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Background: Social disadvantage leads to dental caries during childhood. Aim: This study investigated whether dental caries occur earlier in children from households experiencing social disadvantage than those not experiencing social disadvantage. Design: The overall risk of, and relative time to, early childhood caries (ECC) according to sociodemographic characteristics in Victoria, Australia, was quantified. Records for 134 463 children in Victoria, Australia, from 2009 to 2019 were analysed. Time ratios (TR) and hazard ratios (HR) of carious lesion(s) in early childhood were estimated. Results: Compared with reference groups, Indigenous children had an adjusted TR of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.78, 0.82), children from households with languages other than English had an adjusted TR of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.82, 0.84), and dependants of concession cardholders had an adjusted TR of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.80, 0.81); therefore, 20%, 17% and 19% reduced times to the first carious lesion, respectively. The estimated HRs were 1.57 (95% CI: 1.49, 1.67) for Indigenous children, 1.46 (95% CI: 1.42, 1.50) for children from households with other languages and 1.57 (CI: 1.53, 1.60) for dependants of concession cardholders. Conclusion: Preventive oral health interventions must be targeted early in children from households experiencing social disadvantage to avoid social inequities in ECC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental caries among long-term care (LTC) residents is a persistent and complex problem driven by social and structural factors. Systems thinking may be useful in considering novel approaches to reducing disease. This study aimed to develop a system dynamics model to simulate the progression of dentate older adults in LTC through caries severity states and estimate the effects of 3 intervention scenarios on the progression of caries: preventive topical fluoride (TF), arrest of caries with silver diamine fluoride (SDF), and a combination of TF and SDF. Dentate older adults in LTC were categorized into 4 caries severity states by their number of untreated carious lesions. The model assumed that changes in severity states were consistent with incidence rates reported in the literature and available billing data for dental care and that individuals move in and out of the system by entering and exiting the facility or experiencing edentulism. For all scenarios, the proportion of dentate older adults in LTC with 1 or more untreated lesions stays stable, the distribution of disease shifts from a high severity state, and the system approaches equilibrium after 4 y. The TF intervention predicts minimal impacts on decreasing the proportion of dentate older adults with 1 or more untreated lesions (2.5% decrease), while the SDF intervention and the combination interventions were most disruptive. There was a 29.6% and 33.6% decrease, respectively. Given the specific population dynamics in LTC, these findings suggest that long-term (greater than 4 y) interventions should be designed to address both the management of existing lesions and their incidence. This system dynamics model allows researchers to render institution-specific data points from LTCs to estimate the effects of proposed interventions at the respective site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Community- and evidence-based approaches are essential for improving dental public health. We evaluated the effectiveness of sending vouchers in a community-based oral screening program to encourage dental visits and improve oral health among adults. Methods: We analyzed the data from April 2014 to March 2019 obtained from administrative claims and screening program databases in Tsukuba City, Japan. This longitudinal observational study utilized the difference-in-difference approach to evaluate the impact of the screening program on dental service use. The exposure group, which comprised residents aged 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 years who were eligible for the screening program and had received dental check-up vouchers, was compared with an age-matched control group, which comprised individuals aged ± 2 years. Dental service use was evaluated in terms of (1) whether monthly dental visits occurred, (2) the number of dental visits per person, and (3) the total monthly dental expenditure. Results: Data were obtained from 43,438 residents (14,392 and 29,046 in the exposure and control groups, respectively). The program positively affected the likelihood of attending a dental visit (adjusted risk ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–1.07) and the overall monthly expenditure on dental services (adjusted mean ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.03–1.03). Conclusions: The oral screening program slightly increased dental service use among adults in Japan. The findings enable evidence-based policy-making on the improvement of the population-level oral health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Completion of the full oral health course of care (CoC) is essential to prevent further deterioration of oral and overall health. Understanding these patterns, particularly in public oral healthcare services, is crucial for improving access to and the delivery of care. This study aims to identify the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of adult patients who did not complete required dental treatments within a 12-month period at Monash Health Dental Services (MHDS), Melbourne, Victoria. (2) Methods: Data were collected on patients' course of care (CoC), socio-demographic characteristics, and clinical information from the MHDS Titanium electronic database. This study represents a secondary data analysis from adult patients who attended MHDS between November 2022 and October 2023, excluding emergency dental care visits. Logistic regression analyzed the socio-demographic and clinical variables affecting CoC. (3) Results: Our findings identified several significant predictors of incomplete CoC; being a non-priority group, mental health clients, refugees, and identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders (OR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.08–1.84). Conversely, speaking a language other than English increased the odds of completing treatment (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.74–0.98). By age, patients in the 36-to-55- or the 56-to-75-year-old age groups were more likely to be in the incomplete group (OR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.37–1.98; and OR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.22–1.66, respectively). (4) Conclusions: This study identified predictors of discontinued care, emphasizing accessibility and equitable outcomes for users of public oral healthcare. The findings indicate that the predictors of course of care (CoC) completion differ from barriers to accessing care. This highlights key objectives in public health dentistry, focusing on improving accessibility and promoting equitable oral health outcomes for vulnerable populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic dental injuries (TDI) are a prevalent public health concern, requiring preventive measures as well as timely and appropriate interventions to prevent adverse outcomes and optimize patients' prognosis. Although dental trauma injuries require prompt clinical intervention, some challenges persist in effectively managing these injuries. In dental traumatology, the implementation of public health policies assumes critical importance, these policies play an important role in addressing preventive measures and mitigating the repercussions of TDI. This review aims to emphasize the importance of developing comprehensive public health policies in dental traumatology, recognizing the strategic importance of this approach and its benefits. By proactively addressing issues associated with dental injuries, these policies have extensive implications for individual quality of life and public health in general. Furthermore, this review will present a suggested structured framework for the development of public health policies, encompassing key domains including prevention, intervention, and education in dental traumatology. The creation and implementation of these policies will address dental trauma through prevention programs, research, and development, and will provide a significant step toward enhancing the well‐being of the population and dental trauma victims' prognosis promoting a more resilient healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dental public health (DPH) is a specialty of dentistry that serves the community as a patient rather than the individual. It requires broad knowledge and skills in preventing and controlling oral diseases, planning and administering programs, applied research, surveillance and evaluation, financing, and providing dental care. This article aims to outline DPH practice, emphasizing its role in improving the oral health of communities, and highlight professional training pathways in this field. Methods: We used the Ten Essential Public Health Services framework to illustrate DPH practice. The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) provides guidance to state and local health programs for promoting oral health policies and programs at the population or community level. In addition, we presented the education and training pathways for becoming a DPH specialist and identified opportunities for all dental practitioners. Results: This paper outlines real-world