Dental caries in a Norwegian adult population, the HUNT4 oral health study; prevalence, distribution and 45-year trends.

Objective: To investigate dental caries prevalence amongst adults in Central Norway and assess changes over the last 45 years.

Materials And Methods: The cross-sectional HUNT4 Oral Health Study was conducted in 2017-2019. A random sample of 4913 participants aged ≥19 years answered questionnaires and underwent clinical and radiographic examinations.

Oral health and oral health-related quality of life among older adults receiving home health care services: A scoping review.

Objective: To map the literature on subjective and objective oral health indicators and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in older adults receiving home health care services (HHCS).

Background: The proportion of older adults in need of HHCS will increase in the coming years. Previous studies indicate that frail and dependent older adults are at increased risk for oral diseases, due to challenges with daily oral hygiene and regular access to dental services.

Teaching Radiographic Caries Detection and Treatment Planning: A Seminar Using an Audience Response System.

This study presents a seminar model for teaching radiographic caries detection and treatment planning at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo. The seminar is based partly on an audience response system (ARS) and uses patient cases to focus on caries risk assessment and treatment planning. This paper describes the seminar design, implementation, learning outcomes, and observational study of variability in caries registrations and students' attitudes to use of ARS.

Fissure sealants or fluoride varnish? Factors associated with choice of management method for occlusal caries in Public Dental Service in Norway.

Purpose: The aim of this practice-based study was to identify factors associated with choice of caries management method in first permanent molars in high-risk children treated in Public Dental Service in Norway.

Methods: The present study was based on practice-based observational data from 366 high-risk children (6-9 years). Caries management of occlusal surface of first permanent molars was used as outcome variable and categorized into "no treatment", "fluoride varnish" or "fissure sealant".

Periapical status transitions in teeth with posts versus without posts: a retrospective longitudinal radiographic study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare periapical status transitions in teeth after post placement compared with other post-endodontic treatments in root-filled teeth.

Material And Methods: This retrospective longitudinal radiographic study included radiographs of 284 patients with root filled and restored teeth with composite fillings (Endo-fill group,  = 100), crown or fixed prosthesis (Endo-crown group,  = 82) or post and core restorations (Endo-post group,  = 102). All post and core restorations were made of gold alloy.

The validity of self-reported number of teeth and edentulousness among Norwegian older adults, the HUNT Study.

Background: Number of teeth is an established indicator of oral health and is commonly self-reported in epidemiological studies due to the costly and labor-intensive nature of clinical examinations. Although previous studies have found self-reported number of teeth to be a reasonably accurate measure, its accuracy among older adults ≥ 70 years is less explored. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of self-reported number of teeth and edentulousness in older adults and to investigate factors that may affect the accuracy of self-reports.

Oral Health among Adult Residents in Vilnius, Lithuania.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) oral conditions may be determined by social, biological, behavioral, and psychosocial factors. The study assessed oral health status and its determinants associated with oral health conditions among adult residents in Vilnius, Lithuania. A total of 453 of 35-74-year-olds participated (response rate 63%).

European student wellness, stress, coping, support and perceptions about remote dental training during COVID-19.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare wellness, stress, ability to cope, social support and perceptions about remote training amongst European dental students during COVID-19.

Methods: 1795 undergraduate dental students from six countries and eight dental schools participated. The anonymous survey collected data about different aspects in each of the following domains: wellness, stress, ability to cope, social support and perceptions about remote training.

Prevalence of and factors associated with dental service utilization among early elderly in Lithuania.

Background: There is no recent information about dental service utilization (DSU) among elderly in Lithuania. We examined DSU and its associated factors in Lithuanian early elderly based on the Andersen's behavioural model.

Methods: The cross-sectional study conducted in 2017-2019 included a nationally representative stratified sample of 370 Lithuanian early elderly aged 65-74 years (response rate of 54.

Association between Diet and Xerostomia: Is Xerostomia a Barrier to a Healthy Eating Pattern?

Objective: Xerostomia is a subjective feeling of dry mouth and is commonly observed in patients with autoimmune diseases. Our study examines the association between xerostomia and diet.

Materials And Methods: The cross-sectional study includes 1405 adults from 15 Lithuanian geographical areas (52% response rate).

Restorative treatment decisions for carious lesions: Do Russian dentists and dental students apply minimal intervention dentistry?

Background: The concept of minimal intervention dentistry (MID) includes both delayed restorative treatment and conservative caries removal, and is now recognised as an evidence-based approach for dental caries management. In order to determine if dental professionals in Russia are incorporating this concept into their clinical practice, we investigated the restorative treatment decisions of Russian dentists and dental students, and the factors associated with these decisions.

Methods: We included 171 general dental practitioners and dental therapists (collectively referred to here as "dentists") from North-West Russia, and 76 dental undergraduate students from the Northern State Medical University in Arkhangelsk (response rate of 11.

Fluoride in the drinking water and dental caries experience by tooth surface susceptibility among adults.

Background: Dental caries is the most prevalent non-communicable health condition globally. The surface-based susceptibility hierarchy indicates that surfaces in the same group have similar susceptibility to caries, where the most susceptible group consists of occlusal surfaces of first molars and buccal surfaces of lower first molars, and the least susceptible surfaces are smooth and proximal surfaces of first premolars, canines and incisors. Therefore, fluoride in the drinking water could impact one group more than the other group.

Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental health personnel in Norway.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic put a pressure on all healthcare professionals and has affected the delivery of health care services globally. There is a need to understand the impact on different health care professionals in different countries. The aim of the present study was to explore the psychological impact of the pandemic among dental staff in Norway in relation to background characteristics, work situation and preparedness of the service.

Stainless-steel crowns in children: Norwegian and Finnish dentists' knowledge, practice and challenges.

Background: Stainless-steel crowns (SSCs) are recommended for restorative treatment of young teeth severely affected by caries, fractures or dental developmental disorders (DDDs). However, despite recommendations and clinical evidence, SSCs are not widely used by general dentists, who favour extraction and more conventional restorations. The present study aimed to investigate the views of and use of SSCs among Norwegian and Finnish dentists.

Amylase Alpha 1 Gene (AMY1) Copy Number Variation and Dental Caries Experience: A Pilot Study among Adults in Lithuania.

Introduction: Genetic biomarkers have the potential to be used in personalised dentistry for improved prevention and decision-making in caries management. The amylase alpha 1 gene (AMY1) encodes salivary α-amylase and may be one such biomarker. We examined the association between AMY1 copy number variation (CNV) and dental caries experience in adults.

Common social determinants for overweight and obesity, and dental caries among adolescents in Northern Norway: a cross-sectional study from the Tromsø Study Fit Futures cohort.

Background: Non-communicable general and oral health conditions share common risk factors. Studies investigating common social determinants as risk factors for overweight/obesity and dental caries among the same adolescents are scarce and inconclusive.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included data from 464 girls and 494 boys from the population-based Tromsø study Fit Futures, which included first-year students attending upper secondary school in 2010-2011 from two municipalities in Northern Norway (1038 participants in total, 93% participation rate).

Dental care for drug users in Norway: dental professionals' attitudes to treatment and experiences with interprofessional collaboration.

Background: The present study aimed to assess dental professionals' attitudes and experiences related to the dental treatment of drug users and to interprofessional collaboration with the rehabilitation institutions (RIs).

Methods: The study population comprised 141 dentists and dental hygienists (response rate 73%) working in the Public Dental Service (PDS) in three counties in Norway. All of the participants completed an electronically distributed questionnaire on existing practices and experiences regarding dental treatment for drug users and interprofessional collaboration with RIs.

Erosive Tooth Wear among Adults in Lithuania: A Cross-Sectional National Oral Health Study.

Introduction: Erosive tooth wear has a multifactorial origin, where multiple risks contribute to its initiation and subsequent progression. The prevalence of tooth wear varies among countries; therefore, national studies are needed to examine the prevalence of this condition and its associated determinants.

Materials And Methods: A sample of this national study included a total of 1,397 adults (response rate of 52%).

Dental Health Services Response to COVID-19 in Norway.

We aimed to investigate the management of urgent dental care, the perception of risk and workplace preparedness among dental staff in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic. An electronic questionnaire regarding the strictest confinement period in Norway (13 March-17 April 2020) was distributed to dental staff. Among the 1237 respondents, 727 (59%) treated patients, of whom 170 (14%) worked in clinics designated to treat patients suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19.

Perceived Stress and Associated Factors in Russian Medical and Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in North-West Russia.

The aim was to assess perceived stress (PS) and factors associated with PS in Russian medical and dental students. A total of 406 medical and 283 dental students aged 18-25 years that attended the Northern State Medical University in Arkhangelsk, North-West Russia participated in this cross-sectional study. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic and socioeconomic factors, oral health (OH) behavior, and self-reported OH.

Bisphosphonates as a treatment modality in osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is affecting large proportions of the population worldwide. So far, no effective disease modifying drug has been developed for this disease, limiting the therapeutic options to pain medications, physiotherapy and ultimately surgical approaches, mainly joint implant surgery. In vitro and animal studies have demonstrated that bisphosphonates have the potential to become effective modalities for the treatment of OA.

Restorative material choices for extensive carious lesions and hypomineralisation defects in children: a questionnaire survey among Finnish dentists.

Aim: This survey assessed Finnish dentists' treatment decisions and choices of restorative materials in selected paediatric dental patient cases, with special emphasis on stainless steel crowns (SSCs).

Methods: A questionnaire with patient descriptions and tooth photographs was e-mailed to members of Finnish Dental Society (n=3,747). The respondents were asked to choose their preferred treatment in cases describing 1) extensive occlusal carious lesion in a primary molar of a cooperative child; 2) an identical lesion, treated under dental general anaesthesia (DGA); and 3) a symptomatic first permanent molar with enamel hypomineralisation (consistent with Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization, MIH) and post-eruptive breakdown.

Orofacial granulomatosis: a questionnaire study among Norwegian dental clinicians.

Aims: To evaluate awareness on orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) and oral Crohn disease (oral CD) among Norwegian dental clinicians.

Methods: A precoded questionnaire (QuestBack) was sent electronically to dentists and dental hygienists treating children and adolescents in the public dental service (PDS) in Norway. Data on the clinicians' knowledge of OFG and oral CD related to working experience were analysed by Chi square tests and bivariate logistic regression analyses.