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Oral and Maxillofacial Health Care: Third Edition

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A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 21520

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Prof. Dr. Takahiro Kanno

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Guest Editor

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, Shimane, Japan
Interests: facial trauma; oral and maxiollofacial trauma; oral and maxillofacial surgery; plastic surgery; craniomaxillofacial surgery; surgeons, clinicians, and researchers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Shintaro Sukegawa

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Guest Editor

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan
Interests: oral and maxillofacial surgery; Artificial Intelligence; orthognathic surgery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recognizing oral and maxillofacial health as a population health management strategy is imperative all over the world. The current initiative of oral and maxillofacial specialists to chart the public health issues at national and global levels and develop action plans to overcome these issues identifies oral and maxillofacial health as one of the key indicators of a healthy population, connecting good oral–dental care to a reduced risk of systemic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, premature or low birth weight, and chronic oral pain. In this Special Issue, we will feature any original research from clinical studies as well as in vitro and in vivo studies, reviews, short reports, or opinion pieces from researchers interested in topics related to ‘Oral and Maxillofacial Health Care’.

Prof. Dr. Takahiro Kanno
Dr. Shintaro Sukegawa
Guest Editors

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Keywords

oral and maxillofacial surgery
oral health care
dental health care
oral disease

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 237 KB

Open AccessArticle

Patients’ Awareness and Attitudes About the Importance of Sharing Medical History with Dentists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

by Khalid A. Abalkhail, Sanjeev B. Khanagar, Alanoud Alfawaz, Rand Alharbi, Deem Alsaykhan and Layan Alqahtani

Healthcare 2025, 13(21), 2774; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13212774 - 31 Oct 2025

Viewed by 186

Abstract

Background: A comprehensive medical history is fundamental to dental care, supporting accurate diagnosis, personalized treatment, and the prevention of adverse outcomes. Despite its importance, patients may underestimate its relevance or hesitate to disclose information to dental professionals. This study aimed to assess patients’ awareness and willingness to disclose medical histories to dental professionals, as well as the effect of an educational intervention on their knowledge. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 December 2023 to 30 September 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through a structured bilingual questionnaire assessing demographics, awareness of the importance of medical history, willingness to disclose information, and post-intervention knowledge. The questionnaire’s validity and reliability were established through expert evaluation and test–retest reliability, yielding Aiken’s V values greater than 0.90. Internal consistency was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.8. A convenience sampling technique was used to recruit the study participants. Results: A total of 515 participants completed the survey, with 43.9% withholding medical information from their dentists. Chi-square analysis revealed that disclosure practices were significantly associated with demographic factors, particularly age (p ≤ 0.05). Although 90.7% acknowledged the importance of sharing their medical history, only 67.8% reported disclosing it to dental professionals. The regression analysis revealed that participants under 18 years of age (Odds Ratio (OR) 7.08, Confidence Interval (CI) 3.53–50.90) and those aged 18–29 years (OR 14.36, CI 3.45–25.26), as well as participants with elementary (OR 4.55, CI 2.72–20.57) and middle school education levels (OR 4.55, CI 2.72–20.57), were less likely to disclose any underlying medical condition to their dentist. The younger age group (under 18) respondents were significantly more likely to indicate that it was not essential to inform the dentist about their medical condition (OR 6.60, CI 1.05–41.42). Additionally, a significant number of these respondents (OR 5.77, CI 1.87–17.84) reported being unaware of the reasons why dentists request this information, compared to the older age groups. Conclusions: The findings reveal a significant knowledge gap concerning patient disclosure of medical history in dental care and highlight the importance of patient education. Implementing targeted educational initiatives is recommended to promote patient disclosure, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and improve overall patient safety and treatment outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral and Maxillofacial Health Care: Third Edition)

17 pages, 750 KB

Open AccessArticle

Challenges and Recommendations for Oral Healthcare of Older Adults in a Long-Term Care Facility

by Haslina Rani, Amalina Alya Azizan, Nurul Izzah Abdul Walad, Siti Aisya Athirah Hassan, Tuti Ningseh Mohd Dom, Daphne Shu Huey Yeoh, Joyce Wuen Cheer Tay, Muhammad Syafiq Asyraf Rosli, Nur Saadah Mohamad Aun, Aznida Firzah Abdul Aziz, Kaung Myat Thwin and In Meei Tew

Healthcare 2025, 13(20), 2642; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13202642 - 20 Oct 2025

