Ethnic background and children's oral health-related quality of life

Association between LTF/MMP20/CA6/TAS1R2 polymorphisms and susceptibility to dental caries

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to assess the associations between the LTF, MMP20, CA6, and TAS1R2 polymorphisms and caries in the Zhuang population and explore the underlying mechanism of the impact of lactoferrin on caries susceptibility.

METHODS

A case-control study of 315 adolescents was conducted in Guangxi, China, from May-November 2022. Data were collected through oral examinations and questionnaires. Buccal mucosa cells and DNA samples were collected using the SNPscan technique. Saliva and supragingival plaque samples were taken from 69 subjects with various LTF rs10865941 genotypes. The relationships among the LTF rs10865941 polymorphism, lactoferrin, Streptococcus mutans, and caries were investigated by using the ELISA and qRT-PCR, along with logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The genotype distribution of the LTF gene were significantly different between the case and control groups (p = 0.018). The case group had lower C allele and greater T allele frequencies than the control group (p = 0.006). The LTF rs10865941 polymorphism was associated with caries in the codominant, dominant, and additive models (p < 0.05). MMP20 rs1784418, CA6 rs2274328, and TAS1R2 rs35874116 were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). A greater quantity of S. mutans. in the supragingival plaque was found in the case group (p = 0.03). There were significant differences between the two groups in both the codominant model and the dominant model (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The LTF rs10865941 polymorphism may be associated with caries susceptibility in the Zhuang population of China. The LTF rs10865941 T allele may be a potential risk factor for dental caries.

Gender-based cytomorphometric analysis of buccal exfoliated cells in a South Indian population

OBJECTIVE

To assess differences based on gender in nuclear area (NA), cytoplasmic area (CA), and nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio (N:C ratio) values for clinically normal buccal smears in apparently healthy subjects of a South Indian population, thereby providing definitive baseline cytomorphometric measurements for the South Indian population.

METHODS

Buccal smears were collected from 60 healthy subjects (30 males and 30 females) of a South Indian population above 18 years in age. Values of the NA and CA were measured, and the N:C ratio calculated, using ImageJ software. Statistical analysis of the data with independent t tests and 95% confidence intervals was done using SPSS version 21 (significance set at P < 0.05).

RESULTS

The results showed that there were significant differences in the NA, CA, and N:C values between males and females irrespective of age (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Definitive gender-specific baseline cytomorphometric data can be established using exfoliative cytology for the South Indian population, and this may be helpful in deciphering the occurrence of oral pre-malignant diseases and oral squamous cell carcinoma in this population, as the incidence of these conditions varies with gender and different ethnic groups.

Oral and craniofacial research in the Generation R study: an executive summary

OBJECTIVES

Oral conditions are of high prevalence and chronic character within the general population. Identifying the risk factors and determinants of oral disease is important, not only to reduce the burden of oral diseases, but also to improve (equal access to) oral health care systems, and to develop effective oral health promotion programs. Longitudinal population-based (birth-)cohort studies are very suitable to study risk factors on common oral diseases and have the potential to emphasize the importance of a healthy start for oral health. In this paper, we provide an overview of the comprehensive oral and craniofacial dataset that has been collected in the Generation R study: a population-based prospective birth cohort in the Netherlands that was designed to identify causes of health from fetal life until adulthood.

METHODS

Within the multidisciplinary context of the Generation R study, oral and craniofacial data has been collected from the age of 3 years onwards, and continued at the age of six, nine, and thirteen. Data collection is continuing in 17-year-old participants.

RESEARCH OUTCOMES

In total, the cohort population comprised 9749 children at birth, and 7405 eligible participants at the age of seventeen. Based on questionnaires, the dataset contains information on oral hygiene, dental visits, oral habits, oral health-related quality of life, orthodontic treatment, and obstructive sleep apnea. Based on direct measurements, the dataset contains information on dental caries, developmental defects of enamel, objective orthodontic treatment need, dental development, craniofacial characteristics, mandibular cortical thickness, and 3D facial measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

Several research lines have been set up using the oral and craniofacial data linked with the extensive data collection that exists within the Generation R study.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Being embedded in a multidisciplinary and longitudinal birth cohort study allows researchers to study several determinants of oral and craniofacial health, and to provide answers and insight into unknown etiologies and oral health problems in the general population.

