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Introduction: Professional competencies are human qualities that allow a personalized vision in an individual, who performs his functions in an unique, and at the same time, changing context, and seeks to develop the personological features that he must use in his working life. Objective: To assess the implementation of a model for the development of specific professional competence in the care of patients with stomatognathic diseases. Methods: A study in medical education was conducted at the Faculty of Dentistry in the University of Medical Sciences from Santiago de Cuba, during the 2018-2019 academic year. The population consisted of the 59 residents who were in the first year of the specialty of Comprehensive General Dentistry, in whom a model for the development of specific professional competence in dental care was applied. During the investigation theoretical and empirical methods were used, as well as statistics, particularly the distribution of absolute and relative frequencies, and McNemar test to evaluate the level of development after the model has been implemented. Results: In the socialization workshop, after the practical implementation of the model, positive opinions were obtained. Among the residents in dentistry, 96.4% approved the relevance of the model, while 83.1% were very satisfied. Conclusions: After applying the proposed model, the development of specific professional competence in the care of patients with dental conditions was evidenced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the most prevalent conditions in the population is bruxism, which is defined as the repetitive activity of the jaw muscles that involves clenching, grinding of the teeth, and jaw thrusting. There is no scientific evidence about the stress levels that dental students are subjected to and its relationship with waking and sleeping bruxism and its poor quality. Objective: To determine the relationship between the presence of waking or sleeping bruxism with the level of sleep quality and stress in students in the 3rd and 5th year of Dentistry and to analyze whether there are significant differences according to gender and between courses. Methods: An observational study was carried out based on data collection through surveys and a descriptive design. 125 students participated in the study by completing three questionnaires. These three variables to be studied were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Perceived Stress Scale and Self-reported Bruxism Questionnaire. Results: 3rd and 5th year undergraduate dental students presented a high prevalence of sleep disorders and a low prevalence of waking and sleeping bruxism. Statistically significant differences were found at the gender level and between courses. Conclusions: It is established that poor sleep quality and high levels of stress can have a negative impact on student concentration and performance as well as being part of the initiation and development of parafunctional habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stress and anxiety are psychosocial factors that can have potential effects on oral health. In addition to concerns about physical health, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to psychological disorders (including stress) in the general population. Moreover, life has not returned to normal in most parts of the world. Therefore, physicians and specialists should pay special attention to the psychological effects of COVID-19 on the onset and exacerbation of oral diseases. Methods: A search was performed (last update in June 2021) in the Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases. The related keywords were bruxism, morsicatio, myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPDS), temporomandibular (TMD) disorder, burning mouth syndrome (BMS), xerostomia, recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), lip herpes, and oral lichen planus. Of the 510 papers found, about 206 were related to the subject, which were further analyzed. All study types, except case reports and case series, were included in the review. Results: The current article reviewed stress-related disorders with clinical manifestations related to the oral cavity and maxillofacial disorders that have been significantly increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic. These disorders are bruxism, morsicatio, MPDS, TMD disorders, BMS, xerostomia, RAS, recurrent lip herpes, and oral lichen planus The clinical manifestation and management of each disorder are presented in this article. Conclusion: It can be concluded that various causes and conditions play a role in the pathology, disease course, prognosis, treatment, and recurrence rate of oral diseases., In addition to examining the psychological background of treatment in the diagnosis and treatment stages, a variety of psychotherapy methods can be used to increase the effectiveness of medical treatments. The stress caused by COVID-19 in psychologically and medically susceptible people can intensify the pathology of these diseases in all its dimensions, and therefore, special attention should be paid to this aspect in the care and treatment of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite clinical evidence of poor oral health and hygiene in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, the mouth is often overlooked by both patients and the medical