A study on the regional aging trend among Korean dentists / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#Rational planning and efficient management of the oral health workforce is essential for the promotion of oral health. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the distribution characteristics of dentists, using public big data. The results of this study could contribute to the development of the oral healthcare policies proposal and desirable dental services. @*Methods@#The data of dentists working in medical institutions were analyzed by type and region from 2010 to 2020 using the Korean Statistical Information Service. Python version 3.10 was employed for data analysis and visualization, and the matplotlib and seaborn libraries were used to create graphs. @*Results@#The average age of dentists working in medical institutions was 47.4 years in 2020 ― an increase by 5.3 years compared to the 2010 data. When considering different regions, the average age of dentists in major cities, including Seoul (49.7 years), was higher than in their surroundings areas (47.2-49.5 years). @*Conclusions@#A continuous increase in the average age of dentists over the past 10 years and a difference in age distribution among different regions were observed. This is probably because new dental clinics are opening predominantly in smaller cities. Therefore, institutional support for new dental clinics in these areas is necessary to promote high-quality dental healthcare within regions.Additionally, oral healthcare services to vulnerable populations should be provided through a national oral healthcare policy utilizing these local dental clinics.

Evaluation of craniofacial morphology in short-statured children: growth hormone deficiency versus idiopathic short stature / 영남의대학술지

Background@#Short stature is defined as a height below the 3rd percentile or more than two standard deviations below the mean for a given age, sex, and population. There have been inconsistent results regarding craniofacial morphology in short-statured children. This study aimed to analyze the differences between short-statured children with growth hormone deficiency, idiopathic short-statured children, and normal children. @*Methods@#Thirty-one short-statured children with growth hormone deficiency, 32 idiopathic short-statured children, and 32 healthy children were enrolled in this study. The measurements of their craniofacial structures from lateral cephalograms were evaluated. @*Results@#There were statistically significant differences among the three groups seven variables (anterior cranial base length, posterior cranial base length, total cranial base length, upper posterior facial height, posterior total facial height, mandibular ramus length, and overall mandibular length) in the linear measurement and five variables (saddle angle, gonial angle, mandibular plane angle, position of mandible, and maxilla versus mandible) in the angular measurement. @*Conclusion@#Compared to the control group, many linear and angular measurements of the craniofacial structures were significantly different in the two short-statured groups (p<0.05). Treatment plans by orthodontists should include these craniofacial structure characteristics.

Association between periodontal disease and hypertension using propensity score matching: results from the seventh (2016-2018) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surve / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#This study aimed to show a correlation between periodontal disease and hypertension. @*Methods@#This study analyzed data of 6794 adults over 19 years based on results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the period 2016-2018. Complex sample analysis and propensity score matching analysis methods were conducted to determine whether a correlation between periodontal disease and hypertension existed. @*Results@#Results of the complex sample logistic regression analysis were: OR=1.4 (95% CI:1.23-1.58). However, the result of the conditional logistic regression analysis after propensity score matching yielded no correlation between periodontitis and hypertension (OR=1.03 (95% CI:0.92-1.16)). @*Conclusions@#It is difficult to conclude that a significant correlation exists between hypertension and periodontal disease, and further studies need to be performed to assess a significant correlation.

Association obesity and periodontal disease - Using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2016-2018 / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#This study aimed to confirm the correlation between BMI and the prevalence of periodontal disease in adults, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey. @*Methods@#The data included general characteristics and oral examination results of individuals surveyed in the 7th National Health and Nutrition Survey (2016-2018). Among the variables examined, age, gender, education, income, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking/drinking, oral examination, and brushing habits were considered as the general characteristics of the study participants. Individuals with more than 4 mm depth of the periodontal pocket were defined as having periodontal disease. BMI was classified into underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m2 ) and normal (18.5 kg/m2

Association between periodontal disease and hypertension using propensity score matching: results from the seventh (2016-2018) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surve / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#This study aimed to show a correlation between periodontal disease and hypertension. @*Methods@#This study analyzed data of 6794 adults over 19 years based on results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the period 2016-2018. Complex sample analysis and propensity score matching analysis methods were conducted to determine whether a correlation between periodontal disease and hypertension existed. @*Results@#Results of the complex sample logistic regression analysis were: OR=1.4 (95% CI:1.23-1.58). However, the result of the conditional logistic regression analysis after propensity score matching yielded no correlation between periodontitis and hypertension (OR=1.03 (95% CI:0.92-1.16)). @*Conclusions@#It is difficult to conclude that a significant correlation exists between hypertension and periodontal disease, and further studies need to be performed to assess a significant correlation.

