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Oral Medicine in Focus: Improving Diagnosis and Treatment Through Continued...
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Oral Medicine in Focus: Improving Diagnosis and Treatment Through Continued Education

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 2278

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Pollianna Muniz Alves

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, Department of Dentistry, State University of Paraíba (UEPB), Campina Grande 58429-600, PB, Brazil
Interests: study of the etiopathogenesis and histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular aspects of oral diseases; oral cancer
Dr. John Lennon Silva Cunha

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Biological and Health Sciences (CCBS), Federal University of Western Bahia (UFOB), Barreiras 47810-047, BA, Brazil
Interests: oral pathology; oral medicine; oral cancer; oral health education

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oral medicine and oral pathology are fundamental fields that connect clinical practice with scientific research, playing a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of a wide variety of conditions. These conditions, ranging from common oral lesions to rare and complex diseases, require a thorough and integrated approach to improve clinical outcomes and promote professional development in the field.

We are delighted to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, dedicated to addressing the challenges of diagnosing and treating oral diseases. Our goal is to strengthen the existing knowledge base and enhance the skills of clinicians and educators, driving significant advances in these essential fields. 

This Special Issue, entitled “Oral Medicine in Focus: Improving Diagnosis and Treatment Through Continued Education”, aims to promote the integration of clinical practice and scientific research as a strategy to improve diagnosis, treatment planning, and the quality of patient care.

The collection will offer valuable reviews of oral pathology and medicine, covering clinical, histopathological, and imaging aspects, as well as the clinical implications of various diagnostic methods and tools. The aim is to contribute to the improvement of continuing professional training and to the improvement of oral health outcomes.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and clinical cases that illustrate classic examples of common oral conditions, accompanied by clinical photographs, radiographic images, intraoperative images, gross pathology images, as well as cytology, classic histology, and other relevant supporting studies.  Submissions may address, but are not limited to:

  • Well-documented clinical cases illustrating classic or rare oral diseases with relevant clinical messages;
  • Advanced approaches to oral diagnosis;
  • The oral manifestations of systemic diseases and their repercussions;
  • Multidisciplinary approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of oral lesions; 

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions to this Special Issue, which aims to create an impactful resource to improve diagnosis, treatment, and education in oral health.

Dr. Pollianna Muniz Alves
Dr. John Lennon Silva Cunha
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

  • oral medicine
  • diagnostic imaging
  • continued education
  • oral health education

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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10 pages, 214 KB  
Article
Pacifier Usage Among Saudi Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
by Sara M. Bagher, Logain Alattas, Haneen Bakhaidar, Najat M. Farsi, Shahad N. Abudawood and Heba Jafar Sabbagh
Healthcare 2025, 13(15), 1935; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13151935 - 7 Aug 2025
Viewed by 530
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Pacifier use in infants has both beneficial and harmful implications, and dipping pacifiers in sweeteners is used by some parents to soothe infants. This study aimed to assess pacifier usage among mothers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and to examine its association with [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Pacifier use in infants has both beneficial and harmful implications, and dipping pacifiers in sweeteners is used by some parents to soothe infants. This study aimed to assess pacifier usage among mothers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and to examine its association with child demographics, maternal socioeconomic status (SES), and maternal knowledge of the risks associated with dipping pacifiers in sweeteners. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among mothers of healthy children aged 2 to 4 years during community-awareness events in Jeddah. Participants completed a validated Arabic questionnaire covering pacifier use patterns, feeding practices, SES background, and knowledge regarding the adverse effects of pacifier sweetening. Results: A total of 1438 mothers participated. The mean age of children was 34.3 ± 10.7 months, with 441 children (30.7%) reported as pacifier users. Among them, 202 (45.8%) used pacifiers both during the day and at night. Most children (35.6%) discontinued use between 4 and 6 months of age. Only 6.1% of mothers reported adding sweeteners to pacifiers. Pacifier usage was significantly higher among first-born children (37.6%, p < 0.001), those who received both bottle- and breastfeeding (65.5%, p < 0.001), and children enrolled in nursery (62.1%, p = 0.007). Most mothers (75.6%) were aware of the link between sweetened pacifiers and dental caries, and 69.4% of those who had this knowledge avoided giving their child a pacifier (p = 0.077). Conclusions: Birth order, feeding practices, and nursery attendance are key predictors of pacifier use. Enhancing parental awareness and education may support early interventions to promote healthier oral and feeding habits in young children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Medicine in Focus: Improving Diagnosis and Treatment Through Continued Education)

