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Background: The aging of the population highlights the need to establish empathetic connections with older adults. To achieve this, age simulation suits have been designed, allowing users to experience the physical limitations associated with aging. This study aimed to evaluate the experience of dental students with these devices, using psychometric tools to measure the impact on their understanding and empathy., Methods: A pre/post-test study was conducted with the participation of 63 dental students from Rey Juan Carlos University who were fitted with an age simulation suit and asked to perform different tasks. Psychometric tools were used to assess specific parameters. Empathy was measured using the Jefferson Empathy Scale, emotional intelligence was assessed with the Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24 (TMMS-24), and the emotional attention dimension was analyzed using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)., Results: The scores on the Jefferson Empathy Scale significantly improved from 88.44 ± 6.8 to 91.06 ± 10.11 after using the simulation suit ( P  < 0.026). Pearson's product moment correlation analysis showed no significant positive association or correlation between age and scores from the three questionnaires. In the rest, a positive and significant correlation was observed ( P  < 0.0001)., Conclusions: Age simulation activities effectively enhance empathy among dental students. However, more studies are needed to foster positive attitudes toward aging and prevent negative stereotypes., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests., (©2024 Rodriguez-Molinero et al.)

Background: This research evaluated whether the relationships between factors of resilience, self-esteem, depression, and anxiety in dental students with changes in teaching and learning methods. We also studied the psychological impact of face-to-face lectures during the COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study used Google Forms to collect data with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), Connor-Davidson Risk Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI and BDI-II). An open-ended question was also asked about important learning difficulties., Results: The analysis revealed very high levels of resilience (30.23 ± 5.84), self-esteem in the normal range (29.08 ± 4.03), minimal depression levels (12.32 ± 8.05), and low anxiety levels (17.20 ± 12.41). There were no significant differences between sociodemographic variables ranges in regard to all psychological questionnaires. No high levels of depression and anxiety were found., Conclusions: The levels were low compared to other studies in which online teaching was used, which is explained by the fact that the students retained adequate resilience and self-esteem thanks to being able to contact teachers and, above all, their own peers., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of the economic crisis on the oral health of individuals in Spain based on variables including sex, unemployment, social class and educational level., Design: This was an analysis of serial cross-sectional, population-based health surveys conducted before the crisis (2003 and 2006) and during the crisis (2011, 2014 and 2017)., Setting: National Health Surveys of Spain and the European Health Survey in Spain. Participants A total of 189 543 participants were recruited., Outcome Measures: The independent variables were sex, employment, social class and educational level. The dependent variables were related to oral health. Descriptive statistics, χ 2 tests and the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test were performed., Results: The results showed that there were differences (p<0.001) in all oral health indicators before and after the crisis. Compared with the precrisis period, men had a higher probability of tooth extractions (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.45), dental fillings (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.34), prostheses (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07) and missing teeth (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.39). Unemployed individuals were more likely to have dental caries (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.16) and missing teeth (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.46). Working class individuals had a higher probability of tooth extractions (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.59 to 1.67), bleeding gums (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07), prostheses (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.07) and missing teeth (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.33 to 1.39). Participants with a basic or intermediate level of education had a higher probability of dental mobility (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.19), prostheses (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.14) and missing teeth (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.38 to 1.46)., Conclusions: The economic crisis affected the oral health of the Spanish population, with a more significant deterioration among men, working class individuals and unemployed individuals., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

The early detection of cancer, and in particular oral cancer, has been a priority objective of study in recent years. Saliva has been proposed as an easy-to-obtain means of providing the necessary information to diagnose malignant lesions in the oral cavity, since it can be obtained very easily and completely noninvasively. There are a number of molecules, known as biomarkers, which may be involved in the malignant transformation of oral lesions, and which have different natures. The involvement of proteins ("proteomics"), metabolites ("metabolomics"), and even certain genes in the structural changes of altered tissue has been investigated in order to establish validated parameters for the early diagnosis of oral cancer. In addition, the development of new analytical assay methods that can reduce costs and obtain better results in terms of sensitivity and specificity has been a key point in recent research in this field. Even though there are numerous biomarkers with results showing high sensitivity and specificity, there is still a need for more studies, with a larger sample and with analytical methods that can constitute a real advance in time and cost. Although salivary biomarkers are a promising new diagnostic tool for oral cancer, for the moment they do not replace biopsy as the "gold standard"., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Jesús Rodríguez-Molinero et al.)

Background: Periodontal disease is one of the most common pathologies in the population. Self-reporting has been used as a diagnostic tool in large populations, among other reasons, to detect the needs of potentially vulnerable groups. This study evaluated the prevalence of periodontal disease in people of Spanish nationality and immigrants in Spain., Methods: This population-based, cross-sectional study was carried out using data obtained from National Health Interview Surveys (NHSs) carried out in 2006, 2011/2012 and 2017 in Spain. Subjects aged 16 years and older were included in the NHS-2006 and aged 15 years and older were included in the other NHSs. The following variables were self-reported by the participants: gum bleeding, tooth mobility, tooth extraction and missing teeth. Chi-square homogeneity tests were performed to assess the main associations between the independent variable (nationality) and the dependent variables (bleeding gums, tooth mobility, tooth extraction and missing teeth). Multinomial logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate the influences of the variables age and sex and their interactions on the main associations., Results: A total of 115,123 participants were included in the NHS-2006 (n = 37,327, 11.38% immigrants), NHS-2011/12 (n = 38,727, 14.39% immigrants) and NHS-2017 (n = 39,069, 13.71% immigrants). The variables directly related to periodontal disease were gum bleeding and tooth mobility. These were significantly associated with nationality in the NHS-2006 and NHS-2017 cohorts. In the NHS-2011/12 cohort, only tooth mobility was associated with nationality. After adjustments for sex, age, and their interactions, immigrant status was associated with increased odds of bleeding in only the NHS-2006 cohort (RR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.38-1.99, p = 0.000)., Conclusion: Immigrants in Spain have a lower probability of developing signs associated with periodontal disease than the Spanish population. Among the immigrant cohort, females and those in adult age groups had lower prevalence rates than their counterparts.