Association obesity and periodontal disease - Using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2016-2018 / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#This study aimed to confirm the correlation between BMI and the prevalence of periodontal disease in adults, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey. @*Methods@#The data included general characteristics and oral examination results of individuals surveyed in the 7th National Health and Nutrition Survey (2016-2018). Among the variables examined, age, gender, education, income, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking/drinking, oral examination, and brushing habits were considered as the general characteristics of the study participants. Individuals with more than 4 mm depth of the periodontal pocket were defined as having periodontal disease. BMI was classified into underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m2 ) and normal (18.5 kg/m2

Comparison of the removal torque and a histomorphometric evaluation of the RBM treated implants with the RBM followed by laser treated implants: an experimental study in rabbits / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: In the osseointegration of dental implants, the implant surface properties have been reported to be some of the most important critical factors. The effect of implant's surfaces created by resorbable blast media (RBM) followed by laser ablation on bone tissue reactions was examined using the removal torque test and histomorphometric analysis.METHODS: Two types of dental implants, RBM-laser implants (experimental group) and RBM implants (control group) (CSM implant system, Daegu, Korea; L=6 mm, diameter=3.75 mm) were placed into the right and left distal femoral metaphysis of 17 adult rabbits. Six weeks after placement, removal torque was measured and histomorphometric analysis was performed.RESULTS: The mean removal torque was 24.0±10.2 Ncm and 46.6±16.4 Ncm for the control and test specimens, respectively. The experimental RBM-laser implants had significantly higher removal torque values than the control RBM implants (p=0.013). The mean values of total and cortical bone to implant contact (BIC) were respectively 46.3±10.8% and 65.3±12.5% for the experimental group, and 41.9±18.5% and 57.6±10.6% for the control group. The experimental RBM-laser implants showed a higher degree of total and cortical BIC compared with RBM implants, but there was no statistical significance (p=0.482, 0.225).CONCLUSION: The removal torque and BIC of the test group were higher than those of the control group. In this study, the surface treatment created by RBM treatment followed by laser ablation appears to have a potential in improving bone tissue reactions of dental implants.

Job satisfaction level of dental staff at oral health centers for people with special needs / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the job satisfaction level of the dental staff working at oral health centers for people with disabilities. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted with 73 dentists and dental hygienists working at seven regional oral health centers for people with special needs and dental hospitals for people with disabilities in Seoul. The questionnaire consisted of seven questions across two subscales: general satisfaction (4 questions) and satisfaction with wage and welfare (3 questions). The internal consistency of the questionnaire items was assessed using Cronbach's alpha (0.80). The responses were analyzed using a t-test with SPSS (version 23.0). RESULTS: Of the 73 dental staff members, 50% were dentists, 64% were women, and participants' average age was 30 years. In total, 58% of the participants had up to five years of experience working with people with disabilities, 42% of them worked full-time, and each participant treated an average of 200 patients with disabilities per month. The participants reported that their salary was relatively low. Dental hygienists had higher satisfaction level than dentists in the institution's welfare work. The more full-time workers answered, the more suitable they are for their work. CONCLUSIONS: The job satisfaction level of most professionals working in oral health centers for people with disabilities was not very high but they felt rewarded by their welfare work. It was inferred that it is necessary to examine and improve institutional support aspects such as human resource support. Increasing the number of centers in the central region is also needed.

Antifungal effects of hydrogen water on the growth of Candida albicans / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the antifungal effects of neutral electrolysis hydrogen water, an agent known for its oral anti-bacterial effects on the growth of C. albicans in vitro.METHODS: Hydrogen water, denture cleansing agent, and Listerine® were compared to a tap water control. We serially cultured C. albicans KCTC 27239 in SD media to analyze the inhibitory effect of each treatment on growth. We evaluated the data using repeated-measures ANOVA test and one-way ANOVA test, and a significant difference was defined as P < 0.05.RESULTS: Hydrogen water significantly inhibited the growth, but not the biofilm formation, of C. albicans compared to tap water control at 1-, 5-, and 10-minute time points (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The growth of C. albicans was slower in hydrogen water than in tap water, thereby suggesting an inhibitory effect of hydrogen water. Hydrogen water may, therefore, be utilized as an antibacterial and preventive agent without any harmful effect on denture and oral tissues.

