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International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024A scoping review was conducted to synthesize available evidence of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental practitioners in providing care to children in... (Review)
Review
A scoping review was conducted to synthesize available evidence of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental practitioners in providing care to children in out-of-home care (OOHC). Scientific databases and the grey literature were searched: 855 studies were screened after removing duplicates; 800 studies were excluded based on the title and/or abstract, and the full text of 55 studies was reviewed, with 7 included in the analysis. These included three peer-reviewed articles regarding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental practitioners in providing care to children in OOHC, as well as four guidelines. Dental practitioners had some knowledge of the high health care needs of OOHC children, but knowledge regarding when children entering care received dental assessment and about OOHC dental care pathways was low. Practices of dental practitioners were varied, most gave oral hygiene instructions, but there was inconsistency in practices regarding continuity of care following placement changes and failure to attend policies. There was more consensus with dental practitioner attitudes, with practitioners in private settings seeming to prefer not to treat children in OOHC. Three of the identified guidelines provided logistical information about OOHC and consent. The final guideline gave practical information on treating children with a background of adverse childhood events (ACEs), including children in OOHC. Further research and education is warranted to aid dental practitioners in providing care to children in OOHC.
Topics: Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Child; Dentists; Dental Care for Children; Attitude of Health Personnel
PubMed: 38929048
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060802 -
PloS One 2023Constructing and validating a theoretical model of relationships between dental services use and socioeconomic characteristics, oral health status, primary care...
OBJECTIVES
Constructing and validating a theoretical model of relationships between dental services use and socioeconomic characteristics, oral health status, primary care coverage, and public dental services.
METHODS
The first stage of the study consisted of developing a theoretical-conceptual model to demonstrate the expected relationships between variables based on the literature. In the second stage, we tested the proposed theoretical model using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique, using data from the Brazilian National Health Survey conducted in 2019 with a sample of 41,664 individuals aged 15 or older.
RESULTS
This study successfully defined a theoretical model that explains the systematic relationships involving public dental services utilization. Socioeconomic status was negatively associated with oral health status (β = -0.376), enrollment in primary care facilities (β = -0.254), and the use of public dental consultations (β = -0.251). Being black, indigenous, or living in a rural area was directly associated with lower socioeconomic status and greater use of public dental services.
CONCLUSIONS
The identified relationships, establishing a theoretical basis for further investigations, also provide evidence of a public access policy's effect on oral health services on equity, supporting the construction of more effective and equitable public policies.
Topics: Humans; Black People; Brazil; Dental Care; Facilities and Services Utilization; Health Surveys; Models, Theoretical; Socioeconomic Factors
PubMed: 37656715
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290992 -
International Journal of Paediatric... Sep 2023Turkey is hosting the world's largest immigrant population under temporary and international protection. Due to the social inequalities contributing to early childhood...
BACKGROUND
Turkey is hosting the world's largest immigrant population under temporary and international protection. Due to the social inequalities contributing to early childhood dental caries, the effectiveness of dental care service for immigrant children should be evaluated.
AIM
To evaluate the accessibility of immigrant and refugee children residing in four different regions of Turkey to oral health products and dental treatment services.
DESIGN
A questionnaire consisting of 21 questions was administered: The first six questions elicited demographic data, and the remaining 15 questions asked about oral health habits, access to oral hygiene materials, and dental treatment services. Participants included the parents of 430 children under the age of 18, who were registered with migrant associations in the regions where they lived (Istanbul, Samsun, Hatay, or Ankara).
RESULTS
The majority of the participants were from Syria and Iraq. Of the participants, 42.1% reported that their children's oral hygiene habits had changed negatively after they migrated, 71.9% reported that they had not been to the dentist in the last year, and 82.8% reported that they had not been to the dentist for more than 12 months. Access to oral and dental hygiene products was not difficult for 68.4%. About 62.6%, however, reported that they had difficulty accessing dental treatment.
CONCLUSION
The findings showed that this disadvantaged group had difficulty accessing dental treatment. Therefore, there is a need for national and international health strategies to ensure that immigrant and refugee children have effective access to dental treatment.
Topics: Humans; Child; Child, Preschool; Dental Caries; Refugees; Turkey; Emigrants and Immigrants; Oral Health; Dental Care; Health Services Accessibility
PubMed: 36529532
DOI: 10.1111/ipd.13043 -
Clinical Transplantation Nov 2023Solid organ transplant provides a lifeline for people with end stage organ failure. Each year the number of individuals in receipt of a solid organ transplant is...
