Impact of income and financial subsidies on oral health care utilization among persons with disabilities in Singapore.

Background/aim(s): Globally, studies have shown that the dental disease burden among persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) is high and can be attributed to lower utilization levels of dental services. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of income and financial subsidies on the utilization of dental care services among persons with IDD in Singapore.

Methods: Between August 2020 and August 2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted via centres offering Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children, special education schools and adult associations in Singapore serving persons with IDD.

Development of oral health resources and a mobile app for caregivers and autistic children through consensus building.

Caregivers of autistic children often lack knowledge regarding oral homecare and when and where to see the dentist. To address this need, we developed a series of information on oral health. An autistic child assisted in developing two social stories to showcase a dental visit.

The use of aesthetic paediatric full coverage restorations among paediatric dental practitioners: an international survey.

Despite the recent growing evidence in support of prefabricated zirconia crown use as a successful option in managing grossly carious anterior and posterior primary teeth, the use of such crowns remains controversial within the paediatric dental profession. This study aims to assess the use of aesthetic full coverage paediatric restorations among paediatric dentists worldwide, with emphasis on aesthetic prefabricated zirconia crowns. This was an online cross-sectional survey questionnaire study comprising of 38 multiple-choice questions disseminated worldwide through the contact lists of national, regional and international paediatric dental organisations and social media platforms.

Mesenchymal stromal cell exosomes enhance dental pulp cell functions and promote pulp-dentin regeneration.

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cell (MSC) therapies are currently being explored for dental pulp regeneration. As the therapeutic effects of MSCs in tissue repair are mediated mainly through the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) including exosomes, we investigated here the cellular processes and molecular mechanisms modulated by MSC exosomes in dental pulp regeneration. Using dental pulp cell (DPC) cultures, we demonstrated that MSC exosomes could increase DPC migration, proliferation, and odontogenic differentiation.

Tooth autotransplantation: An umbrella review.

Tooth autotransplantation is a versatile procedure with several clinical applications among patients across different age groups. The success of this procedure depends on multiple factors. Despite the wealth of studies available, no single primary study or systematic review is able to report on every factor affecting the outcomes of autotransplantation.

Qualitative study on barriers and coping strategies for dental care in autistic children: Parents' perspective.

Background: Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) face challenges in home oral care, accessing a dentist and accepting dental treatment.

Aim: To determine the barriers to dental care for autistic children in Singapore through the experiences and opinions of their parents.

Design: A qualitative exploratory approach comprising semistructured interviews and a focus group discussion was used.

Outcomes of preformed metal crowns placed with the conventional and Hall techniques: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Preformed metal crowns (PMCs) have been used to restore carious primary molars and have a high success and survival rate. There are two methods currently employed for PMC placement - the conventional technique (CT) and Hall technique (HT).

Aim: This systematic review aims to compare the outcomes of PMCs placed using the CT and HT.

Occupational and speech therapists' perceptions of their role in dental care for children with autism spectrum disorder: A qualitative exploration.

Background: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have challenges in home oral care, accessing a dentist and accepting dental treatment. Occupational therapists (OTs) and speech therapists (STs) are likely to be involved earlier in managing communication, behavioural and sensory processing issues.

Aim: To determine perceived issues, barriers and potential solutions to dental care for children with ASD in Singapore from the perspective of OTs and STs.

Effect of dental trauma management resources on dental practitioners' confidence and knowledge: A pilot cross-sectional study.

Background/aim: The knowledge of standardized care guidelines is critical to the confidence of practitioners in managing dental trauma. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the awareness, use and impact of the International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines, and the online Dental Trauma Guide on general dental practitioners' self-reported confidence and knowledge in managing traumatic dental injuries in the primary and permanent dentitions.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional, pre-piloted, 27-item self-administered questionnaire survey was distributed electronically to general dental practitioners' working within five member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar) between September and December 2020.

Vital pulp treatment for traumatized permanent teeth: A systematic review.

Background: Traumatic dental injuries involving the pulp are quite common and there is a need to evaluate the quality of evidence on the success of vital pulp treatment (VPT) interventions in traumatised permanent teeth.

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the success of VPT in the management of traumatised human vital permanent teeth diagnosed with complicated crown or crown-root fractures.

Methods: An electronic search of the following databases: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Clinical Trial Registries and the grey literature was performed until 25 /8/2021.

Contemporary management of deep caries in primary teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To systematically evaluate the available evidence regarding contemporary management of deep caries in vital primary teeth. This review was carried out to facilitate the development of European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD) guidelines on deep caries management of primary teeth in paediatric dentistry.

Methods: A systematic electronic literature search was conducted to locate studies reporting on interventions and medicaments used for the treatment of deep caries in vital primary teeth.

Vital Pulp Therapy in Primary Teeth with Deep Caries: An Umbrella Review.

The purpose of this umbrella review was to retrieve and assess the available systematic reviews reporting on pulp treatment of vital primary teeth with deep carious lesions. A literature search was conducted on electronic bibliographic databases to locate systematic reviews reporting on vital pulp therapy techniques or medicaments with two-arm comparisons and a follow-up period of at least 24 months. Eligible reviews were selected, data were extracted, and the risk of bias was assessed using a risk of bias in systematic reviews (ROBIS) tool.

Cell-Based Therapy for Tooth Replantation Following Avulsion: A Systematic Review.

