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Addisu Tadesse Sahile,1 Tennyson Mgutshini,2 Solomon Muluken Ayehu3 1Department of Public Health, Unity University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2Department of Public Health, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa; 3Department of Emergency, Menelik II Referral Hospital, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Addisu Tadesse Sahile Tel +2519 1209 6667Email sahdis91@gmail.comObjective: The study assessed the oral health screening status of diabetes patients and its associated factors in selected public hospitals of Addis Ababa, 2018.Patients and Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 388 diabetes patients selected on the bases of a systematic random sampling method from March to May 2018 at two selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa. Data were collected with a pre-tested, structured, and translated questionnaire. Bi-variable and multivariable logistics regression were undertaken to identify predictors of oral health screening among diabetes with their respective 95% CI and a p-value of less than 5% level of significance.Results: The oral health screening status among diabetes patients in this study was 21.1%. The odds of having had an oral health screening was 82.4% higher in those with an educational status of college and above than those who cannot read and write and it was ten and five folds higher in participants with a monthly income of less than 750 birr than those with above 2,000 birr and those who brushed their tooth twice or more times a day than occasionally, respectively. The odds of having had an oral health screening was 17, four, and five folds higher among participants with perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and benefit, respectively, whilst it was 8.8% lower in participants with a perceived barrier and it was as high as 19.782 times among participants with malocclusion.Conclusion: A lower level of oral health screening was observed. A higher educational level, a lower monthly income, a higher frequency of tooth brushing per day, positive perceptions of susceptibility, severity, and benefits, and presence of malocclusions were statistically associated with a higher frequency of oral health screening. Concerned bodies were recommended to work on the identified predictors and improve the oral health screening of diabetes patients.Keywords: oral health screening, diabetes patients, associated factors

Background: Vulnerable populations are more likely to present to non-dental healthcare locations with dental issues. Oral health screening in those settings, such as primary care, is an effective way to identify individuals with unmet oral health needs and facilitate dental referrals. Objective: To implement and evaluate the integration of oral health screening at an outpatient transitional primary care clinic in Maryland. Methods: The quality improvement project occurred over 12 weeks. The project leader obtained support from institutional stakeholders, collaborated with dentistry, provided evidence-based resources, and developed referral strategies. Patients received a pre-screen at registration. Primary care providers used an oral health assessment tool (OHAT) for further screening and/or gave a dental referral. Results: Approximately 108 patients completed pre-screen: 73% had not seen dentist in the past 12 months; 12% had current oral problem or pain; 53% had no established dentist; <5% had a completed OHAT; 20% referred to existing dentist; 56% received dental resource listing. Conclusions: Oral health disparity continues to exist among vulnerable populations. Implications for Nursing: Oral screening by advanced practice nurses is an effective way to identify patients with unmet oral health needs and to promote dental referral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the importance of oral health screening for early diagnosis of infectious diseases, particularly in the context of the monkeypox outbreak. Topics include the early oral manifestations of monkeypox infection, the role of oral health professionals in rapid case identification, and the need for expanded international case definitions to include mucosal lesions.

Objective: In this study, we explore support for more effective and coordinated implementation of school-based screenings. We review barriers and facilitators to screening for 3 child health conditions known to impact learning. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature to identify barriers and facilitators to implementing successful vision, hearing, and oral health screenings in elementary schools across the United States. Results: Barriers included logistical hurdles (eg, scheduling, space), ideological challenges (eg, lack of clarity on benefits of early intervention), and ambiguity of screening standards. Facilitators included effective collaboration, trust, and network building. Conclusion: In line with the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) approach, reducing known barriers and integrating best practices for implementing screenings are critical for connecting children successfully with follow-up care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early childhood caries (ECC) is the most common chronic disease affecting young children in Canada. ECC may lead to pain and infection, compromised general health, decreased quality of life and increased risk for dental caries in primary and permanent teeth. A multidisciplinary approach to prevent and identify dental disease is recommended by dental and medical national organizations. Young children visit primary care providers at regular intervals from an early age. These encounters provide an ideal opportunity for primary care providers to educate clients about their children's oral health and its importance for general health. We designed an office-based oral health screening guide to help primary care providers identify ECC, a dental referral form to facilitate dental care access and an oral health education resource to raise parental awareness. These resources were reviewed and trialled with a small number of primary care providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the associations between autism developmental profiles and cooperation with an oral health screening