Dental Sleep Medicine Education Amongst Accredited Orthodontic Programmes in Thailand

ABSTRACT: Background: Dental sleep medicine education (DSME) should be emphasised in postgraduate orthodontic training; however, there appears to be no clear guideline for its implementation into the curriculum. Objective: The aim was to investigate the current status of DSME as well as its feasibility and implementation in postgraduate orthodontic programmes. Methods: A structured interview with predetermined response options was chosen as a data collection method to gather relevant information from representatives of all accredited postgraduate orthodontic programmes in Thailand. These interviews were conducted online via the Cisco Webex Meeting platform. A combination of data analysis techniques was employed to achieve a thorough comprehension of the research findings, including descriptive statistics, quantitative content analysis, thematic analysis, and alignment analysis. Results: All participating programmes reported the inclusion of DSME in their curricula. A didactic approach was adopted by all programmes. However, only 2 out of 7 programmes offered clinical sessions for their students. Several challenges in implementing DSME within orthodontic programmes were identified, including a shortage of expertise and limited patient access. The participants also suggested that knowledge and resource sharing amongst institutions could serve as a potential solution to enhance the feasibility of DSME. Conclusions: This research highlighted the significant disparities and inadequacy of DSME within postgraduate orthodontic programmes in Thailand due to various challenges. Consequently, there is a compelling need to place greater emphasis on DSME and establish a national-level standardisation within orthodontic programmes. This effort is essential for enhancing the awareness and competency of orthodontists in the field of DSME

Genome Scan for Loci Involved in Cleft Lip With or Without Cleft Palate, in Chinese Multiplex Families

Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) is a common congenital anomaly. Birth prevalences range from 1/500 to 1/1,000 and are consistently higher in Asian populations than in populations of European descent. Therefore, it is of interest to determine whether the CL/P etiological factors in Asian populations differ from those in white populations. A sample of 36 multiplex families were ascertained through probands with CL/P who were from Shanghai. This is the first reported genome-scan study of CL/P in any Asian population. Genotyping of Weber Screening Set 9 (387 short tandem-repeat polymorphisms with average spacing ∼9 cM [range 1–19 cM]) was performed by the Mammalian Genotyping Service of Marshfield Laboratory. Presented here are the results for the 366 autosomal markers. Linkage between each marker and CL/P was assessed by two-point and multipoint LOD scores, as well as with multipoint heterogeneity LOD scores (HLODs) plus model-free identity-by-descent statistics and the multipoint NPL statistic. In addition, association was assessed via the transmission/disequilibrium test. LOD-score and HLOD calculations were performed under a range of models of inheritance of CL/P. The following regions had positive multipoint results (HLOD ⩾1.0 and/or NPL P⩽.05): chromosomes 1 (90–110 cM), 2 (220–250 cM), 3 (130–150 cM), 4 (140–170 cM), 6 (70–100 cM), 18 (110 cM), and 21 (30–50 cM). The most significant multipoint linkage results (HLOD ⩾2.0; α=0.37) were for chromosomes 3q and 4q. Associations with P⩽.05 were found for loci on chromosomes 3, 5–7, 9, 11, 12, 16, 20, and 21. The most significant association result (P=.009) was found with D16S769 (51 cM)

An Intercenter Comparison of Nasolabial Appearance Including a Center Using Nasoalveolar Molding

Objective: To compare nasolabial appearance outcomes of patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP) in preadolescence from 4 cleft centers including a center using nasoalveolar molding (NAM) and primary nasal reconstruction. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Four cleft centers in North America. Patients: 135 subjects with repaired CUCLP. Methods: Frontal and profile facial pictures were assessed using the Asher-McDade rating scale. Intra- and interrater reliability were tested using weighted Kappa statistics. Median scores by center were compared with Kruskal-Wallis statistics. Results: Intrarater reliability scores were moderate to good. Interrater reliability scores were moderate. Significant differences ( P &lt; .05) among centers were found. For nasal form, center G (median = 2.83) had better scores than centers C and D (C median = 3.33, D median = 3.17). For nose symmetry, center G had better scores (median = 2.33) than all other centers (B median = 2.67, C median = 2.83, D median = 2.83). For vermillion border, center G had better scores (median = 2.58) than centers B and C (B median = 3.17, C median = 3.17). For nasolabial profile, center G (median score = 2.67) had better scores than center C (median = 3.00). For total nasolabial score, center G (median = 2.67) had better scores than all other centers (B median = 2.83, C median = 3, D median = 2.83). Conclusion: The protocol followed by center G, the only center that performed NAM and primary nasal reconstruction, produced better results in all categories when compared to center C, the only center that did not perform presurgical orthopedics or lip/nose revisions. When compared to centers that performed traditional presurgical orthopedics and surgical revisions (B and D), center G was not consistently better in all categories. As with other uncontrolled, retrospective intercenter studies, it is not possible to attribute the outcomes to a specific protocol component. </jats:sec