Magister Chirurgiae Dentium (MChD) / An analysis of the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients with orofacial clefts at the Wentworth Foundation in Durban, KZN is presented. Objectives: To assess whether the OHRQoL of orofacial cleft patients varies amongst different age groups, genders or cleft types as well as demographic factors. Method: 46 participants, aged 8- 18, completed a self-administered Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP) questionnaire. Results: The most prevalent cleft type was the Unilateral Cleft Left, 45.7%. The COHIP mean score was 84.195 (SD 18.244) ranging from 35 to 110. The age related subscales which were statistically significant included Functional well-being (p value: 0.0456), School Environment (p value: 0.0145) and Treatment Expectancy. The subscale School Environment was statistically significant for: Transport (p value: 0.0267) and Place of accommodation (p value 0.028). The Oral Health subscale and the Educational level were statistically significant (p value 0.043). Conclusion: Statistically significant age-related differences and demographic factors were noted. The OHRQoL of cleft patients was low largely due to socioeconomic factors and difficulty accessing multidisciplinary care. Therefore, our findings highlight the importance of establishing a Cleft lip and palate multidisciplinary facility for these patients in the Wentworth foundation and subsidised transport to the Wentworth Foundation is recommended.

Background: Oral health disparities exist in the USA. However, little is known of the relationship between oral health disparity and citizenship. The aims of this study were: (i) to describe the differences in self-rated oral health (SROH) between adult American citizens and non-citizens (>20 years of age); and (ii) to test whether factors such as frequency of dentist visits and socio-economic status (SES) are differently associated with SROH in these two groups. Methods: The data used in this study were drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2011–2012. Weighted logistic regression models were used to detect the strengths of the association between a series of predictors and SROH. Results: More non-citizens (59.54%) than their citizen peers (26.24%) rated their oral health as fair/bad. All factors analysed in this study were differently associated with SROH based on citizenship. More specifically, natural characteristics, such as ethnicity and age, were significantly associated with SROH among non-citizens, and SES was significantly associated with American citizens. Among non-citizens, Hispanic, Non-Hispanic Black and Asian subjects were more likely than Non-Hispanic White subjects to report their oral health as being ‘good’. Family poverty level, education and the frequency of dentist visits were significantly associated with SROH among citizens. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that American immigrants report their oral health across most dimensions as being worse than do American citizens. Each explanatory factor may have a different strength of association with SROH in immigrants and citizens, which implies that different steps should be taken within these groups to reduce disparities in oral health.

Objectives: A community-based intervention is described that targets oral health self-care practices among Hispanic children in the United States and is being tested in an ongoing trial. Descriptive results of baseline oral health variables are presented. Methods: As of January 2013, 284 Hispanic children of ages 5-7 enrolled in the Healthy Families Study in Nashville, TN, USA. Families are randomized to one of two culturally appropriate interventions. Results: At baseline, 69.6 % of children brushed at least twice daily, and 40.6 % brushed before bed daily. One-third of parents did not know if their children's toothpaste contained fluoride. Conclusions: This intervention fills the need for community-based interventions to improve oral health self-care practices that are culturally appropriate in Hispanic families.

Maintaining dental health is vital as it contributes to the psychological well-being of an individual and the overall systemic health through preventing chronic diseases. Unfortunately, poor oral health has been identified as a common trend in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There is limited research regarding the barriers that result in rates of increased dental manifestations in patients with ASD compared to neurotypical individuals. This study strived to identify the barriers that contribute to poor oral health in individuals with ASD in order to establish interventions to break those barriers and improve overall dental health in the Autism community. A descriptive, mixed methods study design was utilized that included 10 participants: adults with ASD (n=4), parents of children with ASD (n=4) and dental professionals (n=2). The ASD population were asked to complete a questionnaire that asked about home/office dental care, dental issues and anxiety, sensitivity to external stimuli in a dental office, physical challenges and parafunctional habits. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with dental professionals regarding their experience and training in treating patients on the Autism Spectrum. Three of the four parents reported that their child had high levels of anxiety regarding dental visits. Only one adult with ASD reported flossing on a regular basis, and bruxism was reported by all adults with ASD and all but one parent as an area of concern. Interviews with the two dentists revealed that families of individuals with ASD face financial barriers and reported infrequent visits from adults with ASD. Additionally, both dentists received minimal training in working with special populations. Further research is needed to improve the frequency of dental visits in adults with ASD, which can lead to an overall increased quality of life. Additionally, more training and guidance should be provided to dental offices on working with patients with ASD.

