Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are highly dependent on their caregivers to access oral health care services (OHS), which leads to unmet oral health needs that affect their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This study explored accessibility to OHS and OHRQoL among children with CP attending Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) centres in Kelantan by their primary caregivers. A cross-sectional study using Accessibility to Oral Health Care Services (CP2OHS) and Parental-Caregiver Perception Questionnaire (P-CPQ) was conducted on 81 children with CP and their primary caregivers. CP2OHS domains are “ability to perceive”, “ability to engage”, “ability to seek”, “ability to pay”, and “ability to reach”, while PCPQ domains include oral symptoms, functional limitation, emotional wellbeing, and social well-being. Children with CP were mostly males (63.0%), with a mean (SD) age of 10.3 (3.93) years, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Level V (46.9%), and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) Level III (33.3%). Their caregivers were mainly female (85.2%), aged 43.6 (9.34) years. The mean (SD) total score for CP2OHS was 29.67 (10.81) of –56 to 56 and P-CPQ was 13.21 (5.89) of 8 to 40. There was a significant difference in accessibility scores between tertiary, lower secondary, and primary levels of education (p = 0.009); village and city/ town residents (p = 0.013); and transportation with personal car and motorcycle (p = 0.004). The Pearson analysis revealed a weak positive correlation between accessibility and OHRQoL scores (r = 0.158, p = 0.16) that was not statistically significant. Children with CP posed high CP2OHS scores and low P-CPQ scores, indicating high accessibility to OHS and high OHRQoL. Strengthening OHS utilisation among these children is crucial for a better quality of life for them.

The objective of this study was to characterise articles published in removable partial denture (RPD) research from 1948 to 2022 to identify the most influential journals, publications, authors, and core research areas using bibliometric analysis. The Scopus database was used to retrieve publications with titles containing the truncated search term (“removable partial denture*” OR “removable prostho*”). Data analysis and visualisation were done using Microsoft Excel, Biblioshiny software and VOSviewer. A total of 2,484 articles were analyses from 1948 till 2022, representing an annual growth rate of 4.9%. The Journal of Prosthodontic Research demonstrated the highest average normal citation rate, with productive authors with highest citations being from Japan. From 1948 to 1999, most in-vitro and clinical research focused on the basic concept of RPD using cobalt-chromium as a framework before shifting to titanium in 2000. RPD research after 2012 focuses on new technology and non-metalbased frameworks as an alternative to metal-based frameworks. Wakabayashi and Fueki were the most prominent researchers, according to a three-field plot analysis, with the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, and Journal of Prosthodontic Research among the authors’ preferred journals. “CAD/CAM” and “3D printing” were identified as emerging themes in year 2020 to 2022, while “selective laser melting” was the trending keyword in 2017 to 2019. Research on “oral health and quality of life” has been identified as core research area in RPD-related research. RPD research on digital dentistry and new framework materials is anticipated to increase in the future with the incorporation of research on quality of life.

This study aimed to investigate the irrigation dynamics of the positive pressure side-vented (SV) needle, EndoVac (micropores) needle and modified apical negative pressure (mANP) open-ended needle using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A simulation of a prepared root canal (conical frustum) of 15 mm length with an apical diameter of 0.40 mm following Protaper F4 apical preparation was created using three-dimensional (3D) CAD software. The 3D simulated needle of SV 30G needle, EndoVac with micropores needle and mANP, 30G flat open-ended needle were also created. The irrigation dynamics were evaluated through transient CFD simulations. In addition, the irrigation dynamics of mANP at 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, and 1.0 mm short from the working length were also assessed. The EndoVac and mANP showed negative apical static pressure and streamline patterns able to reach the apical region, thus indicating negligible extrusion. Meanwhile, SV showed positive apical static pressure and almost nonexistent streamlines beyond the needle tip. The SV showed the highest wall shear stress (WSS) magnitude of 1030Pa whereas Endovac (161 Pa) and mANP1 (258 Pa). However, SV revealed lower average WSS (10 Pa) compared to mANP1 (13 Pa) and mANP2 (11 Pa). This is due to SV developed a localised maximum WSS opposite the open vent area only therefore, uneven distribution of WSS. The EndoVac system developed a localised maximum WSS in the pair of micropores furthest away from the apical. CFD analysis of the EndoVac, mANP and SV showed different technique approach, needle design and needle depths insertion affect the irrigation dynamics pattern and magnitude.