community, who generally focus on motor or psychiatric disorders considered more burdensome. Yet, oral health is in a two-way relationship with overall health—a weakened status triggering a decline in the quality of life. Here, we aim at giving a comprehensive overview of oral health disorders in PD, while identifying their etiologies and consequences. The physical (abnormal posture, muscle tone, tremor, and dyskinesia), behavioral (cognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders), and iatrogenic patterns associated with PD have an overall detrimental effect on patients' oral health, putting them at risk for other disorders (infections, aspiration, pain, malnutrition), reducing their quality of life and increasing their isolation (anxiety, depression, communication issues). Interdisciplinary cooperation for prevention, management and follow-up strategies need to be implemented at an early stage to maintain and improve patients' overall comfort and condition. Recommendations for practice, including (non-)pharmacological management strategies are discussed, with an emphasis on the neurologists' role. Of interest, the oral cavity may become a valuable tool for diagnosis and prognosis in the near future (biomarkers). This overlooked but critical issue requires further attention and interdisciplinary research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective Information on patients with real or claimed adverse reactions towards dental materials in large patient cohorts is rare. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate patients reporting on complaints and symptoms to dental materials over a 16-year period. Methods Five hundred patients were characterized by one single dental team regarding age and sex distribution, subjective complaints and objective intraoral symptoms, and allergy status relevant to dental materials. Results Elder patients and females predominated. Subjective complaints were reported by 490 patients, ranging from 1 to 12 complaints per patient. Most often, burning mouth (44%), tooth-/jawache (22%) and dry mouth (20%) were reported. In 54% no objective intraoral symptom was diagnosed. The main objective intraoral symptoms were tongue anomalies (lingua plicata or geographica; 14%), gingivitis adjacent to restorations (12%), redness of the palate or the edentulous ridge (7%), oral lichen planus (6%), grayish discolorations, lichenoid contact lesions, and leukoplakia (<5%). Patch testing of 416 (83%) patients revealed that allergy was diagnosed as contributing to the complaints or symptoms in 70 (14%) patients with metals being the most frequent allergens. Gingivitis adjacent to restorations (3.2%), redness of the palate or edentulous ridge (1.4%) and whitish lichen-like lesions (1.8%) were associated to allergy from dental materials. Significance The high number of subjective complaints per patient and their wide variety suggests that most patients seriously suffered. Furthermore, the fact that only 46% of the patients had objective intraoral symptoms demands for an interdisciplinary collaboration to elucidate other than dental causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulp polyp is a reactive lesion that occurs as a result of chronic long standing caries. Dental caries is common in children for a variety of reasons, including increased bacterial colonisation, frequent exposure to dietary sugars, improper bottle feeding technique, low community water fluoride levels, inadequate tooth brushing, and a lack of parental knowledge about oral health. Failure to treat such carious lesions during childhood will result in chronic long-term caries leading to pulpal necrosis or reactionary proliferations of pulpal tissue known as pulp polyp. Apart from caries, trauma can also lead to hyperplastic behaviour of the pulp. Pulp polyps are most commonly found in the molars due to their abundant blood supply, whereas their presence in the anterior teeth is considered uncommon. Pulp polyp can cause anxiety among parents when they spot it in their child's oral cavity. This is due to the unique clinical appearance, discomfort while having food and occasional bleeding while irritated. This case report presents an unusual presentation of pulp polyp in an 11-years-old female patient with a chief complaint of pain, discomfort, and bleeding on irritation. Its peculiar worm-shaped clinical appearance in the anterior attached gingival region imposed a diagnostic dilemma which on histological examination was confirmed to be pulp polyp and was excised subsequently. Therefore, emphasises the fact that pulp polyps are not only limited to the occlusal surface of posterior teeth with a typical mushroom-shaped appearance but also have a wide range of presentations regardless of their location and appearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foundation: Pulpal diseases acquire a great importance due to their painful manifestations and they frequently the chief complain in dental emergency consultation. Objectives: To characterize pulpal diseases in patients from Area II of the Cienfuegos Municipality. Methods: A descriptive observational cross study was carried out from April to December 2015. A number of 329 patients was included in the study who complied with the requirements of inclusion and exclusion. Data primary registration was obtained through observation and information collection from the individual clinical record, previous informed consent. The