OBJECTIVES:To examine preventive oral health workforce visibility as a prerequisite for health-system planning, governance and accountability, using Spain as an illustrative case within a broader international perspective. METHODS:This Editorial synthesises current WHO workforce-monitoring frameworks, recent literature on preventive oral health workforce planning and previously reported Spanish administrative workforce data. No new dataset was generated or analysed. RESULTS:Workforce visibility should be distinguished from workforce sufficiency, service implementation and health outcomes. The relevant preventive workforce may include dental hygienists, dental therapists, oral health therapists and other locally recognised cadres. In Spain, 1207 publicly employed dental hygienists were previously identified, without representing the total practising workforce. A minimum monitoring set should include headcount and full-time-equivalent supply, population-adjusted density, geographical distribution, employment and contracting model, scope and activity, and integration into preventive programmes. CONCLUSIONS:Standardised monitoring aligned with the WHO National Health Workforce Accounts can strengthen assessment of health-system readiness while preserving the distinction between workforce measurement, service delivery and health outcomes.
AIM:Compared to the standard recommended brushing duration of 2 min, what is the effect of a 3 min on dental plaque scores, based on data from single toothbrushing exercises? PROSPERO:CRD42023445354. METHODS:MEDLINE-PubMed, Cochrane-CENTRAL and Embase databases were searched up to May 2025 to identify eligible studies. Extracted data were summarised in a descriptive and, if possible, a meta-analysis using difference of means (DiffM) or standardised mean difference (SMD) as outcome measures. The methodological quality of the included studies was scored using the RoB 2. Separate analyses were performed to evaluate participants' toothbrushing (PART) and professional toothbrushing (PROF), considering both manual (MTB) and powered (PTB) toothbrushes as distinct groups for subsequent comparisons. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. RESULTS:Based on the selection criteria, the search identified 6 unique eligible publications providing 20 comparisons. The meta-analysis revealed statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) for PART-MTB at the end scores, and for PROF-PTB at end scores in favour of 3 min brushing. CONCLUSION:Based on the descriptive and meta-analyses as found in single brushing experiments there is, with moderate certainty, a very small to no difference in plaque removal, as measured in dental plaque reduction scores in favour of 3 min brushing rather than 2 min. Given the small effect size of the difference, the clinical relevance was estimated as negligible.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effectiveness of dyclonine hydrochloride mucilage (DYC) in controlling pain during guided biofilm therapy (GBT) and its potential to improve patient comfort and adherence to regular supportive periodontal treatment. METHODS:Patients aged 18-65 years undergoing GBT were enrolled in this randomised, double-blind, split-mouth placebo-controlled study. The left and right sides of the mouth were randomly assigned to the control or experimental group using a coin toss. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale was completed before the procedure. In the control group, cotton balls soaked in a 1:1 mixture of normal saline and 3% hydrogen peroxide were applied to the mucosa and gingiva for 1 min before supragingival scaling, air polishing, and periodontal probing. In the experimental group, patients rinsed with DYC for 3 min before undergoing the same procedures. After treatment, patients completed a numeric rating scale to assess pain. Neither the patients nor the operator was aware of the treatment allocation. Non-parametric tests and generalised linear models were used to analyse changes in pain scores and factors associated with the anaesthetic effect. RESULTS:Pain scores during GBT were significantly reduced with DYC. The median (interquartile range) changes in pain scores were: supragingival scaling, 1.0 (0.0-1.0); air polishing, 1.0 (0.0-1.0); and periodontal probing, 0.0 (0.0-1.0). Patients with dental anxiety experienced more reductions in pain scores than those without. The ratio of patients willing to use anaesthetics to those unwilling was 2:1. CONCLUSION:DYC effectively reduces pain during GBT, with a more pronounced effect in patients with dental anxiety. DYC may represent a promising option for pain control during GBT.
