Initiating discourse on essential oral healthcare

Usefulness of the odontogenic ameloblast-associated protein and quantitative analysis of periodontal disease-associated bacteria as biomarkers for evaluation of improvement in periodontal status following scaling intervention

Su-Jin Park , Hyunsook Bae

Abstract : Objectives: In this study, we investigated the validity and effectiveness of biomarkers and oral microbiome analysis for evaluation of periodontal status following scaling intervention. Methods: The study included 15 participants who were selected based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Periodontal indices, including the plaque index, probing depth, modified sulcus bleeding index, and calculus index were measured to evaluate clinical periodontal status and disease progression. Pre- and post-scaling gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was obtained from 12-20 sites per patient to measure changes in the odontogenic ameloblast-associated protein (ODAM) concentration using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, pre- and post-treatment salivary samples were obtained for quantitative analysis of oral microbiome distribution. Results: All clinical parameters showed significant differences in pre- and post-scaling values and significant changes in the ODAM concentration in the GCF in patients with initial and moderate periodontitis. Quantitative analysis performed after scaling intervention revealed changes in eight oral disease-causing bacteria associated with periodontal disease, including Aggregatibacter, Porphyromonas, Tannerella, Treponema, Prevotella, and Fusobacterium. Specifically, Tannerella forsythia and Fusobacterium nucleatum (well-known major periodontal pathogens) numbers were significantly decreased following non-surgical periodontal therapy. However, no significant association was observed between changes in the salivary oral microbiota and ODAM concentration in the GCF, following treatment. Conclusions: Based on the findings of this study, we propose the use of ODAM protein and quantitative analysis of periodontal disease-associated bacteria as objective and quantitative biomarkers for evaluation of improvement in periodontal disease following scaling intervention.

A qualitative study on the oral health of mobile platform workers: focus on tooth brushing experience

Jae-In Ryu , Na-Yeon Tak

Abstract : Objectives: The landscape of work environments has undergone rapid transformation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to identify oral health issues among mobile platform workers, analyze the risk factors within their working environment, and promote their oral health. Methods: A purposive sampling approach was employed to select fifteen participants, including replacement drivers, delivery drivers, and delivery couriers/messengers operating within Seoul’s mobile platform workforce. In-depth interviews were conducted between August and November 2023, with all sessions recorded and transcribed. Utilizing grounded theory methodology, data analysis progressed through stages of open coding, axial coding, and selective coding, ultimately leading to the construction of a paradigm model. Results: The majority of participants were male (93.3%), with an average age of 58.7 years. The paradigm model revealed low tooth brushing rates among mobile platform workers. This phenomenon was attributed to a poor brushing environment and a lack of willingness to brush, with the related context being the poor working environment. Intervention conditions included support for tooth brushing, oral health education, and oral examinations. Implementing an action-interaction strategy, which involves problem-solving pathways and a strong motivation to improve, resulted in improved tooth brushing rates. Conclusions: To promote the oral health of mobile platform workers, it is essential to improve the environment for tooth brushing, particularly by increasing the availability of restrooms and related facilities as brushing spaces. Additionally, It is necessary to develop oral health policies and implement interventions based on an understanding of the working environment of mobile platform workers.

Dental service satisfaction at dental hospital certified as healthcare accreditation

Ji-Eun Jung , Choong-Ho Choi

Abstract : Objectives: This study investigated the factors influencing patient satisfaction at healthcare-accredited dental hospital, thereby providing foundational data to enhance the quality of dental healthcare services. Methods: Data were collected through a structured self-administered survey of 200 patients who visited a healthcare-accredited dental hospital in Gwangju metropolitan city from August 1 to August 31, 2023. After excluding seven responses with insincere answers, 193 responses were used for analysis. The survey consisted of 36 questions: 9 on sociodemographic characteristics, 20 on quality of medical services, 4 on awareness of healthcare accreditation, and 3 on overall satisfaction with dental services. Analysis methods included t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Results: According to SERVQUAL, factors influencing healthcare service satisfaction were “tangibles” (β=0.318, P

Association between oral function and physical activity performance in older adults: a cross‑sectional study

Jeong-Eun Kim , Keun-Bae Song , Youn-Hee Choi

Abstract : Objectives: Given the rapid population aging in Korea, it is becoming more important for the elderly to live healthy and be active independently. A two-way relationship exists between oral function and physical activity performance: if oral function worsens, it reduces the independence of older adults by making it difficult to perform certain activities or limiting access to social activities. Therefore, this study aimed to identify oral functions that hinder performing physical activities in older adults and prevent these limitations. Methods: Older adults aged ≥60 years who participated in the Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project were recruited (n=1,078). Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between oral function and physical activity performance. Results: The elders having difficult mastication or xerostomia were likely to have decreased physical function (P=0.001 and P=0.005, respectively). All component factors of oral funtion were positively associated with physical activities. Older adults with hard mastication and complete dentures had decreased ability to perform independent activities of daily living (P=0.033 and P

Disparities in dental healthcare utilization based on regional characteristics in Korea