Comparison of the removal torque and a histomorphometric evaluation of the RBM treated implants with the RBM followed by laser treated implants: an experimental study in rabbits / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND@#In the osseointegration of dental implants, the implant surface properties have been reported to be some of the most important critical factors. The effect of implant's surfaces created by resorbable blast media (RBM) followed by laser ablation on bone tissue reactions was examined using the removal torque test and histomorphometric analysis.@*METHODS@#Two types of dental implants, RBM-laser implants (experimental group) and RBM implants (control group) (CSM implant system, Daegu, Korea; L=6 mm, diameter=3.75 mm) were placed into the right and left distal femoral metaphysis of 17 adult rabbits. Six weeks after placement, removal torque was measured and histomorphometric analysis was performed.@*RESULTS@#The mean removal torque was 24.0±10.2 Ncm and 46.6±16.4 Ncm for the control and test specimens, respectively. The experimental RBM-laser implants had significantly higher removal torque values than the control RBM implants (p=0.013). The mean values of total and cortical bone to implant contact (BIC) were respectively 46.3±10.8% and 65.3±12.5% for the experimental group, and 41.9±18.5% and 57.6±10.6% for the control group. The experimental RBM-laser implants showed a higher degree of total and cortical BIC compared with RBM implants, but there was no statistical significance (p=0.482, 0.225).@*CONCLUSION@#The removal torque and BIC of the test group were higher than those of the control group. In this study, the surface treatment created by RBM treatment followed by laser ablation appears to have a potential in improving bone tissue reactions of dental implants.

The relationship between oral health and radiation-induced mucositis among patients with head and neck cancer / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the relationship between oral hygiene and health status and radiationinduced mucositis among patients with head and neck cancer over an 8-week period. METHODS: We recruited 40 patients with head and neck cancer scheduled to receive radiation therapy (RT), and 25 patients were included in the study. Before commencing RT, a dentist examined the patients for plaque, and determined the gingival index and pocket depth. A dental hygienist assessed the patients for radiation-induced mucositis once weekly, for 8 weeks, during RT. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 60.96 (±8.47) years, and 21 (87.5%) patients were male. Twenty patients (83.3%) had been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Patients with cancer located in the head region had more severe mucositis than those with cancer in the neck region, but this was not significant statistically (P=0.053). However, toothbrushing frequency, plaque, gingival index, and pocket depth were not related to radiation-induced mucositis. During RT, the severity of mucositis significantly worsened compared to that at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Mucositis severity worsened during RT, but this was not related to oral hygiene and health status among patients with head and neck cancer.

The Relationship between Oral Health and Stroke in Adults Based on the 6th (2015) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 치위생과학회지

Stroke is the second cause of death worldwide, although the survival period is increasing after the occurrence of stroke, severe physical disability is caused with aftereffect. Oral inflammation is not limited to the oral cavity, it can cause malignant changes in other tissues and organs. In previous studies, we confirmed the relationship between tooth loss and stroke due to periodontal inflammation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between oral health and stroke such as oral hygiene behavior, tooth loss and periodontal disease among Korean adults over 40 years of age. This study was analyzed using the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data. A total of 3,389 adults over 40 years of age were analyzed as final subjects. Socioeconomic statuses and oral health status was analyzed using a complex sample analysis technique. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship of oral health and stroke, and 95% confidence intervals were computed using SPSS. When the prevalence of stroke according to oral hygiene behavior was checked, the prevalence of strokes was lower in subjects who had a lot of brushings per day and subjects who used oral hygiene products (p 0.05). Loss of teeth was found to be associated with the risk factor of stroke. Therefore, loss of teeth due to periodontal disease is an additional issue that should be considered as a risk factor for stroke.

Oral Health of Korean Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

BACKGROUND: Association between periodontitis and of head and neck carcinoma was suggested. In the present study, we evaluated the oral health status of patients with head and neck carcinoma and analyzed the relationship between cancer characteristics and oral health. METHODS: Oral health of 40 patients with head and neck carcinoma was examined. Decayed teeth, missing teeth, plaque index, gingival index, and probing depth were measured. Cancer type and site were recorded based on the patients’ medical records. RESULTS: The average age of participants was 60.10 ± 8.99 years, and 35 of participants were male. The decay or missing teeth index was 5.43 ± 5.57, and the plaque index, gingival index, and probing depth were 1.37 ± 1.03, 1.57 ± 0.84, and 4.13 ± 1.45, respectively. These indexes showed no significant difference according to the type or site of cancer (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that there was no correlation between oral health parameters and characteristics of head and neck carcinoma.

