Models of DEIB: Part I - Approaches to Inclusion from Other Health Professions for Consideration by Dentistry.

This article represents a prologue of the discussion of the article "Models of DEIB: Part II-Exploring Models of Inclusion from other Health Professions for Dentistry". It explores existing practices and philosophies from other disciplines that could be applied toward creating environments of inclusion and belonging in dentistry. The primary focus here is to provide an opportunity for the dental profession to leverage knowledge and experiences from other health professions to enhance and expand inclusion efforts and provide enhance engagement at all levels.

Inclusivity in Mentorship: Shifting Paradigms of Inclusion in Dental Education.

The article explores the evolution and significance of mentoring, drawing from Greek mythology, particularly the story of Odysseus and Mentor. It defines mentoring as a developmental relationship beneficial for mentees, mentors, and organizations, particularly in academia and health care. The article covers various mentoring models, including traditional, peer, reverse, group, e-mentoring, and the mosaic model, emphasizing inclusivity and cultural responsiveness.

The "I" in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The Challenge of Inclusivity in Dentistry.

Inclusion is an essential part of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dentistry's history has been such that the profession has experienced inclusion and exclusion, sometimes by choice and sometimes by the actions of others. This study reviews the concept of inclusion in the context of the current need to create inclusive environments for a workforce that is culturally and structurally sound to serve all patients, including the underrepresented or marginalized, in integrated health care.

Saliva as a diagnostic tool to measure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure in dental patients exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV).

Background: Social habits such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and chemically contaminated diet contribute to poor oral health. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a global public health epidemic which can exacerbate the prevalence of health conditions affecting a victim's lifespan. This study investigates using saliva as a biomarker for detecting levels of benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]; a toxicant present in cigarette smoke and barbecued meat in a population of IPV + female patients.

Knowledge of human papillomavirus among dental providers: A mixed methods study.

Dental professionals are encouraged by the American Dental Association (ADA) to recommend the HPV vaccine to eligible patients. To better understand their comfort level in following this recommendation, we conducted a mixed methods study of dentists and dental hygienists. A total of 173 providers were surveyed and 8 interviewed.

Identification of Specific Oral and Gut Pathogens in Full Thickness Colon of Colitis Patients: Implications for Colon Motility.

Impaired colon motility is one of the leading problems associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). An expanding body of evidence supports the role of microbiome in normal gut function and in progression of IBD. The objective of this work is to determine whether diseased full thickness colon specimens, including the neuromuscular region (critical for colon motility function), contain specific oral and gut pathogens.

An unusual odontogenic infection due to in an immunocompetent patient: A case report and review of the literature.

is an anaerobic spore-forming bacterium usually associated with infections in patients who are immunocompromised. This case report focuses on a rare presentation of a multifascial space odontogenic infection associated with the bacterial isolate . The management of an odontogenic infection associated with an isolate of in an immunocompetent female is described, as well as a review of the literature.

Elder Abuse in the African Diaspora: A Review.

Background: As with many other populations, abuse of older adults is a growing problem across the Africa Diaspora. Modernization and urbanization are eroding the traditional values of respect for older adults. Also, older adults living in environments with limited social and economic resources, and having no means of economic support create a recipe for elder abuse and neglect.

Influence of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Exposure on Cardiovascular and Salivary Biosensors: Is There a Relationship?

Background/purpose: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health epidemic that initiates/exacerbates health consequences affecting a victim's lifespan. IPV can significantly predispose women to a lifetime risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to the effects of stress and inflammation. This study investigates the correlation among IPV exposure, in-vivo CVD events, and inflammatory biomarkers as predictor indices(s) for CVD in female dental patients.

Role of oral and gut microbiome in nitric oxide-mediated colon motility.

Periodontal disease (PD), a severe form of gum disease, is among the most prevalent chronic infection in humans and is associated with complex microbial synergistic dysbiosis in the subgingival cavity. The immune system of the body interacts with the microbes as the plaque extends and propagates below the gingival sulcus. Once bacteria reach the gingival sulcus, it can enter the blood stream and affect various areas of the human body.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Those Accompanying Medicare Patients to the Doctor: Insights from the 2013 Medicare Current Beneficiary's Survey.

Surprisingly little current, population-level detail exists regarding companion accompaniment for health care among Medicare beneficiaries, particularly by race/ethnicity. For respondents in the 2013 Medicare Current Beneficiary's Survey Access to Care public use data (N = 12,253), multivariable models predicted accompaniment to the doctor by race/ethnicity, adjusting for confounders. Chi square analyses compared, by race/ethnicity, who was accompanying and why.

