Assessing Quality of Life using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) in Subjects with and without Orthodontic Treatment need in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Community-based lifestyle intervention for diabetes (Co-LID study) management rural Nepal: study protocol for a clustered randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has increased globally; with a disproportionate burden in South and Southeast Asian countries, including Nepal. There is an urgent need for clinically and cost-effective culturally adapted T2DM management programs. In this study, we aim to assess the effectiveness of community based culturally appropriate lifestyle intervention in improving the management and care of people with T2DM.

METHODS

We will conduct a cluster randomized control trial to evaluate the effectiveness of community based culturally appropriate lifestyle intervention in improving T2DM outcomes. The trial will be conducted in 30 randomly selected healthcare facilities from two purposively selected districts (Kavrepalanchowk and Nuwakot districts) of Bagmati province, Nepal. The selected healthcare facilities are being randomized into 15 interventions (n = 15) and usual care (n = 15) groups. Those in the intervention will receive group-based 12 an hour-long fortnightly session delivered over 6 months period. The intervention package includes 12 planned modules related to diabetes care, ongoing support, supervision and monitoring, follow-up from the trained community health workers, and educational materials on diabetes self-management. The participants in the usual care groups will receive pictorial brochure on diabetes management and they will continue receiving the usual care available from the local health facilities. The primary outcome is HbA1c level, and the secondary outcomes include quality of life, health care utilization, and practice of self-care behaviour, depression, oral health quality of life, and economic assessment of the intervention. Two points measurements will be collected by the trained research assistants at baseline and at the end of the intervention.

DISCUSSION

This study will provide tested approaches for culturally adapting T2DM interventions in the Nepalese context. The findings will also have practice and policy implications for T2DM prevention and management in Nepal.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12621000531819). Registered on May 6, 2021.

Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life and Anxiety in Orthodontic Patients with Conventional Brackets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and anxiety levels of adult patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed multibracket appliances.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was carried out at the Dental Clinic of the University of Salamanca in 2021. It included 120 adult patients between 19 and 45 years of age undergoing orthodontic treatment with conventional metal brackets. The data collection instruments chosen were the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) to assess anxiety levels and the OHIP-14 questionnaire to measure the OHRQoL. Anxiety levels and OHRQoL were analyzed one month after starting treatment.

RESULTS

The mean age was 31.7 years ± 6.5 years; 68 patients were women (56.7%) and 52 were men (43.3%). Psychological disability was the dimension of the OHIP-14 questionnaire that was found to have the greatest impact (3.20 ± 1.08) on patients, as compared to the dimension of disability, which had the lowest impact on the oral-health quality of life (0.37 ± 0.56). The mean total score of the OHIP-14 questionnaire was 11.93 (±2.19). There was no statistically significant influence from either sex or age on the anxiety and oral-health quality of life of the participants; however, there was a significant relationship between the dimensions of physical disability and anxiety traits.

CONCLUSIONS

The physical disability dimension of the OHIP-14 questionnaire increased the anxiety level of adult patients treated with conventional brackets. The impact of orthodontic treatment on adult patients may negatively influence their levels of anxiety.

Oral Hygiene practices and Oral Health Related Quality of Life observed in patients reporting to Dental Institution in North India during COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study was to ascertain Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQOL) and evaluate oralhygiene practices in patients visiting a dental institution during COVID-19 time.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Face-to face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured close-ended questionnaire,assessing oral hygiene practices and self-reported oral problems perceived in last 6 months, using both Hindi and English version of Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) Questionnaire. Frequency distribution of oral hygiene practices were obtained, and Descriptive statistics computed the scores of OHIP-14. Kruskal-wallis test and Independent t-test were used to match the association of OHIP-14 with demographic variables. Multiple linear regression analysis was utilized to compute the association of OHIP-14 with independent variables, age and gender.

RESULTS

Subjective evaluation of OHRQOL (Oral Health Related Quality of Life) using OHIP-14 Porforma resulted in high score for physical pain and psychological discomfort but subjects expressed less discomfort in connection to functional limitation, physical disability, psychological discomfort, social disability and handicap domains of OHIP-14. With progressive increase in age OHRQOL worsened. Females had poor OHRQOL, with significant difference as compared to males. Gender and marital status observed variance in OHIP-14 with statistically significant difference (P <0.000).