main variables were: Age, sex pulpal diseases, treatment and dental group. Results: It was observed male sex predominance and the 35 to 59 age group. Pulpar necrosis was the most frequent disease, with 40.73% affected patients. Exodontic treatment was applied to most of the patients mainly in the 20 to 34 year old group. Inferior first molars were the most affected by pulpal disease. Conclusion: It is concluded that necrosis was predominant among all pulpal diseases, which corresponds to that it is one of the most frequent chief complains in dental clinics. That is the reason why it is necessary to continue working on preventing these dental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The present pilot study assesses the possibility of using messages framed under the construal level theory for improving the intentions of brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist. The theory states that individuals create mental construals about intangible situations; such construals will be abstract or concrete depending on the perceived distance from that situation. Materials and methods A longitudinal post-test-only quantitative experiment was conducted with 90 participants randomly allocated into three experimental groups, who received information on oral health framed in abstract, abstract with a self-reminder or concrete terms. Measures of intention, attitudes, perceived message cognition value, and past behavior were obtained through an online survey at two different points in time. Results Contrary to expectations, individuals exposed to the concrete message showed higher intention to brush and to visit the dentist. In general, attitude towards the oral self-care behavior was a good predictor of the intention to perform. Past behavior is a better predictor for intention than message framing and attitudes. Conclusions The results of this exploratory research might aid the development of future studies aimed at further understanding the use of the construal level theory in the field of oral self-care. When aiming at changing an oral self-care behavior, it is crucial to understand past behavior. Messages framed under this theory could be successful at improving brushing and visiting the dentist intentions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is difficult in a dental setting to accurately diagnose sleep bruxism and to objectively assess the severity, frequency or natural history of the condition in an individual patient. Yet this information is essential for the management of sleep bruxism and to plan appropriate dental treatment. The objective of this study was to clinically test a device that could be used to record bruxism events in a home environment. Pressure sensors were developed for use under the surface of an occlusal splint, and circuitry was designed to facilitate the recording and wireless transmission of the pressure sensor signal to a computer. Controlled mandibular movements were carried out in vivo to simulate bruxism and non-bruxism patterns. These patterns of force application were graphically presented to two examiners who were asked to identify the type of activity represented by the force curves. Examiners were largely able to distinguish bruxism from non-bruxism activity; the sensitivity ranged from 80% to 100% and the specificity from 75% to 100%. Using sensors in an occlusal splint, it is possible to recognise the typical tooth contact patterns seen in sleep bruxism. Such a device may be useful for monitoring sleep bruxism over an extended period at home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) is a rare disease caused by deletion in the distal moiety of the short arm of chromosome 4. The objectives of this study were to report the most representative oral findings of WHS, relate them with other clinical characteristics of the disease, and establish possible phenotype-genotype correlation. Methods: The study was conducted at 6 reference centers distributed throughout Spain during 2018–2019. The study group consisted of 31 patients with WHS who underwent a standardized oral examination. Due to behavioral reasons, imaging studies were performed on only 11 of the children 6 years of age or older. All participants had previously undergone a specific medical examination for WHS, during which anatomical, functional, epilepsy-related, and genetic variables were recorded. Results: The most prevalent oral manifestations were delayed tooth eruption (74.1%), bruxism (64.5%), dental agenesis (63.6%), micrognathia (60.0%), oligodontia (45.5%), and downturned corners of the mouth (32.3%). We detected strong correlation between psychomotor delay and oligodontia (p = 0.008; Cramér's V coefficient, 0.75). The size of the deletion was correlated in a statistically significant manner with the presence of oligodontia (p = 0.009; point-biserial correlation coefficient, 0.75). Conclusion: Certain oral manifestations prevalent in WHS can form part of the syndrome's phenotypic variability. A number of the characteristics of WHS, such as psychomotor delay and epilepsy, are correlated with oral findings such as oligodontia and bruxism. Although most genotype-phenotype correlations are currently unknown, most of them seem to be associated with larger deletions, suggesting that some oral-facial candidate genes might be outside the critical WHS region, indicating that WHS is a contiguous gene syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]