Reliability of smartphone images to assess plaque score among preschool children: a pilot study

This study assessed the reliability of smartphone images of plaque-disclosed anterior teeth for evaluating plaque scores among preschool children. Additionally, the reliability of plaque scores recorded from smartphone images of anterior teeth in representing the overall clinical plaque score was also assessed. Fifteen preschool children were recruited for this pilot study. The Simplified Debris Index (DI-S), the debris component of the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index, was used to record the plaque score. A plaque-disclosing tablet was used to disclose the plaque before the plaque score recording. Following that, the image of the anterior teeth (canine to canine) of both the upper and lower arch was captured using the smartphone. Each child had three different DI-S recorded. For the first recording of the overall clinical DI-S, the plaque score was recorded clinically from index teeth 55 (buccal), 51 (labial), 65 (buccal), 71 (labial), 75 (lingual) and 85 (lingual). For the second recording, anterior clinical DI-S, the plaque score was recorded clinically from the labial surfaces of six anterior teeth only (53, 51, 63, 73, 71 and 83). Two weeks later, anterior photographic DI-S (third recording) was done using the smartphone images of the same index teeth used for the second recording. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to evaluate the reliability of smartphone images in assessing plaque scores. The results showed high reliability (ICC = 0.987) between anterior clinical and anterior photographic examinations, indicating that smartphone images are highly reliable for evaluating plaque scores. Similarly, high reliability (ICC = 0.981) was also found for comparison between overall clinical DI-S and anterior photographic DI-S, indicating plaque scores recorded from smartphone images of anterior teeth alone can represent the overall clinical plaque score. This study suggests that smartphone images can be a valuable tool for remote screening and monitoring of oral hygiene in preschool children, contributing to better oral health outcomes.

Validation of the Malay version of Epworth sleepiness scale for children and adolescents (MESS-CHAD)

BACKGROUND

Epworth Sleepiness Scale for Children and Adolescents (ESS-CHAD) is a valid and reliable eight-item self-administered questionnaire for the assessment of excessive daytime sleepiness and is commonly used to screen sleep-disordered breathing for children and adolescents. The cross-sectional study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt ESS-CHAD into a Malay version of Epworth Sleepiness Scale for Children and Adolescents (MESS-CHAD) for the Malaysian population, and to assess the validity and reliability of MESS-CHAD.

METHODS

Forward-backward translation method was used to translate and cross-culturally adapt ESS-CHAD. Three linguistic experts and two paediatricians content validated the translated version. Face validity was conducted through audio-recorded semi-structured in-depth interviews with 14 native Malay-speaking children and adolescents followed by thematic analysis. The revised questionnaire was then proofread by a linguistic expert. A total of 40 subjects answered the MESS-CHAD twice, 2 weeks apart, for test-retest reliability and internal consistency. For criterion validity, 148 eligible subjects and their parents answered MESS-CHAD and the Malay version of Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder scale extracted from the Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire (M-PSQ:SRBD) concurrently. Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) and P values of the model's outer weight and outer loading were analysed using SmartPLS software to assess the indicator's multicollinearity and significance for formative construct validity.

RESULTS

Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) ranging from 0.798 to 0.932 and Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.813 to 0.932 confirmed good to excellent test-retest reliability and internal consistency, respectively. Spearman Correlation Coefficient value of 0.789 suggested a very strong positive correlation between MESS-CHAD and M-PSQ:SRBD. VIF ranging from 1.109 to 1.455 indicated no collinearity problem. All questionnaire items in MESS-CHAD were retained as the P value of either outer model weight or outer model loading was significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

ESS-CHAD has been translated and cross-culturally adapted into Malay version for the Malaysian population, and found to be valid and reliable.

Patterns of Parental Information Seeking Behavior on Early Childhood Caries: A Qualitative Exploration

Objectives

This study aims to explore the information-seeking behavior patterns of parents with children receiving treatment for early childhood caries (ECC).

Materials and Methods

Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 parents of children with ECC. A topic guide was developed, focusing on questions relating to (i) the timing of their seeking information on ECC, (ii) the types of EEC information they seek, and (iii) the resources used to seek information. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was performed, whereby the data were coded and categorized into themes and subthemes.

