Web-Based Information on the Treatment of Dental Hypomineralization.

PURPOSE: To categorise and evaluate the quality and readability of the web-based information about the treatment of the variety of forms of dental hypomineralization. METHODS: An internet search using two different search terms regarding treating dental hypomineralization was conducted using the Google search engine. The first 100 websites from each search were analysed. Data recorded included DISCERN instrument scores, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, and the Health on the Net seal (HON). Flesch Reading Ease Scores (FRES), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), the Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook Index (SMOG), and the Coleman-Liau index were calculated to assess readability. RESULTS: A search for "Treatment of hypomineralized teeth" on Google yielded 48,500 results. After excluding irrelevant websites, only 25 were evaluated based on affiliation with universities/medical centers, non-profit organizations, commercial entities, or government agencies. The majority of the content was medical facts presented as text and visuals such as images and videos. The study found that the scores for questions about the benefits and risks of treatment were low, while alternative treatments had high scores. Only one website met the HON code criteria, and a minority of websites achieved JAMA benchmarks. The readability ratings varied across different tests used in the study. CONCLUSION: Most websites had university or medical center affiliation but only partially related to the specialty. Two-thirds of websites used images. The online information was inaccurate, poor quality, and hard to read for the average person. Dental professionals should be aware of this information's quality and work to improve it.

Perception and Attitude of Parents of Children With Orofacial Clefts Regarding the Use of Presurgical Orthopedics and Feeding Obturators.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the parents' attitude and their perception regarding the management of orofacial cleft (OFC) children with presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM), DynaCleft and/or feeding obturators. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive and observational retrospective survey-based study was conducted among parents of OFC children treated with PNAM, DynaCleft and/or feeding obturators who attended a primary dental health care center in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, from 2019 to 2023. A validated questionnaire was used after translating it from English to Arabic. The questionnaire consisted of 32 questions divided into two sections. The first section covers parents' sociodemographic data and OFC risk factors. The second section evaluates the parents' perception regarding the use of presurgical orthopedics (PSO) for OFC repair. The questionnaire was completed through telephone interviews carried out by two investigators with the parents of OFC children. RESULTS: Out of 142 parents of OFC children, only 40 parents and their children met the inclusion criteria of the study. Most parents (95%) reported their satisfaction with the treatment and stated that they would encourage other parents of OFC children to use PSO. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that parents of OFC children had a positive attitude toward PSO treatment. Based on the positive outcomes of PSO treatment reported in the current study and previous literature, PSO should be considered as a routine treatment in the early management of orofacial clefts.

A Case of Broken Local Anesthetic Needle in the Pterygomandibular Space; Diagnostic Approaches and Surgical Management.

Needle fracture during dental local anesthetic injections is a rare but significant, potentially serious complication. Various approaches for the location and removal of broken needles have been described; however, there are several difficulties and concerns related to the potential complications and critical anatomic challenges peculiar to the head and neck region. In this case, we describe the diagnostic approaches utilized in locating a broken needle that migrated in the pterygomandibular space following gag reflex, and sudden head movement of a middle-aged male patient. A meticulous diagnostic approach was employed to locate the needle utilizing CBCT scan, CT scan with contrast, and C-arm X-ray machine. The needle was successfully retrieved using an angled hemostat inserted through an oral incision, guided by a C-arm X-ray machine and ENT endoscopic instruments. While careful planning could prevent many complications that may arise during oral surgical procedures, inadvertent events leading to serious complications should be addressed using the appropriate and timely diagnostic techniques pre-and intra-operatively.

The Effects of Social Media Addiction, Psychological Distress, and Loneliness on Suicide Ideations and Attempts Among Healthcare Professionals in Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, there has been an alarming increase in psychological distress in many populations. One of the reasons can be attributed to the rapid development of technology and social media, which could adversely affect the mental health of individuals, including those working in healthcare. This study aimed to assess the influence of social media addiction, psychological distress, and loneliness on suicidal ideations and suicide attempts among healthcare students and professionals in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected data from healthcare students and professionals using a five-part questionnaire: (i) demographics, (ii) the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), (iii) the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), (iv) the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DGLS), and (v) suicide ideation and attempts scale. RESULTS: There were 800 participants from 33 cities who completed the questionnaire. A total of 31.37% reported lifelong thoughts of suicide, regardless of whether they would actually go through with it (S1), 18.38% had suicidal thoughts within the last 12 months (S2), and 11% had attempted suicide (S3). Of those who attempted suicide, 79 (89.77%) reported seeking help. Multiple logistic regression showed that lifetime suicidal thoughts were predicted by psychological distress, emotional loneliness (EL), social loneliness (SL), and age. Having had suicidal thoughts within the prior 12 months was predicted by psychological distress, SL, and age. Suicidal attempts were predicted by psychological distress, EL, age, and social media addiction. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated that psychological distress and loneliness are strongly associated with suicidal ideas and suicide attempts. Such results could serve as a warning call that assists healthcare professionals and mental health teams in arranging and planning effective interventions and actions to raise awareness, as well as reduce the levels of psychological distress and loneliness that could lead to grave consequences.

