Oral Health Knowledge, Self-Assessed Oral Health Behavior, and Oral Hygiene Practices among the Adult General Population in Croatia

Prevalence and Demographic Insights in Public Dental Clinics in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND In Saudi Arabia, particularly the Jazan region, a high prevalence of caries is reported among children, while adult data remain limited. This study aimed to assess the sex, age, and prevalence distribution of dental caries among adults in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional study assessed dental caries among walk-in patients from 4 dental centers in Jazan region, using the WHO Oral Health Assessment Form (2013). Seven trained dentists conducted examinations, ensuring interrater reliability (Cronbach alpha=0.7). Sociodemographic data and Decayed, Missing, and Filled Permanent Teeth (DMFT) scores were collected and analyzed by tooth type, dental arches, and sides of arches. Data were analyzed using STATA/SE 15.1, using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and t tests. Statistical significance was set at P≤0.05. RESULTS Of 312 participants, 94.6% were women. Caries prevalence was highest in the 26-30 year age group (24.4%), and overall was 94.6%. Maxillary arch had higher caries prevalence (91.3%) than mandibular arch (84.9%), with molars most affected. DMFT scores were lowest in the 19-25 age group (9.33±5.23) and highest in 36-40 group (13.42±4.94). Participants over 50 years showed significant tooth loss (6.09±5.51). There was a significant difference and association between the presence of caries and arch type with age groups (P=0.005, P=0.002 with ANOVA). CONCLUSIONS Widespread prevalence of dental caries in the Jazan region was found, affecting diverse demographics. Findings stress the need for preventive care, early intervention, and tailored treatments to address age-specific and sex-related differences, to improve overall oral health outcomes.

Oral Health and Hygiene Practices from Baramulla District, Jammu and Kashmir, India: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Observational Survey

Background/Objectives: Oral hygiene practices are important for good oral health and overall well-being. In this study, we surveyed people across age groups and genders to understand the oral hygiene practices of Baramulla district of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Methods: 488 participants-229 males and 259 females-were randomly interviewed through a structured 20-item questionnaire. A chi-square test was used to analyze the age and gender-specific associations in oral hygiene behaviors. Results: The study revealed that majority of participants brushed their teeth only once a day instead of the recommended twice a day; only young cohorts showed relatively higher practice of brushing twice daily. A significantly higher proportion of males (11.69%) rarely brushed their teeth compared to females (4.28%). Tongue cleaning was poorly reported across age and genders and more than 60% of respondents did not clean their tongue at all. Almost 75% and above had made dental visits at least once. However, the visits were made primarily in cases of pain and sensitivity, indicating negligence, financial issues, or a general lack of awareness. The younger cohorts reported eating fast food more frequently, indicating risk groups. The majority of male respondents (45.88%) reported fair oral health whereas the majority of female respondents (35.29%) reported poor overall oral health. Conclusions: Our results show that oral hygiene practices need more improvement, and the attitude and knowledge of the residents need to be ameliorated through oral health education policy interventions.

Psychometric Analysis and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Croatian Version of the Oral Health Values Scale (OHVS)

Background/Objectives: A person's values regarding oral health significantly shape their related behaviors and habits. Therefore, it is essential to systematically study this relationship and create reliable tools to assess perceptions of oral health values, which can inform evidence-based interventions and policy decisions. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the "Oral Health Values Scale" (OHVS) for use in the Croatian context. Methods: The process involved two key phases. First, an expert committee oversaw the translation to ensure consistency across all versions and produce a test-ready instrument. To identify any ambiguities in translation and test the instrument's reliability, a pilot study with 40 participants was conducted. Once the expert committee confirmed content validity, the finalized OHVS was administered to a sample of 702 Croatian adults to evaluate its psychometric properties. Results: Factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure in the Croatian version, differing from the original four-factor model, with items from the "Retaining Natural Teeth" subscale distributed across two factors. Results demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach's α > 0.78) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.976, 95% CI: 0.955-0.987, p < 0.01), confirming the instrument's reliability. Conclusions: These results confirm the OHVS-CRO as a valid and reliable instrument for assessing oral health values, offering valuable insights into the perspectives of Croatian populations. This validation study provides a foundation for future research, supports culturally tailored interventions, and highlights the potential for the OHVS to inform oral health research and policy development both locally and globally.

Proportion of good oral hygiene and mean value oral hygiene index among children with cerebral palsy in Africa and Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Children with cerebral palsy face various challenges, including oral hygiene, which is crucial for their overall well-being and quality of life. However, limited research investigates oral hygiene among children with cerebral palsy. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to assess the proportion of good oral hygiene and mean value oral hygiene index among children with cerebral palsy in Africa and Asia.

