The programme had positive effects on gingival bleeding score and oral health behaviour of children, and on oral health knowledge and attitudes of mothers and teachers. No positive effect on dental caries incidence rate was demonstrated by the OHE programme.

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of fluoride varnish (5% sodium fluoride, Duraphat®, Colgate) in reverting white spot lesions (WSLs) after fixed orthodontic treatment. This study was a randomized, parallel group, controlled clinical trial. Using saline solution as control, 110 participants (mean age ± standard deviation: 16.6±3.2 years) ranging from 12 to 22 years old were randomly assigned to either the test group (group 1) or the control group (group 2). Application of fluoride varnish or saline was applied onto tooth surfaces with WSLs every month during the first 6 months after debonding. The labial (buccal) surfaces of the teeth were assessed by the use of a DIAGNOdent pen (DD) at the baseline, 3- and 6-month follow-up visits. After 6 months, 96 subjects with a total of 209 study teeth (47 subjects, 104 teeth in group 1; 49 subjects, 105 teeth in group 2) remained. The WSLs had a mean DD reading at baseline of 17.66±5.36 in group 1 and 16.19±5.70 in group 2, which decreased by 5.78 and 2.44, respectively, at the 3-month follow-up visit and decreased by 7.56 and 3.09, respectively, at the 6-month follow-up visit. The mean baseline DD readings in the two groups were similar (t test, P>0.05). There was statistically significant differences between the mean DD readings of the two groups at the 3-month (P<0.05) and at the 6-month follow-up visits (P<0.01). Topical fluoride varnish application is effective in reversing WSLs after debonding and should be advocated as a routine caries prevention measure after orthodontic treatment.

AimTo evaluate periodontal conditions in adults in mainland China based on data from the 4th National Oral Health Survey.Materials and methodsData of adult subjects (35‐ to 44‐year‐old group [N = 4409], 55‐ to 64‐year‐old group [N = 4622], and 65‐ to 74‐year‐old group [N = 4428]) were analysed. Demographic, socio‐economic, personal habit, dental history, and health attitude data were obtained using a questionnaire. Periodontal condition was assessed using the standardized case definitions of the 2018 classification scheme. A multivariate analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between periodontitis severity and age, smoking status, gender, and region using generalized additive models after adjusting for confounders.ResultsThe frequency of subjects with periodontitis was 52.8%, 69.3%, and 64.6% in the three age groups, respectively. The frequency of subjects with severe periodontitis (stage III or IV) was 10.6%, 37.3%, and 43.5% in the three age groups, respectively. The severity of periodontal disease was positively associated with age. Current and former smokers exhibited significantly greater disease severity than non‐smokers after adjustment for confounders. No significant difference of severity was found between males and females.ConclusionWithin the limitations of the study, the prevalence of periodontitis is very high among adults in mainland China. Periodontal status is associated with age and smoking status.

ObjectivesTo explore the factors associated with utilization of oral health services among Chinese adults and older adults according to the Andersen Behavior Model.MethodsData from the 4th National Oral Health Survey (2015‐2016) in China were used. A total of 7206 people (3669 adults aged 35‐44 years and 3537 older adults aged 65‐74 years) were included in our analysis. Oral health service utilization in the past 12 months was the outcome variable. Explanatory variables were selected according to the Andersen Behavior Model. Descriptive statistics and bivariate associations (chi‐square tests) were analysed, followed by hierarchical Poisson regression models, which were conducted to determine the factors associated with oral health service utilization.ResultsIn total, 21.4% (95% CI: 19.4%‐23.7%) of adults (35‐44 years old) and 20.7% (95% CI: 18.6%‐22.9%) of older adults (65‐74 years old) utilized oral health services in the past 12 months. Nearly 80% of adults (78.7%, 95% CI: 74.0%‐82.7%) and more than 90% of older adults (93.7%, 95% CI: 91.0%‐95.6%) visited a dentist for treatment. Adults aged 35‐44 years old who were female (IRR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.00‐1.33, P = .047), had good oral health knowledge and attitudes (IRR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.06‐1.59, P = .011), perceived their oral health status as fair (IRR:1.51, 95% CI:1.24‐1.85, P < .001) or poor/very poor (IRR:2.52, 95% CI:2.01‐3.18, P < .001) and had a decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index >0 (IRR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.11‐2.09, P = .009) were more likely to report dental visits in the past 12 months. Older adults who utilized oral health services tended to be female (IRR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.09‐1.59, P = .004); to be covered by Urban Resident Basic Medical Insurance (URBMI) (IRR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.18‐2.05, P = .002), Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) (IRR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.32‐2.16, P < .001) or government medical insurance (GMI) (IRR: 1.03, 95% CI:1.01‐2.16, P = .044); to have a high education level (IRR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.08‐1.74, P = .010); to have an income level in the 2nd tertile (IRR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.13‐1.84, P = .003) or 3rd tertile (IRR:1.52, 95% CI:1.18‐1.95, P = .001); and to perceive their oral health status as poor or very poor (IRR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.21‐1.95, P = .001).ConclusionsSex and self‐perceived oral health status were associated with oral health utilization among Chinese population. Additionally, for older adults, education level, household income and insurance coverage were determinants of dental service use. These findings can aid in creating more targeted policies to increase the use of dental services by Chinese adults.

The objectives of this study were: to describe perceived dental health status and oral health-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in Chinese urban adolescents; to assess the associations of oral health variables with socio-economic status and school performance; and to analyse the relative effect of socio-behavioral risk factors on perceived dental health, perceived need for dental care, and experience of dental symptoms. A cross-sectional survey of 2662 adolescents was conducted in eight capital cities in China; the response rate was 92%. The study population was chosen by multistage cluster sampling and covered three age groups: 11, 13, and 15 years. Data on dental and general health were collected by self-administered questionnaires. Self-assessment of dental health of Chinese adolescents was generally good, only 12% of the students answered that their teeth were "poor" or "very poor", and 9% claimed having "poor" or "very poor" gums. Eleven percent of participants said that other students made fun of their teeth; 24% of the respondents were dissatisfied with the appearance of their teeth, and 41% claimed that they had experienced toothache or symptoms during the previous 12 months. Positive attitudes towards dental care were found in all age groups; 67% of adolescents brushed their teeth at least twice a day and 48% of the students used fluoridated toothpaste. Only 26% of the students visited a dentist during the previous 12 months. In all, 6% of the adolescents had tried cigarette smoking at least once, while 41% reported having tasted alcohol drinks. Multivariate regression analyses showed that perceived dental health status and needs were associated with gender, age, unhealthy lifestyles, poor school performance, and socio-economic status. The establishment of school-based health promotion programs in China is urgently needed, and promotion of oral health lifestyles should be integrated with other general health actions.