Search Results (549)

Background/Objectives: Routine administrative dental data can quantify specialty activity and reconstruct sequential patient movement when operational definitions and analytical provenance are explicit. To reconcile institutional activity through 30 June 2026, describe the derivation of all treatment records, and reconstruct patient transitions across 18 dental services. Methods: The official institutional report was the source of truth for descriptive totals. Patient-level workbooks were used for deduplication and transition analysis after excluding dates later than 30 June 2026. A treatment record was a coded administrative row; appointments and first visits followed the official report definitions. Directed transitions linked different services in consecutive dated patient stages. PageRank, betweenness and modularity were recalculated from the resulting matrix. Results: The official report comprised 98,685 treatment records represented by 476 treatment codes, 24,327 unique appointments and 1351 first visits. There were 7260 unique anonymized patient codes; 13,026 was the non-additive sum of service-specific patient counts. The cutoff-restricted chronology included 3947 multiservice patients and 16,347 dated stages. The network contained 253 directed service pairs and 8777 transitions (density 0.827). The leading PageRank values were RX (0.202), CIRUGÍA BUCAL (0.149), MEA (0.101), MIA (0.088), and MPSI (0.062). Modularity was low (Q = 0.042). Conclusions: The descriptive results are fully reconciled to the official report, while network estimates are restricted to reproducible individual trajectories from 1 January 2025 to 30 June 2026. The observed network characterizes sequential service use and should not be interpreted as proof of formal referral. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dental caries remains one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in childhood, influenced by a combination of hygiene, dietary, and access-related behaviours that are largely shaped by parental involvement. This study aimed to evaluate oral hygiene habits, dietary risk factors, access to dental services, awareness of caries prevention, and the impact of oral health on the child, in relation to parent-reported dental caries in Romanian children and adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured online questionnaire completed by parents or legal guardians of 508 children and adolescents aged under 18 years. Associations between categorical variables and reported caries were assessed using chi-square tests and Cramér’s V. Ordinal variables were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. A multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of reported caries, with robustness examined through sensitivity analyses. Results: Parent-reported caries was present in 61.2% of children. The strongest associations with caries were the absence of parental supervision during brushing (Cramér’s V = 0.364), the age at which children began brushing unsupervised (V = 0.354), and the reason for the last dental visit (V = 0.426). In the multivariable model, older age, absence of brushing supervision, sweets before bedtime, less frequent dental visits, and rural residence were independent predictors (all p < 0.05; Nagelkerke R² = 0.361). All six assessed dimensions of oral-health impact on the child were significantly associated with caries, with physical discomfort showing the largest effect (V = 0.349). Conclusions: Parent-reported caries risk in this population clustered around a small number of modifiable behaviours rather than any single dominant factor, while reported caries was associated with a substantial burden on children’s daily functioning. These findings point to sustained parental supervision and routine, non-symptomatic dental care as priority targets for future prevention efforts, although intervention studies are needed to confirm their effectiveness. Full article

Background: Chewing gum may reduce oral malodor through salivary stimulation and may also serve as a carrier for oral probiotics. Evidence on Heyndrickxia coagulans in this setting is lacking. Methods: This exploratory secondary analysis used data from a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study in which 52 healthy adults were assigned to a sugar-free gum with H. coagulans SNZ1969^® or to a matched placebo gum for four weeks. Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) and methyl mercaptan (CH₃SH) were measured by OralChroma™ at baseline (T₀), during intervention (T₁–T₂), and one week after gum discontinuation (T₃). Dental plaque 16S rRNA profiles from the parent trial were re-analysed in relation to VSC values. Results: Forty-four participants completed follow-up. H₂S and CH₃SH concentrations did not differ between probiotic and placebo groups at any visit, and changes from baseline were also similar between arms. In the probiotic group, H₂S was lower than baseline at T₂ (p = 0.008) and T₃ (p = 0.031), but this within-arm decrease was not greater than the change seen with placebo. Taxon-level analyses suggested nominal associations with taxa plausibly linked to sulphur metabolism, mainly for H₂S, but no association survived false-discovery-rate correction. Conclusions: The probiotic gum did not show a statistically significant additional effect on VSC concentrations compared with the placebo gum. The within-arm H₂S decrease and microbiome signals are exploratory and require confirmation in trials designed for participants with clinically established halitosis. Full article

