Exploring oral paleopathology in the Central Andes: A review.

This targeted review of oral paleopathology in the Central Andes explores research that focuses on a set of interrelated, multifactorial processes: dental caries, macrowear, alveolar abscess, antemortem tooth loss (AMTL), periodontal disease, and the presence of dental calculus. These conditions help characterize oral health because they result from the culturally mediated interaction of individuals' oral cavity with their external environment. To better understand how osteologists working in the Central Andes have interpreted the frequencies of these conditions, I review the etiology of each, as well as discuss the important issues in their analyses. I then highlight studies that integrate of a number of oral paleopathological conditions, that examine associations between oral conditions and other skeletal indicators of health, or that use multivariate statistical techniques to analyze conditions. In the Central Andes, these proxies for oral health have generally focused on several key research themes including the introduction of domesticated foods may have occurred earlier than expected, but that populations may have maintained mixed subsistence strategies for a significant period. Researchers have also identified that changes accompanying Inca imperialism were likely not as detrimental to local populations as was Spanish colonialism. Finally, the long-practiced, culturally important, activity of chewing coca has been shown to create an identifiable pattern of oral paleopathological conditions.

Oral Health Practices, Beliefs and Dental Service Utilization of Albanian Immigrants in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: A Pilot Study.

There is limited information on the oral health of Albanian immigrant population residing in the U.S. This creates a hinderance to developing and implementing appropriate dental care programs for the population. This study investigated oral health practices, beliefs, dental visits and associated factors of Albanian adults living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were employed. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data on oral health practices, beliefs, dental visits and socio-demographic information. Descriptive and multivariable logistics regression were conducted. Overall, 266 adults were recruited, 54% male, 56% have lived 10 or more years in the U.S., 95% rated their oral health as excellent/good and 87% reported having a dental visit in the last year. Age, ability to speak English, having a usual source of dental care, and reporting excellent/good oral health were associated with having a dental visit in the last year. A substantial number of Albanians adult reported a dental visit in the last year and those that did not write or read in English had lower odds of reporting a dental visit.

Knowledge and behaviours related to oral health among underserved older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the mouth and body knowledge, beliefs and behaviours of Dominican, Puerto Rican and African American older adults, and their relationships to oral and general health and health care. BACKGROUND: In his seminal framework, Handwerker posited that the norms, attitudes and behaviours related to the experience of disease and treatment reflect where patients live and have lived and are seeking and have sought care, along with their webs of social and health relations. This framework guides the analysis for the present study, wherein qualitative data are used to understand mouth and body knowledge, beliefs and behaviours among racial/ethnic minority older adults, ie, why individuals do what they do and what it means to them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Focus groups were conducted in Spanish or English with 194 racial/ethnic minority older adults living in northern Manhattan who participated in one of 24 focus group sessions about improving oral health. All groups were digitally audio-recorded, transcribed and translated into English from Spanish, where apt. Analysis involved the classification of evidence from all datasets, organised to identify patterns and relationships. RESULTS: Four themes were manifest in the data regarding cultural understandings of the mouth, the body and health: (a) the ageing mouth and its components; (b) the mouth in relation to the body, health and disease; (c) social meanings of the mouth; and (d) care of the ageing mouth. CONCLUSION: Underserved older adults from diverse cultural backgrounds understand the importance of their mouths to both their overall health and social lives.

Reducing Indigenous Oral Health Inequalities: A Review from 5 Nations.

