Methods used for caries detection and diagnosis in Ontario dental practices: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Early detection of caries is essential for applying non-surgical treatment procedures and preventing the formation of cavitated lesions leading to unnecessary removal of tooth structure. Understanding dentists' preferences for caries detection tools can inform stakeholders about their strategies and knowledge of contemporary, evidence-based caries management approaches. However, there is a lack of research exploring the detection methods of caries commonly used by dentists in Ontario, Canada.

"A life-changing experience and the beginning of a lifelong commitment": experiences and impact of Global Health Community Service-Learning in undergraduate dental curriculum in Canada.

Background: Global Health Community Service-Learning (GHCSL) can have a profound professional and personal impact on learners. This pedagogy provides understanding of unfamiliar environments and challenges learners to step out of their comfort zones, adapt to new cultures, and navigate unique situations. Yet, there are relatively few studies exploring the experiences of learners participating in community service-learning placements in global regions as part of undergraduate dental curriculum.

Healthcare access and barriers to utilization among transgender and gender diverse people in Africa: a systematic review.

Background: Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people face significant challenges in accessing timely, culturally competent, and adequate healthcare due to structural and systemic barriers, yet there is a lack of research exploring the access and utilization of healthcare services within African TGD communities. To address this gap, this systematic review explored: (1) barriers to accessing healthcare services and gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) faced by TGD people, (2) demographic and societal factors correlated with the utilization of healthcare services and GAHT, (3) common healthcare and support services utilized by TGD people, and (4) patterns of accessing healthcare services and GAHT within TGD communities.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus in September 2023.

The two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender identity curriculum in Canadian Dental Schools: What are the gaps and proposed next steps?

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate gaps in the delivery of two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender identity (2SLGBTQ+) curricula and identify curricular challenges within Canadian dental schools.

Methods: A 21-item closed-ended questionnaire was distributed to curriculum experts across 10 dental schools in Canada. The survey questions were organized into three sections: institution characteristics, current 2SLGBTQ+ content and delivery, and opinions on the improvement of the 2SLGBTQ+ curriculum.

Impact of Delayed Dental Treatment during the COVID-19 Pandemic in an Undergraduate Dental Clinic in Southwestern Ontario, Canada - A Retrospective Chart Review.

Objectives: To investigate the impact of a COVID-19 mandated lockdown on the type and frequency of dental services accessed at an undergraduate dental clinic in southwestern Ontario.

Methods: We retrieved anonymized sociodemographic (n = 4791) and billing data (n = 11616) of patients for 2 periods of 199 days, before (T1) and after (T2) lockdown. We applied descriptive statistics and used Student's t test to compare the type and frequency of dental services provided between the 2 periods.

Unfavourable beliefs about oral health and safety of dental care during pregnancy: a systematic review.

Background: Oral conditions such as gingivitis and periodontitis are correlated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia, preterm birth and low birth weight. Oral health-related unfavourable beliefs can have negative influences on oral health behaviours including hesitation in accessing preventative dental treatments and dental service utilization. The objective of this systematic review was to examine unfavourable beliefs that expectant or new mothers frequently hold about oral health and the safety of dental care during pregnancy.

The fear of letting go and the Ivory Tower of dental educational training.

Issue: Clinical training in dental education is complex and happens mostly within a well-controlled environment such as a university dental clinic where oral health care services are delivered; it is mostly student-centered. While such training is important, it is also possible to augment and enhance it by training predoctoral dental students outside such a clinic within off-site community-based placements using a more person-centered approach. However, there seems to exist a reluctance in recognizing and utilizing the work produced in these off-site placements holistically as an integral part of students' clinical assessment.

Cost-related avoidance of oral health service utilization among lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals in Canada.

Objectives: This study estimates the frequency of cost-related oral health service avoidance (CROHSA) among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals in Canada relative to heterosexual persons.

Methods: Heterosexual and sexual minority individuals in Canada were compared using the national probability-based Canadian Community Health Survey 2017-2018. Logistic regression was used to quantify associations between LGB status and CROHSA.

A survey of amalgam use to guide dental education curriculums.

Objectives: To identify behavioral, preferential, and professional factors influencing the use of amalgam in private practices; and to compare the incidence of the placement of amalgam versus composite resin restorations in the province of Ontario and its pedagogical implications on dental curricula.

Methods: Participants responded anonymously to a 23-question online survey about their current use of dental amalgam and composite resins as well as their opinions regarding both dental materials. The explanatory variables were associated bivariately with the outcome variables, and the most significant predictors were identified using the multivariate analysis.

Five-Year Clinical Performance of Complex Class II Resin Composite and Amalgam Restorations-A Retrospective Study.

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the clinical performance of posterior complex resin composite (RC) and amalgam (AM) restorations after a five-year period. One hundred and nineteen complex Class II restorations placed by dental students were evaluated using the USPHS criteria. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, and Wilcoxon tests at a 0.

