Efficacy of chemo-mechanical caries removal: a 24-month randomized trial.

Introduction: Chemo-mechanical caries removal (CMCR) offers an alternative to conventional drilling for carious dentin removal, but limited evidence exists on its long-term effects on treating caries in primary teeth. The primary aims of this study were to compare CMCR to drilling in terms of restoration status and the presence of secondary caries after 24 months.

Methods: A randomized, parallel-group, single-blinded, controlled trial was conducted in Thailand.

Examination of dental utilization of newly resettled adult refugees in Washington state enrolled in dental medicaid program.

Objective: To assess dental utilization of resettled adult refugees in Washington (WA) state and the demographic factors associated with dental utilization.

Methods: Data were collected between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2015 for newly arrived adult refugees (>21 years) enrolled in Washington State dental Medicaid program. Three state agencies provided enrollment and claims data that included demographic information as well as number and types of dental claims, and time to first dental claim for the newly resettled adult refugee population.

A longitudinal study on the impact of breastfeeding with or without formula milk on dental caries.

Concerns exist about prolonged breastfeeding increasing dental caries risk, but evidence is mixed. This 2-year cohort study followed 486 toddlers, to examine the association between breastfeeding duration and caries at age 3. Caregivers reported feeding practices and potential confounders every 6 months.

Implementation of REDCap mobile app in an oral HIV clinical study.

Background: In Peru, HIV cases are highly concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM). Despite the availability of anti-retroviral therapy, people living with HIV (PWH) have higher levels of oral diseases. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is significantly present among PWH.

Integrating Oral Health Within Kenyan HIV Research & Policy Structure: Stakeholder Analysis.

Background: Kenya has a remarkably high burden of oral diseases, especially in vulnerable communities like persons with HIV (PWH). In the last few decades, the National AIDS & STI Control Programme has efficiently and successfully provided care and prevention against HIV for people living in Kenya.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of integrating oral health into HIV research and policy structures in Kenya.

Salivary Cathelicidin (LL-37) in Children and Adolescents Living with HIV.

Introduction: Human cathelicidin LL-37 is a salivary antimicrobial peptide (AMP) with broad-spectrum activity against oral diseases, but few studies have assessed its role in children and adolescents living with HIV (CALHIV). We assessed salivary LL-37 levels and correlates in a long-term cohort of Kenyan CALHIV followed since antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation.

Methods: Saliva was collected from 76 CALHIV who were recruited from two ongoing pediatric HIV studies in Nairobi, Kenya.

Dental Utilization of Refugee Children in Washington State Varies by Demographic Characteristics.

To assess factors associated with the dental utilization of refugee children in Washington state who received oral health care. This study used Medicaid data of newly arrived children who resettled in 2015. Demographics, refugee population density groups, special care needs, dates of dental encounters, and dental claim variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), regression analysis, and the Cox proportional-hazard ratios (P<0.

The effect of antiretroviral therapy initiation on vitamin D levels and four oral diseases among Kenyan children and adolescents living with HIV.

Objectives: The impact of antiretroviral treatment (ART) on the occurrence of oral diseases among children and adolescents living with HIV (CALHIV) is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ART timing on vitamin D levels and the prevalence of four oral diseases (dry mouth, dental caries, enamel hypoplasia, and non-herpes oral ulcer) among Kenyan CALHIV from two pediatric HIV cohorts.

Methods: This nested cross-sectional study was conducted at the Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.

Comparison of measured and predicted mesiodistal tooth-widths of 13-17 years old Kenyans: a descriptive cross-sectional study to develop a new prediction equation for use in the mixed dentition in a Kenyan population.

Background: The Tanaka and Johnson equation is commonly used in mixed dentition analysis. However, the analysis is based on  a Caucasian population making clinical decisions challenging when used in different ethnic groups. This study developed a prediction equation based on a Kenyan population.

Dental caries and anthropometrics of children living in an informal floating Amazonian community: a cross-sectional pilot study.

Aims: Increasing evidence supports a relationship between poor oral health and growth in children. Our objective was to assess the association between the presence of dental caries and anthropometric measurements of children residing in Claverito, a floating slum community in the Peruvian Amazon.

Methods: For this cross-sectional study, presence of caries was assessed using dmft/DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) scores and the SiC Index (mean dmft/DMFT of one-third of the study group with the highest caries score).

An Assessment of Pediatric Dental Caries and Family Quality of Life in an Informal Amazonian Community.

Background: Oral diseases are among the most prevalent non-communicable diseases worldwide, disproportionally affecting vulnerable populations. The Community of Claverito is one of many informal urban floating communities located on the Amazon River in Peru.

Objectives: To assess child and caregiver dental health status (DHS) and to measure the associations between child DHS and child and family quality of life in the informal Community of Claverito.