The burden of dental disease in American has been termed a "silent epidemic," affecting the most vulnerable populations in society. Poor oral health has been linked with general health issues, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as decreased mental health and impairments in social functioning. This burden weighs particularly heavy on the homeless, who are not only denied access to private systems of care, but are further rejected by an inadequately supported public safety net. Despite the recognition of social inequalities and the call for further scientific research, oral health care has not been extensively recognized within sociology. The aim of this research was to uncover how Central Florida's homeless adults cope with oral health issues in the face of barriers. This study intends to begin closing the gap by exploring the ways in which structural inequalities are embodied in the teeth of the homeless. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted with homeless individuals in the Central Florida area in regards to their oral health and coping mechanisms. Results indicate that without conventional access to dental care, homeless are forced to rely on emergency departments, alcohol, illegal drugs, home remedies, and over-the-counter medications. When treatment was received, only emergency services were provided. This led to an extraction-denture treatment model which left many homeless individuals edentulous, with continued complications in their ability to eat, work, and talk.

Oral health plays an integral role in our general health, wellbeing, and quality of life. Practicing evidence-based oral hygiene behaviors prevent oral diseases and improve systemic health. The burden of preventable oral diseases persists worldwide and weighs particularly heavy on specific population groups. While many studies have explored oral health among those of advanced age, children, and minority groups, there are a very few exploring the oral health care needs of postsecondary students, specifically those born outside of the United States (U.S.). Recognizing this gap in the literature, this study sought to gain a better understanding of oral health access among non-US born postsecondary students with a goal of identifying factors affecting their oral health behaviors. To achieve the objectives of this explorative study, a cross-sectional study design was implemented. A 30-question survey was provided to individuals born outside the U.S. and currently enrolled in postsecondary educational institutions. Descriptive statistics was presented, and a quantitative analysis was performed. The study results suggest that foreign-born postsecondary students may perceive oral health care in the U.S as inaccessible due to economic barriers such as costs and lack of insurance. Moreover, it was found that this population is less likely to visit a dentist because they cannot find a "convenient time" or because they believed their "mouth is healthy". Factors associated with perceived improvements in oral hygiene behaviors included enrollment in postsecondary education and the number of years they've resided in the U.S. Conversely, factors associated with a decline in perceived oral hygiene behaviors included school-induced stress and acculturative stress. It was also found that on-campus dental clinics were less frequently utilized than off-campus dental clinics, with many preferring to receive oral health care outside of the U.S. Citizenship status was also found to be a factor influencing student's oral health seeking behaviors.

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No description available.

Aim: The aim of this project was to find the level of oral health literacy of parents of preschool age children regarding their child’s oral health. The primary objective was to improve the oral health status of preschoolers and to prevent early childhood caries. Methods: 117 participants (parents of preschoolers) completed a self-administered oral health literacy questionnaire. Data obtained from the study was analysed using a statistical package (SPSS). Firstly, descriptive analysis was undertaken generating tables and graphs of sociodemographic variables. Later, associations between oral health literacy and sociodemographic variables were identified and also relation between parents’ oral health literacy and their attitude towards water fluoridation in Christchurch was identified using bivariate and multivariate analysis. Psychometric analysis was generated to test validity and reliability of the oral health literacy questionnaire. Results: In the total sample, 38% of participants had poor oral health literacy regarding their child’s oral health. The results also indicated that there were associations present between parents’ oral health literacy and socio-demographic variables such as ethnicity, education and family income. Nearly half of the parents opted for water fluoridation in Christchurch. A strong association between parents’ oral health literacy and their attitude towards water fluoridation was identified. In the total sample, 40% of parents were not aware of need for first dental visit before the school age. Reliability was good for the developed oral health literacy instrument. Conclusions: This study of parents’ oral health literacy in Christchurch, New Zealand identified association of oral health literacy and socio-demographic variables which gives future guidance to improving oral health status of New Zealand children. The relation 6 between parents’ oral health literacy and their attitude towards water fluoridation was shown in this study. This result might be used in future water fluoridation surveys. Future studies are needed to examine health care provider’s perspective in improving parents’ oral health literacy and to tailor more effective public health interventions to improve parents’ oral health literacy.