The management of avulsed teeth undergoing delayed replantation remains a clinical challenge as there are currently no effective interventions that can improve periodontal healing and prevent replacement root resorption. While several preclinical studies have reported varied success using cell-based tissue engineering to improve periodontal healing, a consensus is required before further clinical translation. Therefore, this systematic review seeks to evaluate the efficacy of cell-based therapy in promoting periodontal healing following delayed replantation in animal models.

Conventional versus comprehensive dental prophylaxis: comparing the clinical outcomes between rubber cup and air polishing and the importance of plaque disclosure.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes in dental prophylaxis between rubber cup polishing and an air polishing system using erythritol powder, with or without prior dental plaque disclosure. Method and materials: In this single-blind, randomized, controlled, split-mouth clinical trial, healthy participants with full-mouth plaque score ≥ 60% were recruited. Quadrants in each participant were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: air polishing with prior plaque disclosure; air polishing without plaque disclosure; rubber cup polishing with prior plaque disclosure; or rubber cup polishing without plaque disclosure.

Parental acceptance of silver diammine fluoride in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have concerns with fluoride/silver content in silver diammine fluoride (SDF).

Aim: To compare parental acceptance of SDF and dental fear between children with and without ASD.

Design: Three hundred parents were enrolled.

Pediatricians' Self-Efficacy Affects Frequency of Giving Oral Health Advice, Conducting Oral Examination, and Prescribing Referrals.

To assess the role of pediatricians' self-efficacy on frequency of enquiring about dental visits, conducting oral examinations, and prescription of referrals to dentists.
Pediatricians and pediatric medicine residents in public hospitals in Singapore completed a self-administered written questionnaire between April and October 2015. Participants' demographics, training, knowledge of oral health, perceived importance of oral health, and confidence in health-promoting behaviors were assessed.

Anaesthetic efficacy of articaine versus lidocaine in children's dentistry: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Over the last few years, numerous reviews and studies have awarded articaine hydrochloride local anaesthetic (LA) a superior reputation, with outcomes of different studies demonstrating a general tendency for articaine hydrochloride to outperform lidocaine hydrochloride for dental treatment. Nevertheless, there seems to be no clear agreement on which LA solution is more efficacious in dental treatment for children. There is no previous publication systematically reviewing and summarising the current best evidence with respect to the success rates of LA solutions in children.

Regenerative Endodontic Therapy in the Management of Nonvital Immature Permanent Teeth: A Systematic Review-Outcome Evaluation and Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Although the protocols in previously published studies appeared to be largely similar, there were inadequate evidence-based guidelines to support a single protocol. Using a meta-analysis, this systematic review aimed to summarize and quantitatively evaluate the outcomes for nonvital immature permanent teeth treated using the regenerative endodontic technique (RET) as well as critically appraise the level and quality of evidence of the existing publications.

Methods: Risk of bias assessment and level of evidence grading were performed on all included studies.

Outcomes and prognostic factors that influence the success of tooth autotransplantation in children and adolescents.

Background/aim: Tooth autotransplantation has been advocated for replacement of missing teeth or teeth that are unsuitable for restoration. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes and prognostic factors that influenced the success of tooth transplantation in a paediatric population.

Materials And Methods: Data were extracted from the records of 75 patients (89 teeth).

Periodontal disease and FAM20A mutations.

Enamel-renal-gingival syndrome (ERGS; OMIM #204690), a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in FAM20A, is characterized by nephrocalcinosis, nephrolithiasis, amelogenesis imperfecta, hypoplastic type, gingival fibromatosis and other dental abnormalities, including hypodontia and unerupted teeth with large dental follicles. We report three patients and their families with findings suggestive of ERGS. Mutation analysis of FAM20A was performed in all patients and their family members.

Interim therapeutic restoration approach versus treatment under general anaesthesia approach.

Background: Although dental treatment under general anaesthesia (GA) remains the long-established approach for treating anxious children, treatment under GA presents with increased risks, costs and parental acceptability issues. Interim therapeutic restoration (ITR) has been proposed as an alternative approach.

Aim: To compare the incidence and types of failures between children managed with the ITR approach and those managed under GA within 12 months of treatment completion.

Telomere length is regulated by FGF-2 in human embryonic stem cells and affects the life span of its differentiated progenies.

The ability of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to proliferate indefinitely is attributed to its high telomerase activity and associated long telomere. However, factors regulating telomere length in hESCs remain largely uncharacterized. The aims of this study were, to identify factors which modulate telomere length of hESCs, and to determine if the telomere length of hESCs influences cellular senescence of its differentiated progeny cells.

Factors influencing the inclusion of oral health education in individualized education plans of children with autism spectrum disorders in Singapore.

Background: Prevention of oral diseases in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is possible via incorporation of oral health education (OHE) into individualized education plans.

Objectives: To assess (i) whether training can improve teachers' oral heath knowledge, (ii) whether OHE is taught to children with ASD, and (iii) factors associated with teachers' perceived barriers to the implementation of OHE.

Design: Teachers working in special schools were recruited.

Pluripotent stem cells: An in vitro model for nanotoxicity assessments.

The advent of technology has led to an established range of engineered nanoparticles that are used in diverse applications, such as cell-cell interactions, cell-material interactions, medical therapies and the target modulation of cellular processes. The exponential increase in the utilization of nanomaterials and the growing number of associated criticisms has highlighted the potential risks of nanomaterials to human health and the ecosystem. The existing in vivo and in vitro platforms show limitations, with fluctuations being observed in the results of toxicity assessments.