CONCLUSION

More than two-third subjects preferred cleaning their teeth using toothbrush and toothpaste. Therefore, COVID-19 consequently impacted OHRQOL of the general population.

Meneghim M, Vedovello SAS. Correlation between malocclusion and history of bullying in vulnerable adolescents

OBJECTIVES

To assess the correlation between malocclusion and a history of bullying.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 494 adolescents aged 12 to 15 years was conducted. The National School Health Survey questionnaire (PeNSE 1 and 2) was used to determine history of bullying by identifying the victim and the abuser. Variables were evaluated based on the individual (age), environment (income, father's and mother's education, housing, government assistance, and parents' occupation), social and emotional well-being (CPQ11-14 domains), self-perceived need for orthodontic treatment, and clinical conditions (crowding, diastema, maxillary and mandibular overjet, and anterior open bite). Data were analyzed by Spearman correlation and by multivariate analysis, which allowed graphical representation of the eight variables studied in only two dimensions.

RESULTS

There was no correlation between bullying and variables related to the individual and the environment. Maxillary overjet and self-perception related to the need for orthodontic treatment were important to explain the data variability.

CONCLUSIONS

Malocclusion did not correlate with bullying history. However, increased maxillary overjet influences adolescent self-perception, suggesting a potential condition for bullying events.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Among Narcotic and Stimulant Users Referred to Maintenance Methadone Therapy Centers in Ahvaz City: Iran

Introduction

We aimed to assess quality of life related to oral health in narcotic or stimulant users those were referred to maintenance methadone therapy (MMT) centers in Ahvaz City, Iran.

Methods

It was a cross-sectional study based on exploratory approach which has conducted on 187 narcotic and stimulant users in Ahvaz city; during 15th May till September 2020. Data was selected by available non-random sampling method. The data collection tools included the demographic variables and the standard OHIP-14 questionnaires. All tests were used as descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance. P-values of less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The mean and standard deviation of the participants' age was 36.03 ± 8.98 years. The quality-of-life scores related to oral health were totally 34.89 ± 6.50 as well as 37.37 and 33.96 in narcotic and stimulant users, respectively. The total quality of life related to OHIP-14 did not have a significant relationship with variables of age, life companions, level of education, number of children, economic status, employment status, insurance status, underlying disease, toothbrush use status, last dentist visit, and number of missing teeth (P > 0.05). However, a significant difference was found between the quality of life related to oral health based on the type of substance used (narcotic or stimulant), so that the mean quality of life related to oral health was higher in narcotic than stimulant users (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Quality of life related to OHIP-14 was more unfavorable in stimulant users than narcotic users. So, policy makers and authorities are required to focus their interventions and research programs to improve health-related quality of life in users, especially stimulant.

Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) and Anterior Open Bite in Adult Patients: A Case-Control Study

Oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is defined as the impact of oral health on activities of daily living. Malocclusions are a public health problem with a high prevalence. Different studies have concluded that malocclusions negatively affect OHRQoL in patients of all ages. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of having an anterior open bite on the OHRQoL of adult patients. Materials and Methods: A case-control study (1:1) was carried out with a sample size of 80 adults at the University of Salamanca in 2021. The case group (n = 40) was made up of patients with an anterior open bite, and the control group (n = 40) contained patients without an anterior open bite. OHRQoL was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire. The influences of gender and age on the OHRQoL of the patients were also analyzed. Results: There were no significant differences in gender or age between the case and control groups. An anterior open bite was not found to influence the OHRQoL of adult patients. Age was not shown to significantly influence OHRQoL. Female patients with an anterior open bite had higher scores in the handicap domain of the OHIP-14 questionnaire compared with male patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Anterior open bite can influence the OHRQoL of orthodontic patients. Gender can be considered an influencing factor.

Scope and performance of artificial intelligence technology in orthodontic diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical decision-making - A systematic review

Background/purpose

In the recent years artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized in the field of dentistry. The aim of this systematic review was to document the scope and performance of the artificial intelligence based models that have been widely used in orthodontic diagnosis, treatment planning, and predicting the prognosis.

Materials and methods

The literature for this paper was identified and selected by performing a thorough search for articles in the electronic data bases like Pubmed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and Google scholar, Scopus and Web of science, Saudi digital library published over the past two decades (January 2000–February 2020). After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 articles were read in full and critically analyzed. QUADAS-2 were adapted for quality analysis of the studies included.

