Parent's Attitudes toward Their Children's Oral Health Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health and presented challenges to maintaining oral health in children. Efficient management and prevention of oral diseases are therefore crucial in this population. Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess parents' self-reported oral and dental hygiene habits for their children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 256 parents of primary school children in Qazvin completed an online questionnaire containing demographic, general, and cardinal questions. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 22 software, and accurate analytical tests were run to reach the results. Results: The study found that 69.1% of parents and 87.1% of children brushed their teeth regularly during the pandemic. Additionally, 80.5% of parents monitored their children while brushing. While some parents expressed concerns about COVID-19 infection, parents from lower socioeconomic status reported a higher willingness to attend dental centers than those from more prosperous areas. Conclusion: These findings suggest that parents' supervision and attitude toward oral health care significantly affect children's oral hygiene habits during the pandemic, possibly due to increased time spent together during lockdowns.

Effects of Educational Intervention on Dental Plaque Index in 9-Year-Old Children.

Methods: 119 students of third-grade elementary (65 girls and 54 boys) from government and private schools of Qazvin city participated. The dental plaque index of every participant was primarily recorded by Silness and Loe method. Students were trained by a dental student by face-to-face method, and after 2 weeks, dental plaque indices were recorded again for every individual. After index recording and coding, data analysis was done using SPSS version 21. Results: Results showed that the dental plaque index was statistically significantly different before and after training (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, students' motivation in addition to proper training, can have a significant impact on oral and dental health. Furthermore, this study shows that face-to-face training along with involving the individual in training and learning was seen as quite helpful.

A study on the correlation between smoking and non-enzymatic antioxidant factors of the saliva of healthy smokers and non-smokers / Estudo da correlação entre fumo e fatores antioxidantes não-enzimáticos na saliva de pacientes saudáveis fumantes e não fumantes

Objective: Smoking is among the most destructive habits which have numerous effects on the body.The chemical components of cigarettes destroy the anti-oxidant content of the saliva.In this study, the concentration of albumin and uric acid of healthy non-smokers and smokers was measured based on the frequency of smoking. Material and Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 26 heavy smokers, 27 normal smokers, and 29 non-smokers between the ages of 25 to 40 were selected.The subjects did not suffer from any systemic or periodontal conditions.Unstimulated saliva was collected by spitting. The level of salivary albumin was measured by Bromocresol Green, and the level of salivary uric acid was measured by the uricase method.The selected method of analysis, using SPSS software, was One-Way ANOVA. Results: Mean albumin content of saliva was 33.52 ± 1.52 mg/dl in non-smokers and 23.88 ± 8.93 mg/dl in heavy smokers.The mean uric acid concentration in non-smokers was 2.98 ± 0.79 µmol/L and in heavy smokers was 2.32 ± 0.77 mg/dL.The differences between levels of both salivary uric acid and salivary albumin were significant in heavy smokers and non-smokers(P=0.001). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, saliva concentrations of both Albumin and Uric Acid change based on the frequency of smoking.Decreased level of salivary albumin and decreased level of salivary uric acid can be considered as markers of the harmful effects of smoking on oral health. (AU)

