PurposeIn total, 17% of UK households with children experience food insecurity, with evidence to suggest a direct correlation with the prevalence of oral disease. This study explores current perceptions of the dental team, when recognising and supporting families who may experience food insecurity.Materials and methodsAn online, anonymous cross-sectional survey was designed and sent to members of the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) in June 2023, examining confidence and understanding surrounding food insecurity and dental health. Quantitative data is presented descriptively and qualitative data using a thematic analysis.ResultsThe response rate was 9.6% (n = 76). A significant number recognise the link between poor oral health and food insecurity, 80.3% (n = 61). Although practitioners are confident in oral health counselling, 80.3% (n = 61) a smaller proportion are not as confident when approaching food insecurity 32.9% (n = 25). Dental team members recognise the need to improve identification of affected patients and that they have a professional duty to support. Intervention strategies, such as additional training to support team development and signposting of patients are indicated.ConclusionThis study suggests that whilst dental professionals understand the link between food insecurity and oral health, and their responsibilities to those affected; they lack confidence in identifying such patients and providing support. Additional conversations and training are fundamental to better understand their role, which must reflect the needs of the population that they serve.

ObjectiveEvaluation of the Shear bond strength over zirconia and titanium alloy and degree of conversion of extraoral compared to intraoral self-adhesive resin cements.Materials and methodsNine bonding protocols were carried out on zirconia 4Y-TZP and titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V). Seven resin cement (one extraoral and six intraoral) were tested in the shear bond strength test and the degree of conversion measurements.ResultsThe significantly highest value was obtained for Monobond Plus + Multilink Hybrid Abutment, the extraoral resin cement for both titanium alloy (35.1 MPa) and zirconia (32.9 MPa). For each resin, significantly higher DC values were obtained for the dual-cure mode compared with the self-cure mode. Regardless of the cure mode, Nexus Universal reached the highest DC (78.4%).Discussion/ConclusionsIn this study, the extraoral self-curing resin cement showed the higher bond strength values on zirconia and titanium alloy when associated with a universal primer. Some intraoral dual-cure resin cements showed closed performances when used with universal primers. There is no direct correlation between the degree of conversion of the resin cement and the shear bond strength obtained on the prosthetic materials tested.

IntroductionThe application of different cavity disinfectants is an essential step that eliminates bacteria after cavity preparation. However, some of these materials may affect restoration sealing ability.AimThis study aimed to assess the degree of microleakage at the tooth restoration interface after using different nano prepared cavity disinfectants versus Diode Laser.Materials and methodsThree disinfectants were prepared on the nanoscale; Propolis, Liquorice and Chlorhexidine. A total of 40 extracted premolars with standard class V cavities were prepared on the facial surface. Teeth were divided into five groups according to the applied cavity disinfection protocol; no treatment, Chloehexidine, Propolis, Liquorice, and Diode Laser. After application of composite resin restoration, all teeth were subjected to thermocycling, afterwords the degree of microleakage was measured in micrometers. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, followed by Bonferroni’s and Tukey’s post hoc test.ResultsThe highest mean microlekage value was recorded in no treatment group, followed by Liquorice, Propolis. While Diode Laser group showed the lowest degree of microleakage.ConclusionDiode Laser cavity disinfectant has no negative effect on the restoration sealing ability. Nano prepared Propolis showed comparative results to nanoChloehexidine as both had low degree of microleakage.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate salivary pH changes after consuming three types of milk in children aged 3–5 years. The null hypothesis was that no statistically significant difference would be noted in the salivary pH between high-protein, full-fat, and sweetened milk groups at different time points.Materials and methodsThis was a double-blind, pilot randomized controlled crossover trial. 30 Children have undergone three experimental sessions with a 1-week washout period. Each child was given 250 mL of one of the following types of milk: high-protein, full-fat, or sweetened milk. The salivary pH was measured at the baseline (t0) after 5 (t1), 10 (t2), 15 (t3), 30 (t4), and 60 (t5) minutes of milk consumption, using a pH saliva indicator strip.ResultsThere is a sharp drop in salivary pH after 5 min of sweetened (P < 0.05) and full-fat milk consumption (p < 0.05). However, the initial drop in the salivary pH was found to remain above the critical level. For the high-protein milk group, salivary pH decreased slightly after 5 min but was similar to that at the baseline (p = 0.573). In the high-protein milk group (p < 0.05), the salivary pH was slightly greater than the baseline value at t5.ConclusionsThe study shows an initial suggestion that milk is a non-cariogenic beverage, even when sugar is added. Furthermore, high-protein milk has a protective effect from dental caries.

