Knowledge, opinions, and practices related to oral cancer prevention and oral mucosal examination among dentists in Moldova, Belarus and Armenia: a multi-country cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Moldova, Belarus, and Armenia are post-Soviet countries with a high rate of heavy smokers and a relatively high age-standardized incidence of oral cancer. However, to our knowledge, there is lack of available information on dentists' knowledge on prevention of oral cancer in the countries in question. Accordingly, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, opinions, and practices related to oral cancer prevention and oral mucosal examination among dentists in Moldova, Belarus, and Armenia. METHODS: This was a multi-country, cross-sectional study based on a self-administered questionnaire. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 3534 dentists (797 in Chisinau, Moldova, 1349 in Minsk, Belarus, and 1388 in Yerevan, Armenia). Dentists' knowledge about risk factors for oral cancer development and its clinical picture, current practices and opinions with regard to oral mucosal screening and oral cancer prevention, and their consistency to perform oral mucosal examination were assessed. A knowledge score ranging from 0 to 14 points was generated based on each dentist's answer to the questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 1316 dentists responded, achieving an overall response rate of 37.2% (34.5% in Moldova; 52.3% in Belarus; 24.2% in Armenia). Most dentists in the three countries correctly identified tobacco (83.8-98.2%) and prior oral cancer lesions (84.0-96.3%) as risk factors for oral cancer. Most dentists correctly identified leukoplakia as a lesion with malignant potential (68.7% in Moldova; 88.5% in Belarus; 69.9% in Armenia), while erythroplakia was identified by much fewer in all three countries. Less than 52% of dentists identified the tongue, rim of tongue, and floor of mouth as the most common sites for oral cancer. The mean knowledge score for all countries combined was 7.5 ± 2.7. The most commonly reported barriers to perform oral mucosal examination were lack of training, knowledge, and experience. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the need for improved oral cancer-related education and training on oral mucosal examination for dentists in Moldova, Belarus, and Armenia. Such skills are essential to enhance oral cancer prevention and to improve the prognostic outcome by early detection.

In vitro wear of (resin-coated) high-viscosity glass ionomer cements and glass hybrid restorative systems.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the volumetric abrasive wear of a high-viscosity glass ionomer cement (hvGIC; Equia Fil) and a glass hybrid restorative system (ghRS; Equia Forte), each being recommended as amalgam alternatives. Both materials were applied with or without their respective resinous coating, and were compared with a conventional GIC (Ketac Fil) and a hybrid composite resin (CR; G-ænial Posterior). METHODS: 78 standardized occlusal Class I cavities were restored with the various materials (n = 13 per group). Before and after chewing simulation (30,000 cycles at 40 N), each sample underwent optical scanning procedures (Omnicam). A comparison of the total wear using a fluorescence-aided identification technique (OraCheck) followed, and differences (α = 5%) between groups were compared by means of MANOVA. RESULTS: Regarding the wear rates of hvGIC and ghRS, no differences could be observed (p > .050), and this was not affected by the resinous coating. All hvGIC and ghRS restorations showed significantly higher abrasive wear than CR (p < .001), while the conventional GIC displayed a significant underperformance compared with any other material (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Resinous coating of hvGIC or ghRS does not appear to exert an effective long-term protection against advanced abrasive wear. Compared to the conventional GIC showing a considerable substance loss, both hvGIC and ghRS materials revealed an improved abrasion resistance, but clearly failed to meet the excellent values of the CR. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Occlusal loading should be carefully considered when using hvGIC or ghRS as amalgam (or composite resin) alternatives for the restoration of posterior teeth.

Publisher Correction: A systematic review of the caries prevalence among children living in Chernobyl fallout countries.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

A systematic review of the caries prevalence among children living in Chernobyl fallout countries.

The present study analyzed the data concerning the caries prevalence in children born and permanently residing in Chernobyl fallout areas. Setting forth to evaluate if differences regarding the caries prevalence can be observed compared to non-contaminated sites of affected East European countries. Methods used to assess the caries prevalence were limited to DMFT/dmft (decayed, missing and filled teeth) for the primary and the permanent dentitions. The databases PubMed, EMBASE/Ovid, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and eLIBRARY were consulted for the electronic literature search. Screening of titles and abstracts followed the MOOSE guidelines, while data extraction and the assessment of the full texts were performed in accordance to the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. The statistical analysis revealed considerable heterogeneity of DMFT/dmft values (from I2 = 94% up to I2 = 99.9%; p < 0.05) in children of different ages (5-7; 12-15; and average of 12 years). Scattering of the weighted mean differences (95% CI) ranged from -1.03 (-1.36; -0.7) to 6.51 (6.11; 6.91). Although individual studies demonstrated a greater prevalence of dental caries in children residing in radiation-contaminated areas, no conclusive statement is possible regarding the effect of small dose radiation on the dentition. Hence, further high-quality epidemiologic investigations are needed.