What Counts for the Old and Oldest Old?-An Analysis of Patient Criteria for Choosing a Dentist-Part II: Personal Characteristics and Soft Skills

Soft skills include communication skills and personality traits that are important when choosing a dentist, but other factors within the dental office also seem to be important for patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate factors that are important to people in a dentist as well as characteristics of the ideal dentist and to evaluate possible age-, gender-, and residence of living specific differences. A telephone survey with participants aged 35 years or older (ag—age group: ag 1: 35–50 years, ag 2: 70–84 years, ag 3: >85 years) in three German cities was conducted. Data were analyzed with respect to gender and age. Most of the participants (n = 298, 64.2%), regardless of their own gender, age, or place of residence did not care about the gender of the dentist. In general, the price of the treatment does not play a role in choosing the ideal dentist. Women differ significantly from men in their choice of dentist (ANOVA p < 0.001 (preference of non-smoker), ANOVA p < 0.001 (preference, that the dentist does not smell of smoke, importance of appearance (ANOVA p < 0.001) and psycho-social skills, etc.). As age increases, professional experience and psycho-social competencies are rated as important. With the increase in age, the mean value of the desired years of professional experience increases without significant differences between age groups. The importance of advanced training (ANOVA p < 0.001; Bonferoni correction: significant difference between ag 1 and ag 2 p < 0.001, and ag 1 and ag 3 p < 0.001) decreases with age. Especially for participants aged 70 to 84 years, a relationship of trust is important. Between the places of residence, statistical differences for almost all surveyed items were found (e.g., importance that the dentist speaks the patients’ native language ANOVA p < 0.001, Bonferoni correction: significant difference between Berlin and Leipzig, Berlin and Mainz, and Leipzig and Mainz (each p < 0.001), dentist has a specialization ANOVA p < 0.001, Bonferoni correction: significant difference between Berlin and Leipzig and Berlin and Mainz (each p < 0.001), etc.). Dentists should be trained to develop psycho-social skills to meet the special demands of the increasing older population

What Counts for the Old and Oldest Old?—An Analysis of Patient Criteria for Choosing a Dentist—Part I: Awareness and Selection Criteria, Infrastructure, and Dental Office Equipment

Utilization of a dentist is influenced by many factors. The aim of this study is to present the factors relating to how patients become aware of a dentist, according to which criteria they select the dentist, and which factors in the infrastructure, equipment of dental offices, and human interactions are important for patients. A telephone survey with 466 participants (female 59.9%) in three age groups (ag 1: 35–50 years, ag 2: 70–84 years, ag 3: >85 years) in three German cities was conducted. Data were analyzed with respect to age, gender, and place of residence. Hardly any differences in the selection of the dentist and the selection criteria applied were found between the sexes, the age groups, or the places of residence. Recommendation seems to be the major aspect regarding how patients become aware of or select their dentist (n = 278, 65.6%), while modern technologies, e.g., the internet, play a subordinate role (n = 31, 7.3%). The unimportance of modern technologies increases significantly with the increase in age. As age increases, factors such as infrastructure (e.g., elevator available (ANOVA p < 0.001; Bonferoni correction: significant differences between ag 1 and ag 2 p < 0.001, ag 1 and ag 3 p < 0.001, and ag 2 and ag 3 p = 0.009); accessibility by wheelchair (ANOVA p < 0.001; Bonferoni correction: significant differences between ag 1 and ag 2 p = 0.006; and ag 1 and ag 3 p < 0.001); etc.) and dental office equipment become significantly important and influence the choice of dentist, while the importance of good parking facilities significantly decreased with age (ANOVA p = 0.003; Bonferoni correction: significant differences between ag 1 and ag 3 p = 0.004, and ag 2 and ag 3 p = 0.023). With increasing age, e.g., the importance of a television in the waiting room (ANOVA p = 0.012; Bonferoni correction: significant differences between ag 1 and ag 3 p = 0.014; and ag 2 and ag 3 p = 0.011), a modern waiting room (ANOVA p < 0.001; Bonferoni correction: significant differences between ag 1 and ag 3 p < 0.001; and ag 2 and ag 3 p < 0.001) or the possibility to visualize the oral situation on a screen decreases significantly (ANOVA p < 0.001; Bonferoni correction: significant differences between ag 1 and ag 2 p < 0.001; ag 1 and ag 3 p < 0.001, and ag 2 and ag 3 p < 0.001). If dentists want to welcome and treat older people, they should adapt the accessibility, infrastructure and equipment of their practice to the needs of older people in order to be able to guarantee continuous lifelong dental care regardless of the need for assistance or care