Yong-Jin Lee , Youn-Hee Choi

Abstract : Objectives: This study aimed to analyze dental healthcare resources and utilization patterns according to regional characteristics in Korea and to compare disparities in unmet dental care need rates and subjective oral health status. Methods: Dental healthcare resources and utilization patterns were analyzed using data from the National Health Insurance Statistics (NHIS) and the Population and Housing Census (2022). Descriptive statistics were performed on the distribution of dental healthcare resources, such as dental institutions, dentists, and dental hygienists per 100,000 people. Inflow and outflow indices for healthcare utilization were calculated using the number of days of inpatient and outpatient visits for oral diseases. In addition, the association between the type of local governance and unmet oral healthcare needs, as well as subjective oral health status, was analyzed using the chi-square test with the Community Health Survey (2022) data. Results: The number of dental institutions, dentists, and dental hygienists (per 100,000 people) in rural areas (such as “Urban and rural complex - si,” “Gun,” and “Gun with an established public health clinic”) was lower than in urban areas (such as a “[Special] metropolitan city”). The inflow and outflow indices for healthcare utilization by oral disease indicated higher outflows of patients to metropolitan areas. Furthermore, the chi-square analysis revealed that, for the “Gun with an established public health clinic,” more respondents reported unmet dental care needs and poor subjective oral health status (P

Association between oral health behaviors and dental scaling frequency: linked datasets from the National Health Insurance Service and the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Sang-Hyun Jung , Hyeonjeong Go , Keun-Bae Song , Youn-Hee Choi

Abstract : Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between oral health behaviors and dental scaling to suggest effective preventive oral health behaviors. Methods: This cross-sectional survey examined linked datasets derived from the Korean National Health Insurance Service and Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2014-2017. The data of 4,258 adults aged ≥19 years were included. A multivariate regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of oral health behaviors on willingness to undergo dental scaling. Results: The multivariate regression analysis revealed that the participants whose oral hygiene habits included a thrice-daily tooth brushing frequency were 1.5% more likely to undergo dental scaling (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.167-1.881) than the others. Furthermore, those whose oral hygiene habits included a thrice-daily tooth brushing frequency and the daily use of dental floss or an interdental brush were 1.6% more likely to undergo dental scaling (95% CI, 1.194-2.032) than their counterparts. Conclusions: The group with the most favorable oral health behaviors underwent dental scaling more frequently. Better personal oral health habits may lead to willingness to undergo dental scaling, and incremental dental hygiene improvements can be achieved through further oral health education. Educational programs are needed to raise awareness of and promote improvements in individual oral health behaviors.

Factors associated with severe tooth loss in Korean adults

Jong-Im Choi , Hyun-Jeong Ju , Hyo-Won Oh , Heung-Soo Lee

Abstract : Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify factors related to severe tooth loss among sociodemographic, oral health behavior, and systemic disease factors. Methods: This study used raw data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018), which included 13,199 adults aged ≥19 years. The severe tooth loss was defined as a group with more than a third quartile (top 1/4) of the total number of tooth loss. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlations. Results: Sociodemographic factors had a were more factors significantly correlated on severe tooth loss than oral health behavior-related and systemic disease-related factors. Among the assessed sociodemographic factors, age, resident area, household income, education level, and household type were correlated with severe tooth loss, with education level having the greatest impact. Among the oral health behavior-related factors, smoking had the greatest impact on severe tooth loss; tooth brushing frequency was also an important factor. Among the systemic disease-related factors, only diabetes incidence was associated with severe tooth loss. Conclusions: Promoting smoking cessation, proper tooth brushing, and diabetes management could reduce severe tooth loss. Moreover, sociodemographic factors should be taken into account while planning oral health promotion projects.

Systemic health factors affecting the dental status of Korean patients with dementia: a comprehensive analysis

Se Hoon Kahm , Je-Uk Park

Abstract : Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease, a pervasive neurodegenerative disorder with global implications, links oral health conditions, such as edentulism and periodontitis, to cognitive impairment. This study aimed to objectively assess the oral health of 1,456 patients with dementia using panoramic imaging and explore potential associations between general health and anthropometric measurements. Methods: Patients’ panoramic images documented at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital and Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital during 2011-2020 were retrospectively scrutinized for oral health parameters. Data on general health, anthropometrics, and body mass index (BMI) were collected. The patients were categorized according to their remaining teeth, dental caries, presence of periodontitis, and BMI. Results: The average age was 74.20 years, and the average teeth number was 20.67. Significant differences in dental caries and periodontitis rates were observed across BMI categories. Younger age and female sex correlated with improved oral health. The underweight BMI group exhibited higher caries rates, whereas the average BMI group showed favorable outcomes for both caries and periodontitis. Conclusions: Comprehensive analysis including panoramic imaging revealed notable associations between oral health and BMI in patients with dementia, emphasizing the importance of regular dental checkups. This study underscores the potential links between oral health and systemic conditions in dementia, necessitating further research to elucidate causal relationships and mechanisms.