examples how DPH practitioners have contributed to improving the oral health of Californians. The opportunities to practice both in the public health and private sectors and the collaboration with academia are highlighted. Examples throughout the paper such as the collaborative effort in San Francisco to address high tooth decay rates in children and its contribution to the statewide policy illustrate the opportunity for practicing dentists to improve community oral health and overall health with a DPH mind-set. Conclusions: Improving the oral health of Californians requires competent dental public health and clinical practitioners. It is essential to have robust education and training programs with a community focus that offers multiple pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: California has a shortage of dentists able and willing to treat children in the Medi-Cal Dental Program. A dental community of practice (DCOP) model was used in Alameda County to increase provider skills and capacity and to support their Medi-Cal program participation. This paper describes the Alameda County DCOP and the experiences of the participating dental providers. Methods: Dental providers were invited to join the DCOP and receive program benefits in exchange for accepting children from the Medi-Cal Dental Program in their practice. A mixed-methods study utilizing surveys and focus groups with participating dental providers was conducted, assessing and documenting their experiences, benefits and challenges of participating in the DCOP. Results: The DCOP program enrolled 169 dental providers and delivered 14 C.E. courses (49 total C.E. units). Additionally, 132 dental providers completed Wave 1 surveys, and 42 providers completed Wave 2. The majority (68%) felt participating in the DCOP increased their capacity to serve children under age 5 in the Medi-Cal Dental Program. Eight focus groups were conducted with 47 dental providers. Focus groups discussed preferred C.E. topics, serving children in the Medi-Cal Dental Program, community dental care coordinators (CDCCs), family oral health education (FOHE), and the emergent theme of building community among dental providers. Conclusion: Dental providers felt participating in the DCOP helped increase their capacity and confidence to serve low-income children. They also felt there was value in uniting with colleagues in a community dedicated to improving children's oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Machine learning (ML) has potential to assist dental professionals with diagnosing and predicting outcomes of oral health. Tooth decay in children is the most common chronic childhood disease and it can be prevented by early detection. We aim to provide a map of the current evidence on ML in child oral health and provide insight for future research. Methods: A scoping review used databases like Medline, Web of Science, EBSCO Dentistry & Oral Science Source, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. Included studies assessed ML models for diagnoses, prediction, or management of oral health in children (0–9 years). Data extraction included publication year, location, age, sample size, disease, study type, and ML algorithms. Results: a total of 29 studies were included, mainly in pediatric dentistry and dental public health. Study designs comprised cross-sectional (34.5%), cohort (31.0%), case-control (20.7%), clinical trials (10.3%), and descriptive surveys (3.5%). The majority of studies were from high-income (69.0%) and upper middle-income countries (27.6%), with a small representation from low middle-income countries (3.4%). ML focused on predicting and diagnosing oral health issues such as caries progression and risk, with neural networks predominantly tested alongside emerging techniques like random forest, regression, and gradient boosting. Conclusions: ML algorithms hold promise in improving dental diagnosis and prediction accuracy, benefiting dental professionals, including pediatric and general dentists, in enhancing proficiency and reducing clinical errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to evaluate the practice trends, clinical services and job satisfaction of dental therapists in Canada. Licenced Canadian dental therapists were recruited to participate in this cross-sectional study. A total of 124 dental therapists completed the survey (~68% response rate), with 57.3% of respondents being over the age of 50. Most respondents were actively engaged in full-time clinical practice in private dental offices. Indigenous dental therapists were significantly more likely to work outside of private dental offices providing care for Indigenous communities. Just over half of respondents were compensated by an annual salary, with the highest proportion of full-time practitioners earning between $75,000 and $99,000 per year. Dental therapists who were active in clinical practice performed a wide range of preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services consistent with their scope of practice. This research demonstrates that Canadian dental therapists are highly engaged and satisfied with their profession. Dental therapists can facilitate improved access to oral health care in less accessible areas of Canada; however, compensation packages and incentives to work in these less accessible areas must be addressed, as well as legal and regulatory requirements to ensure that dental therapists are licenced providers throughout Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Oral health issues present substantial obstacles for children and teenagers globally, affecting their holistic health. With Iranian children experiencing a high prevalence of dental cavities, understanding their utilization of dental services and the influencing factors is essential. Therefore, this study examined the utilization of dental and oral health services by children aged 6 to 14 at healthcare centers in Karaj, Iran, in 2019–2021. Methods: This descriptive cross‐sectional study included 361 children between 6 and 14 years old who visited healthcare centers in Karaj for dental services. The researchers developed a questionnaire to collect data. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS‐21 software, Smirnov–Kolmogorov, and Spearman's correlation test. Results: Analysis of the data indicated that the utilization of dental and oral health services had significant correlations with the place of residence (p < 0.001), the father's education (p < 0.05), the number of children in the family (p < 0.005), and insurance coverage (p < 0.05). However, household income and the mother's education had no significant relationship with the utilization of dental and oral health services for the children in healthcare centers (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Advocate for policies promoting oral health equity, addressing dental service access disparities, and supporting preventive measures in underserved communities, provision of insurance coverage for dental services can lead to improving the oral health of children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Primary Dental Journal article outlines the eligibility criteria for the College's new Register of Mentors in Implant Dentistry. Requirements include a postgraduate degree or structured training in implant dentistry, experience with a minimum number of implant cases, specific prosthetic or surgical technique experience, and completion of a medical education or mentoring course. The Register aims to enhance standards in implant dentistry by recognizing qualified mentors and connecting them with trainees. Additionally, the article discusses a report on improving preventative oral healthcare, highlighting the need for better provision of preventative care and addressing societal barriers to oral health improvement. [Extracted from the article]

ABSTRACT Objective Materials and Methods Results Conclusions Craniofacial and oral malformations (COMs) represent an important class of human developmental disorders with profound implications on the anatomical structure, appearance, and various physiological functions. In this study, we aimed to define the spectrum of COMs and analysis its features or possible influencing factors to improve the surveillance and control of the disease.We organized a multicenter survey of COMs from 19 hospitals in 14 provinces. The clinical data of COM cases were collected from the electronic medical records system, cleaned and aggregated for analysis.A total of 90,895 COM cases with 76 types of diseases were identified from 34,649,545 hospital population. The four most common COMs were supernumery teeth (62.64%), cleft lip and palate (28.53%), microdontia (2.86%), and tooth agenesis (1.70%). The remaining 72 diseases were detected in 3881 cases and were considered to be rare COMs. Moreover, 84.72% of rare COMs also manifested as other malformations or dysfunctions of the bone, skin and other tissues.COMs exhibit age and gender distribution patterns, have multiple types, and significant dental malformations. The diagnostic criteria and registration practices for COMs influence their reported prevalence and temporal trends, necessitating future improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental anxiety, a predictor of both dental treatment avoidance and health outcomes, has been linked with early negative dental experiences. The causes of this relationship remain largely unexplored. This study provides a preliminary exploration of within-cultural variations of dental normative beliefs on the perception of negative dental experiences and the subsequent experience of dental anxiety