The Effect of Inhaled Corticosteroid Therapy on Periodontal Status in Patients with Asthma

Asthma belongs to a broad group of allergic diseases and is the most common chronic disease found in children and adults up to four decades of age. Already published studies suggest that the use of inhaled anti-asthmatic medications affects both general health and oral health. The study included 120 adult patients aged 18 to 71 divided into three groups: I “PERIO-ASTHMA”—with asthma and periodontitis, II “ASTHMA”—with asthma without periodontitis, and control group III “CONTROL”—without asthma and periodontitis. The patients were monitored for oral health status for six months. Oral health was assessed by dental indices: DMF index, PI, BoP, PD, and CAL at interproximal sites. Significantly deeper pockets in the lateral segments of the dentition were observed in all study groups. In addition, the bronchial-only group had significantly deeper pockets in the lateral sextants than the control group at all time points. There was no significant worsening of periodontal status by CAL and PD in asthma patients treated with inhalation, irrespective of baseline periodontal status. Depending on the severity of asthma, an increase in BOP was observed in the central sextant in patients without periodontitis. The history of asthma and the use of ICS has an impact on the periodontal status of patients.

A Systematic Review on Caries Status of Older Adults

The aim of this systematic review was to provide an update on caries prevalence in older adults aged 60 years or above around the globe. Two independent reviewers performed a systematic literature search of English publications from January 2016 to December 2020 using Pubmed, Scopus, Embase/Ovid and Web of Science. The MeSH terms used were “dental caries”, “root caries”, “DMF index”, “aged” and “aged 80 and over”. Further searches in Google Scholar retrieved eight additional publications. The epidemiological surveys reporting the prevalence of dental caries or root caries or caries experience using DMFT (decayed, missing and filled teeth) and DFR (decayed and filled root) in older adults aged 60 years or above were included. Quality of the publications was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data. Among the 5271 identified publications, 39 articles of moderate or good quality were included. Twenty studies were conducted in Asia (China, India, Vietnam, Singapore and Turkey), ten in Europe (Ireland, Norway, Finland, Germany, Portugal, Poland, Romania and Kosovo), three in North America (USA and Mexico), one in South America (Brazil), two in Oceania (Australia) and three in Africa (Malawi, Egypt and South Africa). The prevalence of dental caries ranged from 25% (Australia) to 99% (South Africa), while the prevalence of root caries ranged from 8% (Finland) to 74% (Brazil) in community dwellers. The situation was even worse in institutionalised older adults of which the mean DMFT score varied from 6.9 (Malawi) to 29.7 (South Africa). Based on the included studies published in the last 5 years, caries is still prevalent in older adults worldwide and their prevalence varies across countries.

The Relationship between Iron Deficiency Anemia and Dental caries

Background Iron deficiency anemia and dental caries are among the most prevalent diseases in some developing countries. However, few studies have been conducted to assess the association between Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and early childhood caries (ECC). Objectives The aim of the study was to assess the association between IDA and ECC. Methods 40 children with proved iron deficiency anemia (using iron profile panel done initially) and another 40 healthy age and sex-matched children were examined by one trained and calibrated dentist where the oral status of all enrolled children was assessed in terms of the Decayed, Missing, Filled (DMF) index and gingival health using Gingival index of Loe and Sillness. Results Children with anemia had a significantly higher DMF index (4.37±4.44) than children without anemia (0.50±0.90) (P < 0.001). It was found that there was a negative significant correlation between DMF index and the presence of anemia (r= -0.60, P < 0.001), hemoglobin level (r= -0.454, P < 0.001) and MCH level (r= -0.380, P = 0.001). The multiple regression model statistically significantly predicted DMF index (P = 0.001), (R2=0.34) and only the presence of anemia was found to add significantly to the model (P = 0.027). Conclusion Children with iron deficiency anemia have increased risk for development of dental caries than children without anemia. Any children with significant dental caries should be investigated for IDA and anemia should be treated if present.

