OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to predict oral health behaviour (OHB) using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and determine its influence on oral health status and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among subjects attending the outpatient department of a tertiary dental hospital in India.
METHODS: A pre-validated questionnaire was used among 240 randomly selected study subjects to record their demographic details, attitudes (Att), subjective norms (SN) and perceived behaviour control (PBC) with regard to dietary habits (DH), oral hygiene habits (OH) and dental attendance (DA) behaviours. OHRQoL and oral health status of study participants were recorded using Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Assessment Form (2013), respectively. Multivariate analysis was performed after the necessary bivariate comparisons.
RESULTS: Among demographic characteristics, the Socioeconomic status (SES) of the study subjects highly influenced their DH and OH (P < 0.05). DA was largely affected by the age of the study subjects (P < 0.05). While attitude of the study participants greatly affected their DH, PBC largely influenced their OH and DA behaviours (P < 0.05). The OHRQoL and Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) levels were strongly influenced by the participants\' DA behaviours (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: DMFT scores and OHRQoL were highly influenced by DA behaviour besides others. DA instead was influenced by PBC. Hence, there needs to be a conscious shift towards strengthening the skills of the population to promote oral health.

The oral health-related quality of life of pregnant women and its effects on health conditions are important topics to be investigated in scientific research. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of pre-pregnancy obesity on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in pregnant women. A prospective cohort study was carried out with 93 pregnant women who were evaluated in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy (T1) and after delivery (T2). The following were analyzed: dental caries (DMFT), OHRQoL (OHIP-14), anthropometric data (BMI), socioeconomic, demographic, oral hygiene behavioral habits and the use of dental services. Unadjusted and adjusted Poisson regression analyses were performed to determine the impact of predictors on OHRQoL. The results of the adjusted analysis showed lower education relative risk (RR) (1.37; 95%CI 1.02-1.83; <0.00), low income (RR 2.19; 95%CI 1.63-2.93; <0.00) and higher BMI pre-pregnancy (RR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.04; <0.00) were associated with worse OHRQoL in postpartum pregnant women. Flossing was a predictor of better OHRQoL at T2 (RR 0.73; 95%CI 0.57-0.93; <0.01). Higher BMI, low education, low income and inadequate oral hygiene habits were predictors of worse OHRQOL of pregnant women after the birth of the baby.

BACKGROUND: Older people receiving home-based care (HBC) often face barriers to access preventive oral health care (OHC) and dental treatments. Leading to deterioration of their oral healthcare. It is further deteriorated by factors such as increasing burden of systemic diseases, medicinal side effects, limited mobility, financial constraints and lack of professional OHC at home. Older people also struggle to maintain necessary daily oral hygiene, leading to malnutrition, weight loss, and a risk of a further health degradation. This cross-sectional survey aimed to investigate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and their associated factors in HBC recipients.
METHODS: 5,280 older people (≥ 60 years) living in Hamburg, who were in need of care and insured with statutory health insurance DAK-Gesundheit received the questionnaire, which included the German version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP G-14) and, the EQ-5D health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measure as well as further questions regarding the extent of informal social support, subjective oral health status, oral health behaviour, subjective cognitive status, and socio-demographic variables.
RESULTS: The participants (n = 1,622) had a median age of 83.2 years, with 72.0% of the sample being female. Nearly two thirds of the sample reported that their independence or abilities were significantly impaired (care level 2). Regarding oral health impacts, 40.0% of the participants reported experiencing at least one of the fourteen possible prevalent impacts of the OHIP-G14 fairly often or very often. A multivariate regression model on the severity of oral health impacts revealed, that a better HRQoL, a positive perception of one\'s own dental status, fewer visits to dental practices, and no need for support in OHC were associated with better OHRQoL. Conversely, respondents with a negative perception of their oral health status, more frequent visits to a dental practice, a need for support in OHC, and subjective memory impairment showed poorer OHRQoL.
CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the risk for poor oral health among older people in HBC. We conclude that there is an urgent need to prioritise oral health, especially as poor oral health can further compromise the systemic wellbeing of these already care dependent population.

