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Introduction: Health‐risk behaviours tend to co‐occur among the same sectors of the population. The aim of this study is to examine the association between an aggregate of multiple health‐risk behaviours and tooth loss among American Adults. Methods: We used data from the Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2022, a nationally representative survey of non‐institutionalized American. We included participants aged 18 years and older. An aggregate variable of health‐risk behaviours which included smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, lack of physical activities, overweight/obesity, infrequent dental visits and infrequent medical check‐up was created. Tooth loss was indicated by losing one tooth or more. Logistic Regression analysis was conducted to test the association between the aggregate of behaviours and tooth loss adjusting for income, education, ethnicity and health insurance. Results: The analysis included 326,561 participants. The mean number of health‐risk behaviours was 2.13 and 1.72 among participants with tooth loss and without tooth loss, respectively. The aggregate of health‐risk behaviours was significantly associated with tooth loss with odds ratios 1.23 (95% CI, 1.21, 1.26) in a model adjusting for age, gender, education, income ethnicity and health insurance. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that an aggregate of health‐risk behaviours, with some not directly linked to oral health, is associated with tooth loss among American adults. The study highlights the importance of considering different risk factors when planning health promotion policies to tackle oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is essential for a dental student about to graduate to possess robust fundamentals in both basic and clinical dental science. There should be a perfect harmony and blend of basic and clinical science integration and application among final year graduating students. They should also demonstrate readiness and competence in performing various clinical skills independently, after correctly interpreting and diagnosing a dental disorder. Besides the clinical aspects of dentistry, the newly graduating dental student should understand the principles of professionalism and ethos. The main aim and objective were to conduct a study to assess the impact of COVID‐19 on practice readiness among the fifth‐year dental students at Oman Dental College (ODC). A study was conducted to measure self‐preparedness among graduating students, especially during the challenging times of the COVID‐19 pandemic when education was significantly impacted. This study used a validated Dental Undergraduates Preparedness Assessment Scale (DU‐PAS). The DU‐PAS consists of 50 items, including 24 items related to clinical skills (part A) and 26 items related to scientific knowledge and affective skills (part B). Each item in part A was scored on a three‐point scale ranging from no experience (0), with verbal and/or practical input from a colleague (1), to independently (2). Items in part B of the DU‐PAS are scored on a three‐point scale: no experience (0), mostly (1), and always (2). The maximum score for the 50 items on the DU‐PAS is 100. Interestingly, the current study showed that the ODC final‐year students were confident in performing several clinical procedures and had a good understanding of various professional aspects of clinical dentistry. The didactic online classes and preclinical sessions conducted while adhering to social distancing and other safety norms during the COVID‐19 pandemic, were positively received by the students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To evaluate, through a systematic literature review, whether periodontal status in HIV‐infected individuals is different from those non‐HIV‐infected. Materials and Methods. A systematic search for published observational studies within six electronic databases and grey literature was conducted, PROSPERO database number CRD42020160062. Results from studies reporting clinical periodontal parameters: probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level, plaque index, and gingival index, in HIV‐ and non‐HIV‐infected individuals were reviewed. The quality of the assessment was evaluated according to the Joanna Briggs Institute Appraise Checklist. Results. Twenty‐three observational studies met the eligibility criteria and were included for analysis. The qualitative analysis indicated similarities in periodontal parameters within both groups, with no significant mean difference (MD) within both groups regarding clinical periodontal parameters; severe heterogeneity was also detected. Conclusions. No significant differences were found in the periodontal profile of HIV‐infected and non‐HIV‐infected individuals. However, the high heterogeneity among the studies calls for caution in interpreting these findings. Further investigations using standardized methods for periodontal evaluation are needed to clarify the association between HIV infection and periodontal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine whether an aggregate of health risk behaviours is associated with the number of untreated dental caries among 12‐ and 15‐year‐old children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Materials and Methods: Data were from the Children's Dental Health Survey (CDHS) 2013, a nationally representative sample of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The survey included assessment of oral health and data on socioeconomic, demographic and behavioural factors pertaining to children aged 12–15 years. Tooth condition (decayed, missing and filled) was assessed by NHS dentists. The survey included questions on age, sex, country, index of multiple deprivation, smoking, alcohol consumption, frequent sugar consumption and sweetened sodas, infrequent dental visit, infrequent toothbrushing and infrequent consumption of fresh fruits. Health risk behaviours were summed up to create an aggregate variable of health risk behaviour. The association between number of untreated caries and the aggregate of health risk behaviours was assessed using negative binomial regression and adjusting for age, sex, country and deprivation. Results: The total number of children included in the analysis was 4414. The mean number of untreated caries was generally