Comparison of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Partial and Complete Denture Wearers: A Propensity Score Analysis.

Background: Dentures, both partial and complete, have been shown to have the same impact on one's quality of life. Due to the impossibility of randomization in these studies, they are prone to selection bias. This study aimed to compare the effect of partial and complete dentures on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) by propensity score to overcome selection bias. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study. A total of 1376 people participated in this study. Age, sex, marital status, education level, smoking, smoking opium and its derivatives, and dental visit was collected by a checklist. OHRQoL was measured by the OHIP-14 questionnaire. The generalized boosted model was used to estimate the propensity score. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputations with mixed models. The assumptions of multivariable regression analysis and propensity score method were first examined, and then the quality of life related to oral health was compared between the two groups. Results: The regression model's assumptions were not verified due to high skewness and collinearity. The results of the normality test (P < 0.001) and goodness fit test (P < 0.001) revealed that the regression model did not fit the data. The propensity score method reduced at least 76% of the bias resulting from the distribution difference between the confounding variables and was used for analysis. In the regression and propensity score method, the results showed that the total OHIP-14 score of the complete prosthesis group was higher than the partial prosthesis group at 3.92 (95% CI = (2.18,5.65)) and 3.64 (95% CI = (1.93,4.53)), respectively. This difference was clinically and statistically significant (P < 0.001). In addition, there is a significant difference in the two groups based on propensity in all seven areas (P < 0.001). But there is no significant difference in the regression adjustment of the Functional limitation of the two groups (P = 0.035). Conclusion: The propensity score has fewer assumptions than the regression method and may be more reliable for OHIP scores. The propensity score analysis revealed that despite the costs and repair issues associated with partial dentures, complete denture wearers have lower OHRQoL than partial denture wearers.

Meal patterns and the quality of breakfast and snacks in relation to adolescents' dental health in southeast of Iran.

Aim: The objective was to determine the frequency pattern and nutritional quality of breakfast and snacks in Iranian adolescents and to investigate these dietary habits in relation to tooth decay and tooth erosion. Methods: A multistage cluster random sampling method was adopted to recruit 600 adolescents with equal sex distribution in the city of Kerman/southeast of Iran. Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) and Tooth Wear Index (TWI) were recorded for each subject. Snacking and breakfast quality, frequency of snacking and regular/irregular use of main meals were also recorded. Poisson regression and Firth's bias-reduced penalized-likelihood logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results: DMFT score of adolescents who consumed low-quality snacks were 1.13 times more than those who consumed high-quality snacks. Regular use of all three main meals was associated with a lower DMFT score. DMFT score of adolescents who did not have regular use of breakfast was 1.19 times more than those who consumed breakfast on a regular basis. Also, regarding adolescents who had an irregular use of lunch, the DMFT score was 1.3 times more than those who had a regular lunch schedule. In addition, participants with irregular dinner consumption had 1.24 times more DMFT scores compared to those with a regular dinner schedule. Conclusions: Regular breakfast consumption, decreased snacking occasions, use of higher nutritional quality snacks, and increased nutritional education are important in order to prevent a higher chance of dental caries and promote dental health status.

Personality Characteristics and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in an Iranian Adult Population.

Self-rated oral health and oral health-related quality of life is known to be influenced by various personality characteristics. The aim of this study was to understand how personality characteristics affect oral health-related quality of life ratings in an Iranian adult population. The study included 443 adult participants recruited from a public dental clinic in Kerman, southeast of Iran. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 questionnaire was used to assess oral health-related quality of life. Personality traits were determined using the 20-item Positive Affectivity Negative Affectivity Scale. Locker's single-item global self-rating of oral health was used to obtain information on self-rated oral health. Pearson correlation and negative binomial regression were used for data analysis. A higher negative affectivity score was associated with worse oral heath related quality of life, and a higher positive affectivity score was associated with better rating of oral health-related quality of life. On average, individuals who described their oral health as worse scored higher on Oral Health Impact Profile-14. Negative affectivity and positive affectivity influence individuals' perceptions of their oral health and quality of life. If possible, investigations of oral health-related quality of life measures should also include a brief personality assessment.

Dentists' Knowledge and Clinical Experience towards Molar-Incisor-Hypomineralization in Iran

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the knowledge and clinical experience of dentists regarding MIH in Kerman/Iran. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a census sampling method was used, and all dentists registered in Kerman medical council were asked to participate in the study. A validated and reliable researcher administered questionnaire was used to determine participants' demographic characteristics, knowledge, and clinical experience. The association between knowledge score and demographic variables was determined using an independent t-test and ANOVA. The level of significance was set as 0.05. Results: Overall, 400 specialized and general dentists in Kerman completed the questionnaire. The mean knowledge score of dentists was 6.6±1.9 of 11. Female dentists' knowledge was higher than male dentists (p<0.05). General dentists had a higher level of knowledge regarding MIH compared to specialists (p<0.05). Overall, 79.5 % had been faced with MIH during their practice years. After confronting MIH teeth, 48.8% of dentists referred patients to specialists for treatment. Providing aesthetics was considered the most difficult part of treatment (43.2%). Resin composite was the most favorable dental material for treating MIH (60.9%). Conclusion: Although most dentists in Kerman had encountered MIH defects during their clinical practice, they did not have enough knowledge of the defect and required education on all aspects of MIH diagnosis and management. Younger dental practitioners, general dentists and females presented higher knowledge of MIH.

