Oral Health and Care

A special issue of Diseases (ISSN 2079-9721).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 679

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Dental Prothesis, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
Interests: complete dentures; dental materials; oral health; elderly oral health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
Interests: periodontal diseases; periodontology; clinical studies; experimental studies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oral health is an integral part of general health and well-being, especially in the context of aging populations and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases. Increasing amounts of evidence highlight the bidirectional relationship between oral and systemic health, underlining the importance of integrated, interdisciplinary care approaches. The oral cavity reflects systemic conditions and may influence the onset or progression of various diseases through inflammatory, microbial, or behavioral pathways.

This Special Issue aims to explore the most recent advances in oral health care, with an emphasis on prosthetic rehabilitation, periodontal disease, oral–systemic links, geriatric oral care, and the use of novel diagnostic biomarkers. By gathering high-quality research and review articles, this collection intends to provide new insights that can improve clinical practice and preventive strategies in dentistry and beyond.

Original research articles and  reviews are welcome. Suggested topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Oral health in the elderly population;
  • Complete dentures and dental materials;
  • Salivary biomarkers and diagnostics;
  • Periodontal–orthodontic interdisciplinary approaches;
  • Cytokines and inflammation in oral diseases;
  • Oral–systemic interactions.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Dana Gabriela Budală
Dr. Ionut Luchian
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • oral health
  • prosthetic rehabilitation
  • periodontology
  • salivary biomarkers
  • complete dentures
  • dental materials
  • aging and oral care
  • oral–systemic disease link
  • cytokines
  • inflammation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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13 pages, 1164 KiB  
Case Report
Chronic Hyperplastic Candidiasis—An Adverse Event of Secukinumab in the Oral Cavity: A Case Report and Literature Review
by Ana Glavina, Bruno Špiljak, Merica Glavina Durdov, Ivan Milić, Marija Ana Perko, Dora Mešin Delić and Liborija Lugović-Mihić
Diseases 2025, 13(8), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases13080243 - 3 Aug 2025
Abstract
Secukinumab (SEC) is a recombinant, fully human monoclonal antibody that is selective for interleukin-17A (IL-17A). SEC may increase the risk of developing infections such as oral herpes and oral candidiasis. The aim of this case report and literature review was to describe chronic [...] Read more.
Secukinumab (SEC) is a recombinant, fully human monoclonal antibody that is selective for interleukin-17A (IL-17A). SEC may increase the risk of developing infections such as oral herpes and oral candidiasis. The aim of this case report and literature review was to describe chronic hyperplastic candidiasis (CHC) in a patient with psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated with SEC. CHC is a rare and atypical clinical entity. A definitive diagnosis requires biopsy of the oral mucosa for histopathological diagnosis (PHD). The differential diagnosis includes hairy tongue, hairy leukoplakia, oral lichen planus (OLP), oral lichenoid reaction (OLR), leukoplakia, frictional keratosis, morsication, oral psoriasis, syphilis, and oral lesions associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In addition to the usual factors (xerostomia, smoking, antibiotics, vitamin deficiency, immunosuppression, comorbidities), the new biological therapies/immunotherapies are a predisposing factor for oral candidiasis. The therapeutic approach must be multidisciplinary and in consultation with a clinical immunologist. Dentists and specialists (oral medicine, dermatologists, rheumatologists) must be familiar with the oral adverse events of the new biological therapies. Simultaneous monitoring of patients by clinical immunology and oral medicine specialists is crucial for timely diagnosis and therapeutic intervention to avoid possible adverse events and improve quality of life (QoL). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health and Care)
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17 pages, 647 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Impact of Preventive Protocols on Oral Health Outcomes in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Carol Moussa, Laurent Estrade, Jeremy Glomet, Gael Y. Rochefort, Frédéric Denis and Maha H. Daou
Diseases 2025, 13(6), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases13060186 - 16 Jun 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (CT) or radiotherapy (RT) are at increased risk of oral complications. Preventive dental care has been proposed to mitigate these risks, yet its effectiveness is not sufficiently evaluated. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (CT) or radiotherapy (RT) are at increased risk of oral complications. Preventive dental care has been proposed to mitigate these risks, yet its effectiveness is not sufficiently evaluated. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of preventive oral health interventions on key clinical outcomes in oncology patients. Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL databases was conducted (March 2025), adhering to PRISMA guidelines with a PROSPERO-registered protocol (CRD 420251006799). Eligible studies included randomized trials, cohort studies, and pre–post intervention studies evaluating preventive dental care in patients receiving CT or RT. The outcomes included gingival index (GI), dental caries (DMFT), plaque levels, and periodontal health. Meta-analyses were performed on GI and DMFT outcomes using random-effects models. Results: Eleven studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and four in the meta-analyses. Preventive interventions, such as fluoride applications, oral hygiene education, and regular professional cleanings, were associated with stabilization or improvement of gingival health. The pooled estimate for GI showed no significant deterioration over time (MD = −0.05, 95% CI: −0.34 to 0.24, p = 0.72). For DMFT, a slight but significant increase was observed (MD = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.08 to 2.05, p = 0.03), suggesting a continued risk of caries despite intervention. Conclusions: Preventive dental care interventions appear to support the maintenance of gingival health in cancer patients undergoing CT or RT. However, despite these interventions, a slight increase in dental caries was still observed, indicating that preventive strategies may not fully eliminate the risk of caries. These findings highlight the importance of sustained and individualized oral health programs as part of comprehensive oncology care. Future studies using standardized protocols and longer follow-up periods are needed to better evaluate their long-term effectiveness across diverse cancer populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health and Care)
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