Effect of fermented milk product on composite resin surface

Young-Seon Kim , Ji-Eun Kim , Ki-Ho Chung , Choong-Ho Choi

Abstract : Objectives: The present study was carried out to identify the effects of commercially available fermented milk on the surfaces of composite resins. Methods: The experiment included 6 groups: Fermented milk (Group 3), fermented milk supplemented with 3% calcium (Group 4), specimens coated with fluoride and then treated with fermented milk (Group 5), specimens coated with fluoride and then treated with fermented milk supplemented with calcium (Group 6), mineral water (Group 1), and carbonated beverage (Group 2). The prepared specimens were immersed in the experimental solution to analyze the effects of the test fluid on the surfaces of the composite resin specimens. The degree of microhardness on each specimen surface was subsequently measured. The results were obtained using scanning electron microscopy. Results: The pH values of the experimental solutions in an increasing order were: Group 2 (2.34 ±0.08), Group 3 and Group 5 (3.45±0.03), Group 4 and Group 6 (4.04±0.06), and Group 1 (7.72 ±0.17). Significant differences in the Vickers hardness number (△VHN) were found between the groups when measured before and after immersion in the experimental solution in the following order: -11.48±1.45 (Group 2), -9.54±1.15 (Group 3), -9.21±1.21 (Group 4), -8.14±0.84 (Group 6), -8.10±0.92 (Group 5), and -1.71±0.57 (Group 1) (P<0.05). Scanning electron microscopy findings of the composite resin surfaces in Groups 5 and 6 revealed smooth surfaces similar to those in Group 1 ( negative control). In contrast, Groups 3 and 4 showed rough surfaces with severe cracks between the crystals, similar to those of Group 2 (positive control). Conclusions: The intake of fermented milk may attenuate the surface microhardness of composite resins. To slow down the reduction in microhardness following fermented milk consumption, coating the composite resin surfaces with fluoride and adding calcium supplement to the fermented milk could be considered.

Metaverse and changes in oral health

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oral health behavior and oral symptoms in young adults

Ji-Hye Park , Ji-Eon Jang , Youn-Hee Choi

Abstract : Objectives: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected the lifestyle of the public, which also holds true for oral health. This study thus aimed to elucidate the effects of wearing a mask due to COVID-19 on oral health behavior and oral symptoms in young adults from South Korea. Methods: A total of 285 university students (mean age 23.4 years; 64.9% men and 35.1% women) responded to a web-based survey. A paired t-test was conducted to identify changes in oral health behaviors before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The frequency of toothbrushing (P=0.009), dental flossing (P

A step-by-step guide to random forest model using orange data mining in the field of periodontitis

Hoi-Jeong Lim

Abstract : Objectives: The purpose of this study was to show a procedure for a random forest (RF) analysis which predicts periodontal disease status by using R and Orange Data Mining software, and helps us to understand how to apply the RF technique for dental research. Methods: Oral examination data of the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. A RF model was adopted to analyze the data where the target variable was periodontal disease status and the features were gender, age, education level, marital status, alcohol consumption level, smoking status, brushing before sleep, hypertension, and diabetes-related variables. Results: The important features of the RF analysis were in the order of age, marital status, and prevalence of hypertension and diabetes. The accuracy of the RF analysis was 73% which is not high enough for use in the clinical field. Conclusions: The RF technique is an ensemble method used to predict periodontal disease status which produces higher accurate outputs than a single method. This study provides a step-by-step guide using Orange Data Mining for researchers who want to study machine learning techniques.

COVID-19, infordemic, and evidence-based dentistry

Association between masticatory function and cognitive impairment in the elderly

Taejun Park , Hyojin Heo , Min-Jeong Cho , Hyeon Chang Kim , Yoosik Youm , Keun-Bae Song , Youn-Hee Choi

