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Background/purpose The impact of the pandemic of COVID-19 has a certain influence on various walks of life around the world. Because of the pandemic of this novel coronavirus in terms of COVID-19, the social life global wide has been changed a lot. To keep the social distance between human being to prevent from being infected is the most important strategy for all the countries. Many dental schools have been locked down to minimize the spread out of this coronavirus infection. Close contact between human being are required for all those learning process in traditional dental education. Learning methods should be innovated to keep on the learning process but away from being infected for dental education during pandemic. The purpose of this manuscript is to exchange the information and experience of those dental educators from different countries to prepare for the future demand for dental education during pandemic. Materials and methods By means of three online symposiums, dental educators from different countries were invited to give presentation and discussion regarding to the information and experience in the innovation of dental education during the pandemic. Results The results showed that the impact of the pandemic of COVID-19 affects the dental education a lot. Intelligent technology has certain benefit for the learning process of dental education during the pandemic. Conclusion The impact of the pandemic of COVID-19 affects dental education a lot. The model of dental education should be innovated to suit different situations and novelty intelligent technology should be applied for future dental education.

As the emerging resistance of Candida species to common antifungals is a major global concern, we assessed the antifungal susceptibility of oral yeast isolates from a healthy, Thai adult cohort, and correlated the yeast prevalence with oral disease indices.Oral rinse samples collected from 100 Thai adults were concentrated and cultured on CHROMagar Candida. The yeasts were then isolated, identified and finally speciated using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Their antifungal sensitivity against fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B were investigated using standard Etest strips. The decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) and the periodontal health were recorded and correlated with mycological data.The overall oral yeast prevalence was 25%. C. albicans was the commonest species isolated, followed by C. tropicalis and C. dubliniensis. Non-albicans-Candida was noted in approximately one-third, and included C. lusitaniae and C. nivariensis; Trichosporon asahii, was also detected in one subject. A majority of C. albicans isolates, (54%), exhibited resistance to fluconazole and voriconazole, while approximately a quarter (27%) were resistant to itraconazole. The vast majority (92%) however, were susceptible to amphotericin B. Those with oral yeasts had a significantly higher DMFT score (p 0.05).The resistance of a majority of Candida spp. to common azoles, described here for the first time in a Thai cohort, is disconcerting, and appear to confirm the creeping emergence of antifungal resistance globally. An incidental finding was the positive correlation between oral yeast carriage and DMFT score in Thai subjects.

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a cost-effective method for arresting active dental caries. However, the limited cooperation of patients may lead to an SDF application time that is shorter than the recommended 1–3 min for carious lesions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of different application times of SDF on the degree of mineral precipitation in demineralized dentin. Demineralized dentin specimens from permanent maxillary molars were treated by applying 38% SDF for 30, 60, or 180 s. Water was applied in the control group. The specimens were immersed in simulated body fluid for 2 weeks, and the mineral precipitation in demineralized dentin was then analyzed using FTIR-ATR, SEM-EDX, and synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM). The FTIR-ATR results showed a significant increase in mineral precipitation in the 180 s group after 1 week. However, after 2 weeks, the SRXTM images indicated comparable mineral density between the 30, 60, and 180 s groups. The precipitation of silver chloride and calcium phosphate crystals that occluded dentinal tubules was similar in all experimental groups. In conclusion, an application time of either 30, 60, or 180 s promoted a comparable degree of mineral precipitation in demineralized dentin.

Aim:Early childhood caries (ECC) has significant public health implications but has received inadequate global attention. There is limited information regarding the success of oral health policies implemented to address the challenges of ECC. This review aimed to summarize such policies to tackle ECC from different countries/regions.Method:Independent collaborators from 14 countries/regions (Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, Thailand, UK, USA, and Venezuela) collected the data. The ECC status, dental workforce, oral health policies on ECC prevention in different countries/regions were summarized by each country.Results:The findings indicated that ECC prevalence varied in different countries/regions. The lowest prevalence of ECC among 5-year-old children was found in Nigeria (7%), and the highest was found in Indonesia (90%). The existing dental workforce and resources are limited in most countries. The smallest dentist to population ratio was reported by Nigeria at 1:48,400, whereas the highest ratio was in Brazil (1:600). Out of 14, three (21%) countries namely India, Venezuela and Cambodia had no national oral health policies addressing ECC and four (29%) countries (Cambodia, China, India, Venezuela) had no publicly funded dental care program for 0–5-year-old children. Water fluoridation is available in four countries/regions (Australia, Brazil, Hong Kong, USA).Conclusion:ECC remains a global health challenge and dental workforce is limited. National/regional programs to tackle ECC are not yet prioritized in many countries/regions. Evidence to support demonstration projects is limited. Further research on the cost-effectiveness of interventions strategies is required for policymakers.

