Pilot Model for Community Based Oral Cancer Screening Program: Outcome from 4 Northeastern Provinces in Thailand.

Management of advanced-stage oral cancer adds a great burden to individuals and health care systems. Community-based oral cancer screening can be beneficial in early detection and treatment. In this study, a novel oral cancer screening program was conducted utilizing an existing network of health care personnel, facilities, and digital database management for efficient coverage of a large population. The screening program considered 392,396 individuals aged ≥40 from four northeastern provinces in Thailand. Three levels of screening were performed: S1 by village healthcare volunteers to identify risk groups, S2 by dental auxiliaries to visually identify abnormal oral lesions, and S3 by dentists for final diagnosis and management. A total of 349,318 individuals were interviewed for S1, and 192,688 were identified as a risk group. For S2, 88,201 individuals appeared, and 2969 were further referred. Out of 1779 individuals who appeared for S3, oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) were identified in 544, non-OPMDs in 1047, doubtful lesions in 52, and no results in 136 individuals. Final treatment was carried out in 704 individuals that included biopsies of 504 lesions, exhibiting 25 cancerous lesions and 298 OPMDs. This study is so far one of the largest oral cancer screening programs conducted in Thailand and showed effective implementation of community-based oral cancer screening.

Postoperative Pain Perception and Patient's Satisfaction After Mandibular Third Molar Surgery by Primary Closure With Distal Wedge Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare periodontal conditions of the distal aspect of mandibular second molar and patient's satisfaction between standard surgical technique and primary closure with or without distal wedge surgery used for the removal of mandibular third molar impaction (MTMI). METHODS: Twenty-four patients, aged 18 - 25 years, were invited to participate in this prospective, single-blinded, split-mouth randomized controlled study. Each participant owned similar bilateral impacted mandibular third molar. Periodontal parameters (i.e. probing depth (PD), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI) and the distance from cusp tip to gingival margin (CT-GM)) were measured. The standard mandibular third molar surgery was performed on one side while for the other side the distal wedge surgery with or without osseous contouring was added to the protocol. Information about satisfaction was taken from questionnaire. RESULTS: At the site where distal wedge was performed, significant change in CT-GM occurred at all aspects and a significant PD reduction was observed at disto-buccal and mid-distal sites. Distance between cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) and gingival margin reduced significantly at all sites. No significant difference between two groups was found in GI, PI and patient's satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating distal wedge surgery into MTMI removal protocol does improve periodontal health of adjacent second molar and does not affect patient's satisfaction.

The Study of Inferior Alveolar Canal at the Lower Third Molar Apical Region With Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the distance between the impacted mandibular third molar (IMTM) and the inferior alveolar canal (IAC) at different reference points through panoramic radiographs and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: A total of 45 male and 45 female patients with bilateral IMTM at a mean age of 27 years were recruited for this study. With the aid of panaromic radiographs and CBCT, the mandible width, the buccal bone width, IAC width, the lingual bone width, IAC height, the alveolar bone height, and the distance from the lowest part of the IMTM to the superior border of the canal were measured. Statistical analysis was done with independent samples t-test and Mann-Whitney U test for finding the difference between genders. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for comparing both sides at P value = 0.05. RESULTS: The mandible width, IAC width, and IAC height were different between male and female patients. The IMTM roots displayed intimate contact with the IAC in 96.67% of the cases. The location of the IAC was mostly lingual in both genders. The diameter of the IAC was significant larger in men compared to in the women in terms of width and height. CONCLUSIONS: This study is useful for the dental surgeon to avoid or prevent postoperative numbness or pain, because the awareness of the common location of the IAC and its approximation with the IMTM roots could allow a more cautious and precise approach during IMTM intervention.