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Purpose: Oral alterations are frequently observed in patients undergoing palliative care and are linked to the direct or indirect effects of the primary medical condition, comorbidities and medical management, leading to oral pain, impacting oral intake, and affecting quality of life. This systematic review aims to assess the prevalence of oral disease in palliative care patients. Methods: The protocol was registered at the PROSPERO database, and a systematic review of the literature was performed based on the PRISMA statement. A thorough evaluation of studies from five databases and gray literature was conducted. The risk of bias in each study was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for cross-sectional and case-control studies. A quantitative analysis was conducted on five studies using meta-analysis, and the degree of certainty in the evidence was determined using the GRADE tool. Results: The sample consisted of 2,502 patients, with a slight male predominance (50.43%). The average age was 66.92 years. The prevalence of oral diseases among palliative care patients was as follows: caries 32% (95% CI, 0.11-0.56; I2 = 93%), and oral candidiasis 17% (95% CI,0.11-0.25; I2 = 74%). Gingivitis and stomatitis were also reported, but with less frequency. Conclusion: Dental intervention should take place as early as possible, ideally from the time of the patient's initial admission to palliative care, with regular monitoring of oral health. This approach can enhance the patient's comfort and quality of life and help prevent more severe complications in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The management of dental plaque and the appropriate use of oral hygiene tools are crucial for oral health. With increasing interest in oral health care, various oral hygiene products are available on the market. As the most basic oral hygiene tool, the large-head toothbrush has gained significant consumer interest. This study evaluates the suitability of large-head toothbrushes as oral hygiene tools by comparing their efficacy with that of regular-sized toothbrushes. Methods: We evaluated the efficacy of large-head and regular-sized toothbrushes. The amount of dental plaque before and after brushing was measured using quantitative light-induced fluorescence digital (QLF-D) images and the plaque index (PI) in adult participants with more than 28 teeth (n=15/group). After brushing, the collected toothbrushes were rinsed 10 times in clean water, thoroughly dried, and weighed on an electronic scale. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with SPSS Statistics Version 29.0. Results: QLF-D analysis showed a significant decrease in fluorescence intensity scores after use of a regular-sized toothbrush, whereas the scores after use of a large-head toothbrush were not significantly reduced. PI measurements indicated significant reductions in dental plaque for both head types. However, detailed analysis by tooth surface revealed that the regular-sized toothbrush significantly reduced plaque on the proximal, palatal/lingual, and labial/buccal surfaces. In contrast, the large-head toothbrush only showed significant reductions in place on the proximal and palatal/lingual surfaces, not on the labial/buccal surface. Additionally, compared to the regular-sized toothbrush, the large-head toothbrush retained more toothpaste residue despite similar cleaning efforts after brushing. Conclusion: Compared to the regular-sized toothbrush, the large-head toothbrush showed lower overall efficacy in dental plaque removal. The results of this study provide significant information regarding the use of large-head toothbrushes.

Abstract Background & aim: The knowledge of the biochemical composition of salivary stones (sialoliths) is necessary for their aetiology and formation mechanism. A small number of studies have investigated sialoliths' elemental composition and clinical symptoms, probably due to the unknowingness and uncertainties of their formation. The purpose of this study was to determine the occurrence, physicochemical characteristics and clinical symptoms of salivary stones (sialoliths). Methods: This is a semi-experimental study that was conducted in Shiraz medical centers in 2023. Sialoliths' physical properties (colour, size, weight and hardness) and elemental composition (using an SEM-EDS) after non-randomly collecting from available samples in Shiraz health centres in 2022 for 9 months were determined. The target population included male and female patients of different age ranges. Statistical tests of Shapiro-Wilk and Mann-Whitney were applied to identify the data normality and find significant differences between the distribution of elements and individual factors, respectively. Results: Salivary stones comprised white to light brown colours and a 1 to 40 mm size range, with a mean weight of 0.65 g and hardness of 2 to 4. Salivary stones dominantly constitute oxygen (O), carbon (C), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl), respectively (98%). No significant difference was found between the distribution of elements and the individual factors (gender and age). A strong positive correlation between Ca and P (r = 0.86) and a good positive correlation between Ca and P with sialoliths' physical parameters (35 < r < 0.60) reflected that Ca and P comprise biomineral phases similar to carbonated calcium phosphates. Conclusion: The results of the present study provided a good insight into sialoliths' elemental composition, physicochemical properties and clinical symptoms. The high weight percentage of O, C, Ca and P suggested phosphorated carbonate compounds. Ca and P were two important explanatory factors for the weight and size of salivary stones. Also, age and gender were not considered the main factors controlling elements in sialoliths.

