The effect of antireaction medications on the association between periodontitis and leprosy reactions: An important methodological issue in periodontal medicine.

Background: The treatment of leprosy reactions (LRs) involves thalidomide, corticosteroids, and other immunomodulatory medications. This study evaluated the effect of these treatments on the association between periodontitis and LRs, as well as factors associated with LRs.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 283 individuals followed at a leprosy outpatient clinic in Brazil.

Excessive weight in pregnant women increases the chance of diagnosing periodontitis combined with tooth loss.

Background: Excess weight (EW), especially in women of childbearing age, those who are pregnant, as well as postpartum, is a problem worldwide. Fat accumulation deregulates the inflammatory response, contributing to the development of health problems, such as periodontitis. This study investigated the association between EW and periodontitis during pregnancy.

Periodontitis in individuals with few remaining teeth and a high gingival bleeding index increases the probability of dyslipidemia.

Background: Dyslipidemia, a silent multifactorial condition, is characterized by changes in blood lipid levels, affecting all socioeconomic strata, increasing the risk for atherosclerotic diseases. This study investigated whether there is an association between dyslipidemia and the combined exposure of periodontitis plus the number of remaining teeth, gingival bleeding, or caries.

Methods: A two-center cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1270 individuals, with a minimum age of 18 years.

Improving oral health of adolescent girls in Kenya through education - An observational study.

Objectives: Dental caries and periodontal diseases are significant health concerns in developing nations. This study assessed the impact of a comprehensive oral health education program on adolescent girls in rural Kenya.

Methods: Eighty-seven girls aged 13-18 years attending school in rural Nanyuki, Kenya, were enrolled in the study.

Periodontitis severity relationship with metabolic syndrome: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between periodontitis severity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) through systematic review, registered in PROSPERO: CRD42021232120. Selected articles were independently chosen by three reviewers from six databases, including using article reference lists, up until March 2022. Eligible studies were observational, without language limitation, and in subjects aged at least 18 years.

Obesity in young women is positively associated with periodontitis.

Objective: This cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the association between excess body weight and periodontitis in adults, stratified by sex and age, and using different criteria for obesity.

Material And Methods: Enrolled in the study were 345 individuals with a minimum age of 18 years who had attended the Public Health Service in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. All individuals underwent a complete periodontal examination and anthropometric measurements and answered a questionnaire regarding their socioeconomic, demographic, health, and lifestyle conditions.

Pilot test of an emerging leaders program for dental school faculty.

Purpose/objectives: The School of Dentistry at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSA-SoD) implemented an SoD Emerging Leaders Program (SoDELP) in 2020-2021. This case report describes the leadership training needs of junior faculty that stimulated SoDELP development, the inter-institutional collaboration that facilitated program implementation, SoDELP curriculum content, and outcomes of formative assessment for two pilot cohorts of the SoDELP.

Methods: The 32-h curriculum was comprised of readings, reflection exercises, seminars by the Center for Professional Excellence at the University of Texas at San Antonio, case discussion, analysis of leadership dilemmas, and self-assessments.

COVID-19 vaccination experience among United States dental professionals and students: Safety, confidence, concerns, and side effects.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the COVID-19 vaccination experience among United States-based dental professionals and students: to understand their beliefs, concerns, safety and confidence levels, and side effects experienced after vaccination; striving to boost vaccination acceptability to curtail the pandemic.

Methods: An observational survey study approved by The University of Texas Health San Antonio Institutional Review Board was distributed to members of the School of Dentistry community using Qualtrics XM software. The survey was completed anonymously.

Adjuvant therapy with 1% alendronate gel for experimental periodontitis treatment in rats.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of locally delivered 1% alendronate (ALN) gel used as an adjunct to non-invasive periodontal therapy.

Methods: Ligature-induced periodontitis was performed in 96 rats. The ligature was tied in the cervical area of the mandibular left first molar.

Mothers' high glycemic levels and the association between periodontitis and low birth weight.

Background: Maternal hyperglycemia, periodontitis, and adverse gestational outcomes are important health problems. The present study investigated the hypothesis that periodontitis and the glycemic level of mothers may have opposing influences on birth weight (BW). This study evaluated the effect of high glycemic levels, albeit within the normal range, on the association between periodontitis and low birth weight (LBW).

Multifaceted impact of COVID-19 on dental practice: American dental care professionals prepared and ready during unprecedented challenges.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the multifaceted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental practices and their readiness to resume dental practice during arduous circumstances.

Methods: The authors distributed an observational survey study approved by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Institutional Review Board to dental care practitioners and their office staff members using Qualtrics XM software. The survey was completed anonymously.

