Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and oral health

The study participants may not be representative of the real-world population

This review of the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) exposure and oral health among adults included 4 cross-sectional studies with the findings indicating an association between ACEs and poor oral health.

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Is a chewable toothbrush effective in children?

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This review comparing the effectiveness of a chewable toothbrush (CTB) with a manual toothbrush (MTB) in terms of plaque reduction included 7 RCTs. While no significant differences were found between CTB and MTB the availabel studies were small of short duration and of very low certainty.

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Tools for measuring oral health and orofacial pain in dependent adults

This study is the first of its kind from an RCT perspective which clearly shows that treating major depression in older adults using interventions in primary care settings can extend life

A group of Scottish Specialty Registrars in Special Care Dentistry look at a recent review of available measurement tools for assessing oral health and orofacial pain in dependent adults, which can be used by the non-dental caregivers. Nine tools were identified and despite a lack of comprehensive testing a number demonstrate reliability and validity.

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Probiotics for the management of oral halitosis

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This review of the efficacy of probiotics in reducing halitosis of dental origin, when compared to a placebo intervention included 8 RCTs. Only one of the study was considered to be at low risk of bias with the authos assessing the evidence as not suggestive of a convincing benefit for the use of probiotics for treatment outcomes of halitosis.

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E- cigarette use worldwide

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This review assessing the epidemiological profile of e-cigarette users worldwide included 43 studies from 28 countries. A majority (60% of studies were considered to be at low risk of bias. The findings provide prevalence estimates and suggest that the highest proportion of e-cigarette users was in the 18- to 24 age group.

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Chlorine dioxide mouthwash for halitosis

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This review investigating the efficacy of chlorine dioxide mouthwashes in patients with halitosis included 10 RCTs. The findings suggest a potential benefit in the short-term. However the included studies are hetrogeneous and all have some concerns regarding bias so additional high quality well reported studies are needed.

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Oral health interventions for people with severe mental illness: what enables and prevents people from accessing them?

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Vishal Aggarwal considers the findings of a recent qualitative study, which looks at the contextual factors, barriers, and facilitators to accessing oral health interventions for people with severe mental illness.

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Top Dental Elf blogs Jul – Sep 2022

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Sonic verses rotating oscillating powered toothbrushes, the use of the miswak for periodontal health and the effect of silver diamine fluoride on the pulp were the topics of our most read blogs in July , August and September 2022.

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Miswak use for periodontal health in adults

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This review of the effectiveness of the miswak in reducing plaque and gingivitis in adults included 9 RCTs. The included studies were small with the findings indicating that the miswak reduced plaque and gingivitis scores to a level comparable to toothbrush in the short term.

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Adult dental anxiety – management strategies

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This review of current management strategies for adult patients with dental anxiety in the dental clinic included 54 studies. Most of the psychotherapeutic behavioural strategies provided some benefits but there was limited supporting evidence for some approaches. Pharmocological approaches were not included.

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