PROBLEM/QUESTION:The University of British Columbia's (UBC) Dental Hygiene Degree Program (DHDP) conducted an extensive program renewal process starting in 2017. Two UBC studies and other studies in health literature highlighted the importance of integrating entrepreneurship into dental hygiene education. What entrepreneurial knowledge and abilities are essential for the graduates of a 4-year dental hygiene baccalaureate program to support access to oral health care? METHOD:This study involved a participatory action research design. Through a purposeful sampling approach, 6 faculty members and 4 senior students volunteered to develop curriculum around entrepreneurship. This included an iterative process involving 6 focus group sessions facilitated by a contracted consultant. The analysis of textual data was based on grounded theory methodology, with the consultant involved in the initial coding and recoding. This was followed by feedback loops to the author group (n = 4) and all focus group members (n = 1). RESULTS:The Entrepreneurship Focus Group (EFG) members co-created a Social Intra/Entrepreneurship domain with its associated sub-competencies (n = 13) and sample learning activities (n = 13). A 'challenge-based' assessment was developed to align with the domain competencies. CONCLUSION:During the 2021-2022 academic year, the EFG developed a Social Intra/Entrepreneurship curriculum for baccalaureate dental hygiene students. This marks an important step towards incorporating entrepreneurship within dental hygiene education. The findings of this study are fundamental in preparing graduates to assume more impactful and diverse roles in innovative and creative healthcare reform.
OBJECTIVES:This scoping review aims to assess the current smoking cessation services provided by dental auxiliaries, the populations they serve and the barriers and facilitators they encounter in delivering these services. Additionally, it aims to inform evidence-based recommendations for delivering brief smoking cessation interventions by dental auxiliaries in primary healthcare settings. METHODS:Following the JBI scoping review methodology and the PRISMA-ScR checklist, we searched primary research, reviews and grey literature without restrictions on location, publication date, or language. Searches were conducted across five databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO) and supplemented by an internet search for the grey literature. Two independent reviewers screened records for relevance, extracted data and categorised findings into tables. RESULTS:The initial search yielded 668 references, of which 141 were duplicates and 469 were excluded during the title and abstract screening stage. Fifty-eight studies underwent full-text assessment, and 15 were included in the review. The updated search identified 54 additional records. After the removal of three duplicates, 51 were screened, and all were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Findings reveal that dental auxiliaries play an important role in smoking cessation within primary healthcare settings. The included intervention studies reported improvements in quit attempts, smoking reduction, abstinence rates and adherence to smoking cessation guidelines, particularly for interventions based on the 5A's model. Organisational support, training and access to smoking cessation resources facilitated intervention implementation. However, time constraints, inadequate reimbursement and patient-related barriers' attitudes remained the most reported barriers. CONCLUSION:This review highlights the critical role of dental auxiliaries in smoking cessation efforts and provides insights for developing targeted interventions. By addressing identified barriers and facilitators, interventions can be enhanced to support smoking cessation in primary dental care.
INTRODUCTION:Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common but preventable complication in mechanically ventilated adults. Nurse-delivered oral care is central to VAP prevention; however, the comparative effectiveness of distinct oral care intervention strategies remains unclear. The aim of this review was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of multiple oral care approaches- including herbal, natural agents, chlorhexidine (CHX)-based protocols, ozonated water and oral care bundles-in reducing VAP incidence among adult patients in the ICU. METHODS:This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Seven databases were searched for studies published between January 2015 and June 2025. Title and abstract screening were independently reviewed by two reviewers, while conflicts were resolved by the third reviewer. After the full-text review, 11 articles that met the inclusion criteria were extracted. Methodological quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) tool. Due to the heterogeneity of interventions, findings were synthesised narratively and grouped according to the primary intervention strategy evaluated in each study. RESULTS:Three dominant themes emerged from the 11 reviewed articles. These were: Alternative mouthwashes compared with CHX for their effects on VAP incidence in the ICU, CHX concentration and timing, and their comparison with VAP control and oral care protocols, as well as mechanical interventions for VAP management. The evaluated interventions included herbal and natural agents (propolis, clove extract and Zataria multiflora), CHX-based protocols, multidisciplinary oral care bundles, and ozonated water. Several herbal and natural agents showed promising reductions in VAP incidence compared with CHX in individual studies. Higher-concentration CHX formulations and structured oral care protocols were generally associated with lower VAP incidence and improved oral health outcomes compared with routine oral care. Ozonated water also demonstrated potential antimicrobial benefits; however, current evidence remains limited by small sample sizes and methodological variability. CONCLUSION:Nurse-delivered oral care is an important component of VAP management in mechanically ventilated adult patients in ICU. Current evidence supports the use of structured and standardised oral care protocols within multidisciplinary ICU practice. Herbal agents and ozonated water demonstrate promising findings; however, further high-quality studies are needed before these interventions can be routinely recommended in clinical practice.
