The likelihood of experiencing the impact of chronic disease rises with age, and cumulative functional deficits over time increase the risk of frailty in older adults. The exact causes of frailty are ...not clear, and research is needed to identify appropriate intervention measures to reduce risk of developing frailty in old age.
To review the evidence on the relationship between frailty, dental status and chronic periodontitis and to determine if improvements in oral health of older adults can contribute to reversal of frailty.
The oral cavity is the entry point to the gastro-intestinal tract, and natural teeth facilitate efficient mastication of food prior to swallowing and subsequent digestion. The loss of natural teeth, which is gradual and cumulative over the life course, is associated with diminished nutritional intake, especially in older adults. Furthermore, chronic periodontitis has been postulated as a risk factor for frailty. The evidence supporting a strong relationship between oral health status and frailty is not clearcut. Cross sectional studies suggest an association with missing teeth and chronic periodontal inflammation. However, there are very few longitudinal studies and accordingly, it is not currently possible to claim a causal relationship. As yet, there is no evidence to suggest that improvements in oral health contribute to reversal of frailty.
Longitudinal studies with robust designs are required to better inform the relationship across functional dentition, chronic periodontitis and frailty in older adults.
Summary
Background
Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) could affect oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) and psychological distress.
Objective
This study aims to determine the ...prevalence of TMD symptoms, and impact of type and number of TMD symptoms on OHRQoL and psychological states among Asian military personnel.
Method
The study was conducted across 12 military dental centres using self‐administered questionnaire comprising demographical data, DC/TMD symptom questionnaire, OHIP‐14 and DASS‐21. A total of 3028 personnel, aged between 18‐65 years old, were invited to participate with an acceptance rate of 90.5%. Data analysis was done using non‐parametric tests, regression analysis and Spearman correlation (P < 0.05).
Results
Out of 2043 subjects (1998 males; 45 females, mean age 24.18 ± 7.18 years), 36.32% (n = 742) reported at least one TMD symptom. Significant differences in summary OHIP‐14, depression, anxiety and stress scores were observed between subjects with and without TMD symptoms. Significant differences in OHIP‐14 and DASS‐21 scores were observed between dissimilar type and number of TMD symptoms in the TMD group. Those with headaches and 2‐3 symptoms have substantially poorer OHRQoL and greater psychological distress. Associations between number of TMD symptoms, quality of life, depression, anxiety and stress were significant but weak (r = 0.19‐0.40).
Conclusions
Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders were prevalent among Asian military population. Significant differences in OHRQoL and psychological states were observed between subjects with and without TMD symptoms. Specific type and number of TMD symptoms impacted OHRQoL and psychological states differently. Associations between number of TMD symptoms and quality of life, depression, anxiety and stress were significant but weak.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to present key findings from the 2019 national adult oral health survey in Singapore (NAOHS).
Methods
A multi‐stage stratified sampling method was used to recruit ...participants for a representative national adult oral health survey. A total of 12 212 households were randomly selected from the National Database on Dwellings in Singapore. Within each household eligible persons aged ≥65 years were automatically invited to participate while a Kish selection method was used to invite those between 21 and 64 years old. The survey comprised a face‐to‐face interview questionnaire and a clinical examination which recorded details of tooth loss, DMFT, DMFS and prevalence of periodontal disease according to the CPITN and the US CDC‐AAP classifications. Weighted analysis was performed to adjust for oversampling, non‐response and post‐stratification. Multivariate regression with backward stepwise selection was carried out to identify predictors of chronic periodontal disease and untreated dental caries.
Results
Six hundred and sixty‐three participants completed both the questionnaires and the clinical examination. The prevalence of edentulousness was 2.7%. Of participants, 34.8% presented with untreated dental caries with a higher proportion found in those who were aged ≥60 years, of Malay ethnicity, living in 1–2‐room public housing and who only visited the dentist when there was a problem. Mean DMFS and DMFT indices were 24.7 and 7.9 respectively. Based on the CDC‐AAP classification, the prevalence of moderate–severe chronic periodontitis was 56.9% and increased with age, with a higher proportion in males. Participants with untreated dental caries were more likely to have moderate or severe periodontal disease.
Conclusions
Survey findings showed high prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease, at 34.8% and 77.6% respectively. A clear socio‐economic gradient in the distribution of tooth loss, untreated dental caries and moderate‐to‐severe periodontitis was observed.
Aim
Removable partial dentures (RPDs) may have a negative impact on oral health and have the potential to cause further tooth loss, especially of abutment teeth. However, no evidence indicates the ...effective interval of regular periodontal maintenance after RPD provision. This practice‐based cohort study aimed to examine the impact of regular periodontal maintenance visits on survival of RPD abutment teeth.