Introduction: oral mucosa lesions (OML) are any abnormal variations in appearance, color, texture, swelling, or loss of integrity of the oral mucosa. The worldwide prevalence varies from 4.9 % to 64.7 %. This study aimed to determine the frequency of oral lesions in patients who consult the Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia. Methodology: a cross-sectional study was carried out using a structured instrument with sociodemographic, clinical, and habit variables and systematic clinical examination according to the WHO. Statistical analysis was univariate and bivariate, calculating the average and standard deviation for the age variable and absolute and relative frequencies for each sociodemographic and clinical variable. Chi-square tests were done for differences in proportions. Results: 539 patients, the average age was 35.2 years (SD=23.5 years). The frequency of patients with oral lesions was 75.9 % (409). Statistically significant differences were found between the number of lesions and age, use, and type of appliances. Orthodontic appliances were the most common cause of injury (43.1 %). The most frequent lesions were traumatic (68.2 %), followed by vascular (22 %), exfoliative cheilitis (20 %), infectious (17.1 %), and reactive (5.13 %). Conclusions: the prevalence of OML in this population is high, with women mainly affected. The study highlights the importance of making a systematic clinical examination and correlating the findings with the patient's history to establish a diagnosis, prognosis, and appropriate treatment.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of treatment on the quality of life of patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases. Specifically, the study aimed to determine how treatment affects the changes in the quality of life of these patients. Methods: This descriptive study involved 220 patients diagnosed with chronic oral mucosal lesions. Data were collected using the Chronic Oral Mucosal Disease Questionnaire, validated for use in Persian/Farsi. The study population was selected through convenience sampling. Data analysis employed descriptive statistical methods, including frequency and percentage distribution tables, graphs, measures of central tendency, and dispersion. Additionally, confidence intervals were utilized for the studied ratios and indices. Results: Among the study population, 129 (58.6%) were male and 91 (41.4%) were female. The mean quality of life, as assessed by the utilized questionnaire, was 61.9 ± 13.2. The results indicated that females and unemployed individuals reported lower quality of life compared to males and employed individuals, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In the population studied the quality of life of patients with chronic mucous membrane diseases was influenced by various factors, including gender, income, employment, and place of residence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives Tobacco consumption adversely affects general and oral health and is considered one of the significant public health burdens globally. The present study aims to assess the barriers and facilitators for attending oral and dental health screening among tobacco users who seek cessation advice. Methodology The present mixed-methods study used group concept mapping (GCM) to identify the facilitators/barriers to attending oral health screening among young adults attending face-to-face and virtual Tobacco Cessation Clinic at King Saud University (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) between September 2022 and April 2023. Study investigators included healthcare social workers, dental interns, and oral and maxillofacial medicinists. Information about demographics, general health, oral/dental health and tobacco use were collected using self-completed questionnaires. The barriers and facilitators were assessed following GCM by brainstorming, sorting, rating, and interpretation activities. Descriptive, multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to describe the study participants and produce concept maps of the generated statements. Results The study included 148 participants who generated 67 statements summarised into 28 statements as facilitators or barriers. Based on a 5-point importance scale, the participants indicated the importance of facilitators under health-related cluster [e.g. when I feel pain] as the highest, followed by personal [e.g. to maintain my mouth hygiene], social [e.g. the quality of treatment] and financial clusters [e.g. the reasonable cost]. Concerning barriers, financial factors [e.g. high cost] acted as the highest-rated barrier, followed by personal [e.g. lack of dental appointments] and health-related [e.g. worry that dental problems will worsen]. The social factors were the least considerable barrier [e.g. lack of time]. Clustering these facilitators/barriers on the concept map indicated their conceptual similarity by an average stress value of 0.23. Conclusion Pain was the most important facilitator to attending oral health screening by young adults seeking tobacco cessation advice. Notable barriers included the high cost of dental treatment and the lack of scheduled appointments. Thus, oral health care providers need to consider scheduling periodic and timely dental check-ups to prevent and reduce the burden of tobacco-associated and pain-causing oral diseases.