Background and Objectives: Presurgical infant orthopedics aims to reduce cleft severity and facilitate primary surgical repair during the early neonatal period, when increased tissue plasticity enhances molding. Nasoalveolar molding is widely used but requires intraoral appliances, laboratory support, specialized training, and frequent follow-up visits, which may limit accessibility and adherence. This case series reports the clinical application of presurgical lip–alveolus–nose approximation (PLANA), an extraoral technique for early presurgical cleft management, and describes the clinical changes observed during treatment in four infants. Materials and Methods: A prospective case series conducted in neonates with non-syndromic unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and/or palate referred within the first 10 days of life to the Alabama Cleft Center. Treatment consisted of a prefabricated silicone nasal aligner combined with hydrocolloid lip adhesive taping. No intraoral plates or dental impressions were used. Devices were worn 20 to 22 h daily. Follow up occurred every 2 to 4 weeks, with remote monitoring used when appropriate. Qualitative clinical observations focused on apparent changes in nasal symmetry, columellar length, septal alignment, nasal tip projection, premaxillary position, nostril dimensions, alar base width, cleft width, and lip approximation, as well as feeding tolerance, skin tolerance, and treatment adherence. These observations were assessed qualitatively through serial clinical examinations and clinical photographs; no standardized quantitative morphometric measurements were performed. Results: Four infants with complete unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate received PLANA treatment. Serial clinical examinations and photographs documented qualitative changes in nasolabial morphology over the course of treatment in all four patients. Qualitative clinical assessment of serial photographs and examinations suggested greater apparent nasal symmetry, apparent columellar elongation, more central-appearing nasal alignment, increased apparent nasal tip projection, apparent cleft-width reduction, and progressive lip approximation. In unilateral clefts, changes were observed in both the cleft and non-cleft nasal sides, while bilateral clefts demonstrated changes in nasal morphology bilaterally. No device-related complications or clinically significant skin intolerance were documented during the reported treatment periods. Parent-reported device wear was approximately 20–22 h per day. Conclusions: In this four-patient prospective descriptive case series, PLANA was applied clinically, with no clinically significant treatment-related complications documented during the reported treatment periods. Serial clinical observations suggested changes in nasolabial morphology during treatment. Given the small sample size, absence of a contemporaneous control group, and qualitative nature of the assessments, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary and hypothesis-generating rather than as evidence of treatment efficacy or comparative effectiveness. Larger prospective, multicenter comparative studies incorporating standardized quantitative measurements, objective adherence assessment, and long-term surgical and aesthetic outcomes are needed to evaluate the effectiveness, reproducibility, and clinical applicability of the PLANA approach. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dental caries remains one of the most prevalent and preventable childhood diseases worldwide. Despite universal access to free dental care in Saudi Arabia, preventable oral diseases remain common, highlighting persistent gaps in oral health literacy and preventive behaviours among children. Male students consistently demonstrate poorer oral health knowledge and practices than their female counterparts, yet they remain understudied. This study aimed to assess oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among male primary school students in Al Lith city, Saudi Arabia, and to identify their associated sociodemographic determinants. Methods: A school-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted during the 2023–2024 academic year in Al Lith city, Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia. A total of 430 male students aged 10–13 years from grades five and six were recruited via multistage cluster sampling from 8 randomly selected schools. A validated, interviewer-administered, Arabic-language questionnaire assessed knowledge (18 items), attitudes (12 Likert-scale items), and practices (12 items) related to oral health, alongside sociodemographic data. The study was designed and reported in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were performed. Results: Of the 430 participants, 83.3% were aged 11–12 years, 89.8% were Saudi nationals, and 89.1% resided in intact, two-parent households. Knowledge deficits were widespread: only 8.4% correctly identified the recommended timing of sweet consumption, 20.2% understood dental plaque, and 28.6% recognised the protective role of fluoride. Attitudes were generally positive, with 80.1% agreeing that teeth should be brushed twice daily and 71.6% endorsing regular dental visits; however, 60.3% held that dental attendance was necessary only when pain was present. Substantial practice gaps were also evident: only 33.3% brushed for the recommended two minutes, and 12.6% had never visited a dentist. In multivariable analysis, low household income was independently associated with better oral health knowledge (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–4.74; p = 0.039), divorced parental status was independently associated with positive oral health attitudes (AOR = 5.40; 95% CI: 1.28–22.79; p = 0.022), and older age was independently associated with poorer oral health practices (AOR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.55–0.93; p = 0.014). Conclusions: Male primary school students in Al Lith demonstrated generally positive oral health attitudes but significant deficits in knowledge and preventive practices. Comprehensive, school-based oral health promotion programmes that address key misconceptions, actively engage parents, and integrate culturally accepted practices—such as miswak use—with evidence-based preventive guidance are needed. Full article

