Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Korean Academy of Oral Health

Preventive effect of dentifrice containing 1,450 ppm fluoride and sodium pyrophosphate

Min-Ji Park , Ja-Won Cho , Hyun-Jun Yoo , Mi-Hae Yun , Kyong-Hoon Shin , Young-Hoon Park

Abstract : Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a toothpaste containing sodium pyrophosphate and a high concentration (1,450 ppm) of fluoride on dental plaque, gingivitis index, and calculus index in a clinical trial.Methods: This study used an eight-week, randomized, double-blinded, controlled, comparative, parallel design. The participants, who voluntarily signed a consent form, were screened through visit evaluation if they met the selection/exclusion criteria. After a one-week run-in period, the selected participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group in the order of their enrollment. Subsequently, the participants were asked to brush their teeth with the study toothpaste using the rolling method for 3 min, thrice daily, for 8 weeks. Oral examinations were performed at baseline and after 3 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. Evaluation of papillary marginal attachment index (PMA index), Talbott’s gingival index, patient hygiene performance index (PHP index), Turesky plaque index, and calculus index were performed during the oral examination.Results: After 8 weeks, the PMA indices were 7.12 for the control group and 5.00 for experimental groups. In addition, the PHP index was 2.06 for the control group and 1.66 for the experimental group. Significant differences were observed between the control and experimental groups in all indice (P

Analysis of inequality trends in dental caries, deep periodontal pockets, and severe tooth loss according to income level of adults using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Se-Hwan Jung

Abstract : Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the trend of inequality in dental caries, deep periodontal pockets, and severe tooth loss according to the income level of adults using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).Methods: The raw data from the 4th wave (2007-2009) to the 7th wave (2016-2018) were downloaded from the KNHANES website. The analytical subjects were 19 years of age or older who completed oral examinations and were classified differently according to the prevalence characteristics of each clinical indicator. The prevalence of permanent tooth caries (19 years +), deep periodontal pockets (30 years +), total tooth loss (50 years +), and 20 teeth and over (70 years +) were estimated according to the guidebook for data users. The absolute difference (AD) between the lowest and highest income levels and the prevalence ratio (PR) were calculated. All statistical analyses were performed with STATA version 13.Results: The prevalence of permanent tooth caries decreased by 6.7%, but the AD increased by 3.4% and the PR was statistically significant. The prevalence of deep periodontal pockets was 6-10%, but the AD increased by 1.7%, and the PR of 7th wave rapidly increased. The prevalence of total tooth loss decreased by 1.5%, but in the 7th wave, the AD and the PR rapidly increased. The prevalence of 20 teeth and over increased by 10.9%, but the AD increased by ―4.3%, and the PR was statistically significant in the first and second quantiles of all waves.Conclusions: In Korean adults, overall oral health status has improved over the past decade, but oral health inequality according to income level has generally worsened. Therefore, policy development including intervention in social determinants is needed to reduce the oral health inequality identified in this study.

An expert opinion study on policy tasks and approaches for the oral health care systems integrations in South-North Korea

Seung-Hyun Lee , Se-Hwan Jung

Abstract : Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop policy tasks and approaches for the integration of oral health care systems in South and North Korea on the basis of a literature research, and to verify their validity through a Delphi survey of an expert panel. Methods: Twelve policy tasks and 11 approaches for South-North Korea integration were developed by a comparative model of oral health care systems. Two rounds of Delphi surveys were conducted via e-mail on May 20 and June 16, 2020, targeting 10 experts with experience in inter-Korean oral health care exchange and cooperation or related research. The mean, coefficient of variation (CV), and content validity ration (CVR) were calculated for each item. The validity of each item was judged based on the CVR. Results: The five policy tasks that meet the consensus of experts are: the integration of dental college education, the integration of activity qualifications and supply/demand for general dentists, the integration of education and training for auxiliary dental personnel, the integration of activity qualifications and supply/demand for auxiliary dental personnel, and the integration of oral health care financing. The nine approaches of the consensus of experts are: sharing the philosophy, values, and strategies, guaranteeing geographic access for residents, standardized oral health care delivery, an integrated performance management system, an integrated computerized information system, an integrated governance structure, the installation and operation of an integrated organization, the re-education and re-qualification of active oral health care personnel, and integrated goals for oral health outcomes. Conclusions: The expert panel showed a relatively high degree of agreement with policy tasks and approaches for the integration of the South-North Korea oral health care systems. It is necessary to develop more realistic contents based on more reliable North Korean data in the future.

