were statistically analyzed by T-test of independent samples and using Chi-squared test. P value lower than 0,001 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: A total of 1299 patients were included in study. The age range is from 18 to 84 years, with mean age ± SD= 35±15 years. There were 42 different clinical diagnoses, and 13 diagnoses appeared in more than 1% of all patients. Impacted and semi-impacted teeth, periapical lesions and retained roots are the most frequent diagnoses and represent 68% of all diagnoses. Embedded and impacted teeth (35%) and diseases of pulp and periapical tissues (31%) are the most frequent diagnoses with respect of ICD-10. Impacted teeth is the most common diagnosis and removal of impacted third molars is the most common oral surgical procedure. Conclusion: Study points out variety of dentoalveolar patology and complexity of dental health care that often requires interdisciplinary approach in order to achieve optimal outcome for patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine prevalence of oral diseases and oral surgical procedures at Department of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University in Sarajevo. Methods: The current study is retrospective analysis of oral surgical procedures performed from January 2011 to December 2012 at Department of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University in Sarajevo. The data were statistically analyzed by T-test of independent samples and using Chi-squared test. P value lower than 0,001 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: A total of 1299 patients were included in study. The age range is from 18 to 84 years, with mean age ± SD= 35±15 years. There were 42 different clinical diagnoses, and 13 diagnoses appeared in more than 1% of all patients. Impacted and semi-impacted teeth, periapical lesions and retained roots are the most frequent diagnoses and represent 68% of all diagnoses. Embedded and impacted teeth (35%) and diseases of pulp and periapical tissues (31%) are the most frequent diagnoses with respect of ICD-10. Impacted teeth is the most common diagnosis and removal of impacted third molars is the most common oral surgical procedure. Conclusion: Study points out variety of dentoalveolar patology and complexity of dental health care that often requires interdisciplinary approach in order to achieve optimal outcome for patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this survey was to assess the attitudes, behavior, and demographics of general dentists in Nebraska regarding their providing oral health care to patients with special health care needs (PSHCN). Methods: A 14-item questionnaire and accompanying cover letter were sent to 800 licensed general dentists in Nebraska. The survey asked for the dentists' demographic information and questions about their PSCHN. Responses to the questionnaire were tabulated, and percent frequency distributions for responses to each item were computed. Results: Of the 800 surveys sent, 371 (~46%) were returned. Solo practitioners were more likely to report seeing PSCHN (P<.001). Most respondents see all ages, but approximately 10% see only PSCHN over 18-years-old. The most common reasons given to improve the practitioners' ability to care for PSCHN were improved reimbursement (~35%) and more continuing education (~36%). Conclusions: These data indicate that most general dentists surveyed in Nebraska see special needs patients of all ages. The most common reasons for not seeing more special needs patients were the level of the patient's disease, the patient's behavior, and insufficient training/experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To compare 12-year-old students from public and private schools in the city of Goiânia, Brazil, in terms of the prevalence of caries, periodontal conditions, dentofacial anomalies, and fluorosis. Methods. In 2003, the 2002-2003 Oral Health Conditions in the Brazilian Population project (SB Brasil) was expanded to Goiânia as a cross-sectional study, as described in the present article. The sample included 1 947 students from urban schools: 1790 (91.9%) attended public schools and 157 (8.1%) attended private schools. Data on the following oral conditions were collected through clinical examination: dental caries (decayed, missing, or filled teeth index, DMFT), periodontal condition (Community Periodontal Index, CPI), dentofacial anomaly (Dental Aesthetics Index, DAI), and dental fluorosis (Dean index). The groups were compared using the chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results. There were differences between the public and private schools for all the variables. DMFT, CPI, and DAI indexes were higher in children from public schools (P < 0.05). Fluorosis was more prevalent in students from private schools (P < 0.05). Conclusion. The type of school was associated with the oral health condition of the children in this sample. Investments in actions and services to mitigate this inequality and its effects should be made as part of the policies to promote oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pattussi MP, Peres KG, Boing AF, Peres MA, da Costa JSD. Self-rated oral health and associated factors in Brazilian elders. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2010; 38: 348–359. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Objective: Self-rating provides a simple direct way of capturing perceptions of health. