Integration, effectiveness and costs of different models of primary health care provision for people who are homeless: an evaluation study.

Background: There is a high prevalence of health problems among single people who are homeless. Specialist primary health care services for this population have been developed in several locations across England; however, there have been very few evaluations of these services.

Objectives: This study evaluated the work of different models of primary health care provision in England to determine their effectiveness in engaging people who are homeless in health care and in providing continuity of care for long-term conditions.

Labels and descriptions of dental behaviour support techniques: A scoping review of clinical practice guidelines.

Introduction: There is no agreed taxonomy of the techniques used to support patients to receive professional oral healthcare. This lack of specification leads to imprecision in describing, understanding, teaching and implementing behaviour support techniques in dentistry (DBS).

Methods: This review aims to identify the labels and associated descriptors used by practitioners to describe DBS techniques, as a first step in developing a shared terminology for DBS techniques.

Does fluoride exposure impact on the human microbiome?

Fluoride is added to drinking water in some countries to prevent tooth decay (caries). There is no conclusive evidence that community water fluoridation (CWF) at WHO recommended concentrations for caries prevention has any harmful effects. However, research is ongoing regarding potential effects of ingested fluoride on human neurodevelopment and endocrine dysfunction.

Using realist methods for intervention development to fill a methodological gap: A case study showing the development of an oral hygiene intervention for people with intellectual developmental disabilities.

Background: Realist methods offer a novel approach to intervention design. Such novelty is needed for effective oral health promotion interventions with people with intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD) and their carers because existing interventions are poorly described and lack theoretical underpinning. In this study, the steps between inception and final intervention development are presented, with an aim to expand understanding of how realist theorizing can be used to develop interventions, and to demonstrate theory-driven intervention development in the field of oral health promotion.

Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket).

Background: Alveolar osteitis (dry socket) is a complication of dental extractions more often involving mandibular molar teeth. It is associated with severe pain developing 2 to 3 days postoperatively with or without halitosis, a socket that may be partially or totally devoid of a blood clot, and increased postoperative visits. This is an update of the Cochrane Review first published in 2012.

The association between dental arch length and oral health-related quality of life in head and neck cancer patients post-radiotherapy.

Aims: To assess the association between length of dental arch and oral health-related quality of life in head and neck cancer patients post-radiotherapy.

Methods: Thirty head and neck cancer participants reported their oral health-related quality of life using the oral health impact profile-14 instrument and their global self-rating of general and oral health. All patients had received chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Promoting openness to autism amongst dental care professional students.

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a lifelong condition affecting communication and social interaction, characterised by repetitive or repeated patterns of behaviour. People with ASD experience poor systemic and oral health. They face reduced access to dental care related to provider barriers associated with lack of understanding of ASD, lack of training and a consequent reluctance to treat people with ASD.

Measuring oral health-How can the International Classification of Functioning help?

There is a need for a theoretically informed, contextualized approach to measuring oral health from a multidisciplinary perspective that goes beyond the commonly used clinical indices and sociodental measures. This commentary aims to discuss the potential for the WHO's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to provide a model for the development of indicators for oral health. It is suggested that the ICF might provide both a theoretical model and an operational classification for indicators of oral health.

Improving access of young adults with experience of homelessness to primary care dental services in the UK: A realist synthesis.

Objective: To understand why, how and under what circumstances interventions lead to improved access of young adults with experience of homelessness (YAEH) to primary care dental services in the UK.

Methods: We followed a realist, theory-driven methodology. It involved locating existing theories, searching for evidence, document selection, data extraction/appraisal and evidence synthesis.

BeSiDe time to move behavior support in dentistry from an art to a science: A position paper from the BeSiDe (Behavior Support in Dentistry) Group.

Aims: To share the need for agreement in terminology around how people are supported to receive dental care.

Method: In this position paper, we make the case for a shift in behavior support in dentistry from an art to a science.

Results: We outline why we need agreement on the definition of behavior support across dentistry, agreement on underlying theory, aims and values, and why we need agreement on terms for specific techniques.

