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Dentistry Journal
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Dental Public Health Landscape: Challenges, Technological Innovation and Opportunities in...
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Dental Public Health Landscape: Challenges, Technological Innovation and Opportunities in the 21st Century

A special issue of Dentistry Journal (ISSN 2304-6767).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 October 2026 | Viewed by 5087

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Radu Chifor

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: periodontology; medical imaging; 3D ultrasonography; artificial intelligence; preventive dentistry
Prof. Dr. Aranka Ilea

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: biosensors; salivary sensors; oral health; general condition; oral surgery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Anca-Ștefania Mesaroș

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Dental Propaedeutics and Aesthetics, Faculty of Dentistry, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: dental procedure; dental material; dental caries; oral hygiene
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue explores the evolving landscape of public oral health in the 21st century, highlighting key challenges, emerging technological innovations, and novel opportunities for improving dental care delivery and outcomes. The aim is to bring together cutting-edge research, reviews, and case studies that explore the dynamic intersection of public health and dental care in the modern era.

Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):

  • AI-driven diagnostic tools and early detection systems
  • Digital imaging and 3D scanning in preventive care
  • Smart and minimally invasive treatment technologies
  • Personalized and precision dentistry approaches
  • Integration of big data and electronic health records
  • Teledentistry and mobile health (mHealth) applications
  • Robotics, laser dentistry, and augmented reality in clinical settings
  • Technology-supported community health interventions
  • Ethical, regulatory, and equity considerations in dental tech adoption

We especially encourage submissions that bridge technological advancement with real-world public health needs, highlighting scalable solutions for diverse populations and global contexts.

Dr. Radu Chifor
Prof. Dr. Aranka Ilea
Dr. Anca-Ștefania Mesaroș
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Dentistry Journal is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • public oral health
  • artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry
  • preventive dentistry
  • smart dental technologies
  • oral health technology
  • innovation in dental treatment

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1561 KB  
Article
Pain Perception and Psychoemotional Responses Across Different Scaling Technologies: A Comparative Pilot Clinical Study
by Nelsi Carmina Turturica, Mindra E. Badea, Vlad I. Bocanet, Radu Chifor and Iulia C. Badea
Dent. J. 2025, 13(12), 597; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13120597 - 12 Dec 2025
Viewed by 753
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Scaling is central to non-surgical periodontal therapy; however, it is often perceived as uncomfortable, particularly in periodontitis. Psychological distress may amplify pain and reduce adherence. This comparative pilot study assessed whether ultrasonic technology influences patient-reported pain and psychoemotional status while quantifying [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Scaling is central to non-surgical periodontal therapy; however, it is often perceived as uncomfortable, particularly in periodontitis. Psychological distress may amplify pain and reduce adherence. This comparative pilot study assessed whether ultrasonic technology influences patient-reported pain and psychoemotional status while quantifying the contribution of the periodontal condition and baseline psychological factors. Methods: A monocentric split-mouth design enrolled 42 adults (21 with stage I–III, grade B periodontitis; 21 periodontally healthy). Maxillary scaling was performed with Device nr.1 and mandibular scaling was performed with Device nr.2, and no anesthesia was used. Pain was measured immediately post-procedure using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ; sensory and affective subscales). Psychological status was assessed pre- and post-session with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Construct validity was examined via exploratory factor analysis. The Mann–Whitney U, Wilcoxon signed-rank, Spearman’s ρ, and Cliff’s δ were applied (α = 0.05). Results: The overall pain was low. Between devices, sensory pain did not differ, whereas affective pain was modestly lower with the “No Pain” device (p = 0.017). Periodontitis was the dominant determinant of pain: higher sensory (U = 509.00, p = 0.0004; δ = 0.42) and affective scores (U = 290.00, p < 0.0001; δ = 0.67) occurred irrespective of device, while device-related effects were negligible (sensory δ = −0.03) to small (affective δ = 0.27). Somatic distress correlated with affective pain (ρ = 0.25, p = 0.023) and was borderline for sensory pain (ρ = 0.21, p = 0.060); emotional distress showed no significant associations. During the session, K10 scores decreased and RSES values increased, indicating immediate psychoemotional benefits. Conclusions: Pain perception during scaling is shaped primarily by periodontal status and psychological distress rather than by ultrasonic technology per se. Although the electronic module to dynamically adjust the power of the instrument technology may attenuate the affective component, standardized atraumatic techniques and routine psychosocial screening are likely to yield greater gains. The observed short-term improvements in distress and self-esteem support integrating patient-reported outcomes into individualized, patient-centered periodontal care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Public Health Landscape: Challenges, Technological Innovation and Opportunities in the 21st Century)
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14 pages, 1243 KB  
Article
Efficacy of UVC Radiation in Reducing Bacterial Load on Dental Office Surfaces
by Souat Tsolak, Eugen Bud, Sorana Maria Bucur, Mariana Păcurar, Adrian Man and Daniela Manuc
Dent. J. 2025, 13(12), 596; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13120596 - 12 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 871
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Environmental contamination of dental surfaces is a major vector for cross-infection. Ultraviolet-C (UVC) irradiation provides rapid, chemical-free decontamination; however, depending on wavelength and ventilation conditions, ozone generation may occur. This study evaluated the germicidal efficacy of UVC on three high-touch surfaces: [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Environmental contamination of dental surfaces is a major vector for cross-infection. Ultraviolet-C (UVC) irradiation provides rapid, chemical-free decontamination; however, depending on wavelength and ventilation conditions, ozone generation may occur. This study evaluated the germicidal efficacy of UVC on three high-touch surfaces: a wooden work table, a stainless-steel consumables table, and a dental unit table. Methods: Surfaces were sampled at baseline, after 5 min (27 mJ/cm2), and after 10 min (54 mJ/cm2) of UVC exposure at 90 µW/cm2. Colony-forming units (CFU/cm2) were enumerated using Mueller–Hinton agar. Results: UVC achieved >99% reduction after 5 min and complete elimination after 10 min. Material properties (porosity, reflectivity, and grooves), along with quantified parameters like surface roughness (Ra) and contact angle, influenced minor differences in decontamination. Conclusions: Used with appropriate safety protocols, short-duration UVC irradiation effectively decontaminates dental surfaces and can complement chemical disinfection. Future studies must incorporate artificially soiled surfaces, biofilms, and emerging far-UVC/UV-LED technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Public Health Landscape: Challenges, Technological Innovation and Opportunities in the 21st Century)
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Review