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of poor self-rated oral health among elders. Methods: National data from a cross-sectional population-based study with a multistage random sample of 4786 Brazilian older adults (aged 65–74) in 250 towns were analysed. Data collection included oral examinations (WHO 1997) and struct-ured interviews at elderly households. The outcome was measured by a single five-point-response-scale question dichotomized into ‘poor’ (fair/poor/very poor) and ‘good’ (good/very good) self-rated oral health. Data analyses used Poisson regression models stratified by sex. Results: The prevalence of poor self-rated oral health was 46.6% (95% CI: 45.2–48%) in the whole sample, 50.3% (48–52.5) in men and 44.2% (42.4–46) in women. Higher prevalence ratios (PR) were found in elders reporting unfavourable dental appearance (PR = 2.31; 95% CI: 2.02–2.65), poor chewing ability (PR = 1.64; CI: 1.48–1.8) and dental pain (PR = 1.44; CI: 1.04–1.23) in adjusted analysis. Poor self-perception was also associated with being men, black, unfavourable socioeconomic circumstances, unfavourable clinical oral health and with not using or needing a dental prosthesis. Conclusion: Assessment and understanding of self-rated oral health should take into account social factors, subjective and clinical oral symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the oral health status in 31381 persons undergoing the physical examinationin Zunyi to provide the baseline data for oral health care and disease prevention. Methods The oral health investigation was carried out among 31 381 persons (20-<60 years old) undergoing the physical examination in the physical examination center of our hospital during 2013-2014. including dental caries, missing teeth, residual root, wedge shaped defect, periodontal health, etc. Results The total detection rate of dental caries was 28.8% (9 033/31 381), the total tooth loss rate was 10.6% (3 315/31 381), the total detection rate of residual root was 9.1% (2 846/31 381). The total detection rate of dental calculus was 79.9% (25 067/31 381), the total detection rate of wedge shaped defect was 22.3% (7 007/31 381). The detection rates of caries and residual root in females were higher than those in males,while the tooth loss rate was lower than that in males, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). The caries detection rate in the middle age (40-<60 years old) group was lower than that in the youth (20-<40 years old) group, the tooth loss rate, residual root detection rate and wedge shaped defect detection rate were higher than those in the youth group, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). The periodontal health situation of females in different age groups was superior to the males, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion The overall oral heath situation in the detected population is not optimistic, indicating that their oral prevention and health care awareness is relatively weak, which should arouse the related medical staff to pay attention to. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dental fluorosis and dental caries among western Saharan refugee children. The western Saharan child population is characterized by adverse living conditions, an unbalanced diet, poor oral hygiene habits, and a concentration of fluoride in the drinking water of around 2 p.p.m. (2 mg l−1). A sample consisting of 360 children, 6–7 yr of age, and 212 children, 11–13 yr of age, was obtained from four refugee camps (Smara, Awsard, El-Aaiun, and 27-February) situated in the vicinity of Tindouf (southern Algeria). The children were examined using the World Health Organization criteria for caries diagnosis and Dean’s index for fluorosis. The decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT) score was 0.48 in the 6–7-yr-old children and 1.69 in the 11–13-yr-old children, with a caries prevalence (DMFT > 0 or decayed and filled primary teeth (dft) > 0) of 47.2% and 63.2%, respectively. Among the 6–7 yr-old children examined, 36.9% were free of fluorosis, 15.6% presented moderate fluorosis, and 7.8% presented severe fluorosis. Among 11–13 yr-old children, only 4.2% were free of fluorosis, 30.2% exhibited moderate fluorosis, and 27.4% presented severe fluorosis. The mean DMFT, decayed permanent teeth (DT), and caries prevalence (DMFT > 0 and DMFT or dft > 0) scores were significantly higher among the children affected by severe fluorosis, suggesting that severe fluorosis might increase the susceptibility to dental caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure and contents of most oral health care systems and the contents of dental curricula reflect a deep-rooted tradition for attempting to cure oral diseases by refined technological means. However, better oral health conditions for the world’s populations necessitate the application of up-to-date scientific knowledge to control the major oral diseases. This review points out that not only should the structure and contents of oral health care delivery systems be based on state-of-the-art knowledge about the biology of the oral diseases; they must also take into account the trends for change in caries and periodontal diseases within and between populations, and acknowledge the impact of changes in treatment philosophies for these trends. The oral disease profiles for populations in low- and high-income countries are briefly described, and it is concluded that the rapidly changing disease profiles observed in high-income countries necessitate re-thinking of the future role and organization of dentistry in such countries. The priorities for low- and middle-income countries must be to avoid repeating the mistakes made in the high-income countries. Instead, these societies might take advantage of setting priorities based on a population-based common risk factor approach. If such an approach is adopted, the training of personnel with oral health care competence must be rethought. The authors suggest three different cadres of dental care providers to be considered for an approach that allows health care planners in different populations around the world to prioritize appropriate oral health care with due respect for the socio-economic conditions prevailing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years the Valencia region has undergone mass immigration, mainly of people from eastern Europe, North Africa, and Latin America. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of immigration on caries prevalence and experience in 12- and 15-yr-old children in the Valencia region, and to relate this to other socio-economic and oral hygiene-related variables. The data were obtained from the epidemiological study of oral health carried out in the Valencia Region in 2004. The study group comprised 478, 12-yr-old children and 401, 15-yr-old children. Immigration status, age, toothbrushing frequency, and intake of cariogenic foods between meals showed significant association in a multiple linear regression model using the decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT) count as the dependent variable. Of all the predictive variables, the one that made the highest contribution to the model was immigration status. In a multiple logistic regression analysis with caries presence as the dependent variable, immigration status, intake of cariogenic foods, social class, and age were significantly associated with the presence of caries. As immigrant children have significantly higher caries levels than Spanish children, future public health service planning should pay attention to this risk group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The length of the reference period used in surveys of subjective oral health may have a marked influence on the responses obtained. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a 1-month (RP-1) vs. a 12-month (RP-12) reference period in the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire. Using a randomized cross-over design, RP-1 and RP-12 OHIP-14 questionnaires were administered, 1 month apart, to two samples of Finnish adults, namely people awaiting orthognathic surgery ( n = 104) and non-patient workers ( n = 111). The effect of the reference period was computed by subtracting RP-1 OHIP-14 severity scores from RP-12 OHIP-14 severity scores ( ΔRP). Potential order effects were assessed by comparing ΔRP between groups completing the RP-1 vs. the RP-12 questionnaire first. Mean OHIP-14 severity scores were slightly higher when the RP-12 questionnaire was administered first, but mean ΔRP values were below the value of 2.5 considered clinically meaningful, and all 95% confidence intervals for ΔRP included zero. No order effects in the OHIP-14 severity scores were observed. Therefore, although a standardized reference period of 12 months is recommended, in population surveys the use of a shorter reference period does not appear to influence responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the relationships between an oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) indicator and specific clinical dental measures, in a national representative sample of the British older population. A random subsample was drawn from the free-living sample of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (people aged ≥ 65 yr). This subsample consisted of 407 dentate and 346 edentate participants, who were clinically examined and interviewed. The OHRQoL was assessed through the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) indicator. After adjusting for age, gender, and education, dentate subjects with up to 8 occluding pairs of teeth were 2.66 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08, 6.51) times, and those with up to 2 anterior occluding pairs were 3.00 (95% CI: 1.55, 5.81) times, more likely to report oral impacts when compared with those having more occluding pairs of teeth. Edentate participants with inadequate denture adaptation were 1.92 (95% CI: 1.04, 3.53) times, and subjects with inadequate denture retention were 2.04 (95% CI: 1.13, 3.69) times, more likely to report oral impacts than the remaining edentate sample in each case. OHRQoL in older British people is significantly related to the number of occluding pairs of natural teeth among the dentate and denture quality among the edentate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The nature of the relationship between status and health has theoretical and applied significance. To compare the shape of the socioeconomic -oral health relationship using a measure of relative social status (MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status) and a measure of absolute material resource (equivalised household income); to investigate the contribution of behaviour in attenuating the socioeconomic gradient in oral health status; and to comment on three hypothesised explanatory mechanisms for this relationship (material, psychosocial, behavioural). Methods: In 2003, cross-sectional self-report data were collected from 2,915 adults aged 43-57 years in Adelaide, Australia using a stratified cluster design. Oral conditions were (1) <24 teeth, (2) 1+ impact/s reported fairly often or very often on the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile; (3) fair or poor self-rated oral health, and (4) low satisfaction with chewing ability. Prevalence ratios and 95-37; confidence intervals (PR, 95-37;CI) were calculated from a logistic regression model. Covariates were age, sex, country of birth, smoking, alcohol use, body