Search Results (1,238)

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to assess oral health values, oral hygiene habits, preventive dental attendance, and lifestyle-related risk factors among students at the University of Osijek and to compare findings between students enrolled in health-related and non-health-related study programs. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 331 students (186 health-related and 145 non-health-related). Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling approach. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire comprising demographic information, oral health–related behaviors, and the Croatian version of the Oral Health Values Scale (OHVS-CRO). Group differences were analyzed using nonparametric statistical tests. Results: Students enrolled in health-related study programs reported significantly more favorable oral hygiene behaviors, including more frequent toothbrushing, greater use of dental floss, interdental brushes, and mouthwash, as well as more regular preventive dental attendance (all p < 0.05). They also achieved significantly higher OHVS-CRO scores across all domains and on the total scale (median total score: 42 vs. 40; p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed regarding smoking, alcohol consumption, or refined sugar intake. Conclusions: Students enrolled in health-related study programs demonstrated higher oral health values and more favorable oral health-related behaviors than students enrolled in non-health-related study programs. These findings suggest an association between educational orientation and oral health values and behaviors and may inform future oral health promotion initiatives targeting university students. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to assess access to dental services by people living with HIV/AIDS in Bahia, Brazil, and its associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a convenience sample involving 145 people living with HIV/AIDS in Bahia, recruited from an HIV/AIDS referral center and members of two social organizations. Results: Most participants were cisgender men (41.8%), lived in the capital (80.0%), and had a mean age of 44 years (±11.8). More than half had visited a dentist within the previous year (56.2%), mainly for routine or maintenance care (52.4%). Non-disclosure of HIV serological status to dentists was reported by 63.6% of participants and was significantly associated with lower educational attainment (p = 0.03). Never having attended a dental appointment was significantly more frequent among black and brown individuals (p = 0.04), non-binary participants (p = 0.03), and those with fewer years of schooling (p = 0.008). Conclusions: The results showed inequality in access to oral health care among people with HIV/AIDS in Bahia, influenced by factors such as race, schooling, and gender. Despite economic, geographical, and structural barriers, more than half of the participants had consulted a dentist in the past year and received guidance on the disease’s oral manifestations. Full article

Objective: To evaluate whether professional status and training level influence attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry, and to compare present-day AI attitudes with expectations for near-future AI applications. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire study drew on responses from 234 volunteers spanning four professional groups: 63 fourth-year dental students, 78 fifth-year dental students, 47 oral and maxillofacial radiology residents, and 46 oral and maxillofacial radiology specialists/faculty members. Present-attitude items, near-future-attitude items and awareness of selected AI applications were evaluated using multivariable models adjusted for professional status, sex, and age. Results: Internal consistency was high for both the present-attitude subscale (alpha = 0.852) and the near-future-attitude subscale (alpha = 0.872). Near-future ratings exceeded present-day ratings in all five paired domains (all p < 0.001). Professional status/training level was significantly associated with the present-attitude composite score (p = 0.017) and with the change score between near-future and present attitudes (p < 0.001), but not with the near-future composite score in isolation (p = 0.208). Radiology residents showed lower present-attitude scores (β = −2.41) yet a larger change score (β = +1.95) relative to fourth-year students. Conclusions: More experienced radiology groups were found to be relatively more cautious but more aware of certain present-day applications, yet showed a stronger tendency toward accepting near-future AI capabilities—particularly for structured, workflow-oriented tasks. Sustainable AI integration in dentistry may require more than attitudinal readiness—it may depend on grounded familiarity with validated tools and on addressing the practical and economic realities of clinical implementation. Full article

