Socioeconomic factors related to tooth brushing behavior among adults in Korea: analysis with 2019 Community Health Survey data

Yu-Rim Lee , Nam-Hee Kim

Abstract : Objectives: This study aimed to identify the socioeconomic factors related to tooth brushing behavior among adults in Korea.Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) in 2019. Respondents aged 19 years and older (n=299,099) comprised the study sample. The dependent variable was tooth brushing behavior, whereas the independent variables were demographic and socioeconomic factors. The data were processed using chi-squared test, independent t-test, ANOVA, and adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. Statistical analysis was performed using the STATA 17.0 program, with significance set at the 5% level.Results: About half (55%) of the respondents brushed their teeth at least twice a day. The findings also revealed significant differences according to socioeconomic status (P

The analysis of dental treatments among the disabled in a charity dental clinic, Cheongju city

Jae-In Ryu , Hye-Ri Jeong

Abstract : Objectives: Disabled people experience difficulties in accessing dental services. Some of them tend to rely on charity dental services due to financial reasons. The purpose of this study is to identify some of the treatment statuses of disabled people to aid in planning oral health policies.Methods: This study analyzed the dental records of 141 patients from 2014 to 2019 in a charity dental clinic in Cheongju City. The demographic characteristics such as gender, age, area, social security, and type of disability of the patients were analyzed. Chi-square test and logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the sociodemographic factors related to dental treatments.Results: Within the study population, 63.1% were men and 66.0% were older, over 40 years old. The type of disabilities showed significant differences in the possibilities of having periodontal treatments. The older people showed almost four times a higher risk of experiencing dental extractions than those who were younger, even after adjustments with sociodemographic factors.Conclusions: Among disabled people, an older age corresponds to a much higher probability of extraction, making chewing difficult and leading to the deterioration of general health. It is therefore necessary to conduct a detailed and extended national oral health survey on people with disabilities to allow for the provision of systematic support.

A new start and new expectations

A study on trends of dental caries disparities according to household income level of children and adolescents using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Se-Hwan Jung

Abstract : Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the trend of dental caries inequalities according to the household income level of children and adolescents, using data from Wave 4 (2007-2009) to Wave 7 (2016-2018) of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).Methods: The raw data were obtained from the website of KNHANES. The data by year within each wave were integrated and used for the analysis. In accordance with the guidebook for data users, the experience rate and prevalence rate of dental caries in primary and permanent teeth were estimated. Additionally, the absolute difference (AD) between the lowest and highest household income levels and the prevalence ratio (PR) by household income level were calculated.Results: The AD in the experience rate of dental caries showed a tendency to marginally decrease in primary teeth and moderately increase in permanent teeth. The PR was not statistically significant (P>0.05) in all waves. The AD in the prevalence rate of dental caries decreased by 5.4% and 8.2% in primary and permanent teeth, respectively. The PR in Wave 7 showed that all statistical significance disappeared (P>0.05).Conclusions: In Korean children and adolescents, dental caries inequalities by household income level showed a tendency to gradually decrease in primary or permanent teeth, and statistical significance was no longer confirmed.

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.

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.

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

Reduction in malodor, gingival index and plaque index after 4-week use of new concept oral irrigator

Hee-Ju Kim , Jong-Bin Kim

Abstract : Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the changes in clinical indexes related to periodontitis, such as malodor, gingival and plaque indexes, during the adjuvant use of a high pressure oral irrigator (COMORAL^®, SMDsolutions, Seoul, Korea) in volunteers.Methods: We recruited 17 volunteers from an advertisement posted on Dankook University’s bulletin board. The oral malodor, gingival index, and plaque index of each volunteer were during the adjuvant use of a high pressure oral irrigator within a 4-week period.Results: Routine tooth brushing was done together with the adjuvant use of a new high pressure oral irrigator in the 4-week period. The oral malodor, gingival index, and plaque index measured after 2 and 4 weeks of use significantly decreased (P