in the U.S. A sample of 190 U.S. adults recruited from Amazon's MTurk completed measures of cultural normative beliefs about oral health care, age and fear at first dental visit, history of negative dental experiences, and dental anxiety. Factor analysis yielded support for a three-factor model (daily maintenance, regular check-up, and dental treatment) of the dental cultural normative beliefs scale. Correlations and structural equation modeling found support for a previously posited theoretical model in which negative dental experiences and fear at first dental visit mediate associations between the cultural normative beliefs and dental anxiety. Most notably, cultural normative beliefs favoring a prevention orientation to dental treatment and daily maintenance of oral health predicted less fear at the first dentist visit, which in turn, related to fewer negative dental experiences and less dental anxiety. This preliminary survey suggests that dental cultural normative beliefs within the U.S. shape fear during initial dental visits. Future research should build on this initial work and explore between-cultural norm variations as well as strategies for changing cultural normative beliefs to improve perceptions of dental experiences and lessen dental anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Graduating European Dentist Curriculum Framework, developed by the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE). The framework aims to harmonize dental education across Europe and has been widely adopted by institutions and regulatory bodies globally. The framework focuses on learning outcomes and has been cited over 400 times, demonstrating its impact on dental education. The framework has been endorsed by various European organizations and is utilized by almost 60% of responding schools in Europe. Additionally, the framework has been expanded to include domains related to Environmental Sustainability and Research, with regular updates and resources available online. [Extracted from the article]

ABSTRACT Background Methods Results Conclusion Within Aotearoa | New Zealand, rates of largely preventable severe caries and dental hospitalisations among children are increasing and inequalities exist. However, little population‐based empirical evidence exists describing this oral health burden among children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs). This study aimed to estimate and compare the rates of dental hospital admissions in a near‐national population of children aged ≤ 14 years with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, intellectual disability or any NDD after accounting for key confounding variables. Caries status for these children was derived from an oral health screening at 4 years and also examined.The cohort were children who had their B4 School Check (B4SC) national health screening assessment undertaken between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2018 and followed until 1 January 2020 (the study end date). Linked administrative databases, which include NDD indication and dental hospital records, were utilised. Dental hospital admissions were assessed using unadjusted and adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression models treating NDD as a discrete time‐varying covariate. Caries status at 4 years of age was investigated cross‐sectionally and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve used to assess predictive accuracy.The eligible sample included 433 569 children (48.6% female) with a mean age of 9.3 years at the study end date. Overall, 16 359 (3.8%) children had at least one NDD indication and 38 574 (8.9%) had at least one dental hospitalisation. In adjusted analyses, the hazard ratio of dental hospitalisation admissions was 3.40 (95% CI: 3.22–3.60) for children indicated with any NDD compared to their non‐NDD counterparts. At 4 years of age B4SC screening, 465 (17.6%) children out of 2640 indicated with any NDD had visible caries compared to 61 026 (14.3%) from 427 254 children without NDD indication (prevalence ratio = 1.24 [95% CI: 1.14–1.35]). However, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for this association was 0.52 (95% CI: 0.51–0.52), suggesting negligible predictive capacity.Children with NDDs in Aotearoa, New Zealand suffer from substantial oral health inequities. Targeted preventive strategies and adaptation to primary oral health services are needed to meet the needs of neurodiverse children and redress this substantial inequity. However, targeting children with NDDs at the B4SC is unlikely to mitigate these oral health inequities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current methods for oral health workforce planning lack responsiveness to dynamic needs, hampering efficiency, equity and sustainability. Effective workforce planning is vital for resilient health care systems and achieving universal health coverage. Given this context, we developed and operationalised a needs-adaptive oral health workforce planning model and explored the potential of various future scenarios. Methods: Using publicly available data, including the Special Eurobarometer 330 Oral Health Survey, we applied the model in a hypothetical context focusing on the Dutch population's dental needs from 2022 to 2050. We compared current and future provider supply and requirement and examined, in addition to a base case scenario, several alternative scenarios. These included epidemiological transition scenarios with different oral health morbidity trajectories, skill-mix scenarios with independent oral hygienists conducting check-ups and multiple dental student intake and training duration (5 instead of 6 years) scenarios. Results: Based on the aforementioned historical data, our model projects that provider requirement will exceed supply for the planning period. If the percentage of people having all natural teeth increases by 10% or 20% in 2032, 34 or 68 additional full-time equivalent (FTE) dentists will be required, respectively, compared to the base case scenario. In the skill-mix scenario, the model indicates that prioritising oral hygienists for check-ups and shifting dentists' focus to primarily complex care could address population needs more efficiently. Among the student intake and training duration scenarios, increasing intake to 375 and, to a lesser extent, reducing training to 5 years is projected to most effectively close the provider gap. Conclusions: The study underscores the importance of understanding oral health morbidity trajectories for effective capacity planning. Due to limited dental epidemiological data, projections carry substantial uncertainty. Currently, demand for FTE dentists seems to exceed supply, though this may vary with epidemiological changes. Skill-mix strategies could offer efficiency gains by redistributing tasks, while adjustments in dental intake and training duration could also help address the requirement-supply gap. Resolving dentistry workforce challenges requires a multifaceted approach, including strengthening oral epidemiology projections, addressing the root causes of dental health issues and prioritising harmonious dental public health and general practice prevention measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim was to assess the effectiveness of a distributed, targeted toothbrush and toothpaste programme on referrals for tooth extraction under Dental General Anaesthetic (DGA), in children of high-risk families compared to usual care. Methods: A recruiter and assessor-blinded, clustered parallel randomised control trial (RCT). Families with one or more children aged between 3 and 10 years having undergone a DGA operation for extraction of carious teeth, were approached within hospitals in the North West of England. Families were randomised at the cluster level in a 1:1 ratio. All eligible children within the family consented to the study. The primary outcome was participant referral for a DGA 6–24-month post-randomisation. Results: A total of 961 families (1,671 children) were randomised, 482 families (832 children) to the intervention, and 479 families (839 children) to the control group. Families (1,662 children, 955 families) were included in the final analysis (825 intervention, 837 control). Marginal regression models (generalised estimating equation approach) taking into account cluster membership were used to model the effectiveness of the intervention at 24 and 48 month follow-up, including the variables, age, sex, and IMD quintile. Seventy-six children (9.2%) in the intervention group had a DGA referral within 2 years compared to 57 children (6.8%) in the control group. The study found no effect of a clinically meaningful difference between the intervention group and usual care (risk ratio 1.36, 95% CI: 0.98–1.89) in reducing referral for DGA for a targeted postal toothpaste/toothbrush program in a contemporary, population with previous family experience of DGA residing in an area of high deprivation. Conclusion: The target of the intervention (families of children with a DGA) was the correct focus given the referrals observed over 2 and 4 years. The study can aid policymakers, local authorities and commissioners to understand repeat DGA within families and further need for intervention. Plain Language Summary: The study wanted to explore if giving toothbrushes and toothpaste, regularly, to families with children at high risk for developing tooth decay could reduce the number of referrals for tooth extractions under general anaesthetic. The study randomly assigned families to receiving either the toothbrush/toothpaste intervention or standard care (a control group). Families were invited