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Background. Osteoporosis is a metabolic disease characterized by increased bone fragility. As it is characterized as a general skeletal disease, changes can also be seen in the stomatognathic system (edentulism, wrong fitting of dentures, etc.). The question is whether early changes in the salivary mineral content and acid-base balance may reflect skeletal status and risk of bone fracture. Objectives. The objective of the study was to evaluate whether minerals in the saliva were associated with skeletal fractures in a population of postmenopausal women. Materials and methods. In this observational study, dental examinations along with the collection of saliva were conducted in 117 randomly recruited women (mean age 64.6 ±5.9 years). The study group included 23 study participants with fractures, of which 10 had a history of osteoporotic fractures. Saliva samples for mineral content including copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P), as well as salivary pH were collected and analyzed to determine associations between salivary mineral content and fracture risk. Results. As a result, the median pH value was 6.8, and the median levels for Cu (0.35 µmol/L), Zn (0.61 µmol/L), Ca (0.7 mmol/L), and P (6.64 mmol/L) were observed. No differences were noted in salivary mineral content and acid-basic balance between the fractured and non-fractured participants. Conclusions. The results of our study suggest that salivary mineral content has limited usability in predicting skeletal fragility in postmenopausal women when used alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The significance of dental status and oral hygiene on a range of medical conditions is well-recognised. However, the correlation between periodontitis, oral bacterial dysbiosis and visceral surgical outcomes is less well established. To this end, we study sought to determine the influence of dental health and oral hygiene on the rates of postoperative complications following major visceral and transplant surgery in an exploratory, single-center, retrospective, non-interventional study. Methods: Our retrospective non-interventional study was conducted at the Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany. Patients operated on between January 2018 and December 2019 were retrospectively enrolled in the study based on inclusion (minimum age of 18 years, surgery at our Department, intensive care / IMC treatment after major surgery, availability of patient-specific preoperative dental status assessment, documentation of postoperative complications) and exclusion criteria (minor patients or legally incapacitated patients, lack of intensive care or intermediate care (IMC) monitoring, incomplete documentation of preoperative dental status, intestinal surgery with potential intraoperative contamination of the site by intestinal microbes, pre-existing preoperative infection, absence of data regarding the primary endpoints of the study). The primary study endpoint was the incidence of postoperative complications. Secondary study endpoints were: 30-day mortality, length of hospital stay, duration of intensive care stay, Incidence of infectious complications, the microbial spectrum of infectious complication. A bacteriology examination was added whenever possible (if and only if the examination was safe for the patient)for infectious complications. Results: The final patient cohort consisted of 417 patients. While dental status did not show an influence (p = 0.73) on postoperative complications, BMI (p = 0.035), age (p = 0.049) and quick (p = 0.033) were shown to be significant prognostic factors. There was significant association between oral health and the rate of infectious complications for all surgical procedures (p = 0.034), excluding transplant surgery. However, this did not result in increased 30-day mortality rates, prolonged intensive care unit treatment or an increase in the length of hospital stay (LOS) for the cohort as a whole. In contrast there was a significant correlation between the presence of oral pathogens and postoperative complications for a group as a whole (p < 0.001) and the visceral surgery subgroup (p < 0.001). Whilst this was not the case in the cohort who underwent transplant surgery, there was a correlation between oral health and LOS in this subgroup (p = 0.040). Bacterial swabs supports the link between poor oral health and infectious morbidity. Conclusions: Dental status was a significant predictor of postoperative infectious complications in this visceral surgery cohort. This study highlights the importance preoperative dental assessment and treatment prior to major surgery, particularly in the case of elective surgical procedures. Further research is required to determine the effect of oral health on surgical outcomes in order to inform future practice. Trial registration: Trial registered under the ethics-number S-082/2022 (Ethic Committee of the University Heidelberg). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder of phenylalanine (Phe) metabolism that results from a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). Patients with PKU rely on amino acid mixtures and low-protein diets, which often exhibit an acidic nature and pose various challenges to oral health. The objective of the study was to evaluate oral care habits of PKU patients in Latvia and the impact of the recommendations developed on improving oral care. Materials and methods: In this study, during a one-month interval before and after the implementation of oral hygiene recommendations, questionnaires were distributed to all patients with PKU diagnosed in Latvia, with a response rate of 78 % (79 of 101). Results: The group older and 18 years of age showed a poorer understanding of oral care even after receiving recommendations, 82 % brushing their teeth twice a day (92 % in the group

Introduction. The manifestation of oncological alertness during dispensary observation by a dentist is very important. The most accessible options for preventing malignancy of the oral mucosa are sanitation, regular professional oral hygiene, as well as educational work among doctors and the population. However, despite the visual accessibility of tissues and organs of the oral cavity, there is an annual increase in malignant neoplasms in this area. In this case, most patients are diagnosed with a tumor process of the last stage. malignant neoplasms of the head and neck organs require special attention due to high risk of disability even at an early stage. Aim. To evaluate a correlation between malignancy of the oral mucosa and the burdened dental status of patients. Materials and methods. A controlled study was conducted which included 142 patients with cancer of the oral mucosa without sequential or parallel inclusion of patients in groups. Dental status was assessed at help-seeking stage or during clinical examination, as planned, by evaluation of main dental indices. The morphological diagnosis was established using histological verification. Results. The majority of patients with oral tumors had hard dental plaque (81.7 % of cases). The condition of the soft tissues, in addition to presence of the mucous membrane lesion, was characterized by bleeding (69 % of cases). moderate periodontal pathology was detected (19 % of cases). patients with the cavity tumors had an acute traumatic edge of hard tissues (70 % of cases), extensive caries (26 % of cases) and the presence of removable dentures (82 % of cases). Conclusion. The values of parameters evaluated in patients in the study with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral mucosa show its relation to aggravation of general somatic status. All patients in the study required dental treatment and training in oral hygiene care.