Indigenous populations around the world experience a disproportionate burden in terms of oral diseases and conditions. These inequalities are likely due to a complex web of social determinants that includes poverty, historical consequences of colonialism, social exclusion, government policies of assimilation, cultural annihilation, and racism in all its forms (societal, institutional). Despite documented oral health disparities, prevention interventions have been scarce in Indigenous communities. This review describes oral health interventions and their outcomes conducted for Indigenous populations of the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand. The review includes research published since 2006 that are available in English in electronic databases, including MEDLINE. A total of 13 studies were included from the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Australia. The studies reviewed provide a wide range of initiatives, including interventions for prevention and treatment of dental disease, as well as interventions that improve oral health knowledge, behaviors, and other psychosocial factors. Overall, 6 studies resulted in improved oral health in the study participants, including improvements in periodontal health, caries reduction, and oral health literacy. Preferred intervention methodologies included community-based research approaches, culturally tailored strategies, and use of community workers to deliver the initiative. Although these studies were conducted with discrete Indigenous populations, investigators reported similar challenges in research implementation. Recommendations for future work in reducing oral health disparities include addressing social determinants of health in various Indigenous populations, training future generations of dental providers in cultural competency, and making Indigenous communities true partners in research.

Oral Human Papillomavirus Infection: Differences in Prevalence Between Sexes and Concordance With Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection, NHANES 2011 to 2014.

BACKGROUND: The burden of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is disproportionately high among men, yet empirical evidence regarding the difference in prevalence of oral HPV infection between men and women is limited. Concordance of oral and genital HPV infection among men is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of oral HPV infection, as well as the concordance of oral and genital HPV infection, among U.S. men and women. DESIGN: Nationally representative survey. SETTING: Civilian noninstitutionalized population. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged 18 to 69 years from NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), 2011 to 2014. MEASUREMENTS: Oral rinse, penile swab, and vaginal swab specimens were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction followed by type-specific hybridization. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of oral HPV infection was 11.5% (95% CI, 9.8% to 13.1%) in men and 3.2% (CI, 2.7% to 3.8%) in women (equating to 11 million men and 3.2 million women nationwide). High-risk oral HPV infection was more prevalent among men (7.3% [CI, 6.0% to 8.6%]) than women (1.4% [CI, 1.0% to 1.8%]). Oral HPV 16 was 6 times more common in men (1.8% [CI, 1.3% to 2.2%]) than women (0.3% [CI, 0.1% to 0.5%]) (1.7 million men vs. 0.27 million women). Among men and women who reported having same-sex partners, the prevalence of high-risk HPV infection was 12.7% (CI, 7.0% to 18.4%) and 3.6% (CI, 1.4% to 5.9%), respectively. Among men who reported having 2 or more same-sex oral sex partners, the prevalence of high-risk HPV infection was 22.2% (CI, 9.6% to 34.8%). Oral HPV prevalence among men with concurrent genital HPV infection was 4-fold greater (19.3%) than among those without it (4.4%). Men had 5.4% (CI, 5.1% to 5.8%) greater predicted probability of high-risk oral HPV infection than women. The predicted probability of high-risk oral HPV infection was greatest among black participants, those who smoked more than 20 cigarettes daily, current marijuana users, and those who reported 16 or more lifetime vaginal or oral sex partners. LIMITATION: Sexual behaviors were self-reported. CONCLUSION: Oral HPV infection is common among U.S. men. This study's findings provide several policy implications to guide future OPSCC prevention efforts to combat this disease. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Cancer Institute.

Oral Health Beliefs, Attitudes, and Practices of Albanian Immigrants in the United States.

Research indicates a high prevalence of oral disease among Albanians. There is a lack of evidence regarding oral health beliefs and practices among Albanian immigrants in the United States and abroad. This research seeks to better understand the oral health beliefs, attitudes, and practices among Albanian immigrants living in the United States. A descriptive study was employed with a purposive sample (n = 211) of Albanian adult immigrants. A cross-sectional validated questionnaire was provided in both English and Albanian, with a response rate of 66 %. Results revealed a high use of dental services among respondents, with 68 % reported as having a dental visit and cleaning within the past year. Although 25 % of participants stated their parents and grandparents have used folk remedies, 88 % of them stated that use of folk remedies did not influence their decision to seek professional dental care. Increasing age was inversely associated with the belief in the importance of retaining natural teeth, as older respondents were less likely to agree with the prior statement; older respondents were more likely to agree with the statement "bleeding gums are normal." Low oral health care access and utilization was not a factor among the majority of the Albanian immigrants studied. Focusing on providing age appropriate oral health education and behavioral strategies could increase oral health knowledge and potentially improve poor oral health status among this population.

Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine for Selected Oral Conditions in Two Pediatric Populations.

PURPOSE: To characterize traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) use, emphasizing herbal remedies, for oral conditions among two Chinese pediatric populations in the United States. METHODS: 318 unique ethnic Chinese parental units in Houston and Boston with children younger than 12 years old were interviewed for themselves and their children. Questionnaire included age, gender, duration in the United States, frequency of TCM use, and the five selected oral conditions for which TCM agents might be used. RESULTS: Parents (45.6 percent) and children (19.1 percent) used TCM for oral conditions, most commonly for aphthous ulcers (64.2 percent). Most commonly used TCM agents included watermelon frost (37.4 percent), niuhuang jiedu pian (15.5 percent), and honey/propolis (9.9 percent). Chi-square tests with logistic regression (P<0.05) showed duration of U.S. residency significantly affected (P=0.002), parental TCM usage, age group (P=0.003), and birth location (P=0.02) related to child use. Parental TCM use increased child likelihood of use (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, traditional Chinese medicine was widely used for oral conditions by Chinese immigrants. Factors such as duration of U.S. residency, age, birth location, and parental use affect utilization of TCM in this population. Future studies are needed to explore the therapeutic properties of the various components of TCM.

Oral Health Impact among Rural-dwelling Indigenous Adults in South Australia.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to describe the impact of oral health conditions among a convenience sample of Indigenous Australian adults and compare findings with nationally representative data. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Indigenous Oral Health Literacy Project (IOHLP) based in South Australia. Nationally representative data were obtained from the National Survey of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH). The impact of oral disease was measured using the shortened form of the oral health impact profile, OHIP-14. All data were standardised by age group and sex utilising Census data. RESULTS: For each OHIP-14 measure the impact was greater for IOHLP participants. There was considerable variation in the degree of difference between IOHLP and NSAOH participants for individual OHIP-14 items. CONCLUSION: High levels of effects of oral health conditions were reported by rural-dwelling Indigenous adults. This may exacerbate the health and social disadvantage experienced by this marginalised group.

Integrating oral and general health screening at senior centers for minority elders.

Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities regarding untreated oral disease exist for older adults, and poor oral health diminishes quality of life. The ElderSmile program integrated screening for diabetes and hypertension into its community-based oral health activities at senior centers in northern Manhattan. The program found a willingness among minority seniors (aged ≥ 50 years) to be screened for primary care sensitive conditions by dental professionals and a high level of unrecognized disease (7.8% and 24.6% of ElderSmile participants had positive screening results for previously undiagnosed diabetes and hypertension, respectively). Dental professionals may screen for primary care-sensitive conditions and refer patients to health care providers for definitive diagnosis and treatment. The ElderSmile program is a replicable model for community-based oral and general health screening.

Networked remote area dental services: a viable, sustainable approach to oral health care in challenging environments.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the cost effectiveness of a model of remote area oral health service. DESIGN: Retrospective financial analysis. SETTING: Rural and remote primary health services. PARTICIPANTS: Clinical activity data and associated cost data relating to the provision of a networked visiting oral health service by the Centre for Rural and Remote Oral Health formed the basis of the study data frameset. The cost-effectiveness of the Centre's model of service provision at five rural and remote sites in Western Australia during the calendar years 2006, 2008 and 2010 was examined in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURED: Calculations of the service provision costs and value of care provided were made using data records and the Fee Schedule of Dental Services for Dentists. The ratio of service provision costs to the value of care provided was determined for each site and was benchmarked against the equivalent ratios applicable to large scale government sector models of service provision. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The use of networked models have been effective in other disciplines but this study is the first to show a networked hub and spoke approach of five spokes to one hub is cost efficient in remote oral health care. By excluding special cost-saving initiatives introduced by the Centre, the study examines easily translatable direct service provision costs against direct clinical care outcomes in some of Australia's most challenging locations. This study finds that networked hub and spoke models of care can be financially efficient arrangements in remote oral health care.