BACKGROUND
Solid organ transplant provides a lifeline for people with end stage organ failure. Each year the number of individuals in receipt of a solid organ transplant is increasing. Prevention of post-transplant sepsis and infection are critical for transplant success. The oral cavity contains more than 700 different species of bacteria and is a potential reservoir for disease causing pathogens. Prior to undergoing solid organ transplant, individuals must receive a certification of dental health from a dental practitioner. There are currently no guidelines or protocols for dental practitioners to follow when certifying a patient as dentally fit. This allows for a wide variation of the term 'dentally fit'. This survey was conducted as part of a larger study assessing the oral health of adults with cystic fibrosis ongoing in Cork University Dental School and Hospital. The aim of the study was to ascertain current practices and attitudes of dental practitioners regarding the provision of dental treatment pre and post solid organ transplantation.
METHODS
An anonymous cross sectional survey of dental practitioners in Ireland was conducted.
RESULTS
The data collected showed a wide variation in the provision of treatment for patient undergoing or in receipt of a solid organ transplant.
CONCLUSION
It demonstrates a need for further research to be conducted to ascertain the full impact solid organ transplant has on oral health, so that guidelines can be developed to aid both dental and medical professionals in the treatment of this vulnerable cohort.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Dentists; Cross-Sectional Studies; Professional Role; Organ Transplantation; Dental Care
PubMed: 37555329
DOI: 10.1111/ctr.15086 -
European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Sep 2023The aim of this scoping review is to assess the application of new 3D printed polymeric materials in orthodontics, including polyamide-12 (PA-12) and Shape Memory... (Review)
Review
AIM
The aim of this scoping review is to assess the application of new 3D printed polymeric materials in orthodontics, including polyamide-12 (PA-12) and Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs).
METHODS
A search for articles published until January 2023 was carried out using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, Lilacs, Opengrey, Embase and Cochrane Library databases and by applying the search terms (orthodontic* OR paediatric* OR paedodontic*) AND ("3D printed" OR "three-dimensional printed") AND (polymer* OR material* OR resin* OR technopolymer*). Additional records were also screened through hand or electronic search. No restriction in terms of language or publication period was applied.
CONCLUSION
Due to their mechanical, aesthetic and biocompatibility characteristics, PA12 and SMPs can be used in orthodontic practice. However, additional studies should be performed to evaluate the clinical efficiency of these recent materials.
Topics: Humans; Child; Orthodontics; Dental Care; Polymers
PubMed: 37668459
DOI: 10.23804/ejpd.2023.1921 -
Journal of Public Health Management and...To describe the patterns of specific dental service utilization among the various sociodemographic groups in North Carolina served by the East Carolina University School...
OBJECTIVE
To describe the patterns of specific dental service utilization among the various sociodemographic groups in North Carolina served by the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine (ECU SoDM).
DESIGN
This was a descriptive study utilizing self-reported patients' sociodemographic information, payment method history, and CDT codes of procedures performed. Deidentified clinical data recorded for 26 710 patients and 534 983 procedures from 2011 to 2020 were extracted from a centralized axiUm database. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 25.0. Cross-tabulations between dental service utilizations, patients' demographics, and payment method were performed using chi-square analysis.
SETTING
Nine dental clinic sites across the state of North Carolina.
PARTICIPANTS
In total, 26 710 adults 23 years to older than 65 years were included in the sample for this study.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
In total, 534 983 procedure codes completed for the eligible patients were cross-tabulated with payment method.
RESULTS
Payment method was significantly related to individual characteristics including location of service, age, race, ethnicity, and untreated decay ( P < .001). Payment method is associated with the dental service type utilized by an individual ( P < .001). Patients who received Medicaid benefits were more likely to receive restorative procedures, removable prosthetics, or oral surgery. Despite NC Medicaid covering preventive procedures, patients who received Medicaid benefits showed lower utilization of preventive procedures than expected. Privately insured or self-paying individuals demonstrated a greater variety of service option utilization, as well as more frequent usage of more specialized procedure options such as endodontics, periodontics, fixed prosthodontics, and implants.
CONCLUSIONS
Payment method was found to be related to patients' demographics and type of dental service utilized. Adults older than 65 years demonstrated a higher proportion of self-payment for dental care, indicating a lack of payment options for this population. In the interest of providing care for underserved populations in North Carolina, policy makers should consider expanding dental coverage for adults older than 65 years.
Topics: Adult; United States; Humans; North Carolina; Self Report; Universities; Dental Care; Medicaid; Demography
PubMed: 37290126
DOI: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000001774 -
Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research Dec 2023Despite technological advances, challenges exist in US dental care, including variations in quality of care, access and untreated dental needs. The implementation of...