Introduction: Poor oral hygiene can cause infections and inflammatory diseases. Data on its impact on outcome after lung transplantation (LuTX) is scarce. Most transplant centers have individual standards regarding dental care as there is no clinical guideline. This study's objective was to assess LuTX‐listed patient's dental status and determine its effect on postoperative outcome. Methods: Two hundred patients having undergone LuTX from 2014 to 2019 were selected. Collected data comprised LuTX‐indication, periodontal status, and number of carious teeth/fillings. A preoperative panoramic dental X‐ray and a dentist's consultative clarification were mandatory. Results: 63.5% had carious dental status, differing significantly regarding TX‐indication (p < 0.001; ILD: 41.7% vs. CF: 3.1% of all patients with carious teeth). Mean age at the time of LuTX differed significantly within these groups. Neither preoperative carious dental status nor periodontitis or bone loss deteriorated post‐LuTX survival significantly. No evidence was found that either resulted in a greater number of deaths related to an infectious etiology. Conclusion: This study shows that carious dental status, periodontitis, and bone loss do not affect post‐TX survival. However, literature indicates that they can cause systemic/pulmonary infections that deteriorate post‐LuTX survival. Regarding the absence of standardized guidelines regarding dental care and LuTX, we strongly recommend emphasizing research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schizophrenia (SCZ) patients have disproportionately poor oral health outcomes owing to a multidimensional set of factors, such as pathophysiology of the disease, drug-related adverse effects and lower utilization rate of dental healthcare services. The aim of the present observational study was to compare the indicators of dental and periodontal health in patients with SCZ to those of nonaffected healthy controls; furthermore, the influence of various anamnestic factors and lifestyle habits on oral health status were also assessed. Methods: A total of 50 SCZ patients—in remission—receiving treatment at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Szeged, were compared with 50 age- and gender-matched healthy controls attending the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Szeged. Participants' dental (decayed, missing and filled surfaces [DMF-S] and decayed, missing and filled teeth [DMF-T]) and periodontal (plaque index [%], bleeding on probing [BOP%], pocket depth [PD] and attachment loss [AL]) status was measured according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Results: In total, 74.0%, 80.0% and 78.0% of SCZ patients received second-generation antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and mood stabilizers, respectively. Patients with SCZ had significantly higher DMFs (81.30 ± 40.16 vs. 61.64 ± 40.56; p = 0.010), D (8.18 ± 7.73 vs. 4.18 ± 4.22; p < 0.001) and DMF-T (18.20 ± 8.36 vs. 14.42 ± 8.21; p = 0.024) scores but significantly lower F (1.84 ± 0.29 vs. 4.62 ± 3.98; p < 0.001) scores compared to the controls; male subjects had significantly lower DMFs (74.52 ± 39.72 vs. 90.67 ± 39.1; p = 0.020) and DMF-T (16.52 ± 8.12 vs. 20.52 ± 8.32; p = 0.031) scores. Additionally, SCZ patients had significantly higher plaque indices (56.96 ± 23.19 vs. 27.44 ± 17.53; p < 0.001), BOP% (58.96 ± 22.89 vs. 23.56 ± 17.53; p < 0.001), PD (2.84 ± 0.67 vs. 2.19 ± 0.49; p = 0.024) and AL (3.39 ± 1.72 vs. 2.49 ± 0.76; p < 0.001) values compared to controls. Smoking > 10 cigarettes/day was associated with worse dental and periodontal indices, while consuming ≥ 4 units/week of alcohol was associated with worse periodontal indices, respectively (p < 0.05 in all cases). In contrast, coffee consumption rates and vitamin supplementation status had no significant effect on oral health status indicators. Conclusions: Our study highlights the overall poor oral health status of individuals affected by SCZ and the need for targeted preventive interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Due to the current global situation of refugees, Europe has experienced increased migration from African, Middle Eastern, and Eastern European countries. The objective of this study was to explore oral health, especially prosthetic status and treatment needs, in adult refugees, and to compare these findings with German cohorts. Method and materials: This representative, multicenter, cross-sectional survey on oral health and treatment needs among refugees was carried out in 10 registration centers for asylum seekers aged 18 to 75 years across Germany in 2016 to 2017. The clinical examination included past caries experience (DMFT) and both existing and necessary prosthetic measures. These measures were registered according to the National German Health Survey 2016 and compared to the German resident population. Results: A high untreated caries experience (DT 3.9 ± 4.6) was found among refugees (n = 288, age 37 ± 12), in addition to the expected increase of caries experience with getting older (DMFT 7.4 ± 5.7 to 14.9 ± 7.7). In contrast to the German resident population, extractions were the preferred past caries treatment, resulting in a considerable number of missing teeth (MT 7.6 ± 7.3, FT 3.6 ± 4.3, 45- to 64-year-olds). Existing prosthetic treatments such as partial and full removable dental prostheses were very rare among refugees (2% to 4%). Fixed dental prostheses were mostly required in the mandible of young adults (25%, 18- to 44-year-olds), while elderly refugees required more often removable dental prostheses (45 to 64 years, 39.7% maxilla, 38.4% mandible). Conclusions: Newly arrived refugees in Germany exhibit higher dental treatment needs in general and prosthetic treatment needs in particular due to former extractions, which were performed as a main caries treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder which affects around four million people globally. Many of the signs of Parkinson's disease are found in the head and neck region. The typical "mask-like" facial appearance with infrequent blinking and lack of expression is caused by bradykinesis. Since the oral aspect of this peculiar disease is less explored, the present study aims at understanding the dental and oral risk among the patients of Parkinson's disease. To assess the overall dental status and oral health of the patients with Parkinson's disease. The study was aimed to analyze the impact of Parkinson's disease on the oral health of the individuals surviving with the disease. Materials and Methods The study sample included 100 Parkinson's disease patients. The patients of all age groups and both genders were included. Results Among 100 Parkinson's disease patients 82 patients were males and 18 patients were females. Among the oral manifestations dental caries was in 85 patients(85%), periodontitis was in 76 (76%), Dryness of mouth was in 68 patients(68%), Gingivitis was found in 54 people(54%), Attrition was diagnosed in 28 patients (28%), Hyper salivation, Cervical abrasion and Difficulty in speech was seen in 16 patients (16%), Loss of taste sensation was seen in 9 patients (9%), facial asymmetry and Family history of Parkinson's disease was seen among 7 patients(7%). An overall, oral manifestation of both hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity was found in Parkinson's disease patients. Conclusion The present study was carried out to determine the dental status and oral health of patients with Parkinson's disease. Dental health education activities should be introduced to increase the awareness and importance of oral health of patients with Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To analyse the relationship between the Frailty Index and 10 oral conditions controlling for nutritional status among Mexican community‐dwelling older people. Background: Studies suggest that the association between frailty and oral conditions are mediated by nutrition. Materials and methods: This cross‐sectional analysis includes 487 community‐dwelling men and women aged ≥70 years old. Interview and clinical examinations were performed at participants' homes. Objective (number of natural teeth, root remnants, dental condition, utilisation and functionality of removable dental prostheses and periodontitis) and subjective (utilisation of dental services, self‐rated oral health, chewing difficulties and xerostomia) oral variables were collected by trained personnel. The Frailty Index was calculated considering 35 deficits. Nutritional status measured with the Mini‐Nutritional assessment (MNA), age, sex, education, and marital status were included as covariates. We fitted 11 multivariate generalised linear models (one for each oral condition), assuming gamma distribution for Frailty Index as the outcome. Results: Participants average age was 78.1 years, 52.1% were women. We observed a higher Frailty Index among those rating their oral health as worse than others their age (5.1%), reporting chewing difficulties often (4.9%) and fairly and very often (7.0%), and xerostomia (4.8%). Age, gender and MNA were consistently associated with the Frailty Index. Conclusion: Subjective oral conditions are compatible with the Frailty Index after controlling for older people's nutritional status and covariates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This retrospective study investigates oral health and oral care in patients with neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) treated in a dental facility for people with disabilities. Oral health indices decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), periodontal screening index (PSI), treatment spectrum, and oral hygiene were evaluated in 152 patients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, dementia, and CVD and 30 controls. Regression analyses identified group differences and influencing factors on DMFT. Patients with neurodegenerative or CVD had a significantly higher DMFT (21.2 ± 5.8 vs. 18.3 ± 5.9), more decayed teeth (4.3 ± 4.8 vs. 1 ± 1.9), fewer filled teeth (7.9 ± 5.5 vs. 11 ± 5.6), and a higher number of surgical (39.5% vs. 20%) treatments but significantly less conservative (49.3% vs. 73.3%) and prosthetic (15.1% vs. 56.7%) treatments than the control group (p< 0.05). The frequency of toothbrushing and the use of an electric toothbrush were related to lower DMFT in patients with neurodegenerative and CVD. Smoking was associated with higher DMFT. Poor oral health was found in all individuals with disabilities, suggesting that limitations in oral care attributed to aging and neurological disorders negatively affect oral health. Oral rehabilitation of patients with disabilities requires awareness of oral health limitations and early intervention through dental care. Poor oral health and oral hygiene is common among older people with disabilities. To optimize oral rehabilitation of patients with disabilities, early intervention, individualized treatment plans and an adapted time frame for dental treatment are required. Education of dentists, caregivers, and family members is essential for oral rehabilitation and improvement of oral hygiene in patients with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eating alone and poor dental status have been reported to influence dietary intake in older adults. First, we compared nutrient and food intake and dental markers between women eating alone and together, who participated in a home health management program conducted by Kanazawa Medical University. The results showed the significantly higher intake of fresh fruit and some micro-nutrients and a lower decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index (better dental status) in women eating alone after adjusting for age, suggesting that dental status may mediate the association between commensality and dietary intake. Then, we investigated nutrients and foods at risk for insufficient intake and associated with increasing dental markers. The risks for the insufficient intake of protein and n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were significantly increased with an increasing DMFT index. The risk for n-3 PUFA intake also increased with increasing numbers of missing teeth in women. Foods at risk for insufficient consumption included beans for women with an increasing DMFT index and green and yellow vegetables, fresh fruits, and meat and fish for women with increasing numbers of missing teeth. These findings suggest that good health management, including the treatment of decayed teeth, is important for the prevention of malnutrition in community-dwelling healthy older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With global increases in the aging population, the number of patients with cognitive decline is greatly increasing, which has become a big social problem. The studies conducted previously suggest the possible relationship between oral health and cognitive status. It is well-known, that the oral cavity is an important component not only the maxillofacial region, but also acontributor of general health. In this article, we highlight the relationship among dentoalveolar system and the cognitive functions. Studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed that during mastication there is activation of somatosensory cortical areas, the supplementary motor area, insula, and other areas including the striatum, thalamus and cerebellum. According to the results of the сlinical studies, patients with dementia have demonstrated poor oral hygiene, greater incidence of periodontal diseases and tooth loss. Accumulating evidence suggests that cognitive decline may be associated with masticatory dysfunction. Masticatory dysfunction, as an umbrella term, refers to a debilitating condition in which normal masticatory function is compromised due to structural factors (e.g., tooth loss) or functional factors (e.g., weaker biting force or poorer masticatory performance). The presented data support the hypothesis that there is a possible relationship between mastication, oral health status and cognitive functions, therefore maintenance and adequate restoration of the whole masticatory system are important for the prevention of cognitive decline. This problem requires further clinical interdisciplinary studies, assessing cognitive abilities and oral health.

