Apical periodontitis and autoimmune diseases-should we be screening patients prior to therapy?

Design: A single-centre retrospective case-control study from 2012-2020 comparing the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) in patients with autoimmune disorders (AD) against a control group of those without. The different medication groups commonly used for treatment of AD were included for comparison.

Case/control Selection: This study utilised patients' electronic records.

Manual versus rigid intraoperative maxillo-mandibular fixation in the surgical management of mandibular fractures: A European prospective analysis.

Purpose: Intraoperative stabilisation of bony fragments with maxillo-mandibular fixation (MMF) is an essential step in the surgical treatment of mandibular fractures that are treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). The MMF can be performed with or without wire-based methods, rigid or manual MMF, respectively. The aim of this study was to compare the use of manual versus rigid MMF, in terms of occlusal outcomes and infective complications.

Evaluation of Struthio camelus eggshell as an in vitro alternative to extracted human teeth in preliminary screening studies on dental erosion.

Objectives: This in vitro work investigates the potential of ostrich eggshell as a substitute for extracted human teeth in preliminary screening studies on dental erosion. Additionally, it aims to demonstrate the potential of ostrich eggshell compared to human enamel in evaluating the efficacy of a preventive agent in protecting against dental erosion, using an artificial mouth model.

Methods: The experiment utilized 96 erosion testing specimens from each substrate, human enamel, and ostrich eggshell.

Accuracy and reliability of automated three-dimensional facial landmarking in medical and biological studies. A systematic review.

Background: 3D facial landmarking is becoming a fundamental part of clinical and biological applications. Manual landmarking is time consuming and prone to cumulative errors, so attempts have been made to automate 3D facial landmarking. However, data in the literature are sparse.

Extending the phenotypes associated with TRIO gene variants in a cohort of 25 patients and review of the literature.

The TRIO gene encodes a rho guanine exchange factor, the function of which is to exchange GDP to GTP, and hence to activate Rho GTPases, and has been described to impact neurodevelopment. Specific genotype-to-phenotype correlations have been established previously describing striking differentiating features seen in variants located in specific domains of the TRIO gene that are associated with opposite effects on RAC1 activity. Currently, 32 cases with a TRIO gene alteration have been published in the medical literature.

Volumetric assessment of canines using post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) for sexual dimorphism in a Malaysian population.

Background: Recent research has explored volumetric assessment in three-dimensional (3D) imaging procedures for sexual dimorphism. The 3D techniques have enabled a more realistic, accurate, and non-invasive visualization of sex-related anatomical parameters, such as the size and shape of human teeth.

Aim: To perform sexual dimorphism based on dental tissue volumes of permanent left maxillary and mandibular canines in a Malaysian population.

The genetic basis of endometriosis and comorbidity with other pain and inflammatory conditions.

Endometriosis is a common condition associated with debilitating pelvic pain and infertility. A genome-wide association study meta-analysis, including 60,674 cases and 701,926 controls of European and East Asian descent, identified 42 genome-wide significant loci comprising 49 distinct association signals. Effect sizes were largest for stage 3/4 disease, driven by ovarian endometriosis.

Different Characteristics of Pre-Pubertal and Post-Pubertal Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Narrative Review.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) affects both children and adults. There are currently no clinical trials in IIH for those who are adolescents or children. The aims of this narrative review were to characterise the differences between pre- and post-pubertal IIH and to highlight the need to be more inclusive in clinical trial planning and recruitment.

Is there evidence of a relationship between pre-eclampsia and periodontitis?

Data Sources: The review searched several databases which included Medline (from 1950), Pubmed (from 1946), Embase (from 1949), Lilacs, Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trial Register, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google Scholar (from 1990).

Study Selection: Two of the authors (LD and HN) independently assessed the eligibility of studies by looking at the titles, abstracts and methods.

Qualitative interview study exploring the early identification and referral of patients with suspected head and neck cancer by community pharmacists in England.

Objective: To explore pharmacists' perceptions of, and attitudes towards, the early identification and referral of patients with signs and symptoms indicating potential diagnosis of head and neck cancer (HNC) in community pharmacy settings.

Design: Qualitative methodology, using constant comparative analysis to undertake an iterative series of semistructured interviews. Framework analysis facilitated the identification of salient themes.