Results

Four main themes were identified: the immediacy of seeking information, perceived information need, use of resources, and barriers to seeking information. Parents either sought information immediately after detecting changes to the appearance of their child's teeth, with some being aware of the changes after signs and symptoms developed. The types of information parents usually sought covered the disease, its prevention, and management. Common sources of information were friends, family, the internet, and healthcare professionals. Barriers to seeking information discussed by parents were lack of time as well as insufficiency and inaccuracy of the information they received.

Conclusion

This study highlighted the need for comprehensive, tailored early education on ECC for parents using reliable information sources. There is also a need to empower other nondental healthcare professionals to provide oral healthcare education for parents.

Left ventricle geometry, atrial strain, ventricle strain, and hemodynamics across aortic valve before and after transcatheter aortic valve replacements

INTRODUCTION

Transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVRs) has become widespread throughout the world. To date, there are no echocardiographic studies of TAVR patients from Southeast Asia (SEA). We sought to evaluate (1) changes in echocardiographic and strain values pre- and post-TAVR (2) relationship between aortic stenosis (AS) severity and strain values, (3) left ventricle geometry in severe AS, (4) relationship of flow rate to dimensionless index (DVI) and acceleration time (AT), and (5) effect of strains on the outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of 112 TAVR patients in our centre from 2009 to 2020. The echocardiographic and strain images pre (within 1 month), post (day after), and 6 months post-TAVR were analyzed by expert echocardiographer.

RESULTS

The ejection fraction (EF) increased at 6 months (53.02 ± 12.12% to 56.35 ± 9.00%) (p=0.044). Interventricular septal thickness in diastole (IVSd) decreased (1.27 ± 0.21 cm to 1.21 ± 0.23 cm) (p=0.038) and left ventricle internal dimension in diastole (LVIDd) decreased from 4.77 ± 0.64 cm to 4.49 ± 0.65 cm (p=0.001). No changes in stroke volume index (SVI pre vs 6 months p=0.187), but the flow rate increases (217.80 ± 57.61 mls/s to 251.94 ± 69.59 mls/s, p<0.001). Global longitudinal strain (GLS) improved from -11.44 ± 4.23% to -13.94 ± 3.72% (p<0.001), left atrial reservoir strain (Lar-S) increased from 17.44 ± 9.16% to 19.60 ± 8.77% (p=0.033). Eight patients (7.5%) had IVSd < 1.0 cm, and 4 patients (3.7%) had normal left ventricle (LV) geometry. There was linear relationship between IVSd and mean PG (r=0.208, p=0.031), between GLS to aortic valve area (AVA) and aortic valve area index (AVAi) (r = - 0.305, p=0.001 and r= - 0.316, p= 0.001). There was also relationship between AT (r=-0.20, p=0.04) and DVI (r=0.35, p<0.001) with flow rate. Patients who died late (after 6 months) had lower GLS at 6 months. (Alive; -13.94 ± 3.72% vs Died; -12.43 ± 4.19%, p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

At 6 months, TAVR cause reverse remodelling of the LV with the reduction in IVSd, LVIDd, and improvement in GLS and LAr-S. There is a linear relationship between GLS and AVA and between IVSd and AVA.

A two-year comparative assessment of retention of arch width increases between modified vacuum-formed and Hawley retainers: a multi-center randomized clinical trial

Objectives

To compare the clinical effectiveness of Hawley retainers (HRs) and modified vacuum-formed retainers (mVFRs) with palatal coverage in maintaining transverse expansion throughout a 24-month retention period and to assess the subjects’ perception toward the retainers.

Materials and methods

The trial accomplished blinding only by the outcome assessor and data analyst. Data were collected from post-orthodontic treatment patients who met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-five subjects were randomly allocated using a centralized randomization technique into either mVFR (n = 18) or HR group (n = 17). Dental casts of subjects were evaluated at debond (T0), 3-month (T1), 6-month (T2), 12-month (T3), and 24-month retention (T4). The intercanine width (ICW), interpremolar width (IPMW), interfirst molar mesiobuccal cusp width (IFMW1), and interfirst molar distobuccal cusp width (IFMW2) were compared between groups over time using Mixed ANOVA. A pilot-tested and validated questionnaire consisting of six items were given at T4. Subjects were instructed to rate their retainer in terms of fitting, speech, appearance, oral hygiene, durability, and comfort on a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Results

No statistically significant differences in arch width were found between the two groups at ICW (P = .83), IPMW (P = 0.63), IFMW1 (P = .22), and IFMW2 (P = .46) during the 24-month retention period. Also, no statistically significant differences were found between perception of both retainers in terms of fitting, speech, oral hygiene, durability, and comfort (P > .05) after 24-month wear. The appearance of mVFRs was rated significantly higher compared to HRs (P < .05).

