Living with Family Is Directly Associated with Regular Dental Checkup and Indirectly Associated with Gingival Status among Japanese University Students: A 3-Year Cohort Study

Impact of Marital Status, Education, and Family Size on Parental Behaviors Toward Early Childhood Caries in Romania

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the influence of socio-demographic factors (marital status, number of children, and education level) on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning Early Childhood Caries (ECC) prevention among parents in Bihor, Romania. This research seeks to address the lack of regional data on the influence of socio-demographic factors, such as marital status, number of children, and education level, on parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ECC prevention. These insights are essential for developing targeted public health interventions in Romania. Materials and Methods: Conducted from March to September 2024, this cross-sectional study utilized a KAP questionnaire distributed online to parents of children under six. The survey was adapted to local contexts and included sections on demographic data and ECC-specific knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests, were performed to evaluate the relationship between socio-demographic factors and KAP outcomes, ensuring robust data interpretation under ethical standards set by the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: Of the 798 respondents who accessed the questionnaire, 419 completed it, resulting in a completion rate of 52.5%. The participants had a mean age of 33.8 years. In terms of gender distribution, 348 (83.1%) were female and 71 (16.9%) were male. Higher educational levels were strongly correlated with better ECC knowledge and preventive practices; parents with university degrees demonstrated significantly better understanding and engagement in ECC prevention (p < 0.05). Married parents participated more actively in ECC prevention than unmarried ones, with 61.1% adhering to recommended practices compared to significantly lower rates among unmarried parents (p = 0.020). While this difference was statistically significant, the lower representation of unmarried parents in the sample should be considered when interpreting this finding. Families with fewer children showed more effective ECC preventive practices (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The study suggests that higher education and smaller family sizes are associated with better ECC prevention behaviors, emphasizing the need for targeted public health interventions. These could include parental education campaigns on ECC prevention, community-based oral health workshops, subsidized fluoride programs, and increased accessibility to pediatric dental services for underprivileged families.

Perceptions and experience of rural older people in oral health management in China: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

To explore the perceptions and experience of oral health management among rural older people in China.

METHODS

Qualitative methodologies were used in this study. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted. Thirteen older adults in rural areas were purposively sampled at two metropolitan hospitals in Hunan, China. The data were transcribed and thematically analyzed, and MAXQDA software was used to assist with coding.

RESULTS

Three overarching major themes and ten sub‑themes capturing the perceptions and experience of oral health management among rural older people were identified. Three themes emerged from the thematic analysis: oral health cognitive bias, poor management behaviors, and limited oral health services. Oral health management as a whole is negative, oral health behaviors are poor, oral health service utilization is limited.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these findings, there is great scope here for improving the current status of oral health for rural older people around awareness, behavior, and access. Oral health education, improved oral health services and primary oral health promotion are warranted.

Association between dry eye and periodontal disease in community-dwelling Japanese adults: data from the Uonoma cohort study

BACKGROUND

While research has explored the risk of periodontal disease in various eye conditions, the link between dry eye and periodontal disease remains underexplored, especially in Japanese adults. This study aims to investigate the association between dry eye and periodontal disease in community-dwelling Japanese adults.

METHODS

This study is a subset of the Uonuma cohort study, which includes Japanese adults aged 40 years and older residing in the Uonuma area of Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Participants completed a self-administered, paper-based questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including the chi-square test, independent t test, ANOVA test, and logistic regressions, were employed to assess the association of periodontal disease with independent variables.

RESULTS

Among 36,488 participants (average age 63.3 years, 47.4% men), 39.3% had a history of periodontal disease, and gender differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Significant associations were found between periodontal disease and dry eye diagnosis or symptoms. Univariable logistic regression revealed links between periodontal disease and age, gender, living status, alcohol consumption, remaining teeth, bite molar availability, and history of dry eye disease or symptoms. Multiple-adjusted regression found that doctor-diagnosed dry eye was associated with a higher likelihood of periodontal disease (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.22). Participants who never experienced dryness or foreign body sensation had lower ORs of periodontal disease than those who always experienced such symptoms across all models.

