Oral Health Status and Patterns of Dental Service Utilization of Adolescents in Lesotho, Southern Africa

Utilization of caries risk assessment tools within the underserved population: a scoping review

OBJECTIVES

Caries Risk Assessment (CRA) tools can be utilised to assess caries risk levels within underserved individuals to provide risk-based caries management. With no previous review mapping the evidence of CRA tools in underserved populations, a scoping review was conducted to provide a comprehensive view of the current literature and the utilisation of CRA tools in underserved populations. The main objectives of this review are as follows: (1) to comprehensively review CRA tools utilised, and (2) to highlight the important findings indicating the oral health status of underserved population subgroups.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Dissertations & Theses Global (ProQuest). All relevant English-language papers published between January 2004 to June 2024 were identified. Retrieved references were imported and underwent 2-stage screening. The type of CRA tool was extracted as the primary outcome and oral health status of underserved subgroups were extracted as the secondary outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 26 studies and nine different CRA tools were identified. Included studies examined caries risk in low-income families, people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, refugees, veterans, and rural communities. Most studies indicated moderate to high caries risk and significant unmet oral health needs in underserved populations.

CONCLUSIONS

The underserved populations experience elevated caries risk and poor oral health status that require the attention of policymakers and practitioners. Significant heterogeneity across the utilised CRA tools was identified. Future research focusing on developing a standardised and appropriately validated CRA tool that can be utilised is necessary.

The Relationship Between Social Support and Relapse Tendency Among Those Who Struggle With Drug Addiction: Multiple Mediators of Exercise Self-Efficacy and Health-Related Quality of Life

Based on social support theory and exercise promotion health theory, we verified the mediating role of exercise self-efficacy and health-related quality of life in the relationship between social support and the relapse tendency of Chinese people who struggle with drug addiction. Samples who had received traditional Chinese health-promoting exercise interventions over 3 months were recruited from two drug rehabilitation centres in Zhejiang Province ( n = 415). The participants completed the Social Support Rating Scale, Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, Health Survey Short Form Questionnaire Chinese version, and Relapse Tendency Scale. Correlation analysis showed significant positive correlations between social support, exercise self-efficacy, and quality of life. In contrast, social support, exercise self-efficacy, and quality of life were negatively correlated with relapse tendency. In addition, intermediary effect analysis showed that social support has a direct negative predictive effect on relapse tendency in two ways: as an independent intermediary of exercise self-efficacy and as a chain intermediary of exercise self-efficacy and quality of life. Good exercise habits and adherence, as well as early establishment of social support, are beneficial not only for reducing craving and relapse behaviour but also for enhancing the quality of life of people who struggle with drug addiction, thereby facilitating the recovery efficacy for maintenance.

Characteristics of Individuals in Japan Who Regularly Manage Their Oral Health by Having a Family Dentist: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey

Dental healthcare systems may differ between countries; however, having a family dentist is generally important for proper oral health management. This study aims to analyze the proportion of people in Japan who have a family dentist, and their characteristics. A nationwide web-based survey with 3556 participants (1708 men and 1848 women) showed that 45.6% of men and 54.1% of women had a family dentist (FD group). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that men in the FD group mostly belonged to older age groups (≥70 s, OR: 2.41), received higher household incomes (≥8000 K JPY, OR: 1.47), brushed their teeth three or more times daily (OR: 1.60), practiced habitual interdental cleaning (OR: 3.66), and fewer lived in rural areas (towns and villages, OR: 0.52). Regarding the women, the majority belonged to older age groups (60 s, OR: 1.52; ≥70 s, OR: 1.73), practiced habitual interdental cleaning (OR: 3.68), and fewer received lower household incomes (<2000 K JPY, OR: 0.61). These results suggest that despite Japan being a country with a public insurance coverage system for both men and women, having a family dentist is associated with disparities in individual socioeconomic factors, particularly age and household income.

Analysis of the Dental Caries Epidemiological Profile in Children of Benguela city, Angola

PURPOSE

To analyse the epidemiological profile of dental caries in children aged 5 and 12 years in the city of Benguela, Angola.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study conducted in 2019 with 190 12-year-old schoolchildren and 240 5-year-old schoolchildren from the public education system in Benguela, Angola. The relationship between dental caries and dental characteristics, sociodemographic factors, access to dental services, oral hygiene practices, and eating habits was analysed. Dental condition was evaluated using the dmft and decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) indices.

RESULTS

It was found that 62.63% (n = 119) of 12-year-old students and 42.08% (n = 101) of 5-year-old students were free from dental caries. The average DMFT was 0.76 + 1.35 and dmft was 2.19 + 2.95. The majority of children (56.51%) had never been to the dentist, had no dental elements restored, and none of the students used dental floss. The proportion of students who consumed sweets every day was higher at 5 years of age (46.25%) than at 12 years of age (22.63%). There was a statistically significant association (P = 0.01) between the higher incidence of dental caries and peri-urban location among 5-year-old schoolchildren.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the prevalence of dental caries in the permanent dentition of schoolchildren in Benguela is very low; however, the situation is critical in the primary dentition, especially in the peri-urban area. The limited access to dental surgeons and lack of treatment for affected teeth highlight the need to implement and develop public policies to promote oral health.

Oral Health and Psychosocial Predictors of Quality of Life and General Well-Being among Adolescents in Lesotho, Southern Africa

BACKGROUND

Adolescents' quality of life is reported to be significantly associated with physical and social wellbeing. Although adolescents are 30% of the Southern African population, no previous studies have focused on this group in relation to oral health and quality of life.

METHODS

A 40-item survey and clinical oral examinations were conducted in public schools in Maseru from 10 to 25 August 2016. Simple, bivariate, and multivariate regressions were used to evaluate the associations of oral health and psychosocial factors with self-reported general health status and quality of life.

RESULTS

A total of 526 participants, aged 12-19 years old, responded to the survey and participated in the clinical examinations. The majority reported a good (good/very good/excellent) quality of life (84%) and general health (81%). Bivariate results showed that self-reported general health in this population was significantly influenced by age. The presence of toothache and sensitivity in the adolescents were significantly associated with poor (fair/poor) self-reported general health and were found to be the best predictors for self-general health and quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

The absence of dental conditions such as toothache and tooth sensitivity can lead to a better perception of general health and Quality of Life in adolescents.