METHODS

This review included full articles conducted among children with cerebral palsy in Africa and Asia, assessing the proportion of oral hygiene and/or the mean oral hygiene index. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Hinari, citation searching, and grey literature were retrieved to identify eligible articles through Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The registration number in Prospero is CRD42024540182. Data were extracted by standardized JBI data extraction format for personal hygiene and the mean value of oral hygiene index. Then exported to STATA 14 for further analysis. I2 and Egger's tests were employed to estimate the heterogeneity and publication bias respectively. Subgroup analysis based on country, study design, year of publication, and the sample size was also examined.

RESULTS

The random-effects model analysis revealed that the pooled proportion of good oral hygiene among children with cerebral palsy in Asia and Africa was 21.8% (95% CI: 14.2-29.4). Additionally, the analysis showed that the pooled mean value of the oral hygiene index among children with cerebral palsy in Asia and Africa was 1.9 (95% CI: 0.8-2.9). The study conducted separate analyses on the proportion of good oral hygiene in Africa and Asia, showing that the estimated proportion was 33.3% (95% CI: 15.1-51.4) for Africa and 11.7% (95% CI: 7.6-15.9) for Asia. Additionally, the study categorized the proportion of good oral hygiene based on the study design, revealing that 22.9% (95% CI: 10.4-35.4) for case-control studies and 21.5% (95% CI: 12.6-30.4) for cross-sectional studies. Furthermore, the analysis considered the difference in publication year, the proportions of good oral hygiene were found to be 23.2% (95% CI: 10.1-36.3) for publications before ≤ 2015 and 20.3% (95% CI: 11.4-29.3) for publications after > 2015. Lastly, the study examined the proportion of good oral hygiene based on sample size, 28.3% (95% CI: 11.0-45.6) for sample sizes ≤ 70 and 15.8% (95% CI: 9.3-22.2) for sample sizes > 70.

CONCLUSIONS

This review suggested that the proportion of good oral hygiene among children with cerebral palsy appears insufficient in Asia and Africa. With just one-fifth exhibiting good oral hygiene, it is advisable to strengthen interventions and support programs in both regions to enhance oral hygiene in this vulnerable population. Further research better to focus on identifying potential factors and conducting qualitative investigations to comprehend the perspectives of children and caregivers on oral hygiene within these regions.

Comparative Perceptions of Fluoride Toxicity in Oral Hygiene Products: Insights from the General Population and Healthcare Professionals

BACKGROUND

The safety of oral hygiene products is a growing concern, particularly regarding the toxicity of specific ingredients used in their formulations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of dentists, physicians, pharmacists, and the general public regarding ingredients in oral hygiene products, especially fluoride. Additionally, this study aimed to identify which ingredients may exhibit potential toxicity based on historical records of any adverse effects being induced by a material/component.

METHODS

A self-administered questionnaire was used in an online cross-sectional observational study to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of fluoride in dental medicine, fluoride usage practices in oral hygiene products, opinions on ingredient toxicity in oral hygiene products, and personal experiences of adverse reactions to products and their components. The collected data underwent descriptive and regression analyses to reveal patterns and relationships within the dataset.

RESULTS

The study found a moderate overall knowledge level regarding fluoride usage in dentistry among participants (Md = 5.00, IQR 2.50-7.00). Healthcare professionals exhibited significantly higher knowledge scores compared to the general population (p ≤ 0.001), with dental professionals displaying the highest scores. Regarding concerns about the usage of fluoride, the majority of respondents (77.0%) did not express any concerns. Minor concerns included the risk of ingestion (6.0%) and dental fluorosis (4.6%). Among the other ingredients in oral hygiene products, respondents named alcohol as the most toxic ingredient (70.3%), followed by artificial colors (53.1%), artificial sweeteners (50.4%), and parabens (50.1%). It is noteworthy that the majority of participants (61.6%) stated that they had never experienced any side effects associated with the use of oral hygiene products.

CONCLUSION

This study underscores disparities in fluoride knowledge between healthcare professionals and the general population in Croatia, with dental experts exhibiting a superior understanding. Despite lingering misconceptions about fluoride content and potential toxicity, the majority of participants acknowledge its oral health benefits and use fluoride products regularly.

Impact of dental caries and Self-perceived oral health on daily lives of children and mothers in rural Egypt: a household survey

BACKGROUND

The present study assessed the impact of oral health on the daily lives of children and mothers living in a rural area in Northwestern Egypt.

