Epidemiological associations between periodontitis and cancer.

There is a postulated association of periodontitis with a number of human cancers. This narrative review provides current epidemiological evidence on the association between periodontitis and cancer. A PubMed search with the relevant keywords (periodontal disease, periodontitis, cancer, and malignancy) was completed to identify relevent articles.

Long-term effectiveness of a novel intra-oral electro-stimulator for the treatment of dry mouth in patients with Sjogren's syndrome: A randomised sham-controlled feasibility study (LEONIDAS-1).

Background: Effective treatments for dry mouth of Sjogren's syndrome are limited and hampered by adverse effects. The aim of LEONIDAS-1 was to explore the feasibility of salivary electrostimulation in individuals with primary Sjogren's syndrome, as well as parameters required to inform the design of a future phase III trial.

Methods: Multicentre, parallel-group, double-blind, randomised sham-controlled trial in two UK centres.

Patient-reported outcome measures for children and adolescents having dental bleaching in the UK.

Purpose: Dental bleaching in paediatric patients can be used to address discolouration of teeth due to trauma, endodontic treatment, or enamel and dentine defects. Despite being a minimally invasive and successful treatment, the use of bleaching products in children and young people remains controversial. This evaluation was designed to provide insight into the child's perspective on dental bleaching and the influence that this treatment has upon their life.

Stress and work-life balance in undergraduate dental students in Birmingham, United Kingdom and Hong Kong, China.

Purpose/objectives: Dentistry is a challenging profession, subjecting students to various stressors which can affect well-being. This study in 2019 investigates the relationship between stress and work-life balance in dental students at University of Birmingham and The University of Hong Kong, from two different countries.

Methods: Online anonymous questionnaires were completed by 54 students from Birmingham and 48 students from Hong Kong.

Opioids in oral surgery: preliminary findings between Birmingham, UK and Boston, US.

Aims This study aims to review ways in which UK and US practitioners manage post-operative dental pain following oral surgery procedures, focusing on the use of opioids in Boston, US and Birmingham, UK.Methods An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to clinicians from either Birmingham Dental Hospital, UK and Harvard School of Dental Medicine or Boston University School of Dental Medicine, US. They were invited to fill this out via email link or in person using a tablet provided.

Probable etoricoxib-induced fixed drug eruption involving the oral mucosa: A case report.

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a cutaneous adverse drug reaction characterized by recurrence of lesions at the same sites each time a specific drug is taken. Oral mucosal involvement is rare. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are one of the most common offending drug groups in FDE; however, selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, such as etoricoxib, are rarely implicated.

Oral conditions in the community patient: part 1.

Oral health is essential to prevent pain, ensure adequate nutrition and promote optimum general and psychosocial wellbeing. The detrimental effects of poor oral health can often be overlooked, resulting in low prioritisation of oral care when compared to other care roles. A multidisciplinary approach to maintaining good oral health of dependent community patients must be established, with stakeholders including dentists, nurses, carers, and family members.

Awareness and Understanding of Decision-Making Capacity and Its Relationship to Legally Valid Consent for Older Patients in Dentistry.

With a growing ageing population and increased life expectancy in the UK, oral healthcare professionals will be exposed to a greater number of patients with health conditions which may affect cognitive function, communication and capacity to consent to treatment. This often gives rise to a conundrum which clinicians may face when considering capacity, consent and the legal implications and frameworks surrounding this. Assessing patient capacity is encountered routinely in dental practice and so oral healthcare professionals should be well informed of their responsibilities in this context.

The influence of gender on career aspirations of University of Birmingham dental students and junior trainees in the West Midlands.

Aims To investigate the gender differences among University of Birmingham dental students and dental core trainees (junior trainees within four years of graduation) in the West Midlands, and to assess career aspirations and working patterns.Methods A questionnaire was distributed to 189 dental students in years 2, 3 and 4 and to 24 dental core trainees. Data were collected in July 2017 by means of a paper questionnaire.

Swapping drills for dressings: redeployment of dentists to community nursing.

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed increased strain on many aspects of the NHS. Dentists have been identified as having skills transferable to support community nursing teams as part of the redeployment response. This article aims to explore the roles dentists have undertaken within the community setting and reflect on dentists' transferable skills, training and personal experiences during redeployment.

Autotransplantation of third molars: a literature review and preliminary protocols.

Tooth autotransplantation (the movement of a tooth from one site to another in the same person) is a technique with a history dating back many centuries. However, the use of third molars as donor teeth is perhaps less well-recognised and less documented. A review of the current literature was undertaken with particular attention to the use of the third molar as the donor tooth.

Experience of listening to music on patient anxiety during minor oral surgery procedures: a pilot study.

