Females have lower salivary flow than males, before and after radiation therapy for head/neck cancer.

Objective: To compare salivary flow rates between females and males, before and after radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: Prospective observational multicenter cohort study (OraRad). Stimulated whole salivary flow was measured before RT and at 6 and 18 months after RT.

Factors associated with oral hygiene compliance in patients treated with radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

Background: Patients who are oral hygiene noncompliant (OHNC) are more likely to lose teeth after radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC), which increases the risk of developing osteoradionecrosis. A previous study revealed that patients who were OHNC at baseline (BL) who became oral hygiene compliant during follow-up had the best tooth-failure outcomes. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with oral hygiene compliance (OHC), overall, and among those who were BL OHNC.

Reduced mouth opening in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy: an analysis of the Clinical Registry of Dental Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Patients (OraRad).

Objective: Trismus/reduced mouth opening (RMO) is a common side effect of radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC). The objective was to measure RMO, identify risk factors for RMO, and determine its impact on quality of life (QOL).

Study Design: OraRad is an observational, prospective, multicenter cohort study of patients receiving curative intent RT for HNC.

Tooth-level predictors of tooth loss and exposed bone after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

Background: The objective of this study was to identify tooth-level risk factors for use during preradiation dental care management to predict risk of tooth failure (tooth lost or declared hopeless) and exposed bone after radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: The authors conducted a prospective observational multicenter cohort study of 572 patients receiving RT for HNC. Participants were examined by calibrated examiners before RT and then every 6 months until 2 years after RT.

Oral health-related quality of life after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer: the OraRad study.

Purpose: Head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment results in morbidity impacting quality of life (QOL) in survivorship. This analysis evaluated changes in oral health-related QOL (OH-QOL) up to 2 years after curative intent radiation therapy (RT) for HNC patients and factors associated with these changes.

Methods: 572 HNC patients participated in a multicenter, prospective observational study (OraRad).

Effect of preradiation dental intervention on incidence of osteoradionecrosis in patients with head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine whether dental intervention involving bone or soft-tissue manipulation preradiotherapy (pre-RT) is associated with lower rates of osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

Types Of Studies Reviewed: The authors included relevant studies from MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library, including observational studies published from 2007 through 2021 and involving adults who underwent dental intervention pre-RT for HNC. Authors assessed evidence certainty by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.

Radiation therapy for head and neck cancer leads to gingival recession associated with dental caries.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine effects of radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) on periodontal disease and relationships to caries.

Study Design: A multicenter prospective observational cohort study (OraRad) was conducted in patients undergoing RT for HNC. Assessments were conducted by calibrated examiners at the pre-RT (baseline) visit (n = 533), the 12-month visit (n = 414), and the 24-month visit (n = 365).

The impact of head and neck radiotherapy on salivary flow and quality of life: Results of the ORARAD study.

Objectives: Salivary hypofunction and xerostomia, are common side effects of radiotherapy, negatively impacting quality of life. The OraRad study presents results on the longitudinal impact of radiotherapy on salivary flow and patient-reported outcomes.

Patients And Methods: Prospective, multicenter cohort study of 572 patients receiving curative-intent head and neck radiotherapy (RT).

Dentist-administered vaccines: An American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators Panel survey.

Background: With many states in the United States permitting dentists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine, there is much discussion about their scope of practice in relation to delivering other vaccines.

Methods: Survey questions were developed to assess dentists' awareness about their vaccine administration scope of practice and attitudes and barriers if choosing to incorporate vaccine delivery into their practice scope. The survey was deployed electronically to members of the American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators (ACE) Panel (N = 989) on September 2, 2021, and remained open for 2 weeks.

Tooth Failure Post-Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer: Primary Report of the Clinical Registry of Dental Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Patients (OraRad) Study.

