Trends in the global, regional, and national burden of oral conditions from 1990 to 2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Risk of dental caries and periodontal disease among older adults and elderly persons with diabetes in India: a population-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Oral health is a key indicator of overall well-being, and diabetes, a complex metabolic disorder, often leads to related oral health problems. Given the high prevalence of diabetes among Indian older adults and elderly persons, this study examines the diabetes associated risk of dental caries and periodontal disease among them.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study analysed data from 65,562 adults aged 45 and above, based on the 2017-18 Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave-1 survey. We used bivariate cross-tabulation to estimate the prevalence, chi-square analysis to examine the prevalence differentials and multivariate logistic regression to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR).

RESULTS

Bivariate analysis shows that diabetic older adults demonstrate a slightly higher prevalence of dental caries (20.43%) compared to those without diabetes (18.62%), but there is no significant difference in periodontal disease between the two groups. The regression analysis confirms that diabetes significantly increases the risk of both dental caries (AOR: 1.18, p < 0.001) and periodontal disease (AOR: 1.10, p = 0.008). Additionally, females and urban residents are at a higher risk of dental caries, while rural residents face a greater risk of periodontal disease. Socioeconomic factors, such as lower education and higher wealth, play a key role in caries and periodontal problems.

CONCLUSION

Effective management of diabetes-associated oral health problems in India requires a comprehensive, population-specific approach due to the country's diverse demographic and socioeconomic landscape. Tailored interventions focusing on diabetes care, education, and access to oral health services are essential, particularly for high-risk groups like older adults, women, rural residents, and those with lower education or socioeconomic status.

Berberine-Functionalized Bismuth-Doped Carbon Dots in a Pathogen-Responsive Hydrogel System: A Multifaceted Approach to Combating Periodontal Diseases

Periodontal disease, a global health burden linked to dysbiotic oral polymicrobial communities and disrupted immune-inflammatory responses, is critically mediated byPorphyromonas gingivalis(Pg)─the keystone pathogen that sabotages host immunity, triggers tissue inflammation and destruction, and disrupts microbiota balance. Effective therapies should combine antimicrobial action, immune modulation, virulence suppression, and microbiome restoration. Bismuth ions and berberine, which exhibit antimicrobial and epithelial barrier-protecting effects, show potential effectiveness in treating periodontal diseases but face practical limitations due to poor water solubility and bioavailability. To address this, we developed bismuth-doped carbon dots functionalized with structure-modified berberine (BiCD-Ber) as a multifunctional nanomedicine. BiCD-Ber eradicated Pg in various forms, restored Pg-perturbed immune responses in gingival fibroblasts, and preserved epithelial barrier integrity. The doped bismuth ions neutralized Pg virulence factors by blocking the catalytic sites of gingipains. To facilitate in vivo delivery, BiCD-Ber was encapsulated in a disulfide-modified hyaluronic acid hydrogel that degrades in response to Pg metabolites. This BiCD-Ber hydrogel system modulated subgingival microbiota, alleviated inflammation in gingiva, and thereby prevented alveolar bone loss. This approach to concurrently eliminating Pg, modulating inflammatory responses , suppressing virulence factors, and restoring microbiota showcases great potential in managing periodontitis effectively.

Facts and Fallacies of the Fluoride Controversy: A Contemporary Perspective

Fluoride is a natural element recognized for its dental benefits. Fluoride prevents caries due to its antimicrobial activity, enhancing enamel resistance and promoting remineralization After decades of fluoridation of municipal water supplies to reduce dental caries, an intense debate has resurfaced regarding water fluoridation as a public health strategy to combat caries. This renewed discourse occurs against the backdrop of extensive data that clearly demonstrate the vital role of fluoride in caries prevention. Indeed, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has stated water fluoridation as 1 of the top ten public health interventions in the twentieth century. The FDI World Dental Federation also advocates systemic fluoride use as a cost-effective caries prevention strategy, and supports its inclusion in public health policies through a number of policy directives. This debate in the US has intensified as a Court concluded that water fluoridation poses unreasonable risks such as reduction of the intelligence quotient (IQ) in children. Additionally, recent statements from the leadership of the US Health and Human Services agency suggest that water fluoridation may cause more harm than good leading some states, like Utah, to revoke fluoridation mandates This article aims to provide a contemporary perspective on fluoride by revisiting its benefits, controversies, and potential risks. It highlights the dual role of fluoride in both individual oral care and public health and underscores the necessity for safe, equitable, and effective delivery strategies tailored to the needs of diverse populations, balancing its preventive advantages with potential health concerns. The review culminates with a summary of policy statements from the FDI World Dental Federation regarding the promotion of oral health through both systemic and topical fluoridation.

Age-period-cohort analysis of autism spectrum disorders-related prevalence and DALYs: based on the Global Burden Of Disease Study 2021

Background

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for systematic monitoring to optimize child development outcomes. As a developmental disorder affecting children and adults, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) not only impacts individual social functioning but also places a burden on families and society. A detailed analysis of the latest global burden data on ASD can assist stakeholders in formulating support policies and interventions, thereby helping to meet the health needs of ASD.

Methods

We used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021), compiled by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). Data were obtained through the Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx) and covered 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. Variables included ASD-related prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), age-standardized rates, and the sociodemographic index (SDI).

Results

Exposure to autism spectrum disorders contributed to 61823540 prevalence and 11544038 DALYs globally in 2021. Males and younger adults were high-risk populations. Higher socio-demographic index (SDI) regions were high-risk areas. The disease burden varied considerably across the GBD regions and the countries. From 1990 to 2021, the number of cases increased. The predicted results showed that the disease burden for both genders would still increase from 2022 to 2046. Countries or regions with a higher SDI have greater burden improvement potential.

Conclusion

The global burden of ASD has shown a continuous upward trend, with some differences observed across gender, age groups, and SDI regions. In terms of gender, the burden of ASD among females may be underestimated. Regarding age groups, the aging process has highlighted the urgent need to address ASD in the elderly population. High-SDI regions should place greater emphasis on improving diagnostic methods and implementing precise interventions, while middle- and low-SDI regions should focus on raising public awareness and enhancing screening capabilities.

Aging Effect on Push-Out Bond Strength of Six Resin Cements: An In Vitro Study

The number of resin cements marketed for fiber post cementation has increased significantly. This study compared the push-out bond strength (PBS) of self-adhesive and universal resin cements used to lute fiber posts at 24 h and after 6 months of aging in artificial saliva. Fiber posts were luted to eighty human roots endodontically treated with four self-adhesive/one-step resin cements, with one of them also used in combination with its appropriate tooth primer; one universal resin cement, applied as one-step or together with its corresponding universal adhesive (multi-step); and one adhesive/multi-step resin cement, as a control. After storage (24 h or 6 months), the interfaces were subjected to PBS tests and the data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey and Student's t-tests (p < 0.05 defined as statistical significance). The results showed that Scotchbond Universal Plus + RelyX Universal attained statistically higher values at 24 h and 6 months. At 24 h, all resin cements yielded similar PBS to root dentin, while at 6 months, NormoCem obtained the lowest PBS. Storage for 6 months significantly decreased PBS for NormoCem and Multilink Automix. Root section did not influence PBS regardless of storage time. It was concluded that PBS is resin cement dependent. The universal resin cement, RelyX Universal, applied in combination with Scotchbond Universal Plus adhesive, obtained a higher and more stable PBS than the other resin cements tested.