Analysis of the trends in the disparities of toothbrushing and dental care use by household income level using the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Se-Hwan Jung

Abstract : Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the trends of the gap in toothbrushing and dental care according to the household income level of all people using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (the KNHANES) data.Methods: Data from 2007-2020 were downloaded from the KNHANES website. Data integration and analysis were conducted for each wave. The prevalence of toothbrushing less than twice a day, toothbrushing after lunch, unmet dental care needs, regular dental check-ups, and preventive dental services use were each estimated based on the data users’ guidebook. The absolute difference (AD) between the lowest and highest income level and the prevalence ratio (PR) were calculated.Results: The prevalence of toothbrushing less than twice a day and toothbrushing after lunch improved by 5.3% and 13.6%, respectively. However, AD decreased by 4.5% and 2.4%, respectively. The step-wise social gradient in the PR of these indicators was maintained. The prevalence of unmet dental care needs improved substantially from 38.7% in Wave 4 to 21.0% in Wave 7. However, AD and PR were the poorest in Wave 7. The prevalence of regular dental check-ups and preventive dental service use improved steadily by Wave 8 to 45.0% and 37.0%, respectively. However, AD in Wave 8 was ―16.8% for the prevalence of regular dental check-ups and ―12.2% for preventive dental service use. The social gradient in the PR was maintained.Conclusions: While toothbrushing and dental care use have improved over the past decade, disparity by income level has not been noticeably reduced. This study’s results also reflected the achievements and limitations of the Korean government’s policies and projects for toothbrushing and dental hygiene habits.

The inhibitory effects of Rheum palmatum extract on the growth of oral streptococci and biofilm formation

Si Yeong Kim , Yuri Song , Hyun Ah Lee , Hee Sam Na , Jin Chung

Abstract : Objectives: Oral streptococci play a significant role in the development of dental caries. Among them, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are the principal causative agents of dental caries. Rheum palmatum is a flowering plant of the family Polygonaceae with several known medicinal properties. However, its effects on oral streptococci have yet to be established. Therefore, we investigated the effects of Rheum palmatum for its potential use as an anticaries agent in inhibiting the growth of streptococci and preventing biofilm formation.Methods: Rheum palmatum extract was diluted with sterile distilled water to obtain various extract concentrations. Several strains of oral bacteria, including S. mutans and S. sobrinus , were treated with the varying concentrations. The effects of the extract on bacterial growth was examined using the viable cell count method. Glucan synthesis was measured using a spectrophotometer at 650 nm optical density. Crystal violet staining was also carried out to observe the effect of the extract on biofilm formation.Results: The growth of S. mutans and S. sobrinus was significantly inhibited by the Rheum palmatum solution at concentrations of 0.3% or more compared to the control group. The viable cell count results indicated that the number of bacterial colonies decreased 1.2-fold and 1.7-fold at concentrations of 1.25% and 2.5%, respectively, compared to the control group. Biofilm formation by S. mutans and S. sobrinus was suppressed more than 20-fold compared to the control group at extract concentrations of 1.25% or more.Conclusions: The extract inhibited the growth of caries-causing bacteria, namely S. mutans and S. sobrinus . Furthermore, the extract inhibited the synthesis of glucan and biofilm formation by S. mutans and S. sobrinus . Therefore, this study suggests that the extract is a potential candidate as a therapeutic agent for controlling dental caries.

Lysozyme hydrochloride 0.01%, sodium fluoride 0.02%, cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% antibacterial and sterilizing effect of mouth freshener

Hye-Won Park , Ja-Won Cho , Hyun-Jun Yoo , Yeol-Mae Jeon , Kyong-Hoon Shin , Seong-Min Ha

Abstract : Objectives: This study aimed to assess the antibacterial, bactericidal, and mouth freshener effects of lysozyme hydrochloride 0.01%, sodium fluoride 0.02%, and cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05%.Methods: Eight oral disease-related bacteria were cultivated anaerobically. Four samples were prepared with or without 0.5% cetylpyridinium chloride, 0.2% sodium fluoride, and 0.1% lysozyme hydrochloride. Antimicrobial activity was tested in 96-well microplates. After assessing the bacterial count, the bacterial suspension was mixed with samples and spread on agar. The bactericidal rate was calculated by counting and comparing treated and untreated colonies.Results: Lysozyme hydrochloride 0.01%, sodium fluoride 0.02%, and cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% mouth fresheners sterilized 99.99% of 8 oral bacteria, including Streprococcus mutans. Lysozyme hydrochloride 0.01%, sodium fluoride 0.02%, and cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% mouth fresheners showed 99.97% bactericidal activity against Lactobacillus acidophilus.Conclusions: Lysozyme hydrochloride 0.01%, sodium fluoride 0.02%, and cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% mouth fresheners confirmed the sterilization and antibacterial effects on oral disease-causing bacteria.

A new start and new expectations

The effects of dental hygiene student’s adult attachment style and social support on adaptation to college life

Mihyun Choi , Heehong Min

Abstract : Objectives: This study aims to seek positive measures for students in a dental hygiene program to adapt well to college life by analyzing the effects of their adult attachment styles and social support on their adaptation to college life.Methods: Data were collected from June 1 to August 30, 2021. It was conducted with a self administered questionnaire. In consideration of the dropout rate, the study recruited 200 participants. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0.Results: Regarding correlations with adaptation to college life, the analysis revealed positive correlations for adult attachment styles and social support. Significant correlations were seen in the following factors affecting adaptation to college life: satisfaction with college life_dummy 2, satisfaction with major_dummy 1, and adult attachment styles. The factor with the strongest effect (35.7%) on adaptation to college life was adult attachment styles.Conclusions: Factors affecting college life adaptation were found to affect college life adaptation as college life satisfaction, major satisfaction, and adult attachment type increased. System support is needed to develop a counseling program tailored to college life by adult attachment type to increase college life satisfaction and major satisfaction.