Abstract : Objectives: With the surge in the elderly population, a growing interest in the prevention and treatment of geriatric diseases has been observed, along with awareness of the severity of problems associated with dementia, a cognitive impairment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between chewing ability and cognitive function among elderly people residing in a rural area. Methods: A total of 162 elderly individuals, aged between 65 and 97 years, were surveyed. Trained examiners conducted interviews and assessments of chewing ability, on the basis of the number of remaining teeth, denture status, masticatory performance evaluating gum, ShadeEye-NCC measuring overall change in color of the gum (ΔE), and T-Scan^®III analyzing distribution of occlusion patterns. Cognitive function was assessed using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination-Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS) tool. Results: Participants with a low score in the MMSE-DS were found to have distinguishably lower denture need, smaller number of remaining teeth, and lesser color change in the masticatory performance evaluating gum. In the cognitive impairment group, a tendency of having unilateral and anterior occlusion led to occlusal discomfort and chewing difficulties. Conclusions: The study highlights important associations between chewing ability and cognitive function. The finding corroborates that tooth loss may be a predictive risk factor for cognitive impairment.

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

Influences of presenteeism of clinical dental hygienists

Min Kyoung Hye , Min Hee Hong

Abstract : Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure the presentism, intention of employment, self-efficacy, degree of exhaustion, and factors affecting presentism of clinical dental hygienists for use as basic data when developing measures to address presentism. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 210 clinical dental hygienists from April 1 to June 30, 2020. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, the Scheffé post-hoc test, and Pearson correlation analysis were applied, based on which a multiple regression analysis was conducted. Results: Dental hygienists scored 3.09 points in presenteeism. The variables that influenced clinical empowerment were job and career burnout, explaining 12.3% of the variance in scores among dental clinic hygienists. Conclusions: As a result, clinical dental hygienists’ presentism is associated with clinical background and exhaustion, and exhaustion as the strongest influence. Therefore, in order to reduce the loss of clinical dental hygienists due to presentism, it is necessary to develop and apply health promotion programs that can manage clinical dental hygienists’ health problems early and to provide support in the organizational aspects of their work.

Factors of unmet dental care needs among elderly living alone

Jun Ha Kim , So Yeong Kim , Kyung Hee Jo , Ye Rim Kim , Mijin Choi

Abstract : Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors affecting unmet dental care needs among elderly living alone. Methods: The study subjects were 19,019 elderly living by themselves, who participated in the Korea Community Health Survey 2018 (KCHS, 2018). The data were analyzed using frequency analysis, Rao-Scott chi-square test, t-test, and binary logistic regression analysis, using the SAS 9.4 software. Results: Results from the multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a higher odds ratio (OR) for unmet dental care needs among those with a monthly household income below KRW 1,000,000 (OR=1.64, 95% confidence interval, 95%CI=1.39-1.92), compared to those with an income of above KRW 2,000,000. With regards to stress levels, unmet dental care needs were more prevalent among participants in the "stress moderate" (OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.06-1.33) and "stress" groups (OR=1.68 95% CI=1.48-1.92), compared to the "no stress" group. Furthermore, the OR for unmet dental care needs was significantly higher among participants in the "depression" group (OR=1.84, 95% CI=1.61-2.11) than the "no depression" group. Conclusions: Higher unmet dental care needs were found among participants in the low monthly household income, stress, and depression groups. Further study is needed to analyze the association between factors and needs related to unmet dental care.

Antibacterial effect of mouthwash containing CPC against dental caries caused bacteria

Won-Ho Cho , Ja-Won Cho , Hyun-Jun Yoo , Kyong-Hoon Shin , Gi-Hae Shin , Yeol-Mae Jeon , Jong-Cheon Lee

Abstract : Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and report the antibacterial efficacy in relation to oral disease-causing bacteria using a mouthwash containing 0.05% CPC in an in vitro test. Methods: The sterilization test and susceptibility assay of mouthwash containing 0.05% CPC were investigated against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus; Streptococcus sanguinis as oral bacteria related to dental caries; Enterococcus faecalis as apical periodontitis-related bacteria; and Actinomyces israelii, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescence, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Filifactor alocis as periodontal disease-related bacteria. Results: In the sterilization test, most of the bacteria had more than 99.99% sterilizing power for all samples but compared to other bacteria, the sterilizing power of these samples was not successful for L. acidophilus and E. faecalis bacteria. When comparing the sterilization power between the samples, sample 3 (0.05% CPC+20% ethanol) was the strongest. Conclusions: In the antimicrobial activity test, sample 3 inhibited growth at the lowest concentration overall.