To evaluate the effectiveness of non-aromatic very rich in steranes (NAVS) naphthalan in the treatment of oral lichen planus (OLP) and recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). Null hypothesis was that ...there would be no difference between NAVS and topical steroids in the treatment of OLP and RAS.
The study consisted of two sub-trials conducted as randomized, double-blind controlled studies: first included OLP patients and second patients with RAS. Patients received either NAVS or 0.05% betamethasone dipropionate. Primary outcomes were activity score (OLP patients), No of lesions and lesion diameter (RAS patients) and pain intensity (VAS) while secondary outcome included the impact of the disease on quality of life assessed by Oral health impact profile (OHIP 14).
No significant differences in terms of OLP clinical signs (p = 0.84, η2 = 0.001) and responses on the OHIP-14 (p = 0.81, η2 = 0.002) or on VAS (p = 0.14, η2 = 0.079) between NAVS and betamethasone groups were observed. In RAS patients, no significant differences between the groups in terms of lesion number (at days 3 and 5, p = 0.33 and p = 0.98, respectively), lesion diameter (days 3 and 5, p = 0.24 and p = 0.84, respectively) were observed. However, in NAVS group a significant reduction of lesions diameter was observed on the 3rd day, while in betamethasone group a significant reduction in lesions diameter was evident only after the 5th day. No significant differences in VAS (p > 0.05) and the OHIP-14 (p > 0.05) between groups were found.
No evidence of differences between the two compared interventions was found.
Retrospective registration of this trial was conducted in ClinicalTrials.gov on September 30, 2016; trial registration number: NCT02920658. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02920658?term=NAVS&draw=2&rank=4.
Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic progressive condition affecting the oral cavity, oropharynx and upper third of the oesophagus. It is a potentially malignant disorder. The authors collated ...and analysed the existing literature to establish the overall malignant transformation rate (MTR). A retrospective analysis of medical and dental scientific literature using online indexed databases was conducted for the period 1956 to 2021. The quality of the enrolled studies was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). A meta-analysis using a random effects model of a single proportion was performed along with statistical tests for heterogeneity. The overall proportion of malignancy across all studies was 0.06 (95% CI, 0.02-0.10), indicating an overall 6% risk of malignant transformation across all studies and cohorts. Sub-group analyses revealed strong differences in proportion of malignancy according to ethnicity/cohort; Chinese = 0.02 (95% CI 0.01-0.02), Taiwanese = 0.06 (95% CI, 0.03-0.10), Indian = 0.08 (95% CI, 0.03-0.14) and Pakistani = 0.27 (95% CI 0.25-0.29). Overall, the MTR was 6%; however, wide heterogeneity of the included studies was noted. Geographic variations in MTR were noted but were not statistically significant. Further studies are required to analyse the difference between cohort groups.
This study assesses the knowledge, practices, and attitudes of medical staff in intensive care units (ICUs) regarding oral hygiene care for critically ill, bedridden patients.
A cross-sectional study ...included 65 employees from the Intensive Care Units of the Sestre Milosrdnice Clinical Hospital Centre (CHC SM) and the Clinic for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care at the University Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb (CHC ZG). A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, methods, frequency, and attitudes towards oral care for mechanically ventilated patients. The data were examined through descriptive statistical methods, presented in terms of proportions (percentages). For the purpose of comparing the feedback across the two hospital centers and different educational backgrounds, the Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were employed.
Results of a survey of 65 participants (18 from CHC SM and 47 from CHC ZG) revealed a notable disparity in oral hygiene knowledge, with graduate nurses displaying the highest proportion of adequate knowledge (100%) and regular nurses showing the least (30.3%) (p<.001). Although the execution of oral care practices did not vary significantly among the groups, graduate nurses performed oral care more frequently (80% vs. baccalaureate technicians 33.33% and nurses 57.6%, three or more times a day) and demonstrated better proficiency in both mechanical (p=.005) and chemical (p<.001) biofilm management compared to their counterparts. No significant difference was observed in the delivery of oral care to orotracheally intubated patients across different educational levels (p=.127). However, a marked difference was noted in the perception of being adequately trained for such care, with nurses feeling less prepared (12.1%, p<.001). Despite these variances, all respondents recognized the importance of oral hygiene, thus showing a strong dedication to oral health care.
