Socioeconomic-related inequalities in oral hygiene behaviors: a cross-sectional analysis of the PERSIAN cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic-related inequality in oral hygiene behaviors in Iran is poorly understood. This study aims to measure and decompose socioeconomic-related inequalities in oral hygiene behaviors among middle-aged and elderly adults in Iran. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was performed using data from the Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN (PERSIAN), a large national cohort study. A total of 130,016 individuals aged 35 years and above from 17 cohort centers in Iran were included in the study. The normalized concentration index (Cn) was used to measure the magnitude of inequality in oral hygiene behaviors, i.e. brushing at least twice and flossing once daily, among middle-aged and elderly Iranian adults included in the cohort centers. Decomposition analysis was performed to quantify the contribution of each determinant to the observed inequality in oral hygiene behaviors. RESULTS: Totally, 65.5% of middle-aged and elderly adults brushed their teeth twice a day or more, 7.6% flossed at least once a day and 3.48% had both habits. The estimated Cn of the two habits combined, i.e. tooth brushing and dental flossing, for all provinces taken part in the PERSIAN cohort study was 0.399 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.383 to 0.417), indicating that the prevalence of the two habits combined is more concentrated among individuals with higher socioeconomic status. Inequality in oral hygiene behaviors was pro-rich in all cohort centers. The decomposition results suggested socioeconomic status as the main factor contributing to the overall inequality, followed by the level of education, and the province of residence. CONCLUSION: A low prevalence of oral hygiene behaviors among middle-aged and elderly Iranian adults was observed. There was also a pro-rich inequality in oral hygiene behaviors among middle-aged and elderly adults in all cohort centers. These results suggest an urgent need for targeted policy interventions to increase the prevalence of preventive oral hygiene behaviors among the poor and less-educated middle-aged and elderly adults in Iran.

The evaluation of the relationship between serum calcium level and stylohyoid length in adults.

Elongation and calcification of the stylohyoid apparatus is probably related to Eagle's syndrome and may cause such symptoms as facial pain and dysphagia in patients. In the present study, the relationship between serum calcium level and stylohyoid apparatus length was studied in adults referring to the dental college of Yazd. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study on 50 adult patients above 20 years old (28 men, and 22 women) referring to the radiology ward of the dental college. The stylohyoid ligaments were measured from the base of the skull to the bony tip of each appendix by panoramic radiograph. Mineralization of the ligaments more than 30 mm on the panoramic radiographs was considered abnormal. The serum calcium level of all patients was then measured. Data were analyzed by t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis. Mean length of the stylohyoid apparatus was 27.36 ± 9.10 mm and was not related to age and sex. An elongation rate of 26% was obtained. The mean serum calcium level was 9.39 ± 0.57 mg/dl and there was not a statistically significant difference in serum calcium level between various age groups and genders. There was no relationship between the length of the stylohyoid apparatus of each side and serum calcium concentrations in different age groups. It appears that the length of the stylohyoid apparatus is not related to serum calcium level within our patient population.

Osteoporosis and oral bone resorption: a review.

This paper is a summary of the published studies on the possible association between osteoporosis and alveolar bone loss. Osteoporosis and low bone mass are considered as a major public health problem. The mandible like other bones of the body has a series of anatomical landmarks that can serve as radiographic indicators. Using these indicators it is possible to evaluate changes in bone with respect to its quantity or quality by different methods of taking images. Higher bone resorption was detected in women with a higher number of pregnancies. Also, the higher educated the patient, the less bone resorption. Women with a background of backaches had more bone resorption to those who did not have this backache background. Finally, it was recognized that it would be possible to clear the quality dimension of the process of mandibular bone resorption. If we can identify the osteoporotic process using a basic panoramic radiography measurement technique, then it is possible to intercept the progress of the disease through early warning and treatment. From the results of this study, it can be concluded the thickness of the mandibular angular cortex can be used as an index for bone resorption. A healthy lifestyle has multiple benefits for the mouth and throughout the body. Dental professionals can play a role in preventing osteoporosis by reinforcing this message.

Evaluation of Swallowing Patterns of the Tongue Using Real-time B-mode Sonography.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the swallowing patterns of the tongue using B-mode sonography. A total of 65 patients aged between eight and 35 years were enrolled in the study including 25 controls. The swallowing patterns of the 40 patients were divided into groups of ten normal, 12 inconsistent, and 18 abnormal. Eight patients with a swallowing abnormality had Angle Class I occlusions, two had Class II, and the remaining ten patients had Class III. The majority of abnormal or inconsistent swallowing patterns were found in cases of mandibular prognathism. Quantitative data was not analyzed in this study. The results of this study show that B-mode sonography, being a non-invasive procedure permitting direct visualization of the movements of the tongue in both coronal and sagittal planes, can be used with certainty for diagnosing swallowing abnormalities.

Evaluation of the diagnostic advantage of intraoral D and E film for detecting interproximal caries.

Clinicians strive to reduce the exposure of patients to X-ray radiation in an effort to decrease its harmful effects on the body. A potential strategy for achieving this goal is the use of high-speed films that require less exposure to radiation to generate a diagnostic image. There are two film types commonly used in intraoral radiography: high speed or "Ekta-speed" film (Type E) and normal speed or Ultra-speed film (Type D). Type E film requires nearly half of the exposure time that is required by Type D films to produce an acceptable diagnostic image; however, the diagnosis quality and usability of these film types are under question. The purpose of this research is to compare the diagnostic quality of Type E with Type D film when used to diagnose proximal caries. In this study 40 pairs of extracted maxillary premolar teeth were chosen and divided into four groups of 10 pairs. Cavities were made on proximal surfaces at different depths (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mm) for each group. Bitewing radiographs were then taken on each pair of teeth using Type E film and then again using Type D film. Radiographs were evaluated by two oral radiologists and two operative dentistry specialists who recorded the perceived diagnostic depth of the prepared cavities. Our data showed both Type D and E films are suitable for use in diagnosing proximal caries, and despite a minor discrepancy between them no significant difference was found with regard to their value in diagnosing proximal caries.

Evaluation of changes in the mandibular angular cortex using panoramic images.

The mandible like other bones of the body has a series of anatomical landmarks that can serve as radiographic indicators. Using these indicators it is possible to evaluate changes in bone with respect to its quantity or quality by different methods of taking images. Osteoporosis is a significant problem of the elderly, especially post-menopausal women. The aim of this study was to determine the thickness of the mandiublar angular cortex on the right and left sides of women as well as bone resorption in different age groups using panoramic radiography. One hundred female patients were selected from applicants for panoramic radiological services who did not have a history of systemic bone disease, hysterectomy, or taking hormonal supplements. Using a questionnaire, the selected subjects were asked questions about their education, job, marital status, number of pregnancies, age, menopausal status, and history of backaches. After statistical calculation it became clear an increase in age will increase bone resorption, and this process is related to a decrease in the sexual hormones of women. Higher bone resorption was detected in women with a higher number of pregnancies. Also, the higher educated the patient, the less bone resorption. Women with a background of backaches had more bone resorption to those who did not have this backache background. Finally, it was recognized that it would be possible to clear the quality dimension of the process of mandibular bone resorption.