Modelling the national economic burden of non-surgical periodontal management in specialist clinics in Malaysia using a markov model.

Background: Non-surgical periodontal treatment is the mainstay of periodontal treatment. In Malaysia, the prevalence of periodontal disease is substantial among adults with almost half of them having periodontitis. Therefore, we estimated the economic burden of non-surgical periodontal treatment in specialist clinics in Malaysia.

Evaluating the potential of matrix metalloproteinase as a diagnostic biomarker in rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis (PD). RA patients with periodontitis (RA-PD) are associated with elevated inflammatory burden due to increased production of proinflammatory cytokines. Controlling upregulated MMPs activity in these patients may have potential therapeutic effects.

Oral health literacy in Malang City, Indonesia.

Dental and oral health are the main indicators of health, well-being, and quality of life. The concept of Oral Health Literacy (OHL) has become important because it regards individual capacity to understand and use dental information to transform into oral health behaviours. Thus, the aim of this study was to discover and describe the OHL status of adults in Malang City and its relationship with sociodemographic status so that it can be used as a basis for making policy.

Systemic Antibiotics as an Adjunct to Subgingival Debridement: A Network Meta-Analysis.

This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of systemic antibiotics as adjunctive treatment to subgingival debridement in patients with periodontitis. Randomized controlled trials were included that assessed the effectiveness of systemic antibiotics in improving periodontal status, indicated by clinical attachment gain level, probable pocket depth reduction, and bleeding on probing reduction of patients with any form of periodontitis at any follow-up time. Network meta-analyses with a frequentist model using random effects was employed to synthesize the data.

A Qualitative Study of Pictorial Health Warnings on Malaysian Cigarette Packs: How Do the Adults Understand Them?

The WHO recommended pictorial health warnings (PHWs) on cigarette packs in 2003 to educate and warn the public of smoking effects. Malaysia too has implemented this policy since 2009. This study explored the public's understanding of the gazetted PHWs depicted on cigarette packs available in Malaysia.

Awareness, knowledge, attitudes and practices on the management of diabetes mellitus patients with periodontitis amongst Malaysian primary care practitioners.

Introduction: The bi-directional relationship between periodontitis (PD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) has been confirmed. Medical practitioners (MPs) serve an important role in relaying this information to patients. This study aimed to investigate the awareness, knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) in the management of DM patients with PD in primary care clinics under the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Malaysia.

Oral Diseases and Quality of Life between Obese and Normal Weight Adolescents: A Two-Year Observational Study.

This study aimed to investigate the association between oral disease burden and oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) among overweight/obese (OW/OB) and normal weight (NW) Malaysian adolescents. A total of 397 adolescents were involved in the two-year prospective observational cohort study. OHRQOL was measured through a self-administered questionnaire containing the short version of the Malaysian Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP[M]).

Influence of scaler tip design on root surface roughness, tooth substance loss and patients' pain perception: an in vitro and a randomised clinical trial.

Background: The influence of scaler tip design on root surface roughness, tooth substance loss and patients' pain perception is investigated.

Methods: This article was divided into the following parts: Part 1 Surface roughness and substance loss: an in vitro study, which involves intact extracted teeth sectioned and treated using a piezoelectric ultrasonic device (PM200 EMS Piezon, Switzerland) with a conventional scaler tip (FS-407) and a Perio Slim (PS) scaler tip (Perio Slim DS-016A). All sectioned samples for tooth surface roughness (n = 20) and tooth substance loss (n = 46) analyses were measured and compared using a 3D surface texture analyser and scanning electron microscope (SEM) respectively, at baseline and following scaling.

Nicotine Dependence among Adolescents Single and Dual Cigarette Users.

The prevalence of concurrent use of combustible and electronic cigarettes (dual-use) is on the rise among Malaysian adolescents. This study compares nicotine dependence among exclusive cigarette users, e-cigarette users, and dual adolescent users. A total of 227 adolescent smokers completed a self-administrated questionnaire with items based on Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC) incorporated.

Impact of periodontitis on quality of life among subjects with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross sectional study.

Background: This study aimed to assess the impact of periodontitis (PD) on the health related quality of life (HRQoL) and oral health related QoL (OHRQoL) of subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and PD.

Methods: Subjects from dental and RA clinics were screened. Complete periodontal examinations were performed.

Relationships of Acculturative Stress, Perceived Stress, and Social Support with Oral Health-related Quality of Life among International Students in Malaysia: A Structural Equation Modelling.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between acculturative stress, perceived stress, social support, and subjective oral health outcomes among international graduate students in Malaysian public universities.

Materials And Methods: A total of 312 international graduate students completed a web-based questionnaire, including measures of acculturative stress (ASSIS-36), perceived stress scale (PSS-4), social support (MSPSS-12), oral health perceptions (global rating item), and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL, OIDP-8). The hypotheses of the conceptual model were tested using structural equation modeling-partial least squares (SEM-PLS) with the support of SmartPLS.

Measurement Equivalence of "Touch-Screen" versus "Paper-Based" Assessments of OHRQoL: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Purpose: To determine the measurement equivalence of computer touch screen assessment (CTSA) and paper based assessment (PBA) of the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14).

Patients And Methods: A randomized crossover trial was conducted. Sixty participants were randomized to either i) Arm A: completed CTSA then PBA of OHIP-14, or ii) Arm B: PBA and then CTSA of OHIP-14 within the same day.

Impact of non-surgical periodontal therapy on serum Resistin and periodontal pathogen in periodontitis patients with obesity.