Digital tools have greatly improved the detection and diagnosis of oral and dental disorders like cancer and gum disease. Lip or oral cavity cancer is more likely to develop in those with potentially malignant oral disorders. A potentially malignant disorder (PMD) and debilitating condition of the oral mucosa, oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), can have devastating effects on one's quality of life. Incorporating deep learning into diagnosing conditions affecting the mouth and oral cavity is challenging. Mouth and Oral Diseases Classification using InceptionResNetV2 Method was established in the current study to identify diseases such as gangivostomatitis (Gum), canker sores (CaS), cold sores (CoS), oral lichen planus (OLP), oral thrush (OT), mouth cancer (MC), and oral cancer (OC). The new collection, termed "Mouth and Oral Diseases" (MOD), comprises seven distinct categories of data. Compared to state-of-the-art approaches, the proposed InceptionResNetV2 model's 99.51% accuracy is significantly higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin in improving mouth opening (MO), burning sensation (BS), and tongue protrusion (TP) symptoms in patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). An electronic search up to November 2022 was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library databases to identify studies using curcumin in the treatment of OSF with comparison to control groups (drugs previously proven to be effective for OSF treatment) or placebo. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were considered. RevMan 5.3 software was used for the meta-analysis. Thirteen RCTs met the eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. The results showed no significant improvement in MO (in millimetres) for curcumin when compared to control at 1 month (P = 0.91), 2 months (P = 0.54), 3 months (P = 0.56), or 6 months (P = 0.17) of treatment. There was no significant difference in BS (assessed using a visual analogue scale) between curcumin and control after 1 month (P = 0.05), 2 months (P = 0.64), 3 months (P = 0.13), or 6 months (P = 0.56) of treatment. Compared with the control groups, treatment with curcumin for 1 month (P = 0.32), 2 months (P = 0.07), and 3 months (P = 0.14) did not significantly improve the TP (in millimetres) of patients. The administration of curcumin, whether topically applied or taken orally, did not confer statistically significant improvements in MO, BS, or TP in comparison to the control treatments, among patients with OSF. The results of this meta-analysis showed that compared to placebo, the application of curcumin for 6 months markedly alleviated BS (P < 0.001). Curcumin treatment in OSF reaches a clinically effective range, but more bioavailability-centred outcomes should be reported. Robust multicentre RCTs are warranted to elucidate the efficacy of curcumin in improving specific outcomes like MO, BS, and TP in patients with this condition. Defining the therapeutic role of this natural compound may provide an effective botanical alternative for managing OSF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of treatment on the quality of life of patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases. Specifically, the study aimed to determine how treatment affects the changes in the quality of life of these patients. Methods This descriptive study involved 220 patients diagnosed with chronic oral mucosal lesions. Data were collected using the Chronic Oral Mucosal Disease Questionnaire, validated for use in Persian/Farsi. The study population was selected through convenience sampling. Data analysis employed descriptive statistical methods, including frequency and percentage distribution tables, graphs, measures of central tendency, and dispersion. Additionally, confidence intervals were utilized for the studied ratios and indices. Results Among the study population, 129 (58.6%) were male and 91 (41.4%) were female. The mean quality of life, as assessed by the utilized questionnaire, was 61.9 ± 13.2. The results indicated that females and unemployed individuals reported lower quality of life compared to males and employed individuals, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (p

Abstract Several topics related to the oral cavity are briefly addressed in this article, from anatomical variations that, when recognized, avoid unnecessary investigations, to diseases that affect exclusively the mouth, mucocutaneous diseases, as well as oral manifestations of systemic diseases. A complete clinical examination comprises the examination of the mouth, and this approach facilitates clinical practice, shortening the path to diagnosis in the outpatient clinic as well as with in-hospital patients. The objective of this article is to encourage the examination of the oral cavity as a useful tool in medical practice, helping to recognize diseases in this location.

Abstract Background and objectives Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common chronic T-cell–mediated disease that can cause significant pain, particularly in its erosive or ulcerative forms. This study aimed to examine the therapeutic impact of curcumin on symptoms of OLP. Materials and methods This meta-analysis was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. All related English documents indexed in electronic databases (including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Wiley, Cochrane, and ProQuest databases [updated to August 15, 2023]) were retrieved. Data were double-extracted into a predefined worksheet, and quality analysis was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scale. We carried out meta-analyses, and the random effects model was used to estimate the differences in erythema, lesion size, and pain between the curcumin control groups. Results The search identified 289 studies, of which 10 were found to meet the inclusion criteria. The overall findings of the meta-analysis revealed that curcumin did not have a significant effect on erythema of OLP (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.14; 95% CI, -0.68 to 0.40; P = 0.61; I2 = 57.50%), lesion size of OLP (SMD = -0.15; 95% CI, -0.45 to 0.15; P = 0.33; I2 = 28.42%), and pain of OLP (SMD = -0.38; 95% CI, -0.97 to 0.22; P = 0.22; I2 = 86.60%). However, subgroup analysis based on treatment duration indicated that 2-week treatment duration was significantly associated with a reduction in OLP pain (n = 3; SMD = -1.21; 95% CI, -2.19 to -0.23; P = 0.01). Conclusions Curcumin had no significant effect on erythema, lesion size, and pain of OLP compared to the control groups. However, subgroup analysis revealed that curcumin was more effective in reducing pain in non-randomized trials and in trials with a treatment duration of 2 weeks.

