scholarly journals First Permanent Molar Caries and Oral Health Practices in Saudi Male Teenagers: Inequalities by Socioeconomic Position

Scientifica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Eman Bakhurji ◽  
Balgis Gaffar ◽  
Muhammad Nazir ◽  
Khalifa Al-Khalifa ◽  
Asim Al-Ansari

Objectives. Caries remains a problem in high-risk groups aggravated by socioeconomic inequalities. The study aimed to investigate (1) oral health practices associated with caries in the 1st permanent molars in Saudi male teenagers and (2) the impact of socioeconomic position (SEP) on caries control using these practices. Methods. A cross-sectional study targeted 1137 male teenagers in intermediate schools in Khobar and Dammam, Saudi Arabia, in 2016. Caries was examined using the World Health Organization criteria and plaque was assessed using the plaque index of Loe and Silness. A questionnaire assessed SEP (parental education, employment, and home ownership) and oral health practices (using fluoridated toothpaste twice daily, regular dental visits for check-ups, and avoiding daily sugary snacks). Regression models analysed the association of these factors with caries presence and the mean number of decayed 1st permanent molars. Stratification was used to assess differences between SEP levels. Results. The response rate was 81.7%. Caries prevalence and mean (SD) number of decayed 1st permanent molars were 50.4% and 1.08 (1.31). The use of fluoride toothpaste was associated with lower odds of caries and fewer decayed molars (OR = 0.50 and regression coefficient = −0.35). Differences in the relationship between caries and toothpaste were observed by SEP levels with stronger associations in less advantaged groups. Conclusions. Brushing twice daily using fluoride toothpaste was associated with less caries in Saudi male teenagers with stronger association observed in groups with lower SEP. The use of fluoride toothpaste helps in reducing health inequalities associated with SEP.

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 748-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman Bakhurji ◽  
Maha El Tantawi ◽  
Balgis Gaffar ◽  
Khalifa Al-Khalifa ◽  
Asim Al-Ansari

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Asim Al-Ansari ◽  
Maha El Tantawi ◽  
Nasser AlMadan ◽  
Muhammad Nazir ◽  
Balgis Gaffar ◽  
...  

The study assessed the relationship between Internet addiction and oral health practices and clinical outcomes and whether this was affected by oral health perception. In 2017, a cross-sectional study included university students in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Questionnaires assessed demographic background, oral health practices (consuming sugar, tobacco use, and oral hygiene), perceived oral health, and Internet addiction. Caries experience and gingivitis were assessed using the World Health Organization criteria. The multivariate general linear analysis assessed the relationship between dependent variables (oral health practices, DMFT, and gingivitis) and exposure (Internet addiction). Data were available for 919 participants, 75.4% females, mean age = 19.8 years, and 1.6% with significant Internet use problem. The mean percentage of teeth with gingivitis was 8.5% and mean DMFT was 2.9. Among those with good perception of oral health and compared with participants with significant Internet use problem, average Internet users had lower consumption of sugar and tobacco (B = −6.52, P=0.03 and B = −2.04, P=0.03), better oral hygiene practices (B = 2.07, P=0.33), higher DMFT (B = 2.53, P=0.10), and lesser gingivitis (B = −15.45, P=0.06). Internet addiction was associated with negative oral health practices and poor clinical outcomes among young Saudis. Holistic health promotion approaches need to address the negative impact of Internet addiction on health and oral health status for this at-risk age group.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Melo ◽  
Sinead Malone ◽  
Arathi Rao ◽  
Charlotte Fine