Duration of orthodontic treatment becomes major concern. The present study compared shear bond strength (SBS) and adhesive remnant index (ARI) values of different adhesive systems with different application methods on rebonding process of retrieved orthodontic brackets. Eighty premolar teeth were equally divided into five groups. Transbond XT (TXT) which belongs to total-etch system was used in Group 1 as the control group. Nova Compo-SF (NC) and Vertise Flow (VF) (Kerr Dental, Italy) which are self-adhering flowable composites were used in Group 2 (NC+etch) and Group 3 (VF+etch) respectively with additional etching before application. Group 4 (NC) and Group 5 (VF) were used by following instructions of each brand. The brackets were debonded with a bracket removing plier and rebonded with the same procedures after sandblasting of the bracket and surface cleaning of the enamel. SBS and ARI were measured for each sample. Comparison between all groups was performed by Kruskal-Wallis test and chisquare test. The highest SBS was observed in NC+etch (median = 11.44, mean = 13.49±9.42), followed by NC (median = 10.17, mean = 11.35±6.55), TXT (median = 6.36, mean = 8.06±6.33), VF+etch (median = 5.68, mean = 6.75±4.58), and VF (median = 2.62, mean = 2.92±2.57), respectively. ARI 1 was observed in 81.3% of TXT whereas 62.5% of NC+etch. ARI 1, 2, and 3 were equally distributed in VF+etch group (31.3%). ARI 5 was observed in 37.5% of NC and 62.5% of VF. Analyses referred to statistically significant differences between five groups regarding both SBS and ARI (p < 0.001). As NC showed the highest SBS on rebonding process, it can be a promising alternative to TXT which is the gold standard.

Various grafting materials are utilised to facilitate regeneration. There is currently a paradigm shift towards applying poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), which is regarded as an excellent scaffold for tissue engineering. Concentrated growth factor (CGF) has also been reported to promote wound healing. Nevertheless, the role of PLGA microspheres as a substitute for bone graft material with CGF in bone regeneration remains unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of CGF with PLGA on bone formation and the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) following socket preservation. PLGA microspheres were prepared using double solvent evaporation method and observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A 6 mL of rabbit’s blood was collected from the marginal ear vein and centrifuged to obtain CGF. Blood was also collected for ALP assessment from 24 New Zealand White (NZW) male rabbits subjected to the first upper left premolar extraction. Sockets were filled with CGF, PLGA, CGF+PLGA or left empty and observed with microscopic computed tomography (micro-CT) at four weeks and eight weeks. The SEM image revealed a spherical shape with interconnected pores on the surface of the PLGA particles. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to evaluate the effect of time and treatment (p < 0.05) with significant differences in bone width, height, volume, volume fraction and expression of ALP was observed with CGF+PLGA. Both CGF and PLGA have the potential as the alternative grafting materials and this study could serve as an ideal benchmark for future investigations on the role of CGF+PLGA in bone regeneration enhancement.