Introduction: Epidemiological studies are essential, since through them it is possible to formulate a clinical profile, to determine the prevalence and incidence of lesions, as well as characterizing particularities specific to the environment where such tasks are performed. Objective: To perform an epidemiological survey of the main oral lesions diagnosed at the Stomatology Outpatient Clinic of the Instituto de Saúde de Nova Friburgo ISNF/UFF, drawing a demographic and clinical profile. Material and methods: A retrospective and observational study, conducted with data collection in the medical records of patients treated at the stomatology service in 2018. The information collected were gender, skin color, age, locality, occupation, income, schooling, and oral injury. Results: Data were collected from 150 patients, 93 (62%) women, 79 (53%) white, aged between 2 and 94 years, mean age of 53 years, 124 (83%) from the downtown of Nova Friburgo, 32 (21%) retired, 30 (22%) received a minimum wage and 42 (28%) incomplete middle school. Regarding oral lesions, 38 (25%) patients had actinic cheilitis, 18 (12%) prosthetic stomatitis and 5 (3%) oral cancer. Conclusion: Middle-aged women sought the outpatient clinic more frequently, and some lesions, if diagnosed early, especially actinic cheilitis, may prevent oral cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral health management involving dental professionals in a multidisciplinary Nutritional Support Team (NST) is effective collaborative care. However, the indicators for the triage of oral health management requirements and selection of oral healthcare providers remain unclear. Objective: This cross‐sectional study included inpatients with malnutrition and aimed to investigate the factors associated with determining the need for oral health management involving dental professionals and selecting primary oral healthcare providers when needed. Methods: Participants included 255 inpatients (154 males and 101 females, mean age 69.7 ± 14.4 years) aged ≥20 years who underwent oral assessment by the NST between April 2016 and July 2019. Participants were assigned to the following groups: good oral health group, oral health management by nurses under the supervision of dental professionals group, and oral health management by dental professionals group. The comprehensive oral health status was investigated using the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT). The total OHAT score ranges from 0 to 16, with a higher score indicating a poorer oral environment. Results: The total OHAT score had a significant correlation with the need for oral health management by dental professionals. Inpatients with denture problems required oral health management from dental professionals. The optimal cutoff value of the total OHAT score for determining the need for oral health management was four. Conclusion: The need for oral health management by dental professionals increased with worsening oral health status, especially denture problems. The OHAT score could be used to triage inpatients who require oral health management collaborated with dental professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the prevalence, epidemiological profile, and clinical characteristics of Oral or Oropharyngeal Mucosal Lesions (OOPML) in patients attended at the Otorhinolaryngology Service of the Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases (INI-FIOCRUZ) from 2005 to 2017. Methods: Statistical analysis of descriptive data from medical records (gender, age, education level, skin color, origin, smoking, alcoholism, HIV co-infection, time of disease evolution, first symptom, and OOPML location) was performed. Results: Of 7551 patients attended at the service, 620 (8.2%) were included in the study. OOPML were classified into developmental anomalies (n = 3), infectious diseases (non-granulomatous n = 220; granulomatous n = 155), autoimmune diseases (n = 24), neoplasms (benign n = 13; malignant, n = 103), and unclassified epithelial/soft tissue diseases (n = 102). OOPML of infectious diseases (60.5%) and neoplasms (18.7%) were the most frequent. The predominant demographics of patients with OOPML were: males (63.5%), white (53.5%), and those in the fifth to sixth decades of life (43.3%). Local pain (18.1%) and odynophagia (15%) were the most reported first symptoms, and the most frequent OOPML sites were the palatine tonsil (28.5%), hard palate (22.7%), and tongue (20.3%). The median evolution time was three months. Conclusions: Infectious OOPML were the most frequent, as expected in a reference center for infectious diseases, and thus, they are likely to be less frequent in general care and/or dental services. Underreporting of OOPML is possible, as oral/oropharyngeal examination is often not included in the routine medical examination. Oral cavity/oropharynx examination should be performed by specialists, such as dentists and otorhinolaryngologists, who have the expertise in identifying OOPML, even in incipient/asymptomatic cases. Given the numerous diseases in which OOPML can present, diagnosis could be facilitated by multidisciplinary teams, potentially enabling the early treatment of diseases, and thus, reduce morbidity and improve prognosis. The use of standardized medical records for oral/oropharyngeal systematic examination could provide relevant tools for differential diagnoses and information for new clinical-epidemiological studies. Level of evidence: Level 3.