METHODS

A cross-sectional household survey including children between 6 and 12 years old and their mothers was conducted in rural Egypt, 2019-2020. Data were collected using clinical examination and interview-based questionnaires of children and mothers. Three binary logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between the dependent variables (oral health impact (yes, no) on avoiding smiling, chewing problems, and missing school (children) and avoiding social events (mothers)), and the explanatory variables: oral health (clinically-assessed caries experience and self-reported oral health) controlling for sociodemographic profile (child age and sex, mother's education), daily toothbrushing and village of residence.

RESULTS

A total of 211 households with 355 children and 211 mothers were included (91.5% response rate). About 54% of the children were girls, mean (SD) age = 8.7 (2.05) years and 82.3% did not brush their teeth daily. Mother's mean (SD) age was 31.70 (5.45) years. Because of dental problems, 31.3% of children reported chewing difficulties, 31% avoided smiling compared to 76.3% and 43.6% of mothers. Also, 30.4% of children missed school and 76.8% of mothers reported reduced participation in social activities. In children, the number of decayed anterior teeth was associated with significantly higher odds of avoiding smiling (AOR = 1.22, 95%CI: 1.03, 1.44). In mothers, a greater number of posterior missing teeth was associated with significantly higher odds of chewing difficulties (AOR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.45), and a greater number of all missing teeth was associated with significantly higher odds of reduced participation in social events (AOR = 1.30, 95%CI: 1.30, 1.57). Good/ very good reported oral health in children and mothers was associated with lower odds of avoiding smiling and chewing problems (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Decayed anterior teeth in children have a negative impact on smiling whereas missing teeth in mothers affect the ability to chew food and socialize. The psychological, functional, and social impacts of caries in this rural setting needs to be mitigated by improving oral health literacy and access to care.

Oral Hygiene Profile of Schoolchildren from Bucharest, Romania-How It Can Be Used and Improved for Better Prevention of Oral Diseases

BACKGROUND

Oral hygiene is essential for low caries or gingivitis prevalence in children. This study aimed to determine the oral hygiene profile of children from secondary schools (10-17 years) in Bucharest, Romania, and to explore options for preventing their future oral diseases.

METHODS

The study was cross-sectional, with a sample of n = 1595 pupils. The sample was stratified by clusters in city areas, grades, and the criterion of the presence/absence of in-school dental service. Dental check-ups were performed by using a commune dental examination kit. The oral hygiene simplified index (OHI; Silness and Löe) was used to assess the children's oral hygiene status. Five questions were used to determine oral hygiene habits.

RESULTS

The mean value of the OHI was 1.04. Some differences in oral hygiene scores were found for different socioeconomic variables, such as parents' education (p < 0.05): parents with vs. without a university degree-0.95/0.94 (male/female) vs. 1.06. Most of the children used manual toothbrushes (88%).

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis of objective data (OHI) revealed a good level of oral hygiene, with many socioeconomic disparities.

Factors related to depression in adults with oral health problems in Spain (2017 to 2020)

Background

The need to study the link between gender, depression, and oral health is becoming increasingly evident. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence and evolution over time of depression among women and men with oral health problems and to evaluate the association between depression status, lifestyle-related variables health-related variables and use of dental health services in those people.

Methods

We performed a nationwide cross-sectional study on 25,631 adults with oral health problems residing in Spain from the Spanish National Health Survey 2017 and the European Health Survey of Spain 2020, including as the main variable self-reported diagnosis of depression. We analysed independent variables such as lifestyle-related variables, health-related variables, and variables related to dental health services. Sociodemographic characteristics were considered as control variables.

Results

The prevalence of depression among adults with oral health problems in Spain was 7.81% (10.14% for women, 5.39% for men), with a notable decrease from 2017 to 2020 in women. Depressed women had a slightly higher percentage of filled or capped teeth, and had more covers (crowns), bridges or other types of prostheses or dentures, while men had more caries. Women also made more frequent, regular dental visits for check-ups and mouth cleaning, whereas men often needed extractions. Unfavourable associated factors in both genders were: perceiving their health as good, average, poor, or very poor, and having 1-2 and ≥ 3 comorbidities. Conversely, not being a current smoker was related to less likelihood of depression. In women only, not engaging in leisure-time physical activity produced more unfavourable associated factors.

Conclusion

The prevalence of depression among adults with oral health problems in Spain from 2017 to 2020 was 7.81%, but this figure has been steadily decreasing over time. In addition, the favourable and unfavourable associated factors could help us inform health professionals and authorities in order to prevent depression and enhance the care of this population according to gender.