Cardiovascular Health Disparities in Underserved Populations.

African Americans are at increased risk for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and diabetes, which contribute to the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The disparities of CVD in underserved populations require targeted attention from primary care clinicians to eliminate. Primary care can provide this targeted care for their patients by assessing cardiovascular risk, addressing blood pressure control, and selecting appropriate intervention strategies.

Access to medications for medicare enrollees related to race/ethnicity: Results from the 2013 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey.

Background: Prescription medications are taken by millions of Americans to manage chronic conditions and treat acute conditions. These medications, however, are not equally accessible to all.

Objective: To examine medication access by race/ethnicity among Medicare beneficiaries.

Dental management in patients with hypertension: challenges and solutions.

Hypertension is a chronic illness affecting more than a billion people worldwide. The high prevalence of the disease among the American population is concerning and must be considered when treating dental patients. Its lack of symptoms until more serious problems occur makes the disease deadly.

Interprofessional Collaborative Practice Models in Chronic Disease Management.

Interprofessional collaboration in health has become essential to providing high-quality care, decreased costs, and improved outcomes. Patient-centered care requires synthesis of all the components of primary and specialty medicine to address patient needs. For individuals living with chronic diseases, this model is even more critical to obtain better health outcomes.

Conscious Intravenous Sedation in Dentistry: A Review of Current Therapy.

Several sedation options are used to minimize pain, anxiety, and discomfort during oral surgery procedures. Minimizing or eliminating pain and anxiety for dental care is the primary goal for conscious sedation. Intravenous conscious sedation is a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients respond purposefully to verbal commands.

Effects of Diabetes on Salivary Gland Protein Expression of Tetrahydrobiopterin and Nitric Oxide Synthesis and Function.

Background: Xerostomia is defined as dry mouth resulting from a change in the amount or composition of saliva and is often a major oral health complication associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). Studies have shown that xerostomia is more common in females at the onset of DM. Evidence suggests that nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical role in healthy salivary gland function.

Polybacterial Periodontal Pathogens Alter Vascular and Gut BH4/nNOS/NRF2-Phase II Enzyme Expression.

Periodontal disease is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory disease and is associated with complex microbial infection in the subgingival cavity. Recently, American Heart Association supported a century old association between periodontal disease and atherosclerotic vascular disease. We have recently shown that polybacterial periodontal infection led to aortic atherosclerosis and modulation of lipid profiles; however the underlying mechanism(s) has not been yet demonstrated.

Periodontitis may contribute to poor control of hypertension in older adults.

Article Title And Bibliographic Information: Periodontal disease, hypertension, and blood pressure among older adults in Puerto Rico. Rivas-Tumanyan S, Campos M, Zevallos JC, Joshipura KJ. J Periodontol 2013;84:203-11.

Diabetes educators' knowledge, opinions and behaviors regarding periodontal disease and diabetes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine certified diabetes educators' (CDE) knowledge, behaviors and opinions about periodontal disease and diabetes.

Methods: A 33 item questionnaire was distributed to CDEs who provide counseling and education services to patients with diabetes. Questions were open and closed-ended and Likert-scale.

Periodontitis and diabetes associations with measures of atherosclerosis and CHD.

Objective: Diabetes has been linked with more severe periodontal disease and with coronary heart disease (CHD). The purpose of this study was to determine if periodontal infection was a significant modifier in the risk that diabetes poses for increased carotid artery intimal-medial wall thickness (IMT) and more advanced atheroma lesions as reflected in atherosclerotic plaque calcification measured by acoustic shadowing.

Methods And Results: Comparisons for analyses of cardiovascular outcomes were performed based upon periodontitis and diabetes status.

North Carolina internists' and endocrinologists' knowledge, opinions, and behaviors regarding periodontal disease and diabetes: need and opportunity for interprofessional education.

The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and practice behaviors of one state's internists and endocrinologists who treat patients with any type of diabetes. A thirty-five-item questionnaire was mailed to 1,000 internists and 115 endocrinologists in North Carolina. Questions were open and closed ended and Likert-scaled.

Concurrent human papillomavirus-associated tonsillar carcinoma in 2 couples.

We describe 2 nonsmoking, nondrinking couples who developed human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated tonsillar cancer within 12 months of each other. After histopathologic evaluation, HPV L1, E2, E6, and LCR regions were amplified, and phylogenetic analysis of amplimers was determined. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction targeting HPV-16/18 L1 and E7 regions and P16 immunohistochemistry were performed.