Objetivo: Tabagismo está entre os hábitos mais deletérios, que causam inúmeros efeitos no organismo. Os componentes químicos do cigarro destroem os compostos anti-oxidantes da saliva. Neste estudo, a concentração de albumina e ácido úrico em pacientes saudáveis fumantes e não-fumantes foi mensurada e correlacionada coma frequência de fumo. Material e Métodos: Neste estudo transversal, 26 fumantes pesados, 27 fumantes moderados, e 29 não fumantes entre 25 e 40 anos foram incluídos. Os participantes não apresentavam nenhuma condição sistêmica ou periodontal. Saliva não estimulada foi coletada. Os níveis salivares de albumina foram avaliados por Verde de bromocresol, e o nível de ácido úrico foi mensurado pelo método de uricase. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se One-way ANOVA no software SPSS. Resultados: A albumina salivar foi de 33.52 ±1.52 mg/dl nos não-fumantes e 23.88 ± 8.93 mg/dl nos fumantes pesados. A concentração média de ácido úrico em não-fumantes foi de 2.98 ± 0.79 µmol/L e em pacientes fumantes pesados de 2.32 ± 0.77 mg/dL. As diferenças entre os níveis de ambos, ácido úrico e albumina, foi significante entre fumantes pesados e não-fumantes (p=0.001). Conclusão: Baseados nos achados deste estudo, concentrações salivares de albumina e ácido úrico baseados na frequência de fumo. A diminuição dos níveis salivares de albumina e ácido úrico podem ser considerados marcadores dos efeitos nocivos do cigarro na saúde oral(AU)

Evaluation the relationship between psychological profile and salivary cortisol in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common oral mucosal diseases which are diagnosed with recurrent and painful ulcers. The possible association between psychological factors and salivary stress related factors in patients with aphthous ulcers has been discussed in various studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate salivary cortisol level, anxiety, and depression in patients with RAS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case control study, 30 patients with RAS and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled by matching their age and sex. Anxiety and depression were assessed by beck anxiety inventory and beck depression inventory. Unstimulated saliva of both groups were collected and then tested by DiaMetra kit and the ELISA method. Data were analyzed by SPSS using an Independent t-test and Mann-Whitney test. A statistical significance level of <0.05 was considered. RESULTS: The mean salivary cortisol in the case group was 5.35 ng/ml and in the control group was 4.73 ng/ml which was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in anxiety and depression level between the two groups (P > 0.05). According to Spearman correlation coefficient, there was an average, negative, and significant correlation between salivary cortisol and anxiety and depression scores in the case group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows that, although the mean salivary cortisol was slightly higher in patients with aphthous lesions, anxiety, and depression were not possible factors for RAS. There was a moderate, negative correlation between salivary cortisol level and stress and anxiety in patients with RAS.

Current Global Status and the Epidemiology of Entamoeba gingivalis in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Entamoeba gingivalis (E. gingivalis) is one of the members of the wide range of oral resident pathogens in humans, particularly found in dental plaques, surfaces of gingiva or teeth, interdental spaces and carious lesions. The purpose of the current review and meta-analysis was to determine the global prevalence of E. gingivalis infection and its association with oral diseases based on published literatures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multiple English databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science and Google Scholar) were explored for papers published until August 2020. A total of 52 studies (including 7596 participants) met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of E. gingivalis was estimated to be 37% (95% CI 29-46%). With regard to different countries, the highest and lowest pooled prevalence of E. gingivalis infection were related to Jordan with 87% (95% CI 81-92%) and Portugal with 3% (95% CI 0-10%), respectively. Based on WHO regions, the highest prevalence was related to the region of the Americas with 56% (95% CI 31-79%). The infection was most prevalent in 46-55 mean age groups [61% (95% CI 21-94%)]. Among different diagnostic methods, the highest rate of the pooled prevalence was related to the molecular [53% (95% CI 24-81%)] and the direct methods [36% (95% CI 25-47%)], respectively. Our analyses revealed that E. gingivalis infection was associated with 4.34-fold increased risk of oral diseases (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed a high prevalence rate of the infection among periodontal disease patients with 37% (95% CI 20-57%). To conclude, it must be considered that E. gingivalis can be a risk factor associated with oral diseases and a wide range of research is needed to specify its role in the pathogenesis of these disorders.