Copyright of Lijecnicki Vjesnik is the property of Croatian Medical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Lijecnicki Vjesnik is the property of Croatian Medical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

With increasing age, the proportion of older individuals visiting a dental clinic decreases. The aim was to gain insight into a) whether frailty or dental status were associated with visiting a dental clinic and b) their perceived barriers to accessing oral health care. Individuals eligible for the yearly influenza vaccination in Winschoten, The Netherlands, were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey about dental visits and perceived barriers to such visits. A total of 1027 individuals aged 60+ completed the questionnaire − 80% of the non-frail, 71% of the mildly frail and 60% of the moderately to severe frail individuals visited a dental clinic in the previous year. Dental status was the crucial determinant for not visiting a dental clinic. Edentate individuals were more likely to drop out of the dental care system than dentate individuals or individuals with partial prostheses. A higher proportion of moderately and severe frail people were edentate than non-frail or mildly frail people. Barriers to visiting a dentist were making an appointment, costs, and services available. Conclusions: Dental clinicians should pay attention to the barriers that they can influence. The influenza vaccination seems to be an interesting momentum for identifying people who have dropped out of the oral healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Physiological deterioration (aging, poor dental status, and reduced tongue pressure) makes chewing difficult. This study aimed to investigate the chewing patterns of older people with or without dentures, evaluate the textural and masticatory properties of texture-modified radish Kimchi, and investigate the correlation between dental status and tongue pressure. Additionally, differences in the subjective–objective concordance of texture-modified Kimchi were investigated using the preference test. Methods This study included 32 Korean women aged between 65 and 85 years. Masticatory behavior was recorded by electromyography, and tongue pressure was measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument. A preference test, with hardness as the relevant textural property, determined the participants’ preferences among the test samples (food with a homogeneous structure—radish Kimchi). To assess preference differences, a questionnaire suitable for older people was designed. The preference for cooked radish Kimchi with various blanching times based on overall acceptability and self-reporting of preference was investigated to develop elderly-friendly food. The subjective scores indicated whether the sample (radish Kimchi) was hard or soft based on the chewing ability of the participants. Dental status, muscle activities, and tongue pressure were considered for the food design with optimized texture. The relationship between subject score and mastication properties were examined using multiple regression analysis. Results The number of chews and chewing time increased with hardness, significantly activating the masseter and temporalis muscles. The evaluation of masseter muscle activity, particularly for level-6 radish Kimchi, showed that older people with complete dentures chewed less actively than those with natural teeth (p

Background: Multiple prediction models were developed for critical outcomes of COVID-19. However, prediction models using predictors which can be easily obtained in clinical practice and on dental status are scarce. Aim: The study aimed to develop and externally validate prediction models for critical outcomes of COVID-19 for unvaccinated adult patients in hospital settings based on demographics, medical conditions, and dental status. Methods: A total of 285 and 352 patients from two hospitals in the Netherlands were retrospectively included as derivation and validation cohorts. Demographics, medical conditions, and dental status were considered potential predictors. The critical outcomes (death and ICU admission) were considered endpoints. Logistic regression analyses were used to develop two models: for death alone and for critical outcomes. The performance and clinical values of the models were determined in both cohorts. Results: Age, number of teeth, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases were the significant independent predictors. The models showed good to excellent calibration with observed: expected (O:E) ratios of 0.98 (95%CI: 0.76 to 1.25) and 1.00 (95%CI: 0.80 to 1.24), and discrimination with shrunken area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.85 and 0.79, based on the derivation cohort. In the validation cohort, the models showed good to excellent discrimination with AUC values of 0.85 (95%CI: 0.80 to 0.90) and 0.78 (95%CI: 0.73 to 0.83), but an overestimation in calibration with O:E ratios of 0.65 (95%CI: 0.49 to 0.85) and 0.67 (95%CI: 0.52 to 0.84). Conclusion: The performance of the models was acceptable in both derivation and validation cohorts. Number of teeth was an additive important predictor of critical outcomes of COVID-19. It is an easy-to-apply tool in hospitals for risk stratification of COVID-19 prognosis.