CONCLUSION

A significant correlation was found between dry eye and periodontal disease in Japanese adults. Regular check-ups, early detection, and effective management of both conditions are strongly recommended.

The Impact of Oral Health Behaviors, Health Belief Model, and Absolute Risk Aversion on the Willingness of Japanese University Students to Undergo Regular Dental Check-Ups: A Cross-Sectional Study

Oral health behaviors, risk aversion, and the health belief model are associated with health behaviors. However, there have been few studies that investigated the association between these factors and the willingness to undergo regular dental check-ups. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the associations between the willingness of Japanese university students to undergo regular dental check-ups and oral health behaviors, the health belief model, and absolute risk aversion. An analysis was conducted with the cooperation of questionnaire respondents (n = 748) who underwent dental check-ups at Okayama University. The students answered questionnaires on oral health behaviors, the health belief model, absolute risk aversion, and willingness to undergo regular dental check-ups. The logistic regression analysis showed significant positive associations (p < 0.05) between oral health behaviors (use of the inter-dental brush and the dental floss) and the health belief model with the willingness to undergo regular dental check-ups. However, there was no significant association with absolute risk aversion (p > 0.05). These results suggest that willingness to undergo regular dental check-ups was associated with oral health behaviors and the health belief model, but not with absolute risk aversion.

Trends in Self-Rated Oral Health and Its Associations with Oral Health Status and Oral Health Behaviors in Japanese University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study from 2011 to 2019

Self-rated oral health (SROH) is a valid, comprehensive indicator of oral health status. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to analyze how oral health behaviors and clinical oral status were associated with SROH and how they had changed over the course of nine years in Japanese university students. Data were obtained from 17,996 students who underwent oral examinations and completed self-questionnaires from 2011 to 2019. Oral status was assessed using the decayed and filled teeth scores, bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth, the Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S), oral health behaviors, and related factors. SROH improved from 2011 to 2019. The logistic regression model showed that university students who were female and had a high daily frequency of tooth brushing, no BOP, no decayed teeth, no filled teeth, and a low OHI-S score and were significantly more likely to report very good, good, or fair SROH. An interaction effect was observed between survey year and regular dental check-ups (year × regular dental check-ups). The improvement trend in SROH might be associated with changes in oral health behaviors and oral health status.

Understanding the feelings and experiences of patients with periodontal disease: a qualitative meta-synthesis

BACKGROUND

Patients' experiences, feelings, and perceptions play key roles in quality of life and dental care quality, but they are poorly understood in periodontal disease. Therefore, this meta-synthesis aimed to gain deep insights into the feelings, experiences, and perceptions of people living with periodontal disease.

METHODS

Electronic database searches in PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Open AIRE were conducted up to December 2021 (updated in June 2022). The JBI Critical Appraisal Tool was used for quality assessment. Then reviewers integrated findings from qualitative studies with a thematic synthesis approach.

RESULTS

A total of 567 studies were identified, of which eight involving 131 participants met the inclusion criteria. Studies were conducted between 2008 and 2021within Europe (Sweden and UK), Asia (Korea, Indonesia, and Singapore), and Oceania (New Zealand). Three analytical themes with nine descriptive themes emerged from the qualitative data. The themes were as follows: (1) "pressure (physical, psychosocial, and financial)," (2) "coping and adaptation (avoidance of the status quo, trying to understand it, and taking responsibility for their own)," (3) "reflection and evaluation (exploring the causes, personal control, and calling for better dental care)."

CONCLUSIONS

This review provides insights into how patients perceive and cope with periodontal disease. The findings highlighted patient-centered care in PD, and based on the findings, it is possible to provide more precise and efficient interventions for better patient compliance and treatment outcomes.