Dental academic institutions are affected by COVID-19. We assessed the perceived COVID-19 preparedness of these institutions and the characteristics of institutions with greater perceived preparedness. An international cross-sectional survey of dental academics was conducted from March to August 2020 to assess academics’ and institutional attributes, perceived preparedness, and availability of infection prevention and control (IPC) equipment. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified perceived preparedness components. Multilevel linear regression analysis assessed the association between perceived preparedness and fixed effect factors (academics’ and institutions’ attributes) with countries as random effect variable. Of the 1820 dental academics from 28 countries, 78.4% worked in public institutions and 75.2% reported temporary closure. PCA showed five components: clinic apparel, measures before and after patient care, institutional policies, and availability of IPC equipment. Significantly less perceived preparedness was reported in lower-middle income (LMICs) (B = −1.31, p = 0.006) and upper-middle income (UMICs) (B = −0.98, p = 0.02) countries than in high-income countries (HICs), in teaching only (B = −0.55, p &lt, 0.0001) and in research only (B = −1.22, p = 0.003) than teaching and research institutions and in institutions receiving ≤100 patients daily than those receiving &gt, 100 patients (B = −0.38, p &lt, 0.0001). More perceived preparedness was reported by academics with administrative roles (B = 0.59, p &lt, 0.0001). Academics from low-income countries (LICs) and LMICs reported less availability of clinic apparel, IPC equipment, measures before patient care, and institutional policies but more measures during patient care. There was greater perceived preparedness in HICs and institutions with greater involvement in teaching, research, and patient care.

Background COVID-19 is a global pandemic affecting all aspects of life in all countries. We assessed COVID-19 knowledge and associated factors among dental academics in 26 countries. Methods We invited dental academics to participate in a cross-sectional, multi-country, online survey from March to April 2020. The survey collected data on knowledge of COVID-19 regarding the mode of transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, protection, and dental treatment precautions as well as participants’ background variables. Multilevel linear models were used to assess the association between dental academics’ knowledge of COVID-19 and individual level (personal and professional) and country-level (number of COVID-19 cases/ million population) factors accounting for random variation among countries. Results Two thousand forty-five academics participated in the survey (response rate 14.3%, with 54.7% female and 67% younger than 46 years of age). The mean (SD) knowledge percent score was 73.2 (11.2) %, and the score of knowledge of symptoms was significantly lower than the score of knowledge of diagnostic methods (53.1 and 85.4%, P Conclusions Dental academics had poorer knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms than of COVID-19 diagnostic methods. Living arrangements, academic degrees, patient load, and magnitude of the epidemic in the country were associated with COVD-19 knowledge among dental academics. Training of dental academics on COVID-19 can be designed using these findings to recruit those with the greatest need.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different commercial liquid phases (Ketac, Riva, and Fuji IX) and the use of spherical pre-reacted glass (SPG) fillers on cement maturation, fluoride release, compressive (CS) and biaxial flexural strength (BFS) of experimental glass ionomer cements (GICs). The experimental GICs (Ketac_M, Riva_M, FujiIX_M) were prepared by mixing SPG fillers with commercial liquid phases using the powder to liquid mass ratio of 2.5:1. FTIR-ATR was used to assess the maturation of GICs. Diffusion coefficient of fluoride (DF) and cumulative fluoride release (CF) in deionized water was determined using the fluoride ion specific electrode (n=3). CS and BFS at 24 h were also tested (n=6). Commercial GICs were used as comparisons. Riva and Riva_M exhibited rapid polyacrylate salt formation. The highest DF and CF were observed with Riva_M (1.65x10-9 cm2/s) and Riva (77 ppm) respectively. Using SPG fillers enhanced DF of GICs on average from ~2.5x10-9 cm2/s to ~3.0x10-9 cm2/s but reduced CF of the materials on average from ~51 ppm to ~42 ppm. The CS and BFS of Ketac_M (144 and 22 MPa) and Fuji IX_M (123 and 30 MPa) were comparable to commercial materials. Using SPG with Riva significantly reduced CS and BFS from 123 MPa to 55 MPa and 42 MPa to 28 MPa respectively. The use of SPG fillers enhanced DF but reduced CF of GICs. Using SPG with Ketac or Fuji IX liquids provided comparable strength to the commercial materials. Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes fases líquidas comerciais (Ketac, Riva e Fuji IX) e o uso de partículas esféricas de vidro pré-reagido (SPG) na maturação do cimento, liberação de flúor, força de compressão (CS) e resistência biaxial à flexão (BFS) de cimentos de ionômero de vidro (GICs) experimentais. Os GICs experimentais (Ketac_M, Riva_M, FujiIX_M) foram preparados pela mistura de partículas SPG com fases líquidas comerciais usando a proporção de pó para massa líquida de 2,5: 1. O FTIR-ATR foi usado para avaliar a maturação dos GICs. O coeficiente de difusão do flúor (DF) e a liberação cumulativa de flúor (CF) em água deionizada foram determinados usando o eletrodo específico do íon fluoreto (n = 3). CS e BFS em 24 h também foram testados (n = 6). GICs comerciais foram usados como comparações. Riva e Riva_M exibiram rápida formação de sal de poliacrilato. Os maiores DF e CF foram observados com Riva_M (1,65x10-9 cm2/s) e Riva (77 ppm), respectivamente. O uso de partículas SPG melhorou o DF de GICs em média de ~ 2,5x10-9 cm2/s a ~ 3,0x10-9 cm2/s, mas reduziu o CF dos materiais em média de ~ 51 ppm a ~ 42 ppm. O CS e BFS de Ketac_M (144 e 22 MPa) e Fuji IX_M (123 e 30 MPa) foram comparáveis aos materiais comerciais. Usar SPG com Riva reduziu significativamente CS e BFS de 123 MPa para 55 MPa e 42 MPa para 28 MPa, respectivamente. O uso de SPG partículas melhorou o DF, mas reduziu o CF dos GICs. O uso de partículas SPG com líquidos Ketac ou Fuji IX proporcionou resistência comparável aos materiais comerciais.