Despite technological advances, challenges exist in US dental care, including variations in quality of care, access and untreated dental needs. The implementation of learning health systems (LHSs) in dentistry can help to address these challenges. LHSs use robust informatics infrastructure including data and technology to continuously measure and improve the quality and safety of care and can help to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. The use of EHRs and standardized diagnostic terminologies are highlighted, as they allow for the storage and sharing of patient data, providing a comprehensive view of a patient's medical and dental history, and can be used to identify patterns and trends to improve the delivery of care. The BigMouth Dental Data Repository is an example of an informatic platform that aggregates patient data from multiple institutions and is being used to for scientific inquiry to improve oral health.
Topics: Humans; Informatics; Oral Health; Dental Care
PubMed: 36919982
DOI: 10.1111/ocr.12655 -
International Journal of Circumpolar... Dec 2023Even though China Antarctic medical care has made huge progress, dental care has always been a neglected area. Dental health is well-known to be closely related with...
Even though China Antarctic medical care has made huge progress, dental care has always been a neglected area. Dental health is well-known to be closely related with life quality and work efficiency. Hence, knowing the dental care situation there and providing ways to improve are urgently needed. We choose doctors who worked in China Antarctic station as a window to see the whole picture by sending questionnaire. The results showed dental visits ranked second high, the ratio of doctors who got pre-departure dental knowledge education and screen is low. What is worse, none of them got any after-departure dental check. Their dental knowledge is not as good as we expect, and they were troubled by dental problems in Antarctic. Interestingly, most dental problems were treated by non-dentist with no essential equipment, but 2/3 of them were satisfied with the outcome. As for the dental-related diet and behaviour, snacks eating and alcohol drinking are the strongest predictors of dental pain and gum problem. Those findings are crucial to Antarctic dental care and research.
Topics: Humans; Antarctic Regions; Alcohol Drinking; China; Medical Staff; Dental Care
PubMed: 36871248
DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2023.2179453 -
British Dental Journal Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Patient-Centered Care; Dentistry; United Kingdom; Dental Care
PubMed: 38877258
DOI: 10.1038/s41415-024-7533-2 -
Evidence-based Dentistry Mar 2024The search strategy involved three sequential stages. Initially, MEDLINE/PubMed was explored for relevant articles, identifying pertinent terms for formal searching.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
DATA SOURCES
The search strategy involved three sequential stages. Initially, MEDLINE/PubMed was explored for relevant articles, identifying pertinent terms for formal searching. Using the terms ethnic, race, minoritised and dental caries, a strategy was formed and nine databases searched. Finally, hand-searching of reference lists of included articles and sourcing grey literature from relevant government reports, national oral health surveys, and registries which had comparative data for dental caries between racial groups, completed the search.
STUDY SELECTION
Studies included were original primary research which reported dental caries and compared racially minoritised children, aged 5-11 years, to similarly aged from national, majority, or privileged populations. Dental caries had to be recorded from a clinical examination which assessed decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) in primary dentitions. Studies were excluded if they used immigration status as a basis of racial status, or they were a case report, case series, in vitro study, or literature review.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
After removing duplicates, two independent researchers screened abstracts, prior to extracting critical data following full-text reviews of included articles. Information collected included study and participant characteristics, definitions of race, and dental caries measurement. The authors of studies which had missing data were contacted, whilst those not written in the English language were translated. Methodological quality of each study was independently assessed by two reviewers using a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. All studies were included in the review regardless of quality. A narrative overview of all included studies was conducted. Meta-analyses were completed using studies that reported the mean and standard deviation of the caries outcomes in both groups. Caries outcomes included severity (defined as mean dmft) or prevalence (percentage of teeth with untreated dental caries > 0%). Due to anticipated heterogeneity, statistical analyses approaches such as I statistics were used to estimate between-study variability. Additional sub-group analyses were conducted based on country of study and world income index. Contour-enhanced funnel plots and trim-and-fill analysis were completed to explore potential publication bias. Sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure robustness of the findings.
RESULTS
Seventy-five studies were included from a variety of countries. A higher mean dmft score of 2.30 (0.45, 4.15) and prevalence of decayed teeth (d > 0) was 23% (95% CI: 16, 31) was noted amongst racially minoritised children compared to privileged children's populations. Notable disparities were reported in high-income countries, with minoritised children burdening the greatest distribution of caries incidence. The study faced challenges in consistent racial classification and encountered high heterogeneity in its findings, leading to varied GRADE assessment scores.
CONCLUSIONS
The study calls for global, social, and political changes to tackle the substantial disparities in dental caries among minoritised children to achieve oral health equity.
Topics: Child; Humans; Data Collection; Data Management; Dental Care; Dental Caries; Dental Health Surveys; Child, Preschool
PubMed: 38279035
DOI: 10.1038/s41432-024-00977-w