Aim: This study evaluated the oral health status of adult patients with hypophosphatasia (HPP). Materials and Methods: Parameters of oral health assessment comprised decayed/missing/filled teeth (DMFT) index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level (CAL) as well as documentation of tooth loss and periodontal health status according to CCD/AAP criteria. Findings were compared with national reference data (DMS V survey) reporting oral health status in age‐related controls. Within‐group comparisons were made between the HPP patients harbouring one versus two alkaline phosphatase liver/bone/kidney type (ALPL) gene variants. Results: Of 80 HPP patients (64 female) with a mean age of 46.4 years (range 24–78) and one (n = 55) or two (n = 18) variants (n = 7 lacking testing) within the ALPL gene, those with two variants displayed substantially higher tooth loss rate (14.0 ± 9.3) than those affected by only one ALPL variant (4.1 ± 5.4), who did not differ substantially from healthy DMS V controls. While DMFT score and severe periodontal diseases (PDs) of HPP patients with one variant only increased with progressing age, the two‐variant sub‐cohort age independently exhibited increased DMFT scores and a higher rate of severe PDs. Conclusions: HPP patients affected by two variants of the ALPL gene exhibited a higher risk of periodontitis and tooth loss than the general population, while patients with one variant developed clinically relevant oral disease symptoms with progressing ageing. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02291497. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Dental caries is the most common disease worldwide and affects more than 90% of Europeans. The dental status of a population is an important indicator of quality of life. Different factors act as barriers and can obstruct access to dental services. Patients experiencing such barriers have worse dental status than their counterparts. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study utilizing an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire and dental checkups among 416 Bulgarians. The study design and instruments were approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical University, Sofia, and the research was conducted in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki as revised in 2013. Results Prevalence of dental caries by persons (E P ) was 98.56%, and intensity (decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT)) was 16.25. Prevalence per tooth (E T ) was 52.7% for the sample, and average values of decayed (D), missing (M), and filled (F) teeth were D=3.41, M=2.89, and F=9.95, respectively. A plurality of participants (n=192, 46.15%) experienced complex influence of barriers to accessing dental services. The leading factors reported by respondents were psychosocial. Among patients with fear of dental procedures were registered the highest values of prevalence of dental caries by teeth (E T =55.86%), intensity (DMFT=17.21), and number of missing teeth (M=3.06). Patients with negative experiences of dental treatment had the most decayed teeth (D=4.33) within the sample. Individuals who experienced a lack of access to dental services had the most filled teeth (F=10.86). Values of E T , DMFT, D, M, and F were higher among patients for whom fear of dental procedures and cost of treatment were barriers than for their counterparts. Prevalence (E T =53.53%) and intensity (DMFT=16.5) were higher among individuals who perceived lack of pain and complaints as a barrier to accessing services. Conclusion Dental caries affected almost the entire Bulgarian population, which corresponded to the trend toward widespread dental diseases in Europe. Barriers to accessing dental services showed complex interactions. Psychosocial factors such as dental fear, lack of pain, and lack of time were the leading ones according to participants. Negative experience of dental treatment had the greatest impact on dental health compared to the other barriers. Patients with negative experiences had a significantly higher number of decayed teeth than their counterparts. More decayed teeth were also registered among patients for whom cost of treatment, dental fear, and lack of time were barriers. Patients with dental fear and financial obstacles had more extracted teeth than the others. Prevalence and intensity of dental caries, as well as the number of filled teeth, were relatively higher among patients who indicated dental fear, cost of treatment, lack of time, and lack of access as barriers., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Ethics Committee of Medical University – Sofia (KENIMUS) issued approval ap. No. 02/24.02.2019. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Nenov et al.)

We assume that the violation of homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism and vitamin D level in mothers’ utero causes various abnormalities in offspring, including hard-woven teeth and periodontium impairments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical parameters of blood and alveolar bone homogenates and assess dental status of offspring born from female rats under long-term methionine hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy). Clinical, biochemical and morphometric studies were performed on 30 female rats and 281 infantile and early juvenile rats. Serum Hcy levels were determined by competitive immunoassay with electrochemiluminescent detection, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) level was estimated by ELISA. No violation of Hcy serum level was found in rats born from females with long-term methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinaemia. Hyperhomocysteinaemic diet caused by long-term use of methionine reduced the level of total and ionized calcium and phosphates in the blood of pregnant females and their offspring. Elevated levels of homocysteine and decreased vitamin D levels in pregnant females caused a delay in the complete physiological eruption of permanent molars in their offspring. Biochemical changes in the blood, jawbones and the presence of early carious processes in the teeth of young rats, in our opinion, are the result of metabolic disorders in utero caused by hyperhomocysteinaemia and vitamin D deficiency in their mothers.

Objective: to determine the state of dental hard tissues and saliva parameters changing in competitive swimmers, before and after a 2­hour training session in the chlorinated water swimming pool.Materials and methods: saliva parameters of competitive swimmers trained in the sport club “Grifon”, city of St. Petersburg, Russia (n = 21), age of participants 18.1 ± 3.5 years, qualifications (1 category­Master of Sports) and track and field athletes of the sports schools “Nevsky district” and “Orlyonok”, city of St. Petersburg, Russia (n = 18), age of participants 18.80 ± 4.54 years, qualifications (1 category — Master of Sports), have been analyzed by various tests include a study of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), fluorine (F) levels, and pH before and after training sessions. All athletes in the experimental and control groups have passed an examination by dentist, including: examination of the oral cavity with the determination of the KPU index (the sum of carious, filled and removed permanent teeth in the subject), examination of the most common places of occurrence of dental enamel erosion (medical binoculars) and filling out specially designed questionnaires.Results: there was a tendency to decrease of the average saliva pH in competitive swimmers’ group after a training session, varying from 6.9 ± 0.1 (before training) to 6.5 ± 0.1 (after training) (p > 0.05). In track and field athletes, saliva pH did not change significantly (7.1 ± 0.2 before training and 7.0 ± 0.1 after training) (p < 0.05). The competitive swimmers showed a statistically significant increase in Calcium (Ca) levels (1.25 ± 0.15 mmol/L before exercise and 1.56 ± 0.11 mmol/L after exercise) and Fluorine (F) (0.0010 ± 0.0003 mmol / L before exercise and 0.0090 ± 0.0004 mmol / L after training session) in saliva. The Phosphorus (P) level in saliva was significantly reduced after the training session (from 6.09 ± 0.39 to 3.89 ± 0.46 mmol / L) (p > 0.05). In track and field athletes, there were no significant changes in Ca, F and P levels before and after a training session. As a result of the dentist’s examination, competitive swimmers were found to have 3 athletes (14.3 %) with lesions of the teeth enamel, corresponding to dental erosion and caused by localized demineralization. In the control group of athletes, no such pathologies were revealed.Conclusion: discovered saliva parameters changing in competitive swimmers (decrease in free salivation, pH level, and increase in the level of Ca and F in saliva) can contribute to the demineralization of tooth enamel. Timely and controlled use of fluorides (as part of mouth rinses, application gels, fluoride varnishes), regular preventive dental examinations, in order to prevent the loss of mineral composition of the teeth when swimming in chlorinated pools, will minimize the risk of staining and dental enamel erosions.