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17 pages, 960 KB  
Review
Addressing Research Gaps in Early Childhood Caries: A Comprehensive Review
by Anthony Yihong Cheng, Faith Miaomiao Zheng, Jieyi Chen and Chun Hung Chu
Dent. J. 2026, 14(4), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14040196 - 30 Mar 2026
Viewed by 367
Abstract
Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and remains unevenly distributed across populations. It is associated with pain, impaired function, and long-term health consequences. Although advances have been made in understanding its aetiology and [...] Read more.
Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and remains unevenly distributed across populations. It is associated with pain, impaired function, and long-term health consequences. Although advances have been made in understanding its aetiology and prevention, important gaps in evidence limit progress in prevention, early detection, and equitable care. Objective: To examine current evidence on ECC and identify key research gaps across biological, behavioral, social, and health system domains. Methods: This narrative review draws on peer-reviewed literature addressing ECC epidemiology, pathogenesis, risk factors, diagnosis, management, and service delivery. The literature was examined to identify areas where evidence is limited, inconsistent, or insufficient to inform clinical practice and public health policy. Results: Research on ECC remains uneven across levels. Longitudinal evidence linking microbiome dynamics, host susceptibility, and lesion progression is limited, restricting causal understanding. Genetic and epigenetic contributions are incompletely defined, particularly in diverse populations. Although socioeconomic gradients are well established, integrative models connecting structural determinants with biological mechanisms are scarce. Emerging diagnostic tools, including biomarkers and artificial intelligence, lack robust evidence demonstrating improved clinical or behavioral outcomes. Implementation research addressing scalability, cost-effectiveness, and equity impact is underdeveloped, especially in low-resource settings. Long-term systemic and developmental consequences of ECC remain insufficiently characterized. Conclusions: Addressing ECC requires integrated and equity-oriented research frameworks that bridge biological, social, diagnostic, and implementation domains. Clarifying these gaps is essential to inform coherent prevention strategies and reduce persistent disparities in child oral health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Public Health Landscape: Challenges, Technological Innovation and Opportunities in the 21st Century)
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Other

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24 pages, 4857 KB  
Systematic Review
Accuracy of Navigation and Robot-Assisted Systems for Dental Implant Placement: A Systematic Review
by Daria Pisla, Vasile Bulbucan, Mihaela Hedesiu, Calin Vaida, Alexandru Pusca, Rares Mocan, Paul Tucan, Cristian Dinu and Doina Pisla
Dent. J. 2025, 13(11), 537; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13110537 - 14 Nov 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2470
Abstract
Background: Computer-assisted implant surgery (CAIS) aims to improve placement accuracy versus freehand drilling. We compared the three-dimensional accuracy of robot-guided CAIS (r-CAIS), dynamic navigation (d-CAIS), static-template guidance (s-CAIS), and freehand (FH) in clinical and in vitro settings. Methods: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, [...] Read more.
Background: Computer-assisted implant surgery (CAIS) aims to improve placement accuracy versus freehand drilling. We compared the three-dimensional accuracy of robot-guided CAIS (r-CAIS), dynamic navigation (d-CAIS), static-template guidance (s-CAIS), and freehand (FH) in clinical and in vitro settings. Methods: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science (1 January 2019–2025). Eligible populations were adults receiving conventional or zygomatic implants in vivo, plus validated in vitro human-jaw models using plan-versus-placement workflows; studies had to report study-level means with dispersion for ≥1 primary outcome with ≥5 implants per arm. Interventions were r-CAIS, d-CAIS, or s-CAIS; with a baseline as the freehand technique. Risk of bias used RoB 2 (RCTs), ROBINS-I (non-randomized clinical), and QUIN (in vitro). Because of heterogeneity in definitions and workflows, we performed a descriptive synthesis by modality (no meta-analysis). Registration: OSF. Results: Forty-three studies (7 RCTs, 10 non-randomized clinical, 26 in vitro) reported more than 4000 implants. Across studies, typical study-level means for global linear deviation clustered around < 1 mm (r-CAIS), ~1 mm (d-CAIS), ~1.3 mm (s-CAIS), and ~1.8 mm (FH). In clinical contexts, d-CAIS often showed slightly lower angular deviation than s-CAIS. Conclusions: CAIS improves accuracy versus freehand. d-CAIS and s-CAIS show similar linear accuracy, with d-CAIS frequently yielding slightly lower angular deviation; r-CAIS exhibits tight error clusters in our dataset, but limited comparative clinical evidence precludes superiority claims. Limitations: non-uniform registration/measurement, variable operator experience, and absence of meta-analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Public Health Landscape: Challenges, Technological Innovation and Opportunities in the 21st Century)
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