Oral cancer, included within head and neck cancer, is the sixth most common malignant neoplasm in the world. The main etiological factors are tobacco and alcohol, although currently, diet is considered an important determinant for its development. Several dietary nutrients have specific mechanisms of action, contributing to both protection against cancer and increasing the risk for development, growth, and spread. Foods such as fruits, vegetables, curcumin, and green tea can reduce the risk of oral cancer, while the so-called pro-inflammatory diet, rich in red meat and fried foods, can enhance the risk of occurrence. Dietary factors with a protective effect show different mechanisms that complement and overlap with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and anti-proliferative effects. The main limitation of in vivo studies is the complexity of isolating the effects related to each one of the nutrients and the relationship with other possible etiological mechanisms. On the contrary, in vitro studies allow determining the specific mechanisms of action of some of the dietary compounds. In conclusion, and despite research limitations, the beneficial effects of a diet rich in vegetables and fruits are attributed to different micronutrients that are also found in fish and animal products. These compounds show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and anti-proliferative properties that have a preventive role in the development of oral and other types of cancer.

Background: More than 90% of malignant tumors diagnosed in the oral cavity are Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas (OSCC) whose preferred location is the tongue. Classically, this disease has affected men preferentially, although recent studies suggest that trends are changing and the proportion of women with OSCC is increasing. In addition, the prevalence of oral cancer is also determined by some risk factors as alcohol consumption and tobacco. Currently, the Tumor, Node, Metastasis (TNM) classification is employed to defined tumor stage and based on this guide specific treatments are established. However, 5-year-survival does not exceed 50% of cases. The objective of this study is to determine whether a histological risk pattern indicative of higher recurrence might be present in T1-T2 tumors located in the anterior two thirds of the tongue., Material and Methods: Samples from 26 patients with OSCC were analyzed and histological risk pattern of recurrent and non-recurrent tumors were compared. We have analyzed histological variables described in Anneroth and Brandwein-Gensler classifications. Additionally, we have also examined both clinical variables such as age, sex or comorbidities, as well as habits such as tobacco or alcohol consumption., Results: We found that sex (male) and keratinization degree (high or moderate) are directly related with OSCC recurrence. In fact, free illness time is lower in men and higher in those cases with minimal or no keratinization., Conclusions: Based on the variables analyzed, it has not been possible to establish a histological risk pattern that, complementary to the TNM classification, could have a predictive role in these early-stage tongue carcinomas.

The case is described of a 71-year-old woman presenting with acute erosive lichen planus. The lesions appeared one week after starting treatment with clopidogrel (Plavix), a new antiplatelet drug, for the prevention of cerebral thrombosis. The patient presented erosive lesions on both jugal mucosal surfaces and the lateral sides of the tongue, associated with intense pain. The clinical diagnosis of erosive lichen planus induced by clopidogrel was confirmed by histological biopsy evaluation. Clopidogrel was replaced by aspirin, which was the antiplatelet drug previously used by the patient, and 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in orabase was prescribed in combination with systemic corticoids. The erosive lesions and pain disappeared as a result, though asymptomatic reticular lesions typical of lichen planus persisted.

We present the case of a 66-year-old woman with a diagnosis of chronic active viral C hepatitis, for whom a course of interferon alpha-2A was prescribed at a dose of 4.5 MU per day for a 2 month period, followed by the same dose on alternate days for 4 months. After completion of a month of therapy, the patient presented with painful oral lesions that made normal oral food intake impossible. These lesions persisted, in spite of withdrawal of interferon therapy. Intraoral examination revealed erosive intraoral lesions in both yugal mucosae, the upper vestibular gum, the floor of the mouth, the ventral region of the tongue, and the lower lip. A diagnosis of erosive lichen planus induced by interferon therapy was established. The prescribed treatment was 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in orabase applied 3 times a day for 4 weeks. Following the therapeutical course, the erosive lesions disappeared, and the symptoms stopped, although the reticular lesions remained visible.

Saliva plays a fundamental role in the maintenance of oral health. Xerostomia is defined as a subjective sensation of oral dryness that usually implies a marked decrease in saliva secretion and may be due to a number of causes. Oral equilibrium is affected as a result, and buccal problems may develop. The present study reviews the different treatment modalities available for the management of xerostomia, destined to stimulate the production of saliva by chewing, administering gustatory substances, prescribing sialogogues such as pilocarpine, or using saliva substitutes or artificial saliva. The adoption of one treatment option or other in turn depends on the cause underlying xerostomia and on the functionality of the salivary glands. The review also evaluates preventive therapeutic measures and addresses the complications that may develop secondary to oral dryness.

This study was designed to evaluate the significance and interrelationship of clinical parameters and their association with histologic changes in advanced destructive periodontitis. 158 patients with PDI greater than 4 (Ramfjord) were selected, evaluating the size, contouring, bleeding, consistency, colour and gingival pain. Epithelial ulceration of soft periodontal pockets were also evaluated. The results showed a statistically significant association between purplish colour and gingival fibrosis and advanced stage of the disease. Gingival bleeding on probing was the most important clinical parameter in advanced phases of the disease, either alone or in association with other parameters such as the presence of epithelial ulcerations. The Periodontal Disease Index (Ramfjord) has proven effective in the evaluation of generalized patterns of disease.