Viewed by 576

Abstract

Background/Objectives: As the aging population is growing globally, oral health has become integral to ensuring healthy aging and quality of life. This study assessed the oral health status of older adults in a Malaysian long-term care facility and explored caregiver-reported challenges in providing oral care. Methods: A convergent mixed-methods design was applied, involving 115 residents aged ≥60 years and 16 caregivers in a public facility. The residents’ oral health was assessed using interviewer-assisted questionnaires (demography, dependency level, Oral Frailty Five-item Checklist), clinical examinations (dental caries status, number of remaining teeth, oral and denture hygiene), and the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Focus group discussions with caregivers were conducted, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. Quantitative data were descriptively analyzed using SPSS version 29.0. Results: Over one-third of the residents (39%) were moderately to highly dependent on caregivers. All had experienced dental caries, with most having fewer than 20 teeth (92.9%) and requiring dentures (81.7%). Overall, both oral and denture hygiene were poor. Assessment of oral frailty indicated that the majority of residents (94.8%) were at risk of impaired oral function. A thematic analysis identified four key themes influencing oral health: (1) health and oral health conditions of residents; (2) variety in oral care practices; (3) older adults’ attitudes and behaviors; and (4) system factors. These themes were mapped in a conceptual framework demonstrating multilevel influences on oral care. Conclusions: Despite the single-center design, these findings provide actionable insights for improving geriatric oral health policies in Malaysia. Practical recommendations include integrating oral health into aged-care standards, expanding mobile dental services, and establishing oral care champions within facilities. Addressing these challenges is critical to improving quality of life and aligning long-term care practices with the WHO’s healthy aging priorities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral and Maxillofacial Health Care: Third Edition)

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14 pages, 1198 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Validation of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Scale for Patients Undergoing Endodontic Treatment (OHQE) for Irreversible Pulpitis

by Fadil Abdillah Arifin, Yuhei Matsuda and Takahiro Kanno

Healthcare 2023, 11(21), 2859; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11212859 - 30 Oct 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2559

Abstract

An oral health-related quality of life measure specific to patients undergoing endodontic treatment has not been developed. This study aimed to validate the oral health-related quality of life scale for patients undergoing endodontic treatment (OHQE) for irreversible pulpitis, comprised of 42 questions. Sixty-two patients with irreversible pulpitis, comprising 23 (37.1%) males and 39 (62.9%) females, were enrolled between August 2022 and February 2023. Data were collected at three time points: pretreatment, post-treatment, and at the second week post-treatment. Factor analysis revealed physical, psychological, and expectations as subscales of OHQE. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranged from 0.87 to 0.95 for each subscale. Each subscale of the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) was moderately correlated with the OHQE subscales. Good–poor analysis revealed a significant difference between the high-scoring and low-scoring groups for each OHQE subscale. The intraclass correlation coefficients of the OHQE subscales ranged from 0.89 to 0.95. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between the pretreatment and post-treatment psychological factors (p < 0.05). Thus, OHQE will help researchers and policymakers understand the impact of oral health on the quality of life of patients with irreversible pulpitis undergoing endodontic treatment. OHQE could contribute to the appropriate planning, treatment decisions, and management of dental treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral and Maxillofacial Health Care: Third Edition)

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9 pages, 231 KB

Open AccessArticle

Nurses’ Awareness of and Current Approaches to Oral Care in a Community Hospital in Japan: A Longitudinal Study of Dental Specialists’ Interventions

by Takashi Koike, Ryuichi Ohta, Yuhei Matsuda, Chiaki Sano and Takahiro Kanno

Healthcare 2023, 11(17), 2425; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11172425 - 30 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1798

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to increase nurses’ interest and priority in oral care by implementing educational interventions, such as teaching oral care methods suitable for each patient in clinical settings, over a period of one year. Materials and Methods: This study included all 150 nurses working in Unnan City Hospital in Japan who answered a questionnaire comprising 19 questions regarding awareness, actual implementation status of oral care provided, burden, and involvement with oral and maxillofacial surgery department of the hospital, along with participants’ characteristics. The rate of interest in learning, need for oral care, time spent in oral care, and oral health-related caregiver burden index (OHBI) score were compared between pre- and post-intervention groups. Results: The number and rate of valid questionnaires were 136 and 90.7%, respectively. The mean years of clinical experience were 19.3 ± 12.5 years; 93.4% of the nurses were women. After the interventions by dental specialists, the nurses’ level of interest in and priority to oral care were significantly higher than those before the interventions (p < 0.001), regardless of nurses’ background, such as age, gender, or years of experience. However, the “burden” did not statistically decrease. Conclusions: This study shows that dental specialists succeeded in significantly increasing nurses’ interest in and priority to oral care by intervening in clinical practice but failed in decreasing nurses’ burden of oral care. In the future, we would like to investigate the problems that hinder the reduction of the sense of burden, reduce the burden of nurses’ oral care, and improve oral care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral and Maxillofacial Health Care: Third Edition)