Web-Based, Participant-Driven Studies Yield Novel Genetic Associations for Common Traits

Despite the recent rapid growth in genome-wide data, much of human variation remains entirely unexplained. A significant challenge in the pursuit of the genetic basis for variation in common human traits is the efficient, coordinated collection of genotype and phenotype data. We have developed a novel research framework that facilitates the parallel study of a wide assortment of traits within a single cohort. The approach takes advantage of the interactivity of the Web both to gather data and to present genetic information to research participants, while taking care to correct for the population structure inherent to this study design. Here we report initial results from a participant-driven study of 22 traits. Replications of associations (in the genes OCA2, HERC2, SLC45A2, SLC24A4, IRF4, TYR, TYRP1, ASIP, and MC1R) for hair color, eye color, and freckling validate the Web-based, self-reporting paradigm. The identification of novel associations for hair morphology (rs17646946, near TCHH; rs7349332, near WNT10A; and rs1556547, near OFCC1), freckling (rs2153271, in BNC2), the ability to smell the methanethiol produced after eating asparagus (rs4481887, near OR2M7), and photic sneeze reflex (rs10427255, near ZEB2, and rs11856995, near NR2F2) illustrates the power of the approach

Mundgesundheit bei Demenz

BACKGROUND The complexity of dental care and oral hygiene for people with dementia increases with increasing numbers of residual teeth. AIM This study was carried out to determine whether the offer of a telephone helpline on oral health and dementia would be utilized. MATERIAL AND METHODS Over a period of 1 year contacts received by a telephone helpline manned by three oral healthcare staff were collected and analyzed. RESULTS From 01 June 2012 to 31 May 2013 a total of 355 callers (180 healthcare staff and 175 relatives) presented and discussed 2535 problems. The average duration of a call was 21 min. Almost one quarter of the callers were looking for mobile dental care services and 14.4 % were looking for a dentist specialized in caring for patients with dementia. Oral disease, oral care and conflicts between stakeholders on aspects of oral health were discussed. Of the healthcare staff three quarters asked about training to improve the oral health of people with dementia. CONCLUSION The demand on the specialists of the helpline showed a substantial knowledge deficit of healthcare staff and relatives. The study confirmed a wide range of oral health issues of people with dementia. Knowledge on oral and denture hygiene and on oral disease could be introduced into primary training and continued professional education. In addition to the lack of knowledge, deficits also exist in the oral healthcare system for people with dementia. Politicians and healthcare stakeholders are encouraged to incorporate oral healthcare for people with dementia into strategies and dementia networks

Mundgesundheit bei Demenz: Ergebnisse einer telefonischen Beratungsstelle

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Die zahnmedizinische Versorgung und Oralhygiene bei Menschen mit Demenz (MmD) ist auch unter Berücksichtigung der zunehmenden Anzahl der erhaltenen Zähne schwierig. Ziel der Arbeit: Es soll geklärt werden, ob das Angebot einer Beratungsstelle zum Thema Mundgesundheit und Demenz genutzt wird. Material und Methoden: Die Beratungsstelle wurde mit 3 zahnmedizinischen Spezialisten aufgebaut, und ein Jahr lang wurden die telefonischen Anfragen gesammelt sowie ausgewertet. Ergebnisse: Die zahnmedizinische Beratung wurde von 355Anrufern (180 medizinisch-pflegerisch tätig; 175 Angehörige) im Zeitraum vom 01.06.2012 bis 31.05.2013 genutzt. Von den Anrufern wurden in den ca. 21min dauernden Gesprächen 2535Probleme angesprochen. Fast ein Viertel der Anrufer fragte nach einer mobilen Behandlung, und 14,4 % suchten einen Zahnarzt, der auf die Behandlung der MmD spezialisiert ist. Orale Erkrankungen, die Mundhygiene und die interpersonellen Schwierigkeiten, die zwischen allen Beteiligten zur oralen Situation auftraten, wurden thematisiert. Drei Viertel des medizinisch-pflegerischen Personals fragten nach Schulungen, um die Mundgesundheit und Oralhygiene bei MmD zu verbessern. Schlussfolgerung: Die Nachfrage bei den Spezialisten zeigte, dass es großen Wissensbedarf sowohl beim Fachpersonal als auch bei den Angehörigen gibt. Die Studie belegt, dass die Probleme in der Mundhöhle von MmD breit gefächert sind. Wissen zu Mund- und Prothesenhygiene sowie den Krankheitsbildern der Mundhöhle könnte strukturiert in die Aus- und Fortbildung eingebracht werden. Neben dem Wissensdefizit wird auch deutlich, dass die zahnmedizinische Versorgungsstruktur nicht für die MmD gesichert ist. Hier sind die Politiker und die Akteure im Gesundheitswesen aufgefordert, die zahnmedizinische Versorgung in den Demenznetzwerken und -strategien zu verankern