Background: Non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) known as gold standard treatment in managing periodontitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of NSPT in periodontitis subjects who were obese. Clinical parameters of periodontitis, changes in serum resistin and periodontal pathogens in subgingival plaque were compared before and after NSPT in periodontitis subjects who were obese and with normal weight.

Self-perceived preparedness of undergraduate dental students in dental public universities in Malaysia: A national study.

Aims: To evaluate the self-perceived preparedness of final-year dental undergraduate students in dental public universities in Malaysia.

Methods: Final-year dental undergraduate students from six dental public universities in Malaysia were invited to participate in an online study using a validated Dental Undergraduates Preparedness Assessment Scale DU-PAS.

Results: In total, about 245 students responded to the online questionnaire yielding a response rate of 83.

Impact of Severe Chronic Periodontitis on Oral Health-related Quality of Life.

Purpose: To assess the impact of extent and severity of chronic periodontitis (CP) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was performed on subjects from multiple dental centres in Malaysia using a questionnaire covering sociodemographics, OHRQoL using the Malaysian Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire, OHIP-14(M) and self-reported symptoms. Participants with severe CP were age-and gender-matched with periodontally healthy/mild periodontitis (HMP) participants based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Is Khat chewing habit a risk factor for occlusal caries progression?

Backgrounds: People in Yemen and in East African countries chew khat more than five hours daily.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between khat and occlusal caries progression.

Methods: A cohort study was carried out among 98 Yemeni khat chewers and 101 non-chewers aged 18-35 years old with early occlusal caries lesions.

Comparing retainers constructed on conventional stone models and on 3D printed models: a randomized crossover clinical study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare vacuum-formed thermoplastic retainers (VFRs) constructed on stone models (VFR-CV) and those constructed on three-dimensional (3D) printed models (VFR-3D) based on patients' perspective and post-treatment stability.

Study Design: The research was designed as a crossover, randomized control trial.

Materials And Methods: Subjects comprised patients receiving fixed appliances at a teaching institution and indicated for VFRs.

Responsiveness to change of the Malay-ECOHIS following treatment of early childhood caries under general anaesthesia.

Objectives: To evaluate the sensitivity and responsiveness of the Malay version of Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (Malay-ECOHIS) to dental treatment of early childhood caries (ECC) under general anaesthesia (GA) and determine the minimally important difference (MID) for the Malay-ECOHIS.

Methods: A sample of 158 preschool children with ECC awaiting dental treatment under GA was recruited over an 8-month period. Parents self-completed the Malay-ECOHIS before and 4 weeks after their child's dental treatment.

DENTAL PATIENT KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF SMOKING AND ATTITUDES ABOUT THE ROLE OF DENTISTS IN SMOKING CESSATION.

Dentists can offer their patients who smoke tobacco assistance with smoking cessation. We conducted this study to assess dental patient knowledge about the effects of smoking and perceptions and attitudes regarding the role of dentists in smoking cessation counselling. We conducted this study to inform tobacco cessation programs that could potentially include dentists.

Clinical Outcomes and Predictors of Satisfaction in Patients with Improved Lithium Disilicate All-Ceramic Crowns.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes and predictors of satisfaction in patients with lithium disilicate (LD) ceramic crowns.

Subjects And Methods: Clinical outcomes were assessed in 47 patients with 88 LD crowns using modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) evaluation criteria and survival rates. The questionnaire for predictors included 3 aspects: (a) sociodemographic characteristics, (b) oral health habits (tooth brushing frequency, flossing frequency, and dental visits), and (c) satisfaction of the restorations (aesthetics, function, fit, cleansability, and chewing ability of the crowns, and overall satisfaction).

Correlation between numbers of cells in human dental pulp and age: Implications for age estimation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate correlations between dental pulp cell count of odontoblasts, subodontoblasts and fibroblasts and age, within different age groups. Formulation of regression equations using the dental pulp cell count for predicting age was attempted.

Design: Eighty-one extracted teeth were grouped into two age groups (6-25 years, 26-80 years).

Effect of nonsurgical periodontal treatment on clinical periodontal variables and salivary resistin levels in obese Asians.

This study investigated changes in periodontal outcomes after nonsurgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) and evaluated associations of change in salivary resistin level with periodontal outcomes in obese Malaysians with chronic periodontitis. Sixty-two obese adults with chronic periodontitis were randomly divided into a test group (n = 31), which received NSPT, and a control group (n = 31), which received no treatment. Plaque score (PS), gingival bleeding index (GBI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were measured at baseline and at 6 and 12 weeks after NSPT.

Prevalence of chronic periodontitis in an obese population: a preliminary study.

Background: Chronic periodontitis (CP) is a global public health issue. Studies have suggested CP could be linked to obesity due to their similar pathophysiological pathway. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of CP and to assess the predictors for CP among the obese Malaysian population.

Impact of mandibular implant prostheses on the oral health-related quality of life in partially and completely edentulous patients.

Objective: To assess the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients provided with mandibular implant fixed partial prostheses (IFPP) for rehabilitation of two adjacent missing posterior teeth and complete denture patients provided with mandibular implant-supported overdenture (ISOD). The response to change in OHRQoL with implant prostheses was additionally compared.

Material And Methods: In this prospective study, 20 IFPP (mean age 47.

Is the burden of oral diseases higher in urban disadvantaged community compared to the national prevalence?

Background: The urban low income has often been assumed to have the greatest dental treatment needs compared to the general population. However, no studies have been carried out to verify these assumptions. This study was conducted to assess whether there was any difference between the treatment needs of an urban poor population as compared to the general population in order to design an intervention programme for this community.