IntroductionLiterature reviews support continuing anticoagulation during dental procedures. However, studies often present grouped anticoagulation data, and information on individual anticoagulant management would be helpful to dentists. The Edoxaban Management in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures (EMIT-AF/VTE) programme (NCT02950168; NCT02951039) demonstrated low periprocedural bleeding and thrombotic event rates in patients with atrial fibrillation receiving edoxaban.AimsTo report periprocedural edoxaban interruption and clinical events in patients from EMIT-AF/VTE who underwent dental procedures.MethodsDental procedures were categorised by type (cleaning/noncleaning). Edoxaban interruption, bleeding events, and thrombotic events were observed 5 days preprocedure through 29 days postprocedure.ResultsOverall, 196 patients underwent 350 cleaning and/or noncleaning procedures; most patients (171/196 [87.2%]) underwent noncleaning procedures (282/350 [80.6%]), whereas 48/196 (24.5%) underwent 68/350 (19.4%) cleaning procedures. Edoxaban was uninterrupted for most cleanings (53/68 [77.9%]). Preprocedural interruption was common for single and multiple tooth extractions (single, 67/100 [67.0%]; multiple, 16/30 [53.3%]). The only major bleeding occurred after an unrelated cleaning. Minor bleeding occurred in 1/68 (1.5%) cleaning and 4/282 (1.4%) noncleaning procedures. There were no thrombotic events.ConclusionsFor most cleanings, edoxaban was not interrupted, whereas preprocedural interruption was more common for tooth extractions. Overall, bleeding rates were low, and no thrombotic events occurred.

AimThis study was undertaken to compare direct composite resin restorations (DCRR) and indirect composite resin restorations (ICRR) for treating permanent first molars affected by MIH in terms of clinical performance.Materials and methodsThis was a controlled, randomized, clinical split-mouth study. The studied sample consisted of 40 asymptomatic first permanent hypomineralised mandibular molars in 20 children aged between 7–11 years, these cases were divided randomly into two groups: Group 1 (experimental): 20 first permanent mandibular molars were restored with ICRR, and Group 2 (control): 20 first permanent mandibular molars that were restored with DCRR. The cavity was prepared using a diamond bur on a high-speed handpiece, and the prepared cavity was wiped with cotton moistened with sodium hypochlorite. The composite was applied directly with a total-etch bonding system. In the ICRR group, an impression for the prepared cavity was taken using a silicon-based material, and the restoration was adhesive with self-adhesive resin cement. The child’s satisfaction with each of the two application techniques was assessed through the scale FACES. Restorations were evaluated during follow-up periods (3, 6, and 12 months) according to Modified USHPH criteria.ResultsThe clinical success rate was 90% in the ICRR group versus 85% in the DCRR group after 12 months of follow-up without statistically significant differences (P = 0.218). Children were significantly more satisfied (P = 0.0351) with ICRR than DCRR.ConclusionsBoth DCRR and ICRR can be considered effective restorations with acceptable clinical performance in the restoration of hypomineralised first permanent molars with an advantage of ICRR in terms of child acceptance of the restoration application technique.

IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence of periodontal disease and the factors of the disease among high school students.MethodThe participants were all students aged 15–18 years (n = 1202) at a high school in Japan. The data on oral health perceptions and behaviours were collected by a questionnaire survey. The prevalence of periodontal disease among them was investigated with the partial community periodontal index (PCPI). A logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with the PCPI.ResultsA total of 1069 students (88.9%) participated in this study. The prevalence of gingival bleeding, calculus, pocket depth of 4–5 mm, and pocket depth of 6 mm or more were 44.2%, 42.2%, 11.4%, and 1.6%, respectively. Approximately one-third of the students had a fear of dental treatment, and only 28.4% used dental floss. The results of logistic regression analysis, adjusted for sex and school year, showed that not visiting dentists regularly, not using dental floss, brushing teeth for less than 5 min, fear of dental treatment, and drinking sports drinks frequently were positively associated with periodontal conditions.ConclusionThis study identified a high prevalence of periodontal disease among Japanese high school students aged 15–18 years and its risk factors, such as poor oral health behaviours and fear of dental treatment.