mass index, frequencies of toothbrushing and interdental cleaning. Results: There was an approximately linear relationship of decreasing prevalence for each oral condition across quintiles of increasing relative social status. In the fully adjusted model the gradient was steepest for low satisfaction with chewing (PR = 4.1, 95-37;CI = 3.0-5.4). Using equivalised household income, the shape more closely resembled a threshold effect, with an approximate halving of the prevalence ratio between the first and second social status quintiles for the adverse impact of oral conditions and fair or poor self-rated oral health. Adjustment for covariates did not attenuate the magnitude of PRs. Conclusion: The nature of the relationship between social status and oral conditions differed according to the measure used to index social status. Perception of relative social standing followed an approximately straight-line relationship. In contrast, there was a discrete threshold of income below which oral health deteriorated, suggesting that the benefit to oral health of material resources occurs mostly at the lower end of the across the full socioeconomic distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the essential components of oral health information systems for the analysis of trends in oral disease and the evaluation of oral health programmes at the country, regional and global levels. Standard methodology for the collection of epidemiological data on oral health has been designed by WHO and used by countries worldwide for the surveillance of oral disease and health. Global, regional and national oral health databanks have highlighted the changing patterns of oral disease which primarily reflect changing risk profiles and the implementation of oral health programmes oriented towards disease prevention and health promotion. The WHO Oral Health Country/Area Profile Programme (CAPP) provides data on oral health from countries, as well as programme experiences and ideas targeted to oral health professionals, policy-makers, health planners, researchers and the general public. WHO has developed global and regional oral health data banks for surveillance, and international projects have designed oral health indicators for use in oral health information systems for assessing the quality of oral health care and surveillance systems. Modern oral health information systems are being developed within the framework of the WHO STEPwise approach to surveillance of noncommunicable, chronic disease, and data stored in the WHO Global InfoBase may allow advanced health systems research. Sound knowledge about progress made in prevention of oral and chronic disease and in health promotion may assist countries to implement effective public health programmes to the benefit of the poor and disadvantaged population groups worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: When the subjects are children, the assessment of social class must be made indirectly from parental data. We propose correspondence analysis as a method for combining parental information.Methods: Four assessment methods were used: father''s occupation, mother''s occupation, dominant occupation of both, and both combined by means of a correspondence analysis. The results were used to explore social inequalities in dental health. We used data from a survey performed on school children (12- and 15–16-year olds) in the Comunitat Valenciana (Spain). Dental health was measured through prevalence of caries, number of teeth with caries, number of caries in permanent teeth, decayed, missing, and filled teeth score (DMF-T), decayed, missing, and filled surface score (DMF-S), prevalence of DMF > 0, community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN) and prevalence of CPITN > 0.Results: Correspondence analysis methods reflect the impact of social class on health indicators. They were able to assign a social group to all individuals. The association between social class and oral health was found to be sensitive to the method used.Conclusions: Pooling information from both parents is important. Evidence of social inequalities in oral health may or may not be obtained depending on the method used. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of the study was to establish current UK oral care practice for children with cancer. A telephone survey of all 22 United Kingdom Children''s Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG) centres was undertaken. Nineteen (86%) of the centres reported using guidelines/protocols for mouth care. The use of routine preventive oral care therapies showed the greatest variation between centres. Four centres (18%) did not use any prophylactic oral care therapy other than basic oral hygiene, whereas seven (32%) routinely used a combination of three or more agents. Chlorhexidine was the most frequently administered prophylactic therapy (17/22 centres, 77%), followed by nystatin (11/22 centres, 50%). There was little variation in advice given to parents/patients on basic oral hygiene. Regarding dental check-ups, 9/22 centres (41%) recommended children to attend a hospital-linked dental clinic. Only at 8/22 centres (36%) did children undergo a dental check-up before commencing cancer treatment. The survey identified significant variation in preventive oral care therapies and dental check-ups at the UKCCSG centres. Attention needs to be given to establishing evidence based, effective strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Steele JG, Sanders AE, Slade GD, Allen PF, Lahti S, Nuttall N, Spencer AJ. How do age and tooth loss affect oral health impacts and quality of life? A study comparing two national samples. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2004; 32: 107–14. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2004 – Age and loss of teeth can be expected to have a complex relationship with oral health-related quality of life. This study aimed to explain how age and tooth loss affect the impact of oral health on daily living using the short form, 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) on national population samples of dentate adults from the UK (1998 UK Adult Dental Health Survey) and Australia (1999 National Dental Telephone Interview Survey). After correcting for key covariables, increasing age was associated with better mean impact scores in both populations. Those aged 30–49 years in Australia showed the worst (highest) scores. In the UK, those aged under 30 showed the highest scores. In both countries, adults aged 70+ showed much better scores than the rest ( P < 0.001). When corrected for age, the independent effect of tooth loss was that the worst scores were found where there were fewer than 17 natural teeth in the UK and fewer than 21 teeth in Australia. People with 25 or more teeth averaged much better scores than all other groups ( P < 0.001), although there were differences in pattern between countries. When Australians were analysed by region of birth, the pattern of scores by tooth loss for British/Irish immigrants was strikingly similar to that for the UK sample. First-generation immigrants from elsewhere showed much worse overall scores and a profoundly different pattern to the Australian- and British-born groups. Age, number of teeth and cultural background are important variables influencing oral health-related quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spivak K, Hayes C, Maguire JH. Caries prevalence, oral health behavior, and attitudes in children residing in radiation-contaminated and -noncontaminated towns in Ukraine. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2004; 32: 1–9. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2004 – Several studies investigating the oral health status of children living in Ukraine after the Chernobyl catastrophe revealed an increase of caries in children residing in radionucleotide-contaminated areas. (1) To compare prevalence of dental caries in contaminated and noncontaminated towns; and (2) to determine if there is a difference between dental behaviors and attitudes of children residing in contaminated and noncontaminated areas that may have contributed to differences in caries prevalence. Children aged 13–14 were randomly selected in two towns of approximately the same population size (33 000): Ovruch ( n = 119) from a contaminated area and Mirgorod ( n = 100) from a noncontaminated area. Data on behaviors and attitudes were collected via a self-administered questionnaire having six domains: (i) family background; (ii) dental anxiety; (iii) dental utilization; (iv) oral hygiene; (v) use of fluoride toothpaste; and (vi) sugar consumption. Oral examinations included information on carious lesions, restorations, missing teeth, and soft tissue abnormalities. Caries prevalence was compared using a t-test. Regression analysis was conducted to determine the independent contribution of oral hygiene behaviors and dental utilization. There was a significant difference in caries prevalence in the contaminated town (mean DMFT = 9.1 ± 3.5) versus the noncontaminated town (mean DMFT = 5.7 ± 1.4; P < 0.000). Oral hygiene practices, age, and utilization of dental services were not found to be associated with differences in DMFT score between the two communities. There was a significantly higher caries prevalence in a radiation-contaminated town compared to a noncontaminated town of Ukraine. The difference was not explained by differences in oral health knowledge, attitudes or behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the nutritional status and eating habits of Mongolian children in relation to dental health. Growth and oral health of 151 Ulaanbaatarian children under age five were examined, and their parents were interviewed on child’s health and eating habits. Every tenth child had a low weight for age and the mean energy intake of the weaned children was 89%-96% of the recommendation by WHO. Frequent eating exposed the teeth of children to many acid attacks. Every third child over age three had serious developmental defects in their teeth, which might be associated with deficient intakes of energy and calcium, highly variable vitamin D supplementation and gastrointestinal infections. All of the examined 4 to 5 -year old children had caries and the average number of decayed teeth was 6.5. Severe caries was related to the abundant use of sugar, whereas proper dental health was related to use of hard cheese. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To compare estimates of dental visits among adults using three national surveys.Data Sources/study Design: Cross-sectional data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), and National Health Expenditure surveys (NMCES, NMES, MEPS).Study Design: This secondary data analysis assessed whether overall estimates and stratum-specific trends are different across surveys.Data Collection: Dental visit data are age standardized via the direct method to the 1990 population of the United States. Point estimates, standard errors, and test statistics are generated using SUDAAN.Principal Findings: Sociodemographic, stratum-specific trends are generally consistent across surveys; however, overall estimates differ (NHANES III [364-day estimate] versus 1993 NHIS: -17.5 percent difference, Z = 7.27, p value < 0.001; NHANES