Conclusions

HR and mVFR have similar clinical effectiveness for retention of transverse expansion cases in a 24-month retention period. Both retainers were perceived to be equal in terms of fitting, speech, oral hygiene, durability, and comfort. Subjects in the mVFRs group found their retainers to be significantly more esthetic than those in HRs group.

Multivariate versus univariate spectrum analysis of dentine sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) for root resorption prediction: a clinical trial

Background

A force applied during orthodontic treatment induces inflammation to root area and lead to root resorption known as orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption (OIIRR). Dentine sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) is one of the most abundant non-collagenous proteins in dentine that was released into gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) during OIIRR. The aim of this research is to compare DSPP detection using the univariate and multivariate analysis in predicting classification level of root resorption.

Methods

The subjects for this study consisted of 30 patients in 3 group classified as normal, mild, and severe groups of OIIRR. The GCF samples were taken from upper permanent central incisors in the normal and mild group while the upper primary second molars in the severe group. The DSPP qualitative detection limit was determined by analyzing the whole absorption spectrum utilizing multivariate analysis embedded with different preprocessing method. The multivariate analysis represents the multi-wavelength spectrum while univariate analyzes the absorption of a single wavelength.

Results

The results showed that the multivariate analysis technique using partial least square-discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) with the preprocess method has successfully improved in classification prediction for the normal and mild group at 0.88 percent accuracy. The multivariate using PLS-DA algorithm with Mean Center preprocess method was able to predict normal and mild tooth resorption classes better than the univariate analysis. The classification parameters have improved in term of the specificity, precision and accuracy.

Conclusion

Therefore, the multivariate analysis helps to predict an early detection of tooth resorption complimenting the sensitivity of the univariate analysis.

Trial registration NCT 05077878 (14/10/2021).

A multicenter study on the prevalence of adults and children seeking orthodontic treatment at high risk of obstructive sleep apnea

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of adults and children seeking orthodontic treatment at high risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and pediatric OSA (POSA) and its association with demographic variables.

METHODS

One hundred-eleven adults and 105 children were consecutively recruited from three centers. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and ESS for Children and Adolescents were used for Risk stratifications for OSA and POSA.

RESULTS

The prevalence of patients seeking orthodontic treatment at high risk of OSA/POSA was 27.8%, where 26.1% were adults, and 29.5% were children. High risk for OSA/POSA was not associated with gender, ethnicity, age, Body Mass Index, or neck circumference.

CONCLUSION

Approximately 26% of adults and 30% of children seeking orthodontic care were at high risk for OSA and POSA. Screening for OSA and POSA among adults and children seeking orthodontic treatment is imperative.

Single center experience of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in severe aortic stenosis: study of mid-term clinical outcome

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) had revolutionized the treatment and outcome of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) since its introduction. In 2009, our center performed the first TAVI in Malaysia and since then it has provided an alternative treatment for severe AS patients. The objective of the study is to evaluate the clinical outcome of severe AS patients who had undergone TAVI in our center.

METHODS 

A retrospective observational study was conducted. All TAVIs performed in our center between 01 Jan 2009 and 31 December 2020 were included. Patients’ baseline characteristic, clinical outcomes post procedure at 1-year and 3-year mortality were studied. Data were collected by using case report form and reviewing patient’s case note. 

RESULTS 

A total of 107 patients had TAVI performed during this period of time. The mean age (±SD) was 77.4 ± 5 (range 61-90 years). 50.5% of the patients were male (n = 54) and 45.8% were Malay ethnicity (n = 49). Majority of the patients had hypertension (86.9%, n = 93), dyslipidaemia (84.1%, n = 90) and ischemic heart disease (60.7%, n = 65). 26.2% of patients (n = 28) had previous coronary artery bypass surgery and 2.8% of patients (n = 3) had previous valvular operation. 85.9% of patient was in NYHA II – IV (n = 92). Mean EuroScore II and STS score were 4.82 and 4.564 respectively. Average hospitalization stay was 5 days. Total of 60 (56.1%) CoreValve were deployed followed by 46 Edwards Sapien (43%) and 1 MyVal (0.9%). 89.7% of procedure was performed via transfemoral access (n = 96) followed by transapical (6.5%, n = 7), transaortic (2.8%, n = 3) and subclavian (0.9%, n = 1). 98.1% (n = 105) procedure was successfully performed. There were 6 in-hospital mortality (5.6%) during indexed TAVI admission, of which 5 out of 6 were TAVI related. Kaplan Meier analysis of predicted survival rate with freedom from all-causes mortality at 1 year was 86.9% and 73.7% at 3 years. 