Copyright of Acta Facultatis Medicae Naissensis is the property of Nis University, Faculty of Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Physiological deterioration (aging, poor dental status, and reduced tongue pressure) makes chewing difficult. This study aimed to investigate the chewing patterns of older people with or without dentures, evaluate the textural and masticatory properties of texture-modified radish Kimchi, and investigate the correlation between dental status and tongue pressure. Additionally, differences in the subjective-objective concordance of texture-modified Kimchi were investigated using the preference test.Methods: This study included 32 Korean women aged between 65 and 85 years. Masticatory behavior was recorded by electromyography, and tongue pressure was measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument. A preference test, with hardness as the relevant textural property, determined the participants' preferences among the test samples (food with a homogeneous structure-radish Kimchi). To assess preference differences, a questionnaire suitable for older people was designed. The preference for cooked radish Kimchi with various blanching times based on overall acceptability and self-reporting of preference was investigated to develop elderly-friendly food. The subjective scores indicated whether the sample (radish Kimchi) was hard or soft based on the chewing ability of the participants. Dental status, muscle activities, and tongue pressure were considered for the food design with optimized texture. The relationship between subject score and mastication properties were examined using multiple regression analysis.Results: The number of chews and chewing time increased with hardness, significantly activating the masseter and temporalis muscles. The evaluation of masseter muscle activity, particularly for level-6 radish Kimchi, showed that older people with complete dentures chewed less actively than those with natural teeth (p < 0.05). The older people with natural teeth (18.94 ± 10.27 kPa) exhibited higher tongue pressure than those with complete dentures (10.81 ± 62.93 kPa), and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). Older people preferred food with familiar tastes and textures. An association was found between the subjective hardness score and the objective hardness level. The perceived hardness intensity was linked to the chewing ability of the participant. Denture wearers exhibited a lower chewing ability, and at level 6, they perceived greater hardness of food than those with natural teeth.Conclusions: Developing food with a modified texture can bridge the gap between physiological and psychological aspects of food texture; texture-modified radish Kimchi, with limited blanching time, may be favorable for older people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Stroke has become the second leading cause of long-term disability and cognitive impairment. The disease can cause debilitating neurological disorders that lead to motor, sensory and cognitive deficits and impaired psychosocial functioning. Many researchers have established an association between dental status, infections, and systemic diseases such as acute cerebrovascular disorder.The aim of the research was to determine the impact of dental health on the quality of life in patients with cerebral circulatory disorders complicated with neurological deficits by hemitype before and 30 days after orthopedic treatment by questionnaire survey.Materials and methods. The study involved 25 people with the course of ACVD complicated with neurological deficiency by hemitype, aged from 40 to 65 years, who underwent prosthetics with partial removable laminar dentures with acrylic base and retaining bent, metal clasps according to clinical indications. The first group, where the process of adaptation to the orthopedic appliance was normal, consisted of 13 people, including 7 women and 6 men. In the second group, the adaptation process took place using the proposed rehabilitation complex, and it comprised 12 patients, including 7 women and 5 men.The changes that occurred 30 days after applying a partial removable laminar denture were as follows:The value of the indicator of restricted masticatory function in subjects of the first study group was worse by 1.375 points as compared to the second group. The value of the indicator of physical pain in the process of adaptation to the orthopedic appliance was noteworthy, since it decreased significantly in the second group and amounted to 14.404 points, which was by 1.335 points higher than in patients of the first group.The level of psychological discomfort in patients of the first group was 32.412 points, which was 1.183 points different from that of patients in the second group, in favor of the latter. At the same time, a comparison of the level of psychological inferiority showed that this indicator was higher in the first group than in the second study group by 0.988 points, i.e., the dynamics of changes in this indicator was better in the second one.Comparison of the level of social inferiority showed that in the first study group it was higher by 2.106 points than in the third group. Comparison of the level of disability showed a difference of this indicator by 1.226 points in favor of patients of the second groupThe above data suggest a general trend of improving the basic health indicators of patients in the process of orthopedic rehabilitation. At the same time, there was a clear difference between the results of the questionnaire survey between patients of the first and second groups, and these indicators were better in the latter.Conclusions. The effectiveness of the proposed rehabilitation complex for patients with cerebral circulatory disorders complicated with neurological deficiency by hemitype after prosthetics with partial removable laminar appliances was confirmed by a decrease in numerical data from the questionnaire survey by 15%, indicating an improvement in quality of life in this category of patients.

Objectives. The objective of this study is to assess the state of oral health, from the perspective of the number of teeth present, according to the body mass index as a representative element of health. Materials and methods. This study consists of 180 patients from a private dental practice. All 180 patient records were reviewed for an assessment of the number of teeth present and the body mass index at menopausal age. The cohort of patients was divided into two groups, a group of women aged 40 to 54.9 years and the second group, which included women aged 55 and over. The 2 groups were divided based on premenopausal (group I) and postmenopausal (group II) age. Results. The average number of present teeth (based on radiographs) for the entire population of 180 patients is 22.02 teeth. In group I, for the 109 women in the premenopausal group, the average number of teeth is 23.94. The total number of teeth for the 71 women in the postmenopausal group is 19.07. The average BMI for the entire group of patients is 27.24 kg/m2, with a lower value in group I, 26.25 kg/m2, compared to group II, 28.78 kg/m2. Discussions. The average number of teeth in the premenopausal group is higher than in the postmenopausal group. The average body mass index places the whole series of patients in the overweight category. Conclusions. This study shows that the relationship between BMI and the number of lost teeth is positive and proportional, BMI increases with increasing number of teeth lost at premenopausal age.

The relationship between oral health and Crohn's disease is uncertain. Previous studies have yielded contradictory results, reflecting perhaps the different phenotypes of the disease. The aim of the present study was to describe and analyse the dental status of a group of patients with Crohn's disease (CD), considering the positions of the inflammatory loci and disease phenotype. In total, 47 patients with Crohn's disease (18 males and 30 females; mean age. 48.7 years; range, 23–61 years) were consecutively recruited to this study. Interviews and clinical examinations were performed to assess dental status, medication, smoking history, heredity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), duration of disease, oral mucosal manifestations of Crohn's disease. Furthermore, data on subjective health assessments and family status, along with medical histories from the patients were obtained through questionnaires. The disease phenotypes were assessed and classified according to the Montreal classification. The data on oral health status were first correlated with the Montreal classifications of IBD, and, thereafter, all the collected data were included in a multivariate generalised linear model. The dental status of the patients was comparable to that of the Swedish average. No statistically significant associations were found between oral status and the different CD phenotypes. However, within the Montreal classification, there were significantly fewer teeth in those patients with perianal lesions than in those without such lesions, and there was a significant correlation between deeper pocket depth and problems with strictures and penetrations. No significant differences (p =.074) between the patients with CD (N = 47) and controls (N = 38) were found regarding the presence of oral mucosal lesions. Dental health may be adversely affected in severe cases of CD whereas most of the remaining patients with CD appear to have a level of dental health that is comparable to that in the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine whether deterioration of dental condition at the outset of management of head and neck cancer (HNC) is a nutritional risk and whether social deprivation is a cause of the poor dental condition observed in HNC patients. Material and methods: A nutritional assessment form (NAF) and the Nutrition Risk Index (NRI) were used to standardize the nutritional status of 108 patients at the outset of management of HNC (2017-2019). The NAF includes assessment of weight loss over the past 3 months, the amount and difficulty of food intake, and the presence of digestive disorders. Dental condition was assessed by the decayed, filled, and missing teeth acopre (DFM) index and the masticatory coefficient (MC). Dental status and social deprivation were correlated with the EPICES score. Results: A correlation was found between the extent of weight loss and dental condition. The MC was higher in absence of weight loss (46% vs. 27%, p = 0.03) and the DMF lower when weight loss was less than 5% (22.3 vs. 26.9 if > 5% loss of weight, p = 0.005). No correlation was found between dental status and nutritional status. Social deprivation was associated with a lower MC (26% vs. 50%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Dental condition is a risk factor for weight loss at the outset of management of HNC but is not a determinant of nutritional status. Clinical relevance Dental condition is no longer considered simply as a source of potential complications after radiotherapy but also as an important factor for nutritional status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, information on the problem is contradictory and ambiguous. It is difficult to trace cause – effect relationships between the condition of hard dental tissues, oral fluid, the dental status of swimmers, and the characteristics of the water environment of training pools. The article presents an analysis and systematization of literature on the dental condition in swimming athletes, as well as formulates modern ideas on the subject and highlights topics for further research.