BackgroundOral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been causally linked to a subset of oropharyngeal cancers in Western populations, and both oropharyngeal cancer and oral HPV infection are increased among HIV-positive individuals. India has high incidences of oral and oropharyngeal cancers, and Indian HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) may be at increased risk of developing oropharyngeal cancers. However, there is little information available on the prevalence of oral HPV in this population.MethodsWe tested 302 HIV-positive Indian MSM for oral HPV infection using L1 HPV DNA PCR with probes specific for 29 types and a mixture of 10 additional types. CD4+ level and plasma HIV viral load (VL) were measured. Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire including a sexual history.ResultsThe prevalence of oral HPV was 23.7% (95% CI: 19-29%) and 2.4% of participants had oncogenic HPV types. No participants had oral HPV type 16 (HPV-16) and the prevalence of other anogenital HPV types was low. Participants with higher CD4+ levels had reduced odds of having any oral HPV infection (OR: 3.1 [1.4-6.9]) in multivariable analyses.ConclusionsThis is the first report of oral HPV among Indian HIV-positive MSM. Our results show a high prevalence of oral HPV infection consistent with studies from Western populations. However, oncogenic anogenital HPV types were relatively uncommon in our study population. It is unknown what the impact of this distribution of oral HPV will be on oropharyngeal cancers. HIV-positive MSM in India should be monitored closely for oral and oropharyngeal pre-cancer and cancer.

Epidemiological data on the distribution of oral and maxillofacial diseases present in early childhood are scarce in the literature. This study analyzed the frequency of lesions biopsied in this region in children aged 0 to 3 years and sent for histopathological analysis in a reference oral pathology laboratory. Histopathological diagnostic data, lesion location, sex, and age were collected. Of the total of 93,950 records, 250 cases (0.27%) belonged to the age group from 0 to 3 years old. The most frequently diagnosed oral alterations were: mucocele (34/250; 13.6%); papilloma (11/250; 4.4%), giant cell fibroma (6/250; 2.4%), pyogenic granuloma (5/250; 2%) and hemangioma (3/250; 1.2%). The lip was the most affected site, followed by the gingiva and the tongue. These results generate information on the lesions most frequently diagnosed in early childhood, which facilitates the process of diagnosis and, consequently, treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) is the most common non-dental pain complaint in the maxillofacial region, which presents a variety of symptoms and signs, including temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and masticatory muscle pain, joint noise, tinnitus, headaches, irregular or restricted mandibular function, masticatory difficulty, and restricted mouth opening. When comes to the relationship between obesity and TMD, it has remained controversial and inconsistent, therefore, we first conducted this meta-analysis to estimate the unclear relationship between obesity and TMD. Methods Searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Subjects were divided into five groups according to BMI level in this study, including the normal weight group: 18.5 ≤ BMI

Oral lichen planus (OLP) as an inflammatory disease is autoimmune in nature and there is no definitive treatment for it. Currently, topical and systemic corticosteroids have been adopted as the gold standard in the treatment of OLP, which have significant side effects. Nowadays, the tendency towards natural medicines with antioxidant properties as an alternative treatment has increased due to their low side effects. The main purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to focus on comparing the effects of lycopene as an herbal intervention and corticosteroids on OLP in clinical trials. The search using keywords was done through provided databases from PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus until March 2023. After removing duplicate articles and screening them according to eligibility criteria, 5 articles remained and were considered for systematic review and meta-analysis. According to the meta-analysis, significant difference was not observed between the lycopene and corticosteroid groups in terms of reducing pain and improving clinical symptoms after treatment. Lycopene was tolerated well and no specific adverse effects were shown. The systematic review results showed the significant effect of lycopene in the treatment of OLP. The results of this meta-analysis can be useful because no significant side effects have been specified for lycopene. Hence, it might be used instead of steroids.