12 pages, 1313 KB

Open AccessArticle

Postoperative Complications following Open Reduction and Rigid Internal Fixation of Mandibular Condylar Fracture Using the High Perimandibular Approach

by Hiroto Tatsumi, Yuhei Matsuda, Erina Toda, Tatsuo Okui, Satoe Okuma and Takahiro Kanno

Healthcare 2023, 11(9), 1294; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11091294 - 30 Apr 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3350

Abstract

The high perimandibular approach is a feasible surgical technique for treating mandibular condylar fractures with open reduction and internal fixation, followed by fewer complications. Temporary trismus is the only postoperative complication that may occur. This study evaluated postoperative complications following open reduction and rigid internal fixation (OR-IF) of mandibular condylar fractures using the high perimandibular approach. Twenty consecutive patients undergoing OR-IF were included in this study. They included 11 male and 9 female patients, of an average age of 58.5 years, all of whom responded to a follow-up call at least 12 months after the surgery. All patients were evaluated for range of mouth opening, postoperative complications, and radiological findings. A statistical analysis of the relationship between range of mouth opening and related clinical parameters at 6 months postoperative evaluation was conducted. The fracture of the condylar neck was associated with a limited range of mouth opening and longer operation time. However, longer operation time was not associated with a limited range of mouth opening. The high perimandibular approach with OR-IF in mandibular condylar fractures is a feasible and safe technique; however, prolonged surgery and mandibular condylar neck fractures could affect the postoperative range of mouth opening. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral and Maxillofacial Health Care: Third Edition)

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8 pages, 240 KB

Open AccessCommunication

Association between Clinical Periodontal Features and Glycated Hemoglobin in Patients with Diabetes and Controlled Periodontitis: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Masayuki Tooi, Yuhei Matsuda, Hui Zhong and Shinichi Arakawa

Healthcare 2023, 11(7), 1035; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11071035 - 4 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2264

Abstract

Diabetes and periodontitis are the most prevalent chronic diseases, and they influence each other’s progression. Only a few studies have shown the association between diabetes and mild periodontitis. We aimed to investigate the relationship between well-controlled periodontitis and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in patients with diabetes. This retrospective study investigated 150 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes treated with supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). Medical histories of diabetes and periodontal therapy were collected, and a multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine their association. The patients included 67 (44.7%) males and 83 (55.3%) females, with a mean age of 68.1 (standard deviation = 10.5) years. Forty-four (29.3%) patients were treated for diabetes, and the mean HbA1c was 6.7% (0.7). Oral status was 23.3 (5.1) for the number of teeth, 2.5 mm (0.4) for mean probing pocket depth (PPD), and 163.9 mm² (181.3) for the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA). The multiple regression analysis showed a significant association between mean PPD (β = 0.38, p = 0.03) and HbA1c in patients with mild diabetes but not in severe cases. These results suggest that the diagnostic indices for periodontitis used to assess the association between periodontitis and HbA1c would be determined based on the severity of periodontitis and type 2 diabetes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral and Maxillofacial Health Care: Third Edition)

9 pages, 448 KB

Open AccessArticle

Risk Factors for Delayed-Onset Infection after Mandibular Wisdom Tooth Extractions

by Ryo Miyazaki, Shintaro Sukegawa, Ken Nakagawa, Fumi Nakai, Yasuhiro Nakai, Takanori Ishihama and Minoru Miyake

Healthcare 2023, 11(6), 871; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11060871 - 16 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6849