Dental age estimation using the Kvaal method-an evaluation of length and width ratios: a systematic review.

This study aimed to systematically review the correlational accuracy between width ratios and length ratios based on the Kvaal methodology with chronological age. This systematic review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). The search strategy included ProQuest, PubMed, Science Direct, and Taylor and Francis and Willey online without time or language restriction using Kvaal method of age estimation as key words for the search up to December 2021.

When (and when not) to use the Dahl Concept.

The Dahl Concept describes the re-establishment of occlusal contacts after the provision of a planned localised appliance or restoration in supraocclusion. Initially developed to create space for prosthetic rehabilitation of anterior teeth suffering from localised wear, the principle has later been successfully applied to a variety of situations, including the Hall technique and resin-bonded bridges cemented in supraocclusion. Despite high levels of success seen in the relevant literature and widespread adoption in specialist care, the wider profession appears to be far more cautious in its use.

Temporary anchorage devices and the forces and effects on the dentition and surrounding structures during orthodontic treatment: a scoping review.

Background: Temporary anchorage devices (TADs) offer the clinician an immediate temporary source of skeletal anchorage for a range of orthodontic interventions. It is important to understand forces involved in using TADs and the effects on the dentition and surrounding structures, to improve clinical outcomes.

Objective: To examine and qualitatively synthesize literature on the forces involved with the use of TADs and the effects on the dentition and surrounding structures in orthodontic tooth movement, to provide better understanding of the complex interactions and the clinical implications.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Airborne Transmission: Science Rejected, Lives Lost. Can Society Do Better?

This is an account that should be heard of an important struggle: the struggle of a large group of experts who came together at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to warn the world about the risk of airborne transmission and the consequences of ignoring it. We alerted the World Health Organization about the potential significance of the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the urgent need to control it, but our concerns were dismissed. Here we describe how this happened and the consequences.

The practices and beliefs of dental professionals regarding the management of patients taking anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs.

Aim: This study aimed to inform the implementation of the updated Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) guidance, 'Management of Dental Patients taking Anticoagulant or Antiplatelet Drugs', and to determine training needs by investigating dental professionals' current practice and beliefs regarding management of patients taking these medications.

Methods: Dental professionals were recruited via the NHS Education for Scotland Portal. The online questionnaire collected demographic information, data on current practice and information about beliefs regarding behaviours related to the management of patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication.

Patient-reported experience of clinical care of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Research on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with rare diseases is limited. Few studies compare healthcare throughout the progression of the ongoing pandemic.

Aims: To assess the impact of the pandemic on individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta across two consecutive years, understand what challenges were encountered, and analyse the experience of remote consultation.

European multicenter prospective analysis of the use of maxillomandibular fixation for mandibular fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation.

Introduction: The goal of mandibular fracture treatment is to restore static and dynamic occlusal functions. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of these fractures can be associated with an intraoperative and/or postoperative maxillo-mandibular fixation (MMF). The aim of this study was to analyse the use of perioperative MMF and its effects on occlusal outcomes in the management of mandibular fractures.

Implicating genes, pleiotropy, and sexual dimorphism at blood lipid loci through multi-ancestry meta-analysis.

Background: Genetic variants within nearly 1000 loci are known to contribute to modulation of blood lipid levels. However, the biological pathways underlying these associations are frequently unknown, limiting understanding of these findings and hindering downstream translational efforts such as drug target discovery.

Results: To expand our understanding of the underlying biological pathways and mechanisms controlling blood lipid levels, we leverage a large multi-ancestry meta-analysis (N = 1,654,960) of blood lipids to prioritize putative causal genes for 2286 lipid associations using six gene prediction approaches.

Can teledentistry - in particular, photographs - be used to accurately diagnose caries and healthy teeth?

Aim To assess the use of teledenistry (TD) via photographs taken at home in identifying occlusal and vestibular caries by comparing the results with direct clinical assessment.Study design Cross-sectional pilot study.Methods In total, 43 dental students were recruited.

The journey to becoming trauma-informed - using pilot trauma training data to highlight the role of dental services in supporting patients affected by psychological trauma.

Rates of psychological trauma are increasing in the community. Psychological trauma symptoms may prevent patients from being able to access or tolerate dental treatment. The importance of dental teams providing equitable person-centred care by adopting a trauma-informed approach is discussed.