Gingival fenestration defect treated with gingivectomy and gingivoplasty: A case report with an 8-year follow-up.

Introduction: Gingival fenestration (GF) is scarcely reported in the literature. We present a unique case of GF defect combined with gingivitis and altered passive eruption (APE).

Case Presentation: An 18-year-old female patient with gingivitis, APE, and GF in the mandibular left central incisor presented for periodontal treatment.

Periodontitis and its higher levels of severity are associated with the triglyceride/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio.

Background: Periodontitis and the Triglyceride/High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio have both been associated with cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Additionally, the ratio is a possible substitute for predicting insulin resistance. This study investigated the association between periodontitis, its severity levels (exposures), and the TG/HDL-C ratio (outcome).

Periodontitis is a factor associated with dyslipidemia.

Objective: To investigate the association between the severity of periodontitis (exposure) and dyslipidemia (outcome).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of users of public health services. Periodontitis was defined using the Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the American Academy of Periodontology criteria.

An accuracy study of the clinical diagnosis of periodontitis in pregnant women.

Background: There exists a diverse range of criteria used in epidemiological studies for the diagnosis of periodontitis. The results from these studies should be evaluated with consideration to the diagnostic criteria used, and this may account for differences between studies especially in some population groups such as pregnant females. The objective is to evaluate the diagnostic criteria used in a variety of epidemiologic studies of periodontitis in pregnant females.

Moderate and severe periodontitis are positively associated with metabolic syndrome.

Objective: This study investigated the association between periodontitis severity (exposure) and metabolic syndrome (MetS - outcome), using two criteria for diagnosis of the outcome, since this relationship remains unexplored.

Materials And Methods: A case-control study was conducted with 870 individuals: 408 with first MetS diagnosis (cases) and 462 without MetS (controls). Participants' general information was obtained using a questionnaire and laboratory data was collected from medical records.

Microbial biogeography and ecology of the mouth and implications for periodontal diseases.

In humans, the composition of microbial communities differs among body sites and between habitats within a single site. Patterns of variation in the distribution of organisms across time and space are referred to as "biogeography." The human oral cavity is a critical observatory for exploring microbial biogeography because it is spatially structured, easily accessible, and its microbiota has been linked to the promotion of both health and disease.

Exclusive breast-feeding is associated with reduced pacifier sucking in children: Breast-feeding and pacifier-sucking habit.

Background: Studies suggest that when children do not achieve the emotional satiety and adequate stimulus provided by breast-feeding, they exhibit sucking behaviors. This study aimed to estimate the association from 4 through 6 months of exclusive breast-feeding (EB) postpartum and pacifier-sucking behavior at 12 months of life.

Methods: A cohort study was conducted with 1,037 infants, born alive and monitored up to 12 months.

A Novel Approach in Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (PAOO): A Case Report.

Introduction: The purpose of this case report was to evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes of periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics (PAOO) combined with soft tissue enhancement in a patient with thin biotype and lack of buccal plate.

Case Presentation: A 46-year-old female was referred for periodontal risk assessment prior to orthodontic treatment. Following a comprehensive examination, including taking a cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) the patient was identified as high risk for soft tissue recession because of prominent roots, lack of buccal plates, and thin soft tissue.

Obesity and periodontitis are not associated in pregnant women.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate an association between obesity (exposure) and periodontitis (outcome) in pregnant women.

Background: This association was investigated and only five studies were identified as showing a positive association. However, some of these studies had limitations such as reduced sample sizes, inadequate exposure criteria and outcome measures, which question the internal validity of these investigations.

A spatial gradient of bacterial diversity in the human oral cavity shaped by salivary flow.

Spatial and temporal patterns in microbial communities provide insights into the forces that shape them, their functions and roles in health and disease. Here, we used spatial and ecological statistics to analyze the role that saliva plays in structuring bacterial communities of the human mouth using >9000 dental and mucosal samples. We show that regardless of tissue type (teeth, alveolar mucosa, keratinized gingiva, or buccal mucosa), surface-associated bacterial communities vary along an ecological gradient from the front to the back of the mouth, and that on exposed tooth surfaces, the gradient is pronounced on lingual compared to buccal surfaces.

Enhanced osteoprogenitor elongated collagen fiber matrix formation by bioactive glass ionic silicon dependent on Sp7 (osterix) transcription.

Bioactive glasses release ions, those enhance osteoblast collagen matrix synthesis and osteogenic marker expression during bone healing. Collagen matrix density and osteogenic marker expression depend on osteogenic transcription factors, (e.g.