Background/Objectives: An effective dental workforce is essential to ensure timely, high-quality oral healthcare across health systems worldwide. Many countries are currently facing challenges related to workforce supply, professional mobility, and the alignment between training capacity and population needs. Using Israel as an empirical case, this study examines long-term trends in the national dental workforce and explores their relevance for international workforce planning. Methods: A retrospective longitudinal analysis was conducted using Israel’s National Health Professions Database (“Oskim”), supplemented by data on dental education and specialty training. Descriptive longitudinal analyses were performed to evaluate workforce trends over time, and inferential statistical analyses were used to assess differences in demographic and geographic workforce distributions. Workforce indicators were analyzed using internationally standardized metrics to enable comparison with OECD healthcare systems. Results: The number of licensed dentists increased substantially, while the number of actively practicing dentists grew more moderately, reflecting a widening gap between licensure and workforce participation. Between 2008 and 2023, the number of licensed dentists increased by 49.9%, compared with a 40.4% increase in the actively practicing workforce. Accordingly, the practicing dentist-to-population ratio increased only slightly, from 0.80 to 0.84 per 1000 population. Israel reported 0.84 practicing dentists per 1000 population in 2023, exceeding the OECD average of 0.70. However, despite exceeding the OECD average, the relatively modest increase in the practicing workforce suggests that higher dentist-to-population ratios may overestimate actual workforce capacity when workforce participation patterns are not taken into account. Internationally trained dentists accounted for approximately 75% of new licensees, highlighting the role of professional mobility in shaping workforce supply. The proportion of dental specialists remained relatively stable at approximately 10%. In addition, the number of licensed dental hygienists increased by 96.1% (from 1468 to 2879), while the number of newly licensed hygienists declined by approximately 43% (from 174 to 100 annually). Conclusions: Despite substantial growth in the number of licensed dentists, the practicing workforce and specialist capacity expanded only modestly, and geographic disparities persisted. The difference between growth in licensed dentists and the actively practicing workforce highlights the importance of incorporating participation measures into national monitoring and oral health planning policies. The Israeli experience illustrates how workforce expansion driven by internationally trained dentists may coexist with structural challenges in participation, specialization, and distribution. These findings highlight broader considerations for oral health workforce planning and may provide insights for other health systems facing similar demographic and staffing dynamics. Because indicators of oral health need, service utilization, disease burden, and workforce productivity were unavailable, the study could not determine whether the observed workforce supply was adequate to meet population oral health needs. Full article

Objectives: Patient safety is central to healthcare quality, yet dental practice also involves occupational risks for professionals. This study examined the lifetime prevalence and types of patient- and staff-safety incidents among Korean dental professionals and explored associated demographic, professional, and institutional factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 439 dental professionals in South Korea. Participants reported lifetime experience of predefined safety incidents, institutional safety factors, and demographic and occupational characteristics. Descriptive statistics, profession-based comparisons, and multivariable logistic regression were applied. Results: Overall, 89.1% of respondents reported at least one safety incident. The most common patient-safety events were aspiration or ingestion of teeth or prosthetic materials and instrument-related injury, whereas sharps injuries and verbal abuse were the leading staff-safety issues. Dentists and dental hygienists differed significantly in response knowledge, liability insurance coverage, and safety education. The presence of institutional safety protocols was associated with higher reported incident experience, which may reflect greater recognition and reporting rather than a causal increase in harm. Conclusions: Safety incidents are highly prevalent in Korean dental practice and represent an underrecognized quality-of-care and workforce-safety issue. Integrated strategies including occupational-hygiene measures, structured safety education, non-punitive reporting, and stronger organizational preparedness are needed to improve dental healthcare delivery. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although contemporary preventive concepts are well established in dentistry, their consistent integration into routine clinical practice remains uncertain. This study aimed to assess how preventive strategies are understood and applied in daily dental practice, and to explore the relationship between clinicians’ level of familiarity with preventive concepts and their implementation in patient care. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 202 practicing dentists between October 2024 and May 2025 using a structured, anonymous questionnaire comprising 34 items. The instrument explored professional characteristics, knowledge of preventive concepts, clinical decision-making, use of fluoride-based interventions and minimally invasive approaches, and familiarity with risk-based systems. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests (p < 0.05). Results: Most respondents reported moderate to high familiarity with contemporary preventive concepts, particularly remineralization and fluoride-based prevention. Preventive measures were commonly used; however, their implementation was often not structured. Formal caries risk assessment was routinely or often performed by 69.3% of clinicians, yet structured systems such as CAMBRA were routinely or often used by only 19.8%. Continuing professional education was significantly associated with greater use of preventive technologies (p = 0.018), and the use of structured risk assessment was associated with risk-based restorative decision-making (p = 0.041). Conclusions: Respondents reported a high level of familiarity with preventive concepts, but their application appeared inconsistent and frequently unstructured. These findings highlight a persistent gap between familiarity and implementation and point toward the need for clinically feasible, structured approaches that can support preventive decision-making in routine care. Full article

