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International Journal of Paediatric... May 2024School-based oral health education has emerged as one of the most effective methods to instill a positive attitude toward oral health in children. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
School-based oral health education has emerged as one of the most effective methods to instill a positive attitude toward oral health in children.
AIM
This systematic review (SR) aimed to assess the effectiveness of different methods of oral health education in children and adolescents.
DESIGN
Systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, LILACS, Scopus, and EMBASE on January 29, 2023. Review included only randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and their risk of bias (ROB) was assessed by Cochrane RoB-2. Data were extracted and analyzed by expert group. The GRADE approach was used to assess the quality of evidence for each outcome. Every step was conducted in duplicate, and disagreements were resolved by consulting the third reviewer.
RESULTS
The SR included 10 RCTs with majority showing a high ROB. They included 12 methods with the commonest being the use of leaflets/flash cards. Most interventions were effective in improving oral hygiene, gingival health, and knowledge except conventional teaching methods, lecture by using PowerPoint by dentists, and e-learning interventions. The grade of evidence in the majority of outcomes was found to be low or very low.
CONCLUSION
Interventions using the interactive methods such as games, motivational-experiential learning, and audiovisual methods were found to be more effective than controls and other interventions. Variabilities in study methods and outcome variables must be addressed in the future.
Topics: Child; Humans; Adolescent; Oral Health; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Oral Hygiene; Schools; Health Education, Dental
PubMed: 37840214
DOI: 10.1111/ipd.13125 -
Journal of Dentistry Jun 2024Dental practice is based upon dentists' cognitions, knowledge being foundational. Knowledge is attained through education and perception. Although knowledge is modulated... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Dental practice is based upon dentists' cognitions, knowledge being foundational. Knowledge is attained through education and perception. Although knowledge is modulated by beliefs, attitudes, preferences, and behaviors, it is essential to evidence-based practice. Cross-sectional studies uniformly demonstrate that community NSRCT is of sub-optimal quality worldwide, is lack of knowledge a problem? Our purpose was to measure dentists' knowledge of root canal treatment (NSRCT).
DATA
Quantitative and qualitative data were extracted: purpose, topics assessed, authors cited knowledge sources, number of dentists studied, number of questions, authors descriptors of knowledge level,% correct answers by question, authors recommendations.
SOURCES
OVID Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, and hand-searching.
STUDY SELECTION
Studies which had measured dentists' knowledge of non-surgical root canal treatment that was valuable, reliable, and had practical implications which could be implemented. A total of 51 papers from 19 countries measured the knowledge of 15,580 dentists using 445 questions on 29 root canal treatment topics.
CONCLUSIONS
'Gold standards' were from literature, external bodies, or expert consensus in 47, 31, and 2 papers respectively. Levels of knowledge by percentage correct answers among studies were poor to moderate and varied considerably. The mean, for the 50 studies where overall study percentages could be calculated, was 57 %, standard deviation 17 %, and a range of 16 % to 82 %. Authors' adjectives describing knowledge levels were generally negative. Additional education was advised in 49 papers, but without evidence that education was inadequate; 6 papers recommended increased use of protocols; only 5 papers advocated research on the cause of lack of knowledge.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Dentists' root canal treatment knowledge was found to be poor to moderate, as well variable. This may constrain quality of care. However, provision of information without attention to dentists' cognitions and motivations may not be successful. Educational strategies and goals should be re-evaluated. Evidence-based practice faces many barriers.
Topics: Humans; Root Canal Therapy; Dentists; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Clinical Competence; Evidence-Based Dentistry; Practice Patterns, Dentists'
PubMed: 38580057
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.104975 -
International Endodontic Journal May 2024There is an increased tendency towards adopting minimally invasive interventions in dentistry, supported by advancement in materials and techniques. However, the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
There is an increased tendency towards adopting minimally invasive interventions in dentistry, supported by advancement in materials and techniques. However, the decision-making process in choosing conservative or invasive treatments is influenced by several factors, particularly in permanent teeth with irreversible pulpitis.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the study was to systematically review the literature regarding factors that influence decision-making for vital pulp therapy (VPT) as definitive treatment option in permanent mature teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis.