Changes in oral health-related quality of life before and after dental treatment in 8-12-year-old Costa Rican schoolchildren

Aims

The aims of this study were to (1) evaluate oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in 8-12-year-old Costa Rican schoolchildren before and after dental treatment and (2) collect clinical and sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods

Schoolchildren completed the Child Oral Health Impact Profile-Short Form (COHIP-SF-19) questionnaire before and after dental treatment. One of the parents was asked to complete a sociodemographic survey. Patients were treated for caries, hypomineralizations, and dental malocclusions. The prevalence of these conditions was assessed from the patient's electronic dental record.

Results

Eighty participants (39 male and 41 female, average age: 9.4 ± 1.0 years) were recruited. The prevalence of dental caries was 56.1% with a mean deft and DMFT score of 3.15 ± 0.96 and 2.22 ± 0.77, respectively. The prevalence of hypomineralization and dental malocclusions was 53.7% and 82.9%, respectively. The Simplified Oral Hygiene Index before treatment was 1.45 ± 0.45 and after was 1.42 ± 0.43. The mean COHIP-SF-19 total score decreased from 53.7 ± 7.8 before dental treatment to 31.4 ± 4.2 after treatment. Improvements in all subdomains were also observed. Regarding sociodemographic characteristics, 65% of the patients lived in San José, Costa Rica's capital city, and 56.3% of the studied population belonged to a low-income family. Most parents did not complete high school. Regarding the number of family members living in the same house as the patient, an average of four people was reported. In relation to family structure, 58.8% of the children's parents lived together, either married or free union. As for household ownership, 53.8% of parents reported owning their house, 36.3% lived in a rented house, and 10% lived in a borrowed home.

Conclusion

The prevalence of caries, hypomineralizations, and dental malocclusions were high before dental treatment. Reported sociodemographic characteristics unlikely changed after dental treatment, suggesting dental care played a pivotal role in improving self-perceptions of oral health and quality of life in our clinical setting.

Birth and Health Outcomes of Children Migrating With Parents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective

To examine the birth and health outcomes of children migrating with parents internationally and domestically, and to identify whether the healthy migration effect exist in migrant children.

Methods

Five electronic databases were searched for cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort studies published from January 1, 2000 to January 30, 2021and written by English language, reporting the risk of health outcomes of migrant children (e.g., birth outcome, nutrition, physical health, mental health, death, and substance use) We excluded studies in which participants' age more than 18 years, or participants were forced migration due to armed conflict or disasters, or when the comparators were not native-born residents. Pooled odd ratio (OR) was calculated using random-effects models.

Results

Our research identified 10,404 records, of which 98 studies were retrained for analysis. The majority of the included studies (89, 91%) focused on international migration and 9 (9%) on migration within country. Compared with native children, migrant children had increased risks of malnutrition [OR 1.26 (95% CI 1.11-1.44)], poor physical health [OR 1.34 (95% CI 1.11-1.61)], mental disorder [OR 1.24 (95% CI 1.00-1.52)], and death [OR 1.11 (95% CI 1.01-1.21)], while had a lower risk of adverse birth outcome [OR 0.92 (95% CI 0.87-0.97)]. The difference of substance use risk was not found between the two groups.

Conclusion

Migrant children had increased risk of adverse health outcomes. No obvious evidence was observed regarding healthy migration effect among migrant children. Actions are required to address the health inequity among these populations.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#myprospero, identifier: CRD42021214115.