Prevalência de cárie dentária em jovens de 18 anos

1035 students in third grade of secondary school, in São Luís, the capital of Maranhão, Brazil, were examined. The mean age of them was about 18 years old. Utilizing a plan mirror and explorers number 5, each student in the study received a clinical dentel examination for diagnosing caries prevalence, through the DMF index and its components, by half maxilla and half jaw. In 99,50 per cent of the population studied, an average of caries incidence was 12,37 DMF by person and dental caries reached 44,31 per cent of erupted teeth. The highest caries incidence was on the superior arcade, in special in the left half maxilla. On the average, each student had 4,68 lost teeth; 4,72 with caries; and 2,87 restered. 15,10 per cent did not have removed teeth and 50,10 per cent needed at least, dental extraction. 45,50 per cent did not have restoretion.

Comparitive evaluation of BMI & academic performance in ECC & non ECC 3-6 yr old school going children

To study the association between ECC, IQ & health in Sri ganganagar, Rajasthan. to assess BMI & academic performance in ECC & Non ECC 3-6yr old school going children in Sri ganganagar, Rajasthan. A total of 300 children were evaluated and oral examination was done using BMI scale – CDC (Centers for disease control and prevention), Weight scale- Unificare company Height scale – 200 cm Roll Ruller wall Mounted Height Stadiometer, Academic performance grade as per school record & Dentition status for caries assessment was conducted using dmf index of WHO form 1997. . A total of 300 school going children were selected from Sri ganganagar, Rajasthan of which 150 were having ECC & 150 Non ECC in the age groups of 3, 4, 5 and 6 years. Correlation between the ECC & Academic performance is stated.

DMF Index among Amelogenesis Imperfecta Patients: Systematic Review of the Literature

Objectives. The aim of this study was to explore the literature in order to assess systematically the association between amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) and caries development and to evaluate the DMF index among AI patients. Basic Research Design. PubMed was used to explore the database Medline. The key words used were “Amelogenesis Imperfecta” [Mesh], “Dental Caries” [Mesh], “Tooth Loss” [Mesh], “DMF Index” [Mesh], and “Dental Restoration, Permanent” [Mesh]. Moreover, an ad hoc search was performed in order to make the study as exhaustive as possible. Results. Fifty-five articles were retained. The total number of patients gathered was 499. A percentage of 68.8% of the articles dealt with cases with a relatively low dental caries process, 20.8% dealt with cases in which the dental caries process was relatively moderate, and 10.4% dealt with cases in which the dental caries process was severe. Teeth extraction due to dental caries was mentioned in 10 articles. Eleven articles, concerning 53 patients, mentioned dental fillings. Four patients did not have dental filling due to dental caries. DMF index was very low in 2 articles and low-to-high in 3 articles. Conclusion. Low dental caries susceptibility with AI patients was noticed in this study. A possible factor could be the lack of proximal contacts and elimination of fissures through enamel loss. The lack of dental caries susceptibility was also explained by the microbacterial specificity of hypoplastic AI patients. Moreover, it was also noted that the prevalence of dental caries among AI patients depends on sociodemographic change.

Oral Health among Athletes at the Egas Moniz Sports Dentistry Practice

The sports dentistry consultation at the Clínica Universitária Egas Moniz is guaranteed by a multidisciplinary team of health professionals that provide a customized service to high performance athletes. Over the last year, 99 athletes were evaluated in terms of their oral health through extraoral, intraoral and radiographic exams. In this population a high prevalence of dry mouth, erosive wear, gingivitis, periodontitis and DMF index was observed, which may have a profound and negative impact on sports performance. Of the athletes, 40.4% attended follow up consultations, where restoration and scaling were the majority of the clinical procedures performed. This data highlights the importance of a dedicated sports dentistry consultations.