ObjectivesThere is a significant apprehension in medicine and dentistry concerning the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, as it composes a significant threat to global health, particularly oral health. The growing concern that oral pathogens may develop resistance against standard preventive measures raises the need for alternative measures to prevent these pathogens’ growth without inducing microbial resistance. Therefore, this study aims to assess the antibacterial properties of eucalyptus oil (EO) against two main oral disease pathogens, Streptococcus mutans, and Enterococci faecalis.MethodsS. mutans and E. faecalis biofilms were initiated using brain-heart infusion (BHI) broth supplemented with 2% sucrose with and without diluted EO. After 24 h of biofilm formation, total absorbance was measured via spectrophotometer; then, the biofilm was fixed, stained with crystal violet dye, and measured at 490 nm. An Independent t-test was used to compare the outcomes.ResultsDiluted EO revealed significant total absorbance reduction against S. mutans and E. faecalis compared to the control (p ≤ 0.001). For the biofilm measurement, S. mutans and E. faecalis biofilms were reduced by around 60- and 30-fold, respectively, compared to the group with no EO (p ≤ 0.001).ConclusionBased on this study’s results, using EO as an organic compound could be considered an adjunctive tool in preventing the growth of oral pathogens causing dental caries and endodontic infection.

ObjectiveTo demonstrate the miRNA delivery by hydroxyapatite nanoparticles modified with APTES (HA-NPs-APTES) and promote osteogenic gene expression.Materials and methodsOsteosarcoma cells (HOS, MG-63) and primary human mandibular osteoblasts (HmOBs) were co-cultured with HA-NPs-APTES conjugated with miRNA-302a-3p. Resazurin reduction assay was performed to evaluate HA-NPs-APTES biocompatibility. Intracellular uptake was demonstrated by confocal fluorescent and scanning electron microscopy. The miRNA-302a-3p and its mRNA targets expression levels including COUP-TFII and other osteogenic genes were assessed by qPCR on day1 or day5 post-delivery. Calcium deposition induced by the osteogenic gene upregulation was shown by alizarin red staining on day7 and 14 post-delivery.ResultsProliferation of HOS cells treated with HA-NPs-APTES was similar to that of untreated cells. HA-NPs-APTES was visualized in cell cytoplasm within 24 hours. MiRNA-302a-3p level was upregulated in HOS, MG-63 and HmOBs as compared to untreated cells. As a result, COUP-TFII mRNA expression was reduced, followed by an increase of RUNX2 and other osteogenic genes mRNA expression. Calcium deposition induced by HA-NPs-APTES-miR-302a-3p in HmOBs was significantly higher than in untreated cells.ConclusionHA-NPs-APTES may support the delivery of miRNA-302a-3p into bone cells, as assessed by osteogenic gene expression and differentiation improvement once this combination is used on osteoblast cultures.

ObjectivesThe study was conducted to investigate whether peer-assessment among dental students at the clinical stage can be fostered and become closer to that of experienced faculty assessors.MethodsA prospective pilot study was conducted in 2021 at the Faculty of Dentistry, Damascus University. Sixteen 5th year clinical students volunteered to participate in the study. A modified version of the validated Peer Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (Peer-DOPS) assessment form was used together with a grading rubric. Participants undertook peer-assessment on their colleagues across three encounters. The difference between peers and faculty assessment was the main variable.ResultsThe mean difference between peers and faculty assessment decreased after each encounter with a significant difference and a medium effect size between the first and third encounters (p = 0.016, d = 0.67). Peer-assessment was significantly higher than faculty, however, the overestimation declined with each encounter reducing the difference between peer- and faculty assessment. Peers’ perception of the educational benefit of conducting assessment was overwhelmingly positive, reporting improvements in their own performance.ConclusionThis pilot study provides preliminary evidence that dental students assessment ability of their peers can be fostered and become closer to that of experienced faculty assessment with practice and assessment-specific instruction.