to take part if they had a child aged 3–10, who had previously had tooth extractions under general anaesthetic, when attending hospitals in the North West of England. The study looked at whether any child within the family was then referred for a tooth extraction under general anaesthesia during the next 2 years, after consent. A total of 961 families took part, 482 families received the intervention and 479 families acted as the control. Analysis showed no difference between the groups in the number referred for a tooth extraction under general anaesthetic. In the group that received the intervention, 9% of children were referred, while in the group that received standard care, 7% of children were referred. While the study did not show the intervention reduced the number of children referred for a dental general anaesthetics, it did show focussing on families with children who had previously undergone tooth extraction in hospital, to attempt to reduce numbers referred in the future, is the correct approach. The study's findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, local authorities, and commissioners. It can help them understand the occurrence of repeat DGAs within families and the ongoing need for interventions to address this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The curricula for UK dental specialty training have recently been under review and until 2024, completion of a research component during training in Dental Public Health, Oral Microbiology and Orthodontics has been mandatory (with an alternative route for Orthodontics involving the submission of two scientific papers for those trainees not wishing to undertake a higher degree). Anecdotally, some trainees in other dental specialties choose to undertake higher degrees alongside specialty training. Aims: The aims were to investigate how many dental specialty registrars study for higher degrees alongside specialty training, and whether undertaking a higher degree alongside specialty training has an impact on completion of training, research skills, research experience, patient care and career opportunities. Materials and Methods: This was a cross‐sectional study design, involving the distribution of an online, anonymous questionnaire‐based survey to UK dental specialty registrars in November and December 2022. Results: In total, 38 questionnaires were completed, representing a 7.7% response rate of the entire dental specialty registrar cohort in the UK and 42% of those who received it. Most respondents (76.3%) were either studying or had completed a clinically relevant higher degree prior to specialty training. Most respondents (76.3%) reported that the higher degree increased career opportunities and gave them additional skills. Conclusions: Dental specialty trainees who responded to this survey perceived the higher degree to be beneficial in terms of preparing for exams, gaining skills in critical appraisal and for increasing future career opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Effective strategies and practices can assist in forming future initiatives and policies to improve oral health for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This manuscript aims to describe the Tufts Dental Facilities (TDF), a university‐state collaboration providing sustained statewide access to comprehensive oral health care for individuals with IDD. Program Description: The TDF program was established in 1976 as the result of a class action lawsuit to improve medical and dental care for individuals with IDD residing at state institutions in Massachusetts. TDF, A partnership, between Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a network of seven dental clinics strategically positioned across the state. These clinics are specifically designed to meet the oral health needs of individuals with IDD. TUSDM's oral health providers with expertise in special care dentistry deliver comprehensive oral health care for over 6500 individuals with IDD, incorporating supportive care services and access to general anesthesia. Additionally, the program provides training in special care dentistry for dental residents and pre‐doctoral dental students. Conclusions: Leveraging state and university resources, TDF provides a model of a sustainable, long‐term system for statewide access to oral health care for individuals with IDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) serves as a crucial tool in understanding the intricate relationship between oral health and systemic conditions like type 2 Diabetes. This study delves into the comparative analysis of OHIP in patients with and without type 2 diabetes, shedding light on the nuanced impact of this metabolic disorder on oral health-related quality of life (OHrQoL). By scrutinising factors such as oral discomfort, functional limitations and psychological well-being, this research aims to unearth valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by diabetic individuals in maintaining optimal oral health. Such findings hold immense significance in guiding tailored interventions and enhancing holistic healthcare approaches. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 232 diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. Clinical examinations were conducted, and a validated Arabic version of the OHIP-14 instrument was used. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0. Results: In total, 232 patients with and without diabetes were included in this study. A statistically significant effect was observed amongst diabetic compared to non-diabetic participants (P = 0.015). The overall OHrQoL across the seven domains of participants with diabetes was significantly lower than those without diabetes (P = 0.0001). Oral lesions were more common and showed statistically significant effects amongst diabetic compared to non-diabetic patients (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: Patients with type 2 diabetes have shown undesirable oral health which impacted their quality of life compared to those without diabetes. Future research focusing on developing preventive interventional strategies for diabetic patients, in addition to enhancing the awareness of oral diseases and dental care amongst those patients, is highly encouraged. Developing a standardised protocol with a unified OHrQoL instrument and methodological statistical analysis approaches that could be generalised and used worldwide periodically amongst diabetic patients may also be advocated.

Introduction: The quality of life based on oral health has been a vital factor affecting health outcomes. It is an overall factor that influences functional well-being, as disabled individuals may have predisposing factors that could impact their quality of life. Aim: To assess Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHrQoL) in disabled and non-disabled individuals after receiving dental treatment in the Al-Baha region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September and December 2023. A total of 86 disabled and 129 non-disabled participants underwent clinical examinations, and dental treatments were performed. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) was utilised to evaluate OHrQoL using a validated Arabic version of the questionnaire. Data related to all variables in OHIP-14 were analysed in association with oral diseases using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Software version 20.0. Results: A total of 215 patients with and without disabilities were included in the study. Among these, 124 (57.5%) were females and 91 (42.3%) were males. Females reported significantly higher OHrQoL scores than males after dental therapy (p-value

Introduction: The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) serves as a crucial tool in understanding the intricate relationship between oral health and systemic conditions like type 2 Diabetes. This study delves into the comparative analysis of OHIP in patients with and without type 2 diabetes, shedding light on the nuanced impact of this metabolic disorder on oral health-related quality of life (OHrQoL). By scrutinising factors such as oral discomfort, functional limitations and psychological well-being, this research aims to unearth valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by diabetic individuals in maintaining optimal oral health. Such findings hold immense significance in guiding tailored interventions and enhancing holistic healthcare approaches. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 232 diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. Clinical examinations were conducted, and a validated Arabic version of the OHIP-14 instrument was used. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0. Results: In total, 232 patients with and without diabetes were included in this study. A statistically significant effect was observed amongst diabetic compared to non-diabetic participants (P = 0.015). The overall OHrQoL across the seven domains of participants with diabetes was significantly lower than those without diabetes (P = 0.0001). Oral lesions were more common and showed statistically significant effects amongst diabetic compared to non-diabetic patients (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: Patients with type 2 diabetes have shown undesirable oral health which impacted their quality of life compared to those without diabetes. Future research focusing on developing preventive interventional strategies for diabetic patients, in addition to enhancing the awareness of oral diseases and dental care amongst those patients, is highly encouraged. Developing a standardised protocol with a unified OHrQoL instrument and methodological statistical analysis approaches that could be generalised and used worldwide periodically amongst diabetic patients may also be advocated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: It is currently unknown how body mass index (BMI) and dental caries are related. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between BMI by age and gender and dental status among healthy people as measured by the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (DMFT). Methods: The Department of Public Health Dentistry at the Dr. R.R. Kambe Dental College and Hospital in Akola conducted an analytical cross-sectional study. The study recruited healthy participants between the ages of 18 and 35 during a 10-month period beginning in March 2015 and ending in December 2015. The DMFT index was used to measure the severity of dental caries. the prevalence of obesity and overweight, as well as the relationship between the DMFT index and BMI category. Results: The mean age of 502 subjects was 24.3 (4.9) years. The caries severity of the study population was considered moderate according to the WHO caries severity scale (mean [standard deviation] DMFT 13.3 [3.8]). The mean (SD) DMFT of male and female subjects was 13.1 (4.0) and 13.36 (3.7), respectively. No significant association was seen between dental caries and BMI. Logistic regression analysis showed that males had two times more risk of developing dental caries compared to females. In addition, the risk of caries development was increased by about 5 times for every year of age. Conclusion: Dental caries was not associated with BMI but age significantly influenced the DMFT index and gender was associated with more missing teeth. Further longitudinal studies with larger cohorts from several geographic regions are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caries experience in Argentine children is quite high and no national data are present. Aim: This cross-sectional observational survey aimed to assess the oral health status of schoolchildren in Buenos Aires (CABA) using CTNI and to evaluate the ecological association between health inequalities and caries prevalence. Design: Data were collected, via a clustered procedure, during the 2016–2018 school years. Children were examined at school to determine dental status according to the CTNI performed under standardized conditions, using light, dental mirrors, WHO probes and magnification (2.5×). Secondary sources were used to acquire socio-demographic and epidemiological data. A hierarchical cluster analysis was carried out with the municipalities of the CABA as the dependent variable and the socio-demographic factors. Results: The study population consisted of 62,904 schoolchildren, 43,571 of whom were enrolled into the study. Total caries prevalence was 67.78% while severe caries prevalence was 28.29%, which was statistically associated with the year of the survey (p < 0.01). Four territorial conglomerates from a socio-epidemiological standpoint outline homogeneous areas of social risk; cluster 1 had the highest social risk. The prevalence of severe caries (CTNI 7–14) was highest in cluster 1 (44.7–53.2% of the population). Conclusion: The social inequalities between municipalities of the CABA were statistically associated with high inequalities in oral health needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of examiner calibration is an essential step in all epidemiological research, as it aims to ensure uniform interpretation, understanding, and application of the instrument to be used. This ensures that the data collected will be valid and reliable. This study aimed to determine the differences in concordance in dental caries calibration across three dental specialties. The population consisted of 45 dentists, divided into three groups: 15 general dentists working in the public sector, 15 dentists specializing in Dental Public Health, and 15 dentists specializing in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry. The calibration process was carried out in three stages: theory, calibration using photographs, and calibration on natural teeth, performed by the gold standard. In the first validity process, a statistical difference was only found between the Kappa values of the inter-examiner calibration process using photographs. For the evaluation of teeth, in the second validity process, 33.33% (n = 15) of the participants achieved "almost perfect agreement." Finally, only 75.56% (n = 34) of the examiners were considered for the reliability report; of this group, 52.94% (n = 18) were in "almost perfect agreement," and 35.29% (n = 12) were in "substantial agreement." The validity and reliability of the dental caries experience calibration process did not present significant statistical differences between general dentists in the public sector, dentists specializing in Dental Public Health, and dentists specializing in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to explore the association between symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oral health in a representative sample of the Spanish population aged 6–14 years. We also examined the contribution of several sociodemographic and behavioral determinants of children/adolescents and their family environment. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 3,402 subjects aged between 6 and 14 years from the Spanish National Health Survey. The presence of ADHD symptoms was determined using the self-reported hyperactivity/inattention subscale of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire. Oral health was assessed using five indicators: caries, extraction, restorations, gingival bleeding, and the presence of teeth in poor condition (e.g., broken or misaligned). Logistic regressions were used to examine the association between the presence of ADHD symptoms and oral health indicators. These models were adjusted for sociodemographic factors, lifestyle variables, and oral hygiene behaviors relating to both the children and their parents. Results: Compared to children without ADHD symptoms, children with ADHD symptoms had a higher risk of caries (fully adjusted odds ratio: 2.16; 95% confidence interval: 1.66–2.82), extraction (1.42; 1.09–1.85), restoration (1.47; 1.19–1.82) and gingival bleeding (1.64; 1.11–2.41). The increased risk of caries was maintained when the analyses were restricted to middle/high social class families and children with low sugar intake, good oral hygiene behaviors and regular dental visits. Conclusions: Children with ADHD symptoms in Spain had worse oral health indicators than those without ADHD symptoms. Our results suggest that the association of ADHD symptoms with caries was independent of socioeconomic level, cariogenic diet, frequency of toothbrushing, and dental visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral healthcare is attracting much attention after decades of neglect from policymakers. Recent studies have shown a strong association between oral and overall health, which can lead to serious health problems. Availability of oral healthcare services is an essential part of ensuring universal healthcare coverage. More importantly, current gaps in its accessibility by minority or marginalized population groups are crucial public health as well as ethical concerns. One notable effort to address this issue comes from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), which offer oral healthcare services for non-insured refugees. However, the challenge remains that these care services are not comprehensive, which has implications for the refugees' oral and general health. In this article, we discuss this complex issue in the German healthcare context by including ethical reflections. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to discuss the ethical challenges related to oral healthcare services provided by NGOs for refugees in Germany. First, we will introduce the general oral healthcare context worldwide and in Germany. Second, we will provide a general description of the oral healthcare services provided by NGOs for refugees in Germany, as well as an overview of existing gaps. This will provide us with the context for our third and most important task—discussing the ethical implications of the gaps. In doing so, and since the ethical implications can be several, we demarcate the scope of our analysis by focusing on the specific ethical issues of justice, harm, and autonomy. Finally, we offer some recommendations for how to move forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the speaker and leadership development seminars during the 2023 EAO Summer Camp (SC). Materials and Methods: In September 2023, 24 participants joined the SC organized by the EAO Junior Committee (JC) in Lisbon, focused on enhancing public speaking and leadership skills. Facilitated by two experienced trainers, the program aimed to evaluate the participants' progress through pre‐, post‐training "immediate" and "delayed" (3 months after the event) anonymous questionnaires. The JC formulated a survey (JCS) addressing aspects of public speaking, presentation skills and leadership, how important the participants considered them and what type of training in this field they had received thus far. Results: Twenty‐three participants responded to the pre‐ and immediate post‐training surveys, 22 completed the delayed post‐training survey and 20 completed the JCS. The findings revealed increased confidence and comfort in public speaking post‐event, with sustained improvements over time, accompanied by positivity, pleasant feelings, and increased camaraderie. Post‐training delayed results also showed that