Oral health care knowledge among Phenylketonuria patients in the Latvian population.

Background: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder of phenylalanine (Phe) metabolism that results from a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). Patients with PKU rely on amino acid mixtures and low-protein diets, which often exhibit an acidic nature and pose various challenges to oral health. The objective of the study was to evaluate oral care habits of PKU patients in Latvia and the impact of the recommendations developed on improving oral care.

Should we be concerned about the use of non-fluoride toothpaste? A survey study in two European countries.

Background: Toothpastes available in Europe contain a range of fluoride concentrations, with some meeting the recommended level for caries prevention (>1000 ppm fluoride (ppm)) and others containing low or no fluoride. This study evaluated toothpaste fluoride concentrations in Latvia and Lithuania to inform targeted public health strategies in regions with a high prevalence of dental caries.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2019 to May 2020, using a validated questionnaire in Latvia and Lithuania.

Clinical effectiveness/child-patient and parent satisfaction of two topical fluoride treatments for caries: a randomised clinical trial.

Knowledge gaps exist regarding optimal silver diammine fluoride (SDF) regimens and the efficacy of new products for arresting dental caries in young children. We evaluated the effectiveness of 38%-SDF (SDI-RivaStar), Tiefenfluorid (TF) comparing with Placebo (P), all in conjunction with behavioural modification (BM), in preventing major complications (endodontic/extractions/pain)-a patient-centred outcome-due to early childhood caries over 12 months in children under 71-months. A six-arm, patient/parent-blinded, superiority, placebo-controlled randomised control trial at the university clinic in Riga, Latvia, from 1/9/20-31/8/22 (Protocol registration ISRCTN17005348).

The Impact of and Variants on Periodontitis Risk in Phenylketonuria and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in a Latvian Population.

Objectives: Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease that affects approximately 11% of the global population. The objective of this study was to examine whether, among individuals with phenylketonuria and type 1 diabetes mellitus, those with the and/or genetic variants exhibit a higher periodontitis risk compared to healthy controls.

Materials And Methods: In all, 43 phenylketonuria patients (aged 12-53), 28 type 1 diabetes mellitus patients (aged 11-40), and 63 healthy controls (aged 12-53) were included.

Oral Microbiome Traits of Type 1 Diabetes and Phenylketonuria Patients in Latvia.

Some metabolic disorder treatments require patients to follow a specific diet or to consume supplements that, over time, can lead to oral microbiome alterations. Well-known disorders requiring such treatment are phenylketonuria (PKU), an inborn error of amino acid metabolism, and type 1 diabetes (T1D), a metabolic disorder that requires a specific diet regimen. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the oral health and microbiome characteristics that might contribute to caries activity and periodontal disease risk in PKU and T1D patients.

Inadequacy of self-Implemented preventive measures to control caries increment due to poor dietary habits in 6 and 12 years old children in Riga, Latvia.

Aim: This study investigated whether the self-implemented preventive measures practiced among the 6 and 12 years olds in Riga, Latvia can control the caries increment due to poor dietary habits among this age groups.

Material And Methods: Caries examination was performed on Thirty-eight 6 and thirty-nine 12 years olds by visual and bitewing radiographic examination at baseline and after 3 years. All participants and/or their parents completed dietary habits questionnaires.

COVID-19 as an opportunity for minimally-invasive dentistry: a national cross-sectional survey.

Background: During the COVID19 pandemic, the Latvian government issued first absolute restrictions (elective treatments prohibited, only emergency care) and later relative restrictions (preference for non-aerosol-generating procedures (AGP) and emergency care) on dental care. This study aims to assess the impact of these restrictions on the decision made by Latvian dentists about caries treatment.

Methods: A Survey-based cross-sectional study was used.

Dental Status and Periodontal Health of Patients with Phenylketonuria in Latvia.

Objectives: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder of phenylalanine metabolism resulting from a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental status and periodontal health of PKU patients in Latvia.

Material And Methods: Forty-five PKU patients and age/sex-matched controls were recruited for this cross-sectional study.

The Effect of MI Varnish™ on Caries Increment and Dietary Habits among 6- and 12-Year-Old Children in Riga, Latvia: A 3-Year Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aims: This randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of MI Varnish™ (5% NaF/CPP-ACP) on caries increment in 6- and 12-year-old children in Riga, Latvia within 36 months. Methods: Forty-eight 6-year-old children (Group 1) and forty-seven 12-year-old children (Group 3) received quarterly varnish application, while forty-eight 6-year-old children (Group 2) and thirty-seven 12-year-old children (Group 4) did not have varnish applied. All children/parents received the same preventive advice.

Caries Prevalence and Severity for 12-Year-Old Children in Latvia.

Objectives: To study caries prevalence/severity in 12-year-old children in Latvia and potential risk indicators.

Methods: A cross-sectional oral-health national survey of 12-year-old children was conducted in 2016. A nationally representative stratified-cluster probabilistic sample of 2,138 pupils in 92 schools was selected.