Teledentistry use during the COVID-19 pandemic: perceptions and practices of Ontario dentists.

Background: Teledentistry has demonstrated to expedite oral health consultations, diagnosis, and treatment planning while mitigating COVID-19 transmission risk in dental offices. However, the use of teledentistry by clinicians remains suboptimal. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the perceptions and practices of teledentistry among dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada, and identify associated factors.

"": Experiences of LGBTQ+ With the Healthcare System in Saskatchewan, Canada.

This project aimed to explore the experiences of perceived mistrust and stigma by the LGBTQ+ members while accessing healthcare services in Saskatchewan, Canada. In partnership with local organization, a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach was employed and, semi structured descriptive interviews were conducted. Sixteen participants ranging from age 20-60 were recruited and interviewed.

Correlation of HIV-infection and HIV/HCV Co-infection with Oral Health Status of Inner-City Sub-population in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Objectives: To identify the correlation of HIV-infection and HIV/HCV co-infection with the oral health status of patients accessing an inner-city dental clinic in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional chart review of 2000 electronic patient records was performed from an inner-city community dental clinic. Utilizing Andersen and Newman framework of health service utilization, simple, bivariate and multivariate comparisons were conducted.

Impact of the Poor Oral Health Status of Children on Their Families: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study.

The impact of poor oral health may not just be limited to the children themselves but can impact their families. The current study aims to perform psychometric analyses of the Arabic version of the Family Impact Scale and investigate the association of its domains with the oral health status of children. This cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 500 parent-child dyads from high schools of Jazan city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Oral Health and Psychosocial Predictors of Quality of Life and General Well-Being among Adolescents in Lesotho, Southern Africa.

Background: Adolescents' quality of life is reported to be significantly associated with physical and social wellbeing. Although adolescents are 30% of the Southern African population, no previous studies have focused on this group in relation to oral health and quality of life.

Methods: A 40-item survey and clinical oral examinations were conducted in public schools in Maseru from 10 to 25 August 2016.

A Case-Control Study of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontitis in Saudi Arabian Adults.

Objective: The relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontitis is bidirectional and has been investigated. However, the evidence from the middle-eastern region is sparse. The current report assessed the association between uncontrolled T2DM and periodontal status from a sample of the Saudi Arabian adult population.

The Canadian Core Cariology Curriculum: Outcomes of a national symposium.

Despite the efforts that have been made in dental education and clinical practice to adopt the evidence-informed, risk-based, nonsurgical caries management approach, the surgical treatment approach continues to prevail. There is an urgent need to understand resistance to such a paradigm shift and establish a coordinated evidence-based Cariology teaching approach in Canadian dental schools so trainees are equipped to implement caries management in their practice. To work towards this goal, a two-day interinstitutional symposium was organized in Montreal, QC, bringing together clinical and research experts in cariology and dental education from all 10 Canadian dental schools to develop a consensus on an evidence-informed Core Cariology Curriculum, and strategies for its implementation.

Effect of prosthetic rehabilitation on oral health-related quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review.

Background: To review the evidence on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of head and neck cancer survivors after they have been treated with prosthetic rehabilitation.

Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) were utilized as the framework in designing, implementing and reporting the current review. Search of literature was done electronically using Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases.

What are the self-reported unmet dental treatment needs of people living with HIV in British Columbia? A case of minority subpopulation in Canada.

Objectives: To identify associations of Andersen and Newman's (A&N) predisposing, enabling, and need factors with self-reported oral health status and self-reported unmet dental treatment needs in a sample of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Methods: Participants responded anonymously to a 41-item online questionnaire with the following inclusion criteria: a) be at least 19 years old; b) self-identify as HIV-positive; c) be able to provide consent and be willing to voluntarily participate in the study; d) be residing in British Columbia; and e) be able to proficiently respond to the questions in English. Following the descriptive statistics, associations between A&N model factors and the main outcome variables (self-reported oral health status and self-reported dental treatment needs) were evaluated using bivariate inferential analyses.

Availability of Medical and Oral Health Services for People Living with HIV in British Columbia, Canada.

Objectives: To conduct an environmental scan and categorize the scope of medical and oral health care services for people living with HIV (PLWHIV) across the province of British Columbia (BC).

Methods: Data were collected using online search engines such as Google and Yahoo, as well as the websites of health services agencies and community/not-for-profit organizations in BC. Informal telephone conversations were conducted to confirm findings from the online scan.

Dental care utilization: patterns and predictors in persons living with HIV in British Columbia, Canada.

Objectives: To identify the predisposing, enabling, and need factors of the Andersen and Newman (A&N) model and their associations with the pattern of dental service utilization in a sample of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in British Columbia.

Methods: Participants responded anonymously to a 40-item online questionnaire to explore the patterns of dental service utilization. Following the descriptive statistics, the associations between A&N model factors and main outcome variables (having a dental visit in the last year and reasons for the dental visit) were evaluated using simple and multiple logistic regression analyses.