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Journal of the American Dental... Dec 2022The goal of the study was to identify secular trends in dental service delivery between dental therapists and dentists in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region of Southwest...
BACKGROUND
The goal of the study was to identify secular trends in dental service delivery between dental therapists and dentists in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region of Southwest Alaska, the first area of the United States to authorize dental therapy practice.
METHODS
Electronic health record transactions from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation from 2006 through 2015 (n = 27,459) were analyzed. Five types of dental services were identified using Current Dental Terminology procedure codes: diagnostic, preventive, restorative, endodontic, and oral surgery. Main outcomes were percentages of services provided by dental therapists compared with dentists and population-level preventive oral health care.
RESULTS
The overall number of diagnostic, preventive, and restorative services in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta increased. For diagnostic services, there was a 3.5% annual decrease observed for dentists and a 4.1% annual increase for dental therapists (P < .001). Similar trends were observed for restorative services. For preventive services, there was no change for dentists (P = .89) and a 4.8% annual increase for dental therapists (P < .001). Dental therapists were more likely than dentists to provide preventive care at the population level.
CONCLUSIONS
Dental therapists have made substantial contributions to the delivery of dental services in Alaska Native communities, particularly for population-based preventive care.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
The study's findings indicate that there is a role for dental therapy practice in addressing poor access to oral health care in underserved communities.
Topics: United States; Humans; Alaska; Dental Care; Dental Auxiliaries; Oral Health; Dentists; Health Services Accessibility
PubMed: 36241553
DOI: 10.1016/j.adaj.2022.08.012 -
Voprosy Kurortologii, Fizioterapii, I... 2021Over the past decades, a small yet convincing evidence base has accumulated that demonstrates the effectiveness of dental care for patients in health-resort (HR)... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Over the past decades, a small yet convincing evidence base has accumulated that demonstrates the effectiveness of dental care for patients in health-resort (HR) settings. In addition to a positive local effect, complex HR care increases nonspecific resistance and promotes desensitization.
OBJECTIVE OF THE REVIEW
Addressing the HR rehabilitation in patients with various maxillofacial diseases for further consideration of the possibility of the increased use of HR care in dental practice.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Russian and English-language publications were analyzed without specifying the search timeframe. The search keywords were the following: «health-resort care», «balneotherapy», «peloid therapy», «physiotherapy», «magnet therapy», «laser therapy» in combination with «dental diseases», «maxillofacial diseases», «periodontal diseases», «temporomandibular joint diseases», «postoperative rehabilitation» «balneotherapy», «mud therapy», «peloid therapy», «spa therapy», «physiotherapy». A total of 21 articles were analyzed, including 10 related to periodontal disease, 5 to temporomandibular joint pathology, and 6 to rehabilitation in the postoperative period. Seventeen original studies (3855 patients) were selected, including 47.62% with evidence level C, due to lack of information on comparison group or randomization.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Available data from clinical studies suggest the effectiveness of natural and physiotherapeutic factors in the medical rehabilitation of patients with various dental diseases. Further randomized clinical trials and the development of clinical guidelines for various techniques in dental diseases are warranted.
Topics: Balneology; Dental Care; Health Resorts; Humans; Low-Level Light Therapy; Mud Therapy
PubMed: 34719912
DOI: 10.17116/kurort20219805180 -
Special Care in Dentistry : Official... Mar 2022Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome is a polymalformative chromosomal disorder caused by a deletion in the distal region of the short arm of chromosome 4. The disease is considered... (Review)
Review
Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome is a polymalformative chromosomal disorder caused by a deletion in the distal region of the short arm of chromosome 4. The disease is considered rare (1/50,000 births) and predominantly affects females (2:1). In addition to the characteristic facial phenotype ("Greek warrior helmet"), its clinical manifestations include epilepsy, developmental and psychomotor delay, intellectual disability, cardiac and respiratory complications, and eating problems. The most prevalent oral manifestations are hypodontia, delayed tooth eruption, morphological dental abnormalities, dental malocclusions, cleft lip/palate and ogival palate. Based on our clinical experience, Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome does not represent an absolute contraindication for any type of dental procedure. The feasibility of dental treatment will depend mainly on the degree of epilepsy control and on the level of collaboration, this latter conditioned by the severity of the intellectual disability and communication difficulties.
Topics: Cleft Lip; Cleft Palate; Dental Care; Female; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome
PubMed: 34538003
DOI: 10.1111/scd.12644 -
British Dental Journal Sep 2021Multiple sclerosis affects approximately 130,000 people in the UK. Due to the wide variation in the symptoms associated with this condition and their variable severity,... (Review)
Review
Multiple sclerosis affects approximately 130,000 people in the UK. Due to the wide variation in the symptoms associated with this condition and their variable severity, the provision of dental care for affected patients must be determined by an individual's specific needs. This will often vary significantly over time. This paper reviews the aetiology, presentation and current management of multiple sclerosis, and explores the impact of these on oral health and the provision of dental care.
Topics: Dental Care; Humans; Multiple Sclerosis; Oral Health
PubMed: 34508197
DOI: 10.1038/s41415-021-3333-0 -
The Journal of Emergency Medicine Oct 2020Cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema can occur rarely after a dental procedure, especially tooth extraction, and can be misdiagnosed as an allergic reaction or... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema can occur rarely after a dental procedure, especially tooth extraction, and can be misdiagnosed as an allergic reaction or post-procedure swelling.