CONCLUSIONS 

Untreated severe AS was associated with poor outcome. High success rate of TAVI had provided another option of treatment to severe AS patient who are not the suitable candidate for surgical intervention.

One-year comparative assessment of retention of arch width increases between modified vacuum-formed and Hawley retainers

OBJECTIVES

To compare the clinical effectiveness of Hawley retainers (HRs) and modified vacuum-formed retainers (mVFRs) with palatal coverage in maintaining transverse expansion during a 12-month retention period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were collected from postorthodontic treatment patients who met the inclusion criteria. A total of 35 patients were randomly allocated using a centralized randomization technique into either mVFR (n = 18) or HR group (n = 17). The outcome assessor and data analyst were blinded to the retention method. Dental casts of patients were evaluated at debond, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months of retention. Intercanine width (ICW), interpremolar width (IPMW), interfirst molar mesiobuccal cusp width 1 (IFMW1), and interfirst molar distobuccal cusp width 2 (IFMW2) were compared between groups over time using mixed analysis of variance.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups for ICW (P = .76), IPMW (P = .63), IFMW1 (P = .16), and IFMW2 (P = .40) during the 12-month retention period.

CONCLUSIONS

The null hypothesis could not be rejected. HR and mVFR had similar clinical effectiveness in the retention of transverse expansion cases during a 12-month retention period.

Detection methods of orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption (OIIRR): a review

Background

Orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption (OIIRR) is unwelcome iatrogenic damage associated with orthodontic treatment. Patients with a high risk of developing OIIRR are commonly monitored using radiographic techniques. Alternative, more sensitive methods using biological markers facilitate the early detection of OIIRR, which can minimise root surface damage and allow the timely cessation of orthodontic treatment in order to facilitate a reparative process.

Aim

The present review examines the current use of 2D and 3D radiographic techniques to detect and quantify OIIRR and, further, evaluates the latest literature on alternative detection methods of OIIRR.

Method

Published studies were searched electronically throughout PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect using keywords including ‘root resorption’, ‘OIIRR’, ‘radiograph’ and ‘biological markers’.

Results

The detection methods for OIIRR were divided into radiographic and biological marker methods. Orthopantomogram (OPG) and periapical radiography are currently the most widely used radiographic methods to detect and monitor OIIRR as they are readily available in most dental clinics, cost effective and have a relatively low radiation dose. However, the radiographic methods are not only subject to standardisation and magnification issues, but also require repeated radiation exposure to patients. Therefore, published research into the potential for biological markers as a safer and more sensitive alternative for the early detection of OIIRR was reviewed.

Conclusion

The result of the review highlights the potential for the use of biological markers in the early detection of OIIRR as a relatively safer and more sensitive alternative to conventional radiographic methods.

Relationship of the Dental Aesthetic Index to the oral health-related quality of life

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of malocclusion on the quality of life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved 150 subjects attending the Primary Care Unit with no history of orthodontic treatment. The Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) with 10 occlusal characteristics were measured on study models. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was assessed with the Malaysian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-14). The Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between the malocclusion and quality of life.

RESULTS

Significantly weak correlations (r = .176) were found between the DAI and the OHRQoL. Females and the younger age group (12-19 years) tended to score higher on the OHIP-14 than their counterparts. For males, domain 3 (psychological discomfort; r = .462), domain 4 (physical disability; r = .312), domain 7 (handicap; r = .309), and overall score (r = .289) were weak correlates but significant to the DAI compared with females. The older age group showed a significant weak correlation in domain 3 (psychological discomfort; r = .268) and domain 7 (handicap; r = .238), whereas the younger age group showed no correlation with any domain.

CONCLUSIONS

The DAI score does not predict the effect of malocclusion on the OHRQoL.