III [365-day estimate] vs. 1993 NHIS: 5.4 percent difference, Z = -2.50, p value = 0.006; MEPS vs. 1993 NHIS: -29.8 percent difference, Z = 16.71, p value < 0.001). MEPS is the least susceptible to intrusion, telescoping, and social desirability.Conclusions: Possible explanations for discrepancies include different reference periods, lead-in statements, question format, and social desirability of responses. Choice of survey should depend on the hypothesis. If trends are necessary, choice of survey should not matter however, if health status or expenditure associations are necessary, then surveys that contain these variables should be used, and if accurate overall estimates are necessary, then MEPS should be used. A validation study should be conducted to establish "true" utilization estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1972, the Medical Services Branch (MSB), Pacific Region of Health Canada, has conducted quadrennial surveys of the dental health status of Native children in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. This paper will analyze the findings related to dental malocclusion. Data from the most recent survey in 1988 are compared to data from 1980, and also to similar data from the most recent B. C. Children's Dental Health Survey. Prevalences of abnormal and severe malocclusion are also compared to the original 1972 data. Methods used in the surveys were detailed in a previous paper (1). Significant decreases in the percentage of children with drifting due to premature space loss (P<0.05). as well as a slight decrease in the percentage of children with crowding were observed. A trend towards an increase in Class II molar relationship was demonstrated, but was not consistent for all age groups. In contrast, there was a slight, but consistent, trend towards a decrease in the percentage of children with an anterior openbite. Comparisons between the age groups demonstrated an increased prevalence of abnormal molar relationship, drifting due to space loss, crowding, crossbite, and overjet greater than 4 mm in children older than 7 years. Native children had a significantly greater prevalence of Class III molar relationship, crossbite, crowding, negative overjet, and anterior openbite than other schoolchildren in B.C. (P<0.05). However, percentage of Native children with a severe malocclusion decreased significantly from 1972 to 1988 for 7, 9, and 11 year old children (P<0.05), but not for 13 and 15-yr-olds. Improvement has occurred over time in some aspects of dental malocclusion in these Native Canadian children, but malocclusion continues to be a frequent problem, especially amongst adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effects of employer-provided dental benefits on the pattern of demand for and utilization of dental services among Hong Kong employees and to analyze whether employees' awareness about an existing dental benefit programme influenced their dental service demand and utilization. Staff from 11 selected companies with and without dental benefits responded to questionnaires concerning their personal factors, demand for dental services, and utilization of dental services and about their awareness of their dental benefit coverage. Overall response rate was 67%. The socio-demographic characteristics of those respondents who were covered and those who were not were similar. Forty per cent of the covered respondents were not aware of their dental benefit coverage, so analysis was performed with three groups of respondents, covered and aware, covered and unaware, and uncovered. A larger proportion of employees in the "aware" group had visited a dentist in the previous 12 months and had visited a dentist for asymptomatic reasons. The "aware" group reported more "low expenditure" items and less "high expenditure" items. Those who were aware of their dental benefit coverage irrespective of the type of scheme reported a significantly higher demand than those who were not aware of their coverage. Demand and utilization of the covered, but unaware, group was more similar to the uncovered group than to the "aware" group. Coverage per se had no apparent effect on the demand for dental services. Further studies will be necessary to establish that higher dental care demand and utilization induced by third party schemes also leads to improved oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sample of 372 35-44-yr-olds and 537 noninstitutionalized 65-74-yr-olds were clinically examined in an oral health survey of Hong Kong Chinese conducted in 1991. The examination procedures and diagnostic criteria for assessing restorative and extraction treatment need followed those recommended by the World Health Organization. The Community Periodontal Index-based periodontal treatment needs involving index teeth or their replacements were computed from separate clinic scores for maximum probing depth, presence of calculus, and bleeding after probing. A set of criteria for assessing prosthodontic treatment need was specially laid down for this survey. Examiners were calibrated before the survey, and the interexaminer reliability was found to be generally good. Besides reporting the various individual normative treatment need items in the traditional way, the present analysis used some holistic treatment-need categories which may have manpower-requirement implications for the classification of subjects. All dentate subjects surveyed required some treatment. Only 6% of the elderly, all edentulous, required denture work only. Of the 35-44-yr-olds, 42% needed scaling and oral hygiene instruction only, which could be provided by dental hygienists. The treatment