Introduction Dental anxiety can hinder the care and management of a patient. Music has been used in various fields of surgery to relax and distract patients.Aims To study patient response to music during minor oral surgery (MOS), measured quantitatively and by recording physiological parameters.

Patients' perceptions of the benefits of virtual reality during dental extractions.

Objectives This study investigated patients' insights into whether virtual reality (VR) technology plays a beneficial role in reducing anxiety levels while undergoing dental extractions.Design Explorative study.Setting Oral Surgery Department of Birmingham Dental Hospital in July 2017.

Validation of an Oral Disease Severity Score (ODSS) tool for use in oral mucous membrane pemphigoid.

Background: Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a rare autoimmune bullous disease predominantly affecting the oral mucosa. Optimal management relies upon thorough clinical assessment and documentation at each visit.

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to validate the Oral Disease Severity Score (ODSS) for the assessment of oral involvement in MMP.

Geographic information system mapping of oral surgery referrals to the Birmingham Dental Hospital.

Aims To use geographic information system mapping software to locate where patients referred for oral surgery services at the Birmingham Dental Hospital and referring clinicians to this centre are located in the Birmingham area.Methods 3,512 consecutive referrals from 1 April to 30 June 2013 were analysed according to postcode and mapped using the specialised software Maptitude.Results Patients were largely coming from certain pockets of the city.

Violet-Blue Light Arrays at 405 Nanometers Exert Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity for Photodisinfection of Monomicrobial Nosocomial Biofilms.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) demonstrate therapeutic effects for a range of biomedical applications, including photodisinfection. Bands of specific wavelengths (centered at 405 nm) are reported to be the most antimicrobial; however, there remains no consensus on the most effective irradiation parameters for optimal photodisinfection. The aim of this study was to assess decontamination efficiency by direct photodisinfection of monomicrobial biofilms using a violet-blue light (VBL) single-wavelength array (SWA) and multiwavelength array (MWA).

Determining Volumetric Shrinkage Trends of Burnt Bone Using Micro-CT.

Understanding the degree and pattern of shrinkage undergone by bone when subjected to heating is crucial to accurately deduce a biological profile from incinerated remains. X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) enables a nondestructive insight into hard tissue structural changes, while allowing for an accurate documentation of volumetric and trabecular shrinkage. Sheep ribs were experimentally burned at temperatures between 400 and 1000°C in 100°C increments and their volumetric shrinkage was calculated.

Phenotype and Variant Spectrum in the LAMB3 Form of Amelogenesis Imperfecta.

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders characterized by abnormal formation of dental enamel, either in isolation or as part of a syndrome. Heterozygous variants in laminin subunit beta 3 ( LAMB3) cause AI with dominant inheritance in the absence of other cosegregating clinical features. In contrast, biallelic loss-of-function variants in LAMB3 cause recessive junctional epidermolysis bullosa, characterized by life-threatening skin fragility.

A randomised clinical study comparing the effect of Steareth 30 and SLS containing toothpastes on oral epithelial integrity (desquamation).

Objective: To compare the clinical effect of toothpastes containing Steareth 30 and SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) surfactants on oral epithelial integrity (desquamation) using a new Oral Mucosal Sloughing Index (OMSI).

Methods: 30 volunteers participated in a single centre, double-blind, randomised, crossover clinical study. After a lead-in, subjects were allocated to the first test toothpaste, which was applied to the maxilla via a cap splint, followed by whole mouth brushing with the respective toothpaste and rinsing with the toothpaste slurry.

Novel DLX3 variants in amelogenesis imperfecta with attenuated tricho-dento-osseous syndrome.

Objectives: Variants in DLX3 cause tricho-dento-osseous syndrome (TDO, MIM #190320), a systemic condition with hair, nail and bony changes, taurodontism and amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. Different variants found within this gene are associated with different phenotypic presentations. To date, six different DLX3 variants have been reported in TDO.

Case study - human body relay race.

This case presentation introduces the work of Heather Lewis, Graphic Designer from Birmingham Community Healthcare Foundation Trust, Clinical Illustration department. The graphic design team offer professional design solutions in a variety of formats such as scientific posters, banners, patient information booklets and promotional items. This particular project was requested by the Combined Community Dental Service, a Specialist Division in Birmingham.

Amelogenesis imperfecta caused by N-terminal enamelin point mutations in mice and men is driven by endoplasmic reticulum stress.

'Amelogenesis imperfecta' (AI) describes a group of inherited diseases of dental enamel that have major clinical impact. Here, we identify the aetiology driving AI in mice carrying a p.S55I mutation in enamelin; one of the most commonly mutated proteins underlying AI in humans.