Introdução - As Diretrizes da Política Nacional de Saúde Bucal (DPNSB) de 2004 referendadas na 3ª Conferência Nacional de Saúde Bucal (CNSB) reorientam a Atenção à Saúde Bucal (ASB) no país. Objetivos - Verificar como as DPNSB estão acatadas e implantadas no município de São Paulo (MSP); identificar e analisar documentos relativos às DPNSB, do estado e MSP para a ASB. Métodos - Pesquisa qualitativa, descritiva e interpretativa. Utilizou-se referencial teórico, documentos oficiais, observação não participante, entrevistas individuais, com coordenadoras de saúde bucal da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, entrevistas coletivas com interlocutores e grupos focais com representantes de equipe de saúde bucal e conselheiros gestores. A partir das DPNSB, das municipais, e do relatório do quarto eixo da 3ª CNSB sobre a ASB construiu-se roteiro para todos os sujeitos da pesquisa. Houve triangulação de técnicas de coleta, sujeitos, espaços e fontes de dados. Destacaram-se posturas, idéias centrais, problemas, experiências de êxito e propostas. O expresso foi discutido e comparado com referencial teórico, contexto dos documentos e observações coletadas. Resultados - Apresentaram-se percepções dos sujeitos da pesquisa, sobre: acesso, espaço físico, urgência, Programa Saúde da Família (PSF), centros de especialidades odontológicas, relações com outras secretarias, parcerias, programas especiais, uso do Flúor e material de higiene bucal, em diferentes estágios de implantação no MSP. Conclusões - As DPNSB refletem-se nas municipais, com dificuldades de execução. Fatores políticos interferiram, com recuperação a partir de 2004. Há avanços em especialidades odontológicas, regulação de vagas, trocas de equipamentos, estratégia do PSF, inovações em programas, tratamentos domiciliares, campanhas de prevenção do câncer e respeito ao conselho gestor. Há problemas com: acesso, em especial dos adultos; espaço físico (incluindo o dos portadores de necessidades especiais); manutenção, integração dos serviços de urgência e atenção básica; conflitos entre pessoas do setor público e PSF; divergências técnicas; falta de: materiais, intersetorialidade, heterocontrole do Fluor, protocolos de encaminhamentos e retornos de dados do sistema de informações. Sugeriu-se melhorias na gestão da ASB com envolvimento de todos no planejamento, operacionalização e humanização, visando integração e integralidade. Indicou-se estudos loco-regionais do tema, dada a magnitude do MSP. / Introduction - The Brazilian Oral Health National Policy Guidelines (BOHNPG) supported by The Oral Health 3rd National Meeting (OHTNM - 2004) reoriented the Brazilian oral health care (BOHC). Objectives - To verify how the São Paulo Municipality (SPM) adopted and implemented the BOHNPG; to identify and to analyze São Paulo state and SPM oral health care (OHC) documents. Methodology - Qualitative, descriptive and interpretative research. It was utilized: theoretical references, official documents, non-participative observation, personal interviews with, oral health coordinators (Municipality Health Secretary), group interviews (with interlocutors) and focal groups applied to oral health teams' representatives and to Management Counselors (users' level). The overall interview basic plan was based upon BOHNPG, SPM documents and 3rd NBOHC Meeting 4th axis report. A triangular approach was applied to techniques used for analyzing the data, considering individuals, environment and their sources, an d for identifying individuals' perception, central ideas, problems, successes and proposals. The information was compared with theoretical references and documents context. Results - Individuals' perception at SPM different stages implementation including: access, physical environment, emergency, Family Health Program (FHP), dentistry specialized centers, departments' relationships, partnerships, special programs, fluoride use, and oral hygienic material. Conclusions - The BOHNPG are reflected into the SPM ones, although with operational difficulties. Political issues interfered, but with improvements from 2004. Oral health specialties, vacancies regulation, equipments changes, FHP strategies, programs innovation, home care procedures, cancer prevention campaigns and to management counselor consideration improvements were pointed. Problems identified were: access, especially for adults; physical space (including for special need persons); emergence and basic care services integration and maintenance; conflicts among FHP and SPM personnel; technical divergences; and lack of: materials, sectors integration; fluoride external control, information system protocols for entering and returning data. It was suggested improvement on OHC management with further overall involvement in planning, operation, humanity in the sense to integration and integrality. Local and regional studies need focusing the theme was pointed due to the São Paulo city size.