Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the oral health behaviour of young children.

Aim: Children up to the age of 10 are dependant primarily on their caregivers for oral care; COVID-19 lockdowns may have disrupted this care. We therefore assessed whether the COVID-19 lockdown affected routine parental oral care for their children.

Methods: A short online survey regarding oral health behaviour and changes in the home setting during the COVID-19 lockdown was emailed to parents (n = 782, response 15%) participating in an existing study 'Healthy Teeth All Aboard (HTAA)'.

The effect of physical exercise during radiotherapy on physical performance in patients with head and neck cancer: a trial within cohorts study protocol, the vital study.

Background: During the last decade, twelve studies have been published investigating physical exercise interventions (PEIs) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) during radiotherapy (RT), chemoradiation (CRT) or bioradiation (BRT). These studies showed that these PEIs are safe and feasible. However, only two of these studies were randomised clinical trials (RCTs) with a satisfying sample size.

Long-term effects of a community-based oral health intervention for young children in the Netherlands: A 5-year follow-up.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess whether referral of parents of 6 months old children by a well-child care (WCC) clinic medical practitioner for an early first dental visit combined with the Non Operative Caries Treatment and Prevention (NOCTP) approach in dental practices was effective to maintain oral health in children.

Methods: The study was conducted as a quasi-experimental comparative pre-post trial with a baseline measurement before the intervention. In total 1347 children were allocated at the age of 6 months and 306 children (intervention group: n = 166; care as usual (CAU) group: n = 140) underwent an oral examination at 5 years of age and their parents completed a questionnaire.

Identification of microplastics extracted from field soils amended with municipal biosolids.

Microplastic particles in arable soil are expected to impact the environment and potentially human health. The application of municipal biosolids (MBs) to agricultural land presents a further dilemma in that biosolids act as a fertilizer for crop growth, and a disposal pathway for wastewater treatment plants. They are also a direct path for emerging contaminants, such as microplastics to enter the terrestrial environment.

Suspected anthropogenic microparticle ingestion by Icelandic capelin.

Documented ingestion of microplastics and other anthropogenic microparticles (AMP) by marine fishes has increased over the last decade. However, baseline datasets on AMP ingestion in Arctic fish species are limited. This study documents AMP ingestion in Icelandic capelin (Mallotus villosus) and investigates how this relates to several biological variables.

Referral from well-child care clinics to dental clinics leads to earlier initiation of preventive dental visits: A quasi-experimental study.

Background: An ealy first preventive dental visit for children is recommended no later than twelve months. However, still many children have their first dental visit relatively late.

Aim: To evaluate whether active or passive referral by a well-child care (WCC) physician of babies for a first preventive dental visit leads to earlier initiation of dental care.

How many microplastic particles are present in Canadian biosolids?

Application of treated sewage sludge (biosolids) from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to farmlands is an important pathway through which microplastic particles (MPs) enter terrestrial ecosystems. Yet, microplastic concentrations in Canadian biosolids have only been estimated in samples from four WWTPs previously. We aimed to fill this knowledge gap by quantifying microplastics in biosolids from 22 WWTPs located in nine provinces and two commercial fertilizer producers in Canada.

Spatial distribution of microplastics in a large watershed: a case study of the Ottawa River watershed.

River water was sampled at 105 locations in the Ottawa River watershed and analysed for microplastics. Sampling techniques were standardised and replicated at each sample location to give an indication of the spatial extent of microplastics at the watershed scale. Microplastic concentrations remained largely uniform, with no clear accumulation of microplastics towards the lower reaches of the watershed.

No accumulation of microplastics detected in western Canadian ringed seals (Pusa hispida).

Ringed seals (Pusa hispida) play a crucial role in Arctic food webs as important pelagic predators and represent an essential component of Inuvialuit culture and food security. Plastic pollution is recognized as a global threat of concern, and Arctic regions may act as sinks for anthropogenic debris. To date, mixed evidence exists concerning the propensity for Canadian Arctic marine mammals to ingest and retain plastic.

Experimental investigation of short-term warming on arsenic flux from contaminated sediments of two well-oxygenated subarctic lakes.

Legacy arsenic (As) contamination from past mining operations remains an environmental concern in lakes of the Yellowknife area (Northwest Territories, Canada) due to its post-depositional mobility in sediment and potential for continued remobilization to surface waters. Warmer temperatures associated with climate change in this subarctic region may impact As internal loading from lake sediments either by a direct effect on sediment porewater diffusion rate or indirect effects on microbial metabolism and sediment redox conditions. This study assessed the influence of warmer temperatures on As diffusion from contaminated sediment of two lakes with contrasting sediment characteristics using an experimental incubation approach.

[To sedate or to confront? Sedation in adult dental treatment].

When patients are unable to undergo diagnostics or treatments for various reasons, sedation can be applied. A psychological approach and/or non-pharmacological sedation is preferred. When this is not possible, pharmacological sedation may be considered.

Mastication in health-related quality of life in patients treated for oral cancer: A systematic review.

Introduction: Treatment for oral cancer can impair oral functions such as mastication, which may negatively affect quality of life (QoL). In this review, an overview is provided of masticatory ability in patients treated for oral cancer.

Methods: The PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase and Cochrane databases were systematically searched for scientific literature on masticatory ability in relation to QoL in patients treated for oral cancer.

The course of swallowing problems in the first 2 years after diagnosis of head and neck cancer.