The Neglected Role of Trichomonas tenax in Oral Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Trichomonas tenax (T. tenax) is a commensal flagellated protozoan found in periodontal microenvironment of the oral cavity, with a possible role in periodontal diseases. The purpose of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the worldwide prevalence of T. tenax infection and to show the neglected association of this parasitic infection with oral diseases. METHODS: To find literatures published until August 2020, five English databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science and Google Scholar) were explored. Finally, 65 papers were qualified to be included in the current study. RESULTS: Our results revealed a global pooled prevalence of 17% (95% CI 14-22%) for T. tenax infection. The highest prevalence was estimated at 56% (42-69%) in Chile, while the lowest prevalence was related to Kenya with 3% (1-6%). The age-based analysis found that the infection was most common in 46-55 mean age group with 15% (0-100%). The overall prevalence regarding culture method, molecular method and direct method was 21% (12-32%), 19% (8-35%) and 17% (12-23%), respectively. Moreover, the subgroup analysis showed the pooled prevalence in patient with candidiasis [22% (3-52%)], gingivitis [21% (9-36%)] and periodontitis [27% (10-48%)]. CONCLUSION: Our study specified a connection between T. tenax protozoa and periodontitis disease. However, more epidemiological studies as well as clinical trials are needed to precisely identify this relation.

Association of serum level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D with oral lichen planus: a case-control study / Asociación del nivel sérico de 25-hidroxi vitamina D con el liquen plano oral: un estudio de casos y controles

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem that can be a risk factor for a broad range of diseases such as some autoimmune diseases. Due to the autoimmune base of lichen planus, it seems that a reduction of the serum level of vitamin D is related to lichen planus. In this study, we investigate the relation between serum level of vitamin D and oral lichen planus patients (OLP). Material and Methods: In this case-control study, 35 patients with OLP (including 15 men and 20 women) and 70 healthy volunteers (including 35 men and 35 women), aged between 30-60 years old, referred to Qazvin University of Medical Sciences were investigated. None of these volunteers had systemic diseases. Vitamin D levels were measured with ELFA (Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay) and the data was analyzed using the chi-squared test and t-test. Results: The mean serum level of vitamin D in the control group was 23.7±9ng/ml and in the case group was 18.12±8/7ng/ml. The results show that the serum level of vitamin D in patients with OLP is significantly less than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results, the serum level of vitamin D in patients with OLP was significantly lower than that of healthy people.

Introducción: La deficiencia de vitamina D es un problema de salud global que puede ser un factor de riesgo para una amplia gama de enfermedades, como algunas enfermedades autoinmunes. Debido a la base autoinmune del liquen plano, parece que una reducción del nivel sérico de vitamina D está relacionada con el liquen plano. En este estudio, investigamos la relación entre el nivel sérico de vitamina D y los pacientes con liquen plano oral (LPO). Material y Métodos: En este estudio de casos y controles, 35 pacientes con LPO (incluidos 15 hombres y 20 mujeres) y 70 voluntarios sanos (incluidos 35 hombres y 35 mujeres), con edades comprendidas entre 30 y 60 años, remitieron a la Universidad de Medicina de Qazvin. Se investigaron las ciencias. Ninguno de estos voluntarios padecía enfermedades sistémicas. Los niveles de vitamina D se midieron con ELFA (ensayo fluorescente ligado a enzimas) y los datos se analizaron utilizando la prueba de chi-cuadrado y la prueba t. Resultados: El nivel sérico medio de vitamina D en el grupo de control fue de 23,7 ± 9 ng / ml y en el grupo de casos fue de 18,12 ± 8/7 ng / ml. Los resultados muestran que el nivel sérico de vitamina D en pacientes con OLP es significativamente menor que en el grupo de control (p<0.05). Conclusión: De acuerdo con los resultados, el nivel sérico de vitamina D en pacientes con LPO fue significativamente menor que en personas sanas.