OBJECTIVE: There is little data on the oral health conditions of Somali children. The aim was to assess the dental caries status and related risk factors of 12-aged children in primary schools in Hargeisa, Somaliland.
METHODS: A school-based survey was conducted in Hargeisa in December 2022. Using 2-stage cluster sampling, 405 children (12-aged) were randomly selected from 16 primary schools. Data collection involved WHO structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and clinical examinations. The DMFT index was measured according to WHO criteria, and accordingly, the mean for the significant caries index (SiC) was calculated. The association between the DMFT and the relevant variables was analysed using negative binomial regression in STATA.
RESULTS: The overall prevalence of dental caries was found to be 62.7%, with a mean DMFT of 1.7 and a SiC score of 3.7. Non-public school pupils showed significantly higher prevalence of dental caries and mean DMFT compared to public school counterparts (68.5% vs. 58.6%) and (1.91 vs. 1.48), respectively. Merely 14.7% of the participants utilized dental care services in the previous year. The multivariable analysis showed a significant positive association of the DMFT outcome with attending a non-public school (95% CI 1.16-2.12) and having many previous dental visits (95% CI 1.22-2.83). In the adjusted model, fathers of low education had children with better dental caries status (lower mean DMFT) than their well-educated counterparts. The mean DMFT was not significantly influenced by the factors sex, location, educational attainment (school class of the participants) and frequency of teeth cleaning.
CONCLUSIONS: Although the overall mean DMFT of school children in Hargeisa could be regarded low, the high levels of untreated caries especially in the one-third most affected are a cause for concern. Children enrolled in non-public schools formed the high-risk group. Preventive oral public health programs targeting Somali school children are recommended.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of oral conditions and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children and adolescents with blood coagulation disorders and hemoglobinopathies (BCDH). The study was cross-sectional and included 61 individuals aged 2 to 18 years with BCDH. Exams for dental caries (dmft/DMFT index), oral hygiene (simplified oral hygiene index - OHI-S), and gingival health (modified gingival index - MGI) were performed. The pediatric quality of life inventory™ (PedsQL™) generic core scale and oral health scale were used to measure HRQoL and OHRQoL. Spearman\'s correlation coefficient (ρ) and the Mann-Whitney test (α = 0.05) were conducted to assess the relationship between covariates and the PedsQL™ oral health scale. The mean PedsQL™ oral health scale score was 76.66 (SD = 21.36). Worse OHRQoL was correlated with poor oral hygiene (ρ = -0.383; p: 0.004), poor gingival health (ρ = -0.327; p = 0.014), and better HRQoL (ρ = 0.488; p < 0.001). Greater untreated dental caries experience was associated with worse OHRQoL (p = 0.009). Worse oral health status in children and adolescents with BCDH negatively impacts OHRQoL, and OHRQoL and quality of life analyzed from a generic perspective are positively correlated constructs in this population.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of honey-based oral care on the oral health of patients with stroke undergoing rehabilitation.
METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 44 stroke patients from a tertiary hospital\'s rehabilitation ward were assigned to receive either honey-based oral care or normal saline, with treatments administered twice daily for 2 weeks. The study, conducted from November 2021 to July 2022, employed a double-blind method, blinding both participants and evaluators to treatment allocations. Key outcomes measured included oral status, dental plaque index (DPI), and xerostomia. The final analysis included 13 patients in the experimental group and 16 in the control group.
RESULTS: The intervention significantly changed the oral status, DPI, and xerostomia between the groups. The experimental group showed significantly improved oral status (Z = -4.63, p=.001), DPI (Z = -4.58, p<.001), and xerostomia (t = -6.33, p<.001) compared to the control group. The experimental group showed significant improvements in oral status (Z=-3.27, p<.001), DPI (Z=-3.19, p=.001), and xerostomia (t=7.37, p<.001) after the intervention, confirming the efficacy of honey-based oral care.
CONCLUSIONS: Honey-based oral care effectively improves oral status and xerostomia, and reduces DPI in patients with stroke.
BACKGROUND: Trial registration. Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS), KCT0008201. Registered on 04 February 2023. The first patient was enrolled on November 16, 2021, at https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/listDetail.do?searchWord=KCT0008201&search_yn=Y.

In this prospective pilot study, 84 patients with a history of poor oral hygiene were enrolled in an open-label, interventional, randomized controlled clinical trial. The aim was to provide preliminary clinical data on a new line of oral hygiene products containing a prebiotic and a paraprobiotic based on Lactobacillus plantarum. The recruitment rate and patient satisfaction were analyzed to estimate resources for the future primary study, and descriptive data on rebalancing of the oral microbiota were collected. The population was divided into 5 groups based on the products assigned to the patients: 1, delicate mint toothpaste (n = 20); 2, mint toothpaste (n = 12); 3, mint mouthwash (n = 20); 4, delicate mint toothpaste, mint mouthwash, and an antimicrobial toothbrush (n = 20); and 5, continued use of their usual oral care products and routine (control group; n = 12). The study duration was 28 days. All patients tolerated the products well, and there were no adverse events. The recruitment capability and procedures allowed for a realistic estimation for the future main trial. The products did not cause any changes in tooth color. The participants in group 4, who completed the treatment consisting of delicate mint toothpaste, mint mouthwash, and an antimicrobial toothbrush, reported the greatest reduction in gingival sensitivity (P ≤ 0.000; Wilcoxon signed rank test). Analysis with the Wilcoxon signed rank test revealed that all products induced a statistically significant decrease in plaque (P ≤ 0.002) and a reduction in gingival sensitivity (delicate mint toothpaste, P ≤ 0.005; mint toothpaste, P ≤ 0.015; and mint mouthwash, P ≤ 0.015). All products were effective in stabilizing the oral microbiota. The tested products showed an optimal safety profile and a statistically significant efficacy in reducing gingival sensitivity and plaque. They also stabilized the biodiversity of the oral microbiota, making it less susceptible to microbial fluctuations than the control group. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05999175).

