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Objective: To assess the association between dental anxiety and caries experience from late childhood through adolescence and into early adulthood (12, 15 and 18 years old, respectively). Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among a population‐representative sample of Chinese in Hong Kong. A baseline survey was conducted at age 12 and follow‐up assessments were completed at ages 15 and 18. Caries experience was assessed as the number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT). Dental anxiety was assessed using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS). Participants' socio‐economic status and oral health‐related behaviours were ascertained using a self‐complete questionnaire. Negative binomial regression was used to explore the association between dental anxiety and subsequent caries status, controlling for other factors. Results: At baseline, 668 children participated; 279 (41.8%, comprising 57.0% females) completed all three phases of data collection. MDAS scores at age 18 were lower than at age 12. Caries experience increased as participants aged. At age 15 and 18, females had higher MDAS and DMFT scores than males. Reported frequency of snacking between meals was associated with MDAS scores at age 18. In regression analyses, dental anxiety at age 12 was not significantly associated with dental caries experience at age 15, controlling for socio‐demographic and oral‐health behaviour factors at age 12. Likewise, dental anxiety at age 15 was not significantly associated with dental caries experience at age 18, controlling for the same factors at age 15. Conclusion: Dental anxiety assessed by MDAS in late childhood and adolescence appears not to predict dental caries experience later in life in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It is not clear which factors hold more weight in predicting oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Therefore, this study explored which component of factors (e.g., socio-economic status, clinical status or oral health behaviors, dental anxiety, oral health knowledge) has a better predictive value in different aspects (e.g., oral symptoms, functional limitations, social and emotional conditions) of adolescents' OHRQoL. Methods: Participants were randomly selected from Grade Two (S2) students within 12 secondary schools in Hong Kong. The independent variables include the following : socio-economic (monthly family income, parents' educational background), oral health behaviors (the frequency of brushing and having snacks like chocolate or biscuits), and oral health-related factors (oral health knowledge, dental anxiety, dental caries and bleeding index). Adolescents' OHRQoL was evaluated using the 16-item Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ11-14-ISF:16). Frequencies and means were used for data description. Different variables were analyzed as predictors of OHRQoL by multi-level linear regression analysis. Results: 1207 adolescents (46.6% females) participated in this study. The mean total CPQ11-14-ISF:16 was 14.2 (9.8). Mean scores of oral symptoms, functional limitations, and emotional and social well-being were 4.4 (2.8), 4.2 (2.8), 3.2 (3.1), and 2.4 (2.7), respectively. In the final model, adolescents with poorer oral health knowledge, higher dental anxiety levels, brushed their teeth less than once a day and consumed chocolates or biscuits more regularly as reported by a statistically worse OHRQoL (p < 0.05). In addition, gingival bleeding was a predictor of the oral symptom domain (β = 0.7, p = 0.027); the emotional well-being of adolescents whose father went to college had a better OHRQoL (β = − 0.9, p = 0.014) and adolescents from the higher-income family had a statistically better social well-being (p = 0.015). Conclusion: Our study indicates that adolescents with poorer oral health knowledge, higher dental anxiety levels, brushing their teeth less than once a day, or having a daily consumption of chocolate or biscuits had statistically worse OHRQoL. These findings can provide guidance for future oral health promotion in improving OHRQoL among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the clinical dental consultation, multi-party configurations predominate with the presence of parents/ primary caregivers in pediatric dentistry adding another layer of complexity. In managing child oral healthcare, parents/ primary caregivers are critical, especially in dental caries prevention. This study aimed (1) to identify the structure of oral health literacy (OHL) talk in interpreter-mediated pediatric dentistry and (2) to analyze interpreter contributions to the communication strategies: patient-centered direct interpreting (PC-DI), patient-centered mediated interpreting (PC-MI), clinician-centered direct interpreting (CC-DI), and clinician-centered mediated interpreting (CC-MI). Methods: Visual text analysis (VTA) of video recorded pediatric clinical consultations in Hong Kong utilized Discursis™ software to illustrate temporal and topical structures and their distribution across turns-at-talk. Conversation analysis (CA) was applied to analyze turn-taking of the identified OHL talk qualitatively. The mixed-method approach of combining VTA and CA was applied to analyze the patterns and features of the