CASE REPORT
We report a rare case of a 29-year-old man who developed extensive cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema after a dental hygiene procedure. A review of the relevant literature is presented in our report. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Early identification and management of this potentially life-threatening condition is particularly important and can prevent serious complications, leading to improved patient outcomes.
Topics: Adult; Dental Care; Edema; Humans; Male; Mediastinal Emphysema; Neck; Subcutaneous Emphysema; Tooth Extraction
PubMed: 32694012
DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2020.06.021 -
Journal of the American Dental... Jul 2020
Topics: Blood Pressure; Dental Care; Humans
PubMed: 32593348
DOI: 10.1016/j.adaj.2020.05.012 -
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor... Oct 2019On the basis of the arguments found in the literature for and against prescribing antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures in immunecompromised patients, dental care... (Review)
Review
On the basis of the arguments found in the literature for and against prescribing antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures in immunecompromised patients, dental care providers are advised not to prescribe antibiotic prophylaxis to this group of patients when they undergo dental treatment, unless it concerns an exceptional case. Such cases comprise immune-compromised patients considered to have a high risk of developing systemic infections when undergoing invasive dental procedures, including extractions or implant placement. These are patients with, for example, severe neutropenia, patients with a primary immune deficiency, or patients who use high doses of immunosuppressants or very strong immunosuppressants. There is little evidence in the literature about the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for this specific group of patients. Such evidence is, however, also difficult to obtain because it concerns a small group of patients.
Topics: Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Dental Care; Humans; Immunocompromised Host
PubMed: 31613281
DOI: 10.5177/ntvt.2019.10.19065 -
Dental Clinics of North America Oct 2019This article explores psychosocial barriers to dental care and implications for caries management. At-risk populations experience an increased potential for stressors... (Review)
Review
This article explores psychosocial barriers to dental care and implications for caries management. At-risk populations experience an increased potential for stressors and obstacles that interrupt oral health care and lessen the potential for these groups to pursue dental treatment. These impediments may include financial restrictions, lack of reliable transportation, or inappropriate informed consent. Involving a social worker in dental caries management can help patients to overcome the barriers that hinder oral health care. An increased awareness of these barriers, along with the resources that are available, may help dental providers to better reach their patients and manage dental caries.
Topics: Dental Care; Dental Caries; Humans; Oral Health; Social Workers
PubMed: 31470920
DOI: 10.1016/j.cden.2019.05.003 -
BMC Health Services Research Dec 2022Dental diseases have detrimental effects on healthcare systems and societies at large. Providing access to dental care can arguably improve health outcomes, reduce... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Dental diseases have detrimental effects on healthcare systems and societies at large. Providing access to dental care can arguably improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare utilization costs, and improve several societal outcomes.
OBJECTIVES
Our objective was to review the literature to assess the impacts of dental care programs on healthcare and societal outcomes. Specifically, to identify the nature of such programs, including the type of services delivered, who was targeted, where services were delivered, and how access to dental care was enabled. Also, what kind of societal and healthcare outcomes have been attempted to be addressed through these programs were identified.
METHODS
We conducted a scoping review by searching four databases, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Sociological Abstracts. Relevant articles published in English language from January 2000 to February 2022 were screened by four reviewers to determine eligibility for inclusion.
RESULTS
The search resulted in 29,468 original articles, of which 25 were included in the data synthesis. We found minimal evidence that answers our proposed research question. The majority of identified programs have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing medical and dental healthcare utilization (especially for non-preventive services) and avert more invasive treatments, and to a lesser degree, resulting in cost-savings. Moreover, some promising but limited evidence about program impacts on societal outcomes such as reducing homelessness and improving employability was reported.
CONCLUSION
Despite the well-known societal and economic consequences of dental problem, there is a paucity of studies that address the impacts of dental care programs from the societal and healthcare system perspectives.
MESH TERMS
Delivery of Health Care, Dental Care, Outcome assessment, Patient acceptance of Health Care.
Topics: Humans; Delivery of Health Care; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Dental Care
PubMed: 36564768
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08951-x -
British Dental Journal Dec 2021The first Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future (ACFF)/King's College London Dental Policy Lab, held in 2017, identified the need for a review of dental payment systems in... (Review)
Review
The first Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future (ACFF)/King's College London Dental Policy Lab, held in 2017, identified the need for a review of dental payment systems in order to see progress towards achieving improvements in caries and cavities. The lack of incentivisation for preventive intervention and care has long been a barrier to progress. The second Dental Policy Lab, held in July 2018, focused on this issue with the overarching question: 'How can we create and implement acceptable prevention-based dental payment systems to achieve and maintain health outcomes?' Using a design approach and participatory research, 29 participants from five stakeholder categories developed a blueprint report that aims to serve as a framework to adapt or create remuneration systems that are compatible with evidence-based dentistry with a focus on preventive care. Aimed at policymakers and policy entrepreneurs, this blueprint provides guidance and potential solutions using several international examples. The report and accompanying infographic explored in this paper have been well received and have helped to frame discussions in several country settings, with a direct implementation which is being trialled in France in 2021.
Topics: Dental Care; Dental Caries; Evidence-Based Dentistry; France; Health Policy; Humans; London
PubMed: 34921273
DOI: 10.1038/s41415-021-3725-1