The Impact of the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Providing Special Care Dentistry: A Survey for Dentists.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the experiences of special care dentistry providers worldwide. An online survey was administered from 10 to 31 July 2020. Age, sex, years of professional activity, COVID-19 status, geographical area of origin and length of lockdown period were recorded for all participating dentists.

Effect of daily manual toothbrushing with 0.2% chlorhexidine gel on pneumonia-associated pathogens in adults living with profound neuro-disability.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of daily toothbrushing with 0.2 % chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) on the colonization of dental plaque by pathogens associated with pneumonia amongst non-ventilated adults with a neuro-disability.

Methodology: Forty-nine patients living in long-term care were recruited.

Down syndrome and oral health: mothers' perception on their children's oral health and its impact.

Background: Individuals with Down syndrome exhibit particular oro-facial characteristics that may increase their risk of oral health problems. However, there is little research on the oral health of children and adults with Down syndrome and the way that oral health may affect Quality of Life (QoL). This study explored mothers' perceptions of the oral health problems experienced by their children with Down syndrome and how these reported problems impacted the lives of the children and their families.

Comparative Microbiological and Whole-Genome Analysis of Populations in the Oro-Nasal Cavities, Skin and Diabetic Foot Ulcers of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Reveals a Possible Oro-Nasal Reservoir for Ulcer Infection.

Patients with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk for periodontal disease and diabetic foot ulcer infections (DFUIs), the latter of which are predominantly caused by staphylococcal bacteria. Staphylococci have also been detected in the mouth, nose and gums (the oro-nasal cavity) of patients with periodontal disease and can move between the mouth and nose. The present study investigated if the oro-nasal cavity and/or periodontal pockets (PPs) in diseased gum tissue can provide a microbial reservoir for DFUIs.

Nonpharmacological techniques to support patients with intellectual developmental disorders to receive dental treatment: A systematic review of behavior change techniques.

Aims: To identify the nonpharmacological patient-support techniques (nPSTs) reported, used or recommended for people with intellectual-developmental-disorders (IDD) to receive dental treatment; to identify their active ingredients and evaluate their effectiveness by adopting an existing taxonomy of behavior-change techniques (BCTs).

Methods And Results: Following a protocol, a search strategy was undertaken using Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Cinahl, and Psychinfo (EBSCO). Selection criteria were applied, with review and extraction in duplicate.

Patients with head and neck cancers' oral health knowledge, oral health-related quality of life, oral health status, and adherence to advice on discharge to primary dental care: A prospective observational study.

Aims: This prospective observational study set out to assess patients' oral health knowledge, oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) and status immediately posttherapy, and adherence with oral health behaviors posttreatment with radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HaNC).

Methods: A prospective observational study post HaNC therapy. At time one (T1), prior to discharge to primary dental care, oral health knowledge, OHRQoL, and status were assessed and dental health advice was delivered.

The impact of 0.2% chlorhexidine gel on oral health and the incidence of pneumonia amongst adults with profound complex neurodisability.

Aims: Investigate the effect of toothbrushing with 0.2% chlorhexidine gel on oral health and pneumonia amongst patients with a neurodisability who are fed via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Method: Forty-nine patients at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability were recruited to an observational study.

Ending the neglect of global oral health: time for radical action.

Oral diseases are a major global public health problem affecting over 3·5 billion people. However, dentistry has so far been unable to tackle this problem. A fundamentally different approach is now needed.

Oral diseases: a global public health challenge.

Oral diseases are among the most prevalent diseases globally and have serious health and economic burdens, greatly reducing quality of life for those affected. The most prevalent and consequential oral diseases globally are dental caries (tooth decay), periodontal disease, tooth loss, and cancers of the lips and oral cavity. In this first of two papers in a Series on oral health, we describe the scope of the global oral disease epidemic, its origins in terms of social and commercial determinants, and its costs in terms of population wellbeing and societal impact.

Patients with cleft: Experiences, understanding and information provision during treatment.

Objective: To explore the knowledge of late adolescent and adults affected with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) about their condition and their experiences with information about treatment options and outcomes within the cleft care pathway.

Setting And Sample Population: Twenty-eight people with CL/P had recently finished or were about to finish their definitive orthodontic/orthognathic (OGN) treatment. Participants were purposively recruited from two cleft centres in the UK.