Introduction:Understanding the factors influencing dental care utilization is crucial for enhancing treatment adherence and outcomes. This study evaluates dental care-seeking patterns among pregnant women in low-income community. Methods:The authors analyzed data from 311 pregnant patients and 1,111 visits (2019-2022) synchronized from dental and medical records. The primary outcome was showing up for scheduled dental visits. To identify visit-attending patterns, the authors used a model-based clustering method to cluster longitudinal data with categorical outcomes. A penalized generalized linear mixed-effects model was applied to identify relevant variables for the visit attendance trajectories within each cluster. Results:The study participants comprised 49.6% Black, 32.2% White, and 12.5% Hispanic women. The majority (89.07%) were holding Medicaid insurance. Among the 1,111 scheduled visits, 432 resulted in no-shows (38.8%), including failed and canceled appointments. The authors identified 3 distinct clusters of visit-attending patterns on the basis of their show-up rates: low demand/low appointment risk (85% attendance), high demand/high appointment risk (57% attendance despite multiple scheduled visits), and moderate demand/high appointment risk (55% attendance with fewer scheduled visits). Various determinants, such as race; age; inner-city residence; appointment timing; the COVID-19 era; type of scheduled dental treatment; and prior medical visits for conditions such as anxiety, depression, hypertension, and allergies, influenced the visit-attending behaviors within each patient group. Conclusions:The innovative clustering approach of this study successfully identified dental care-seeking patterns among pregnant women, suggesting its applicability to a broader demographic. Identifying potential modifiable factors that could enhance attendance at dental visits is essential for improving oral healthcare outcomes among underserved pregnant patients.

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic prompted a rapid shift from in-person to virtual learning in dental education. This study aims to assess the perceptions of virtual education learning among dental residents and faculty and employ regulatory focus theory (RFT) to understand the impact of motivational orientations on virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In total, 46 dental residents and 10 faculty members in a dental institution participated in the study (June-August 2021). Questionnaires were used to obtain data on demographics, perceptions of virtual learning, burnout, and RFT types (promotion and prevention focus). Multiple regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with perceptions of virtual learning and burnout. Results: Overall, 70% of residents and 44% of faculty found virtual learning effective. Younger residents with less experience preferred virtual learning more than their older, experienced peers. Residents trained outside the U.S. and Canada favored in-person learning more than those trained within. Furthermore, residents with a higher promotion focus score found virtual learning more interactive for didactic courses. Additionally, 52% of residents experienced burnout, with a higher incidence among females (p = 0.044). Conclusions: Virtual learning is well received by dental residents and faculty, with potential for continued use post-pandemic. Future efforts should focus on creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment that meets the motivational and well-being needs of dental residents and faculty.

OBJECTIVES:This study aims to assess dental residents' perinatal oral health (POH) knowledge and Regulatory Focus Types' (RFT) impact on their knowledge before and after education. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A total of 53 dental residents from upstate New York participated from 2019 to 2021. A validated questionnaire collected demographic data, resident's POH knowledge, RFT, and self-reported burnout levels. In the wave 1 cross-sectional setting, 22 residents participated; while in the wave 2 longitudinal setting, 31 residents completed the questionnaire at the baseline and an 1-hour POH lecture. Multiple linear regression assesses factors related to baseline and post-education POH knowledge and burnout, and logistic regression examined factors related to the RFT types (high-on-promotion and high-on-prevention). RESULTS:Overall, 43.40% of the dental residents were high-on-promotion focus, and 47.17% were high-on-prevention focus. Baseline POH knowledge was relatively low, with an average score of 2.57 ± 1.05 out of the maximum score of 5. Residents with high promotion-focus had statistically significant lower scores on the baseline POH (p < 0.05), while high prevention-focused residents demonstrated less improvement of POH following perinatal oral health education (p < 0.05). Residents who were high on-promotion appeared to have a lower burnout rate (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:The study revealed that education effectively enhanced POH knowledge among participating dental residents. RFT significantly influenced knowledge improvement, with high promotion-focused residents showing more substantial gains. To encourage adherence to perinatal oral health policies and guidelines among dental practitioners, future educational approach should consider practitioners' RFT to improve knowledge adoption.