Factors influencing eruption time of first deciduous tooth / Factores influyentes en el periodo de erupción del primer diente primario

Introduction: Deciduous teeth play an important role in proper growth. Tooth eruption is a complicated process in which different mechanisms are involved. Early or delayed tooth eruption depends on different factors, with the impact of some already established. There are apparent controversy regarding the effect of some factors on time of the first deciduous tooth eruption among the conducted studies. The current study aimed to evaluate factors affecting the time of the first deciduous tooth eruption. Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixty eligible infants referring to the healthcare centers of Tabriz, Iran, were randomly selected; the demographic data including weight and height at birth, head circumference, mother's age and level of education, birth rank in the family and type of feeding were recorded, in addition to the time of the first deciduous tooth eruption. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 by ANOVA and t test.Results: Out of 54.1% female and 45.9% male participating infants, 78.3% had normal weight at birth. Results showed a significant relationship between weight at birth and timing of the first deciduous tooth eruption, among the evaluated factors. Conclusions: Although no significant relationship was observed between gender, type of feeding, mother's level of education and birth rank in the family, and time of the first deciduous tooth eruption, there was a significant relationship between the weight at birth and the timing of the first deciduous tooth eruption. Infants with higher or lower abnormal weight at birth had delayed deciduous tooth eruption.

Introducción: los dientes primarios juegan un papel importante en el crecimiento adecuado. La erupción dental es un proceso complexo en el que intervienen diferentes mecanismos. La erupción temprana o tardía de los dientes depende de diferentes factores, con el impacto de algunos ya establecido. Existe controversia entre los estudios realizados con respecto al efecto de algunos factores que afectan la erupción del primero diente primario. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar los factores que afectan el periodo de erupción del primero diente primario o temporal. Materiales y Métodos: Ciento sesenta bebés referidos a los centros de salud de Tabriz, Irán, fueron seleccionados al azar; Se registraron los datos demográficos, incluidos el peso y la estatura al nacer, la circunferencia de la cabeza, la edad y el nivel de educación de la madre, el rango de nacimiento en la familia y el tipo de alimentación, además del momento de la primera erupción del diente primario. Los datos fueron analizados por ANOVA y t-test utilizando SPSS versión 21. Resultados: de los lactantes participantes (54,1% femeninos, 45,9% masculinos) el 78,3% tenía peso normal al nacer. Entre los factores evaluados, los resultados mostraron una relación significativa entre el peso al nacer y el momento de la erupción del primero diente primario. Conclusiones: aunque no se observó una relación significativa entre sexo, tipo de alimentación, nivel de educación de la madre y rango de nacimiento en la familia, y el period de erupción del primero diente primario, hubo una relación significativa entre el peso al nacer y el momento de la primera erupción dental decidua. En los lactantes con peso anormal al nacer se había retrasado la primera erupción de los dientes primarios.

Evaluating the relationship between dental caries number and salivary level of IgA in adults.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries are the most common mouth infectious disease and also chronic disease of childhood. Saliva plays different roles in oral cavity; for example, salivary immunoglobulins play significant role in body and oral immunity. Various studies were conducted on the different effects of IgA on oral cavity, especially dental caries, and reported controversial results. The current study aimed to compare salivary IgA level at different stages of dental caries in adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 40 adults, aged 20 to 40 years, referred to the department of oral medicine at Qazvin Faculty of Dentistry, were selected voluntarily based on the number of decayed teeth. Their unstimulated saliva was collected by the spitting method. The cases were assigned to 4 groups each of 10, based on the number of decayed teeth, as follows: Group 1: Caries free, Group 2: With 1 or 2 decayed teeth, Group 3: With 3 or 4 decayed teeth, and Group 4: With 5 or more decayed teeth. None of the cases had systemic diseases or the history of using medicines which affect the quality or quantity of saliva. The salivary IgA level of the cases was measured immunoturbidometrically and analyzed by ANOVA and t test. RESULTS: Significant difference was observed between the groups 1 and 4, but there was no significant difference between the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the current study, the salivary IgA can be considered as an index for the function of immune system, which may be increased by the number of decayed teeth. In fact, the increase of salivary IgA is just the response of immune system to the accumulation of microorganisms and may be the attempt of body to control them. Key words:Saliva, IgA, Dental caries.