AIM. The aim of this study was to train dentists on the different oral hygiene measures to be followed by COVID-19 patients via Webinar and Information Education Communication (IEC) Materials and compare the effectiveness of both. METHODOLOGY. A total of 100 dental professionals were included by non-probability convenience sampling. Webinar and IEC Materials on oral hygiene measures, oral symptoms, and management strategies during COVID-19 were created and training was conducted for all dental professionals who registered themselves. An online version of the self-administered questionnaire (English) was created on the official Edantseva website and circulated to all the registered participants to obtain the pre and post-training data. RESULTS. Out of the total 80 participants in the Webinar group, 47 were females and 33 were males. Comparing the mean total scores obtained by the participants in the webinar and IEC groups in the pre and post-test showed that there is a significant difference in the scores obtained by the participants in the two groups in the pre and post-test (p<0.01). CONCLUSION. Educating dentists via IEC Materials was effective in improving their knowledge regarding oral health management during the COVID-19 pandemic. IEC materials being handy and referable at any time was found to be more effective.

Introduction Airline pilots are susceptible to mental health issues, with depression prevalence ranging from 1.9% to 12.6%. Recent research in the general population indicates a potential link between depression and oral health. In this cross-sectional study, we sought to investigate the association between self-reported oral hygiene practices and depressive symptoms among airline pilots. Methods One hundred actively working male airline pilots of Caucasian descent voluntarily enrolled in the study during routine occupational health visits. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). Self-reported oral hygiene practices, including toothbrushing frequency and mouthwash usage, were examined. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate associations between depressive symptoms and oral hygiene practices. Results Twelve pilots (12%) demonstrated mild depressive symptomatology (BDI-II scores 14-19). Pilots with mild depression reported significantly lower rates of brushing teeth twice or more per day (33.3% vs. 80.7%) and higher rates of rarely brushing (16.7% vs. 1.1%) compared to those with minimal depressive symptoms (p < 0.001). Nonuse of mouthwash was more prevalent among pilots with mild depression (66.6% vs. 23.9%, p = 0.008). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that pilots who rarely brushed their teeth (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 14.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3-197.9; p < 0.05) or did not use mouthwash (adjusted OR = 5.7; 95% CI = 1.4-25.2; p < 0.05) had significantly higher odds of mild depressive symptoms. Conclusions Self-reported oral hygiene habits may serve as a proxy indicator for mild depressive symptoms among airline pilots. Incorporating oral health assessments into routine aeromedical examinations could provide a practical method of identifying pilots at risk for depression, supporting timely interventions and enhancing flight safety.

OBJECTIVE: Prisoners have poorer oral health than the general population. Good oral health is essential for both social and physical well-being. For prisoners, poor oral health is also related to drug use after release, whereas good oral health is related to successful reintegration into society. The purpose of this study was twofold: to examine the effect of an intervention based on motivational interviewing (MI) on prisoners\' oral health-related behavior and to assess if the intervention is a good fit for this population.
METHODS: In total, 16 prisoners in a Norwegian prison were offered a brief MI-based intervention focusing on changing their oral health-related behavior. An oral examination was also performed and the prisoners received a small package containing oral hygiene aids. Two weeks later, a second oral examination and a semi-structured interview were conducted to explore the effect of the intervention and examine the prisoners\' responses to the intervention. Qualitative data analyzes were guided by thematic analysis.
RESULTS: The findings indicate that the intervention had positive effects on both the prisoners\' motivation to use oral health-related behavior and their performance of oral health-related behavior. The findings also indicate that the intervention was well adapted to the target population.
CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the first studies that explore the effect of an intervention in improving prisoners\' oral health and bridges a knowledge gap in the literature. The findings may increase the understanding of how dental services should be organized and offered to provide dental health care to this vulnerable group.