A study on oral health-related quality of life following radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the change in oral health-related quality of life among patients with head & neck cancer who received radiotherapy. METHODS: A total of 40 patients who were diagnosed as having head and neck cancer and scheduled to have radiotherapy were enrolled in this study; however, only 25 patients were included in the final analysis. Prior to radiotherapy, a dentist performed an oral examination to check for the presence of decayed and missing teeth, plaque, and determine the gingival index. Oral health-related quality of life was assessed using the OHIP-14 questionnaire. Eight weeks after starting radiotherapy, oral health-related quality of life was re-evaluated using the same questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 60.20 (±7.29) years, and 22 (88.8%) of them were men. The majority of the participants were diagnosed as having squamous cell carcinoma (68.0%). The total OHIP-14 score was significantly decreased from 56.20 (±13.50) at baseline to 45.72 (±10.98) eight weeks after radiotherapy. In addition, according to subjective oral health at baseline, the observed change in the OHIP-14 score was significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Oral health-related quality of life was significantly lowered after radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.

Associations between remaining teeth and salivary flow, activity of daily living, and cognitive impairment among the elderly in a rural area: A pilot study / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the associations between oral health, activity of daily living, and cognitive impairment among elderly people who live at home in a rural area. METHODS: A total of 183 participants older than 70 years of age were recruited from a public health center in a rural Korean city. Trained examiners conducted questionnaire surveys and at-home oral exams to assess oral health, geriatric function, and cognitive impairment. Oral health was assessed by counting remaining teeth and examining salivary flow. Geriatric function and cognitive impairment were assessed using the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), the Mini-Mental State Examination for Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS), and an activity of daily living (ADL) questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean age (SD) of the participants was 83.77 (5.99) years and 68.9% of them were women. The participants who had a lower number of remaining teeth were significantly older, had severe cognitive impairment, and poor ADL and MNA results. The participants with severe cognitive impairment were significantly older and had fewer remaining teeth and low salivary flow. Simple linear regression analysis showed an association between remaining teeth and cognitive impairment with a P-value of 0.000, which disappeared after adjusting for sex and age or sex, age, denture use, and salivary flow, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Possible associations between remaining teeth and salivary flow, activity of daily living, and cognitive impairment were discovered among some elderly people living in a rural area.

A Study on the Oral Health and Oral Health Related Quality of Life of Stroke Patients in a Rehabilitation Ward: A Pilot Study / 치위생과학회지

The aim of this study was to examine the geriatric status, oral health, and oral health related quality of life of stroke patients hospitalized at a rehabilitatio ward and assess the relationships among these factors. A total of 78 stroke patients participated in this cross-sectional study. The following oral examinations were performed by a dentist and dental hygienist: Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth, gingival, debris, calculus, and community periodontal index (CPI). The patients' sociodemographic and geriatric status were evaluated using the Barthel index and a mini-mental state examine (MMSE) according to their medical record and a questionnaire survey. Oral health related quality of life was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 questionnaire. Except for three participants, most stroke patients had a gingival index of 2 or more, which means probing results in bleeding gums. Additionally, 53.8% of participants had a CPI code of 3 or 4, which indicates a probing depth of 4 mm or more. CPI index was significantly related to debris, calculus, and gingival index. The OHIP-14 score significantly related to the Barthel index and MMSE (p<0.05). The oral health of stroke patients in the rehabilitation ward was relatively poor and related to poor oral hygiene. Oral health related quality of life was related not to oral health but to geriatric status significantly.

Tooth color reduction and consequent patient satisfaction after office and home bleaching: a 6-month follow-up study / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The quest for a happy life is accompanied by an increase in social activities, living standards, and socioeconomic development, with individuals showing increased interest in health and esthetics. In the field of dentistry, not only prevention and treatment but also esthetics is gaining popularity. The aim of this study was to identify tooth color reduction and consequent patient satisfaction over a period of 6 months after office and home bleaching. METHODS: Thirty subjects were divided using the convenience sampling method into two groups based on the bleaching agent used: 10% carbamide peroxide (CP10; home bleach) and 15% hydrogen peroxide (office bleach). CP10 was used at home in a tray for 2 h/day over 14 days, while 15% hydrogen peroxide was light-activated for 15 min, three times/session (total, 45 min). A control set of teeth without any bleaching treatment was used as reference. Shade evaluation was conducted using the Shade Eye NCC at baseline, 1 week, and 1 and 6 months after bleaching. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and the nonparametric Friedman test. RESULTS: There were significant differences in tooth color before and after bleaching in both the home and office bleach groups, although intergroup differences were not observed. Although b* values after bleaching were lower than the original values, only slight tooth color reduction was observed at 6 months. DeltaE*, which represents the overall change in color, at 1 and 6 months after bleaching was significantly different from that at baseline in the home bleach group, while it showed no significant differences in the office bleach group. According to a patient satisfaction survey, patient satisfaction significantly increased over time in the home bleach group, although it did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Tooth whitening was observed after bleaching in both groups. However, slight color reduction was observed at 6 months after bleaching, and complete restoration to the color before bleaching did not occur; therefore, long-term observation of color reduction is required.

Effect of an Oral Hygienic Care Program for Stroke Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

PURPOSE: The effects of an oral hygienic care program (OHCP) have been reported in several diseases. However, no study exists investigating the influence of an OHCP on stroke patients or patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) has been reported, thus we sought to investigate the potential effect of an OHCP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six consecutive stroke patients who were admitted to the ICU were randomly assigned to two groups: the intervention (29 patients) and control groups (27 patients). The OHCP included tooth brushing with an inter-dental brush and tongue cleaner and cleaning with chlorhexidine was administered to patients by one dentist once per day during admission in the ICU (mean, 2.2 weeks). The plague index, gingival index, clinical attachment loss, and colonization degree of candida albicans were assessed. RESULTS: After OHCP, the plaque index, gingival index, and colonization degree of candida albicans in saliva showed a significant decrease in the intervention group compared to those of the control group (p0.05). CONCLUSION: Our OHCP was effective in improving the oral hygienic status and periodontal health of stroke patients during their stay in the ICU. Therefore, we recommend administration of the OHCP for stroke patients during their stay in the ICU.

Relation between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal diseases: Using the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with systemic diseases, such as periodontal diseases. Periodontal diseases and RA appear to share many pathologic features. The etiology of the two diseases may differ, but they share similar pathological characteristics. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between RA and periodontal diseases. METHODS: Data from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES) were used to analyze periodontal status according to the presence of RA. Demographics and oral behaviors were analyzed using the complex chi-square test to compare participants with RA with those without RA. Complex logistic regression was used to analyze relationships of periodontal diseases with RA and other covariates. RESULTS: The odds ratio for periodontal diseases was 1.91 (95% confidence interval: 1.05-3.48) in participants with RA compared with participants without RA. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide evidence of a significant association between periodontal diseases and RA.

Comparison of the whitening effect of toothpastes containing 0.25% hydroxyapatite and 0.75% hydrogen peroxide / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the tooth bleaching effect of two whitening materials in toothpaste i.e., hydroxyapatite and hydrogen peroxide on. In a randomized, double blinded controlled clinical trial, 85 participants with tooth colorations were assigned to use one of three toothpastes containing either hydroxyapatite (0.25%), hydrogen peroxide (0.75%), or no active ingredient (placebo). The patients were examined at baseline and 1, 2, and 3 months after usage. METHODS: The patients underwent an oral examination, tooth shade measurement, and a subjective evaluation. During the oral examination, the patient's oral health status was determined. ShadeEye NCC and Vita classical shade guide were used to determine the tooth color. Further, the patients were asked to assess the color of their own teeth using a visual analog scale (VAS) scale (range, 1-5). RESULTS: According to the CIELAB system, a significantly greater color change (Deltab*) was observed in the hydrogen peroxide group (2.10+/-1.54) than in the hydroxyapatite (1.50+/-1.09) and control (0.94+/-0.75) groups after 3 months of toothpaste usage (P0.05). The subjective evaluation results of the hydroxyapatite (P=0.023) and hydrogen peroxide (P=0.047) groups were statistically significant at each time point. CONCLUSIONS: The hydrogen peroxide-containing toothpaste caused significant lightening of tooth coloration than the hydroxyapatite and placebo toothpastes.