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Heliyon Sep 2023Recently, clinical trials have assessed the effectiveness of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) as an indirect pulp capping material (IPC) in primary teeth. This systematic...
INTRODUCTION
Recently, clinical trials have assessed the effectiveness of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) as an indirect pulp capping material (IPC) in primary teeth. This systematic review aimed to assess the evidence presented in these trials.
DATA SOURCES
A comprehensive search identified relevant studies through five electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane). Search strategies were designed using the PICO model to identify all studies that investigated SDF as an IPC compared to calcium hydroxide (CaOH) or mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Quality assessment and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) were used to assess the level of evidence.
STUDY SELECTION
Four clinical trials were found to be suitable for inclusion in the qualitative synthesis and three studies were included in the quantitative analysis. Three studies compared SDF with CaOH and only one study compared SDF, CaOH, and MTA. Only one randomized controlled trial (RCT) had a low risk of bias, and the non-RCT study had a moderate risk of bias. The level of evidence based on the GRADE was low. Three out of four studies showed higher clinical and radiographic outcomes with SDF than with CaOH. One non-RCT study showed that SDF resulted in the least reparative dentin at the 6-months follow-up. The meta-analysis showed a non-significant difference between the SDF and CaOH groups (P = 0.36).
CONCLUSION
There is little evidence showing a higher clinical and radiographic outcome of SDF compared to CaOH as an IPC material in primary molars.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
This systematic review updates pediatric dentists regarding the effectiveness of using SDF as indirect pulp caping in primary teeth.
PubMed: 37809634
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19462 -
European Journal of Dental Education :... Aug 2023Harmonising education to support workforce mobility has been a policy objective for the European Union. However, alignment across varied national contexts presents...
INTRODUCTION
Harmonising education to support workforce mobility has been a policy objective for the European Union. However, alignment across varied national contexts presents challenges in dental education.
METHODS
A systematic literature review with narrative synthesis. Searches of the electronic databases Embase [Ovid]; MEDLINE [Ovid]; Scopus; CINAHL; AMED and PsycINFO were conducted for relevant material published between 2000 and 2019 on undergraduate curricula, quality standards and learning outcomes in dentistry.
RESULTS
Seventy-six papers met the inclusion criteria. Fifty-three papers were commentaries or editorials, twenty-one were research studies, and two were literature reviews on specific dental subfields. Eighteen of the research studies reported surveys. The literature contains extensive proposals for undergraduate curricula or learning outcomes, either broadly or for subfields of dentistry. Included papers demonstrated the importance of EU policy and educator-led initiatives as drivers for harmonisation. There is limited evidence on the extent to which proposed pan-European curricula or learning outcomes have been implemented. The nature and extent of dental students' clinical experience with patients is an area of variance across European Union member states. Arrangements for the quality assurance of dental education differ between countries.
DISCUSSION
Harmonisation of European dental education has engaged educators, as seen in the publication of proposed curricula and learning outcomes. However, differences remain in key areas such as clinical experience with patients, which has serious implications if graduate dentists migrate to countries where different expectations exist. Mutual recognition of professional qualifications between countries relies on education which meets certain standards, but institutional autonomy makes drawing national comparisons problematic.
Topics: Humans; Education, Dental; Students; Curriculum; Learning
PubMed: 36181349
DOI: 10.1111/eje.12860 -
BMC Oral Health Jun 2024There are more than one million children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and their number is steadily increasing. Diabetes affects oral health... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
There are more than one million children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and their number is steadily increasing. Diabetes affects oral health through numerous channels, including hyposalivation, immune suppression, and the inflammatory effect of glycation end-products. However, patients with type 1 diabetes must follow a strict sugar free diet that is proven to be carioprotective. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate whether children with type 1 diabetes have a difference in Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth index (DMFT), salivary function, and periodontal status than children without diabetes, with an emphasis on glycemic control.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
PubMed, Embase and Cochrane libraries were screened for articles, using predefined search keys without any language or date restrictions. Two independent authors performed the selection procedure, extracted data from the eligible articles, carried out a manual search of the reference lists, and assessed the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Meta-analysis was performed in R using the random-effects model. Effect sizes were mean differences; subgroup analysis was performed on glycemic control.