This study highlights variability in ICU oral hygiene practices and points to the importance of standardized care protocols and improved training for healthcare staff.
Oral mucositis (OM) occurs in more than 95% of patients irradiated in the head and neck area. This paper aims to determine the occurrence and characteristics of OM in patients with head and neck ...cancer (HNC), as well as the involvement of dentists/oral medicine specialists in treating such patients.
: This study was conducted at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Department of Oral Medicine, University Hospital Center Zagreb, from April to August 2022, on patients irradiated in the head and neck area. A unique OM questionnaire was created on the incidence, characteristics, oral care, and involvement of dentists in the overall care.
: Thirty patients filled out the questionnaire. Of the 22 patients who had developed OM, 14 had grade-three OM. Ten patients were treated for OM in line with the instructions of an oral medicine specialist, eight based on the instructions of a specialist responsible for monitoring of the underlying disease, and four were not treated at all. Sixteen patients had not been referred to a dentist before the start of RT.
: These results showed insufficient care and treatment of OM, as well as insufficient involvement of dentists in the oncology team.
The objective of this study was to determine the most effective treatment option for burning mouth syndrome.
Informative treatment alone, B vitamin injections, oral cavity probiotics, and low-level ...laser therapy were evaluated and compared. The study included new patients diagnosed with burning mouth syndrome, who were randomly allocated into one of four treatment groups. The primary outcome was improvement in patient's quality of life as determined by a self-perceived Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) quality of life questionnaire before and after therapy. The secondary outcome was determination of mucosal symptom intensity according to visual analog scale (VAS) grading from 0 to 10. Data were submitted to statistical analysis.
A total of 62 patients completed the study. Oral cavity probiotics and LLLT scores for OHIP-14 resulted in a statistically significant difference before and after therapy. Standardized effect sizes between OHIP scores before and after treatment were the greatest for patients who had received oral cavity probiotics.
Oral cavity probiotics and LLLT were the most effective treatment for improvement in quality of life. Further investigation on a larger group of patients is required.
To review the frequency and management of post-discharge complications in patients who underwent dental treatment in general anesthesia (GA) in a day-care surgery setting and identify the factors ...that increase the risk for these complications.
Anonymous questionnaire was sent to parents/caregivers of patients who underwent full mouth restoration in GA at our institution between 1
January 2017 and 31
July 2019. Demographic and clinical data of patients as well as the data about the occurrence and management of complications were collected.
Sixty-six parents/caregivers (30.5%) responded to the questionnaire. Most frequent complications were drowsiness and pain in 40(60.6%) patients. Complications were managed by parents or caregivers with conservative measures at home in 57(91.9%) cases. Phone consultation with dentist was required in 5(8.1%) cases. One patient (1.6%) was readmitted. Younger age and diagnosis were associated with increased risk for drowsiness.
Post discharge complications of dental treatment in GA in a day-care service are common and they can be managed by parent/caregiver with conservative measures at home. The rate of readmission is low. Dental treatment in GA in a day-care service is a safe procedure that can be performed with acceptable risk in carefully selected patients.
The aim of this study was to examine the satisfaction of parents and caregivers of patients who underwent dental treatment in general anesthesia (GA) in a day-care surgery setting.
Anonymous ...questionnaire was sent to parents/caregivers of patients who underwent full mouth restoration in GA. The survey consisted of 4 parts: general data, data about procedure, satisfaction with various aspects of care and the perception of parents/caregivers about the condition of their child in relation to the time before dental treatment in GA.
