Impact of war on foreign students' satisfaction with quality of dental and medical education in Ukraine

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in foreign students' satisfaction with the quality of dental and medical education considering the impact of the war in Ukraine. The present study was organized in the form of a questionnaire-based survey among 300 foreign students of Medical Faculty and Faculty of Dentistry in Ukraine. The questionnaire was ad mistered via Google form in a multiple-choice, closed-ended format. Students' satisfaction with environment safety and comfort (p < 0.05) and with the collaborative learning offered (p < 0.05) statistically decreased during the war. Sixty percent of the variability in the mean of students' satisfaction with the quality of education during the war could be explained by the satisfaction rate before the war. The need of migration from Ukraine had a stronger inverse correlation with education quality (r = -0.58) than the fact of the war itself (r = -0.32). The war in Ukraine has had a negative impact on the educational process of foreign medical and dental students, even though the quality of education was considered by students to be as high as before and during the war. The personal effort of professors, the quality of study materials, and adequate technical support could potentially overcome the negative impact of the war on student satisfaction with the quality of medical and dental education by the online mode, if the academic medium could be protected from the direct impact of the war or if the influence of the war within the university community could be minimized.

Systemic Manifestations, Tooth Eruption and Enamel Defects in Children with Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome: 36-Month Follow-up Case Series

Abstract Objective: To describe systemic manifestations, the characteristics related to tooth eruption, and the occurrence of enamel defects in children with Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome (CZS). Material and Methods: Prospective case series based on nine children with confirmed CZS diagnosis assisted at a reference center in a municipality in the Northeast Region of Brazil. Through a structured interview directed to mothers, information related to prenatal, delivery, and postpartum periods was collected. Tooth eruption was monitored through clinical examinations for 36 months. The modified developmental defect of enamel index (DDE) was used to identify opacities and hypoplasia. Data were presented using descriptive statistics. Results: A high proportion (77.8%) had microcephaly, and 55.5% had low birth weight. Musculoskeletal disorders, swallowing difficulty, and self-injury practices were present in all children. Among the systemic findings, visual impairment (77.8%) and seizures (77.8%) were widely reported. Concerning disorders related to the stomatognathic system, bruxism (66.7%) and difficulty in sucking (33.3%) were present. For most children (77.8%), the deciduous right lower central incisor was the first tooth to erupt (minimum 8 months and maximum 17 months). Enamel defects were diagnosed in only two children (22.2%). Conclusion: A wide range of systemic manifestations was observed in children with CZS, including visual impairment and musculoskeletal disorders. Delayed eruption of the first deciduous tooth was also observed. Enamel defects were present in a small proportion of children.

Does the Use of Surface Electromyography Could Improve Quality of Life among Patients Rehabilitated by Mandibular Overdentures on Different Attachments?

Abstract Objective: To analyze and compare changes of quality of life parameter among dental patients rehabilitated by the implant-supported overdentures with different attachment systems. Material and Methods: Forty-eight patients were recruited as a study cohort. The implant placement procedure was based on the results obtained by CBCT scanning and individualized surgical templates manufactured for correct implant placement. Each individual received two k3Pro Implants (Sure Type with 4.0 or 4.5 mm in diameter) at the intraforaminal area due to standard protocol of implantation provided by the manufacturer under local anesthesia. All patients were distributed between two groups based on the fact of using either Locator- or ball-attachments. Rank correlation was measured using Spearman correlation coefficient, while linear correlation was evaluated by Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: No statistically meaningful differences were noted regarding patients' distribution among groups considering age (p>0.05) and gender (p>0.05). Provided patient-level analysis demonstrated that increase of conventional full denture service time was positively correlated with escalation of OHIP-EDENT scores. The most prominent inter-correspondences were noted specifically between longevity of denture service and elevation of scores within "Functional limitation" (r=0.61; p<0.05), "Physical pain" (r=0.51; p<0.05) and "Physical disability" (r=0.57; p<0.05) subdomains. No statistically argumented regressions were noted between increase tendency of OHIP-EDENT scores and gender (p>0.05) or age (p>0.05) parameters. Conclusion: Significant improvements of quality of life measured with OHIP-EDENT were noted for both types of attachments compared to the pre-treatment situation independently of additionally provided surface electromyography-based alignment.

Gingival Recession Treatment with the Use of Xenogeneic Matrix: Optimization of Patient-Centered Outcomes by the Digital Soft Tissue Design

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the impact of the originally-developed approach aimed at pre-treatment graphical modelling of soft-tissue changes (digital soft tissue design) for the optimization of patient-centered outcomes after Class I and Class II single gingival recessions treatment with the use of a xenogeneic dermal matrix. Material and Methods: Patients enrolled in the study group received single gingival recession treatment via CAF+XDM method supported by pre-treatment graphical modelling of potential soft-tissue changes (digital soft tissue design), while patients enrolled in the control group received single gingival recession treatment via CAF+CTG method with no pre-treatment graphical modeling of gingival level changes. Patient-centered outcomes were measured by visual analogue scale, OHIP-14, and Mahajan's scales. Results: Realization of pre-treatment graphical modelling of soft-tissue changes supported the achievement of better patient-centered outcomes, such as root coverage (p<0.05), surgical phase (p<0.05), post-surgical phase (p<0.05), cost-effectiveness (p<0.05) and diagnostics and patient-orientation (p<0.05) based on patient's personal perception grades. Conclusion: Patient-centered results were found to be more successful within the group using the xenogeneic type of graft accompanied with the implementation of pre-treatment graphical modeling of soft tissue changes, which helped to balance patients' pre-operative expectations and post-operative satisfaction with the received results, reduce post-operative morbidity and improve oral health-related quality of life (AU).

Analysis of Tongue Color-Associated Features among Patients with PCR-Confirmed COVID-19 Infection in Ukraine

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate and systematize tongue color-related manifestations among patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection. Material and Methods: This retrospective study included analysis of tongue images obtained from patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection. Evaluation of coronavirus disease severity (mild, moderate, severe, critical) was provided, considering clinical symptomatology and results of laboratorial and instrumental diagnostic methods. Each picture was analyzed considering the parameters of color of the tongue and color of the tongue plaque by two dental specialists. Cochran-Armitage test for trend was used to evaluate associations between the tongue color and tongue plaque color, and coronavirus disease severity. Results: The most prevalent tongue colors were pale pink, red and dark red (burgundy color). A total of 64.29% of patients with mild disease demonstrated pale pink color of the tongue. Patients with moderate coronavirus disease were characterized with the adverse trend: 62.35% of them presented with red-colored tongue, while in 37.64% of cases, the tongue was pale pink. Severe COVID-19 patients, almost in 90% of the cases, had either red or burgundy color of the tongue. Conclusion: SARS-COV-2 infection is not manifested by tongue-targeted or tongue-specific signs and features; however, coronavirus disease itself provokes changes within the tongue color and tongue plaque color similar to those registered during other internal pathologies.

Maxillofacial Injuries in Brazilian Children and Adolescents Victims of Physical Violence: A Single Forensic Center Analysis

Abstract Objective: To identify the prevalence of maxillofacial injuries resulting from interpersonal violence in Brazilian children and adolescents. Material and Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted at a Center of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Dentistry with a sample of 335 medical reports of victims aged up to 19 years. Variables involved sex and age group, perpetrator, occurrence of the event, characterization of injuries, presence of maxillofacial injuries, type of tissue involvement, and injuries in the oral cavity. Data were analyzed using descriptive, and the Chi-square was used for categorical data. Results: Most victims were female (60.3%) and aged 15-19 years (57.6%). Aggressions occurred at home (50.6%), in the evening (39.5%) and involved perpetrators known to the victim (91.5%). Most victims had multiple injuries (75.8%), involving up to three regions of the body (93.4%). Injuries with blunt objects were the most frequent (86.2%). The prevalence of maxillofacial injuries was 36.7%, with low involvement of the oral cavity (8.4%). A significant association between the presence of injuries on the face and variables "perpetrator" (p=0.015) and "number of injuries" (p=0.006) was observed. Conclusion: Female adolescents were the main victims of physical violence, with repercussions in different regions of the body. The prevalence of maxillofacial injuries was high, although with little involvement of oral cavity structures.

Use of Mini-Implant Anchorage For Second Molar Mesialization: Comprehensive Approach For Treatment Efficiency Analysis

Abstract Objective: To approbate the complex approach for assessment of second molar mesialization outcomes with the use of orthodontic mini-implants. Material and Methods: The sample consisted of 62 patients, divided into study (n=32) and control group (n=30). Mesialization procedure in the study group was conducted with the use of braces system and orthodontic mini-implants as additional anchorage devices, while in control group mesialization was provided only with the use of the brace system. Dynamic registration of bone level changes and the entire range of tooth movement were carried out on digital orthopantomograms obtained with the use of Planmeca ProMax 2D. Results: Findings of orthopantomographic (OPG) analysis have shown that cases of second molar mesialization with the use of mini-implants as temporary anchorage characterized with more stable conditions of bone levels around displaced teeth compare to cases, where mesialization was provided only with the use of braces systems without any additional anchorage. The terms of treatment in the study group with the use of dental mini-implants as the anchorage was reduced by 8.8 ± 0.12 months compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The use of orthodontic mini-implants as anchorage constructions during the mesialization of the mandibular second molars contributes to the reduction of treatment duration and support the more prognostic movement of teeth, that does not provoke significant pathological changes in the levels of the surrounded alveolar ridge and minimize the risk of associated periodontal complication occurrence.

Economical treatment-related burden assessment of maxillofacial trauma among Ukrainians patients

Aim: Quantitative evaluation of prognostic correspondence between initial maxillofacial traumatic injury assessed by facial injury severity score and maxillofacial injury severity score, treatment cost and duration of hospitalization among Ukrainian patients. Methods: Design of present study was retrospective and based on the medical data of patients hospitalized with signs of maxillofacial trauma. Quantitative assessment of maxillofacial trauma was held with the use of facial injury severity score (FISS) and maxillofacial injury severity score (MFISS). Average treatment cost and hospitalization duration were used as coordinative criteria for economical treatment-related burden verification. Results: Levels of correlation between FISS, treatment charges and hospitalization duration were r=0.69 (р<0.05) and r=0.67 (р<0.05) respectively, while analogical correlations for MFISS were 0.74 (р<0.05) and 0.69 respectively (р<0.05). Statistical correspondence between FISS and MFISS scores among study sample reached r=0.71 (р<0.05). Cases with milder maxillofacial trauma types, characterized with initial lower levels of FISS and MFISS scores, demonstrated greater degree of FISS-to-MFISS inter-relation compare to cases with severe maxillofacial trauma. Conclusion:Even though FISS and MFISS scores both demonstrated reliable levels of correlation with hospitalization duration and cost of dental rehabilitation after maxillofacial trauma injury, but MFISS approach characterized by prognostically greater level of statistical relationship with economically related treatment derivates. Moreover, differentiation capabilities of MFISS is relative greater than FISS, since independent grading of separate functional disabilities becomes possible

Association Between Saliva Quantity and Content Parameters with Caries Intensity Levels: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Subcarpathian Children

Abstract Objective: To evaluate saliva quantity and content parameters among children of 7 and 12 years old, who permanently living on the territory of Subcarpathia with the registered territory-associated fluoride deficiency in the water, and their association with the caries status of pediatric patients. Material and Methods: The study sample was formed of 48 children (22 of 7 years old and 26 of 12 years old). The content of calcium in the oral liquid was determined by the o-cresolphthalein complexone method. Estimation of concentration rate and fluoride activity in the oral liquid was carried out by using the ion-selective electrode ELIS-131 F and ionometer EV-74. The content of inorganic phosphorus in saliva was determined using the phosphorus reaction with molybdic acid Results: Among all study samples, 18.8% were registered with low caries intensity level (DMF = 1.55 ± 0.16), 33.3% with moderate caries intensity level (DMF = 3.94 ± 0.29), and 47.9% with high caries intensity level (DMF = 9.05 ± 1.11). During the comparison of calcium content and mineralization coefficient values between children with low and high caries intensity levels registered difference was statistically significant (p<0.05), while for salivary flow rate parameter such difference was no significant (p>0.05). Between children with normal salivary flow rate, and children with a lowered salivary flow rate there was no statistical difference in such parameters as fluoride concentration, calcium content, phosphorus content and calcium-phosphorus balance (p>0.05) Conclusion: Caries intensity levels were more statistically associated with parameters of calcium content in saliva and related mineralization coefficient, rather than with the average salivary flow rate.