An interprofessional school-based initiative to increase access to oral health care in underserved Florida counties.

OBJECTIVE: To examine and describe the effect of an oral health education program on school-based nurses' acquisition of oral health knowledge. METHODS: Three-hour synchronous videoconference sessions provided training for nurses to conduct oral health risk assessments, screen for oral diseases, deliver oral health education, apply fluoride varnish, and refer children identified in need of further assessment and treatment to a dentist. Oral health knowledge acquisition was assessed by comparing pre-training and post-training examination scores. Analyses included descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: Seventeen nurses from Suwannee, Lafayette, and Hamilton counties participated in the oral health education training program. Analyses of the school-based nurses' test results showed a significant increase in correct answers on the post-training test (93%) compared to the pre-training test (56%). Six hundred forty-one children from six elementary public schools received oral health education, oral screenings, and fluoride varnish applications. Fifty-eight percent of the children had untreated caries, 43% had treated caries, 15% had sealant on permanent molars, and 3% required urgent care. Nurses successfully referred children identified in need of further assessment and treatment to a dentist. CONCLUSIONS: The synchronous videoconference oral health training program was effective in improving school-based nurses' oral health knowledge. The knowledge acquired by school-based nurses via oral health training programs can be leveraged to increase access to oral health care for vulnerable and unserved school-aged populations.

Oral health inequities: Recommended public policies to achieve health equity.

In the United States (US), racial and ethnic minority populations experience poorer oral health than the general population. Social and commercial determinants of health embedded in structural and institutional racism and/or discrimination generate and exacerbate oral health inequities. We provide examples of oral health disparities (including oral health status and workforce issues) among selected racial and ethnic minority groups in the US. In addition, we compiled four priority areas based on research over the last two decades to guide actions to improve oral health equity. These four priority areas aim to improve health care models, interventions, and policies to help close gaps and reduce disparities in oral health and access to dental care.

Everolimus for cardiac rhabdomyomas in children with tuberous sclerosis. The ORACLE study protocol (everOlimus for caRdiac rhAbdomyomas in tuberous sCLErosis): a randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase II trial.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberous sclerosis complex is a rare genetic disorder leading to the growth of hamartomas in multiple organs, including cardiac rhabdomyomas. Children with symptomatic cardiac rhabdomyoma require frequent admissions to intensive care units, have major complications, namely, arrhythmias, cardiac outflow tract obstruction and heart failure, affecting the quality of life and taking on high healthcare cost. Currently, there is no standard pharmacological treatment for this condition, and the management includes a conservative approach and supportive care. Everolimus has shown positive effects on subependymal giant cell astrocytomas, renal angiomyolipoma and refractory seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex. However, evidence supporting efficacy in symptomatic cardiac rhabdomyoma is limited to case reports. The ORACLE trial is the first randomised clinical trial assessing the efficacy of everolimus as a specific therapy for symptomatic cardiac rhabdomyoma. METHODS: ORACLE is a phase II, prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicentre protocol trial. A total of 40 children with symptomatic cardiac rhabdomyoma secondary to tuberous sclerosis complex will be randomised to receive oral everolimus or placebo for 3 months. The primary outcome is 50% or more reduction in the tumour size related to baseline. As secondary outcomes we include the presence of arrhythmias, pericardial effusion, intracardiac obstruction, adverse events, progression of tumour reduction and effect on heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: ORACLE protocol addresses a relevant unmet need in children with tuberous sclerosis complex and cardiac rhabdomyoma. The results of the trial will potentially support the first evidence-based therapy for this condition.

Hospital use for non-traumatic dental conditions among older adults in Florida.