among preschool children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). A random sample of Special Child Care Centres registered with the Government Social Welfare Department in Hong Kong was selected (19 out of 37 Centres). All preschool children with ASDs were invited to participate in the oral health survey and 347 children agreed to participate (among 515 invited). A checklist of autism developmental profiles: (1) level of cognitive functioning, (2) social skills development, (3) communication skills development, (4) reading skills and (5) challenging behaviours was ascertained. Feasibility of conducting oral health screening in preschool children with ASDs was associated with their cognitive functioning ( p = 0.001), social skills development ( p = 0.002), communication skills development ( p < 0.001), reading skills ( p < 0.001) and challenging behaviours ( p = 0.06). In regression analyses accounting for age (in months) and gender, inability to cooperate with an oral health screening was associated with high level of challenging behaviours (OR 10.50, 95 % CI 2.89-38.08, p < 0.001) and reduced cognitive functioning (OR 5.29, 95 % CI 1.14-24.61, p = 0.034). Age (in months) was positively associated with likelihood of cooperative behaviour with an oral health screening (OR 1.06, 95 % CI 1.03, 1.08, p < 0.001). Feasibility of conducting population-wide oral health screening among preschool children with ASDs is associated with their developmental profiles; and in particular levels of cognitive functioning, and challenging behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study aimed to assess the early caries experience and the efficacy of a community based dental referral pathway in preschool refugees in Western Australia. Methods Preschool refugee children referred to the Western Australian paediatric hospital Refugee Health Clinic were prospectively screened for caries by a paediatric dentist before being referred to community dental clinics. Dental forms and medical records were audited to assess decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft), medical data and dental services engagement. Poisson regression analysis determined the contribution of count variables to the final model. Results Among the 105 screened children (54% male, median age 3.2 years, 41% Burmese), community dental clinic engagement was low (46%, n = 48). Of the 62% with caries (n = 65/105, mean dmft 5.2, SD 4.1), 45% were recommended for specialist dental services and 48% were treated. After adjustment for age, gender and total number of teeth, caries incidence was significantly associated with BMI-for-age Z score (p = 0.02). Conclusions Preschool refugee caries burden was high. The community dental referral pathway was ineffective compared to co-located intersectorial dental screening. Specialist dental service needs are high in this cohort and require a targeted approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Primary care providers (e.g., family physicians, pediatricians, registered nurses, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners) could play a pivotal role in the provision of preventive services, especially for very young children (younger than 3 years old) and population groups with limited access to dental care. Given the current problems with access to dental care among Low-income Americans, we contend there is a need to involve nondental primary health care providers in screening for and preventing oral health problems. The objective of this overview is to present findings from systematic reviews on the efficacy of continuing medical education, printed educational material, academic outreach, reminders, and local opinion leaders on the adoption of new knowledge and practices by primary care providers. Methods: A search was conducted using the Cochrane Library and MEDLINE. The search aimed to locate systematic reviews published between January 1988 and March 2003. Two researchers independently extracted data and assessed study quality using a modified version of the QUOROM statement. Results: Eleven systematic reviews were included in this overview. The evidence from the included systematic reviews showed that formal continuing medical education (CME) and distributing educational materials did not effectively change primary care providers' behaviors. There are effective interventions available to increase knowledge and change behaviors of primary care providers, such as small group discussion, interactive workshops, educational outreach visits, and reminders. Conclusion: There is a limited knowledge base on the efficacy of the selected interventions on oral health screening by primary care providers. Considering the potential role of primary care providers in improving oral health of underserved populations, this research area should receive more attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and reliability of the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) as used by speech pathologists, to become part of a comprehensive clinical swallowing examination., Methods: A multicentre study in 132 elderly subjects was conducted by speech pathologists. The inter-rater, test-retest and intra-rater reliabilities of the OHAT were assessed in R statistics, version 3.0.1. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used for the total OHAT, and Kappa statistics were used for the individual categories., Results: Total OHAT scores showed good inter-rater (ICC = 0.96), intra-rater (ICC ≥ 0.95) and test-retest (ICC ≥ 0.78) agreement. The inter-rater Kappa statistics were almost perfect (κ ≥ 0.83) for seven of the eight individual categories of the OHAT and perfect for 'dental pain' (κ = 1.00). The test-retest Kappa statistics indicated excellent agreement for 'natural teeth' and 'dentures' (κ ≥ 0.86). The intra-rater per cent agreement was excellent for all categories except 'gums and tissues'., Conclusions: This is the first study to examine the feasibility and reliability of the OHAT as used by speech pathologists. As the results showed both good feasibility and reliability, the OHAT has the potential to add to the clinical swallowing examination. However, future research investigating actual referral strategies and adaptation of care strategies following assessment with OHAT is needed., (© 2016 FDI World Dental Federation.)