Objectives: Aim to assess the perceptions of virtual learning among dental residents and faculty and employ Regulatory Focus Theory (RFT) to understand the impact of motivational orientations on virtual learning during COVID pandemic. Methods: 46 dental residents and 10 faculty in Upstate New York participated in the study (June -August 2021). Questionnaires were used to collect demographics, perceptions of virtual learning, burnout, and RFT types (promotion and prevention focus). Multiple regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with perceptions of virtual learning and burnout. Results: Overall, 70% of residents and 44% of faculty found virtual learning effective. Younger residents with less experience preferred virtual learning more than their older, experienced peers. Residents trained outside the U.S. and Canada favored in-person learning more than those trained within. Furthermore, residents with a higher promotion focus score found virtual learning more interactive for didactic courses. Additionally, 52% of residents experienced burnout, with a higher incidence among females (p=0.044). Conclusions: Virtual learning is well-received by dental residents and faculty, with potential for continued use post-pandemic. Future efforts should focus on creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment that meets the motivational and well-being needs of dental residents and faculty.

Objective: The study aims to identify specific determinants of dental care utilization during the perinatal period (prenatal and 1-year postnatal) among underserved US women residing in Upstate New York. Method and materials: The prospective cohort study included 186 low-income US pregnant women. Demographic-socioeconomic parameters and medical-dental conditions were obtained from questionnaires, electronic medical-dental records, and dental examinations. Multivariate regression analyses were used to assess factors associated with perinatal dental care utilization. As an exploratory effort, a separate logistic model assessed factors associated with adverse birth outcomes. Results: The results demonstrated unmet oral health needs among the underserved US pregnant women residing in Upstate New York. Despite an average of 2.7 +/- 3.6 untreated decayed teeth per person during pregnancy, only 39.3% and 19.9% utilized prenatal and 1-year postnatal dental care, respectively. Previous dental care utilization was a notable factor contributing to a higher uptake of perinatal dental care at a subsequent period. Prenatal dental care utilization was significantly lower among African American women (odds ratio 0.43 [95% CI 0.19, 0.98], P = .04) and positively associated with dental caries severity (OR 2.40 [1.09, 5.12], P = .03). Postnatal utilization was as sociated with caries severity (OR 4.70 [1.73, 12.74], P = .002) , prevalent medical conditions (hypertension, diabetes mellitus , emotional conditions). Pregnant women who achieved prenatal caries-free status had a lower odds of experiencing adverse birth outcomes; however, this was an insignificant finding due to limited adverse birth cases. Conclusion: Racial and oral health disparity is associated with perinatal oral health care utilization among under -served US pregnant women in New York. While both prenatal and postnatal dental care utilization was positively associated with oral health status, specifically, postnatal utilization was driven by exist-ing medical conditions such as emotional condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The results add to existing information on inherent barriers and postulated needs to improve access to peri-natal oral care, thereby informing statewide recommendations to maximize utilization. Considering this is a geographically restricted population, the findings are particularly true to this cohort of un-derserved pregnant women. However, future more robust studies are warranted to assess effective strategies to further improve peri-natal dental care utilization among underserved pregnant women. (Quintessence Int 2022;53: 892-902; doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b3095001)

Background Data on barriers and facilitators to prenatal oral health care among low-income US women are lacking. The objective of this study was to understand barriers/facilitators and patient-centered mitigation strategies related to the use of prenatal oral health care among underserved US women. Methods We used community-based participatory research to conduct two focus groups with eight pregnant/parenting women; ten individual in-depth interviews with medical providers, dental providers and community/social workers; and one community engagement studio with five representative community stakeholders in 2018–2019. Using an interpretive description research design, we conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups which were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for thematic content. Results We identified individual and systemic barriers/facilitators to the utilization of prenatal oral health care by underserved US women. Strategies reported to improve utilization included healthcare system-wide changes to promote inter-professional collaborations, innovative educational programs to improve dissemination and implementation of prenatal oral health care guidelines, and specialized dental facilities providing prenatal oral health care to underserved women. Moreover, smartphones have the potential to be an innovative entry point to promote utilization of prenatal oral care at the individual level. Conclusions Low-income women face multiple, addressable barriers to obtaining oral health care during pregnancy. Inter-professional collaboration holds strong promise for improving prenatal oral health care utilization.