RESULTS
33 studies satisfied the eligibility criteria. 22 studies did not show a significant difference regarding the DMFT index between the diabetes and non-diabetes groups; six studies found that children living with diabetes had higher DMFT scores, compared to five studies that found significantly lower scores. Meta-analysis found no statistically significant differences in plaque, gingival, and calculus indexes, however it found significant differences in pooled DMFT indexes, and salivary flow rate. Subgroup analysis on glycemic control using DMFT values found significant differences in children with good and poor glycemic control with results of 0.26 (CI95%=-0.50; 1.03) and 1.46 (CI95%=0.57; 2.35), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Children with poor glycemic control face higher risk of developing caries compared to good control and non-diabetes children. Regular dental check-ups and strict control of glycemic levels are highly advised for children living with type 1 diabetes, further emphasizing the importance of cooperation between dentists and diabetologists.
Topics: Child; Humans; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; DMF Index; Glycemic Control; Oral Health
PubMed: 38943074
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04516-y -
GMS Hygiene and Infection Control 2024Mounting evidence supports an association between the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the risk of infection from the severe acute respiratory syndrome...
BACKGROUND
Mounting evidence supports an association between the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the risk of infection from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in dental healthcare workers (DCW). However, the prevalence and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the setting of dental care remains poorly characterized.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published prior to Mai 2023 providing epidemiological data for the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in DCW was performed. A random-effects model was used to calculate pooled estimates and odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The associated factors were narratively evaluated. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool for prevalence studies.
RESULTS
Twenty-nine eligible studies were identified including a total of 85,274 DCW at risk; 27 studies met the criteria for the meta-analysis. Among the included DCW, the overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was 11.8% (13,155/85,274; 95%CI, 7.5%-17%), whereby the degree of heterogeneity between the studies was considerable (I=99.7%). The pooled prevalence rate for dentists and dental hygienists alone was 12.7% (1943/20,860; 95%CI, 8.0%-18.0%), showing significantly increased odds of contracting a SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to dental assistant personnel, the prevalence rate for which was less than half, at 5.2% (613/15,066; OR=2.42; 95% CI, 2.2-2.7). In the subgroup of 17 studies from countries with high income there was a significantly lower prevalence rate of 7.3% (95% CI, 5%-10%) in DCW compared to the prevalence rate in low- and middle-income countries, which came to 20.8% (95% CI, 14%-29%; p<0.001). In 19 out of the 29 studies (65.5%), specific information on the use of and adherence to PPE was absent while in the reports with concrete figures the wearing of N95 (or at least surgical masks) by DCW appeared to be associated with lower SARS-CoV-2 prevalence rates.
CONCLUSIONS
DCW were, depending in each case on their proximity to patients, at particular risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Until a significant level of vaccination protection against newer SARS-CoV-2 variants can be built up in the population, dental healthcare facilities should further maintain their focus on using PPE according to current guidelines.
PubMed: 38655123
DOI: 10.3205/dgkh000464 -
The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery Jun 2024The use of eye-tracking technology in dental esthetics has gained popularity over the past decade because of its ability to assess observers' visual preferences in an...
The use of eye-tracking technology in dental esthetics has gained popularity over the past decade because of its ability to assess observers' visual preferences in an objective manner. The goal of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of eye-tracking studies in dentistry, which could provide a reference for the rational and effective application of eye-tracking technology by dentists in the future. A comprehensive search of articles on eye tracking, published from January 1946 to June 2023, was conducted across several databases using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The major criterion for inclusion was that the study evaluated the use of eye-tracking technology in the field of dentistry. Two independent reviewers screened the eligible studies. A total of 67 articles were identified, 41 of which met our inclusion criteria. The most common application of eye tracking was the assessment of perceptions of changes in specific dental conditions among different classes of observers. Overall differences between groups (different classes of observers, different types of conditions) among different areas or regions of interest were analyzed. This systematic review demonstrated the utility of eye-tracking technology as a quantifiable objective assessment and emerging research tool for evaluating outcomes in several domains of dentistry.
Topics: Humans; Eye-Tracking Technology; Esthetics, Dental
PubMed: 38376176
DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000010008 -
Medicine Sep 2023Antibiotics are a type of medication routinely prescribed by dental professionals; however, it is very common that the administration is not justified. Around 15% of...
BACKGROUD
Antibiotics are a type of medication routinely prescribed by dental professionals; however, it is very common that the administration is not justified. Around 15% of dentists admit that they have administered antibiotics unnecessarily more than once a week. The objective of this project is to identify the effectiveness of the use of antibiotics as prophylactic therapy in oral surgery, and to carry out an analysis of the alternatives to pharmacological therapy.
METHODS
The search strategy was carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases. For study selection, a first filter was carried out by title and abstract, which mentioned the use of prophylactic antibiotics in some type of oral surgery. To establish the risk of bias, the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Randomized Controlled Trials was utilized.