Caries Increment and Oral Hygiene Changes in 6- and 12-Year-Old Children in Riga, Latvia: A 3-Year Follow-Up Report Using ICDAS II and RADKE Criteria.

Objectives:  The purpose of this study was to investigate the caries increment and oral hygiene changes over a 3-year period and also compare the sensitivity and specificity of Radke's caries assessment method to ICDAS II among 6- and 12-year-old children in Riga, Latvia.

Materials And Methods:  Thirty-eight 6 and thirty-nine 12-year-old children were examined visually and with bitewing (BW) radiographs for dental caries at baseline and after a 3-year period. Decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (dmfs/DMFS) in all teeth were scored by one calibrated examiner using the Radke's caries scoring criteria.

Factors influencing the caries experience of 6 and 12 year old children in Riga, Latvia.

Aim: Authors assessed the influence of drinking tea with sugar, level of cariogenic microflora and use of fluoride toothpaste and tablets on caries experience of 6 and 12 year old children in Riga, Latvia.

Methods: 141 six and 164 twelve year old children were examined clinically and with bitewing radiographs to determine their dmft/DMFT and dmfs/DMFS. Children or their parents responded to questionnaire on number teaspoons of sugar (TS) used per cup of tea, number of cups of tea consumed daily, using fluoride or non-fluoride toothpaste (TP), frequency of toothbrushing, using fluoride tablets or not (ft).

Review of the success of pulp exposure treatment of cariously and traumatically exposed pulps in immature permanent incisors and molars.

The decision to retain immature permanent tooth with pulp disease is problematical. Restoring the tooth would normally involve some form of pulp capping/pulpotomy procedure or a more radical pulpectomy and root canal treatment. Pulp capping/pulpotomy procedures, where all or part of the pulp is retained, relies upon an accurate assessment of the pulp condition, and the careful management of the remaining healthy tissue.

Quantity and quality analysis of dental prosthodontics among retirement age residents from nursing homes in different regions of Latvia and retirement age patients from dental clinic in Riga.

Introduction: The quality of life is closely related with condition of oral health, influence of subjective factors on the whole human body and patients perception of their oral health. In spite of the fact that the most part of Latvian retirement age residents use low-quality dentures and assess them satisfactory, these patients often have problems associated with quality of dentures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate oral health status, prosthodontics indicators and patients satisfaction with oral health among Latvian retirement age residents.

Evidence based toothpaste classification, according to certain characteristics of their chemical composition.

Toothpastes are daily oral care products, the chemical composition of which is constantly changing due to manufacturer's competition. It becomes more and more difficult for dentists to recommend the best toothpaste and for patients to choose one. The objective of this paper was to draw out recommendations based on the best evidence available and to propose a new classification of toothpastes.

Evaluation of oral health status of retirement-age population in Latvia.

INTRODUCTION. Latvian government Health care financing regulations do not envisage free dental care in nursing homes. Consequently, in this situation arises need to carry out comparative evaluation of oral health status and quantity indicators of dental prosthodontics among retirement-age population in Latvia.

Comparative analysis of CRT Buffer, GC saliva check buffer tests and laboratory titration to evaluate saliva buffering capacity.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability of two commercial strip tests and laboratory titration to detect saliva buffer capacity. MATERIALS AND METHODS.

The impact of salivary mutans streptococci and sugar consumption on caries experience in 6-year olds and 12-year olds in Riga.

Objective: To assess possible relationship between caries experience, salivary cariogenic microflora and free sugar consumption in 6 year and 12 year old children in Riga, to evaluate these variables in risk assessment.

Materials And Methods: 79 children aged 6 and 96 children aged 12 were examined clinically and by bitewing X-ray for caries diagnosis. Also all children or their parents were questioned about number of tea spoons containing sugar used per cup and frequency of cups used daily.

Caries experience in relation to oral hygiene, salivary cariogenic microflora, buffer capacity and secretion rate in 6-year olds and 12 year olds in Riga.

Objective: The aim was to assess possible relationship between oral hygiene, salivary cariogenic microflora, buffer capacity, secretion rate and caries experience in 6 year olds and 12 year olds in Riga, and to evaluate these variables in relation to caries risk.

Materials And Methods: 50 children aged 6 and 71 children aged 12 were examined clinically and by bitewing X-ray for caries diagnosis. Green-Vermillion oral hygiene index, stimulated salivary flow rate and buffer capacity were estimated (CRT-buffer; Ivoclar, Vivadent, Liechtenstein).

Halitosis manifestation and prevention means for patients with fixed teeth dentures.

The objective of this research is to analyse the causal relationship between construction of fixed bridge dentures and the intensity of halitosis manifestations, as well as to establish basic hygiene requirements for construction of fixed dentures which would completely exclude retention of food particles and avoid bad breath. 48 patients (36 men and 12 women), who use fixed dentures for 2-10 years, have been involved in this research. 26 patients wore fixed bridge dentures made of punched tooth crowns, the other 22 patients wore cast fixed dentures.