Longitudinal Analysis of Children's Oral Health-Related Quality of Life After Restorative Dental Treatment.

To document mid- and long-term changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) following dental intervention in a sample of restorative treatment-naïve children receiving different levels of care, with and without general anesthesia (GA). This prospective cohort study followed 132 children. Parents completed the pediatric OHRQoL instrument (POQL) before, 16 weeks after (i.

Caregivers' report of HIV-associated oral manifestations among HIV-unexposed, exposed, and infected Kenyan children.

Background: Few oral health studies have been conducted in HIV-exposed uninfected children, who, like their HIV-infected peers, have altered immunity and perinatal drug exposures.

Aim: To compare caregiver' self-report of oral diseases, hygiene practices and utilization of routine dental care, between HIV-infected (HIV), HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU), and HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU) children in Kenya.

Design: This nested cross-sectional study was conducted at the Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.

Mitigating Global Oral Health Inequalities: Research Training Programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Although oral diseases are largely preventable, they are among the most non-communicable diseases globally, and they disproportionately burden disadvantaged communities, specially within low- and middle-income nations. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the social, economic, and health inequalities in our society, including the existing global oral health inequalities. There is a shortage of dentist-scientist all around the world, especially in developing countries, such as Thailand.

Clinical Comparison of Three Esthetic Full-Coverage Restorations in Primary Maxillary Incisors at 12 Months.

The purpose of this study was to compare the 12-month clinical outcomes of primary maxillary incisors restored with composite strip crowns (CSCs), NuSmile preveneered stainless steel crowns (PVSSCs), and NuSmile zirconia crowns (ZCs). A total of 135 teeth in 49 two- to four-year-olds with early childhood caries were randomly assigned to crown groups. Demographic and tooth-related variables at baseline and 12 months were assessed by calibrated examiners.

Integrating Global Health Within Dental Education: Inter-University Collaboration for Scaling Up a Pilot Curriculum.

Background: New education programs are developing to improve global health awareness. Dental students have demonstrated interest in international settings but are largely unaware of global health topics. The Timothy A.

Survival of Zirconia Crowns in Primary Maxillary Incisors at 12-, 24- and 36-Month Follow-Up.

The purpose of this study was to assess the survival probability of zirconia crowns (ZCs) on primary maxillary incisors placed in children diagnosed with severe early childhood caries at 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-up visits in a university pediatric dental clinic. Ninety-four teeth in 30 healthy 24- to 60-month-olds who received ZCs under general anesthesia participated in this study ( equals 94). Data included children's demographics, dental-related variables, appointment dates, survival of crown, and type of failure (defined as replacement of lost ZCs or extraction of the treated tooth due to evidence of apical periodontitis prior to natural exfoliation).

Suboptimal Serum Vitamin D Associated with Early Childhood Caries in Special Health Care Needs Children.

To investigate the association between suboptimal serum vitamin D and early childhood caries (ECC) among children who received care at Seattle Children's Hospital (SCH) between 1999 and 2014. This cross-sectional study examined one- to six-year-old children in their primary dentition, with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) health status of II to IV, serum vitamin D, and dental data. Serum vitamin D was categorized as optimal (at least 75 nanomoles per liter) or suboptimal (less than 75 nanomoles per liter).

Trauma in Permanent Teeth: Factors Associated with Adverse Outcomes in a University Pediatric Dental Clinic.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine variables associated with adverse outcomes among traumatized permanent teeth in a university pediatric dental clinic.

Methods: Electronic charts of children treated at a university-based dental clinic for trauma in permanent teeth were analyzed. Variables evaluated included demographics (age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, and insurance type), affected tooth location, trauma characteristics, type of dental trauma, elapsed time between trauma and initial treatment, elapsed time between the initial and final treatment, initial treatment type, and initial and final restoration type.

Should Attendance Be Required in Lecture Classrooms in Dental Education? Two Viewpoints: Viewpoint 1: Attendance in the Lecture Classroom Should Be Required and Viewpoint 2: Attendance Should Not Be Required in the Lecture Classroom.

This Point/Counterpoint discusses the long-argued debate over whether lecture attendance in dental school at the predoctoral level should be required. Current educational practice relies heavily on the delivery of content in a traditional lecture style. Viewpoint 1 asserts that attendance should be required for many reasons, including the positive impact that direct contact of students with faculty members and with each other has on learning outcomes.

Association of vitamin D and dental caries in children: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2006.

Background: The authors sought to determine associations between serum vitamin D levels and dental caries in noninstitutionalized children aged 5 to 12 years in the United States.

Methods: The authors used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2006, data to study childhood caries and vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency and inadequacy were defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) less than 30 nanomoles per liter and between 30 and 49 nmol/L, respectively.