reduced symptoms of anxiety before a speech were reported. The JCS highlighted that many participants had not properly acquired public speaking skills during university. Similarly, 19 out of 20 participants felt that leadership skills were important in contemporary dentistry but not properly taught in dental school curriculums. Conclusions: The 2023 EAO SC was a successful event providing advanced training in leadership and public speaking skills. However, a notable number of young dentists continue to experience anxiety when faced with presentations, indicating a potential need for additional training to relieve stress and enhance confidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Gerotranscendence represents a shift in metaperspective, transitioning from a materialistic and rational outlook to a more cosmic and transcendent one. This phase fosters resilience in older individuals, enabling them to overcome the challenges and despondency associated with ageing, thereby promoting a positive embrace of the ageing process. Remarkably, individuals with high levels of gerotranscendence, even in the presence of poor oral health, demonstrate the capacity to cope and adapt to their circumstances. This adaptive capability may contribute to an enhancement in their self-reported Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). Aim: To evaluate the relationship between gerotranscendence and OHRQoL among the elderly population in the Vidarbha region. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over a 6-month period from March 2023 to August 2023 in collaboration with the Department of Prosthodontics and the Department of Public Health Dentistry at the Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, Maharashtra on 350 participants. The study included volunteers aged =70 years, residing in homes or old age homes, and those visiting tertiary healthcare centers. Methodologically, data collection employed a self-made organised proforma. Oral examinations were conducted using Type III inspections with a mouth mirror. Gerotranscendence was assessed using the Gerotranscendence Scale Type 2 (GST2), which was validated and translated into Marathi. The Geriatric OHRQoL was evaluated using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), also translated into Marathi. The study used Chi-square tests for categorical variables and Pearson's and Spearman's tests for correlation analyses. Results: The average gerotranscendence score was 23.45 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.96, 23.94), reflecting a mid-level of gerotranscendence, indicating that the gerotranscendence score was neither low nor high. According to Pearson's and Spearman's correlation tests, the gerotranscendence score was significantly positively correlated with age and self-perceived need for treatment. The mean GOHAI score was 40.16 (95% CI: 39.55, 40.76). A substantial positive association between the GOHAI and self-perceived need for treatment was found using Pearson's and Spearman's correlation tests. When comparing gerotranscendence and GOHAI, Pearson and Spearman correlation tests revealed a significant positive association (p<0.001). Conclusion: Gerotranscendence was significantly positively correlated with OHRQoL, independent of objective oral status. Despite having poor oral health, elderly individuals with high levels of gerotranscendence may be better able to handle and adapt to their circumstances, which could result in an improvement in self-reported OHRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The study aimed to examine the efficacy of neem, tea and chlorhexidine mouth washes in the reduction of plaque and periodontal inflammation. Methods: This study was conducted in the department of Public Health Dentistry, Dental College, Hospital and Research Centre, India. The study included 60 adult patients fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly divided into three groups. In Group A 0.12% Chlorhexidine Mouthwash, in Group B – 5% Neem Mouthwash and in Group C- 10% Tea mouthwash was given to the patients. Plaque index, gingival index and Periodontal pocket depth was measured before starting and after competition of study. Any side effect experienced by the patients was also recorded at the end of study period. Result: plaque Index, Gingival Index and Periodontal pocket depth significantly decreases during the study (P<0.05) in all the groups. However the indices values showed non-significant differences between groups at baseline and after completion of study. Significantly more percentage of patients finds the taste of white tea palatable in comparison to other mouthwashes. No major side effects was seen during the study. Conclusion: Daily mouth rinsing using tea and neem mouthwash had beneficial effects on periodontal disease. These mouthwashes can serve as a good alternative for patients who prefer herbal products with less side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: No comprehensive synthesis of dental anxiety (DA), dental utilization (DU), oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and their relationships have been examined despite various systematic investigations being done on their prevalence and interventions individually. Therefore, this review aims to systematically review the status and relationship between DA, DU, and OHRQoL among adult groups. Materials and Methods: Data collection spanned 6 months, from 1 July to 31 December 2023, involving eight databases. Only cross-sectional (CS) studies with adult participants aged 15-64 years, conducted globally, published in English, and available as full-text articles by December 31, 2023, were included. Two reviewers screened the titles and abstracts and assessed the full-text articles. All studies were CS. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical CS studies. The quality of evidence for each measured factor was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. Results: The initial search yielded 3333 studies. The 22 final studies included 13 highquality studies with over 80% and nine fair studies with 50% and 79% scored. None of the studies scored below 50%. A negative link between DA and DU was identified in 15 of 16 studies with 35,846 participants aged 22.19-50.21 years. Six studies on DA, DU, and OHRQoL included 22,845 participants aged 15-55 years, mostly in their late and mid-fifties. Four of six verified Berggren and Meynert's (1984) vicious cycle theory's high association between DA, DU, and OHRQoL. Conclusions: A 22-study review reveals a strong association between DA, DU, and OHRQoL. Most moderate to high-quality studies emphasized a negative correlation between DA and DU, which affected OHRQoL.PROSPERO registration number CRD42023455219. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco 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: The 2010 Child Dental Care Reform of the National Health Insurance Law marked a turning point in the Israeli oral healthcare system by establishing Universal Health Coverage of dental care for children. Initially, the reform included children up to age 8 and gradually expanded to age 18 in 2019. The basket of services includes preventive and restorative treatments provided by the four Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO). The aim of this study was to examine the uptake of child dental services during the first decade of the reform. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted to determine the treatment uptake, type and amount of the services delivered based on annual service utilization reports submitted by the HMOs to the Ministry of Health in the years 2011–2022. Results: The number of insured children increased from 1,546,857 in 2011 to 3,178,238 in 2022. The uptake of dental services gradually increased during the study period with a slight decrease in 2020. The percentage of children who used the services gradually increased from 8 to 33%, with the incremental inclusion of additional age groups. From 2012 onwards the most common treatments provided were preventive, however the single most common treatment was dental restoration. In 2022 35% of the population of Israel was under the age of 18. Out of these, about a third received dental treatment via the HMOs. This is a significant achievement, since before the reform all treatments were paid out-of-pocket. After a short period of increasing uptake, a stable service utilization pattern was evident that can indicate better public awareness and service acceptance. Conclusion: Although this is a reasonable uptake, additional efforts are required to increase the number of children receiving dental care within the public insurance. Such an effort can be part of a multi-disciplinary approach, in which pediatricians and public health nurses can play a vital role in dental caries prevention, enhancement of awareness and service utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The quality of life based on oral health has been a vital factor affecting health outcomes. It is an overall factor that influences functional well-being, as disabled individuals may have predisposing factors that could impact their quality of life. Aim: To assess Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHrQoL) in disabled and non-disabled individuals after receiving dental treatment in the Al-Baha region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September and December 2023. A total of 86 disabled and 129 non-disabled participants underwent clinical examinations, and dental treatments were performed. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) was utilised to evaluate OHrQoL using a validated Arabic version of the questionnaire. Data related to all variables in OHIP-14 were analysed in association with oral diseases using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Software version 20.0. Results: A total of 215 patients with and without disabilities were included in the study. Among these, 124 (57.5%) were females and 91 (42.3%) were males. Females reported significantly higher OHrQoL scores than males after dental therapy (p-value<0.001). No significant differences in OHrQoL were observed between patients with and without disabilities (p-value 0.389). However, quality of life significantly improved after dental treatment in disabled and non-disabled individuals across all sections or domains (p-value<0.05). Conclusion: Oral disorders had a negative impact on quality of life, as post-treatment OHrQoL scores were significantly lower than pre-treatment scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective was to assess the effectiveness of a Water Fluoridation program on a contemporary population of children. Methods: The study used a longitudinal prospective cohort design. In Cumbria, England, two groups of children were recruited and observed over a period of 5–6 years. The Birth Cohort consisted of families recruited from two hospitals in Cumbria where children were conceived after water fluoridation was reintroduced. The systemic and topical effects of community water fluoridation were evaluated in the Birth Cohort. The Older Cohort were approximately 5 years old and recruited from primary schools in Cumbria, shortly after water fluoridation was reintroduced. The predominantly topical effects of fluoridated water were evaluated in the Older Cohort. The primary outcome was the proportion of children with clinical evidence of caries experience in their primary (Birth Cohort) or permanent teeth (Older Cohort). Unadjusted and adjusted regression models were used for analysis. Results: The final clinical examinations for the Birth Cohort involved 1444 participants (mean age 4.8 years), where 17.4% of children in the intervention group were found to have caries experience, compared to 21.4% in the control group. A beneficial effect of water fluoridation was observed adjusting for deprivation (a socioeconomic measure), sex, and age, (adjusted odds ratio 0.74 95% CI 0.55 to 0.98). The final Older Cohort clinical examinations involved 1192 participants (mean age 10.8 years) where 19.1% of children in the intervention group were found to have caries experience compared to 21.9% in the control group (adjusted odds ratio 0.80, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.09). For both the Birth Cohort and Older Cohort there was evidence of a beneficial effect on dmft/DMFT count (IRR 0.61, 95% CI 0.44, 0.86) and (IRR 0.69, 95% CI 0.52, 0.93) respectively. No conclusive proof was found to indicate that the effectiveness of water fluoridation differed across area deprivation quintiles. Conclusions: In the contemporary context of lower caries levels and widespread use of fluoride toothpaste, the impact of water fluoridation on the prevalence of caries was smaller than previous studies have reported. It is important to consider the clinical importance of the absolute reduction in caries prevalence against the use of other dental caries preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV point of care testing (POCT) is a common approach to expanding testing into non-specialised settings. Dental services have untapped potential to screen for health conditions including HIV. However, the perspectives of UK dental patients, dental professionals, and people with HIV are unknown. Ten focus groups were undertaken with dental patients, professionals, and people with HIV. The Framework method was used to analyse the qualitative data. Six themes were generated from the focus group data. The themes explored perceptions of HIV, the purpose, appropriateness, and acceptability of HIV testing in dental settings, and new processes that would need to be established in order to successfully implement point of care HIV testing in UK dental settings. Training needs were identified including communication skills and updates to current knowledge about HIV. HIV testing in dental settings is generally acceptable to dental patients, dental professionals, and PWH. However, of concern were logistical challenges and the risk of patients surprised at being offered an HIV test during a visit to the dentist. Nonetheless, the public health benefits of the intervention were well understood, i.e., early detection of HIV and initiation of treatment to improve health outcomes. Dental teams were able to generate novel solutions that could help to overcome contextual and logistical challenges to implementing HIV testing in dental settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, the Brazilian federal government launched the "Prevent Brazil" program to incentivize cities to improve their performance across 7 health care indicators, including prenatal dental care. Our study examines the impact of this policy on the use of oral health care among pregnant women in Brazil. We used a series of cross-sectional data from the Brazilian Public Health System from 2018 to 2023. We linked publicly available data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Our outcome was the proportion of pregnant women receiving prenatal care who had at least 1 dental visit during the past year. Covariates included city-level socioeconomic (income and literacy), demographic (gender, race, and urban areas), and workforce variables (number of dentists working in the public health system per city/year). We estimated the impact of the policy on prenatal dental visits nationwide and stratified by geographic region using interrupted time-series analysis. Our analyses included 99.9% of all Brazilian cities (n = 5,562). The use of oral health care among pregnant women increased from 15% in 2018 to 69% in 2023. Adjusted estimates show that, after initiation of the Prevent Brazil, dental care use among pregnant women increased nationally at a rate of 4.6 percentage points per 4-mo period (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.5; 4.7). The policy's largest impact was in the North and Northeast regions, which have the lowest socioeconomic profiles (adjusted time-series rate 5.7 [95% CI 5.3; 6.1] and 5.2 [5.0; 5.4] percent points, respectively). Our findings support the positive impact of the Prevent Brazil policy on prenatal dental care in Brazil. The policy was associated with a countrywide improvement in prenatal dental care use, with a greater impact in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to evaluate the practice trends, clinical services and job satisfaction of dental therapists in Canada. Licenced Canadian dental therapists were recruited to participate in this cross-sectional study. A total of 124 dental therapists completed the survey (~68% response rate), with 57.3% of respondents being over the age of 50. Most respondents were actively engaged in full-time clinical practice in private dental offices. Indigenous dental therapists were significantly more likely to work outside of private dental offices providing care for Indigenous communities. Just over half of respondents were compensated by an annual salary, with the highest proportion of full-time practitioners earning between $75,000 and $99,000 per year. Dental therapists who were active in clinical practice performed a wide range of preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services consistent with their scope of practice. This research demonstrates that Canadian dental therapists are highly engaged and satisfied with their profession. Dental therapists can facilitate improved access to oral health care in less accessible areas of Canada; however, compensation packages and incentives to work in these less accessible areas must be addressed, as well as legal and regulatory requirements to ensure that dental therapists are licenced providers throughout Canada.

ABSTRACTBackground California has a shortage of dentists able and willing to treat children in the Medi-Cal Dental Program. A dental community of practice (DCOP) model was used in Alameda County to increase provider skills and capacity and to support their Medi-Cal program participation. This paper describes the Alameda County DCOP and the experiences of the participating dental providers.Methods Dental providers were invited to join the DCOP and receive program benefits in exchange for accepting children from the Medi-Cal Dental Program in their practice. A mixed-methods study utilizing surveys and focus groups with participating dental providers was conducted, assessing and documenting their experiences, benefits and challenges of participating in the DCOP.Results The DCOP program enrolled 169 dental providers and delivered 14 C.E. courses (49 total C.E. units). Additionally, 132 dental providers completed Wave 1 surveys, and 42 providers completed Wave 2. The majority (68%) felt participating in the DCOP increased their capacity to serve children under age 5 in the Medi-Cal Dental Program. Eight focus groups were conducted with 47 dental providers. Focus groups discussed preferred C.E. topics, serving children in the Medi-Cal Dental Program, community dental care coordinators (CDCCs), family oral health education (FOHE), and the emergent theme of building community among dental providers.Conclusion Dental providers felt participating in the DCOP helped increase their capacity and confidence to serve low-income children. They also felt there was value in uniting with colleagues in a community dedicated to improving children’s oral health.