Oral Health in Migrants: An Observational Study on the Oral Health Status of a Migrant Cohort Coming from Middle- and Low-Income Countries

Introduction. The oral health conditions of migrants coming from middle- and low-income countries to developed countries have been shown to be poorer than those of the host population. Since the phenomenon of migration has continued to grow over the past five decades, the oral health status of migrant populations should be an issue of great concern. Objectives. The objective of our observational study was to analyse the periodontal health status and the prevalence of dental caries and lesions of the oral mucosa in a migrant cohort resident in Italy, assessing the association between the oral health status and the educational level of the included patients. Materials and Methods. Our research was conducted at the dental department of Policlinico Tor Vergata (Rome, Italy). A sample of 200 migrants coming from middle- and low-income countries, aged between 3 and 37, was included in our study. Each patient underwent a physical examination of the oral cavity, recording the DMFT/dmft index, Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPI), and lesions of the oral mucosa. The one-way ANOVA test was used to establish the correlation between the oral health status and the educational level of the participants. Results. Many participants (62.5%) showed a DMFT/dmft Index ≥ 4; only 27% of the migrants had a DMFT/dmft Index lower than 4, and only 21 of them (10.5%) were recorded at 0. A CPI equal to 0 or 1 was observed in 131 patients (65.5%), while only 30 participants presented a CPI equal to or higher than 4 (15%), and 19.5% (39 patients) were assigned to code 2 and 3. Significant statistical differences were found in the CPI after adjusting data for the educational level of the included participants (p-value < 0.01). Conclusions. The data obtained in our research highlighted poor oral conditions among the analysed migrant population, recording a high prevalence of dental caries and inadequate oral hygiene habits.

Oral Health Status among Migrants from Middle- and Low-Income Countries to Europe: A Systematic Review

Introduction. Economic inequality, political instability and globalization have contributed to the constant growth of the migration phenomenon in recent years. In particular, a total of 4.2 million people migrated to Europe during 2019 and most of them settled in Germany, France and Italy. Objectives. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of studies analyzing the oral health condition among migrants from middle- and low-income countries to Europe and assessing the eventual association between their sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics and oral health status. Materials and Methods. A systematic review was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Science Direct databases. After titles, abstracts and full-text examination, only 27 articles were selected on the basis of inclusion criteria and consequently included for quality assessments and data extraction. Results. Most of the studies reported a higher prevalence of caries experience, a poorer periodontal health and more difficulties in accessing dentalcare services among migrant groups compared with the non-migrant population. Inequalities were mostly associated with ethnic background, economic condition and social grade. Conclusion. Our review demonstrates the lack of dental health among migrants, underlining that their cultural beliefs and their social and economic living conditions could influence their oral health.

Association of siblings' presence and oral health-related quality of life among children: a cross-sectional study

Background

The quantity–quality trade-off theory indicates that an increase in siblings might decrease a child’s well-being, but little is known about the impacts of sibling number on children’s oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This study aims to investigate the effects of presence of siblings on children’s OHRQoL, and to further test whether there is an interaction effect between siblings’ presence and locations on children’s OHRQoL.

Methods

Data were obtained from an oral-health survey of 12-year-old children in Beijing, China, which was a part of the 4th National Oral Health Survey in the Mainland of China (2015–2016). This study included 2158 children data for analysis. OHRQoL was assessed by the child’s Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP). OIDP prevalence served as an indicator of OHRQoL. Children with and without siblings were recorded as non-single and single children, respectively. Dental variables, including active caries, gingival bleeding, and calculus, were reported. A logistic regression model was applied to investigate the association of siblings’ presence and OIDP prevalence. A synergy index was used to assess the possible interaction effect between siblings’ presence and location on OIDP prevalence.

Results

Sixty percent of Chinese children reported suffering OIDP in the previous six months. OIDP prevalence for non-single and single children were 68.3% and 56.9%, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of OIDP for non-single children was 1.31 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.63), and the adjusted OR of OIDP for non-single and rural children was 2.03 (95% CI: 1.47, 2.81). The synergy index between siblings’ presence and location on OIDP was 2.18 (85% CI: 1.30, 3.67), which indicates that an excessive risk increase for OIDP was observed among non-single and rural children.

Conclusions

Children with siblings are more likely to report OIDP and have lower OHRQoL, especially those from rural areas. These findings indicate that oral-health interventions should be given priority for non-single and rural children.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-021-01526-y.