UNASSIGNED: Globally, oral health diseases surpass all other non-communicable diseases in prevalence; however, they are not well studied in underserved regions, where accessibility to dental services and oral health education is disparately worse. In Ecuador, further research is needed to understand such disparities better. We aimed to assess the effect of oral health disease on individuals\' quality of life and how social disparities and cultural beliefs shape this.
UNASSIGNED: Individuals 18 or older receiving care at mobile or worksite clinics from May to October 2023 were included. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving semi-structured interviews, Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) measures, and extra-oral photographs (EOP).
UNASSIGNED: The sample (n = 528) included mostly females (56.25%) with a mean age of 34.4 ± 9.44. Most participants (88.26%) reported brushing at least twice daily, and less than 5% reported flossing at least once per day. The median OHRQoL score was 4 (min-max), significantly higher among individuals ≥40 years old, holding high school degrees, or not brushing or flossing regularly (p < 0.05). Identified barriers to good oral health included affordability, time, and forgetfulness. Participants not receiving care with a consistent provider reported fear as an additional barrier. Participants receiving worksite dental services reported these barriers to be alleviated. Dental providers were the primary source of oral hygiene education. Most participants reported oral health concerns, most commonly pain, decay, dysphagia, and halitosis - consistent with EOP analysis.
UNASSIGNED: Findings underscore a need for multi-level interventions to advance oral health equity.

BACKGROUND: The Gonds are a highly ancient and expansive tribal community, ranking among the largest in the world. A review of the literature has suggested that they are more vulnerable to oral diseases and are less inclined to utilize oral health services due to the comprehensive approach that considers the socioeconomic, cultural, and structural factors affecting the Gond community\'s access to oral health services. Tribal health requires action in the health sector. Utilization is an essential marker of the health status of any population and is necessary to bridge the gap between tribes and the wider portion of the community. Hence, this study was conducted among the Gond tribes of Chhattisgarh to evaluate the oral healthcare utilization factors shaping the perceived oral health outcome using Andersen\'s behavior model.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 400 Gond tribes residing in villages of Chhattisgarh. Data was collected through a standardized questionnaire, adapted from Andersen\'s behavioral model of healthcare utilization during house-to-house survey. The questionnaire included predisposing, enabling, perceived, and evaluated need factors. Oral health status for evaluated need was assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Assessment form (1997), and the perceived oral health outcome was measured using Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Results were computed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Multivariate analysis was done using binomial logistic regression.
RESULTS: The dental visit in the past one year was only 14%. The findings of logistic regression revealed that the perceived oral health outcome was significantly associated with age, occupation, and positive belief in the efficacy of dentist, perceived need, and presence of dental caries.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study support Andersen\'s behavioral model and suggest that there is an interrelationship of predisposing characters, predisposing health beliefs, and enabling need factors that determine the likelihood of use of services, which in turn determines the good or bad oral health outcome.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the impact of pre- and postoperative etoricoxib administration versus only postoperative on third molar extraction sequelae and oral health quality of life.
METHODS: This prospective quasi experimental study involved 56 patients, divided into a study group receiving preemptive etoricoxib 120 mg before surgery and postoperative etoricoxib 120 mg (n = 28), and a control group receiving preemptive placebo before surgery and postoperative etoricoxib 120 mg (n = 28). Follow-up assessments were conducted at 3- and 7-days post-surgery, recording swelling, trismus, and adverse events. Patients rated perceived pain using the visual analog scale (VAS) and completed an oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) questionnaire at specified intervals. Statistical analysis employed non-parametric tests (i.e., the Mann-Whitney test, Friedman test, and Wilcoxon sign test) with P < 0.05.
RESULTS: Significantly lower VAS scores were reported in the study group throughout the follow-up period (P < 0.05). Pharmacological protocol did not have a significant impact on postoperative edema and trismus (P > 0.05). However, double etoricoxib intake significantly improved postoperative quality of life on day 3 after surgery (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Pre- and postoperative etoricoxib 120 mg intake in third molar surgery reduced postoperative pain and enhanced postoperative quality of life on day 3 after surgery. Importantly, it was equally effective in managing swelling and trismus compared to exclusive postoperative intake.
CONCLUSIONS: Preemptive etoricoxib use may decrease patient discomfort following impacted mandibular third molar extraction.

Purpose Implant-assisted removable partial dentures (IARPDs) with short implants improve the oral functions of removable partial dentures (RPDs). This study aimed to compare the patient-reported outcomes of RPDs and IARPDs with short implants retained by magnetic attachments.Methods We recruited 30 participants with mandibular Kennedy Class I or II and distal extension defects of three or more teeth. RPDs, IARPDs with a healing cap, and IARPDs with a magnetic attachment were evaluated across stages using patient-reported outcomes. All participants completed questionnaires (oral health-related quality of life [OHRQoL], patient general satisfaction, and patient\'s denture assessment [PDA]) at each stage. The OHRQoL was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile-J 54 (OHIP-J 54) score. The general patient satisfaction was evaluated using a 100 mm visual analog scale. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Bonferroni correction were used to evaluate differences between the groups (α=0.05).Results The OHRQoL of IARPDs was significantly higher than that of RPDs. IARPDs with a magnetic attachment had significantly better patient general satisfaction and PDA than IARPDs with a healing cap.Conclusions The OHRQoL, patient general satisfaction, and PDA were improved by IARPD with a short implant using a magnetic attachment.

To investigate Locker\'s multidimensional model of oral health in Japanese edentulous patients with an item weighting method using factor score weights, which is more accurate than the sum scoring method. A previous study tested Locker\'s model in edentulous elders in the UK, using empirical evidence from the Short-Form Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). Investigating the model using the OHIP for edentulous subjects (OHIP-EDENT), which contains 19 items suitable for these patients, may complement that study. Testing Locker\'s model in Japanese patients may support generalization of the model.
A total of 394 patients who were edentulous in both arches and visited the Dental Hospital of Tokyo Medical and Dental University for new complete dentures were recruited. This cross-sectional study had a non-probabilistic sampling design and included the following: data collection; application of the new item weighting method that involves hierarchical confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to derive factor score weights for each item, using the bootstrap method, to check the significance of the factor score weights; and empirical testing of Locker\'s conceptual model of oral health in Japanese edentulous patients, using structural equation modelling analysis with the bootstrap method for precise estimations and model generation.
Factor score weights derived from CFA were significant. After item weighting, the initial model was analyzed and found to have an inconsistent direct path (functional limitation to disability). This path was eliminated from the model and the modified model was re-run. All effects were significant. The model showed acceptable fit on indices including the model chi-squared, standardized root-mean-square residual, root mean-square error of approximation, goodness-of-fit index, comparative fit index, and P-value.
Our findings showed an empirical fit to Locker\'s model in Japanese edentulous patients when using the item weighting method, which was more accurate than the sum scoring method. These results could contribute to the generalization of Locker\'s model.
The experimental procedures were published in the University hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Center (UMINCTR Clinical Trial, Unique trial Number: UMIN000028711 ).