Pregnant patients at the dental reception represent a special risk group due to some specific physiological rearrangements that occur in a woman’s body. This is the time of an active growth of dental diseases and exacerbation of previously existing chronic infections, both somatic and cavitary. Taking into account the duration of gestation, critical periods and comorbidity, determined was an algorithm of providing safe dental care including development of methods for correction of mental and emotional state of a pregnant woman as well as a safe local anaesthesia.

The retrospective analysis of 468 medical records of the patients seeking for dental care was carried out. Information on the dental status of the patients received during the primary examination was studied. It was noted that from 15 points on check-up list the third part of indicators aren’t informative, the third part filled formally that calls in the question pithiness of information. Periodontal condition, availability and use of removable dentures, data on smoking and diet does not evaluate at the primary examination. The use of the existing Check-up list of primary examinations does not allow to get enough information for an objective assessment of oral health of the patient, therefore, it should be modernized.

Introduction Dental health is an important component of overall health. Many factors can obstruct access to dental care and limit the utilization of services. Barriers to accessing dental services are divided into three groups - by patients, by dental profession, and by state and society. Factors by patients are proven to be the leading ones. Methods We conducted an anonymous survey among 416 Bulgarians to study the barriers to accessing dental services and the demographic, psychosocial, and socioeconomic factors that influence those barriers. The research complies with ethical standards and is approved by the Ethics Committee of Medical University, Sofia. Results The main group of barriers to accessing dental care in the Republic of Bulgaria was patient-related (67.03%). They led all groups by gender, age, residence, education, income, overall health status, self-assessment of dental health, and frequency of visits. Barriers by state and society were second in importance (28.9%) and were mentioned mainly among men, low-income people (33.96%), the less educated (27.33%), age group 45-65 years (22.76%), and patients visiting a dental office only in case of emergency (32.97%). The leading reason for the postponement of visits was lack of pain (31.21%). Lack of pain was more often indicated among women (20.04%), age group 45-65 years (28.28%), and rural population (31.04%). The cost of dental treatment (15.54%) was not a significant factor and was outweighed by psychosocial factors such as lack of time (17.8%) and dental fear and anxiety (16.67%). Dental fear and anxiety were cited mainly among women (9.12%), younger patients (17.9%), the less educated (12.21%), those with low income (9.62%), and those without income (25%), as well as among people with low self-estimation of their oral health status (40%) and those visiting a dental office irregularly (25.53%). Conclusion The main group of barriers to accessing dental services in the Republic of Bulgaria was those created by patients and were indicated mainly among women, people with higher education and income, and those from rural populations, while barriers by state and society were indicated mainly by men, low income, less educated, and people over 45 years. Complex impact by more than one group of factors was reported mainly by middle-aged people, city populations, people visiting a dental office irregularly, and those with low self-assessment of their dental status. Patients postponed dental treatment mainly due to lack of pain, which was more significant among women, people over 45 years, and rural populations. The cost of dental treatment is no longer a significant factor and has been overtaken by psychosocial factors such as lack of time and dental fear and anxiety., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Ethics Committee of Medical University - Sofia (KENIMUS) issued approval 02/24.02.2019. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Nenov et al.)

Introduction: A substantial portion of children worldwide are afflicted with congenital heart disease (CHD), which is a collection of structural cardiac defects that are apparent at birth. Although the cardiovascular aspects of CHD have received a lot of attention, the dental health of these children is still a topic that needs more research. There are variations in the reported findings of different research that describe the oral health status of kids with and without CHD. Aim and Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published results to elucidate the role of CHD on the oral health of children compared to the healthy group. Materials and Methods: A manual search was conducted using four databases to find pertinent studies from 2000 to 2023. In this review, patients with and without CHD were compared with respect to their periodontal health, dental health, salivary changes, and objective and subjective manifestations. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed while reporting the results. Result and Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that, despite a few limitations, patients with CHD had an increased risk of acquiring periodontal disease and other oral symptoms. Thus, compared to healthy peers of the same age and gender, concomitant CHD has been shown to exacerbate oral health issues in children with CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective Little is known about exploring the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) of school children in Saudi Arabia. The importance of examining this topic has centred on its ability to measure associations between the oral symptoms, impacts and clinical measures. This study aims to explore associations between the (OHRQoL) based on the children's Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (Child‐OIDP) index and oral diseases of Saudi school children living in Albaha region. Materials and methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted between November 2017 to January 2018 using two‐stage randomised sampling technique. The oral diseases and impacts were examined using the World Health Organization's (1997) guidelines and the Child‐OIDP index, respectively. Data analysis was conducted using the SPSS software version 20.0. Chi‐squared, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression tests were used, as appropriate. Results In total 349 Saudi male school children, 12 to 15 years old, were recruited. The Child‐OIDPrate was significantly high (75.1%). The participants reported minor, moderate and major (severe) oral impacts (29.4%, 50%, and 20.6% respectively). The overall mean of the Child‐OIDP score was 2.15±1.40. Conclusions The high overall Child‐OIDP score was in accordance with the participants' dental status. Further research should focus on improving knowledge and implementing education programmes to advance the community's oral diseases and practices.

Violation of microbiocenosis of the oral cavity leads to the development of inflammatory periodontal diseases that presents medical and social problem. The aim of the work: clinical and microbiological ground for local application of developed apigel for oral cavity care in the complex treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis. 42 patients with chronic generalized catarrhal gingivitis and chronic generalized periodontitis of 1st degree and 14 healthy people were conducted clinical studies. All patients were divided into 3 groups: 1 – the control group (healthy patients), 2 – the basic group, patients with inflammatory diseases of periodontium having complex therapy with a local treatment with the new apigel, 3 – the comparison group, patients having a traditional therapy with local use of the dental gel with chamomile. Efficiency of treatment was estimated with clinical, laboratory, microbiological methods of examination. Local application of the new apigel based on propolis (bee glue) in the complex treatment of patients with chronic generalized catarrhal gingivitis and ChGP of the 1st degree favourably affects the clinical symptoms of inflammation in the oral mucous membrane and periodontium, that was manifested in the decline of hygienic and periodontal index figures. As compared with patients who had traditional anti-inflammation therapy with the local use to the dental gel with chamomile, the recovery terms in patients treated with local application of new apigel reduced by 2–8 days. Microbiological studies on background of changed normal microflora in the oral fluid and contents of periodontal pockets in patients with inflammatory diseases of oral mucous membrane and periodontium revealed increase of anaerobic bacteroids, Fusiformis and Prevotellas. In case of local treatment by the “Apisan” gel on the 10-14-th day after the beginning of medical treatment the considerable decline of pathogenic microflora in researched biotopes of patients with inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, that testifies to the antibacterial action of preparation. The local application of the “Apisan” gel in the complex therapy of inflammatory diseases of oral mucous membrane and periodontium promotes efficiency of medical treatment and reduces terms of renewal of structural-functional integrity of oral mucosa, improves the hygienic state of oral cavity, having bacteriostatic action, lowering the number of pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity, removing violations of microbiocenosis of the sulcus.

