Efficacy of a Novel Stannous Fluoride Toothpaste Stabilized With Nitrate and Phosphates (SNaP) in Extrinsic Tooth Stain Removal: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: This study compared the extrinsic tooth stain removal efficacy of a 0.454% stannous fluoride dentifrice stabilized with nitrate and phosphates (SNaP) versus a non-whitening regular fluoride dentifrice (negative control) after 3 and 6 weeks of product use.

Methods: This phase III, double-blind, randomized, two-cell, parallel-group study was conducted on 80 healthy adults in Puerto Rico.

Oral Health Knowledge and Oral Hygiene Habits in a Sample of 12-Year-Old Hispanics: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objective: To explore the association between hygiene knowledge and habits and gingivitis in Puerto Rican school children.

Methods: Questionnaires on oral health knowledge and hygiene habits were provided to almost half of the 12-year-olds who participated in an island-wide cross-sectional oral health study. The evaluations included gingival examinations in 2 quadrants.

Periodontal Health Knowledge and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Caribbean Adults.

Purpose: To identify the relationship between periodontal health knowledge and oral health-related quality of life among Caribbean adults.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a representative sample from 3 Caribbean cities (weighted N = 1805). Participants completed a questionnaire on oral health knowledge, hygiene habits, and other practices, as well as the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire.

Comparison of Corticotomy and Micro-osteoperforation during Canine Retraction: A Split-Mouth Design.

Objective: Compare the efficacy of the micro-osteoperforation (MOP) and corticotomy techniques in terms of maxillary canine retraction.

Methods: Thirteen patients (5 females, 8 males; mean age, 18.07 ± 6.

Current status of geriatric dentistry education in selected dental schools in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Objective: Latin American and Carribean (LAC) are currently experiencing a rapid aging of their population, coupled with a significant burden of oral diseases. Despites this, there is a scarcity of evidence regarding the manner in wich geriatric dentistry is being taught in dental schools across LAC. So, the objective of this study is to investigate the current status of geriatric dentistry education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in selected LAC dental schools.

Socio-Demographic and Medical Characteristics of Patients With Odontogenic Infection Admitted to the Adult University Hospital in Puerto Rico: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objective: We aimed to estimate the overall distribution of odontogenic infection by socio-demographic and medical characteristics in patients admitted to the Adult University Hospital (AUH) in Puerto Rico (PR).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken with the medical charts of 129 patients (≥21 years) with odontogenic infection who had been admitted (2011-2015) to the AUH and treated by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Post - graduate Program of the University of PR. The patients were selected from the hospital's billing database after having been identified using the International Classification of Diseases (9th and 10th revisions).

Prevalence of Short Root Anomaly in a Group of Puerto Ricans.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of short root anomaly (SRA) in a group of Puerto Ricans at the Advanced Education Program in Orthodontics of the University of Puerto Rico.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with digital panoramic x-rays of 203 patients (112 females and 91 males; mean age: 17 years) in Puerto Rico. Utilizing the modified Lind's method, 406 maxillary right and left central incisors (1) were measured and evaluated for SRA.

An in-vitro study investigating the effect of air-abrasion bioactive glasses on dental adhesion, cytotoxicity and odontogenic gene expression.

Objective: To assess the microtensile bond strength (MTBS) and interfacial characteristics of universal adhesives applied on dentine air-abraded using different powders. The analysis includes the cytotoxicity of the powders and their effect on odontogenic gene expression.

Methods: Sound human dentine specimens were air-abraded using bioglass 45S5 (BAG), polycarboxylated zinc-doped bioglass (SEL), alumina (AL) and submitted to SEM analysis.

Comparison of Chu's Proportion Gauge with a T-bar Tip and a Two-Tip Compass in the Determination of Anterior Dentition Tooth Size in a Group of Puerto Ricans.

Objective: Compare maxillary anterior dentition measurements, using Chu's proportion gauge with a T-bar tip (PG-TT) and a Two-Tip Compass (T-TC), in a group of Puerto Ricans, to determine the reliability of the PG-TT.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus. The participants (18-35 years old) were dental students or employees of the university.

Prevalence of Dental Caries in 12-Year-Olds in San Pedro de Macorís, DR.

Objective: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in children. Currently, no data are available on dental caries prevalence in the Dominican Republic. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of dental caries in schoolattending 12-year-olds in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic.

The SmoCar Study: A Caribbean-Based Multicenter Study on the Prevalence and Disparities Linked to Smoking and Gingival Health.

The aim of the SmoCar (Smoking in the Caribbean) study was to estimate the prevalence of smoking and the disparities in the smoking practices of three regions in the Caribbean: Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. The secondary objective was to assess the prevalence and severity of gingivitis in relation to the smoking practices. The study population comprised 1,847 (weighted  = 1,830) individuals (18 years and older) who were volunteer participants from the capitals of Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.

Prevalence, Severity, and Risk Factors of Gingival Inflammation in Caribbean Adults: A Multi-City, Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence, severity, and associated risk factors of gingival inflammation in a group of adults from Kingston, Jamaica; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Methods: In this representative cross-sectional study, participants completed medical and oral health questionnaires and received an oral clinical examination by trained and calibrated examiners. Clinical assessments included: gingival health (modified Löe-Silness index), visible plaque and presence of calculus.