Background/Objectives: The primary aim of this observational study was to evaluate the relationships among periodontal awareness, oral health behaviors, self-reported periodontal symptoms, objective clinical periodontal findings, and oral health-related quality of life in Turkish Cypriot adults aged 30 years and older living in Northern Cyprus, and to investigate potential discrepancies between self-reported indicators and objective clinical findings. A three-week clinical re-evaluation performed after professional tooth cleaning and standardized oral hygiene instruction was included as a secondary and descriptive component of the study. Materials and Methods: A total of 423 adults completed a 31-item face-to-face questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, periodontal awareness, oral health behaviors, and OHIP-14. GI, PI, BOP, and RPI were recorded at baseline and three weeks later. Participants were classified as periodontal health, gingivitis-compatible, or periodontitis-compatible. Non-parametric tests were applied (p < 0.05). Results: GI, PI, BOP, and RPI decreased significantly at T3 (p < 0.001). Gingival bleeding, swelling, and halitosis were associated with clinical indices (p < 0.001). However, periodontal awareness indicators and oral health behaviors were not consistently associated with clinical periodontal status, indicating incomplete concordance between self-reported awareness and objective clinical findings. Women reported more regular dental visits, previous scaling, and adjunctive product use. Higher education was associated with greater awareness and preventive behaviors. OHIP-14 associations with clinical parameters were weak. Conclusions: Overall, significant short-term reductions in clinical periodontal indices were observed after standardized professional tooth cleaning and oral hygiene instruction; however, awareness, behaviors, clinical findings, and OHRQoL did not demonstrate consistent concordance across all comparisons. These findings support professional follow-up and objective periodontal evaluation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Proactively informing the patient prior to initiating medication and implementing preventive strategies are essential for mitigating the risk of developing medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). This study evaluated the awareness of MRONJ among a group of dental faculty patients who were scheduled to use, were using, or had previously utilized bisphosphonate and/or denosumab. Methods: A structured questionnaire-based survey was used as the survey tool to evaluate the patients’ awareness of MRONJ. A non-probability convenience sampling method was employed throughout a one-year period. Results: Throughout the study period, 202 participants were included, with a response rate of 97.58%. Only 35 (17.3%) of the patients had awareness of the risk of MRONJ, and 23 (11.4%) reported that their prescribing physicians had informed them about the potential side effects of their medication before the commencement of treatment. Univariate logistic regression, which was performed to elucidate the elements affecting awareness, revealed a significant odds ratio for healthcare professionals as a source of knowledge (29.229, p < 0.001), information of side effects given by a prescribing physician (25.343, p < 0.001), dental consultation (2.592, p = 0.018), and regular dental visits (3.205, p = 0.004). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, “Healthcare professional as source of knowledge” was significantly associated with awareness (OR = 21.956, p < 0.001). “Information of side effects given by a prescribing physician” was also a significant predictor (OR = 11.450, p < 0.001), indicating that participants informed by prescribing physicians about the side effects were more likely to have awareness. Conclusions: This study revealed that despite patients’ limited awareness of MRONJ, the dissemination of information by healthcare professionals positively influenced their awareness and understanding of the risk factors associated with MRONJ. In particular, receiving information from healthcare professionals and prescribing physician-provided information about side effects appeared to be the strongest predictors of awareness. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the sociodemographic factors influencing oral hygiene habits and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among complete denture wearers at Kuwait University Dental Clinic (KUDC). Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire and an Oral Health Impact Profile-19 (OHIP-19) instrument to assess oral hygiene habits and OHRQoL in 61 complete denture patients, treated by dental undergraduate students at KUDC, between January 2019 and December 2023. Additionally, a clinical assessment of denture hygiene was performed using the Budtz-Jörgensen denture plaque index for all patients (n = 61). Sociodemographic, general health status, oral hygiene habits, and OHRQoL-related data were collected. Results: A total of 37.7% of included participants were aged 51–60 years, with 75.4% being male. Most participants (81.96%) had a high school education or less. Caries was reported as the primary cause of tooth loss (83.6%), and 77.04% recorded irregular dental visits. Only 46.05% of participants demonstrated optimal and/or good denture hygiene. Toothpaste was the most common cleaning method (79.21%), and 70.62% removed their dentures at night. A significant association was found between education level and denture wearing (p = 0.035), as well as between gender and the frequency of dental visits (p = 0.024). However, no significant relationship was observed between gender and denture hygiene (p = 0.52). The OHIP-19 results revealed that poor denture hygiene impacted OHRQoL across multiple domains, including functional limitation, physical pain, psychological discomfort, and social disability. Conclusions: Unsatisfactory denture hygiene was prevalent among participants, possibly due to limited awareness or inadequate instructions provided by dental health practitioners. Education level and gender influenced certain aspects of denture care, highlighting the need for targeted oral health education programs and improved patient guidance from dental practitioners. Additionally, poor denture hygiene was associated with reduced OHRQoL, emphasizing the importance of addressing both oral hygiene practices and their psychosocial impacts to improve overall well-being. Full article