Results

AI technology has been widely applied for identifying cephalometric landmarks, determining need for orthodontic extractions, determining the degree of maturation of the cervical vertebra, predicting the facial attractiveness after orthognathic surgery, predicting the need for orthodontic treatment, and orthodontic treatment planning. Most of these artificial intelligence models are based on either artificial neural networks (ANNs) or convolutional neural networks (CNNs).

Conclusion

The results from these reported studies are suggesting that these automated systems have performed exceptionally well, with an accuracy and precision similar to the trained examiners. These systems can simplify the tasks and provide results in quick time which can save the dentist time and help the dentist to perform his duties more efficiently. These systems can be of great value in orthodontics.

Relationship between Malocclusion and Periodontal Disease in Patients Seeking Orthodontic Treatment in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Background:

Malocclusion is known to cause plaque accumulation and periodontal breakdown. However, no previous study from Saudi Arabia has assessed this relationship in patients seeking orthodontic treatment for esthetics.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between malocclusion and periodontal disease in terms of gingival inflammation, probing pocket depth (PPD) and recession in patients seeking orthodontic treatment for esthetic improvement.

Materials and Methods:

This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Outpatient Division of Periodontics, College of Dentistry, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia, among consecutive new patients seeking orthodontic treatment for esthetic improvement between June and August 2018. Angle’s class of malocclusion, various malalignments, plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), adequacy of width of attached gingiva (WAG), response to fremitus test, PPD and gingival recession (GR) were recorded. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

A total of 410 consecutive patients were included. Of these, 314 patients had Class I, 57 had Class II (division I), 25 had Class II (division II) and 14 had Class III malocclusions. In patients with all types of malocclusion, the majority had a PI and GI of score 2 (74.1% and 83.7%, respectively). Most of the patients (85.9%) had adequate WAG; similarly, 94.9% had a negative fremitus test, which shows the absence of trauma from occlusion. Mean PPD and GR in the maxillary and mandibular arches showed varying results.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates a relationship between malocclusion and presence of periodontal disease in patients seeking orthodontic treatment for esthetic improvement in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, in patients seeking orthodontic treatment, careful evaluation of gingival and oral hygiene along with adequacy of attached gingiva should be considered.

Orthodontic Treatment Planning based on Artificial Neural Networks

In this study, multilayer perceptron artificial neural networks are used to predict orthodontic treatment plans, including the determination of extraction-nonextraction, extraction patterns, and anchorage patterns. The neural network can output the feasibilities of several applicable treatment plans, offering orthodontists flexibility in making decisions. The neural network models show an accuracy of 94.0% for extraction-nonextraction prediction, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.982, a sensitivity of 94.6%, and a specificity of 93.8%. The accuracies of the extraction patterns and anchorage patterns are 84.2% and 92.8%, respectively. The most important features for prediction of the neural networks are “crowding, upper arch” “ANB” and “curve of Spee”. For handling discrete input features with missing data, the average value method has a better complement performance than the k-nearest neighbors (k-NN) method; for handling continuous features with missing data, k-NN performs better than the other methods most of the time. These results indicate that the proposed method based on artificial neural networks can provide good guidance for orthodontic treatment planning for less-experienced orthodontists.

Effect of immediate versus delayed loadings of dental implants on the oral health-related quality of life in Saudi population. Experimental clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of immediate and delayed loadings of dental implants on the overall quality of life (QoL) of patients. Methods: The prospective analysis was conducted in the Department of Periodontology Clinics, Faculty of Dentistry Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted from November 2013 to August 2016 and was according to the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. Quality of life in 24 patients (10 males and 14 females), aged between 18-60 years were assessed. Among the patients, 8 were opted for immediate implant loading (Group I), while 16 have opted for delayed implant loading (Group II). The quality of life was analyzed using a QoL assessment scale before and after the implant loading. Results: Overall assessment revealed that the QoL among the patients immediately after loading of dental implant (Group I) was better as compared to the delayed loading of dental implant (Group II). The differences of functional and financial aspects were significant between both groups. The majority of the immediate implant's loadings have been performed in the anterior aesthetic zone and has a significant impact on the QoL. Conclusion: The results concluded that immediate loading of dental implant is better than the delayed loading of a dental implant with a prosthesis.