Material selection for tooth-supported single crowns—a survey among dentists in Germany

Objectives!#!This study aimed to survey dentists in Germany to identify their favored materials for the fabrication of tooth-supported single crowns (SCs) depending on the location of the abutment teeth and the preparation margin.!##!Materials and methods!#!The survey included questions regarding demographic characteristics of dentists/their dental practice and preferred restorative materials for the fabrication of SCs for abutment teeth 16, 11, 34, and 36 with either supra- or subgingival preparation margins.!##!Results!#!Between August 2019 and February 2020, 721 dentists participated in the survey; responses from 33 dentists were excluded from data analysis because the dentists did not work in Germany or provided less than one fixed dental prosthesis/month. Dentists favored ceramic materials independent of the location of the abutment tooth and preparation margin (56.6-92.2%). CAD/CAM resin composites or full metals were preferred by only a few participants. A significantly higher proportion of dentists recommended porcelain fused to metal for subgingival preparation margins than for supragingival margins (p &amp;lt; 0.001). Characteristics of dentists/dental practices influenced a single scenario (11 subgingival) that was dependent on the dentist's time since graduation. When asked to specify the ceramic materials, numerous participants wrote a free response (5.7-7.8%) or did not answer (0.7-4.8%).!##!Conclusions!#!Dentists in Germany selected restorative materials for SCs depending on the clinical scenario. Since numerous dentists did not specify the ceramic materials, postgraduate information and education might help to extend expertise.!##!Clinical relevance!#!The results of this survey provide insight into the favored materials of dentists for the fabrication of tooth-supported SCs

The Influence of Coordinative Skills on the Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in Permanent Dentition

Removing dental plaque by using a toothbrush is the most important measure for oral hygiene. The aim of the present study was to estimate the impact of the coordination skills of children and adolescents on their oral health (plaque level, DMF/T: decayed, missing, filled teeth). Within a prospective cohort study, 996 children (10 to 18 years) were examined. The results of three coordination tests from the Motorik Modul (MoMo) were included to evaluate the coordination skills. Other parameters taken into account were age, sex, orthodontic treatment and socioeconomic status (SES). Univariate and various multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate relationships. Better results in precision coordination tests were significantly related to a better oral hygiene (backward balancing: logistic regression OR 0.86, 95%CI: 0.73&ndash;0.99, p = 0.051, proportional odds model OR 0.86, 95%CI: 0.75&ndash;0.99, p = 0.037; one-leg-stand: logistic regression OR 0.78, 95%CI: 0.63&ndash;0.96, p = 0.018, proportional odds model OR 0.77, 95%CI: 0.64&ndash;0.92, p = 0.003). Higher scores on one-leg-stand were significantly related to a lower caries prevalence (logistic regression OR 0.81, 95%CI: 0.66&ndash;0.99, p = 0.037; Poisson regression exp(&szlig;) 0.82, 95%CI: 0.74&ndash;0.91, p &lt; 0.001). Coordination test under a time constraint (jumping side-to-side) showed no significant relation. Oral hygiene was poorer in younger children, boys and low SES. Caries prevalence increased with low SES and increasing age. The present results suggest that oral health is influenced by coordinative skills