AIM:Our objectives were to describe the approach used in the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network to capture patient-reported outcomes and to compare electronic and paper modes of data capture in a specific network study.METHODS:This was a prospective, multicenter cohort study of 1862 patients with dentin hypersensitivity. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed based on patients' perception of pain using Visual Analog Scales and Labeled Magnitude scales at baseline and at 1, 4 and 8 weeks post-baseline.RESULTS:Eighty-five percent of study patients chose to complete follow-up assessments via an electronic mode; 15% completed them via a paper mode. There was not a significant difference in the proportions of patients who completed the 8-week assessment when comparing the electronic mode to the paper mode (92% vs. 90.8%, P = 0.31, Rao-Scott clustered χ2 -test).CONCLUSION:The electronic mode of data capture was as operational as the traditional paper mode, while also providing the advantage of eliminating data entry errors, not involving site research coordinators in measuring the patient-reported outcomes, and not incurring cost and potential delays due to mailing study forms. Electronic data capture of patient reported outcomes could be successfully implemented in the community dental practice setting.

Surveys of health professionals typically have low response rates, and these rates have been decreasing in the recent years. We report on the methods used in a successful survey of dentist members of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. The objectives were to quantify the (1) increase in response rate associated with successive survey methods, (2) time to completion with each successive step, (3) contribution from the final method and personal contact, and (4) differences in response rate and mode of response by practice/practitioner characteristics. Dentist members of the network were mailed an invitation describing the study. Subsequently, up to six recruitment steps were followed: initial e-mail, two e-mail reminders at 2-week intervals, a third e-mail reminder with postal mailing a paper questionnaire, a second postal mailing of paper questionnaire, and staff follow-up. Of the 1,876 invited, 160 were deemed ineligible and 1,488 (87% of 1,716 eligible) completed the survey. Completion by step: initial e-mail, 35%; second e-mail, 15%; third e-mail, 7%; fourth e-mail/first paper, 11%; second paper, 15%; and staff follow-up, 16%. Overall, 76% completed the survey online and 24% on paper. Completion rates increased in absolute numbers and proportionally with later methods of recruitment. Participation rates varied little by practice/practitioner characteristics. Completion on paper was more likely by older dentists. Multiple methods of recruitment resulted in a high participation rate: Each step and method produced incremental increases with the final step producing the largest increase.

OBJECTIVE Bone grafts (sinus lift and/or ridge augmentation) may become an obstacle for some patients who desire implant treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the success of six- and eight-millimeters rough surface design short dental implants, for up to 2 years in function, when compared to conventional length (11 mm) implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 25.6-, 20.8- and 35.11-mm length implants were placed and restored in 30 subjects (11 males, 19 females) between the age of 22 and 80, following a standard protocol. Implant mobility, crestal bone loss as well as periodontal parameters were evaluated immediately after restoration placement, at 6, 12 and 24 months. RESULTS There was one failure of one 6-mm implant during the healing phase and one restorative failure. The median crestal bone loss at 24 months was 0.45 mm for the 6-mm implants, 0.55 mm for the 8 mm implants and 0.65 mm for the 11-mm implants. The success rate for 6-mm implants was 97% and for 8-mm and 11-mm implants 100%. CONCLUSIONS Based on this preliminary data, we conclude that rough surface design short dental implants (6 and 8 mm in length) have similar success rate when compared to 11-mm implants. Long-term data with larger number of implants and subjects are needed to confirm these results.

Objective: To investigate the effect of three manual toothbrushes on dental plaque and gingival inflammation.Methods: The elmex (R) Sensitive Extra Soft (ESES), elmex (R) Sensitive Soft (ESS) and an ADA standard toothbrush (ADAS) were evaluated in a randomized clinical trial. Subjects brushed twice daily in their usual manner. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) and plaque and gingival scores of interproximal spaces (IntPI and IntGI) were evaluated at day 15 and day 30. ANOVA and t-test were used to compare plaque and gingival scores.Results: A total of 84 subjects with mild to moderate gingivitis completed the study. Plaque and gingival scores in ESES and ESS groups decreased from baseline to day 15 and day 30. At day 30, subjects in both ESES and ESS groups had lower plaque and gingival scores than those in the ADAS group (p < 0.05). In the ESES group, PI reduced by 13.6% (p < 0.0001), and GI by 10.5% (p < 0.0001) at day 30 when compared to the baseline scores. In the ESS group, PI reduced by 11.8% (p < 0.0001), and GI by 12.0% (p < 0.0001) at day 30. The reduction in IntPI and IntGI scores were comparable to those of the overall PI and GI. In contrast, there were no changes in PI, GI, and IntPI and IntGI scores between baseline and the day 15 and day 30 evaluations in the ADAS group.Conclusions: Both the ESES and ESS toothbrushes are more effective in removing dental plaque and reducing gingival inflammation than the ADA standard toothbrush. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.