Materials and Methods
One hundred and ninety‐two patients had been previously provided with 304 new clasp‐retained RPDs at Osaka University Dental Hospital, Japan. Using the Kaplan–Meier method and log‐rank test, 1094 abutments were analysed to illustrate survival curves and to compare each curve. According to the frequency of periodontal maintenance, study samples were divided into three groups; every 3–6 months (3–6M) group, 1‐year (1Y) group and no‐maintenance (NM) group.
Results
Seven‐year cumulative survival rates were 83.7% (3–6M), 75.5% (1Y) and 71.9% (NM) respectively. Survival of abutment teeth in the 3–6M group was significantly better than both 1Y (p = 0.005) and NM (p < 0.001) groups.
Conclusion
These longitudinal clinical data indicates that periodontal maintenance at least once in 6 months had the most favourable outcome. Frequent periodontal maintenance after RPD provision could be effective in preventing further tooth loss.
BackgroundOral diseases are highly prevalent and impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). However, time changes in OHRQoL have been scarcely investigated in the current context of ...general improvement in clinical oral health. This study aims to examine changes in OHRQoL between 1998 and 2009 among adults in England, and to analyse the contribution of demographics, socioeconomic characteristics and clinical oral health measures.MethodsUsing data from two nationally representative surveys in England, we assessed changes in the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), in both the sample overall (n=12 027) and by quasi-cohorts. We calculated the prevalence and extent of oral impacts and summary OHIP-14 scores. An Oaxaca-Blinder type decomposition analysis was used to assess the contribution of demographics (age, gender, marital status), socioeconomic position (education, occupation) and clinical measures (presence of decay, number of missing teeth, having advanced periodontitis).ResultsThere were significant improvements in OHRQoL, predominantly among those that experienced oral impacts occasionally, but no difference in the proportion with frequent oral impacts. The decomposition model showed that 43% (–4.07/–9.47) of the decrease in prevalence of oral impacts reported occasionally or more often was accounted by the model explanatory variables. Improvements in clinical oral health and the effect of ageing itself accounted for most of the explained change in OHRQoL, but the effect of these factors varied substantially across the lifecourse and quasi-cohorts.ConclusionsThese decomposition findings indicate that broader determinants could be primarily targeted to influence OHRQoL in different age groups or across different adult cohorts.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to investigate if a minimally invasive oral health package with the use of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) or a conventional restorative technique (CT) ...would result in any perceived benefit from the patients’ perspective and if there would be any difference between the two treatment groups.
Materials and Methods
In this randomised clinical trial, 99 independently living older adults (65–90 years) with carious lesions were randomly allocated to receive either ART or conventional restorations using minimally invasive/intervention dentistry (MID) principles. Patients completed an Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 questionnaire before and 2 months after treatment. They were also asked to complete a global transition question about their oral health after treatment.
Results
At baseline, the mean OHIP-14 scores recorded were 7.34 (ART) and 7.44 (CT). Two months after treatment intervention, 90 patients answered the OHIP-14 and the mean scores were 7.23 (not significant (n.s.)) and 10.38 (n.s.) for the ART and CT groups, respectively. Overall, 75.5 % of patients stated that their oral health was better compared to the beginning of treatment.
Conclusions
Although not shown by the OHIP-14, patients perceived an improvement in their overall oral status after treatment, as demonstrated by the global transition ratings in both groups.
Clinical relevance
Dental treatment using minimally invasive techniques might be a good alternative to treat older individuals, and it can improve their oral health both objectively and subjectively.
In 2019, the Faculty of Dentistry celebrated its 90th anniversary. Since its beginning, the Faculty has grown from strength to strength and its efforts at nurturing generations of oral healthcare ...professionals have evolved. Such growth and evolution ensure that the Faculty’s mission of education remains contemporaneous, effective and relevant to future-proof its graduates to play an instrumental role in helping the population achieve good oral health. This article documents the Faculty’s early years; highlights its journey and educational endeavours which have transformed teaching and learning in dentistry. It also sheds light on key drivers of change which will shape the way the Faculty seeks to transform dental education for the future.
Loss of natural teeth has functional and psychosocial consequences that can, in many cases, be rectified with complete replacement dentures. However, the outcome of complete denture therapy is ...variable, and relies on patient factors, as well as the skill of the clinician and laboratory technician making the dentures. This article reviews recent literature on the outcomes of edentulousness and complete denture therapy.
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