The influence of North Korean defectors’ oral health service experience on oral health behavior

Siwoo Kim , Yuri Lee , Jae-Sung Kwon , Saran Kim , Jungtae Kim , Steacey Kim , Jae Hoon Lee

Abstract : Objectives: The study aims to investigate the influence of oral health service experience on oral health behavior of North Korean defectors and contribute to the development and implementation of oral health education among this population.Methods: A self-reporting questionnaire survey was conducted with 161 North Korean defectors in Hanawon from April, 2015 to September, 2015. Of these participants, 50 were excluded owing to insufficient questionnaire data. The questionnaire was developed based on the WHO’s Oral Health Survey (OHS) and the Korean National Oral Health Survey (KNOHS). Three categories were included in the questionnaire: demographic characteristics, dental service experience in North Korea, and oral health behavior.Results: Males had higher levels of perceived oral health compared to females, with differences according to the region they are from in North Korea. Those who received tooth brushing instruction in North Korea showed a greater tendency to practice tooth brushing after lunch, while those who received oral health examination showed a higher level of use of oral rinses. Further, the experience of dental scaling significantly influenced both practicing tooth brushing after lunch and use of oral rinses.Conclusions: This study confirmed that the previous experience of oral health service in North Korea positively influenced current oral health behavior of North Korean defectors. Continued oral health education can enhance their oral health behavior, oral health, and quality of life. Thus, it is suggested that policies and oral health education should be developed according to their characteristics and oral health service experience in North Korea.

Nearing the end of the pandemic...

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the policy to expand the scope of national health insurance dental scaling service benefits

Woo Jong Kim , Yong Jeon Shin

Abstract : Objectives: Korea’s National Health Insurance (NHI) coverage rate for dental services is 16.0%, far lower than the 33.0% average of OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and development) countries. In 2013, the government implemented a policy to pay for dental scaling service for adults over the age of 20. Then in 2017, the eligibility criteria was expanded to adults aged 19 or older the eligibility age was lowered expanded to 19 or older.Methods: The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the policy by comparing the number of times per person the dental scaling service was used before and after the implementation of the new applicants group compared to the existing application/applicants group. The analysis was conducted among patients aged 19 and 20 who visited the hospital with gingivitis and periodontal disease and who used the dental scaling service more than once per year as a preventive measure, using the customized database of the NHIC (National Health Insurance Corporation). As of July 1, 2017 when the dental scaling service was implemented by the National Health Insurance Service, the period was set as “before enforcement” (January 2016 to June 2017) and “after enforcement” (July 2017 to December 2018). To evaluate the policy effectiveness of expandingthe ages of individuals eligible for the dental scaling service, Difference-in-Differences (DiD) analysis was conducted to examine the number of times per person the service was used, changes in personal contributions, and policy effectiveness.Results: Since the National Health Insurance policy to pay for dental scaling services, both the applicants group and the sustainable application group have increased the rate of inspection of preventive dental scaling services (19.82%→30.91%, 29.68%→31.18%). As a result of determining the pure effect of the NHI’s policy of covering the dental scaling service, it was found that the the number of times the dental scaling service was used per person increased significantly in the new application group (0.03 times,

A study on the correlation between dental caries and dietary intake of some health program participants

Cheon-Hee Lee , Mi-Hae Yun

Abstract : Objectives: This study aimed to determine if a 5-day lifestyle diary could be used to survey the frequency of consumption of cariogenic foods, as well as clean foods that reduce the formation of bacterial film on the tooth surface, and reveal the association between dietary intake factors and dental caries.Methods: 60 participants of the Healing School located in Jinan, Jeollabuk-do were asked to record a 5-day diet diary (4 days on weekdays and 1 day on weekends), and 53 participants (average age 42.6±1.16 years) were selected without exclusions. The results were cross-analyzed using frequency analysis (P =0.05).Results: The frequency of cariogenic food consumption showed a significant positive correlation with the frequency of clean food consumption (P

Antimicrobial activity of candidate probiotic Streptococcus salivarius against Gram-positive bacteria in oral cavity

Sung-Hoon Lee , Dong-Heon Baek

Abstract : Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate antimicrobial activity in isolated Streptococcus salivarius against Gram-positive bacteria related oral diseases.Methods: S. salivarius was used in G2, G7, K12, and ATCC 7073 strains and tryptic soy broth supplemented with glucose was cultivated. Actinomyces israelii, Actinomyces viscosus, and Enterococcus faecalis were cultivated with brain heart infusion broth. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were maintained using tryptic soy broth. The antimicrobial activity of S. salivarius was performed by minimum inhibitory concentration using the spent culture medium.Results: All S. salivarius have antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria in oral cavity. When comparing antimicrobial activity, S. salivarius G2 and G7 as isolated strain showed stronger antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive microbe than type K12 strain.Conclusions: S. salivarius G2 and G7 have strong antimicrobial activity and may be prevent oral disease by Gram-positive bacteria in oral cavity.