OBJECTIVES:This pilot study compared the effects of herbal mouthwash and 0.2% Chlorhexidine mouthwash on salivary uric acid, a primary endogenous salivary antioxidant biomarker, along with plaque index and gingival index. To the best of our knowledge, very few in vivo studies have examined the association between Chlorhexidine use and salivary antioxidant marker changes, highlighting the exploratory nature of the present study. METHODS:This double blinded clinical trial was performed over a period of 10 days on 28 participants with mild to moderate gingivitis. They were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 14 each). Group A received herbal mouthwash and Group B received 0.2% Chlorhexidine mouthwash. Unstimulated saliva was collected at baseline and after 10 days of mouthwash use for the estimation of salivary uric acid levels. Plaque and gingival conditions were assessed using the Silness and Loe plaque index, Loe and Silness gingival index respectively. RESULTS:A significant increase in salivary uric acid levels was observed in both groups following the use of mouthwash for 10 days (p < 0.001). However, the variation in uric acid changes between two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.414). Both mouthwashes demonstrated similar effectiveness in reducing plaque and gingival inflammation, with no statistically significant differences observed between the groups. CONCLUSION:The findings suggest a potential association between the use of herbal and Chlorhexidine mouthwashes and changes in salivary uric acid levels, which reflect improved oxidative balance in the oral cavity, along with improvements in clinical oral parameters. This supports further exploration of their clinical relevance in managing oxidative stress-related oral conditions. TRIAL REGISTRATION:Clinical Trials Registry-India: CTRI/2025/01/079176.
OBJECTIVES:This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of dental hygiene research from 1980 to 2024, evaluating publication trends, prolific authors, influential journals and emerging research themes. METHODS:Data were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection using the keyword 'dental hygien*' up to December 26, 2024. A total of 3,055 records were screened, of which 2,315 met the inclusion criteria. Bibliometric indicators, including publication trends, global collaborations, citation analysis, author productivity, journal impact and keyword co-occurrence were analyzed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software. RESULTS:The analysis identified publication trends, citation counts and keywords with the strongest citation bursts in dental hygiene research from 1980 to 2024, showing a significant increase in research output since the 2000s. This was followed by an analysis of the distribution of countries and organizations, along with an examination of global and institutional collaboration networks. Additionally, the global distribution of journals and authors was analyzed, and their collaborative networks were explored. Citation analysis of authors, references and journals highlighted influential contributors and key works in the field. Finally, keyword analysis revealed five primary research clusters: Education, Prevention, Occupational health, Public health and Oral health in the elderly. Emerging trends suggest growing interest in public health interventions, technology-mediated care and interdisciplinary approaches to oral health. CONCLUSIONS:Dental hygiene research has evolved significantly, emphasizing its growing importance in healthcare. Key contributors, influential journals and global collaborations have played a pivotal role in advancing the field. This bibliometric analysis offers meaningful insights into the trends, key contributors and emerging areas of dental hygiene research. The findings from this analysis can serve as a valuable resource for researchers seeking advanced knowledge and applications in the field of dental hygiene.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on paediatric dental term recognition and vocabulary knowledge among low-income caregivers of young children. METHODS:A randomized two-group pretest-posttest trial was used to analyze the impact of an educational intervention on caregivers' word recognition and vocabulary knowledge of paediatric dental terms. The study included 60 pregnant women and caregivers with children enrolled in a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in the Southeastern United States. Both groups received an educational pamphlet on children's oral health. The experimental group also received an educational video with common paediatric dental terms (e.g., fluoride, decay). The validated Oral Health Literacy Inventory for Parents (OH-LIP) measured word recognition and vocabulary knowledge for 36 paediatric dental terms. Scoring of the inventory was completed by two researchers. RESULTS:Baseline OH-LIP scores for Part I (word recognition) were high