OBJECTIVE: Older Americans are at risk of many oral diseases and conditions, but limited access to dental care may lead to the use of hospital emergency departments (EDs) or inpatient admissions. This study examined the use of hospitals for non-traumatic dental conditions (NTDCs) among persons aged ≥65 years in the Florida. METHODS: We analysed hospital use for NTDCs in Florida in 2018 from health department data sets. We calculated frequencies and rates of ED visits and hospital inpatient admissions, overall and by county, age, sex, race/ethnicity and principal payer. We also examined the source of hospital admission, primary diagnoses and charges. RESULTS: In 2018, there were 4894 ED visits and 747 inpatient admissions for NTDCs among persons aged ≥65 years in Florida. The rate for ED visits was 112.30 per 100 000 population and for hospital inpatient admissions was 17.14; rates varied widely among counties. Medicare was the most common primary payer. Referrals from EDs accounted for 76.2% of inpatient admissions for NTDCs by older adults. Total charges were $21.4 million for ED visits and $40.2 million for inpatient admissions. The most common principal diagnosis for ED visits for NTDCs was "periapical abscess without sinus tract" (K04.7; 26.2%) and for inpatient admissions was "inflammatory conditions of the jaw" (M27.2; 19.1%). Of the 747 inpatient admissions, two people died. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital use for NTDCs in Florida among persons aged ≥65 years is a clinical and financial challenge. Public coverage for basic adult dental services may lead to more effective use of funds and better health outcomes.

Dental Status and Treatment Needs of Children in Foster Care.

Purpose: This study compared the dental status and treatment needs of children in foster care with other children enrolled in Florida Medicaid. Methods: The study was a retrospective dental records review of patients who were associated with a foster care agency and an age-matched group of other Medicaid recipients in 2016. Results: We abstracted the electronic dental records of 548 two- to 18-year-olds in foster care and an age-matched group of 548 Medicaid-enrolled children not in foster care. Compared with other Medicaid-enrolled children, those in foster care were more likely to have experienced dental caries overall (75.7 percent versus 58.8 percent; P<.0001), in the permanent dentition (63.6 percent versus 45.1 percent; P<.0001), and in the primary dentition (32.7 percent versus 18.8 percent; P<.0001). Children in foster care had 1.6 times greater prevalence of pulpitis, 1.4 times as many root canal treatments, 5.8 times more diagnoses of severe gingivitis, 3.5 times more diagnoses of periodontitis, and 1.3 times more treatment-planned extractions. Conclusions: Children in foster care had more dental needs, higher caries prevalence, and received more dental care than other Medicaid-enrolled children. Poor oral health status is a public health concern for children in the foster care system. (Pediatr Dent 2019;41(3):206-10) Received December 18, 2018 | Last Revision March 12, 2019 | Accepted March 14, 2019.

Hospital inpatient admissions for nontraumatic dental conditions among Florida adults, 2006 through 2016.

BACKGROUND: In this study, the authors analyzed patterns, trends, and correlates of hospital inpatient admissions for nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDCs) in Florida for the calendar years 2006 through 2016. METHODS: The study was a retrospective analysis of hospital inpatient admissions for NTDCs throughout Florida. The authors derived data from a database maintained by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, the state's primary health policy and planning entity. RESULTS: There were 26,659 hospital inpatient admissions for NTDCs during the 11-year period. The number of admissions increased from 1,808 in 2006 to 3,542 in 2016, and total charges increased from $46.1 million to $166.5 million. The most common diagnosis was periapical abscess without sinus. Emergency departments were the most frequent source of admission. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital inpatient admissions for NTDCs are a growing challenge in Florida. If trends continue, hospital inpatient admissions for NTDCs will place an increasing burden on the state's health care system. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Increasing numbers of hospital inpatient admissions for NTDCs are largely a consequence of using emergency departments to address dental-related conditions. This growing dental public health concern has major implications for health care resources and outcomes.

