Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background While associations between salivary characteristics and dental caries have been well studied, we are not aware of this being assessed in a remote Indigenous child population, where lifestyles may be different from urban children. Our aim was to assess associations between caries experience and putative biomarkers in saliva, accounting for oral hygiene and dietary habits. Methods Children attending schools in an Indigenous community in remote north Queensland, Australia were invited to an oral examination by qualified and calibrated examiners. Salivary flow rate, pH, buffering capacity and loads of mutans streptococci (MS), lactobacilli (LB) and yeasts were determined. Also, data on tooth brushing frequency and soft drinks consumption were obtained via a questionnaire. Caries experience was recorded by the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-II), and quantified as decayed, missing and filled surfaces. Relationships between the salivary variables and the cumulative caries experience (dmfs+DMFS) in the deciduous and permanent dentitions were examined by multivariate analyses to control the effect of confounders. Results The mean cumulative decayed (DS + ds), missing (MS + ms) and filled (FS + fs) surfaces were 3.64 (SD: 4.97), 1.08 (4.38) and 0.79 (1.84) respectively. Higher salivary MS and LB counts, low tooth brushing frequency and daily soft drink consumption were significantly related to greater caries experience. Caries experience was about twice in those with ≥10^5 CFU/ml saliva counts of MS (mean = 6.33, SD: 8.40 vs 3.11, 5.77) and LB (7.03, 7.49 vs 4.41, 8.00). In the fully-adjusted multivariate model, caries experience in those with higher counts of MS and LB were 51 and 52% more than those with lower counts. Conclusions As with studies in other populations, childhood salivary counts of MS and LB were significantly associated with greater caries experience in this remote Indigenous community. To address the serious burden of oral disease, we are researching ways to promote a healthy oral environment by encouraging good dietary habits, and emphasising the importance of daily tooth brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste. Our ongoing longitudinal studies will indicate the success of measures employed to reduce the counts of bacteria closely associated with cariogenesis and their impact on caries increment. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( ANZCTR ), No: ACTRN12615000693527; date of registration: 3rd July 2015.

Background: Oral and pharyngeal cancers constitute the sixth most common type of cancer globally, with high morbidity and mortality. In many countries, most cases of oral cancer arise from long-standing, pre-existing lesions, yet advanced malignancies prevail. A new approach to early detection is needed. We aimed to validate a model for screening so that only high-risk individuals receive the clinical examination. Methods: A community-based case–control study ( n =1029) in rural Sri Lanka assessed risk factors and markers for oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) by administering a questionnaire followed by an oral examination. We then developed a model based on age, socioeconomic status and habits of betel-quid chewing, alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking, with weightings based on odds ratios from the multiple logistic regression. A total, single score was calculated per individual. Standard receiver-operator characteristic curves were plotted for the total score and presence of OPMD. The model was validated on a new sample of 410 subjects in a different community. Results: A score of 12.0 produced optimal sensitivity (95.5%), specificity (75.9%), false-positive rate (24.0%), false-negative rate (4.5%), positive predictive value (35.9%) and negative predictive value (99.2%). Conclusion: This model is suitable for detection of OPMD and oral cancer in high-risk communities, for example, in Asia, the Pacific and the global diaspora therefrom. A combined risk-factor score of 12.0 was optimal for participation in oral cancer/OPMD screening in Sri Lanka. The model, or local adaptations, should have wide applicability.

Key Points Identifies 'episodes' when it is most advantageous for dental technicians to collaborate with other members of the dental care team through a brief outline and explanation of curricula. Offers strategies to bring shared learning principles into dental curricula. Provides evidence that suggests collaboration and teamwork are best developed through 'real-life' prosthetic cases. The ability to function as an effective member of a dental care team is a highly desirable – frequently mandated – attribute of dental technology (DT) graduates. Currently, there is little rigorous examination of how the learning of team-working skills might best be structured in a DT curriculum. This research compares DT curricula, and students' attitudes and perceptions regarding collaboration in practice, from four countries. Students (n = 376) were invited to complete an education profile questionnaire, and the standardised measure – the shared learning scale. There were 196 (52%) responses. Students given opportunities to engage with others had better perceptions of inter-professional learning (IPL). Most believed that team-work and collaborative skills were best acquired by learning together with other dental care professionals, preferably sharing cases for real patients. Curricula should maximise opportunities for dental technology students to experience authentic IPL. Collaboration and team-work needs to be embedded through the whole undergraduate programme.

Objectives To evaluate the direct and indirect (via oral health-related behaviour) effects of parental rearing practices on children's Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) within a family-focused, comprehensive predictive model. Methods Participants were 11- to 14-year-old children and their parents living in Telangana State, India (N = 1130). Children were clinically assessed for dental caries, gingivitis, oral hygiene status, fluorosis, and malocclusion, and completed a self-administered questionnaire on oral health-related behaviour and OHRQoL. Parents answered questions related to their socioeconomic status (SES), family circumstances, parent's perceptions of child's OHRQoL, and child rearing practices. Structural equation modelling was used to evaluate the pathways through which parenting practices were associated with children's OHRQoL. Results Parents with higher positive (β=-0.106) and lower power assertion rearing practices (β=0.103) had children with better OHRQoL. Parental rearing practices did not have any effect on children's oral hygiene behaviour. Children who had malocclusion (β=0.076) and fluorosis (β=0.38) had lower OHRQoL. Family SES had a significant effect on children's oral hygiene behaviour and oral hygiene status with children of higher SES demonstrating better oral hygiene behaviour and status. Children living in single-parent families reported poorer oral hygiene behaviour (β=-0.048) than those living in other types of families. Conclusions Parental rearing practices had direct effects on OHRQoL. However, the hypothesised indirect effects of these practices on OHRQoL via poor oral health behaviour were not supported.