(1) Background: Obesity and dental caries disproportionately affect low-income South Asian (SA) immigrant children in the US. This CHALO! study aimed to reduce the risk of obesity and oral health risk in young SA children in the US. (2) Methods: CHALO! is a randomized controlled trial. A total of 350 low-income Bangladeshi mothers of 6-month-old children were recruited and randomized to intervention or control. Intervention participants received six home visits and six phone calls from trained community health workers who delivered health education and support. The primary outcome was frequency of combined bottle/sippy cup use over 18 months measured via self-report. Secondary outcomes included sugar consumption, maternal feeding practices, oral hygiene practices, and dental utilization measured via self-report. Secondary clinical outcomes included the presence of dental caries at follow-up (12 months post baseline) assessed through intra-oral camera, and obesity risk, measured as weight gain velocity, at each 6-month period. (3) Results: Bottle/sippy-cup use increased less in the intervention group (Poisson rate ratio = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.34–0.39, p < 0.0001) vs. controls (Poisson rate ratio = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.56–0.61), and while consistent results were noted in sugar consumption, oral hygiene practices, dental visits, and other secondary outcomes, no difference was found in caries prevalence or weight gain velocity. (4) Conclusions: The intervention improved self-reported bottle use and child diet in the intervention group. There were no significant changes in caries prevalence or weight gain velocity. Social context, particularly social networks, may act as a barrier to adopting new healthy behaviors, impacting changes in caries and obesity outcomes. Full article

Dental diseases have long been taught and treated as separate entities: cariology, operative dentistry, endodontics, and periodontology, each working within its own boundaries. However, increasing biological and clinical evidence suggests that this classified view does not fully reflect how disease progresses in the mouth. Instead, dental disease should be understood as a continuum within the interconnected tooth–pulp–periodontium complex. This review provides current evidence showing how dental caries can serve as the starting point of a process that can progress through pulpitis and apical periodontitis and eventually affect surrounding periodontal tissues. Caries is now widely known as a biofilm-driven and host-influenced condition shaped by ecological imbalance rather than specific pathogens alone. As lesions penetrate deeper into dentin, the structure becomes more permeable, permitting diffusion of microbial metabolites and signaling molecules toward the pulp. This initiates a multifaceted inflammatory reaction within the pulp tissue. At this stage, pulpitis becomes a critical turning point, where the outcome depends on microbial load, lesion activity, host response, and quality of clinical intervention. If the disease is not well controlled, it may lead to pulp necrosis, allowing infection to spread beyond the root canal and initiate periapical inflammation. Through anatomical pathways such as apical foramina and lateral canals, these processes can extend further, sometimes resembling or overlapping with periodontal disease. This overlap creates diagnostic challenges, as conventional tests may not always distinguish between conditions. A structured, pathway-based diagnostic approach is therefore essential. From a treatment perspective, this continuum model highlights early intervention, minimally invasive care, preservation of pulp vitality when possible, and maintenance of a strong coronal seal. Ultimately, stronger integration across dental disciplines can improve diagnosis, guide treatment decisions, support long-term tooth preservation, and promote unified dental education. This article presents a narrative review supported by a structured literature search and proposes a clinically actionable framework that extends established endodontic–periodontal concepts upstream to include caries initiation and restorative modulation. Full article

Background/Objectives: The trainer–doctor model (TDM) is a participatory paradigm in which the physician acts as a mentor and educator. Effective health communication and patient engagement are key determinants of treatment adherence and health outcomes. Based on this conceptual framework, the present study aimed to assess preferences for the Trainer–Doctor Model among dental practitioners and patients, examine the influence of demographic variables, and provide a preliminary psychometric evaluation of the TDM questionnaire in accordance with the COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments) criteria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Romania between May 2023 and April 2024. The study included dental practitioners recruited during scientific dental conferences and patients recruited from a private dental practice in Alba Iulia, Romania. Eligible participants were adults aged 18 years or older who provided written informed consent and completed the data protection requirements. Individuals younger than 18 years of age or those who did not provide complete informed consent were excluded. Participants completed a 12-item Likert-type questionnaire assessing preferences toward the Trainer–Doctor Model. Results: Both groups showed high TDM preference (practitioners: 43.93 ± 5.56; patients: 44.77 ± 4.84; p = 0.195); 71–76% of responses were high-preference (≥4). Cronbach’s α with reverse-scored items was 0.752/0.651. EFA (KMO = 0.740; Bartlett’s p < 0.001) identified a 3-factor structure, explaining 51.3% of the variance. Patients scored significantly higher on items A (p = 0.002), B (p = 0.022), and F (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Both groups demonstrate a strong, consistent preference for TDM across demographics. The preliminary psychometric evaluation indicates acceptable internal consistency and structural validity; however, further validation, including Delphi-based content validation and confirmatory factor analysis, is required. Full article