ABSTRACTBackground Dental public health (DPH) is a specialty of dentistry that serves the community as a patient rather than the individual. It requires broad knowledge and skills in preventing and controlling oral diseases, planning and administering programs, applied research, surveillance and evaluation, financing, and providing dental care. This article aims to outline DPH practice, emphasizing its role in improving the oral health of communities, and highlight professional training pathways in this field.Methods We used the Ten Essential Public Health Services framework to illustrate DPH practice. The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) provides guidance to state and local health programs for promoting oral health policies and programs at the population or community level. In addition, we presented the education and training pathways for becoming a DPH specialist and identified opportunities for all dental practitioners.Results This paper outlines real-world examples how DPH practitioners have contributed to improving the oral health of Californians. The opportunities to practice both in the public health and private sectors and the collaboration with academia are highlighted. Examples throughout the paper such as the collaborative effort in San Francisco to address high tooth decay rates in children and its contribution to the statewide policy illustrate the opportunity for practicing dentists to improve community oral health and overall health with a DPH mind-set.Conclusions Improving the oral health of Californians requires competent dental public health and clinical practitioners. It is essential to have robust education and training programs with a community focus that offers multiple pathways.

The document discusses the World Health Organization's essential medicines for dentistry, focusing on patients with special care needs. It highlights the importance of prioritizing preventive and curative oral healthcare protocols, early diagnosis, and multidisciplinary teams to improve outcomes for these patients. The document also emphasizes the need for specialized healthcare professionals, appropriate settings, and targeted investments in dental public health to effectively manage cases involving patients with special care needs. Additionally, it suggests complementary actions such as expanding specialized care centers, including specialized dentists in multidisciplinary teams, and updating training for specialized teams to meet the increasing technological advances in healthcare. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the importance of preventive and minimally invasive dentistry in addressing oral diseases, particularly in Ireland. It highlights the impact of oral diseases on quality of life, the environment, and healthcare costs. The text emphasizes the need for a shift towards prevention in oral healthcare services and provides examples of successful prevention programs both locally and internationally. The article also discusses global initiatives and policies aimed at improving oral health outcomes and reducing the burden of oral diseases. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Public Health Forum is the property of De Gruyter 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.)

Abstract Background A manual toothbrush is an indispensable tool for promoting and maintaining oral health worldwide but given the non-biodegradable and non-recyclable thermoplastic materials from which it is made, it cannot be considered free of threats to the environment. Therefore, also in light of the World Dental Federation's goals to implement and initiate policies for sustainable dentistry, this study evaluates the sustainability of two materials most used for manual toothbrush bristles, namely nylon, and silicone. Objectives The objective is to investigate the optimal solution to reduce the environmental impact of toothbrushes, and how the environmental impact would change if only the brush head was changed instead of the entire toothbrush. Methods Life Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprint were used. Four manual toothbrushes with nylon bristles, and a handle in polypropylene with/without silicone parts (N1, N2, N3, N4) and two manual toothbrushes, with silicone bristles, but one with polypropylene handle only (Si1), the other with polypropylene handle and silicone parts (Si2) were evaluated. Results A toothbrush with silicone bristles is more sustainable than one with nylon bristles in all 18 impact categories, with average values of − 14%. In addition, eliminating only the brush head instead of the entire toothbrush could result in savings of 4.69 × 10‒3 kg CO2 eq per toothbrush. Therefore, based on the results of this study and to meet Dentistry's need to reduce its environmental impact, the ideal toothbrush should be lightweight, with less superfluous material, and with less impactful materials such as silicone instead of nylon. Conclusions The concluding indications for improving the sustainability of toothbrushes are therefore: (i) eliminate the amount of superfluous material; (ii) develop lighter models; and (iii) develop models in which only the brush head is replaced rather than the entire toothbrush.

Abstract Objectives The present study systematically reviewed and provided a meta-analysis on early childhood caries (ECC) global prevalence and its association with socioeconomic indicators, both geographical and regarding unemployment rate, national income as well as income inequalities. Methods Only cross-sectional or cohort studies covering ECC prevalence and experience in children younger than 71 months, reporting sample size, diagnostic criteria and conducted in urban and rural communities were considered. No language restriction was selected. Studies published from 2011 to 2022 available in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Open Grey literature were retrieved by ad hoc prepared search strings. The meta-analyses were conducted for both overall ECC prevalence and experience stratified by country of publication as well as measures of socioeconomic indicators using a random effects model using STATA 18®. Results One hundred publications reporting ECC data from 49 countries (published from 2011 to 2022) were included and summarized by meta-analysis. The lowest prevalence was reported in Japan (20.6%) and Greece (19.3%). The global estimated random-effect pooled prevalence of ECC was 49% (95%CI: 0.44–0.55). The random-effect pooled caries prevalence (ECC) was 34% (95%CI: 02.20–0.48) (Central/South America), 36% (95%CI: 0.25–0.47) (Europe), 42% (95%CI: 0.32–0.53) (Africa), 52% (95%CI: 0.45–0.60) (Asia-Oceania), 57% (95%CI: 0.36–0.77) (North America) and 72% (95%CI: 0.58–0.85) (Middle East). When stratified by gross national income (GNI) the ECC prevalence ranged from 30% ($20,000-$39,999) to 57% in countries with the lowest GNI (

Objectives: The present study systematically reviewed and provided a meta-analysis on early childhood caries (ECC) global prevalence and its association with socioeconomic indicators, both geographical and regarding unemployment rate, national income as well as income inequalities. Methods: Only cross-sectional or cohort studies covering ECC prevalence and experience in children younger than 71 months, reporting sample size, diagnostic criteria and conducted in urban and rural communities were considered. No language restriction was selected. Studies published from 2011 to 2022 available in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Open Grey literature were retrieved by ad hoc prepared search strings. The meta-analyses were conducted for both overall ECC prevalence and experience stratified by country of publication as well as measures of socioeconomic indicators using a random effects model using STATA 18®. Results: One hundred publications reporting ECC data from 49 countries (published from 2011 to 2022) were included and summarized by meta-analysis. The lowest prevalence was reported in Japan (20.6%) and Greece (19.3%). The global estimated random-effect pooled prevalence of ECC was 49% (95%CI: 0.44–0.55). The random-effect pooled caries prevalence (ECC) was 34% (95%CI: 02.20–0.48) (Central/South America), 36% (95%CI: 0.25–0.47) (Europe), 42% (95%CI: 0.32–0.53) (Africa), 52% (95%CI: 0.45–0.60) (Asia-Oceania), 57% (95%CI: 0.36–0.77) (North America) and 72% (95%CI: 0.58–0.85) (Middle East). When stratified by gross national income (GNI) the ECC prevalence ranged from 30% ($20,000-$39,999) to 57% in countries with the lowest GNI (<$5000). Stratification by inequality index (Gini index) resulted in an ECC prevalence range of 39% (low inequality) to 62% (no inequality), while for life expectancy the ECC prevalence ranged from 28% in countries with the highest life expectancy (< 80 years) to 62% in countries with 71–75 years life expectancy. Discussion: Within the limitations of this study (lack of certainty about the results as many countries are not represented and lack of uniformity in prevalence and experience data represented), results from 49 different countries reported a wide range of ECC prevalence. These reports indicated persisting high worldwide distribution of the disease. Both ECC prevalence and experience were associated with geographical areas and GNI. Registration: PROSPERO: CRD-42,022,290,418. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]