Is there a relationship between general and oral health-related quality of life in partially edentulous patients before and after implant treatment? A quasi-experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) and general health-related quality of life (GHRQoL) in partially edentulous patients before and after implant placement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After obtaining informed consent, using convenient sampling method, 102 participants (64 female and 38 male participants with an age range of 18-81 years) were included in the study. Participants were required to fill EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire before implant surgery and three months after prosthetic placement. Data were not normally distributed, so non-parametric tests were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Data analysis was carried out on 93 participants. After implant treatment, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and EQ-5D score significantly increased by 0.05 and 0.06 units, respectively (p < .001 and p = .004, respectively). Also, the total OHIP-14 score significantly decreased from 15.89 to 6.18 after implant treatment (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Results indicated an increase in general and oral health-related quality of life after implant treatment. According to this study, there was a positive weak relationship between GHRQoL and OHRQoL before and after implant treatment.

The association between beverage consumption pattern and dental problems in Iranian adolescents: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: With regard to the increasing consumption rates of unhealthy beverages among adolescents, the main purpose of the present study was to determine the association between beverage intake pattern and dental caries and tooth erosion in this age group. METHODS: A total sample of 600 adolescents was recruited in this study using a multistage cluster random sampling method in the city of Kerman, in the southeast of Iran, in 2017. Then, the Decayed, Missed and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and the Tooth Wear Index (TWI) were registered for each participant. A Beverage Frequency Questionnaire was also employed to estimate typical beverage intake frequency. Correspondingly, negative binominal regression and logistic regression were performed to determine the independent variables associated with the DMFT index and the TWI. RESULTS: The findings revealed that the highest consumed beverage in daily living was tea in both genders, followed by sweetened soft beverages, as well as milk and kefir/yogurt drink. The results of the DMFT index were also significantly different in participants that had never consumed milk compared with those who had used milk on a daily basis. Moreover, the DMFT index in participants who had never consumed sweetened soft beverages was 39%, less than those who had had a daily intake of such beverages. Also, the chance of tooth erosion for participants who had never used sweetened soft beverages was 94%, lower than that in daily consumers. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study revealed that adolescents had an unhealthy beverage intake pattern. Furthermore, milk consumption was beneficial to dental caries, whereas use of soft drinks associated with more dental caries and tooth erosion.

Ergonomic Evaluation of Dental Professionals as Determined by Rapid Entire Body Assessment Method in 2014.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: In dentistry, incorrect working posture is the most important cause of musculoskeletal disorders. PURPOSE: The aim of this research was to evaluate the work postures of general dentists and specialists using rapid entire body assessment (REBA) method. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this cross-sectional study, work postures were assessed in 90 dentists by employing REBA method. Stratified sampling method was used. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), Independent t-test and Pearson's correlation test in SPSS 19. RESULTS: The results showed that work postures of 90% of dentists were at moderate- to high-risk levels. Among the specialists, periodontists, pedodontists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons had the worst body postures. CONCLUSION: In general, dentists' working postures need improvement and consequently, a more comprehensive ergonomic training and promotion is required in dentistry curriculum at Universities.

Association between Tooth Loss and Opium Addiction: Results of a Community-Based Study on 5900 Adult Individuals in South East of Iran in 2015.

BACKGROUND: Like any other drug abuse, opium use is known to have detrimental effects on oral health. Oral hygiene neglect in opium users can lead to tooth loss resulting in further functional, esthetic, and dieting problems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the association between tooth loss and opium addiction in a large-scale population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was part of an extensive study related to the risk factors of cardiovascular disease and conducted by the center for physiological research during 2012-2015 in Kerman. A total of 5900, 15-75-year-old individuals, were recruited by a single-stage random cluster sampling method. Factors including opium and smoking consumption, factors related to oral health, hygiene, and the number of missing teeth were examined. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and physical examination. RESULTS: Of 5900 individuals, 2662 (45.1%) were men and the rest were women, which 1011 individuals (17.1%) consumed opium. The prevalence of opium abuse was significantly higher in men. Regarding the oral dental indicators, the numbers of missing teeth (P < 0.001), decayed (P = 0.01), and the total index of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (P < 0.001) were significantly higher in addicts as compared to nonaddicts. The gingival index and community periodontal index scores were significantly lower in addicts. Addicted women had a higher prevalence of tooth loss. CONCLUSIONS: Opium addiction is associated with higher tooth loss, especially, in women opium users. Dental practitioners and health politicians should pay special attention to the oral health of addicts before tooth loss occurs.