higher among children with health risk behaviours. The aggregate of risk behaviour was associated with greater prevalence of untreated dental caries with rate ratio (RR) 1.26 (95% confidence interval: 1.18, 1.36). Conclusion: This study demonstrated an association between an aggregate of health risk behaviours and untreated caries. The findings highlight the importance of addressing multiple risk factors not only those directly related to dental caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine the longitudinal relationship between edentulism, nutritional intake, and the progress of multimorbidity among older Americans. Methods: We used data from the Health and Retirement Study (2006–2018), a longitudinal survey of older Americans that has collected data biennially since 1992. Edentulism was assessed in 2006 while nutritional intake was assessed in 2013. Multimorbidity was indicated by five self-reported chronic conditions: diabetes, heart conditions, lung diseases, cancer, and stroke. Individuals with two or more conditions at baseline were excluded from the analysis. Nutritional intake was calculated by summing 10 nutrients (protein, vitamins C, D, B12 and E, calcium, zinc, polyunsaturated fatty acids, folate, and ß-carotene). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine the nutritional pathway between edentulism (2006) and the increase in multimorbidity from 2006 to 2018. Results: The number of individuals included in the analysis was 3463. The incidence of multimorbidity between 2006 and 2018 was 24.07%, while the percentage of edentate participants in 2006 was 16.42%. The mean total nutrition in 2013 was 4.50 (4.43, 4.55). The SEM analysis showed that edentulism was negatively associated with nutritional intake {estimate −0.15 (95%CI: −0.30, −0.01)}. A negative association was found between total nutrition and multimorbidity {estimate −0.008 (95%CI: −0.01, −0.002)}. Age, wealth, and smoking were included in the analysis and had statistically significant associations with multimorbidity. Conclusion: The analysis demonstrated a longitudinal association between edentulism, nutritional intake, and the progress of multimorbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral health is high on the global agenda following the adoption of the 2022 global strategy on oral health at the 75th World Health Assembly. Given the global burden of oral disease, workforce development to achieve universal health coverage [UHC] is crucial to respond to population needs within the non-communicable disease agenda. The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the oral health workforce [OHWF] globally in relation to key contextual factors. Data from the National Health Workforce Accounts and a survey of World Health Organization [WHO] member states were integrated for analysis, together with country-level data on population and income status. Data are presented using the WHO categorisation of global regions and income status categories established by the World Bank. Workforce densities for key OHWF categories were examined. Multiple regression was used to model workforce density and contextual influences. Challenges and possible solutions were examined by country income status. There are approximately 3.30 dentists per 10,000 population globally, and a combined OHWF [dentists, dental assistants/therapists and dental prosthetic technicians] of 5.31 per 10,000. Marked regional inequalities are evident, most notably between WHO European and African regions; yet both make greater use of skill mix than other regions. When adjusted by region, 'country income status' and 'population urbanization' are strong predictors of the workforce density of dentists and even more so for the combined OHWF. Maldistribution of the workforce [urban/rural] was considered a particular workforce challenge globally and especially for lower-income countries. Strengthening oral health policy was considered most important for the future. The global distribution of dentists, and the OHWF generally, is inequitable, with variable and limited use of skill mix. Creative workforce development is required to achieve the global oral health agenda and work towards equity using innovative models of care, supported by effective governance and integrated policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are very few studies on the relationship between cognitive ability and dental status in middle aged and younger adults. We postulate that lower cognitive ability is directly related to poorer dental status and that this relationship operates through the relationship between cognitive ability and health-related behaviors. The objectives of this study are (1) to examine the relationship between two measures of cognitive ability, Symbol Digit Substitution Test (SDST) and Serial Digit Learning Test (SDLT) and decayed, missing, filled and sound tooth surfaces, (2) to examine the relationship between cognitive ability and two health-related behaviors, dental visits and smoking, (3) and to test if the aforementioned relationship is independent of socioeconomic position. Data were from the Third National Health and Examination Survey. We examined the relationship between SDST and SDLT, and the oral health indicators and the behavioral factors using a series of regression models. Individuals with lower cognitive ability had higher means of decayed and missing tooth surfaces and lower means of sound and filled tooth surfaces. Poorer cognitive ability was associated with poorer behaviors; lower levels of dental attendance and higher levels of smoking. The relationship between cognitive ability and dental status was further demonstrated in the regression analysis. For a higher unit of SDST the rate ratio for decayed tooth surfaces was 1.91 (CI 1.53-2.38) which attenuated to 1.40 (CI 1.13-1.73) after adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, income, dental attendance and smoking, but remained significant. Similar results were obtained for all oral health outcomes. This study found a relationship between cognitive ability and dental status and related behaviors among middle aged and younger adults. The relationship was independent of income and ethnicity. These findings support the theories put forward on a relationship between cognitive ability and health operating through health-related behaviors. (Contains 3 tables and 3 figures.)