Background: This systematic review evaluates the evidence on sustainable practices in dentistry. It focuses on effective measures, innovative technologies, strategies for reducing the carbon footprint, life cycle assessments (LCA), attitudes toward “green” dentistry, and educational approaches. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in five databases (Cochrane Library, Embase, LILACS, MEDLINE via PubMed, and Scopus) without language restrictions in accordance with PRISMA. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251056821). Results: A total of 2395 records were identified; after removing 394 duplicates, 2001 remained for screening. After title and abstract screening, 154 full-text articles were evaluated, of which 51 studies were included. The included studies addressed life cycle assessments of dental materials, sustainable clinical practices, and educational measures. Environmentally friendly materials and procedures, such as reusable personal protective equipment and water-saving technologies, demonstrate significant potential for reducing environmental impact. Despite generally high acceptance among dentists and patients, implementation is often limited by financial and knowledge-related barriers. Conclusions: The implementation of sustainable materials and procedures is crucial for reducing environmental impact. Equally important are the integration of ecological content into education and appropriate financial and political frameworks to promote sustainable dentistry. Full article

This study aimed to use intact mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as a root canal sealer by hydrophilizing the gutta-percha (GP) surface. The GP specimens were treated with atmospheric air plasma, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), or a combination of both. The wettability and surface chemical properties were evaluated using contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The physicochemical properties of MTA mixed with water or 100 mM of CPC solution were evaluated using setting time, flowability, compressive strength, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Sealing ability was assessed by evaluating the dye penetration in obturated single-rooted teeth. Combined plasma and CPC treatment significantly decreased the contact angle of GP compared to that of the untreated group (p < 0.05) and showed the least hydrophobic recovery after 8 weeks. The XPS analysis confirmed the adsorption of CPC onto the GP surface. The XRD and compressive strength results indicated that the CPC did not interfere with the setting reaction of intact MTA, although the setting time was prolonged (p < 0.05). Dye penetration was significantly reduced in the plasma- and CPC-treated GP groups compared to the untreated GP group (p < 0.05), with a sealing ability comparable to that of the zinc oxide-based sealer. Full article

Objectives: Special care dentistry provides essential, customized oral health care for individuals with significant disabilities, addressing higher rates of dental issues and enhancing overall well-being. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of an eight-week dental prevention program on oral health outcomes and cooperation during dental treatment in children with special needs. Methods: The study targeted 97 children from Pető András Conductive Practical Primary School. A total of 16 children participated in the program, which consisted of eight weeks of education sessions focusing on oral hygiene practices and dental cooperation strategies. Dental assessments were conducted at baseline, weeks 8, 16, 52 and 104 using WHO protocols. Results: Significant improvements were observed following the 8-week preventive education program. OHI-S, DI-S, and CI-S values showed significant reductions at both week 8 and week 16 compared to baseline (p < 0.05). Patient cooperation, assessed using the Frankl scale, also improved significantly during the intervention period. Accommodation type demonstrated a significant association with OHI-S values, while diagnosis did not significantly influence the measured outcomes. Long-term follow-up demonstrated sustained improvements in oral hygiene and cooperation scores at both week 52 and week 104, indicating the potential long-term effectiveness of the preventive education program in children with special needs. Conclusions: The specific prevention program significantly improved oral health outcomes and cooperation among children with special needs. Full article

