A software-based observational coding approach for evaluating paediatric dental pain, anxiety, and fear.

Background: Dental practitioners desire non-pharmacological methods to alleviate anxiety, fear, and pain in children receiving dental care; high-quality evidence, however, is required to evaluate methods' efficacy.

Aim: This study aimed to develop and validate an observation-based coding approach (paediatric dental pain, anxiety, and fear coding approach [PAFCA]) to evaluate non-pharmacological behavior management techniques for anxiety, fear, and pain.

Design: Objective (video-based) and subjective (self-reported) anxiety, fear, and pain data were collected from a pilot clinical trial evaluating animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in paediatric dentistry, in which 37 children aged 7-14 were assigned to AAT or control before dental treatment (restorations or extractions).

Multitaper Spectrum Analysis of Consonants Produced by Patients With Dentofacial Disharmonies.

Purpose: This study investigates differences in American English consonants produced by patients who present with various dentofacial disharmonies (DFDs), including severe overbites (Class II), underbites (Class III), and anterior open bites. Previous studies have found that patients with these malocclusion types all produce lingual sibilants and plosives with increased spectral center of gravity and increased spectral variance relative to controls. This result is puzzling since some DFD groups differ from controls in opposite ways, and it is also difficult to interpret because spectral moment measures are affected by a wide range of speech and nonspeech factors.

Identifying factors influencing orthodontic residency program selection.

Purpose: The desirability of Orthodontic Residency remains high today relative to the past 30 years. This investigation seeks to re-assess factors influencing Orthodontic Residency program selection amidst contemporary challenges and changes, including increasing student debt, reduced residency stipends, and shifting practice models.

Methods: This mixed-methods study consisted of interviews (qualitative) and surveys (quantitative).

Influence of BMI percentile on craniofacial morphology and development in adolescents,Part II: elevated BMI is associated with larger final facial dimensions.

Background: Prevalence of adolescent obesity has markedly increased from 5.2% in 1974 to 19.7% in 2021.

Impacts of anterior-posterior jaw disproportions on speech of dentofacial disharmony patients.

Background/objectives: Articulation problems impact communication, development, and quality of life, and are diagnosed in 73-87% of patients with Class II Dentofacial Disharmony (DFD). We evaluated whether differences exist in stop (/t/ or/k/), fricative (/s/ or/ʃ/), and affricate (/tʃ/) consonant sounds of Class II DFD subjects, and whether extent of malocclusion correlates with severity of speech distortion. We hypothesized that Class II patients display milder distortions than Class III and anterior open bite (AOB), as Class II patients can posture into a Class I occlusion.

Impacts of Skeletal Anterior Open Bite Malocclusion on Speech.

Introduction: Articulation problems are seen in 80-90% of dentofacial deformity (DFD) subjects compared with 5% of the general population, impacting communication and quality of life, but the causal link is unclear. We hypothesize there are both qualitative (perceptual) and quantitative (spectral) differences in properties of stop (/t/ or /k/), fricative (/s/ or /∫/), and affricate (/t∫/) consonant sounds and that severity of anterior open bite (AOB) jaw disharmonies correlates with degree of speech abnormality.

Methods: To test our hypotheses, surgical orthodontic records and audio recordings were collected from DFD patients (n=39 AOB, 62 controls).

Validating Spectral Moment Analysis as a Quantitative Measure of Speech Distortions in Speakers With Class III Malocclusions.

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between judged speech sound distortions and spectral moment metrics in speakers with Class III malocclusion.

Methods: A quantitative online survey was distributed to 30 speech specialists (clinicians and/or students) and 100 lay listeners to judge the clarity of the sounds /s/, /ʃ/, /t/ and /k/ using a visual analog scale (VAS) from recordings of 11 Class III (underbite) Dentofacial Disharmony (DFD) patients and eight Class I controls. Patients and controls were grouped according to high, moderate, and low /s/-/ʃ/ first spectral moment differences.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on dentists' workforce confidence and workflow.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the US economy and workforce, including marked effects on small businesses. Researchers have evaluated workers' views of financial confidence and advancement, but there has been limited focus on the dental industry.

Methods: To extend investigations to dentistry, the authors used published scales and pretested questions to determine workforce confidence and workflow changes among dentists.

Orthodontic loading activates cell-specific autophagy in a force-dependent manner.

Introduction: Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) relies on bone remodeling and controlled aseptic inflammation. Autophagy, a conserved homeostatic pathway, has been shown to play a role in bone turnover. We hypothesize that autophagy participates in regulating bone remodeling during OTM in a force-dependent and cell type-specific manner.

Understanding technology adoption by orthodontists: A quantitative study.

Introduction: Digital scanning, treatment planning, 3-dimensional imaging, and printing are changing the practice of orthodontics. These tools are adopted with the hope that treatment becomes more predictable, efficient, and effective while reducing adverse outcomes. Digital tools are impacting care, but knowledge of nationwide adoption trends and motivators is incomplete.

Educational debt and the gender gap: Understanding factors influencing orthodontists' career decisions.

Introduction: Orthodontic residents face challenges unparalleled to their predecessors, including competitive marketplaces, rising debt burdens, and changing demographics that have contributed to the shift in initial career choice from owner to employee. We aim to understand factors important to orthodontists at different career stages and the impact on job satisfaction through a sequential mixed methodology study.

Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 25 orthodontic residents and practitioners.

Roles of autophagy in orthodontic tooth movement.

Introduction: Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) relies on efficient remodeling of alveolar bone. While a well-controlled inflammatory response is essential during OTM, the mechanism regulating inflammation is unknown. Autophagy, a conserved catabolic pathway, has been shown to protect cells from excess inflammation in disease states.

Understanding technology adoption by orthodontists: A qualitative study.

Introduction: Orthodontics is evolving with advances in 3D imaging, additive fabrication, digital scanning, and treatment planning. With digital tools, orthodontic treatment may become more predictable, efficient, and effective while reducing side-effects. These technologies are affecting patient care, but knowledge of their adoption patterns and influence is incomplete.