Introduction: Head and neck cancer (HNC) and its treatment often negatively impact swallowing function. The aim was to investigate the course of patient-reported swallowing problems from diagnosis to 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment, in relation to demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors.

Methods: Data were used of the Netherlands Quality of Life and Biomedical Cohort Study in head and neck cancer research (NET-QUBIC).

No evidence for collateral effects of electromagnetic fields used to increase dissolved oxygen levels on the behavior and physiology of freshwater fishes.

Hypoxia in surface waters driven by warming climate and other anthropogenic stressors is a major conservation concern, and technological solutions for water quality remediation are sorely needed. One potential solution involves the use of low-intensity electromagnetic fields (EMFs) to increase dissolved oxygen levels, but potential collateral effects of the EMFs on aquatic animals have not been formally evaluated. We examined the effects of EMF exposure on wild-caught, captive sunfish (Lepomis spp.

Factors associated with swallowing dysfunction in patients with head and neck cancer.

Background: The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate swallowing function in relation to personal and clinical factors among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) from diagnosis up to 2 years after treatment.

Methods: The 100 ml water swallow test was measured before treatment, and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment. Linear mixed-effects model analysis was conducted to investigate changes over time and the association with personal (sex and age) and clinical (tumor site, tumor stage, and treatment modality) factors.

Wildfires trigger multi-decadal increases in sedimentation rate and metal loading to subarctic montane lakes.

We evaluated how two large wildfires affected the sedimentation rate and accumulation of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) in sediment of four subarctic montane lakes in the Yukon, Canada. The wildfires occurred 60 and 20 years (1958, 1998) before sediment collection in 2018. Site-specific fire exposure was inferred from the charcoal accumulation histories in the lake sediments and the burned catchment area was determined from historical fire maps.

Validity of data collection methods for time spent, professional involvement and treatment volume for the purpose of cost-effectiveness studies in dentistry.

Objectives: Economic evaluations can support provision of adequate and affordable oral care, requiring valid information on costs. The aim was to assess the validity of (a) patients' self-report (PS) and routine electronic patient records (EPR) regarding time spent per visit and (b) PS regarding types of treatment and type of dental professionals involved.

Methods: Data were collected in four dental clinics regarding time spent using PS and EPR, on types of treatment and dental professionals involved using PS.

Factors associated with masticatory function as measured with the Mixing Ability Test in patients with head and neck cancer before and after treatment: a prospective cohort study.

Purpose: After treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC), patients often experience major problems in masticatory function. The aim of this prospective cohort study among patients with HNC was to investigate which personal and clinical factors are associated with masticatory function from diagnosis up to 2 years after treatment with curative intent.

Methods: Masticatory function was measured using the Mixing Ability Test (MAT) before treatment (baseline), and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment.

Trends in socioeconomic inequality of periodontal health status among Dutch adults: a repeated cross-sectional analysis over two decades.

Background: Studies exclusively focusing on trends in socioeconomic inequality of oral health status in industrialized countries are relatively sparse. This study aimed to assess possible differences in oral hygiene and periodontal status among people of different socioeconomic status (SES) in the Netherlands over two decades.

Methods: A repeated cross-sectional analysis of 3083 participants aged 25-54 years was conducted on the Dutch National Oral Health Surveys of 1995, 2002, 2007, and 2013.

[Collaboration of oral care and well-child care: for better preventive dentistry].

The new Dutch clinical practice guideline Oral Care for Children and Young People advises parents to visit the oral care professional before or from the eruption of the first tooth, because oral care starts with the first deciduous tooth. However, this is not yet standard for everyone. Still, almost all parents of newborns (> 95%) visit well-baby clinics with their newborn.

Mastication, swallowing, and salivary flow in patients with head and neck cancer: objective tests versus patient-reported outcomes.

Purpose: Before and after treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC), many patients have problems with mastication, swallowing, and salivary flow. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between objective test outcomes of mastication, swallowing, and salivary flow versus patient-reported outcomes (PROs) measuring mastication-, swallowing-, and salivary flow-related quality of life.

Methods: Data of the prospective cohort "Netherlands Quality of Life and Biomedical Cohort Study" was used as collected before treatment, and 3 and 6 months after treatment.

Reliability of the 100 mL water swallow test in patients with head and neck cancer and healthy subjects.

Background: Dysphagia may occur in up to 44% of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with radiation therapy and up to 84% of patients treated with surgery. To test the extent of dysphagia, the 100 mL water swallow test (WST) was developed. In this study, reliability of the 100 mL WST was determined in patients with HNC and healthy subjects.

Microplastics around an Arctic seabird colony: Particle community composition varies across environmental matrices.

Plastic pollution is a contaminant of global concern, as it is present even in remote ecosystems - like the Arctic. Arctic seabirds are vulnerable to ingesting plastic pollution, and these ingested particles are shed in the form of microplastics via guano. This suggests that Arctic seabird guano may act as a vector for the movement of microplastics into and around northern ecosystems.

Experiencing Financial Strain and Clinically Assessed Caries Experience in Dentate Adults Aged 25-44 Years: An Exploration of Potential Pathways.

Large socioeconomic inequalities still exist in oral health. It is already known that oral health-related behaviour may contribute to these inequalities, but why people with a lower socioeconomic position behave less healthily is not easily understood. A possible explanation that integrates insights on health behaviour, stress, and financial resources is the pathway of behavioural responses to financial strain.