The article's abstract is no available.

Not only does the quality of one’s oral health have a tremendously salient impact on one’s quality of life, but the quality of one’s oral health and microbial plaque biofilm have also been associated with one’s risk for developing a multitude of general diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and pre-term low birth-weight babies. Much poor dental hygiene is the direct result of misinformation, which is one of the issues that is addressed in this chapter: how technology can be used as a means of primary and secondary prevention of oral diseases. In addition, many of the methods for preventing and correcting oral diseases are using the technology itself, for example, water and milk fluoridation. The use of technology to directly impact oral health, in addition to patient education, is examined in this chapter. In addition, a case study from Thailand is included that demonstrates how the incidence of dental caries can be reduced using various technologies.

Although oral diseases are largely preventable, they are among the most non-communicable diseases globally, and they disproportionately burden disadvantaged communities, specially within low- and middle-income nations. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the social, economic, and health inequalities in our society, including the existing global oral health inequalities. There is a shortage of dentist-scientist all around the world, especially in developing countries, such as Thailand. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) and Fogarty International Center (FIC), joined efforts on creating research capacity in oral health in South East Asia through the Fogarty International Center Training Program in Clinical, Public Health and Behavioral Oral Health Research for Thailand (2006–2016). The University of Washington (USA), Thammasat University (Thailand) and Khon Kaen University (Thailand) partnered to conduct short-, medium- and long-term training programs to build regional oral health research capabilities. Investing in research has not only impacted trainees’ career development but enhanced advancement of oral health research of South East Asia. The success of partnership calls for expanding oral health research training in other low-income countries.