Evaluation of oral health in a community of native Brazilians of the Umutina Reservation, Mato Grosso State / Evaluación de la salud oral en una comunidad de Brasileños nativos de la Reserva Umutina, Estado de Mato Grosso

The occurrence of diseases and variations from normality is very common in the maxillofacial complex,and this phenomenon is closely associated to peculiar genetic determinants and influenced by genetic isolation. Studies on the distribution of oral diseases and variations from normality in South American natives are generally directed mainly to thestudy of dental caries in the children and periodontal diseases in the adults, disregarding a wide range of other oral diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of lesions and anatomical variations from normality in eight ethnic groups living in the Umutina Indian Reservation, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil, through physical and oral examinations besides cytological evaluation and assessment of diet and habits, such as tobacco and alcohol consumption. A total of 291 Indians, of both genders, with ages ranging from 1 to 96 years, were examined, being identified 132 variations from normality,evidencing a high occurrence of ankyloglossia, which was present in 108 cases (37.1 percent), followed by benign migratory glossitis in 5 cases (1.7 percent); mandibular torus and candidiasis in 3 cases (1.0 percent). No malignant lesion was identified in thepopulation.

La ocurrencia de enfermedades y variaciones de normalidad son muy comunes en el complejo maxilofacial. Este fenómeno se asocia estrechamente a determinantes genéticos peculiares y son influenciados a través del aislamiento genético. Estudios sobre la distribución de enfermedad oral y variaciones de la normalidad en nativos Sudamericanos son generalmente dirigidos al estudio de la caries dental en niños y enfermedad periodontal en adultos, dejando de lado una amplia gama de otras enfermedades orales. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la distribución de lesiones y las variaciones anatómicas de normalidad en ocho grupos étnicos indígenas pertenecientes a la reserva Umutina, Estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil, a través del examen físico y oral, además de la evaluación citológica y valoración de dieta y hábitos como tabaco y consumo de alcohol. Un total de 291 indígenas de ambos sexos, con edades que van de 1 a 96 años fueron examinados, identificándose 132 variaciones de normalidad, evidenciando una alta ocurrencia de anquiloglosia, la cual se presentó en 108 casos (37,1 por ciento), seguido por glositis migratoria benigna en 5 casos (1,7 por ciento); torus mandibular y candidiasis en 3 casos (1,0 por ciento). Ninguna lesión maligna se identificó en la población.

Utilization of dental care services among low-income HIV-positive persons receiving primary care in South Florida.

We investigated the use of dental care services among a population of low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS who had not seen a dental care provider during the 12 months prior to study enrollment. A total of 593 participants were recruited from five HIV primary care clinics in two South Florida counties and interviewed regarding past utilization of dental care services, HIV primary care service utilization, and barriers to care. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine correlates of oral care utilization within the preceding two years. One-third of respondents reported seeing a dentist in the preceding two years. The odds of having seen a dentist were greater for respondents with stable housing, more than a high school education, and who had received help in getting dental care; black respondents (compared to Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites) were less likely to have seen a dentist in the preceding two years. Despite the availability of dental services for low-income HIV-positive persons, utilization of dental care remains low. This study reinforces the need to provide assistance to HIV-positive persons in obtaining dental care. In particular, it indicates that such assistance should be targeted toward Black Americans, persons with low income and unstable housing situations, and those with limited help to navigate the health care system.

A review on the oral health impacts of acculturation.