in both groups, with a median (IQR) of 95.83 (11.11). In contrast, baseline OH-LIP scores for Part II (vocabulary knowledge) were low to moderate, with a mean (SD) of 39.24 (14.06). In regression analysis, there was no evidence that the intervention significantly improved knowledge scores before (p = 0.62) or after (p = 0.33) adjusting for baseline characteristics. Baseline vocabulary knowledge scores were the strongest predictor of post-intervention scores (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:OH-LIP Part I and II scores changed modestly, but there was no statistically significant difference between groups post-intervention among low-income pregnant women and caregivers. These findings highlight the need for developing and testing different modalities, such as one-to-one education or in-person group education, to improve OHL.
OBJECTIVES:To evaluate patients' perceptions of colour change induced by tooth whitening over 1 year. MATERIAL AND METHODS:This study included 50 participants aged 19-28. In 24 patients, teeth were whitened with photoactivated gel, whereas in 26 patients, a placebo gel with peppermint oil was applied to simulate burning. Colour changes were monitored spectrophotometrically. Patients reported procedural pain and psychosocial impact using the Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES) and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP). Personality characteristics were assessed. RESULTS:Short-term (one week) colour change was significantly greater in the active group than in the placebo group (effect estimate 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-2.8; p < 0.001), but this difference decreased in the long term (one year) due to relapse in the active group. Higher pain was reported in the active group than in the placebo group (p = 0.013). Teeth whitening significantly increased satisfaction with orofacial aesthetics (OES) in both groups in the short term (p < 0.001). Long-term satisfaction decreased in the active group, but not in the placebo group. Satisfaction in both groups was higher in the long term than before the intervention. The intervention reduced the OHIP domain scores in both groups in the short term; however, no major changes were observed in the long term. The intensity of short term colour changes in the correlated with the intensity of the change in psychosocial impact (r = -0.304; p = 0.032). A greater long-term colour change was associated with reduced psychosocial impact among introverted participants (p = 0.043). CONCLUSION:Both tooth whitening and placebo appeared to confer psychosocial benefits, possibly due to colour changes, expectancy effects, and temporary satisfaction. TRIAL REGISTRATION:This clinical trial was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier NCT03380702) on 21 December 2017. The trial protocol and statistical analysis plan are available through the ClinicalTrials.gov registry. Individual de-identified participant data (including the data dictionary), statistical code and other study materials are available from the institutional repository https://repository.fdmri.uniri.hr/.
OBJECTIVES:To investigate the efficacy of air-polishing in managing biofilm formation in patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliances. METHODS:This pilot study was designed as a single-blind split-mouth randomised controlled study. Twenty patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment were enrolled. Each patient received monthly air-polishing with an erythritol-based powder via the Airflow Handy 3.0 plus handpiece (EMS, Switzerland) in two quadrants for five months, and the other two quadrants received the traditional oral hygiene instruction (OHI) toothbrushing as the control. The allocation was based on computer-generated random sequencing using balanced block randomisation. The gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), enamel loss assessed by quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF), and white-spot lesion area were measured and analysed. RESULTS:The air-polishing resulted in a two-fold greater immediate reduction in PI scores (p < 0.001) than traditional OHI toothbrushing for all time points in the trial. However, when compared with traditional OHI, the air-polishing did not show a significant difference in GI and PI scores (time × intervention interaction F = 0.2; p = 0.943). After five months, changes in QLF (p = 0.089) and white-spot lesion size (p = 0.311) did not differ significantly between the two groups either. CONCLUSION:Air-polishing produced a significantly greater immediate reduction in plaque in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances, approximately twice that of conventional OHI toothbrushing, suggesting its usefulness for rapid professional biofilm removal. These findings indicate a short-term adjunctive benefit when used alongside routine oral hygiene rather than as a replacement for established home care practices.