Objective: COVID-19 pandemic led to major life changes. We assessed the psychological impact of COVID-19 on dental academics globally and on changes in their behaviors. Methods We invited dental academics to complete a cross-sectional, online survey from March to May 2020. The survey was based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The survey collected data on participants' stress levels (using the Impact of Event Scale), attitude (fears, and worries because of COVID-19 extracted by Principal Component Analysis (PCA), perceived control (resulting from training on public health emergencies), norms (country-level COVID-19 fatality rate), and personal and professional backgrounds. We used multilevel regression models to assess the association between the study outcome variables (frequent handwashing and avoidance of crowded places) and explanatory variables (stress, attitude, perceived control and norms). Results 1862 academics from 28 countries participated in the survey (response rate = 11.3%). Of those, 53.4% were female, 32.9% were

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effect of resin denture base containing 20wt% S-PRG (surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer) fillers on saliva fluoride concentration as surrogate evaluation of caries control. The study was a double blind randomized clinical trial with a total of 110 participants aged 35–60 years who wore a removable partial resin denture for 1.5 years. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive a partial resin denture fabricated either with or without 20wt% S-PRG fillers (n=55 per group). After 14 days of wearing the dentures, 5000 ppm fluoride gel was applied nightly on both sides of the denture before storing it in a denture box overnight every night for 1.5 years. Salivary fluoride concentration was measured at baseline, at days 1, 14, 15, and at 3 months and 1.5 years of wearing the denture. A significant increase in salivary fluoride concentration in the S-PRG containing denture group was observed from baseline to Day 1, followed by a significant decrease to an approximate baseline level. After recharge with 5,000 ppm fluoride gel, salivary fluoride increased markedly at Day 15 and remained elevated at month 3 through 1.5 years. The resin denture base containing 20wt% S-PRG fillers demonstrated initial fluoride release that increased saliva fluoride concentration, but the fluoride release from within the material was short-lived. The long term effect of sustained fluoride release from the denture when combined with a regular fluoride recharge regimen may be beneficial for caries prevention. [ClinicalTrials.gov, registration number NCT 02460562]

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is prevalent around the world, but in particular the disease is growing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries in parallel with changing diet and lifestyles. In many countries, ECC is often left untreated, a condition which leads to pain and adversely affects general health, growth and development, and quality of life of children, their families and their communities. Importantly, ECC is also a global public health burden, medically, socially and economically. In many countries, a substantial number of children require general anaesthesia for the treatment of caries in their primary teeth (usually extractions), and this has considerable cost and social implications. A WHO Global Consultation with oral health experts on "Public Health Intervention against Early Childhood Caries" was held on 26-28 January 2016 in Bangkok (Thailand) to identify public health solutions and to highlight their applicability to low- and middle-income countries. After a 3-day consultation, participants agreed on specific recommendations for further action. National health authorities should develop strategies and implement interventions aimed at preventing and controlling ECC. These should align with existing international initiatives such as the Sixtieth World Health Assembly Resolution WHA 60.17 Oral health: action plan for promotion and integrated disease prevention, WHO Guideline on Sugars and WHO breastfeeding recommendation. ECC prevention and control interventions should be integrated into existing primary healthcare systems. WHO public health principles must be considered when tackling the effect of social determinants in ECC. Initiatives aimed at modifying behaviour should focus on families and communities. The involvement of communities in health promotion, and population-directed and individual fluoride administration for the prevention and control of ECC is essential. Surveillance and research, including cost-effectiveness studies, should be conducted to evaluate interventions aimed at preventing ECC in different population groups.

Background: The purpose of this 2-year prospective survival analysis study is to determine a statistically validated periodontal prognostic score for diseased molars in smokers using the Miller-McEntire Periodontal Prognostic Index (MMPPI). Materials and Methods: Two hundred molars were evaluated from 25 patients who were smokers with moderate-to-severe chronic periodontitis. The factors evaluated included age, probing depth, mobility, furcation involvement, smoking, and molar type. A modified, 5 level, scoring criterion for smoking based on smoking-dose was adopted. MMPPI was computed as the sum of scores for all six prognostic factors. Appropriate periodontal treatment and supportive periodontal therapy were provided. All patients were evaluated at baseline and 2 years posttreatment. Hazard risk ratio (HR) was computed for each prognostic factor. Results: A total of 3 (1.5%) teeth of the 200 molars were extracted over the 2-year follow-up duration, with a mean of 0.015 teeth lost. The HR was found as significantly higher for three individual prognostic factors: mobility (HR = 5.57, P = 0.02), smoking (HR = 3.35, P = 0.04), and furcation involvement (HR = 7.30, P = 0.01). Significant and positive HR (HR = 1.70, P = 0.01) was noted for the total MMPPI score, validating its prognostic value for molar survival at 2 years prospectively. Conclusions: The findings of the current study demonstrate the prognostic validity of MMPPI incorporating a more detailed smoking score criterion. The factors smoking, furcation involvement, and mobility significantly impacted the likelihood of survival of periodontally diseased molars. Further studies with a larger sample size and longer follow-up are required to confirm these findings.

Aim and Objective: The aim of this study was to prospectively determine and establish the periodontal prognosis of diseased molars in diabetic patients using the Miller–McEntire Periodontal Prognostic Index (MMPPI) with an additional criterion for diabetes (changes in glycosylated hemoglobin levels), at 2-year postperiodontal therapy. Materials and Methods: A sample of 200 molars in 25 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic periodontitis were evaluated. The prognostic parameters evaluated include age, probing depth (PD), mobility, furcation involvement, diabetes, and molar type. The total score calculated from all parameters was used considered prognosis score for each molar. All patients were evaluated at baseline and 2-year posttreatment. Results: The results of this study suggest that following prognostic factors, DM (hazard ratio [HR] =5.2), age (HR = 0.4), and molar type (HR = 0.6) were clinically significant at the end of the 2-year posttherapy from baseline. A total of 4 (2%) teeth were extracted from the 200 teeth with a mean of 0.02 for the tooth lost during 2-year posttreatment. Significant improvements (P < 0.05) in the frequency PD, furcation, and mobility scores were noted at 2 years. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that score for DM as prognostic criterion is a valid addition to MMPPI. The factors such as DM, age, and molar type can impact the prognosis of molar survival. Studies with a larger sample size and longer follow-up are required to affirm the findings of this preliminary study.

Background: This paper is a summary of the proceedings of the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry Bangkok Conference on early childhood caries (ECC) held in 3-4 November 2018. Aim: The paper aims to convey a global perspective of ECC definitions, aetiology, risk factors, societal costs, management, educational curriculum, and policy. Design: This global perspective on ECC is the compilation of the state of science, current concepts, and literature regarding ECC from worldwide experts on ECC. Results: Early childhood caries is related to frequent sugar consumption in an environment of enamel adherent, acid-producing bacteria in a complex biofilm, as well as developmental defects of enamel. The seriousness, societal costs, and impact on quality of life of dental caries in pre-school children are enormous. Worldwide data show that ECC continues to be highly prevalent, yet infrequently treated. Approaches to reduce the prevalence include interventions that start in the first year of a child's life, evidence-based and risk-based management, and reimbursement systems that foster preventive care. Conclusions: This global perspective on ECC epidemiology, aetiology, risk assessment, global impact, and management is aimed to foster improved worldwide understanding and management of ECC.

The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of 1 year of daily application of 10% w/v CPP-ACP (casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate) paste in addition to regular toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste on the remineralization of enamel carious lesions in preschool children using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). A total of 103 Thai children (aged 21/2-31/2 years) with high caries risk who had at least 1 enamel carious lesion (ICDAS 1-3) on the labial surface of the upper anterior teeth were assigned to receive either CPP-ACP paste (n = 53) or placebo control (n = 50) following toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste after lunch at school. QLF measurement was performed at baseline, 6 months and 1 year. At 1 year, a significant reduction in fluorescence loss (ΔF), lesion area and lesion volume (ΔQ; p ≤ 0.001) of the lesions were found over time in both groups. However, no significant difference was observed between the groups (p = 0.79, 0.98 and 0.88, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the odds of ΔQ transition to a stage of regression or arrest compared with progression from baseline to 1 year between the two groups (OR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.31-3.39). The daily application of 10% w/v CPP-ACP paste on a school day for 1 year resulted in no improvement of enamel carious lesion remineralization in the primary upper anterior teeth as assessed by QLF. The lesion improvement was not superior to remineralization from regular toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste alone in these children.

Purpose To determine the evolution of toothbrushing frequency and use of fluoridetoothpaste in the FDI–Unilever partnership Live.Learn.Laugh. phase 2 programme using a self-reported questionnaire. Methods The study was conducted in 23 countries. The key focus of this partnership was to educate people about the benefits of twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and to support people in adopting this important oral health behaviour. The partnership offers a choice of four project options to the local partnership team of the National Dental Association and local Unilever-operating companies. A self-report questionnaire was used in all participating subjects in local projects to evaluate the brushing frequency, the brushing timing and the use of fluoride toothpaste. Results After implementation of the project interventions, a clear improvement in the reported frequency of brushing twice a day, regardless of the type of project, was observed. Subjects also increased day and night brushing and the use of fluoride toothpaste. Conclusion The strategy of using mothers to increase healthy behaviours in oral health achieved the greatest increase in twice-daily toothbrushing, followed by the intervention in schools.