needs of the vast majority of the middle-aged and the elderly (mainly scaling: simple fillings; and extractions, dentures, or both) could be easily handled by general dentists. Only about one-fifth of the subjects in both age groups required some complex care such as endodontics, crowns, and advanced periodontal treatment, which could be delivered by senior dentists or dentists with specialist training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to describe the periodontal conditions in 372 35-44-yr-old and 537 noninstitutionalized 65-74-yr-old Hong Kong Chinese who were examined clinically for loss of attachment, recession, probing depth, calculus, and bleeding after probing. Community Periodontal Index (CPI) data and treatment need indications were compiled from index teeth or their substitutes. The prevalence of loss of attachment varied considerably in both cohorts according to the definition of the threshold (≥6, ≥9, and ≥12 mm, respectively). The mean numbers of teeth with loss of attachment at the ≥6-mm threshold and at higher thresholds were small. In both age cohorts, about one-fifth of subjects had probing depths ≥6-mm, while at the ≥9-mm threshold only 2-3% were so affected. Although recession was an important component of loss of attachment in the younger cohort, in the older cohort the prevalence and extent of recession were greater than for probing depths at thresholds ≥4 mm. All subjects had one or more teeth with calculus, bleeding, or both, most teeth being so affected. Eighty-four of the 537 65-74-yr-old subjects were excluded either because of edentulousness or because extractions indicated for the remaining teeth would have rendered the subjects edentulous. The distribution of subjects according to their highest CPI score was remarkably similar for the two cohorts. No subjects in either age group were assessed as "healthy" (CPI code 0) or had "bleeding only" (code 1) as their highest score. While most subjects scored CPI code 2 or 3 as their highest score, only 17% of the younger and 15% of the older cohort scored Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) code 4. Differences in the mean number of sextants affected by CPI codes between the two cohorts were mainly due to a greater number of excluded sextants in the older cohort. CPI findings for 35-44-yr-olds differed little from those reported in 1984. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There have been no reported surveys of oral mucosal lesions among the elderly in Asian countries. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions among 65-74-yr-old, community-dwelling elderly Chinese in Hong Kong and to determine the prevalence of lesions in denture wearers, tobacco smokers, and alcohol drinkers. A total of 537 noninstitutionalized 65-74-yr-olds were interviewed and clinically examined in an oral health survey conducted in 1991. In the survey, the elderly underwent a systematic examination of their oral mucosa by one of the three examiners with the aid of an overhead light. The examiners were trained and calibrated before and during the survey, and a specially prepared colour atlas of oral mucosal lesions was used for lesion recognition. No mucosal lesions were detected in 64% of the elderly. In the 193 elderly subjects with lesions, 80% exhibited only one lesion. There was no difference in prevalence between men and women. The more common lesions, each being found in 5-7% of the elderly, were lingual varicosities, frictional keratosis on the buccal mucosa, denture stomatitis on the palatal mucosa, and denture-induced hyperplasia in the maxillary and mandibular buccal sulcus. Denture wearers had a higher prevalence of lesions (40%) than nonwearers (32%). There was no difference in the prevalence or number of oral mucosal lesions between those defined as users of tobacco and alcohol and those defined as nonusers in this study. No confirmed oral malignancies were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to describe the state of the dentition of middle-aged and elderly Chinese in Hong Kong in terms of teeth present, tooth spaces, and prosthetic treatment received. In an oral health survey conducted in 1991 in Hong Kong, a sample of 372 35-44-yr-olds and 537 noninstitutionalized 65 74-yr-olds was interviewed and clinically examined. In all dentate subjects, each tooth was scored for the presence/absence of that tooth, a tooth space of 5.5 mm which had not been treated, or the presence of a denture or pontic replacing that tooth. Each denture was assessed according to a set of criteria. None of the 35 44-yr-olds were edentulous and the mean number of teeth present was 27.5. About 40% of the third molars and about 35% of the mandibular first molars were missing. For only 1% of the missing teeth had space closure resulted in missing teeth not being recorded as tooth spaces or treated tooth spaces. Overall, 72% of the 35-44-yr-olds had no prosthesis, 17% had a bridge or bridges, 12% had a denture or dentures, and 1% had both. Of the 65-74-yr-olds, 12% were edentulous, and the dentate subjects had a mean number of 17 teeth present. About 70% of the molars were missing. Overall, only 29% of the elderly had no prosthesis, 52% had a denture or dentures, 33% had a bridge or bridges, and 13% had both. Only 35% and 28%, respectively, of the middle-aged and elderly denture wearers had no complaint about their dentures. There were more assessed problems in the dentures of the elderly than in those of the younger adults, over one-third of the partial dentures and half of the mandibular complete dentures being unstable and unretentive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]