OBJECTIVES:Some workers procrastinate oral care because of cognitive biases and nudges have been proposed as useful interventions to address this problem. This study, a randomized controlled trial, evaluated workers' oral care behaviours 6 months after an Easy-Attractive-Social-Timely (EAST) nudge-based leaflet was distributed. METHODS:Participants were recruited and surveyed online, whereas the intervention leaflet was delivered by postal mail. Participants in the control group received a text-based leaflet providing detailed information on oral care. Participants in the nudge group received a nudge-based leaflet. The persuasive text was shortened by more than 70% compared with the control leaflet (easy nudge), incorporated a narrative comic to elicit peer-related behaviours (attractive and social nudges), and featured a cover designed to prompt immediate reading (timely nudge). The outcomes were changes in oral self-care, self-monitoring, professional preventive care, stages of behavioural change, and health literacy, measured using established assessment scales. RESULTS:In the intention-to-treat analysis, 119 participants in the nudge group and 120 in the control group were analysed. No significant between-group differences were observed for any outcome, including improvement in oral self-care frequency (18.5% vs. 13.3%, respectively; p = 0.147). CONCLUSIONS:This is one of the few randomized controlled trials reporting non-significant findings on oral health nudges, suggesting that an EAST-based leaflet may have limitations in sustaining long-term behaviour change in this setting. Options for future interventions may include using the EAST-based leaflet in different contexts, such as a supplementary resource during face-to-face health education sessions.
AIM:This study systematically assessed the available literature on the effect of a chlorhexidine mouthwash without alcohol (CHXalc-) compared to a chlorhexidine mouthwash with alcohol (CHXalc+) on plaque and parameters of gingivitis. Side effects and user appreciation were secondary outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS:MEDLINE-PubMed and Cochrane-CENTRAL databases were searched up to January 2025 to identify eligible studies. Studies evaluating the effect of CHXalc- compared to CHXalc+ were included. A descriptive analysis and, when feasible, a meta-analysis were performed. The risk of bias was assessed, and the body of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. RESULTS:After screening, 17 papers met the inclusion criteria and were included. A descriptive analysis demonstrated that most studies showed no differences in plaque, bleeding, and gingivitis scores between CHXalc- and CHXalc+. In non-brushing studies, the overall meta-analysis of plaque scores showed a significant difference in favour of CHXalc+ on end (SMD = 0.49; 95% CI [0.03; 0.95], p = 0.04) and incremental difference scores (SMD = 0.82; 95% CI [0.40; 1.24], p = 0.0001). For brushing studies, the overall meta-analysis showed no significant differences in plaque scores. Further meta-analyses of bleeding and gingival index scores showed, in majority, no significant differences between CHXalc- and CHXalc+. Tooth surface discoloration scores also did not differ. Taste preference was divided, with half of the comparisons with outcomes in favour of CHXalc- and the other half showing no difference. CONCLUSION:When a CHX-mouthwash is used in non-brushing situations, there is weak evidence that CHXalc- provided a reduced effect regarding plaque control than CHXalc+. In brushing situations, there is weak evidence for no difference between CHXalc- and CHXalc+ in terms of plaque control. Regarding parameters of gingival inflammation and side effects, there is weak to moderate evidence indicating no difference between CHXalc- and CHXalc+. Regarding user perception of taste, no clear preference emerged from the eligible papers.