The Association between Electronic Health Literacy and Oral Health Outcomes among Dental Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between electronic health (eHealth) literacy and oral health outcomes, including the number of teeth and brushing frequency. METHODS: A total of 478 participants were included in the study and assessed for their eHealth literacy levels. Demographic variables, including age, gender, income, and education, were collected. The participants' number of teeth and brushing frequency were also recorded. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between eHealth literacy and oral health outcomes, adjusting for sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of both males (66.5%) and females (33.5%), with a mean age of 31.95 years. Among the participants, 16.95% were classified as having inadequate eHealth literacy, 24.06% had problematic eHealth literacy, and the majority (59.00%) demonstrated sufficient eHealth literacy. There was a significant association between eHealth literacy and oral health outcomes. Individuals with problematic eHealth literacy had a higher likelihood of having a greater number of teeth (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05-1.20, p < 0.001) compared to those with inadequate eHealth literacy. Similarly, individuals with sufficient eHealth literacy showed a higher likelihood of having more teeth (RR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.07-1.21, p < 0.001) compared to the inadequate eHealth literacy group controlling for age, gender, income, and education. Individuals with problematic eHealth literacy exhibited a tendency towards lower odds of irregular brushing (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.15-1.02, p = 0.054), although this result was marginally significant. In contrast, individuals with sufficient eHealth literacy had significantly lower odds of irregular brushing frequency (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.10-0.62, p = 0.003) compared to the inadequate eHealth literacy group. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest a positive association between eHealth literacy and oral health outcomes. Improving eHealth literacy may have implications for promoting better oral health behaviors and outcomes.

The association between smartphone use and sleep quality, psychological distress, and loneliness among health care students and workers in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The use of smartphones among the general public and health care practitioners, in particular, is ubiquitous. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between smartphone addiction and sleep quality, psychological distress, and loneliness among health care students and workers in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used an online questionnaire to collect data on smartphone addiction, sleep quality, psychological distress, and loneliness as well as demographic information. RESULTS: A total of 773 health care students and workers participated in the study, with an average age of 25.95 ± 8.35, and 59.6% female participants. The study found a positive significant association between smartphone addiction and psychological distress (F(1,771) = 140.8, P < 0.001) and emotional loneliness (F(1,771) = 26.70, P < 0.001). Additionally, a significant negative association between smartphone addiction and sleep quality was found (F(1,771) = 4.208, P = 0.041). However, there was no significant relationship between smartphone addiction and social loneliness (F (1,771) = 0.544, P < 0.461). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that smartphone addiction has a negative impact on psychological distress, sleep quality, and emotional loneliness among health care students and workers. It is important to promote strategies to reduce smartphone dependency in order to avoid the harmful consequences of smartphone addiction.

COVID-19 Infection in Academic Dental Hospital Personnel; A Cross-Sectional Survey in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Close patient contact is an essential component of clinical dental education, which can expose students and faculty to risk of COVID-19 and its sequelae. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted among faculty and clinical students at an academic dental hospital in Al Madinah western Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire was distributed to collect data on prevalence, risk factors, clinical manifestations, and long-term health and socioeconomic complications of COVID-19 infection. RESULTS: Prevalence of COVID-19 was 19.6% among a total of 316 students and faculty. Participants cited family and friends as the primary source of infection (40.3%). Among cross-infection control practices, they cited failure to practice distancing as the primary reason for infection transmission (61.3%). The disease was symptomatic in 85.5% of infected personnel. Most frequently reported clinical manifestations were: fever, cough, malaise, and diarrhoea (74.1%, 56.5%, 40.3%, 32.3%, respectively). A proportion of 37.1% of infected personnel stated that they had long COVID-19, and 58.3% of infected students reported deteriorated academic achievement. CONCLUSIONS: One in five of clinical dental students and their faculty had COVID-19. Most cases were symptomatic, and a large proportion developed long COVID or adverse socioeconomic consequences. Regardless of the severity of symptoms encountered during the acute stage of COVID-19 infection, all infected dental healthcare personnel should be followed, especially those who report long COVID. Continuous follow-up and assistance for infected students may be warranted to mitigate the potential academic and mental drawbacks caused by the pandemic. Dental schools should adopt clear policies regarding COVID-19 transmission and prevention and should implement them in their infection-control education and training.