Status of the epidemiological surveillance systems for salt and water fluoridation programs in latin america and the caribbean / Estado de los sistemas de vigilancia epidemiológica en los programas de fluorización de sal y agua en latinoamérica y el caribe / Status dos sistemas de vigilância epidemiológica para programas de fluoretação de sal e água na américa latina e no caribe

Background: Epidemiological Surveillance Systems are part of public policies to evaluate the impact of prevention interventions or the occurrence of related health events. In Dental Public Health has been valuable the surveillance systems to follow the fluoridation programs, the prevalence of caries or the fluorosis cases. Purpose: Identify and summarize published information regard the status of fluoridation programs and their epidemiological surveillance systems in Latin America and the Caribbean region. Methods: In this narrative literature review, articles searches in Medline and LILACS, in four languages, was carried out. Results: The authors included the analysis of 291 references published by government entities, international agencies, academic institutions and other sources, and summarizing the synthesis of all findings in two tracking matrices to contribute with new knowledge for policy making and program improvement through monitory systems. The results showed 11 active programs, 18 in uncertain status, and one country projecting a future program. Only six countries that started their fluoridation programs in the mid-eighties in the twentieth century have structured or strengthened a surveillance system for their fluoridation programs. Conclusions: The authors recommend a new stage of international accompaniment by several agencies to resume fluoridation programs in countries where structural, economic, or political factors affected the implementation or continuation of fluoridation programs in the 21st century.

Antecedentes: Los sistemas de vigilancia epidemiológica forman parte de las políticas públicas para evaluar el impacto de intervenciones preventivas o la ocurrencia de eventos relacionados con la salud. En salud pública dental los sistemas de vigilancia para seguir programas de fluorización, prevalencia de caries o casos de fluorosis han sido valiosos. Objetivo: Identificar y resumir la información publicada sobre el estado de los sistemas de vigilancia epidemiológica en los programas de fluorización en América Latina y el Caribe. Métodos: En esta revisión narrativa de la literatura se efectuaron búsquedas de artículos en las bases Medline y LILACS en cuatro idiomas. Resultados: Los autores incluyeron el análisis de 291 referencias publicadas por entidades gubernamentales, agencias internacionales, instituciones académicas y otras fuentes, y resumieron la síntesis de todos los hallazgos en dos matrices de seguimiento para contribuir con nuevo conocimiento para la formulación de políticas y la mejora de programas a través de sistemas de monitoreo. Los resultados mostraron 11 programas activos, 18 en estado incierto y un país proyectando un programa futuro. Solo seis países que comenzaron sus programas de fluorización a mediados de los años ochenta en el siglo veinte han estructurado o fortalecido un sistema de vigilancia para sus programas de fluorización. Conclusiones: Los autores recomiendan una nueva etapa de acompañamiento internacional por parte de varias agencias para reanudar los programas de fluorización en países donde los factores estructurales, económicos o políticos afectaron la implementación o la continuación de los programas de fluorización en el siglo XXI.

Antecedentes: Os Sistemas de Vigilância Epidemiológica fazem parte das políticas públicas para avaliar o impacto das intervenções de prevenção ou a ocorrência de eventos relacionados à saúde. Na saúde pública odontológica tem-se valido os sistemas de vigilância para acompanhar os programas de fluoretação, a prevalência de cárie ou os casos de fluorose. Objetivo: Identificar e resumir informações publicadas sobre a situação dos programas de fluoretação e seus sistemas de vigilância epidemiológica na região da América Latina e Caribe. Métodos: Nesta revisão de literatura narrativa, foram realizadas buscas de artigos em Medline e LILACS, em quatro idiomas. Resultados: Os autores incluíram a análise de 291 referências publicadas por entidades governamentais, agências internacionais, instituições acadêmicas e outras fontes, e resumindo a síntese de todos os resultados em duas matrizes de rastreamento para contribuir com novos conhecimentos para formulação de políticas e melhoria de programas através de sistemas monitorados. Os resultados mostraram 11 programas ativos, 18 em status incerto e um país projetando um programa futuro. Apenas seis países que iniciaram seus programas de fluoração em meados dos anos 80 no século XX estruturaram ou reforçaram um sistema de vigilância para seus programas de fluoretação. Conclusões: Os autores recomendam uma nova etapa de acompanhamento internacional por várias agências para retomar os programas de fluoração em países onde fatores estruturais, econômicos ou políticos afetaram a implementação ou continuação de programas de fluoretação no século XXI.