Purpose: To elucidate long-term sequelae of radiation therapy (RT) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, a multicenter, prospective study, Clinical Registry of Dental Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Patients (OraRad), was established with tooth failure as its primary outcome. We report tooth failure and associated risk factors.

Methods And Materials: Demographics and cancer and dental disease characteristics were documented in 572 HNC patients at baseline and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after RT.

Decreasing Emergency Department Visits for Children With Epilepsy.

Background And Objectives: Epilepsy and seizures represent a frequent cause of emergency department (ED) visits for patients. By implementing quality improvement (QI) methodology, we planned to decrease ED visits for children and adolescents with epilepsy.

Methods: In 2016, a multidisciplinary team was created to implement QI methodology to address ED visits for patients with epilepsy.

World Workshop on Oral Medicine VII: Bleeding control interventions for invasive dental procedures in patients with inherited functional platelet disorders: A systematic review.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine bleeding control interventions (BCIs) that were reported to be effective in controlling postoperative bleeding in patients with inherited functional platelet disorders (IFPDs) undergoing invasive dental procedures.

Study Design: We searched MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library (Wiley), and Scopus from 1960 through April 2020 for studies on patients with IFPD undergoing invasive dental procedures. Two reviewers conducted assessments independently.

Exposed bone in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy: An analysis of the Observational Study of Dental Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Patients (OraRad).

Background: Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with radiation therapy (RT) are at risk for jaw osteoradionecrosis (ORN), which is largely characterized by the presence of exposed necrotic bone. This report describes the incidence and clinical course of and risk factors for exposed intraoral bone in the multicenter Observational Study of Dental Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Patients (OraRad) cohort.

Methods: Participants were evaluated before RT and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after RT.

Epidemiologic factors in patients with advanced head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy.

Background: Approximately 50% of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) initially were seen with advanced disease. We aimed to evaluate the association of epidemiologic factors with advanced HNC at diagnosis.

Methods: The OraRad multicenter prospective cohort study enrolled HNC patients receiving curative-intent radiation therapy.

Innovations for prevention and care of oral candidiasis in HIV-infected individuals: Are they available?-A workshop report.

Oral candidiasis (OC) is the most prevalent HIV-related oral lesion in patients on combined anti-retroviral therapy (cART) or without cART. Management is challenged in some patients by development of resistance to azole drugs, such as fluconazole. Recent scientific knowledge about OC pathogenesis, the role of OC in the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), the relationship of OC with the microbiome, and novelties in OC treatment was discussed in an international workshop format.

An American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators Panel survey.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted oncovirus associated with several malignancies, including oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The 9-valent HPV vaccine can help protect against the high-risk HPV strains most commonly associated with HPV-related cancers.

Methods: The authors used an electronic survey to assess the roles of dentists and their team members in discussing the HPV vaccine, as well as administering the vaccine in a dental setting.

Summary of the evidence on the safety, efficacy, and effectiveness of human papillomavirus vaccines: Umbrella review of systematic reviews.

Background: This objective of this umbrella review was to summarize the evidence on safety, efficacy, and effectiveness of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines in the general population.

Methods: The authors conducted a literature search and selected systematic reviews if they were published from January 2006 through November 2018, included randomized controlled trials or observational studies, related to the general population, and evaluated HPV vaccine-related clinical outcomes. The authors independently and in duplicate screened literature, extracted data, and appraised reviews using AMSTAR 2, a critical appraisal tool for systematic reviews.

Antibiotics for the urgent management of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, symptomatic apical periodontitis, and localized acute apical abscess: Systematic review and meta-analysis-a report of the American Dental Association.

Background: Patients with pulpal and periapical conditions often seek treatment for pain, intraoral swelling, or both. Even when definitive, conservative dental treatment (DCDT) is an option, antibiotics are often prescribed. The purpose of this review was to summarize available evidence regarding the effect of antibiotics, either alone or as adjuncts to DCDT, to treat immunocompetent adults with pulpal and periapical conditions, as well as additional population-level harms associated with antibiotic use.