recorded OHL talk. Results: The conceptual recurrences of the 77 transcribed video recordings were plotted visually. CC- and PC-OHL talk were identified by the recurrence patterns of monochromatic and multi-colored triangular clusters formed by off-diagonal boxes, respectively. CA of interpreter-mediated turns supported earlier findings regarding patterns of MI in multilingual adult dental consultations; however, the role of the interpreter in parent/ primary caregiver education and patient management was more distinctive in the pediatric dentistry. Conclusions: The mixed-method approach assisted in unpacking the complexities of the multi-party interactions, supported identification of effective communication strategies, and illustrated the roles of the dental professionals in initiating CC- and PC-OHL talk in pediatric dentistry. The intervention showed the implication of the professional education of evidence-based practices for clinicians in balancing agenda management and the communicative dimension of OHL with the help of VTA and CA in multilingual consultations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a lack of cohort studies on the influence factors of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This study aimed to follow subjects from age 12 to 18 to analyse the sociodemographic and clinical factors that may influence OHRQoL.Methods: This cohort study selected a representative sample from Hong Kong. Periodontal status and caries were examined according to WHO criteria. Four orthodontic indices were used to assess malocclusion. Child Perceptions Questionnaires (CPQ11-14) with 8 items (CPQ11-14-ISF: 8) and 37 items were used to assess OHRQoL at age 12 and age 15, respectively; Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) was used to assess OHRQoL at age 18. Wilcoxon signed ranks test and Friedman's test were used to analyse the age-related change of OHRQoL and malocclusion from age 12 to 18. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyse the influence factors of OHRQoL and to calculate adjusted risk ratio (RR).Results: Subjects recruited in this study were 589 (305 females, 284 males), 364 (186 females, 178 males) and 300 (165 females, 135 males) at age 12, 15 and 18, respectively. Among them, 331 subjects (172 females, 159 males) were followed from age 12 to 15, and 118 subjects (106 females, 82 males) were followed from age 12 to 18. Subjects had less severe malocclusion at age 12 than at ages 15 and 18 (p = 0.000, measured by Dental Aesthetic Index). Age, periodontal status, and malocclusion had an effect on OHRQoL. When compared with OHRQoL at age 12, worse OHRQoL was observed at age 15 (adjusted RR = 1.06, 95%CI = 1.01-1.12, p = 0.032), but not at age 18 (adjusted RR = 1.01, 95%CI = 0.95-1.08, p = 0.759). Unhealthy periodontal conditions had a negative effect on OHRQoL (adjusted RR = 1.14, 95%CI = 1.04-1.25, p = 0.007). Only severe malocclusions had a negative effect on OHRQoL; a more severe malocclusion was associated with a higher effect on OHRQoL (adjusted RR = 1.09, 95%CI = 1.01-1.18, p = 0.032 for severe malocclusion, and adjusted RR = 1.17, 95%CI = 1.07-1.28, p = 0.001 for very severe malocclusion measured by Dental Aesthetic Index).Conclusion: Age, periodontal status, and malocclusion had an influence on OHRQoL from age 12 to 18. When clinicians attempt to improve subjects' OHRQoL, it is necessary to consider these factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the impact of adaptive functioning and oral hygiene practices on tooth-brushing performance among preschool children with special health care needs (SHCN). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Special Child Care Centers. Children's tooth-brushing performance was assessed by a standardized 13-step pro forma. Information regarding children's socio-economic status, adaptive skills, and oral hygiene practices were collected. Bivariate analysis and ANCOVA were used to explore the potential factors which might be associated with children's tooth-brushing performance. Results: The tooth-brushing assessment was provided to 379 children with SHCN. Approximately 3% of the recruited children performed the whole tooth-brushing procedure independently. The number of tooth-brushing steps practiced by those children was 4.47 ± 3.56. Children who had established tooth-brushing habit before age one practiced more tooth-brushing steps than children who brushed their teeth after age one (p = 0.029). When children's age, gender, and socio-economic status were adjusted, children who had established regular tooth-brushing habit or children who had high levels of adaptive skills showed better tooth-brushing performance than their peers. Children who used gauze, cotton swab, or dental floss to clean their teeth practiced fewer key tooth-brushing steps than their peers who had never used additional cleaning approaches (p = 0.038). Conclusions for Practice: Children's tooth-brushing performance was associated with adaptive skills and oral hygiene practices. Tooth-brushing training should be provided to children with SHCN in early childhood. For children who had limitations in adaptive functioning, parental assistance or supervision is recommended to guarantee the efficacy and safety of daily tooth brushing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the