Periodontal disease, generally known as a silent disease, is one of the major global oral health burdens that contributes to tooth loss in adults. This study was to compare findings and agreement between periodontal self-examination (SE) and self-reported (SR) assessments in detection of periodontal disease among selected adult patients in Kuala Lumpur. The subjects were patients who attended the periodontic clinics in Faculty of Dentistry, UKM. Periodontal patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned into two groups, SE and SR groups. Patients in the SE group performed a periodontal SE using illustrated written manual with questionnaire, while those in the SR group answered questionnaire. Both groups were given similar content of questionnaire. Clinical oral examinations were carried out on all patients by a single trained calibrated examiner. A total of 172 patients (86 in each group) participated in the study with the mean age of 48 years (SD 12.6). Majority of them had severe periodontal disease. Only item “total number of teeth” had showed good agreement (p < 0.01) between groups. SR group showed higher sensitivity for all items (mobility, colour, recession and bleeding). Meanwhile, the SE group demonstrated higher specificity for items on mobility, recession and bleeding. Both SR and SE assessment areas were reliable in measuring total number of teeth in periodontal patients. SR assessment is more sensitive in detecting periodontal disease in terms of items for mobility, colour, recession and bleeding.

Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites of plants metabolism and can be found in olive oil. They exhibit antimicrobial activity towards both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. However, little is known about the antibacterial activity of the compounds towards periodontopathogens. The study aimed to investigate the potential of these compounds as antibacterial agents towards pathogens, specifically Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Phenolic compounds were extracted from extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) through liquid-liquid separation using methanol:water (70:30), and hexane. It was then prepared in various concentrations to determine its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against the periodontopathogens. The anti-adhesion activity was quantified using crystal violet staining while the effects on the morphology were examined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The MICs of the phenolic compounds on A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum were 31.25 mg/mL, 62.5 mg/mL and 125 mg/mL, respectively. The MBCs of the phenolic compounds on A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum were 62.5 mg/mL and 125 mg/mL, respectively suggesting this compound can eradicate these bacteria. There was no bactericidal effect on P. gingivalis. The adhesion of all the bacteria was interrupted by the compounds at the lowest concentration (1.95 mg/mL). SEM findings showed disruption of bacterial cell surfaces such as blebs and disintegration of cells after exposure to this extract. Phenolic compounds of olive oil exhibited antibacterial activity against the tested pathogens, with bactericidal effects on A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum and bacteriostatic effects on P. gingivalis.

Oral health professionals frequently provide oral hygiene instruction (OHI) during dental visits, yet the evidence for its effectiveness is inconclusive. The main objective of this study was to examine the evidence on the effectiveness of various oral hygiene teaching approaches on periodontal health in adults. The study searched the PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus databases for reports published between January 2000 and June 2020 in the English language. The quality of the selected papers was evaluated using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines by two authors. Overall, five reports met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The heterogeneity of outcome measurements across studies did not allow for direct comparison. Verbal and brochures were among the methods used in the studies. OHI was found to have short-term (up to 13 weeks) effects on dental plaque levels and/or gingiva bleeding. No significant differences were noted among the different oral hygiene methods affecting periodontal health. There is evidence that OHI is effective in reducing plaque and gingival bleeding scores in adult individuals, but it is still unclear if the effect continues beyond 13 weeks. No single method can be highlighted as the best medium of instruction.

Teledentistry has been proven to have the potential in addressing the gap in accessing oral health care worldwide. Nevertheless, more information is needed to support evidence-based teledentistry practice in Malaysia. The article aims to review teledentistry in view of implementing it to be a common practice in Malaysia. The authors describe teledentistry application worldwide, as well as its uses in the field of service and education. The article summarises the needs of teledentistry in South East Asia, as well as the ethical perspectives and legal practices. In addition, the article also reviews the opportunities arising from practicing teledentistry, including during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Following review, teledentistry seems to be a promising path as it could offer solutions to shortages in the workforce, high demand for treatment needs and unequal service distribution due to lack of accessibility in rural areas in Malaysia. Furthermore, teledentistry can extend care to underserved patients and provide opportunities to supplement teaching in dental education. The authors provide recommendations to overcome challenges to ensure a sustainable teledentistry. Incorporating teledentistry into practice in Malaysia is achievable but proper guidelines are required.