Background/Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is now responsible for the majority of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs), an HPV-related cancer of direct relevance to the dental profession; oral-health providers may be well-positioned to perform routine oral examination, recognize suspicious signs, refer appropriately, and educate patients about HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer and HPV vaccination. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HPV, HIV/AIDS and HPV-related oral and oropharyngeal cancer among secondary-school students in Apulia, Italy, with particular attention to the dental setting. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by the University of Foggia among 1224 students from three secondary schools at the end of the 2025/2026 school year) using a self-administered 108-item questionnaire. A 63-item composite knowledge score was computed; “don’t know” answers were scored as incorrect and adequate knowledge defined a priori as ≥60% (Bloom’s cut-off). The minimum required sample (737) was derived using Cochran’s formula adjusted for a cluster-sampling design effect. Results: Overall knowledge was low (mean 28.5%, SD 18.2); only 5% reached the ≥60% threshold (Bloom’s cut-off). Only 14.8% of students were aware that HPV can cause oropharyngeal cancer, the lowest figure among all oncogenic outcomes assessed and significantly lower in boys (11.2%) than girls (17.3%; p = 0.003), despite boys carrying the higher OPSCC risk. Knowledge was independently associated with female sex, age and sexual experience. Despite poor knowledge, 61.2% of students would like to receive the HPV vaccine. Conclusions: The dental visit may represent an under-used opportunity to address this oral-cancer-prevention knowledge gap; the integration of oral-health professionals into school-based and clinical HPV-prevention strategies is a plausible public-health implication. Full article

Background: Oral cancer remains a major global health concern, with increasing incidence and mortality, especially in developing countries. Public awareness is crucial for early detection and improved outcomes. Objective: To assess oral cancer awareness, recognition of risk factors and early signs, screening behavior, and care-seeking preferences among patients attending a university dental hospital in Türkiye. Methods: This cross-sectional, facility-based survey included 1360 volunteer patients who attended the Faculty of Dentistry between January and December 2025. Consecutive sampling was used to include all eligible and consenting individuals. A structured questionnaire assessed participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, oral cancer awareness, knowledge of symptoms and risk factors, screening history, and lifestyle habits. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Main outcomes and measures: The primary outcome was oral cancer awareness (measured by the question “Have you ever heard of oral cancer?”). Secondary outcomes included knowledge of risk factors and early clinical signs, screening history, preferred healthcare contact for suspected oral cancer, and lifestyle factors (tobacco and alcohol). Associations between sociodemographic variables and oral cancer awareness were also evaluated. Results: The sample consisted of 1360 participants (56.4% female; mean age: 33.44 ± 14.60 years; range: 18–70). Of the 1377 questionnaires collected, 1360 were complete and included in the final analysis (questionnaire completion rate: 98.8%). Breast cancer was the most recognized cancer (96.9%), whereas only 50.8% of participants had heard of oral cancer. Dentists (39.4%) were the primary source of information. Tobacco use (92.2%) and alcohol consumption (80.3%) were the most frequently identified risk factors, whereas only 58.3% recognized human papillomavirus as a risk factor for oral cancer. In univariate analyses, oral cancer awareness was significantly associated with age, marital status, education level, monthly income, occupation, alcohol use, and the timing of the most recent dental visit (p < 0.05). In multivariable logistic regression, undergraduate education (OR = 2.008, 95% CI: 1.135–3.553), higher monthly income (>100,000 TRY vs. <25,000 TRY, OR = 2.398, 95% CI: 1.571–3.658), alcohol use (OR = 1.521, 95% CI: 1.082–2.139), and a dental visit within the previous year (OR = 4.130, 95% CI: 1.590–10.730) remained independently associated with oral cancer awareness. Conclusions: Oral cancer awareness in this study population was limited. The findings suggest that targeted educational strategies may be beneficial for improving oral cancer awareness. Strengthening dentists’ preventive role and promoting education through social media may help improve oral cancer awareness and facilitate earlier detection. Full article