66 parents/caregivers (30.5%) responded to the questionnaire. Overall satisfaction with the treatment was high (4.69). Respondents expressed the highest degree of satisfaction with communication with nurses (4.92), and the lowest with the waiting time for the procedure (3.89). Parents/caregivers of patients who reported difficulty eating expressed significantly lower overall satisfaction than the subjects whose children did not report difficulty eating. Also, the more treatments the patients underwent, the lower was the overall satisfaction than of those subjects whose children were never treated in such a manner before.
Since patient satisfaction has a beneficial impact on treatment outcome and adherence to preventive recommendations, all health care providers should strive to achieve it.
Background: Electrical impedance (EI) is a property of all living tissues and represents the resistance to the electric current flow through a living tissue. EI depends on the structure and chemical ...composition of the tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of age, sex, and electrode pressure on the EI values of healthy oral mucosa. The study involved 101 participants with healthy oral mucosa who were divided into three age groups. EI was measured in seven anatomical regions. Results: Significant differences between different age groups were found. Younger participants (20–40 years) had significantly higher EI values than the older participants (60+). Significantly higher EI values were found in women at all localisations at all measured frequencies, except on the hard palate. EI values measured with higher sub-pressure were significantly lower than values measured with lower sub-pressure at all frequencies and localisations, except the tongue dorsum, tongue border, and sublingual mucosa. Conclusions: This study found that EI values in healthy oral mucosa depend on age and sex and may also depend on the pressure of the measuring device. These factors should be kept in mind when EI is used as a diagnostic method for different oral lesions.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate smoking habits, the level of knowledge and attitudes towards smoking, as well as the role of dental professionals in prevention of smoking among ...students of the School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb and compare them to attitudes of practicing Croatian dentists. Materials and methods: The study was carried out among 1st and 6th year dental students at the School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb and dentists employed in primary practice throughout Croatia. A total of 159 subjects (51 1st and 53 6th year dental students and 55 dentists) participated in the study. Results: The prevalence of smoking was highest among 6th year dental students (39, 6%). It slightly decreased among dentists (34, 5%), while least smokers were found among first year dental students (7, 8%). The majority of dental student smokers expressed a desire to stop smoking (66, 7% of 1st year dental student smokers and 76% of 6th year dental student smokers), while less than half of dentist smokers had the desire to stop - only 45, 8% of them. Dental students of the 1st and 6th year of the study showed a statistically significantly higher level of desire for education about harmful smoking effects and patients counselling to quit smoking compared to dentists. The data gathered in this study indicate that it is necessary to increase awareness among dental professionals about harmful effects of smoking on oral and general health. Also, their awareness about the central role of healthcare workers as promoters of a healthy lifestyle among patients should be raised.
To analyze data on full-mouth rehabilitation under general anesthesia (GA) performed at the University Clinical Hospital Zagreb with emphasis on patient characteristics, type of procedure and ...postoperative complications.
Retrospective chart review of 100 patients treated under GA at the Dental clinic's day care surgery. Patient's demographic (sex, age) and clinical data (diagnosis, GA technique, intubation type, procedure duration, number of carious teeth, presence of visible calculus, number of sealed teeth, fillings, extractions and endodontic treatments, discharge time, postoperative complications) were registered.
Eighty patients were treated under GA because of noncompliance due to different reasons and twenty patients because of either their poor physical condition or extensive dental procedure. Median DMFT per patient was 9(0-21). Eighty nine patients underwent full-mouth dental restoration and 11 patients underwent other types of procedures. Ninety-six patients were safely discharged the same day. Four patients experienced postoperative complications and three of them were hospitalized for another 24-48 hours for postoperative follow-up.
Patients with physical and/or intellectual disabilities have higher caries activity and increased dental treatment needs compared to the general population. Dental treatment under GA in day care service is a safe and effective way of providing dental care for noncompliant patients.
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