Reflecting on the significance of networks

Barriers to the utilization of dental services among international students of Korean universities

Nzeyimana Clemence , Youn-Hee Choi , Keun-Bae Song

Abstract : Objectives: International students attending Korean universities are sometimes not able to receive timely dental treatment, despite the need for dental treatment owing to various oral health problems. The purpose of the study was to identify various barriers to the regular use of dental services by international students in a metropolitan area of Korea.Methods: Questionnaires, both online and offline, were sent to 500 foreign university students enrolled in five selected universities located in Daegu city and nearby areas, with a total of 19 valid responses received. The questionnaire consisted of 41 items, including demographic characteristics, oral hygiene-related behavior, barriers to dental services access, and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). The internal validity of each factor was 0.8 or higher (Cronbach Alpha α=0.86), confirming the reliability. All data were analyzed using IBM SPSS for Windows ver. 25.0 was used for analysis, and the statistical significance level was set to 0.05%.Results: Among the international student participants, 69.5% did not visit the dentist during their stay in Korea, and those with low prevalence of gum bleeding and plaque were more likely to visit the dentist regularly. Financial problems and lack of knowledge and interest in oral health were significantly associated with the use of dental services. The revised model’s explanatory power was 20.3%.Conclusions: In order to improve the oral and general health of international students residing in Korea, university level oral health education programs, oral health care centers, and governmental support programs should be implemented.

Analysis of inequality trends in self-rated oral health and oral health-related quality of life of adults according to household income level using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Se-Hwan Jung

Abstract : Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the inequality trends in self-rated poor oral health, chewing discomfort, and speaking discomfort of adults according to the household income level using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).Methods: Data from 2007-2020 were downloaded from the KNHANES website and were integrated by year within each wave. The participants were 19 years old or over who responded to the oral health items of the questionnaire survey. Prevalence of self-rated poor oral health, chewing discomfort, and speaking discomfort were estimated according to the guidebook for data users. The age standardized rates were computed using the 2005 standard population. Absolute difference (AD) between the lowest and highest household income levels and the prevalence ratio (PR) as relative ratio were calculated.Results: The prevalence of self-rated poor oral health decreased by 14.0%, but the AD increased by 3.0%, and the PR was enlarged in the lower household income level group. The prevalence of chewing discomfort and speaking discomfort decreased by 12.5% and 4.8%, respectively, but the AD of the two indicators persisted, and the PR was enlarged in the lower household income level group.Conclusions: Self-rated oral health and oral health-related quality of life have improved overall over the past decade in Korean adults, but the severity remains, and the problem of equity has persisted or aggravated. Therefore, it is necessary to find an upstream approach to resolve the inequality in oral health in Korea.

Analysis of the factors of turnover intention of dental hygienists in dental hospitals

Jung Hwa Lee , Na Na Yoon

Abstract : Objectives: This study aims to determine the influence of social exchange relationships, leader’s political skills, job stress, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment on turnover intention among dental hospital hygienists. Methods: A self-administrated questionnaire survey was conducted from April 1-May 12, 2020, involving 209 dental hospital hygienists in Seoul, Busan, and Gyeongnam. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS statistical analysis programs. Results: In the hypotheses testing, 9 of 18 hypotheses were supported. In social exchange relationships, job stress, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment, the path to turnover intention had a significant effect, but it was not statistically significant in leader’s political skills. With regard to mediating effect, job stress, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment played a complete mediating role in the path from social exchange relationships to turnover intention. Conclusions: To increase job satisfaction and organizational commitment, and lower job stress in order to have a positive impact on turnover intentions, it is imperative to develop and apply a program to enhance social exchange relationships.

Effect of silver fluoride on Streptococcus mutans biofilm and surface of dentin

Haeni Kim

Abstract : Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of silver fluoride (AgF) on the formation of cariogenic biofilm and surface of dentin in vitro.Methods: Bovine dentin specimens with artificial caries were prepared and divided into 3 groups: untreated control, AgF-treated, and silver diamine fluoride (SDF)-treated. Streptococcus mutans cultured in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth was used to induce biofilm. The specimens were placed in a well plate containing BHI broth and S. mutans bacterial suspension, and incubated under aerobic conditions supplemented with 5% CO₂ at 37℃ for 24 hours. After the incubation, the specimens were washed twice with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and sonicated to obtain a bacterial suspension. The diluted bacterial suspension was then smeared on a blood agar plate and cultured for 72 hours at 5% CO₂ and 37℃. Following this, the number of bacterial colony forming units (CFUs) was counted and converted into logarithms for analysis. Additional specimens of each group were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was also performed for component analysis of the dentin surface.Results: The number of S. mutans bacterial CFUs was significantly lower in the AgF and SDF groups than in the untreated control group. It was shown that SDF inhibited biofilm formation more than AgF; however, there was no statistical significance. The SEM images showed particles formed after AgF and SDF application were deposited on the dentin. It is confirmed through EDS analysis that the particles contained silver and fluoride ions.Conclusions: This study confirmed that AgF application effectively inhibited the formation of the early S. mutans biofilm. It is suggested that AgF solution may be effectively used in the clinical setting to prevent caries without occurrence of gingival irritation or bad odors.

Corrigendum: 3D motion analysis of cervical spine joints of dental hygiene students and dental hygienists during scaling operation