Background and Objective: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist therapy has intensified the policy debate over whether obesity pharmacotherapy increases short-term healthcare expenditures or reduces downstream medical costs (i.e., non-drug, acute-care expenditures). This study estimated same-year associations between GLP-1 use and medical spending among adults with observed obesity. Methods: Analyses used Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) person-year files compiled from 2018 to 2022, with body mass index (BMI)-defined analyses restricted to 2019 and 2021. The primary analytic sample included 7144 person-years, of which 275 represented sustained GLP-1 users. Overlap-weighted Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood models, utilization regressions, two-part decompositions, and a layered diagnostic framework were applied to assess spending patterns and same-year cost implications. Robustness was evaluated through sensitivity analyses across all-obesity, severe-obesity, and diabetes-excluded subsamples, as well as exploratory molecule-specific specifications. Results: Findings showed no evidence of same-year cost savings, but rather a distinct shift in spending composition. In fully adjusted primary models, GLP-1 use was associated with reduced non-drug medical spending (beta = −0.2494; marginal effect = −$2586 per person-year) and lower acute-care spending (beta = −0.5856; marginal effect = −$2019), while total medical spending was higher (beta = 0.3182; marginal effect = +$6483). Point E values of 1.89 (non-drug) and 2.99 (acute-care) indicated moderate-to-strong resilience to unmeasured confounding. Negative control models using dental spending and visits showed significant positive associations. Since this residual confounding operates in the direction opposite to the negative acute-care association, the headline compositional pattern is unlikely to be an artifact of upward health-seeking bias. Utilization models indicated fewer inpatient discharges (IRR = 0.686) and inpatient nights (IRR = 0.524). Two-part models further suggested that the reduction in acute-care spending was concentrated on the intensive margin among individuals with positive expenditures. Conclusions: The use of GLP-1 is not associated with overall short-term cost savings. This usage is related to a shift in the composition of observed medical spending during the same year. This change is leading to a decline in hospital admissions and acute care costs, in parallel with the rise in pharmaceutical spending. Non-drug and acute-care costs were lower among regular users. However, total spending was at a higher level, consistent with a trend in the budget records from that period in which drug costs were the dominant factor. These associations are consistent with a potential reallocation of healthcare resources from inpatient acute care toward pharmacy and ambulatory services, with corresponding planning implications for payers and possible workforce reallocation of nursing capacity from acute to outpatient settings, contingent on replication in post-2022 data. Full article

Introduction: Fear of root canal treatment (RCT) may affect care seeking and treatment experience but is often summarized using anxiety scores. This study identified fear severity patterns and trigger-content profiles and examined associations with avoidance and negative experiences. Materials and Methods: In this single-center cross-sectional study, 219 of 247 adults scheduled for primary RCT were analyzed after 28 exclusions. Preoperative anxiety was measured using a 0–10 cm Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A). Hierarchical cluster analysis identified fear severity patterns, and latent class analysis identified trigger-content profiles among participants endorsing at least one trigger. Results: At least one trigger was endorsed by 75.8%; 21.9% had severe anxiety (VAS-A ≥ 7.0). Severe anxiety increased descriptively from 1.9% with no trigger to 54.3% with three or more triggers. Hierarchical clustering identified low-fear (n = 152) and high-fear (n = 67) patterns. In bivariate comparisons, high-fear membership was more common among women, participants postponing dental visits, and those with negative childhood or adult RCT experiences, and less common among regular dental attenders. Hierarchical multivariable logistic regression showed that female sex and negative adult RCT experience were associated with higher odds of high-fear pattern membership, whereas regular dental attendance was associated with lower odds; negative childhood RCT experience and postponement were not independently significant in the fully adjusted model. Latent class analysis yielded needle-focused (n = 38) and procedural (n = 128) profiles; the latter showed a broader trigger range, while VAS-A distributions were similar. Conclusions: Fear of RCT was heterogeneous. Assessing severity, triggers, and avoidance history may support individualized communication. The profiles require external validation before use. Full article

Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is underdiagnosed despite its associations with adverse neurobehavioral, psychosocial, and cardiometabolic outcomes. Pediatric dental providers routinely evaluate craniofacial growth and maintain longitudinal contact with children, yet practical approaches for integrating SDB risk assessment into dental settings remain limited. This protocol describes a prospective, cross-sectional observational study that will enroll 60 school-aged children aged 8–13 years from a university-based pediatric dental clinic and classify them as low-risk or high-risk for SDB using the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ; threshold ≥ 0.33). The primary aim is to examine associations between PSQ-based risk classification and objective physiologic sleep parameters, including the Apnea–Hypopnea Index, Respiratory Disturbance Index, Sleep Apnea Indicator, and Sleep Quality Index, obtained from a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-cleared wearable home sleep monitor—SleepImage Ring (MyCardio LLC, Denver, CO, USA)—worn for a minimum of three consecutive nights. Secondary aims will evaluate associations between SDB risk classification and body mass index, Mallampati score, Brodsky tonsillar grade, and psychosocial functioning (anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and daytime sleepiness). Exploratory craniofacial analyses will be conducted among participants with clinically available lateral cephalometric radiographs. This protocol could position pediatric dental visits as an accessible touchpoint for early identification of children with unrecognized SDB and inform pathways for timely referral. Protocol Version: 1.4, dated 13 May 2026. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07581938. Full article

The present dataset comprises information pertaining to dental anxiety and current stress among patients attending an oral surgery clinic. The data were collected using Corah’s Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and the questionnaire on current stress (KAB, ‘Kurzfragebogen zur aktuellen Beanspruchung’). Information pertaining to gender and age was also recorded. The dataset contains the responses of 129 patients from an oral surgery clinic (N = 67 (51.9%) females, mean age 41.8 years) who completed questionnaires between July 2013 and August 2013. The variables include measures of dental anxiety (DAS) and current stress (KAB). As the KAB questionnaire was administered on three occasions during the clinic visit (1) in the waiting room, (2) before and (3) after treatment in the treatment room), it is possible to illustrate how an individual’s experience of stress varies in relation to their dental anxiety. Full article

Background: In Romania, data regarding the oral health of infants and toddlers is scarce. This study aimed to analyze the reasons for the first dental visit among children aged 3 or under and to assess their oral health status and the therapeutic methods applied. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 602 children (339 boys and 263 girls), aged ≤ 3 years, who were referred for their first dental visit to the Pediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Carol Davila University, Bucharest, Romania. Results: The main reasons for referral were routine check-up (28.23%), asymptomatic carious lesions (21.92%), abscess or swelling (18.43%), and dental trauma (14.78%). Caries was diagnosed in 344 children; 23 (6.68%) had only non-cavitated lesions, 157 (45.64%) had uncomplicated cavitated lesions, and 174 (50.58%) already had complicated caries. Mean values of caries experience indices were significantly higher in rural children (dmf-t = 4.33 ± 4.13; dmf-s = 9.16 ± 11.34) than in urban children (dmf-t = 2.67 ± 3.61; dmf-s = 5.62 ± 8.86) (p = 0.000). The most frequent treatments were routine check-up with oral hygiene and dietary instructions (55.31%), pulp treatments (19.91%), and restorative procedures (15.1%). Conclusions: Many infants and toddlers were referred later than the recommended age and required therapeutic rather than preventive care. More than half had carious lesions, and many of those were already complicated. Significant disparities were observed between rural and urban children from this study group. Targeted public health initiatives are needed to improve early access to dental care. Full article