Key Points The degree of association between a number of social, economic and behavioural risk factors and the national prevalence data for oral cancer (incidence and mortality), dental caries and destructive periodontitis was determined. Statistically significant associations existed for all theses diseases but were strongest for destructive periodontitis. These associations should be interpreted with caution, but are suggestive of the need to take them into consideration when developing health promoting oral health policies. Objective To determine the association between social, economic and behavioural risk factors and national prevalences of: oral cancer, dental caries (12-year-olds) and destructive periodontal disease (35–44-year-olds). Data sources Sources for the social and economic parameters were the UN Development Program; the behavioural risk factors' source was the World Health Organization, the UN Food and Agricultural Organization and the World Atlas of History. Oral diseases data came from UICC Globocan and the World Health Organization databases. Data extraction Data were extracted by hand from official publications. Data synthesis Data were synthesized and analyzed in sequence using SPSS, Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analyses. Conclusions There is a discernable association between the three oral diseases and the variables selected, which varies in strength, being strongest for chronic destructive periodontitis and weakest for oral cancer. Dental caries lies in between. The degree to which variables account for differences in the three oral diseases between the countries studied is striking, being insignificant for oral cancer incidence, modest for oral cancer mortality, stronger for dental caries and strongest for destructive periodontal disease. Removing variables with strong co-linearity with the Human Development Index has little effect on the regression coefficients.

Key Points Emphasises the importance of the role of the dental team in tobacco cessation and shows some continuing barriers faced by the dental team to engage in this activity. Shows that most dentists and their teams are very willing to implement tobacco cessation strategies in their practices. Highlights the need for more training for the dental team in tobacco cessation and the importance of facilitating the availability of patient education materials. Objective To investigate attitudes and opinions of the members of the British Dental Association towards implementing tobacco cessation strategies in dental practices. Design and method Questions about tobacco and tobacco cessation were asked on the September 2002 BDA Omnibus survey. The survey was sent out to a random sample of 1,500 BDA members, excluding retired members, overseas members and students. After two reminder circulations, 870 completed questionnaires were received, giving a response rate of 58%. Results The survey results revealed good awareness amongst respondents of the health risks of tobacco. One fifth of respondents said that patients had asked them for advice on tobacco cessation. The majority (64%) of respondents stated that they gave advice on tobacco cessation 'fairly regularly' or 'always' (whether asked or not) and 37% of respondents recommended over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy. Overall, 68% of respondents agreed that offering patients advice about tobacco cessation was the duty of every dentist. The most common barriers to a successful tobacco cessation campaign were perceived to be the amount of time required, lack of reimbursement, lack of training, lack of patient education materials and lack of knowledge of available referral resources. Nearly all respondents (92%) said that their practice was a completely smoke-free environment, and 66% of respondents had never used tobacco. The majority of respondents displayed patient education materials in their practice waiting/reception areas less than 60% of the time, and nearly a quarter (23%) never had them available. The survey revealed that most respondents did not feel particularly well prepared to assist patients in quitting tobacco, but 70% of respondents said they would be willing to cooperate with a campaign to inform all tobacco using patients about the advantages of tobacco cessation. Respondents felt that leaflets for patients, staff training and posters in the practice would contribute to the success of the campaign. Conclusion Members of the dental team are very willing to implement tobacco cessation strategies in the dental practice. Most dentists feel that promotion of tobacco cessation is an important part of the duty of a dentist, but they feel inadequately prepared to deliver such advice. The major barriers to delivering successful tobacco cessation campaigns are the amount of time required, lack of reimbursement, lack of training, lack of patient education materials and lack of knowledge of available referral resources. The majority of dentists have received no training in tobacco cessation strategies. They feel that staff training and free availability of more patient education materials (leaflets, posters, etc) would help promote the success of such a campaign.

Previously, burst and linear theories for periodontal disease progression were proposed based on different but limited statistical methods of analysis. Multilevel modeling provides a new approach, yielding a more comprehensive model. Random coefficient models were used to analyze longitudinal periodontal data consisting of repeated measures (level 1), sites (level 2), teeth (level 3), and subjects (level 4). Large negative and highly significant correlations between random linear and quadratic time coefficients indicated that subjects and teeth with greater-than-average linear change experienced decelerated variation. Conversely, subjects and teeth with less-than-average linear change experienced accelerated variation. Change therefore exhibited a dynamic regression to the mean at the tooth and subject levels. Since no equilibrium was attained throughout the study, changes were cyclical. When considered as a multilevel system, the \"linear\" and \"burst\" theories of periodontal disease progression are a manifestation of the same phenomenon: Some sites improve while others progress, in a cyclical manner.