oral health‐related quality of life among Hong Kong preschool children with severe early childhood caries. Methods: A total of 315 Hong Kong preschool children diagnosed with severe early childhood caries (S‐ECC) were recruited. Their caries and plaque status were evaluated. Their parents were asked to complete the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECHOIS) and a sociodemographic background questionnaire. Results: There was a 98.7% response rate. The mean age was 4.7 ± 0.8 years. The mean decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft) score was 10.2 ± 4.5. Almost all the children (98.7%) had decayed teeth. More than half of the children (61.4%) had a visible plaque index (VPI) score of above 90%. About one quarter (28.9%) were experiencing symptoms of pain. The dmft score of the child was significantly associated with the ECOHIS child impact, child function, family impact and family distress domains (P < .001). The presence of pain was significantly associated with increased ECOHIS child and family impact scores (P < .001). In the multiple regression analyses, the dmft score and presence of pain showed a significant association with the ECOHIS scores (P < .001). Conclusion: The OHRQoL of children with S‐ECC was worsened with the presence of pain and severity of the disease. More measures need to be placed to decrease the prevalence of children with S‐ECC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thorough understanding of developmental changes of human facial shape is lacking. The present study aimed to evaluate developmental shape changes of facial morphology based on a prospective, population-representative, Chinese cohort in Hong Kong. Methods: A population-representative sample of Chinese in Hong Kong was followed. Serial facial images of over 260 participants were obtained at age 12, 15, and 18 years. Facial landmarks were digitized and the corresponding coordinates were submitted for Generalized Procrustes Analysis. The resultant Procrustes shape coordinates, which captured shape information encoded by the facial landmarks, were then used for statistical shape analyses. Results: Small but significant developmental changes in mean facial shape were observed (p < 0.0001 for all pairwise comparisons). Significant age-related changes in the magnitude of variance of facial shape were also observed (p < 0.05). Phenotypic growth trajectories representing developmental shape changes were similar in size (p > 0.05) between sexes but differed in direction (p < 0.05) in shape space and trajectory shape (p < 0.05). The magnitude of shape differences between sexes remained constant from 12 to 18 years. Results of frontal facial shape analyses after removing the effect of allometry were similar to results obtained before removal of allometry. For lateral facial configurations, allometric trajectories among the age-by-sex groups were similar in slope (p > 0.05) but varied in directions in the multidimensional shape space. Conclusions: Our findings suggested significant age-related changes in facial shape and provided a dynamic view of developmental changes in sexual dimorphism of facial shape. Allometry contributed minimally to developmental changes in frontal facial shape. In addition, the allometric trajectories for lateral facial configurations were similar in rate of shape change but differed in their directions in shape space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Existing studies on facial growth were mostly cross-sectional in nature and only a limited number of facial measurements were investigated. The purposes of this study were to longitudinally investigate facial growth of Chinese in Hong Kong from 12 through 15 to 18 years of age and to compare the magnitude of growth changes between genders. Methods and findings: Standardized frontal and lateral facial photographs were taken from 266 (149 females and 117 males) and 265 (145 females and 120 males) participants, respectively, at all three age levels. Linear and angular measurements, profile inclinations, and proportion indices were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed to investigate growth changes of facial features. Comparisons were made between genders in terms of the magnitude of growth changes from ages 12 to 15, 15 to 18, and 12 to 18 years. For the overall face, all linear measurements increased significantly (p < 0.05) except for height of the lower profile in females (p = 0.069) and width of the face in males (p = 0.648). In both genders, the increase in height of eye fissure was around 10% (p < 0.001). There was significant decrease in nasofrontal angle (p < 0.001) and increase in nasofacial angle (p < 0.001) in both genders and these changes were larger in males. Vermilion-total upper lip height index remained stable in females (p = 0.770) but increased in males (p = 0.020). Nasofrontal angle (effect size: 0.55) and lower vermilion contour index (effect size: 0.59) demonstrated large magnitude of gender difference in the amount of growth changes from 12 to 18 years. Conclusions: Growth changes of facial features and gender differences in the magnitude of facial growth were determined. The findings may benefit different clinical specialties and other nonclinical fields where facial growth are of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) could