OBJECTIVES:The primary objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy of electric toothbrushing compared to manual toothbrushing in improving oral hygiene among people with special health care needs, including individuals requiring caregiver assistance as well as those capable of independent brushing with or without supervision, using an evidence-based approach. DATA/SOURCES:In April 2023, a comprehensive search was conducted across Medline (PubMed), the Cochrane Library and Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source (DOSS), targeting studies from January 1985 to January 2023. Data was collected using a custom form focusing on study characteristics, population attributes and key outcomes. The methodological quality was evaluated using the Risk of Bias Tool-2 (RoB-2) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and a descriptive analysis was performed according to SWiM guidelines. STUDY SELECTION:Titles and abstracts were screened to exclude duplicates and irrelevant studies, followed by a full-text review of potentially eligible articles. Two independent reviewers assessed each study against predefined criteria. Studies were selected based on their design (RCTs), population (people with special health care needs, including those requiring caregiver assistance or supervision) and outcomes (oral hygiene measures such as plaque index, gingival index, biofilm reduction, microbial salivary count, pocket depth, bleeding on probing, patient and caregiver-reported outcomes). From 3862 studies identified, 14 were included in the final review. CONCLUSION:Both electric and manual toothbrushes can maintain or improve oral hygiene for patients with special health care needs. Although some studies show electric brushes often lead to better plaque reduction and gingival health, others report comparable outcomes when manual brushing is well supervised. Future research should assess the impact of caregiver training, cost and evolving brush technologies to optimise long-term oral care for individuals with physical or cognitive impairments.
INTRODUCTION:Caries care protocols (CCPs), commonly known as caries management systems, adopt a patient-centred, hygiene-focused approach to caries prevention. Although individual preventative strategies are well-studied, evidence on their combined efficacy is limited. The aim of this scoping review was to map and evaluate current evidence from clinical studies on the efficacy of CCPs in children and adults. METHODS:Primary outcomes were caries incidence (increment), progression and regression, and secondary outcomes were changes in caries risk from baseline to follow-up. Inclusion criteria were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CCP interventions with control groups receiving only standard preventive care within routine dental services. Titles and abstracts were screened from MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science databases, and data were extracted from full texts on study setting, methodology and outcomes. Quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. RESULTS:The three included studies (n = 1186 patients) from Australia, Greece and Colombia showed positive outcomes for CCPs. Risk of bias was moderate in two studies and high in one. Intervention groups in the higher-quality studies showed significantly lower caries increment and progression from baseline, along with a greater reduction in caries risk, compared to control groups. CONCLUSION:Limited evidence from two heterogeneous RCTs shows moderate efficacy of CCPs, highlighting the need for more standardised outcomes and reporting to strengthen the evidence base.
OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to develop a questionnaire for assessing the prevalence of workplace violence, specifically physical violence, verbal violence, and sexual harassment, among European dental hygienists. Additionally, it aimed to explore the association between sociodemographic and professional variables and the prevalence of workplace violence. METHODS:A three-section questionnaire was designed to evaluate workplace violence prevalence and underwent face and content validation processes. A non-probabilistic sample was gathered by administering an online questionnaire to members of dental hygiene professional associations affiliated with the European Dental Hygiene Federation. RESULTS:Face validity obtained positive feedback, and the content validity index was 0.98. A total of 215 individuals from 13 European countries participated in the study. Workplace violence was reported by 80% of respondents, with 23.7% reporting physical violence, 72.1% reporting verbal violence, and 45.6% reporting sexual harassment at least once in their careers. Statistically significant associations were observed between educational level and verbal violence (p = 0.036), country of practice and verbal violence (p = 0.017), years of practice and overall workplace violence (p = 0.030), type of practice and verbal violence (p = 0.023), and working conditions and sexual harassment (p = 0.030). Sociodemographic and professional variables did not demonstrate significant differences in workplace violence prevalence across different countries. CONCLUSIONS:The questionnaire serves as a preliminary assessment tool, but additional psychometric properties should be evaluated. Verbal violence was the most prevalent type, followed by sexual harassment and physical violence. Limited variations were found across countries.