Abstract Background Many factors determine dietary intake in older adults, including physical health, psychological well-being and socio-economic status. Dental status may also be important. The aim was to examine how dental status impacts perceived ability to eat to certain foods, nutrient intake and nutritional status in UK older adults. Methods Data collected by the National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme was analysed. A 4-day food diary assessed dietary intake, while a Computer Assisted Personal Interview collected socio-demographic, health behaviour and oral health information. Participants aged 65 years and over (n = 1053) were categorised into three groups according to their dental status: edentate with dentures (E-DEN, n = 292), dentate with dentures (D-DEN, n = 305) or dentate with no dentures (DEN, n = 456). A total of 515 participants provided a blood sample that was used to assess nutrient concentrations including vitamin B12, vitamin C, ferritin, vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5-phosphate, PLP), retinol, β-carotene and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D). Multiple regression methods were performed to examine cross-sectional associations between dental status, food selection, nutrient intake and nutritional status. Results Both E-DEN and D-DEN groups, compared with the DEN group, were more likely to report difficulty eating apples, raw carrots, lettuce, nuts, well-cooked steak and crusty bread (P

Objectives: This study aims at performing psychodiagnostics of the patients' condition with removable and fixed dentures both before and after dental treatment. Materials and Methods: The first group included 200 patients with fixed-type dentures, and the second group consisted of 200 patients with removable dental devices. The control group included 200 patients with healthy teeth. All patients were subjected to Fere's skin-galvanic reaction procedure. Patients also filled out the Dental Status Questionnaire and were then tested following the Spielberger-Hanin Scale. For a comparison of differences, a twosample t-test for independent samples was used. The Pearson correlation between features was calculated considering their distribution as normal. Results: In the control group, the hemispheric activity index increased 1.1 times after treatment. In Group 2, following the dental status questionnaire, the index of hemispheric activity increased 1.3 times in males with a positive emotional mood (P ≤ 0.01). A 2.2-fold and 2.1-fold (P ≤ 0.01) increase was observed among female and male patients with a negative emotional mood in Group 2, respectively. After the treatment, the hemispheric activity index in Group 1 increased by 1.1 times for males with a positive mood (P ≤ 0.01) and by 1.2 times for male and female patients with a negative mood (P ≤ 0.05). Direct correlation was recorded between the increase in the number of scores and emotional mood among males and females from Group 1 (0.72 and 0.73, respectively). After the survey, a correlation was established between the values of the hemispheric activity index and the increase in scores among males (0.82) and females (0.81). There was also a connection between the increase in scores and the level of personal anxiety in both male (0.57) and female (0.66) patients, as well as between the increase in scores and the level of reactive anxiety (0.56 and 0.57, respectively). Conclusions: Changes in the hemispheric activity index were shown to be related to the patient's dental condition questionnaire. Besides, there is a relationship with the type of dental service. The practical application of this study implies that more reliable information about the patient's satisfaction with the quality of dental care provided can be obtained using not only standard psychodiagnostic methods but also questionnaires on the patient's dental status. Once the survey is completed and the data obtained analyzed, it is possible to define the correct strategy to restore the patient's physical and mental health after dental treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The field of sports in India has its renowned importance. Oral health is mirror to general health. Thus, oral assessment to sports players by a dentist is important. The commonly faced oral health problems among sports players are oral and facial trauma, leading to fracture of facial bones and teeth. Hence, it compromises the function of chewing, loss of muscle balance, and temporomandibular joint problems. The mean of facial trauma experienced by sports players in Mysuru and Chennai was 21% and 17%, respectively. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the oral health status among sports university students in India. Clinical examination was conducted using the World Health Organization’s oral health pro forma in 2013. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among sports university students, Melakottaiyur, Chennai. Results: A total of 94 athletes comprising 64 (68%) males and 30 (32%) females in the age group of 18–30 years, with a mean age of 24±5.04 years, were included. The mean decayed, missing, filled (Teeth) value was 2.23±3.01 and 1.87±2.62 for male and female, respectively. Around 64% of sports persons are affected with gingival inflammation, 36% with periodontal condition, and 15% with dental fluorosis. Conclusion: This study concludes that sports persons have poor gingival, dental caries, and periodontal status.

Introduction The "Kod Koraba" site is located in the territory of antique Viminacium. Archaeological excavations were carried out from 2005 to 2008. On this occasion, a necropolis with a total of 77 graves was explored, which according to archaeological contributions can be dated to the period from 2nd to 4th century AD (Roman period). The aim of this study was to provide, on the basis of the results of dental anthropological analysis of osteological material from the necropolis "Kod Koraba", data of the dental status and pathological changes of the oral cavity and teeth in human population that inhabited this area of antique Viminacium from 2nd to 4th century AD. Material and method During the archaeological excavations from 2005 to 2008, a total of 77 graves were explored. Of this number, due to lower degree of preservation, the dental status of 45 individuals was analyzed. Of these, 36 belonged to adult individuals and nine were children. Functional methodology used in previous studies of human populations of the prehistoric period was applied in order to compare obtained results with similar ones as well as with the status of the oral cavity and teeth of the current population. Results The obtained results supplemented the picture of dental health status of ancient populations in Viminacium. They indicated high degree of abrasion and dental plaque, the presence of caries within the expected limits for the studied period, as well as the presence of other dental pathologies such as periodontal disease and periapical processes present in the current human population. Conclusion Anatomo-morphological status of the teeth and the jaw of the human population from ancient Viminacium are similar with the characteristics of modern man. Pathological changes of the oro-facial system of modern man were present in the studied human population of Roman period, with different values of their distribution.

Abstract Background Epidemiological studies have shown deterioration in dental health accompanying the ageing process. Tooth loss increases with age. Chewing ability is closely correlated with number of natural teeth present: there is a threshold of 20–21 teeth, below which chewing ability declines. The government of Israel is currently considering adding dental treatment for elderly to the basket of services of the National Health Insurance Law. Information on the influence of elderly’s dental health on nutrition and general health status can contribute to the decision making process. Methods Secondary analysis of data collected on a subsample (N = 1776) of the cross-sectional Mabat Zahav - National Health and Nutrition Survey of the Elderly was done. Intakes of energy, fiber, protein, fruits and vegetables, associations with dental visits, dentures presence and functional ability were analyzed. Linear regression adjusted for confounders was performed. Results Statistically significant differences in dietary intake of energy, fiber, protein and vegetables were found between elderly who visited a dentist in the last year and those who did not. Elderly who possessed dentures had lower dietary intakes than their dentate counterparts. Elderly with functional problems such as impaired chewing had worse dietary intakes than the others. This was so after controlling for education, degree of interest in the relationship between nutrition and health and reading the nutrition label. Conclusions The findings in our study suggest that those who visited a dentist in the last year, had natural teeth and no denture/s and reported no chewing problems had better dietary intake. The results emphasize the importance of maintaining adequate dental health, preserving natural teeth and regular dental visits in the elderly to assure adequate nutrient status in this age group.

Introduction: Oral diseases are major health problem for society. Demographic, health, personal and clinical factors influence the DMFT index of patients. There is a connection between oral hygiene habits, smoking, amount of food, frequency of intake and the spread of oral diseases. The lack of attention for oral care leads to the appearance of oral lesions. Purpose: The main aim of this study is to determine the factors for oral pathology and to find if there is a correlation between oral status of the patients, their dental habits and attitude to oral health. Participants and methods: Subject of this social study are 603 patients, 380 women (63%) and 223 (37%) men, range age 18 – 82 years. All of them are from North-Eastern Bulgarian regions – Varna, Dobrich, Shumen and Targovishte. Every patient has been asked to answer 20 questions and has undergone a clinical examination. DMFT index was recorded. Results: We found oral mucosal lesions as leukoplakia, lichen planus, Candidal infections, fissured tongue, lingual varicosities and mucocele in 11.44% of patients. Dental caries was found to be prevalent in almost all examined patients. DMFT index varied from 5.01±3.6 to 16.45±4.9 in different age groups. Data about tooth brushing and using of additional methods for controlling the biofilm was also presented. The results showed that younger patients have better oral and dental health and pay more attention on maintaining their oral hygiene. Conclusions: The oral and dental status of the Bulgarian patients can be assessed as average damaged with high treatment needs. To make it better a lot of health promotional and dental preventive activities are needed especially in the field of improving hygiene habits, use of additional funds for hygiene and more frequent dental visits of the whole population.