RESULTS
The type of antibiotics most prescribed as prophylactic therapy were beta-lactams, which were indicated in 100% of the studies. Penicillins predominated, observing amoxicillin as the most indicated drug in 54.1% of the studies (n = 13) followed by the use of amoxicillin in conjunction with clavulanic acid in 33.3% of the studies (n = 8). Of the 21 studies included, 17 mention that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of antibiotics as prophylactic therapy in patients who will undergo some type of oral surgery.
CONCLUSIONS
Without a doubt, the biggest challenge is to develop academic update strategies aimed at dentists with active clinical practice and dental students from educational and government institutions to provide updated information about the correct use of prescription drugs.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Oral Surgical Procedures; Amoxicillin; Penicillins; Clavulanic Acid
PubMed: 37713865
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035011 -
Caries Research Feb 2024A growing number of studies on diagnostic imaging show superior efficiency and accuracy of computer-aided diagnostic systems compared to certified dentists. This...
INTRODUCTION
A growing number of studies on diagnostic imaging show superior efficiency and accuracy of computer-aided diagnostic systems compared to certified dentists. This methodological systematic review aims to evaluate the different methodological approaches used by studies focusing on machine learning and deep learning and that have used radiographic databases to classify, detect, and segment dental caries.
METHODS
The protocol was registered in PROSPERO before data collection (CRD42022348097). Literature research was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, IEEE Xplore, and Web of Science until December 2022, without language restrictions. Studies and surveys using a dental radiographic database for the classification, detection, or segmentation of carious lesions were sought. Records deemed eligible were retrieved and further assessed for inclusion by two reviewers who resolved any discrepancies through consensus. A third reviewer was consulted when any disagreements or discrepancies persist between the two reviewers. After data extraction, the same reviewers assessed the methodological quality using the CLAIM and QUADAS-AI checklists.
RESULTS
After screening 325 articles, 35 studies were eligible and included. The bitewing was the most commonly used radiograph (n=17) at the time when detection (n=15) was the most explored computer vision task. The sample sizes used ranged from 95 to 38437, while the augmented training set ranged from 300 to 315786. Convolutional neural network (CNN) was the most commonly used model. The mean completeness of CLAIM items was 49 % (SD ± 34%). The applicability of the CLAIM checklist items revealed several weaknesses in the methodology of the selected studies: most of the studies were monocentric, and only 9% of them used an external test set when evaluating the model's performance. The QUADAS-AI tool revealed that only 43% of the studies included in this systematic review were at low risk of bias concerning the standard reference domain.
CONCLUSION
This review demonstrates that the overall scientific quality of studies conducted to feed AI algorithms is low. Some improvement in the design and validation of studies can be made with the development of a standardized guideline for the reproducibility and generalizability of results and, thus, their clinical applications.
PubMed: 38342096
DOI: 10.1159/000536277 -
BMC Oral Health Feb 2024It is well documented that smokers suffer increased risk of postoperative complications after medical surgery, for example delayed healing and increased risk of...
BACKGROUND
It is well documented that smokers suffer increased risk of postoperative complications after medical surgery, for example delayed healing and increased risk of infection. It is also known that preoperative smoking cessation can reduce the risk of these complications. Because of this there are guidelines regarding preoperative smoking cessation in non-oral medical surgery. There are however no specific guidelines regarding oral surgical procedures, such as surgical extractions, dentoalveolar surgery, periodontal surgery, or dental implantation. Nevertheless, it is common that dentists and oral surgeons recommend smoking cessation pre to oral surgical procedures. The aim with this systematic review was to see if there are any evidence in the literature, supporting preoperative smoking cessation in oral surgical procedures.
METHODS
A systematic search of the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane was conducted to identify studies addressing the effect of preoperative smoking cessation in oral surgical procedures. Included publications were subjected to preidentified inclusion criterion. Six examiners performed the eligibility and quality assessment of relevant studies. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I and RoB 2. Certainty assessment was carried out using GRADE.
RESULTS
The initial search resulted in 2255 records, and after removal of 148 duplicates, 16 articles met an acceptable level of relevance. These were read in full text, whereof 12 articles were excluded, due to different intervention, outcome, or study design than stated in the review protocol. One study remained with moderate risk of bias and three were excluded due to high risk of bias.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review could not determine the effect of smoking cessation pre to oral surgical procedures, in smokers. This indicates lack of knowledge in the effects of smoking cessation. We also conclude a lack of knowledge in how to design smoking cessation in the most effective way.
Topics: Humans; Smoking Cessation; Smoking; Smokers; Postoperative Complications; Oral Surgical Procedures
PubMed: 38360627
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-03989-1