The impact of acculturation on systemic health has been extensively investigated and is regarded as an important explanatory factor for health disparity. However, information is limited and fragmented on the oral health implications of acculturation. This study aimed to review the current evidence on the oral health impact of acculturation. Papers were retrieved from five electronic databases. Twenty-seven studies were included in this review. Their scientific quality was rated and key findings were summarized. Seventeen studies investigated the impacts of acculturation on the utilization of dental services; among them, 16 reported positive associations between at least one acculturation indicator and use of dental services. All 15 studies relating acculturation to oral diseases (dental caries and periodontal disease) suggested better oral health among acculturated individuals. Evidence is lacking to support that better oral health of acculturated immigrants is attributable to their improved dental attendance. Further researches involving other oral health behaviors and diseases and incorporating refined acculturation scales are needed. Prospective studies will facilitate the understanding on the trajectory of immigrants' oral health along the acculturation continuum.

Experimental encounters: Filipino and Hawaiian bodies in the U.S. imperial invention of odontoclasia, 1928-1946.

Through extensive dietary and dental surveys among infants and children living in Hawai'i starting in the late 1920s, medical researchers transformed immigrant and indigenous children's mouths into objects of pathological comparison, establishing sites of alternative empirical and epistemological contact that are endemic to U.S. Pacific empire. These studies resulted in the extension of odontoclasia, a veterinary diagnosis, from dogs to humans. As a dietary antidote, researchers recommended the wider consumption of poi, a starchy Hawaiian staple. Although this appears to be a novel endorsement of indigenous foodways predating contemporary activist efforts to reinstate traditional food cultures to support indigenous health, narrow technocratic specificity and the biomedical emphasis on the cultural rather than structural etiology of odontoclasia marginalized Hawaiian health by reducing morbidity to failures to conform to U.S. imperial modernity, which included industrial medical surveillance on plantations. Conversely, doctors credited plantations for saving Filipinos through successful imperial and hygienic assimilation.

Teprige: sorriso bonito / Teprige: beautiful smile

Filmado e editado pelos próprios índios Ikpeng com a participação de professores, alunos e membros da comunidade, objetiva ensinar, de forma dinâmica e ilustrativa a importância dos cuidados com a saúde bucal. Fala ainda sobre as principais causas das doenças bucais e as formas de auto cuidado adotadas atualmente pela cultura Ikpeng. Falado em língua nativa e legendado em português.

Use of medicinal plants for the treatment of oral diseases in Burkina Faso.

This paper presents the findings of an investigation into the treatment of oral diseases with medicinal plants in the Kadiogo province, Burkina Faso. Although the region is mainly urban, it appears that traditional healers who live there, and the general population, continue to rely on plant products when dealing with a broad range of oral health concerns. Sixty-two relevant species belonging to 29 families were identified, and each was documented with regard to its local name, part used, indication, mode of administration, and the collection and storage procedure used (when those data were available). A number of ideas for research topics emerged from this work, some of which promise to help selection and prescription of improved traditional remedies for oral diseases at the primary health care level in Burkina Faso.

Oral abnormalities in Taiwanese newborns.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of oral abnormalities in newborns in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. METHODS: Study subjects were neonates born at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between January 2000 and April 2000 (inclusive). All subjects were examined within 3 days of birth. Babies with craniofacial anomalies and/or other systemic diseases requiring intensive care were excluded. A dentist examined newborns using mirrors, tongue blades, and a flashlight. RESULTS: The authors examined a total of 420 neonates and found the frequency to be 94% for oral cysts and 1% for natal and neonatal teeth. Neither the frequency of palatal and gingival cysts of the newborn nor that of natal and neonatal teeth was associated with gender, body weight, and gestation age. CONCLUSIONS: Babies born at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital demonstrate a high rate (94%) of oral cysts of the newborns.

Oral disease burden and dental services utilization by Latino and African-American seniors in Northern Manhattan.