METHODS
Two independent reviewers searched five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library). Grey literature was searched through Google Scholar and contact with experts. Defined search keys were applied, and all peer-reviewed literature published with no language nor publication date limits were included. The All studies investigating the factors influencing treatment decision-making in mature permanent teeth with irreversible pulpitis were included. The quality of included studies was assessed by two independent reviewers using the Joanna Briggs Institute quality assessment tool.
RESULTS
Six articles were included in the review. All included studies used questionnaires to characterize clinician preferences and attitudes in choosing treatment options for mature permanent teeth with irreversible pulpitis. The available evidence suggests that dentist-related factors have a significant influence on the chosen treatment in teeth with irreversible pulpitis, with speciality training and years of experience influencing the choice of VPT over other treatment options. COVID-19 reportedly swayed the dentists' decision to favour VPT. Only one article studied the influence of patient-related factors, such as age and presence of spontaneous pain on decision-making. Of note, a history of cardiovascular disease moved dentists towards prescribing VPT.
DISCUSSION
Collectively, the included studies demonstrated an overriding influence of dentist-related factors on choosing among treatment options for painful teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis. Patient-related factors were acknowledged but there are also potential factors such as socio-economic constraints that were not included in the component studies.
CONCLUSION
In teeth with irreversible pulpitis clinicians educational background influence the decision towards a specific treatment option. Further data, preferably derived from clinical records, is necessary in future investigations to explore the effect of other important factors related to both dentists and patients.
REGISTRATION
PROSPERO database (CRD42022339653).
Topics: Humans; Pulpitis; Dentition, Permanent; Dental Care; Pain; Pulpotomy
PubMed: 38326290
DOI: 10.1111/iej.14036 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024After pulp infection and necrosis, the passage of microbial antigens into the periapical space causes apical periodontitis (AP). Most of the clinical forms of AP can be... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
After pulp infection and necrosis, the passage of microbial antigens into the periapical space causes apical periodontitis (AP). Most of the clinical forms of AP can be managed without prescribing antibiotics, only with root canal treatment and abscess drainage or, where appropriate, tooth extraction. However, the scientific literature provides evidence of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions by dentists in the management of apical disease.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the global pattern of antibiotic prescription in the treatment of apical disease.
METHODS
PRISMA Guidelines were followed to carry out this systematic review. The research question was as follows: What is the pattern of antibiotic prescription by dentists in the treatment of the different clinical forms of apical periodontitis? A systematic search was conducted on MEDLINE/PubMed, Wiley Online Database, Web of Science and Scopus. All studies reporting data about the pattern of antibiotic prescription by dentists in the treatment of apical disease were included. The meta-analyses were calculated using the Open Meta Analyst version 10.10 software. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE.
RESULTS
The search strategy identified 96 articles and thirty-nine cross-sectional studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The overall percentage of antibiotic prescriptions by dentists in cases of symptomatic AP was 25.8%, and 31.5% in cases of asymptomatic AP with sinus tract present. The percentage of dentists prescribing antibiotics in cases of acute apical abscess with no/mild symptoms was 47.7%, whereas, in cases of acute apical abscess with moderate/severe symptoms, 88.8% of dentists would prescribe antibiotics. Endodontists prescribe antibiotics at a lower rate than general practitioners. The total risk of bias was considered moderate, and the final rating for the certainty of the evidence was low.
CONCLUSIONS
Dentists worldwide are over-prescribing antibiotics in the management of apical disease. It is necessary to improve antibiotic prescribing habits in the treatment of endodontic infections, as well as educational initiatives to encourage the rational and appropriate prescription of antibiotics in periapical diseases.
PubMed: 38666965
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13040289 -
International Journal of Paediatric... Jun 2024Understanding of socioeconomic context might enable more efficient evidence-based preventive strategies in oral health. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Understanding of socioeconomic context might enable more efficient evidence-based preventive strategies in oral health.
AIM
The study assessed the caries-related socioeconomic macro-factors in 12-year-olds across European countries.
DESIGN
This systematic review involved epidemiological surveys on the caries status of 12-year-olds from 2011 to 2022. DMFT was analyzed in relation to gross national income (GNI), United Nations Statistical Division geographical categorization of European countries (M49), unemployment rate, Human Development Index (HDI), and per capita expenditure on dental health care. A meta-analysis was performed for countries reporting data on DMFT, stratified by GNI, and geographical location of European countries, using a random-effects model.
