Ιnternists’ and Endocrinologists’ Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Periodontal Disease, Caries, Xerostomia and Diabetes Mellitus: A National Survey

Objectives: The present study aims to investigate the current knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of clinicians dealing with diabetes regarding the relationship of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and odostomatological diseases, such as periodontal disease, xerostomia and caries. Methods:  A twenty-four item closed-ended multiple-choice questionnaire was completed by 225 Greek medical doctors. The sample was divided into three groups according to specialty: a) Endocrinologists; b) Internists; c) Internal medicine registrars. Bivarate analysis, Fisher test, and Spearman correlation were used for statistical analysis. Results:  Most doctors were aware of the bi-directional relationship between periodontal disease and DM. Regarding the relationship between DM and xerostomia, 50% of doctors were unaware that patients with DM have an increased risk of xerostomia and were unfamiliar with the relevant studies. Nearly 50% of doctors agreed that patients with diabetes are at increased risk of developing caries. Age, specialty, and years of expertise have an impact on the way of doctors' answer. Finally, 78,6% of doctors treating diabetes should cooperate with dentists to reduce their patients' risk of odontostomatological complications. Conclusions: The relationship between diabetes and dental problems is often underestimated. Implementation of medical and dental educational programs oriented in increasing inter-professional education as well as collaboration between dentists and doctors dealing with diabetes, are needed in order to achieve the goal of better care of patients with diabetes

Effect of Various Curing Lights on the Degree of Cure of Orthodontic Adhesives

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the percentage degree of cure (%DC) of orthodontic adhesive resins irradiated with 3 types of light sources of various intensities: plasma arc, halogen, and light-emitting diode (LED). Methods: Twenty maxillary incisor stainless steel brackets (0.018-in slot) were divided into 4 groups of 5 brackets each. A standardized amount of composite resin was applied to each bracket base, simulating its clinical application. The brackets were light-cured with a halogen light for 20 seconds (10 seconds each from the incisal and cervical bracket edges), an LED light for 20 seconds (10 seconds per edge), a plasma light for 10 seconds (5 seconds per edge), and an LED light for 10 seconds (5 seconds per edge). The %DC was assessed by using micro-multiple internal reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the results were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA. Results: Overall, the LED and the halogen lights, with the 20-second regimen, produced higher %DC. No significant difference was found in %DC between the plasma light and the 10-second LED light, whereas both showed lower %DC compared with 20 seconds of halogen or LED light. Conclusions: Significant variations in %DC are associated with the various light-curing units, which must be considered in selecting the light source and the irradiation time

European Organization for Caries Research Workshop: Methodology for Determination of Potentially Available Fluoride in Toothpastes

Toothpastes are the most universally accepted form of fluoride delivery for caries prevention. To provide anti-caries benefits, they must be able to release fluoride during the time of tooth brushing or post brushing into the oral cavity. However, there is no standard accepted procedure to measure how much fluoride in a toothpaste may be (bio) available for release. The European Organization for Caries Research proposed and supported a workshop with experts in fluoride analysis in toothpastes and representatives from industry. The objective of the workshop was to discuss issues surrounding fluoride analysis in toothpaste and reach consensus on terminology and best practices, wherever the available evidence allowed it. Participants received a background paper and heard presentations followed by structured discussion to define the problem. The group also reviewed evidence on the validity, reliability and feasibility of each technique (namely chromatography and fluoride electroanalysis) and discussed their strengths and limitations. Participants were able to reach a consensus on terminology and were also able to identify and summarize the advantages and disadvantages of each technique. However, they agreed that most currently available methods were developed for regulatory agencies several decades ago, utilizing the best available data from clinical trials then, but require to be updated. They also agreed that although significant advances to our understanding of the mechanism of action of fluoride in toothpaste have been achieved over the past 4 decades, this clearly is an extraordinarily complex subject and more work remains to be done

Tobacco Use, Exposure to Secondhand Smoke, and Cessation Counseling Among Health Professions Students: Greek Data from the Global Health Professions Student Survey (GHPSS).

We conducted the GHPSS (Global Health Professions Student Survey) to obtain information regarding health profession students’ smoking habits and perceptions, exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) as well as level of knowledge and training on tobacco use and smoking cessation counseling. GHPSS is a survey for third-year students in the following fields: health visitors, dentistry, medicine, nursing and/or pharmacy. The highest tobacco use prevalence rate and exposure to SHS were recorded among health visitor students with 46.4% and 33.3% respectively. The majority of the respondents believed that their profession serves as a role model for their patients. Formal training on cessation counseling ranged between 10.7% for health visitor students to 22.4% for nursing students. The relatively high percentage of health profession students who currently smoke and the alarmingly high percentage of those exposed to SHS indicate lack of concerted efforts for implementation and effective enforcement of the anti-tobacco policy measures. Despite its significance, formal training on cessation counseling for students is strikingly low. These results indicate the urgent need to train health professional students on tobacco cessation counseling and educate them on the dangers of tobacco use, SHS and the positively influential role they can play to affect their patients’ smoking habits

Caries status in 12-year-old children, geographical location and socioeconomic conditions across European countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Understanding of socioeconomic context might enable more efficient evidence-based preventive strategies in oral health. AIM The study assessed the caries-related socioeconomic macro-factors in 12-year-olds across European countries. DESIGN This systematic review involved epidemiological surveys on the caries status of 12-year-olds from 2011 to 2022. DMFT was analyzed in relation to gross national income (GNI), United Nations Statistical Division geographical categorization of European countries (M49), unemployment rate, Human Development Index (HDI), and per capita expenditure on dental health care. A meta-analysis was performed for countries reporting data on DMFT, stratified by GNI, and geographical location of European countries, using a random-effects model. RESULTS The study involved 493 360 children from 36 countries in the geographic region of Europe. The analysis confirmed a strong negative correlation between income and caries experience (p < .01). Children living in higher-income countries showed 90% lower odds of poor oral health than in middle-income countries. Children living in West Europe showed 90% lower odds of poor oral health than children living in East Europe. CONCLUSION The strong effect of macro-level socioeconomic contexts on children's oral health suggests favoring upstream preventive oral health strategies in countries with economic growth difficulties, Eastern and Southern parts of Europe

Effect of thickness of indirect restoration and distance from the light-curing unit tip on the hardness of a dual-cured resin cement

This study evaluated the Knoop hardness and polymerization depth of a dual-cured resin cement, light-activated at different distances through different thicknesses of composite resin. One bovine incisor was embedded in resin and its buccal surface was flattened. Dentin was covered with PVC film where a mold (0.8-mm-thick and 5 mm diameter) was filled with cement and covered with another PVC film. Light curing (40 s) was carried out through resin discs (2, 3, 4 or 5 mm) with a halogen light positioned 0, 1, 2 or 3 mm from the resin surface. After storage, specimens were sectioned for hardness measurements (top, center, and bottom). Data were subjected to split-plot ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). The increase in resin disc thickness decreased cement hardness. The increase in the distance of the light curing tip decreased hardness at the top region. Specimens showed the lowest hardness values at the bottom, and the highest at the center. Resin cement hardness was influenced by the thickness of the indirect restoration and by the distance between the light-curing unit tip and the resin cement surface.Piracicaba Dental School State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SPDepartment of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics São José dos Campos Dental School São Paulo State University, São José dos Campos, SPDepartment of Restorative Dentistry Piracicaba Dental School State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SPDepartment of Pediatric Dentistry Piracicaba Dental School State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SPDepartment of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics São José dos Campos Dental School São Paulo State University, São José dos Campos, S