Abstract

Wisdom tooth extraction is one of the most commonly performed procedures by oral maxillofacial surgeons. Delayed-onset infection (DOI) is a rare complication of wisdom tooth extraction, and it occurs ~1–4 weeks after the extraction. In the present study, risk factors for DOI were investigated by retrospectively analyzing the cases of 1400 mandibular wisdom tooth extractions performed at Kagawa University Hospital from April 2015 to June 2022. Inclusion criteria were patients aged >15 years with a wisdom tooth extraction per our procedure. The exclusion criteria were patients with insufficient medical records, a >30-mm lesion around the wisdom tooth shown via X-ray, colonectomy, radiotherapy treatment of the mandible, the lack of panoramic images, and lesions other than a follicular cyst. The DOI incidence was 1.1% (16 cases), and univariate analyses revealed that the development of DOI was significantly associated with the Winter classification (p = 0.003), position (p = 0.003), hypertension (p = 0.011), and hemostatic agent use (p = 0.004). A multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that position (OR = B for A, 7.75; p = 0.0163), hypertension (OR = 7.60, p = 0.013), and hemostatic agent use (OR = 6.87, p = 0.0022) were significantly associated with DOI development. Hypertension, hemostatic use, and position were found to be key factors for DOI; long-term observation may thus be necessary for patients with these risk factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral and Maxillofacial Health Care: Third Edition)

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10 pages, 267 KB

Open AccessArticle

Fast Eating Speed Could Be Associated with HbA1c and Salt Intake Even after Adjusting for Oral Health Status: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Satsuki Watanabe, Yuhei Matsuda, Yui Nanba, Mayu Takeda, Takafumi Abe, Kazumichi Tominaga, Minoru Isomura and Takahiro Kanno

Healthcare 2023, 11(5), 646; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11050646 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2601

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between eating speed and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), considering the number of teeth, using cross-sectional health examination data from community-dwelling older individuals in Japan. We used data from the Center for Community-Based Healthcare Research and Education Study in 2019. We collected data on gender, age, body mass index, blood test results, Salt intake, bone mineral density, body fat percentage, muscle mass, basal metabolic rate, number of teeth, and lifestyle information. Eating speed was evaluated subjectively as fast, normal, or slow. Overall, 702 participants were enrolled in the study and 481 participants were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between fast eating speed and being a male (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 2.15 [1.02–4.53]), HbA1c (1.60 [1.17–2.19]), salt intake (1.11 [1.01–1.22]), muscle mass (1.05 [1.00–1.09]), and enough sleep (1.60 [1.03–2.50]). Fast eating may be associated with overall health and lifestyle. The characteristics of fast eaters, after taking oral information into consideration, tended to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, renal dysfunction, and hypertension. Dental professionals should provide dietary and lifestyle guidance to fast eaters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral and Maxillofacial Health Care: Third Edition)

Review

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16 pages, 650 KB

Open AccessReview

Integrating Dentistry into Interprofessional Healthcare: A Scoping Review on Advancing Collaborative Practice and Patient Outcomes

by Man Hung, Wendy C. Birmingham, Madeleine Tucker, Connor Schwartz and Amir Mohajeri

Healthcare 2025, 13(21), 2780; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13212780 - 1 Nov 2025

Viewed by 173

Abstract

Background: Interprofessional collaboration is vital for comprehensive, patient-centered care. Despite growing recognition of oral–systemic health links, the integration of dentists into healthcare teams remains limited. This scoping review mapped existing evidence on dental professionals’ roles within interprofessional healthcare, identifying key benefits, barriers, and facilitators. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science identified English-language studies (2014 to 2024) focused on collaboration between dental and non-dental providers. Studies addressing oral–systemic health without team-based integration were excluded. Screening and data charting followed the PRISMA-ScR framework using JBI data extraction and critical appraisal tools. Data were synthesized thematically by collaboration model, outcomes, and influencing factors. Results: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Integrating dental professionals into healthcare teams improved patient outcomes, quality of life, and satisfaction. Effective models included nurse practitioner–dentist partnerships and medical–dental collaboration in pediatrics and chronic disease care. Barriers included poor communication, lack of interoperable electronic health records, role ambiguity, and limited interprofessional training. Key facilitators were supportive policies, integrated care structures, professional education, and strong team communication. Conclusions: Integrating dentists into interprofessional teams enhances healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. However, significant barriers remain. Addressing communication gaps, implementing shared health records, and expanding interprofessional education are essential steps toward more cohesive care. Future research should evaluate scalable integration frameworks and incorporate patient perspectives to inform team-based care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral and Maxillofacial Health Care: Third Edition)

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