Aim: To study the dental and periodontal status of women with breast cancer (BCa) having tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors (AIs) treatment in comparison with control healthy women. Methods: Fifty‐one women on tamoxifen therapy, 52 women on AIs therapy and 52 systemically healthy controls were included in the study. The total number of teeth, the number of teeth indicated for extraction, the number of decayed teeth, and the duration of medication were recorded. Periodontal status was evaluated with gingival index (GI); plaque index (PI); bleeding on probing (BOP); probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Results: The lowest number of teeth and decayed teeth was found in AIs users (P <.001 and P =.003 respectively). The highest CAL value was seen in AIs users (P =.042) whereas no significant difference was found between the groups in terms of PI, GI, and PD (P =.102, P =.233, and P =.306, respectively). Lower PI was observed in patients using AIs for less than 2 years (P =.048). Conclusions: While tamoxifen did not affect the dental and periodontal condition, AIs medication adversely affected the dental and periodontal condition by more tooth loss and higher CAL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background and Objectives The number of people aged 65 years or older is growing substantially. As a result of increased health burden and tooth retention, more oral health problems are expected in this age group. A poor oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL) can compromise a person's psychological state, social relationships, personal beliefs, and physical health. The aim of this systematic review was to identify oral health factors associated with OHQoL in people aged 65 years or older and to give a comprehensive overview of the body of literature for each oral health factor separately. Research Design and Methods A comprehensive search was performed in five databases. The following terms were used as index terms or free-text words: "Oral Health," "Quality of Life," "Older People." Two researchers independently assessed studies for eligibility based on predefined criteria. Results Of 3,702 references retrieved from the databases, 68 studies were eligible and included (9 randomized clinical trials, 6 cohort studies, and 53 cross-sectional studies). All results were reported descriptively. OHQoL in people aged 65 years or older is positively associated with higher number of teeth, higher number of occluding pairs, implant-retained overdentures, and the shortened dental arch concept and negatively associated with xerostomia, orofacial pain, and poor chewing ability. In the current literature, there is no consensus on the association between edentulism, caries, and periodontal conditions and OHQoL. Discussion and Implications Having a functional dentition (either natural or prosthetic) is important for a good OHQoL, whereas painful or functional complaints are associated with impaired OHQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Degenerative changes in the temporomandibular joint might be associated with ageing and/or with the loss of occlusal support.Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the inclination of the posterior slope of the articular eminence changes in association with: (i) ageing in patients with maintained occlusal support zones (OSZs); and (ii) the loss of OSZs in elders.Methods: In this retrospective radiological study, selected orthopantomograms were allocated into the following groups: I-age 18-35, maintained OSZs, II-age 36-60, maintained OSZs, III-age >60, at least one OSZ per side maintained, IV-age >60, loss of all OSZs. The inclination of the articular eminence was measured relative to the Frankfort plane.Results: The mean values of the inclination of the slope of the articular eminence amounted 34.05° ± 5.17°, 36.68° ± 5.65°, 34.86° ± 6.26° and 26.31° ± 5.12° for group I, II, III and IV respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups I to III. Group IV differed significantly from each of the previous groups.Conclusions: Flattening of the articular eminence is associated with the loss of OSZs rather than ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between oral health-related quality of life and clinical dental measures in an elderly Greek population.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out of adults aged 65 years or older living independently in Athens. Data were collected through clinical examination and interviews. Oral health-related quality of life was assessed through the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) indicator. The sample consisted of 681 participants. Data analysis used non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and multiple logistic regressions).Results: The response rate was 87.8%. Dentate participants with 1-10 teeth were 2.05 (1.25, 3.35) times and those with 11-20 teeth were 1.81 (1.11, 2.95) times more likely to report oral impacts than subjects with 21 or more teeth. Participants with anterior tooth spaces were 2.86 (1.70, 4.80) times more likely to report oral impacts than those without anterior spaces. Participants with 0-8 natural occluding pairs (NOPs) were 1.72 (1.14, 2.58) times and those with 0-3 posterior occluding pairs (POPs) were 1.57 (1.04, 2.36) times more likely to experience oral impacts than subjects with 9-16 NOPs and 4-10 POPs respectively. Decayed teeth were not significantly related to the presence of oral impacts. Edentulous participants with inadequate denture adaptation were 2.59 (1.46, 4.59) times, those with inadequate denture retention 2.41 (1.39, 4.17) times and those with denture overextension 2.51 (1.10, 5.74) times more likely to report oral impacts than subjects without the respective denture deficiencies.Conclusion: Clinical indicators of oral health status were significantly related to measures of oral health-related quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate associations among the dental status, socioeconomic factors, and general health of 1.877 subjects between the ages of 55 and 79. Method and materials: Socioeconomic information (age, sex, education level) and questions on smoking and alcohol abuse were taken from an interview; income and medical information (number of diseases) were taken from a self-administered questionnaire; and HbAlc and CDT (diabetes and alcoholism markers) were taken from blood analyses. Results: Of the subjects, 73% had a low education level, and 27% of the subjects had a monthly income of < 1,000€ and 13% of > 2,000€. Twenty-six percent of the subjects were edentulous, and 29% had 20 or more teeth. The odds ratio of edentulism increased to 9.0 (95% confidence interval = 7.0-11.5) at the ages of 75 to 79 years compared to ages 55 to 79. Logistic regression analyses showed that edentulism was significantly associated with age, low education level, low income, smoking, and alcohol abuse. However, the retention of more than 20 teeth was associated with age. Conclusions: Age, low income, low education level, smoking, and alcohol abuse seemed to be risk markers for edentulism; whereas, the number of diseases, diabetes, and gender were not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we study the local immunity of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity in patients with compromised dental status in squamous cell carcinoma by examining the expression of matrixins and tumor markers.In the role of the constituent characteristics of dental status were examined: the use of removable and fixed dentures, dental caries, hard and soft dental plaque, sharp edges of fillings, chipped and cracked teeth and broken dentures. Obtained results were compared with those in patients with sanitized oral cavity, as with squamous cell carcinoma of the mucosa of the oral cavity and of the control group.Noninvasive testing has become increasingly popular and it is relevant to study local immunity through the use of free (unstimulated) saliva and identify biomarkers of type metalloproteinases and tumor markers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphology and calcification pattern of the styloid process (SP) and to determine their relations with subjects’ age, gender, and dental status. Materials and Methods: 910 panoramic radiographs were stratified by age, dental status and gender. The distance between the points where SP leaves the tympanic plate of the temporal bone and the bony tip of SP was measured. Calcification patterns were classified as : (A) Region 1, tympanohyal alone (B) Region 2, stylohyal alone (C) Region 1 and 2, separate (D) Regions 1 and 2, continuous (E) Regions 1, 2, and 3, continuous (F) Regions 1, 2, and 3, separate (G) Regions 1 and 2, continuous, but separate from 3 (H) Regions 2 and 3, separate (I) Regions 2 and 3, continuous, but separate from 1 (J) Region 3 alone (K) Region 3 and 4, continuous (may include calcification in one other region) (L) No styloid process visible. Results: The right SPs were found to be longer than the left (p