Objective Access to adequate oral health care is deficient in many parts of the world. Many countries are now using dental therapists to increase access, particularly for children. To inform the discussion on dental therapists in the workforce, particularly in the United States, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation funded a review of the global literature to identify as many documents as possible related to the practice of dental therapists since the establishment of the School Dental Service in New Zealand in 1921. Methods Consultants in each of the countries considered to have a substantive literature on dental therapists were asked to participate in the research; seventeen in total. In addition to identifying and reviewing published articles, a focus of the research was on identifying ‘gray’ documents. Standard databases were searched for key words associated with dental therapists. In addition, searches were conducted of the governmental and dental association websites of all countries known to have dental therapists in their oral health workforce. Results Fifty-four countries, both developing and developed, were identified where dental therapists are members of the workforce. Eleven hundred documents were identified from 26 of these countries, with over 2/3 of them cited in the published monograph. Reliable evidence from the related literature and verbal communication confirmed the utilization of dental therapists in an additional 28 countries. Thirty-three of the countries were members of the Commonwealth of Nations, suggesting a mechanism of spread from New Zealand. Variable lengths of training/education existed for dental therapists with the tradition being 2 years postsecondary. In a few countries, the training of therapists and hygienists is now being combined in a three academic year program. Historically, dental therapists have been employed by government agencies caring for children, typically in school-based programs. Initiatives in some countries allow limited care for adults by dental therapists with additional training. Conclusions The evidence indicates that dental therapists provide effective, quality, and safe care for children in an economical manner and are generally accepted both by the public and where their use is established, by the dental profession.

The caries-preventive benefits of fluoride are generally accepted by dental researchers and practicing professionals worldwide. The benefits of fluoride toothpastes and mouthrinses have been supported by several high-quality systematic reviews. The formulation of a fluoride toothpaste and biological (salivary flow rate) and behavioral factors (brushing frequency, brushing time, post-brushing rinsing practices, timing of brushing, and amount of toothpaste applied) can influence anticaries efficacy. Fluoride mouthrinses have simpler formulations and can have better oral fluoride retention profiles than fluoride toothpastes, depending on post-brushing rinsing behaviors. Fluoride continues to be the mainstay of caries control; however, there is still the need to determine the most effective approach for fluoride utilization in children and adults who remain caries-active.

This communication analyzed research publications in dentistry in the Institute of Scientific Information Web of Science databases of 10 dental faculties in the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) from 2000 to 2009. The term used for the "all-document types" search was "Faculty of Dentistry/College of Dentistry." Abstracts presented at regional meetings were also included in the analysis. The Times Higher Education System QS World University Rankings showed that universities in the region fare poorly in world university rankings. Only the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University appeared in the top 100 in 2009; 19 universities in the region, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, appeared in the top 500. Data from the databases showed that research publications by dental institutes in the region fall short of their Asian counterparts. Singapore and Thailand are the most active in dental research of the ASEAN countries.

Background/Aims: Currently available techniques for fluoride analysis are not standardized. Therefore, this study was designed to develop standardized methods for analyzing fluoride in biological and nonbiological samples used for dental research. Methods: A group of nine laboratories analyzed a set of standardized samples for fluoride concentration using their own methods. The group then reviewed existing analytical techniques for fluoride analysis, identified inconsistencies in the use of these techniques and conducted testing to resolve differences. Based on the results of the testing undertaken to define the best approaches for the analysis, the group developed recommendations for direct and microdiffusion methods using the fluoride ion-selective electrode. Results: Initial results demonstrated that there was no consensus regarding the choice of analytical techniques for different types of samples. Although for several types of samples, the results of the fluoride analyses were similar among some laboratories, greater differences were observed for saliva, food and beverage samples. In spite of these initial differences, precise and true values of fluoride concentration, as well as smaller differences between laboratories, were obtained once the standardized methodologies were used. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.90 to 0.93, for the analysis of a certified reference material, using the standardized methodologies. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that the development and use of standardized protocols for F analysis significantly decreased differences among laboratories and resulted in more precise and true values.

Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic disease affecting human populations worldwide. The diverse disease patterns across and within countries are related to socio-behavioral determinants, demographic factors, environmental conditions, and the availability and accessibility of oral health services, in particular, exposure to disease prevention programs (Petersen, 2003, 2008a). Benefits of fluoride for caries prevention have been substantiated in many countries (Petersen and Lennon, 2004; Jones et al., 2005). In the second half of the 20th century, this focus shifted to the development and evaluation of fluoride toothpastes and rinses and, to a lesser extent, to alternatives to water fluoridation, such as salt and milk fluoridation. Most recently, efforts have been made to summarize this extensive database through systematic reviews of fluoride administration (McDonagh et al., 2000; Marinho et al., 2003; Australian Government, 2007). The Asian workshop held in Phan-Nga, Thailand, during March 22-24, 2011, aimed to discuss current information on fluoride and dental caries, as well as to try identifying barriers and opportunities that countries of Asia may have for implementing such programs. In addition, the intention was to give recommendations for including fluoride schemes within national public health programs.

This communication analyzed research publications in dentistry in the Institute of Scientific Information Web of Science databases of 10 dental faculties in the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) from 2000 to 2009. The term used for the "all-document types" search was "Faculty of Dentistry/College of Dentistry." Abstracts presented at regional meetings were also included in the analysis. The Times Higher Education System QS World University Rankings showed that universities in the region fare poorly in world university rankings. Only the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University appeared in the top 100 in 2009; 19 universities in the region, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, appeared in the top 500. Data from the databases showed that research publications by dental institutes in the region fall short of their Asian counterparts. Singapore and Thailand are the most active in dental research of the ASEAN countries.

Ensuring that members of society are healthy and reaching their full potential requires the prevention of oral diseases through the promotion of oral health and well-being. The present article identifies the best policy conditions of effective public health and primary care integration and the actors who promote and sustain these efforts. In this review, arguments and recommendations are provided to introduce an oral health collaborative promotion programme called Live.Learn.Laugh. phase 2, arising from an unique partnership between FDI World Dental Federation, the global company Unilever plc and an international network of National Dental Associations, health-care centres, schools and educators populations.

The FDI-Unilever Live.Learn.Laugh. phase 2 partnership involved dissemination of the key oral health message of encouraging ‘twice-daily toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste’ and education of people worldwide by FDI, National Dental Associations, the Unilever Oral Care global team and local brands. The dissemination and education process used different methodologies, each targeting specific groups, namely: mother and child (Project option A); schoolchildren (Project option B); dentists and patients (Project option C); and specific communities (Project option D). Altogether, the partnership implemented 29 projects in 27 countries. These consisted of educational interventions, evaluations including (in some cases) clinical assessment, together with communication activities at both global and local levels, to increase the reach of the message to a broader population worldwide. The phase 2 experience reveals the strength of such a public–private partnership approach in tackling global oral health issues by creating synergies between partners and optimising the promotion and education process.

The aim of this community-oriented study was to evaluate different methods to prevent fissure caries. The following products and measures were tested: 1) glass ionomer cement (GIC) applied by dentist; 2) same material applied by short term (3 days) trained personnel (teachers); 3) application of a 0.5% HF solution three times; 4) an established autopolymerized resin based sealant (Delton). The study was performed in Bangkok, Thailand, a city in a developing country experiencing increasing caries prevalence. Children with at least three sound permanent molars from two age groups, 7–8 and 12–13-yr-olds respectively were chosen from very low to medium socioeconomic level families. 1264 children were systematically assigned to experiment or control groups based on school and DMFT. For the younger age group, the 2 yr mean DFS occlusal increment in the Control group was 0.66 surfaces. Significantly lower increments were observed in the GIC experimental group: O.I7 surfaces applied by the teachers and 0.32 applied by dentist, corresponding to 74% and 52% reductions, respectively. The mean increment in the HF group was 0.44 surfaces, a 33% reduction in relation to the Control group. For the 12–13-yr-olds, the mean occlusal surface DF increment was 0.70 surfaces in the Control group. Almost no occlusal increment was found in the Delton group, 0.05 DFS, a 93% reduction. In the GIC Dentist group, the DFS increment was 0.48 and in the Teacher group 0.56, corresponding to 31% and 20% reduction, respectively. A slight and nonsignificant increase of caries in relation to the Control group was observed in the HF group. Retention of Delton sealant was high, 92% after 6 months, retention of the GIC sealants was low. At the 6-months checkup, only 2–8% of these sealants were still present and also after reapplication, a majority was lost.