BACKGROUND The World Health Organization reports that dental cavities affect 60-90% of children globally. FDI World Dental Federation and Unilever Oral Care have developed public health programmes to improve brushing habits over their 12-year partnership. The last of these (Phase III) named Brush Day & Night aimed to educate children in brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste. OBJECTIVE In Phase IV of the partnership, we aim to evaluate the impact on the knowledge, behaviour and toothbrushing habits in schoolchildren aged 6-9 years old, after a 21-day school programme and compare with baseline and a control group. The enduring nature of the programme will be determined by the inclusion of 8 and 24-week time points. METHODS The study is a two-arm, parallel, stratified, cluster randomized trial. Clusters in this study are infant and junior schools in Indonesia and Nigeria. The study aims to recruit 20 schools in each country. At baseline, children in both intervention and control schools will complete questionnaires and have their oral health assessed via the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHIs) and Decayed Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT). Children in the intervention schools will then take part in a structured 21-day Brush Day & Night intervention. The Brush Day & Night programme is an intense education activity designed to establish the habit of brushing day and night with a fluoride toothpaste. The programme involves daily brushing instruction and includes free toothpaste and toothbrushes. Children in the control schools will be provided with free toothpaste and toothbrushes but will not receive the 21-day intervention. The questionnaires and OHIs assessment are repeated after 21 days and then again at 8 weeks and 24 weeks later for all participating children. Parents/Carers/Guardians of all children will complete questionnaires on their own experience and attitudes to oral health and toothbrushing routine at each of the four times points (baseline, 21-day, 8 weeks and 24 weeks). The study will be conducted by the National Dental Associations of Indonesia and Nigeria. RESULTS The study is ongoing. Recruitment of schools started in Indonesia in February 2018 and in Nigeria in April 2018 for the first part of the study. This concluded in Indonesia in September 2018 and in Nigeria in November 2018. The second part of the study (the second half of the schools) started in November 2018 in Indonesia and December 2018 in Nigeria. CONCLUSIONS We expect to publish findings from the study by March 2020.


2016 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maha El Tantawi ◽  
Eman Bakhurji ◽  
Asim Al-Ansari ◽  
Khalifa S. Al-Khalifa ◽  
Abdulelah AlSubaie

2021 ◽  
pp. 238008442110266
Author(s):  
N. Giraudeau ◽  
B. Varenne

During the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the lockdown enforced led to considerable disruption to the activities of dental services, even leading to closures. To mitigate the impact of the lockdowns, systems were quickly put in place in most countries to respond to dental emergencies, giving priority to distance screening, advice to patients by remote means, and treatment of urgent cases while ensuring continuous care. Digital health was widely adopted as a central component of this new approach, leading to new practices and tools, which in turn demonstrated its potential, limitations, and possible excesses. Political leaders must become aware of the universal availability of digital technology and make use of it as an additional, safe means of providing services to the public. In view of the multiple uses of digital technologies in health—health literacy, teaching, prevention, early detection, therapeutics, and public health policies—deployment of a comprehensive program of digital oral health will require the adoption of a multifaceted approach. Digital tools should be designed to reduce, not increase, inequalities in access to health care. It offers an opportunity to improve healthy behavior, lower risk factors common to oral diseases and others noncommunicable diseases, and contribute to reducing oral health inequalities. It can accelerate the implementation of universal health coverage and help achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, leaving no one behind. Digital oral health should be one of the pillars of oral health care after COVID-19. Universal access to digital oral health should be promoted globally. The World Health Organization’s mOralHealth program aims to do that. Knowledge Transfer Statement: This position paper could be used by oral health stakeholders to convince their government to implement digital oral health program.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 403-410
Author(s):  
Q. Alkhubaizi ◽  
A. Moule ◽  
M. Al-Sane ◽  
J. D. Sorkin

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Késia Lara dos Santos Marques ◽  
Fabiana Sodré de Oliveira ◽  
Larisse Paula de Oliveira ◽  
Natália Martins Joaquim ◽  
Guilherme Silva Mendonca ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to understand the meanings and oral health practices of ten mothers of disabled children between the ages of zero and three years. The qualitative method was used. The data was collected by means of a semi-structured interview and were recorded, transcribed and analysed using the Thematic Content Analysis. Regarding to the oral health care of the mothers, three reported difficult and traumatising experiences and three did not have much contact with dentists during their childhood. Regarding to the children, the age of their first visit to the dentist varied from three months to two years and six months, and the reason for this appointment for seven children was referral by their doctor or by the Association of Parents and Friends of the Exceptional. Seven mothers reported that they brushed the teeth of their children at least twice a day and only two cited the importance of regular dental appointments. For two mothers, the meaning of oral health was to have a perfect smile and for four others, maintain oral hygiene. Half of the mothers related oral health to general health. All reported that dental caries is related to diet and lack of care regarding to oral hygiene. It was possible to conclude that for this group of mothers, oral health has an important meaning and that oral health practices are based on a healthy diet and brushing. Although mothers of disabled children have presented positive attitudes, in general, the results indicated limited knowledge about oral health. The results showed the importance of considering the point of view of the mothers as data of analysis bringing greater proximity with the reality studied. More qualitative studies should be conducted in order to collaborate with the improvement of the oral condition of disabled children.


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