be affected not only by oral health but also by demographic and ecosocial factors. This research aimed to analyze the sociodemographic and clinical factors that may influence the OHRQoL of 12-year-old children.Methods: A representative sample was selected from Hong Kong. Periodontal status and caries were examined according to WHO criteria. Four orthodontic indices were used to assess malocclusion. Child Perception Questionnaires (CPQ11-14-ISF:8 and CPQ11-14-RSF:8) including four domains, namely oral symptoms (OS), functional limitations (FL), emotional well-being (EWB), and social well-being (SWB), were used to measure OHRQoL. Adjusted OR was calculated by ordinal logistic regression.Results: Totally 589 eligible subjects (305 females, 284 males) were recruited. Males tended to rank higher in OS domain but lower in EWB domain (adjusted OR = 1.89 and 0.67). Mother's education was linked more closely with children's CPQ scores. Higher education levels were associated with better quality of life (adjusted OR = 0.45 and 0.37). Household income showed no effect on CPQ scores. Unhealthy periodontal conditions had a negative effect on EWB and total CPQ (adjusted OR = 1.61 and 1.63). High caries experience only had a negative effect on SWB (adjusted OR = 1.60). Malocclusion affected FL, EWB, SWB and total CPQ: all malocclusion severities affected SWB; only severe malocclusions affected FL, EWB and total CPQ.Conclusion: Males were more tolerant of oral symptoms than females were. Higher levels of mother's education led to better OHRQoL of their children. Unhealthy periodontal conditions affected emotional well-being, while high caries experience affected social well-being. All malocclusion severities had an effect on social well-being; severe malocclusion further caused functional limitations, worse emotional well-being, and hence worse OHRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purpose There is a need to comprehensively investigate the relationship between tooth eruption and obesity. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between erupted permanent tooth number and obesity among 12-year-old children in a population-based study. Materials and methods A random sample of 806 12-year-old schoolchildren in Hong Kong was recruited. Oral examinations were conducted and the eruption status of the permanent teeth was assessed. Body height, body weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness (TRSKF) were measured to assess the adiposity statuses [weight-height ratio (W/H) and body mass index (BMI) for general obesity; WC and waist-hip ratio (WHR) for central obesity; and TRSKF for peripheral obesity]. The relationships between erupted permanent tooth number and adiposity statuses were examined in bivariate analysis and analysis of covariance. Results The response rate was 82.9% ( n = 668/806). Three hundred and forty-six (50.9%) children had 28 teeth erupted. Second molars had the highest rate of noneruption (17.5–35.8%). The mean number and standard deviation (SD) of erupted permanent tooth were 26.4 (2.4). The mean value and SD were 31.1 (6.3) for W/H, 19.8 (3.7) for BMI, 70.4 (9.4) for WC, 0.82 (0.06) for WHR, and 11.8 (4.5) for TRSKF, respectively. After accounting for sociodemographic factors, analysis of covariance identified that W/H, BMI, WC, and WHR were positively associated with the number of erupted permanent teeth (P < 0.01). Conclusion Erupted permanent tooth number was positively associated with obesity (general and central) among a population-based sample of 12-year-old children in Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Studies investigating influencing factors of permanent tooth eruption/emergence have primarily focused on anthropometric measurements while less attention has been paid to the effect of perinatal factors. We aimed to explore early factors associated with eruption status of permanent teeth among 12-year-olds through a population-representative prospective cohort. Methods A community sample of Hong Kong children born in 1997 was obtained by random sampling from local secondary schools. Participants' background information including birth characteristics, prenatal and early childhood exposures, family socioeconomic status and medical records was prospectively collected. Clinical examination of tooth emergence was conducted in 2010. Children were divided into complete emergence (of 28 permanent teeth) and partial emergence groups based on clinical examinations. Bivariate analyses were used to assess the association of tooth emergence status with each putative predictor. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were applied to select the best predictors for tooth emergence status at age 12. Results Complete background information and clinical data were available from 514 children (76.9% of the invited participants). Bivariate analyses showed that the average birthweight in the partial emergence group was significantly lower than the complete emergence group (mean difference 0.2 kg, P = 0.006). The finding was confirmed by logistic regression analyses. In the adjusted regression model, it was found that for every 1 kilogram increase in birthweight, the odds of having partial emergence would be lowered by 0.49 (odds ratio 0.49, P = 0.006). Conclusions Birthweight is associated with status of permanent tooth emergence at 12 years of age, as observed from a population-representative sample of Hong Kong children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Epidemiological studies on developmental defects of enamel ( DDE) have focused on its potential contributory factors and prevalence while there is limited evidence on the longitudinal changes in the epidemiological profile of DDE. Thus, the objective of this longitudinal study was to investigate whether any type of DDE changes with time. Methods A total of 668 participants were initially recruited in 2010, and 432 participants were successfully followed up and examined for DDE both at the age of 12 in 2010 and 15 in 2013. The central incisor, lateral incisor and first molar in each quadrant were chosen as index teeth and were examined 'wet' by two trained and calibrated examiners using the modified FDI ( DDE) Index. Results The mouth prevalence and tooth prevalence of 'any defect' showed a significant decrease from 2010 to 2013 ( P < 0.001). This was predominantly due to the decrease in diffuse opacities ( P < 0.001). Significant difference in the distribution of the extent of DDE was also found for diffuse opacities at both the participant and tooth levels irrespective of the types of tooth ( P < 0.0001). Median extent score for diffuse opacities in 2013 was lower than those in 2010 at both participant and tooth level irrespective of the types of tooth ( P < 0.001). Conclusions Diffuse opacities, in terms of prevalence and severity, did fade out over time. The observed overall change in DDE was due to the dominating effect of diffuse opacities over demarcated opacities and hypoplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is no consensus opinion regarding the association between obesity and periodontal diseases among children and adolescents in the literature. Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted in a Hong Kong cohort at age 12, 15 and 18. CPI and various obesity indices including BMI, WC, WHR, WHtR, and TRSKF were recorded during each wave of data collection. Information on socioeconomic status and oral health behaviors were collected through self-completed questionnaires. Results: Two hundred and eighty-two (male: 122 and female: 160) participants completed all three rounds of data collection. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was 27.0, 19.1, and 14.2% at 12, 15, and 18 years, respectively. 19.9% participants had healthy periodontal conditions at age 12. While the percentage dropped to 10.3% at 15 years and 5.7% at 18 years. The proportion of 15-year-old adolescents who brushed teeth more than twice a day was significantly higher among participants belonging to the lower BMI, WC, WHR, and WHtR category (P < 0.05). The fully adjusted model revealed that participants with lower BMI at age 15 had higher probability of having more than 50% index teeth free from periodontal diseases at age 18 (OR: 2.78; 95% CI: 1.16, 6.64; P = 0.022). Conclusions: Although higher BMI at 15 years was associated with more extensive periodontal inflammation at age 18, this was believed to be an indirect association confounded by the poor oral health care among overweight/obese individuals. Oral health promotions should be directed to improve periodontal conditions of overweight/obese secondary school students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Socio-economic status, health awareness, and dietary habits have been reported as common risk factors of dental caries and obesity. The present study aimed to explore shared mediators between caries and obesity and to estimate the effects of caries-related factors on adiposity. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among adolescents aged 18 years. The study was nested in a population-representative cohort of Chinese in Hong Kong. The number of decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) was recorded during the oral examinations. Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC), Waist-Hip-Ratio (WHR), Waist-Height-Ratio (WHtR), and Triceps Skinfold Thickness (TRSKF) were used as adiposity indices. Data on socio-economic status, oral health behavior (tooth brushing habit, use of fluoride toothpaste, dental flossing habit, and mouth rinse habit), and dietary record (frequency and amount of different food) were collected through self-completed questionnaires. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regressions were used for analysis. Results: Three hundred eighty-three participants were included. The mean (standard deviation, SD) of BMI, WC, WHR, WHtR, TRSKF, and DMFT were 21.26 (3.72), 69.11 (9.25), 0.77 (0.06), 0.42 (0.05), 15.72 (6.33), and 2.06 (2.43), respectively. Males were more likely to be overweight/obese than females. Various factors including gender, parental employment status, mouth rinse habit, frequency and amount of meat intake, frequency of oil intake, use of fluoride toothpaste, and DMFT were found significant (p < 0.05) in different final models of adiposity status. Conclusions: More mediators should be included in future research to elucidate mechanism of the association between caries and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The development of primary dentition can be affected by oral sucking habits. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association of nutritive and non-nutritive sucking habits with primary dentition development. Methods: One thousand one hundred and fourteen children aged 2 to 5 years old in Hong Kong were recruited in a cross-sectional study. Information on their nutritive (e.g. breastfeeding and bottle feeding) and non-nutritive sucking habits (e.g. pacifier use and thumb/digit sucking) was collected via questionnaires. The children’s primary occlusions were examined in three dimensions. Results: Children who were breastfed for more than 6 months had a lower proportion of daily pacifier use (p < 0.05). Children who used pacifiers daily had a higher proportion of thumb/digit sucking (p < 0.05). Children who used pacifiers daily for more than one year had higher chances of developing an anterior open bite (p < 0.05) and a reduced overbite (p < 0.05). Those exhibiting daily thumb/digit sucking for more than one year had higher chances of developing Class II incisor and Class II canine relationships, an increased overjet and anterior open bite (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Pure breastfeeding for more than 6 months is inversely associated with daily pacifier use and daily pacifier use is positively associated with daily thumb/digit sucking. Children with more than one year of daily pacifier use and thumb/digit sucking have higher chances of developing abnormal dental relationships in the sagittal (i.e. Class II incisor and Class II canine relationships and increased overjet) and vertical (i.e. anterior open bite) dimensions, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Multidimensional characterization covers spectral and temporal content of sounds. • Loudness and pleasantness perceptions are associated with the maximum noise levels. • Environmental satisfaction is predictable form the perceptions of sound quality. • The insertion of natural sounds and elimination of mechanical sounds are preferred. • The daily users of the park have a greater overall preference for a good soundscape. A public urban space is undoubtedly one of the key elements in urban planning. It allows citizens with different backgrounds to freely accesses for various healthy, social, or individual reasons. User experience of the space is hence valuable data for the improvement of urban land use. This study aims to investigate how the environmental sound quality influence visitors' soundscape perceptions, preferences, and behavior. Multidimensional acoustic characterization, in terms of a series of acoustic and psychoacoustic metrics, of the acoustic environment were conducted in the five locations at Sha Tin Park of Hong Kong. Meanwhile, self-administrated questionnaires were distributed to the visitors in the locations to collect the subjective data. Total 150 visitors were surveyed. The results indicated that the visitors' loudness and satisfaction perceptions were associated with the maximum sound levels (L Amax and N max) instead of the time-equivalent sound levels (e.g. L Aeq and N eq) of the environment. Moreover, it was found that the higher degree of satisfaction was predicted if the visitors perceived a more quiet and pleasant soundscape. In addition, the preferences for soundscape elements could be classified into the three principal components " Natural sounds ", " Human-made sounds" , and " Mechanical sounds". Furthermore, visitors had a greater overall preference for a good soundscape when they perceived a more pleasant soundscape, had a higher preference for natural sounds, and had a higher visit frequency of the park. These findings consolidated the knowledge on further environmental management and designs of public urban spaces to fulfil the public expectation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The acoustical influence of noise in dental workplaces was investigated. • Psychoacoustic metrics in different statistical noise levels were assessed. • Noise sensitivity and job-performance drop are affected by the loudness of noise. • The health risk perceptions can be divided into loudness- or sharpness-related. • Avoidance of noise is influenced by the subjects' health state and background noise. A long-term exposure to the high-frequency dental noise is a potential hazard to the health of dental professionals and the quality of oral health service provisions. This study aims to thoroughly investigate the influence of an acoustic environment on the perceptions and behaviors of dental professionals. A multidimensional sound quality assessment that comprises the objective measurements of the acoustic and psychoacoustic metrics in different statistical levels and a self-administrated questionnaire was conducted in the Prince Philip Dental Hospital of Hong Kong. The results indicate that the dental professionals' noise sensitivity and job-performance drops are mainly affected by loudness of noise. Moreover, two types of health risk perceptions, loudness-related and sharpness-related, were found to be associated with a health state of dental professionals. Also, a higher chance of having health-mediated avoidance was found for the dental professionals who had a worse health state and worked in a noisier workplace. These findings provide new knowledge on the development of a health-supportive acoustic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]