RESULTS
The study involved 493 360 children from 36 countries in the geographic region of Europe. The analysis confirmed a strong negative correlation between income and caries experience (p < .01). Children living in higher-income countries showed 90% lower odds of poor oral health than in middle-income countries. Children living in West Europe showed 90% lower odds of poor oral health than children living in East Europe.
CONCLUSION
The strong effect of macro-level socioeconomic contexts on children's oral health suggests favoring upstream preventive oral health strategies in countries with economic growth difficulties, Eastern and Southern parts of Europe.
PubMed: 38881267
DOI: 10.1111/ipd.13224 -
Cureus Dec 2023When restoring proximal surfaces in posterior teeth, dentists frequently encounter the difficulty of reproducing the proximal contact that is naturally present in... (Review)
Review
When restoring proximal surfaces in posterior teeth, dentists frequently encounter the difficulty of reproducing the proximal contact that is naturally present in unrestored teeth. In order to guarantee the durability of restorations made from class II composite resin, it is imperative that both functional and aesthetic requirements are met. This entails the choice of the matrix system that replicates the optimal proximal contact subsequent to the insertion of restorations made of class II composite resin. The objective of this systematic review is to assemble current research conducted on the various matrix systems utilized in class II composite restorations and assess their impact on the pre-existing composite proximal contact. Three examiners conducted an independent electronic search utilizing the subsequent databases: Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, PubMed, and Embase. Publications on proximal contact in class II composite restorations were compiled from the time of their inception until August 2022, in accordance with predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The methodological quality assessment was conducted utilizing the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) instrument. Among the six studies that were included, it was observed that the sectional matrix system generated greater proximal contact tightness than the circumferential matrix system (Tofflemire). However, no significant distinction was found between the metal and polyester matrix systems. In contrast to alternative circumferential matrix systems, the utilization of a sectional matrix system yields a statistically significant improvement in the optimum proximal contact of class II composite restorations, according to the studies.
PubMed: 38259361
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50835 -
British Dental Journal Sep 2023Background The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to healthcare workers worldwide, including the effect on the psychological wellbeing of dentists.Aims...
Background The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to healthcare workers worldwide, including the effect on the psychological wellbeing of dentists.Aims To evaluate the impact of the early phases of the pandemic on the psychological health, long-term wellbeing and clinical service provision of dentists, as well as the identification of the key risk and protective factors for adverse mental health outcomes (MHOs) in this group.Methods A systematic review of cross-sectional studies (n = 53) from public and private dentistry sectors was employed to delineate the risk and protective factors for adverse MHOs.Results Self-reports from these studies (1 December 2019 to 31 December 2021), involving 45,671 dentists worldwide were analysed. Study findings were classified according to their psychological impact (as risk or protective factors), categorised as 'operational' or 'organisational' and subdivided into 'psychosocial', 'occupational', 'sociodemographic' and 'environmental' elements. A GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) certainty of evidence score was calculated for all the identified factors.Conclusions This review confirmed the negative impact of the pandemic on the MHOs of dentists worldwide. Pivotal risk factors included fear of infection, transmission to families, lack of personal protective equipment and possible direct contact with infected patients. Enhanced infection control protocols, individual resilience and organisational support were identified as important protective factors.
PubMed: 37666986
DOI: 10.1038/s41415-023-6232-8 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Aug 2023Vaccination is essential to protect from influenza and recently from COVID-19, yet uptake in Lebanon is suboptimal. Several factors determine uptake including knowledge,...
BACKGROUND
Vaccination is essential to protect from influenza and recently from COVID-19, yet uptake in Lebanon is suboptimal. Several factors determine uptake including knowledge, attitude and policies. We conducted a scoping review of the literature to explore the determinants of influenza and COVID-19 vaccine intent or uptake in Lebanon.
METHODS
Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, thirty one peer reviewed studies indexed in six databases Pub Med, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, Medline, and the Cochrane Library were screened. Two students, a senior Librarian and an Associate Professor in nursing searched for eligible studies. The library search strategy followed a combination of three broad concepts (viral influenzas; vaccines; Lebanon). The search timeframe was up till December 31, 2022. Determinants of influenza and COVID-19 vaccine intent or uptake were categorized following the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior.