Background: The management of white spot caries lesions (WSCLs) presents a clinical challenge due to a lack of standardized protocols. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental practitioners in Russia regarding the diagnosis and treatment of WSCLs. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from October 2024 to July 2025 among 397 dental professionals in Russia. A validated questionnaire assessed four domains: demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices concerning WSCL management. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Kruskal–Wallis tests, and Spearman’s correlation. Results: The majority of respondents were females (83%), with over half having less than five years of experience (55%). A majority of the practitioners (62.5%) demonstrated a good level of knowledge (mean score 12.8 ± 2.2). Knowledge was significantly better among female practitioners (p < 0.001) and inversely correlated with years of clinical experience (p < 0.001). Attitudes towards minimally invasive treatment were mainly positive (mean score 13.5 ± 2.6), with 86% of respondents showing a positive score (>10 points). While awareness of minimally invasive techniques like resin infiltration (84%) and remineralization (79.1%) was high, clinical practice varied. Remineralization was the most frequently used treatment (68% used casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate and 62% used fluoride), whereas resin infiltration was used by 46% and microabrasion by only 5% of the respondents. A majority of dentists (52%) preferred monitoring lesions rather than immediate intervention. Conclusions: Russian dental practitioners possess good theoretical knowledge and positive attitudes toward contemporary, minimally invasive management of WSCLs. However, a significant gap exists between knowledge and clinical practice, particularly concerning the use of resin infiltration and microabrasion. These findings underscore the need for continuous education on the topic. Full article

Background: Parents play a pivotal role in influencing children’s oral health; thus, effective oral health education (OHE) is essential to equip them with the knowledge needed to support their children’s oral health care. In countries such as Pakistan, apart from limited access to dental care and socioeconomic barriers, the widespread lack of OHE is also an important factor contributing to the high prevalence of oral diseases. Conventional OHE approaches are often limited by passive delivery, lack of tailored content and poor accessibility. Social media platforms such as Facebook offer an accessible platform for health education; however, structured, validated, and tailored content is required. Aim: This study aims to develop and validate an online OHE module for Pakistani parents using the ADDIE instructional design model. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in two phases using the ADDIE model. Parental OHE needs were identified through a questionnaire. An Urdu-language module was developed based on these needs and expert recommendations. Content validation was performed by six experts, followed by face validation with 15 parents. Results: Needs assessment guided the development of a culturally appropriate module covering six main topics. Item-level Content Validity Index ranged from 0.83 to 1.00, with a Scale-level Content Validity Index of 0.94 and a Scale-level Face Validity Index of 0.97. Conclusions: The developed Facebook-delivered OHE module demonstrated high content and face validity and may serve as an accessible and practical strategy for improving parental OHE. Further studies are required to evaluate its effectiveness in improving oral health-related behaviours and outcomes. Full article

Background and Objectives: Child dental neglect is a clinically significant form of maltreatment that frequently reflects broader challenges related to caregiving within the family environment. Although oral manifestations have been described in prior research, the socio-behavioral profile of responsible caregivers remains insufficiently characterized, particularly in Central and Eastern European contexts. This study aimed to identify caregiver-level socio-behavioral characteristics associated with child dental neglect and to examine their relationships with clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 333 children (aged 4–17 years) diagnosed with dental neglect, presenting at a municipal hospital and a private dental practice in Oradea, Romania (2020–2024). Caregiver-level variables included age, educational attainment, socioeconomic status, health condition, substance use, and family structure. Associations were analyzed using Fisher’s Exact Test, Pearson Chi-Square, and Mann–Whitney U test, with Bonferroni correction applied where appropriate. Results: Most caregivers were young adults (93.1%), with low educational attainment (40.2% had no formal schooling) and high rates of alcohol use (47.1%). Low family income was present in 89.2% of cases and was significantly associated with non-adherence to the dental treatment plan (p  =  0.039). Caregivers without formal education were associated with neglect in rural areas (43.4% vs. 26.2%; p  <  0.001). Children of drug-using caregivers were significantly older at presentation (median: 12 vs. 8 years; p  =  0.014), and caregiver drug use was more prevalent in urban settings (18.0% vs. 1.8%; p  <  0.001). Over half of the children (52.9%) came from disrupted family environments. Conclusions: Dental neglect was consistently associated with young, poorly educated, and financially disadvantaged caregivers exhibiting high rates of substance use and unstable family structures. These factors may interact in complex ways, highlighting the multifactorial nature of dental neglect. Dental professionals are well positioned for early identification and have a professional and ethical responsibility to integrate child safeguarding into routine clinical practice. Full article