Future-Proofing Dentistry: A Qualitative Exploration of COVID-19 Responses in UK Dental Schools.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had extensive influence on dental education. UK dental schools were compelled to respond with substantial adaptations to clinical training approaches and environments to mitigate educational impact.

Materials And Methods: The Surveying Pandemic Education Response in Higher Education Dental Schools (SPEARHEAD) study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the diverse responses of UK dental schools to the COVID-19 pandemic.

An 'explosion in the mouth': The oral health experiences of autistic children.

In England, one in four children have tooth decay by the age of 5 years. Tooth decay affects many autistic children. Communication differences, sensory sensitivities and preferred routines can make dental care difficult.

Legacy lessons from the COVID-19 era to improve trial participation and retention: Views from trial participants, PPIE contributors and trial staff across the NIHR portfolio.

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic had a profound effect on the delivery of healthcare research. Covid-19 research was prioritised and many non-essential trials were paused. This study explores the engagement experiences of trial participants', PPIE contributors' and trial staff during the Covid-19 pandemic and towards recovery and restoring a diverse and balanced UK clinical trials portfolio.

A systematic review of school-based student peer-led oral health interventions to promote the oral health of school children.

Background: Poor oral health in children highlights the need for prevention and effective interventions. During late childhood and adolescence, peer relationships can play a vital role in adopting and maintaining positive health behaviours.

Aim: To identify the oral health outcomes of school-based student peer-led delivery of oral health interventions.

Dental amalgam teaching phase-out - a step too soon? Foundation trainees' experience of amalgam use in dental school compared to practice: a mixed-methods survey.

Aim This study aimed to explore disparities in experience of UK dental foundation trainees in amalgam use at dental school compared to their first year in dental practice.Methods A modified version of the 'survey of Yorkshire dentists' targeted the dental foundation trainees. A mixed-method of quantitative and thematic content analysis was undertaken for the close-ended and free-text responses, respectively.

Experiences of newly qualified dentists in delivering oral health advice to parents/caregivers of young children-challenges and solutions.

Introduction: A key skill for dental professionals to master is their ability to have effective preventive oral health conversations. On qualifying, UK dentists undertake a one-year foundation training programme in general practice. This study explored with Foundation Dentists, the barriers and facilitators to undertaking oral health conversations with parents/caregivers and their children, aged 0-11 years old.

Barriers to prevention in oral health care for english NHS dental patients: a qualitative study of views from key stakeholders.

Background: Despite significant progress in the control of oral diseases since the discovery of fluoride in the 1940s, dental caries and periodontal diseases continue to affect a significant proportion of the population, particularly socially disadvantaged and lower socioeconomic groups. The National Health Service in England provides preventive advice and treatments as part of an oral health assessment, and evidence-based guidance recommends the use of fissure sealants and topical fluorides in addition to dietary and oral hygiene advice. Although oral health promotion and education have become expected parts of dental care, the need for restorative treatments remains relatively high.

'It surprised me a lot that there is a link': a qualitative study of the acceptability of periodontal treatment for individuals at risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Current evidence suggests that periodontal disease could be a causal risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) onset and progression. Earlier periodontal intervention in individuals at risk of RA could provide a unique opportunity to prevent or delay the onset of RA. This study aimed to explore the acceptability of periodontal treatment as a measure to potentially prevent RA among at-risk individuals and healthcare professionals.

The outcomes of auto-transplanted premolars in the anterior maxilla following traumatic dental injuries.

Background/aims: Tooth auto-transplantation is a treatment option, which is often not considered to replace anterior maxillary incisors in children and adolescents. There are multiple prognostic factors that may influence the outcomes of premolar auto-transplantation, but there is limited evidence from human studies. The aim of this study was to report the outcomes of auto-transplanted premolars in the anterior maxilla following traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) and to identify their prognostic factors.

Development and validation of an International Patient's Attitudes to Prevention in Oral Health Questionnaire.

Objectives: To develop a patient's attitude questionnaire regarding prevention in oral health for use internationally.

Methods: Using a mixed methods approach, a questionnaire was developed and refined as part of ADVOCATE (Added Value for Oral Care) study, involving partners in six countries: Netherlands, Hungary, Denmark, Ireland, Germany, and the UK. A literature review explored the history of oral healthcare delivery systems to develop a template for each of the six ADVOCATE countries.

Conversation, discourse and linguistic analysis in dental communication: valuable but under-used approaches.

According to Dental Protection, 'good dentists are good communicators, it's that simple!' Unfortunately, dental communication is an under-researched field, so it is not yet clear exactly what good communication in this context entails. The dominant method of researching dental communication to date has followed a 'process approach' where the focus has been on evaluating the communicative competence of the clinician using a checklist of communicative functions; for example, 'the clinician explains the condition'. Conversation analysis, discourse analysis and linguistic analysis are discursive approaches that bring precision by analysing the actual language/discourses being used by patients and providers in interactions.