Prevalence of gingivitis and calculus in 12-year-old Puerto Ricans: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Gingivitis is a common oral health problem. Untreated gingivitis may progress to periodontitis, a common cause of tooth loss. The prevalence of gingivitis and calculus among Puerto Rican children is unknown.

Prevalence of Gingivitis in a Group of 35- to 70-Year-Olds Residing in Puerto Rico.

Objective: Gingivitis, an inflammation of the gingival tissues, typically progresses to periodontitis. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of gingivitis in 35- to 70-year-olds residing in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and assess the differences in gingivitis distribution between age and gender groups.

Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted with a sample of patients from a private practice and patients/employees of the Puerto Rico Medical Center.

Effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride in caries prevention and arrest: a systematic literature review.

This study aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in preventing and arresting caries in the primary dentition and permanent first molars. A systematic review (SR) was performed by 2 independent reviewers using 3 electronic databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus). The database search employed the following key words: "topical fluorides" AND "children" AND "clinical trials"; "topical fluorides" OR "silver diamine fluoride" AND "randomized controlled trial"; "silver diamine fluoride" AND "children" OR "primary dentition" AND "tooth decay"; "silver diamine fluoride" OR "sodium fluoride varnish" AND "early childhood caries"; and "silver diamine fluoride" AND "children".

Association between Type, Amount, and Pattern of Carbohydrate Consumption with Dental Caries in 12-Year-Olds in Puerto Rico.

Objective: To identify the types, food sources, and pattern of carbohydrates that significantly contribute to dental caries in Puerto Rican children.

Methods: As part of an island-wide cross-sectional oral health study in 1,587 twelve-year-olds, diet intake was assessed in a representative subset (n = 801) with a 24-hour dietary recall. Carbohydrate intake was quantified using a computer-based diet analysis program.

Low vitamin D status strongly associated with periodontitis in Puerto Rican adults.

Background: Periodontitis and vitamin D deficiency are both highly prevalent in Puerto Rico. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the association between vitamin D levels and periodontal disease in Puerto Rican adults.

Methods: A sex-, age-, and BMI-matched case-control, cross-sectional study was conducted on 24 cases of moderate/severe periodontitis and 24 periodontally healthy controls aged 35 to 64 years.

Persistent oral health disparity in 12-year-old Hispanics: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic illness worldwide. In the US dental caries has been described as a "silent epidemic", affecting 58.2 % of 12-15 year-olds, particularly in minority and immigrant groups.

Efficacy of CPC and essential oils mouthwashes compared to a negative control mouthwash in controlling established dental plaque and gingivitis: A 6-week, randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a mouthwash containing 0.075% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) in a fluoride-free, alcohol-free base and a mouthwash containing essential oils in a fluoride-free, 21.6% alcohol base as compared to a fluoride-free, alcohol-free non-antibacterial mouthwash in controlling established dental plaque and gingivitis after 6 weeks of twice daily use.

Efficacy of two fluoride-free, alcohol-free mouthwashes containing 0.075% or 0.07% CPC in controlling established dental plaque and gingivitis over a 6-week period on adults in Puerto Rico.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of two commercially available, fluoride-free, alcohol-free mouthwashes containing either 0.075% or 0.07% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) in controlling established dental plaque and gingivitis compared to a non-antibacterial control mouthwash.

High prevalence of overweight and obesity among a representative sample of Puerto Rican children.

Background: The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has become a public health problem worldwide. The objectives of the study were: 1) to establish the BMI prevalence in 12-year olds residing in Puerto Rico, and 2) to determine BMI differences by sex, public-private school type, and geographic regions.

Methods: Data was obtained from an island-wide probabilistic stratified sample of 1,582 twelve-year-olds (53% girls and 47% boys).

Prevalence of hypodontia in 10- to 14-year-olds seeking orthodontic treatment at a group of clinics in Puerto Rico.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of hypodontia in a group of 10- to 14-year-olds from a group of orthodontic clinics in Puerto Rico.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of hypodontia in 10- to 14-year-olds from orthodontic clinics located in each of 9 regions (as determined by the government-run health insurance program, Reforma) in Puerto Rico. A total of 1,911 patients, ranging in age from 10 to 14 years, were evaluated using patient charts covering from May 2004 through June of that same year.

Dentogingival complex: dimension based on biotypes.

Objective: Estimate the DGC dimensions and determine whether the DGC dimension varies by gingival biotype.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in the Undergraduate and Prosthodontic Graduate Program clinics of the School of Dental Medicine, University of Puerto Rico from August 2011 to April 2012. A total of 53 participants who needed restorative crowns in their teeth were recruited.

Efficacy in reducing dentine hypersensitivity of a regimen using a toothpaste containing 8% arginine and calcium carbonate, a mouthwash containing 0.8% arginine, pyrophosphate and PVM/MA copolymer and a toothbrush compared to potassium and negative control regimens: an eight-week randomized clinical trial.

Objective: Evaluate the efficacy of three regimens integrating toothpaste, toothbrush and mouthwash in reducing dentine hypersensitivity.

Methods: Eight-week single-centre, three-cell, double-blind, randomized study was conducted in the Dominican Republic. Subjects entered one of the three regimens: (1) toothpaste containing 8% arginine and 1450 ppm mono-fluorophosphate, in a calcium carbonate base, a soft-bristle toothbrush followed by a mouthwash containing 0.