The Presence of Women in the Dental Profession: A Global Survey.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to acquire knowledge about the female dental workforce, identifying factors to pursue specialty training and career choices and working in dental institutions/associations. METHODS: An original online questionnaire was developed, validated (n = 22), and sent to 189 member associations in 133 countries of the Women Dentists Worldwide section of the FDI World Dental Federation. RESULTS: In all, 3232 female dentists from 81 countries participated. Results were divided into 5 geographic areas by continent. Difference in proportion amongst questionnaire items was evaluated with χ2 test or Fisher exact test. Ordinal multinomial linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of questionnaire items with total work experience in dentistry (in years), motivation to study dentistry, type of specialisation, working hours per week, perception of female dentists about working hours, sex-based inequalities, job security after maternity leaves, as well as involvement in political organisations within their country of residence and their role in dental associations. A majority of participating female dentists are self-employed (57.7%), and 60.0% have 10 to 30 years of experience. The most popular form of practice is the single private practice (29.7%), followed by the group private practice (28.8%). Further, 44.8% work 31 to 40 h/wk, 29.1% part-time up to 30 h/wk, and 26.0% more than 40 h/wk. CONCLUSIONS: Women are still poorly represented in professional organisations, and few are officers in representative assemblies, members of the board, or president. Family life with children influences perceptions and has an impact on professional life, especially in academia and political/professional associations, so that taking on leadership positions poses additional challenges.

Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation attenuates growth of chemotherapy treated oral squamous cell carcinoma in an animal model.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated mesenchymal stem cell migration toward tumor locations. When applied locally, MSCs interact with the locally residing host cells. The mechanisms behind this are still unclear. We aimed to detect the possible action mechanisms of MSCs on the in vivo growth of primary human oral squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: In mouse model of OSSC, chemotherapy with Cisplatin was done beginning from 9 day of tumor visualization. 3 weeks after tumor cell injection cultivated MSCs were administrated in tail vein or directly intra-tumorally. Animals underwent surveillance and afterward were sacrificed. Tumor growth was measured. MSCs biodistribution was assessed with bioluminescent analysis. Tumor tissues were tested morphologically and immunohistochemically for angiogenesis, hypoxia status, and cell apoptosis. RESULTS: In the group treated with Cisplatin in combination with mesenchymal stem cell injection, the average size of the tumor was 98.9 ± 7.65 mm3 . In the experimental group, tumor tissues were less outlined and the presence of necrotic areas and connective tissue basal layers was detected. Immunohistochemical surveys with CD31 and anti-carbonic anhydrase 9 demonstrated strongly developed micro-vessel structures and small isles of hypoxia in the tumor tissues. TUNEL assay revealed in the same group that tumor tissues were mostly comprised of apoptotic cells. Viable cell communities presented as small isles. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that intra-tumorally injected MSCs, combined with Cisplatin, leads to a minimal hypoxia status and increased apoptotic activity in tumor tissues, compared with the control group. This finding can be explained with better distribution of Cisplatin due to increased angiogenesis.

Bone Marrow Stem Cell and Decellularized Human Amniotic Membrane for the Treatment of Nonhealing Wound After Radiation Therapy.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, our aim was to create a bioactive wound dressing that combined decellularized and lyophilized human amniotic membrane and freeze-dried rat bone marrow stem cells for the treatment of nonhealing wounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the decellularized human amniotic membrane, sodium dodecyl sulfate and 1% Triton X-100 were used. The mononuclear fraction of bone marrow stem cells was isolated by density gradient centrifugation using Ficoll Paque Plus (GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA, USA). Investigations were conducted on Lewis inbred rats with the radiation wound model (dose of 60 Gy). On day 20 after application of radiation, the skin was excised around the radiation burn. The wound was treated with decellularized human amniotic membrane seeded with and without freeze-dried bone marrow stem cells. RESULTS: The use of a decellularized amniotic membrane for closing the burn wound increased the rate of healing by 2.5 times; the use of a decellularized amniotic membrane seeded with bone marrow stem cells or freeze-dried bone marrow stem cells increased the rate of wound healing by approximately 4 times. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of freeze-dried bone marrow stem cell may represent a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of nonhealing wounds and other conditions. We observed no evidence of local or systemic complications related to the procedure. However, further efforts with better protocol design for future studies are needed.