INTRODUCTION:Gingival recession (GR) is the apical displacement of the gingival margin, while gingival abrasion (GA) is the pathologic wear of gingiva by a foreign substance/object. Both can result in exposure of the root surface and can be associated with sensitivity, caries and compromised aesthetics. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for GR/GA among patients referred to the teaching dental clinic in Baghdad. METHODS:Three hundred and seventy-two subjects diagnosed with periodontal health, gingivitis, and periodontitis were recruited. Self-reported demographic parameters including age, sex, smoking, systemic disease, occupation, education, income, brushing frequency and type of toothbrush were recorded. The number of sites with GR and their depth were also recorded. GA lesions were categorised as small (≤ 2 mm), moderate (2-5 mm), and large (> 5 mm). RESULTS:The prevalence of GR was 42.1% with significantly greater defect depth in periodontitis cases compared to healthy individuals (3.4 ± 1.4 vs. 2.1 ± 0.9 mm, p < 0.003). The prevalence of GR was highest in lower premolar (22.2%) and maxillary canine (15.5%) sites. Large GA defects (> 5 mm) were most prevalent in periodontitis patients. Adjusted models indicated that hard-bristle toothbrush use (OR 3.19; 95% CI 1.38-7.38, p = 0.007), presence of periodontitis (OR 12.02; 95% CI 1.83-79.13, p = 0.01), and tooth type (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.30-0.81, p = 0.005) were potential risk factors for GA and were also associated with increasing GR defect depth (R2 0.15, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION:GR/GA is a common oral health problem and was independently associated with the use of hard-bristle toothbrushes, tooth type, and the presence of periodontitis. However, these results should be cautiously interpreted within the context of a single-centre referral setting.
BACKGROUND:Oral care, a fundamental aspect of nursing, is crucial for maintaining patient health but is often neglected in healthcare settings. Despite existing studies on nurses' attitudes towards oral care, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding developing a valid and reliable tool to assess these attitudes effectively. OBJECTIVES:The research aims to create a valid and reliable measurement tool to evaluate attitudes towards oral care. METHODS:This methodological study was carried out with nurses working at Atatürk University Research Hospital. 'Introductory Information Form' and 'Oral Care Attitude Scale (OCAS)' were used to collect data. RESULTS:Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the sub-dimensions of the scale ranged from 0.726 to 0.924, while the overall Cronbach's alpha value was 0.904. Exploratory factor analysis of the 21-item scale revealed a four-factor structure explaining 62.487% of the total variance. As a result of content validity, these factors were named 'Importance of Oral Care', 'Sustainability of Oral Care', 'Effectiveness of Oral Care' and 'Reluctance to Oral Care'. Confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS confirmed the four-factor structure with acceptable fit indices. CONCLUSIONS:The 'Oral Care Attitude Scale' is valid and reliable. Nurses' attitudes towards oral care can be assessed with this scale. According to the results obtained, the scale is expected to guide clinical practices or other studies to be conducted, raise the standards in patient care and increase awareness in this area.
OBJECTIVES:To explore the knowledge and perception amongst dental therapists in the United Kingdom of minimum intervention oral care (MIOC), minimally invasive dentistry (MID), and the management of dental caries from an initial lesion to a deep carious lesion, with a focus on both treatment and preventive care. METHODS:A previously used electronic questionnaire was distributed to dental therapists in the United Kingdom. Respondents reported year of qualification, current restorative thresholds, and postgraduate training and preventive care practices on deep caries management over the past 5 years. RESULTS:The year of qualification influenced the type of cavity preparation dental therapists are likely to perform. Participants who had attended a course in minimum intervention cariology and operative dentistry were more likely to adhere to minimally invasive protocols. While early-stage caries treatment showed consistency, the clinical approach became more varied for deeper lesions. CONCLUSIONS:Dental therapists in the UK show variation in their restorative thresholds. Clinical treatment decisions become more varied when dealing with deeper carious lesions, especially when the lesion encroaches the inner third of dentine. Restorative thresholds and choice of treatment protocols appear to be positively affected by the number of years post qualification and recent attendance on a caries management course.