RESULTS
Nine studies investigated influenza vaccine intent or uptake among the public community, parents and healthcare workers. Twenty one studies investigated COVID-19 vaccine intent or uptake among the public community, older refugees, university students, patients with cancer, dentists, and social media users. One study investigated both types of vaccines. A conceptual model of the determinants of vaccine intent and uptake within the Lebanese context was developed. Various determinants included environmental factors, norms, knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, past experiences, behavioral control and hesitancy.
CONCLUSIONS
Research on vaccine intent and uptake in Lebanon is still in its infancy, while that of COVID-19 is on the rise. Multifaceted reasons behind the low vaccination rates were observed yet few attempts were made to target vulnerable groups. Further research studies are needed to target vulnerable groups.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Influenza Vaccines; Influenza, Human; Lebanon; Vaccination
PubMed: 37544988
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08478-4 -
European Journal of Dental Education :... May 2024During child dental treatment, different behavior management techniques (BMTs) are applied and it is important to understand the possible discomfort in the operator.
INTRODUCTION
During child dental treatment, different behavior management techniques (BMTs) are applied and it is important to understand the possible discomfort in the operator.
OBJECTIVE
The present systematic review aimed to evaluate the acceptability of dental students and professionals concerning BMTs applied with paediatric dentistry patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic search was conducted, following the PEOS strategy: Population (P) - dental students/professionals (S); Exposure (E) - BMTs preconized by the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, Outcome (O) - proportion of BMT acceptance; and Study design (S) - observational studies based on data from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, BVS (Lilacs/BBO), Cochrane, and Open Grey databases up to September 2021. The eligible studies were submitted to data extraction and to the evaluation of methodological quality, using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool. The certainty of evidence was evaluated by GRADE.
RESULTS
The search retrieved 710 articles; a total of 21 fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were used for qualitative analysis. Among the undergraduate students and dentists, the most accepted techniques were tell-show-do and positive reinforcement, while paediatric dentists preferred the tell-show-do technique and dental professionals with graduate degrees preferred sedation using nitrous oxide and positive reinforcement. The least accepted technique was protective stabilization. Seven students presented a low risk for bias, while 14 presented a high risk. The certainty of evidence was classified as very low.
CONCLUSION
Although the basis of available certainty of evidence is scarce and with a considerable risk for bias, it is still possible to conclude that the more accepted techniques were based on communication.
PubMed: 38733094
DOI: 10.1111/eje.13016 -
Community Dentistry and Oral... Dec 2023There are multifaceted reasons for a social gradient in planned dental visiting involving various psycho-social variables that interact with each other and the...
UNLABELLED
There are multifaceted reasons for a social gradient in planned dental visiting involving various psycho-social variables that interact with each other and the environment. Interventions in this area are therefore inevitably complex interventions. While guidance recommends undertaking theory and modelling work before experimental work is done, there is a shortage of descriptions of how this is done, especially in the field of oral health.
OBJECTIVES
To describe theory, qualitative and public engagement work, and identification of behaviour change techniques (BCTs) to define features of an opportunistic dental visiting intervention for adult users of urgent dental care services.
METHODS
A systematic review and synthesis of theory, qualitative and quantitative work, along with expert input, generated a list of psycho-social determinants linked to planned dental visiting intentions. Modelling involved ethnographic work in urgent dental care settings and work with members of the community from the targeted demographic. This enabled verification, in the context of their idiosyncratic expression for the target population in question, of behavioural determinants (BDs) identified in the theory phase. It also facilitated generating intervention material which was infused with the identity of the end user. BDs identified were then mapped to BCTs using an accepted BCT taxonomy and an intervention prototype developed. The prototype then underwent iterative testing with target users before it was ready for a feasibility trial.
RESULTS
Theory and modelling identified five key intervention focuses: affordable resources (time/ cost), the importance of oral health, trust in dentists, embarrassment of having poor oral health and dental anxiety. Short videos were developed to incorporate role modelling which were well received. Prototype testing resulted in shifting from 'if-then' plans to action planning.
CONCLUSIONS
Complex intervention development involves an iterative rather than sequential process of combining theory, empirical work and user involvement, of which the article provides an example.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Behavior Therapy; Intention; Oral Health
PubMed: 36737879
DOI: 10.1111/cdoe.12842