Although oral diseases are among the most common chronic conditions affecting older adults, utilization of dental services by the elderly, especially minority elderly is low. This pilot study determined whether there are racial/ethnic differences in oral disease burden, perceived oral health-related quality of life, perceived need for dental services and dental services utilization between African-American and Latino seniors in Northern Manhattan. Subjects received an oral examination and a face-to-face survey to assess oral health status, perceived need, perceived oral health-related quality of life, and utilization of dental services. The data suggest that in both populations, oral disease burden is high and utilization of dental services is problematic--34.0% of the subjects were edentulous and average time since last dental visit was 40.1 months. The average DMFT was 23.8; 81.6% of the dental caries experience was accounted for by Missing Teeth, and there were significant differences in total caries experience, and Missing and Filled Teeth between African-American and Latino seniors. Although there were no racial/ethnic differences in the utilization of dental services, dentate individuals were more likely to have had a more recent dental visit (31.0 months) than edentulous individuals (57.7 months). The high proportion of Missing Teeth suggests that interventions aimed at improving the oral health of this population must target individuals at a younger age.

Oral pre-cancer and the associated risk factors among industrial workers in Japan's overseas enterprises in the UK.

BACKGROUND: Screening at industries has been advocated as a method of early detection for cancer. This study describes the prevalence of oral pre-cancerous lesions and other mucosal diseases following oral mucosal screening, and associated risk factors among Japanese industrial workers in the UK. METHODS: Oral mucosal screening was by invitation at 51 industrial locations in the UK. A self-administered questionnaire was used to record socio-behavioural factors and frequency of daily intake of fruits and vegetables. RESULTS: Four hundred and eighty-four subjects attended for oral mucosal screening (mean age 39.9 +/- 8.3 years) and their mean period of residence in UK was 5.3 +/- 4.5 years. 63.4% examined were male. 31.3% of males and 26.6% of females smoked daily. The gender differences were striking compared with Japan's national rates. A higher proportion of managerial staff was regular heavy (20+ per day) smokers. The intake of more than five portions per day of vegetables and/or fruits during the weekend was significantly higher in females than in males (P = 0.022). One hundred and six subjects (22%) were detected with oral mucosal lesions, including 16 leukoplakia lesions (3.3%) and three with oral lichen planus (1%). The rate of positive detections was higher in managers (7.5%). Odds ratios were estimated by socio-behavioural variables. Among subjects positive for oral leukoplakia, managers accounted for 68.8% (OR 5.26; 95% CI, 1.24-22.29). 87.5% of subjects detected with oral leukoplakia smoked daily and had done so for the past 10 years (OR 28.40; 95% CI, 5.63-143.28). Though regular alcohol drinking was a common feature among male leukoplakia cases, heavy alcohol misuse was not encountered. None reported an intake of five or more portions of fruits or vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: The Japanese nationals working in managerial positions in the UK and daily regular smokers in the industries visited were found to be at a high risk of oral pre-cancer. Regular dental/oral check up and tobacco education programmes are encouraged for oral cancer/pre-cancer control in industrial settings.

Verruciform xanthoma--biological profile of 282 oral lesions based on a literature survey with nine new cases from Japan.

The biological profile of oral verruciform xanthoma (VX) is presented based on a world-wide literature survey of 282 cases. From 1979 onwards, extraoral cases have also been reported. This rare, harmless lesion with a sessile or pedunculated base is a red/pink, papillary/granular/verrucous mucosal growth, occurring in females (mean age, 54.9 yrs) and males (mean age, 44.2 yrs) in a female:male ratio of 1:1.1. The most common location is by far the gingival margin and other areas of the masticatory oral mucosa. Comparison between 173 non-Japanese and 109 Japanese patients with oral VX showed few discrepancies in epidemiological data, indicating only few significant ethnic differences between the two cohorts. Histomorphologically, the epithelium covering the lesion can be divided into three groups: (A) a verrucous, (B) a papillary and (C) a flat pattern. The hallmark of all VX, irrespective of the lesion being intra- or extraoral is, however, the presence of vacuolated, foam or xanthoma cells which ultimately replace the connective tissue between the epithelial ridges. The xanthoma cells have been shown to be cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. The present concept of the etiology and pathogenesis of VX, including the possible viral (HPV) association is revised, based on both intra- and some extraoral cases, and it is concluded that it is still far from being clarified.