Foundation dentists supporting vaccination programmes in England.

Background In 2020/21, as part of the COVID-19 pandemic response and for the first time in England, newly qualified foundation dentists (FDs) were trained to participate in flu and COVID-19 vaccination programmes to offer additional workforce capacity. The largest of these efforts was in Yorkshire and the Humber where 106 FDs were trained and ready to mobilise. The aim of this service evaluation was to appraise the use of FDs in delivering vaccinations.

Maintaining and improving mouth care for care home residents: A participatory research project.

Background: Many people residing in nursing or residential care homes (also called long-term care facilities) live with physical or cognitive difficulties. Staff working in these environments often help residents (particularly those with more advanced dementia) with their personal care needs, including maintaining mouth care and health. Poor oral health is associated with many difficulties, including increased risk of respiratory problems, pain and discomfort.

Recommendations for delivering oral health advice: a qualitative supplementary analysis of dental teams, parents' and children's experiences.

Background: Tooth decay has a significant impact on children, their families and wider society. The dental consultation provides an opportunity to prevent tooth decay by engaging in an effective oral health conversation with parents and children. However, there is limited literature which explores how these oral health conversations are delivered, received, and understood.

Facilitators and barriers to home-based toothbrushing practices by parents of young children to reduce tooth decay: a systematic review.

Objectives: Parental supervised toothbrushing (PSB) is a collection of behaviours recommended by national guidance to improve oral health. This systematic review aimed to identify the barriers and facilitators to PSB.

Materials And Methods: Studies investigating parental involvement in home-based toothbrushing in children under 8 years old and the impact on tooth decay were included.

Oral health promotion apps: an assessment of message and behaviour change potential.

Background: Oral health worldwide needs improving: untreated dental caries is the most common health condition affecting people globally. Mobile applications (apps) have potential to provide preventative oral health interventions. This study aimed to investigate the quality of available oral health promotion apps, assessing information provided and the barriers to oral health addressed using psychological frameworks.

Home-based toothbrushing interventions for parents of young children to reduce dental caries: A systematic review.

Background: Dental caries is the most prevalent preventable condition in children. A key preventive home-based oral health behaviour is the adoption and maintenance of parental supervised toothbrushing until 8 years of age.

Aim: To examine interventions promoting parental supervised toothbrushing practices to reduce dental caries in young children (<8 years old).

'He was distraught, I was distraught.' Parents' experiences of accessing emergency care following an avulsion injury to their child.

Objective To explore how parents access emergency care for their children following avulsion of a permanent tooth.Method Semi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken with parents of children who had suffered a tooth avulsion injury in the previous two years. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim.

Remuneration of primary dental care in England: a qualitative framework analysis of perspectives of a new service delivery model incorporating incentives for improved access, quality and health outcomes.

Objective: This study aimed to describe stakeholder perspectives of a new service delivery model in primary care dentistry incorporating incentives for access, quality and health outcomes.

Design: Data were collected through observations, interviews and focus groups.

Setting: This was conducted under six UK primary dental care practices, three working under the incentive-driven contract and three working under the traditional activity-based contract.

The future for diagnostic tests of acute kidney injury in critical care: evidence synthesis, care pathway analysis and research prioritisation.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is highly prevalent in hospital inpatient populations, leading to significant mortality and morbidity, reduced quality of life and high short- and long-term health-care costs for the NHS. New diagnostic tests may offer an earlier diagnosis or improved care, but evidence of benefit to patients and of value to the NHS is required before national adoption.

Objectives: To evaluate the potential for AKI in vitro diagnostic tests to enhance the NHS care of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and identify an efficient supporting research strategy.

A qualitative study of patients' views of techniques to reduce dental anxiety.

Objectives: To explore the fear/anxiety inducing triggers associated with dental treatment, and what dentally anxious adults would like from their dental encounter.

Methods: Two focus-groups and three interviews with fourteen dentally-anxious people were conducted in this qualitative study. All discussions were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim.

Patient Preferences for Pain Management in Advanced Cancer: Results from a Discrete Choice Experiment.

Background: Pain from advanced cancer remains prevalent, severe and often under-treated.

Aim: The aim of this study was to conduct a discrete choice experiment with patients to understand their preferences for pain management services and inform service development.

Methods: Focus groups were used to develop the attributes and levels of the discrete choice experiment.

Erratum to: Methods for evaluating medical tests and biomarkers.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s41512-016-0001-y.].

Interpreting outcome following foot surgery in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Foot surgery is common in RA but the current lack of understanding of how patients interpret outcomes inhibits evaluation of procedures in clinical and research settings. This study aimed to explore which factors are important to people with RA when they evaluate the outcome of foot and ankle surgery.

Methods And Results: Semi structured interviews with 11 RA participants who had mixed experiences of foot surgery were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis.