Temporomandibular joint ankylosis in Williams syndrome patient: an insight on the function of elastin in temporomandibular joint disorder

Williams–Beuren syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic disorder that results from microdeletion at chromosome 7, which harbors the elastin gene. Clinical findings include arteriopathy, aortic stenosis, hypertension, and laxities and contractures in different joints throughout the body. While many components of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) normally contain elastin, there are few reports on TMJ manifestations of WS. This study reports a TMJ ankylosis case in a WS patient and shares insight on a possible link between development of TMJ ankylosis and elastin deficiency in WS patients. A WS patient presented with bilateral TMJ ankylosis and was successfully treated with TMJ gap arthroplasty. Hypermobility of TMJ and lack of elastin in retrodiscal tissue can induce anterior disc displacement without reduction. Due to lack of elastin, which has a significant role in the compensatory and reparatory mechanism of TMJ, WS patients might be prone to TMJ ankylosis.

Effect of the level of digital literacy of dental hygienists on occupational self-efficacy and organizational commitment / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#This study aims to assess dental hygienists’ level of digital literacy and its effect on occupational self-efficacy and organizational commitment. @*Methods@#The online survey results, obtained from 307 respondents, were statistically analyzed using frequency analysis, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis with the IBM SPSS 20.0 software. @*Results@#The factors affecting the technology portion of digital literacy included age (P＜0.001), years in career (P＜0.001), number of personnel in workplace (P=0.009), level of education (P=0.001), region of workplace (P=0.002), and form of workplace (P=0.021). The factors affecting the application portion of digital literacy included age (P＜0.001), years in career (P=0.009), and number of personnel in the workplace (P=0.008). The level of occupational self-efficacy positively affected the technology portion of digital literacy, while organizational commitment positively affected the technology portion and negatively affected the application portion of digital literacy. @*Conclusions@#Although this study has limitations, it carries significance as a survey of dental hygienists’ digital literacy standing. To adapt to and function in the current society of digital informatics, ongoing education and research on digital literacy are warranted.