Сomparative Assessment of the Quality of Life of Dental Patients into the Modern Epidemiological Situation

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the psychological wellbeing of populations worldwide. The purpose of the study. In this research, we assess changes on the dental status and the main indicators of life quality of dentist’s patients. Material and methods. Two groups of patients of three different ages were compared in the study. The 1st group was examined in 2015 and consisted of 175 patients, the 2nd group was examined in 2020. DMF index, hygienic index by J.C. Greene, J.R. Vermillion (ОНI-S, 1964), PMA index were determined. The data obtained were compared with each other. The questionnaire "Quality of life of psychosomatic patients" was applied. Three components: somatic, psychological and social were assessed. A score from 0 to 25 points corresponds to a low indicator, 44 to 86 points is an average one, 97 to 144 points is a high score. Results and discussion. At the first stage of the study, we assessed the dental status of patients before and after the pandemic. It should be noted that the morbidity structure has not changed significantly over the past 5 years. DMF index increased from 9.63±0.31 to 11.6±0.32 (p <0.05), the level of oral hygiene decreased - 2.55±0.16 versus 2.87±0.10 (p <0.05). We revealed an increase in the number of patients presented for dental care with high rates of caries intensity and decreased oral hygiene. A comparative analysis of the clinical indicators of patients showed that the COVID-19 epidemic, acting as a psychotraumatic factor, significantly reduced their quality of life in all respects. The overall assessment of life quality decreased by 18% in the observation period, P <0.05. The overall life quality value was characterized as high in 2015, but, unfortunately, this indicator corresponded to the average values. A similar trend was noted for all life quality components. The most significant decrease in life quality was noted for the somatic component, which decreased by 22% in 2020. The results of the study showed that the unfavorable epidemiological situation did not have a significant effect on young people, however, as for the elderly people, the pandemic reduced their satisfaction with life by 32%. People of middle age were the most resistant to the influence of the epidemiological situation. They had the average value of life quality indicators in 2020, but they did not differ significantly from the indicators of 2015. The psychological component of life quality evenly decreased in middle-aged and elderly people. This indicator of middle-aged people decreased by 20% and by 35% in older people. In the course of our study, it was found that the dynamics of a decrease in the social component of life quality directly depends on age. The changes are more noticeable with age. So, this indicator changed by 10%, for middle-aged people - by 17%, in the older age category - by 32%. Conclusion. The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has dramatically changed the lives of people around the world, including in Ukraine, negatively affecting life quality. Interventions to increase the economic security of the population will have far-reaching consequences in terms of improved mental health, and should be continued throughout the pandemic

Evaluation of dental status and effectiveness of treatment among children and adolescents in the reference groups aged 6, 12, and 18 years from Skierniewice and its region in 2017-2020

INTRODUCTION. Dental caries is a transmissible chronic disease of dental hard tissues. To monitor the course of carious process, age reference groups were designated which are subject to regular dental check-ups. The groups include children aged 6, 12, and 18 years as well as adults at the age of 35-44 and 55-64 years. AIM. The aim of the study was to evaluate the state of dentition and effectiveness of treatment among children and adolescents in the reference groups aged 6, 12, and 18 years from the town of Skierniewice and its region in the years 2017-2020. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The study included 385 children and adolescents from the reference groups. Dental examination was carried out in the dental office of the Ogrodowa Medical Centre in Skierniewice. Dental caries intensity expressed by the the DMFT index, and its particular components, D, M, and F (D– the mean number of teeth with caries (decayed), M– teeth extracted (missing), and F– filled) as well as the dental caries treatment index DTI (F/(D+F)) were determined according to sex. RESULTS. Distribution of the DMFT index components was very similar in children aged 6 years and in 18-year-old adolescents. The D component constituted half the DMF index (50.7% in 6-year-olds and 52.4% in 18-year-olds), the M component values were lowest (16.1% and 12.3%, respectively) while the F component accounted for slightly more than 1/3 of the whole value (33.2% and 35.3%, respectively). In 12-year-olds, the D component value was 68.4% of the DMF index, the M component accounted for only a few percent (4.5%) and the F component was 27.1%. The DTI value was 0.40 for 6-year-olds and 18-year-olds and appeared to be significantly higher than in the group of 12-year-olds (0.3). CONCLUSIONS. There is an urgent need for monitoring the dental status, professional caries prevention, and conservative treatment of teeth in children and adolescents of the Skierniewice region.