Other

Jump to: Research

10 pages, 5450 KB  
Case Report
Application of a Conservative Prosthodontic Approach in the Rehabilitation of a 10-Year-Old Child with Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia
by Abdulfatah Alazmah
Healthcare 2025, 13(13), 1543; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13131543 - 28 Jun 2025
Viewed by 539
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is a rare hereditary disorder affecting ectoderm-derived tissues including teeth, hair, and sweat glands. The dental abnormalities associated with HED, such as oligodontia and conical teeth, often result in significant functional, esthetic, and psychosocial challenges, particularly during [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is a rare hereditary disorder affecting ectoderm-derived tissues including teeth, hair, and sweat glands. The dental abnormalities associated with HED, such as oligodontia and conical teeth, often result in significant functional, esthetic, and psychosocial challenges, particularly during childhood. Methods: A 10-year-old child presented with psychosocial concerns related to missing and malformed teeth. Clinical examination revealed oligodontia, conical anterior teeth, and a resorbed mandibular ridge. Based on clinical findings and a positive family history, a diagnosis of HED with significant dental involvement was confirmed. Results: A conservative prosthodontic approach was selected. A maxillary overdenture was fabricated over the retained primary teeth to enhance retention and preserve the alveolar bone, and a resin-bonded bridge was placed in the mandible due to poor ridge anatomy. The treatment restored oral function and esthetics and improved the child’s self-esteem. A recall visit after three months confirmed good prosthesis adaptation and a positive response from the patient and parents. Conclusions: This case highlights the importance of early, conservative, and developmentally appropriate prosthetic rehabilitation in pediatric patients with HED. Interim prostheses can significantly improve oral function, appearance, and psychosocial well-being while preserving future treatment options as the child matures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Medicine in Focus: Improving Diagnosis and Treatment Through Continued Education)
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16 pages, 1462 KB  
Systematic Review
Oral Ulceration with Bone Sequestration: Key Insights for Clinicians and Their Relevance in Contemporary Clinical Practice—A Narrative Systematic Review
by Mariana Agra Monteiro, Lázaro Andrade Rios da Silva, Sebastião Silvério Sousa-Neto, Ricardo Luiz Cavalcanti de Albuquerque-Júnior, Cassiano Francisco Weege Nonaka, Pollianna Muniz Alves and John Lennon Silva Cunha
Healthcare 2025, 13(11), 1350; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13111350 - 5 Jun 2025
Viewed by 858
Abstract
Background: Oral ulceration with bone sequestration (OUBS) is an uncommon clinical lesion characterized by painful mucosal ulceration associated with exposed and necrotic bone in the oral cavity, often without known factors inducing osteonecrosis. Despite its potential for diagnostic confusion with more serious [...] Read more.
Background: Oral ulceration with bone sequestration (OUBS) is an uncommon clinical lesion characterized by painful mucosal ulceration associated with exposed and necrotic bone in the oral cavity, often without known factors inducing osteonecrosis. Despite its potential for diagnostic confusion with more serious lesions, such as medication-related osteonecrosis, OUBS remains poorly understood and underreported. Objectives: To systematically review the literature on OUBS and identify its main clinical and radiographic characteristics to assist in early diagnosis and appropriate management. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases on 27 January 2024, to identify case reports, case series, and observational studies that described OUBS. Data extraction focused on demographic information, lesion location, clinical features, radiographic findings, possible etiological factors, management, and outcomes. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools were utilized to assess the quality of the case reports and series. Data were synthesized narratively due to heterogeneity among studies. Results: Fifty-seven patients from 22 studies were included. The male-to-female ratio was 2.5:1, with most cases (71.9%) occurring in males. The mean age was 50.22 ± 11.49 years, with the highest incidence in patients aged 50–59 years (64.9%). Most cases were localized to the mandible (94.7%). Clinically, lesions were shallow ulcers (mean size: 0.75 ± 0.85 cm). Pain was the most common symptom (88.9%). Radiographs revealed no significant maxillary abnormalities, but some cases showed radiopaque areas in the mandible. Surgical interventions were most common (40.4%), with complete healing in 67.7% of cases within 4 weeks. Limitations include the predominance of case reports and series, which limits the strength of evidence. Conclusions: Recognizing OUBS can prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions. Further studies are needed to clarify its etiology and natural history. Registration: This review was registered on the PROSPERO database (registration number CRD42024541416). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Medicine in Focus: Improving Diagnosis and Treatment Through Continued Education)
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