Measuring the impact of systemic sclerosis on oral health-related quality of life in a UK population.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to identify the impact of systemic sclerosis (SSc) upon oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of affected individuals resident in the UK. METHODS: A total of 100 patients and their partners or carers were invited to complete questionnaires regarding the impact of SSc on quality of life and psychological well-being using valid and reliable patient-reported outcome measures (OHIP-14, MHISS, OIDP, MDAS and HADS). A total of 50 patients with SSc and 18 partners or carers who acted as controls returned the completed questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed for comparisons of different variables. RESULTS: All the mean scores of OHIP-14 (SSc [16.5 ± 12.4] Vs controls [6.06 ± 7.6, p = 0.001]) and MHISS components were significantly higher in patients than those of control group (SSc [21.26 ± 12] Vs controls [4.8 ± 7.3, p < 0.0001]). Majority of OIDP mean scores were significantly worse in patients compared with controls [SSc (10 ± 8.7) Vs controls (1.72 ± 3.4, p < 0.0001)]. The mean of total MDAS [SSc (11.7 ± 5.3) Vs controls (9.5 ± 4.4)] and HADS scores were higher in patients compared to controls (SSc depression [4.8 ± 3.3] and anxiety [6 ± 4.6] Vs controls [3.7 ± 3.1] [4.7 ± 3.9]). CONCLUSIONS: Although the present study is limited by the low response rate and its cross-sectional design, present results highlighted that systemic sclerosis has a negative impact on OHRQoL of the affected individuals; hence, the evaluation of associated psychological impact including anxiety and depression symptoms is needed to better understand, monitor and evaluate the disease comorbidity in patients with SSc.

Web-based information on the treatment of the mouth in systemic sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: To categorise the content and assess the quality and readability of the web-based information regarding treatment of the mouth in systemic sclerosis. METHODS: An online search using three different search terms regarding the treatment of the mouth in SSc was undertaken using the Google search engine. The first 100 websites from each search were selected for analysis. Data recorded included DISCERN instrument scores along with the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks and the presence of the Health on the Net seal (HON). Flesch Reading Ease Scores, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, the Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook Index and Coleman-Liau index were calculated to assess readability. RESULTS: Fifty seven of the first websites remained for analysis after applying appropriate exclusion criteria. The mean overall DISCERN score was 2.37 (±1.01). Only 4 websites (7%) achieved all four JAMA benchmarks. Only 12 websites (21.1%) displayed the HON seal. The reading level was found to be difficult to very difficult among the majority of websites. CONCLUSION: The overall quality of the available online information concerning the treatment of the mouth of systemic sclerosis is questionable and requires a high level of reading skill. Further efforts should be directed toward establishing higher quality, reliable online information sources on the treatment of oral disease relevant to patients with systemic sclerosis.

Validity and reliability of the Mouth Handicap of Systemic Sclerosis questionnaire in a UK population.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the Mouth Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis (MHISS) specifically exploring aspects of validity and reliability of MHISS in UK SSc patients. METHODS: A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed in this study at the Oral Medicine Department of UCLHT Eastman Dental Hospital, the Outpatient Rheumatology Clinic of the Royal Free Hospital and Scleroderma Family Day. Participants were asked to complete three questionnaires (SF-36, OHIP-14 and MHISS) along with a pro forma of demographic and disease-specific questions. Both convergent validity and internal consistency reliability were examined. The convergent validity was assessed by Spearman's correlation coefficient, and internal consistency reliability was assessed by Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: Of the 150 questionnaires distributed to participants, 68 respondents were included. With regard to construct validity, a low to moderate degree of convergent validity was found between MHISS total score and all SF-36 subscales. However, the total MHISS score was highly correlated to all OHIP subscales. CONCLUSION: MHISS questionnaire is a self-administered patient-reported outcome measure that assesses the mouth disability in SSc patients. However, improving the global and oral health of SSc patients is important as there is no cure for the disease; thus, instruments that record the impact of the condition and indicate the effect of treatment on the lives of patients are of paramount importance. Current results demonstrate good preliminary psychometric properties (validity and reliability) in a UK population with further exploration of psychometric properties with an emphasis on interpretability required.