The goal of this review is to summarize the results of randomized trials reported since 2010 that assessed the effect of periodontal interventions on at least one systemic outcome in human subjects of any age, gender or ethnicity. Oral outcome measures included gingivitis, pocket depth, clinical attachment loss and/or radiographic bone loss and oral hygiene indices. Studies were excluded if the trial was not completed or if treatment was not randomized. The results suggest that nonsurgical periodontal intervention provided to pregnant women is safe and improves periodontal status without preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes. Nonsurgical periodontal intervention was also found to provide modest improvement in glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and periodontitis. Also, improving oral care through mechanical or chemical control of dental-plaque biofilm formation can contribute to the prevention of respiratory infections in differing clinical settings, including hospitals and nursing homes, and in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. No clinical trials were reported that tested the effect of periodontal interventions on medical outcomes of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, chronic kidney disease or malignant neoplasia.

Aim The objective of this study was to assess the existing literature to determine if a relationship exists between hypothyroidism and periodontitis. Methods We used a modified approach to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses by searching five databases in addition to the gray literature. Keywords in the title and abstract fields, as well as subject headings for both periodontal disease and hypothyroidism, were used to search the existing literature for publications relevant to evaluation of the thyroid–periodontitis relationship. Results The authors screened 847 unique publications which, after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, yielded 29 publications, which were further analyzed for relevance and applicability. Most of the included papers were cross‐sectional studies and retrospective chart reviews. Following critical analysis, four publications, including one abstract, were used to further assess the hypothyroid–periodontitis relationship. Conclusions There are very few high‐quality studies describing the potential association between hypothyroidism and periodontitis. In general, and among the included papers with the fewest confounding factors, a positive relationship between hypothyroidism and periodontitis was found. Further well‐controlled, prospective clinical and immunologic studies will be required to confirm that relationship.

Background The objective of this study was to evaluate and present evidence from animal and human clinical studies on associations between dental caries and systemic diseases, and to suggest potential mechanisms that might explain such associations. Methods An electronic search was conducted of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for articles published from 2010 to 2020 in the English language. From the initial search, 404 full-text studies were assessed for eligibility. After excluding studies for technical and study limitations, a total of 67 studies were included in the summary tables and additional studies were included in the review to support evidence. Results Few systemic disease and conditions were found to be clinically meaningfully associated with caries experience. Best evidence from human and animal studies described association between metabolic diseases and dental caries. Several interesting animal studies were noted that could generate clinical hypotheses and further investigations in rodent models for cardiovascular injury and hyperglycemia. Inadequate data was found to suggest any modifications to current clinical practice or prevention guidelines. Conclusions Limited clinical evidence was found connecting several systemic diseases and dental caries. Inadequate data was found to suggest any modifications to current clinical practice or prevention guidelines. Clinical significance Understanding of associations between dental caries and systemic diseases play a crucial role in the treatment planning and education of the dental patient.

Objective:The research assessed online learning modules designed to teach health professions students evidence-based practice (EBP) principles in an interprofessional context across two institutions.Methods:Students from nine health professions at two institutions were recruited to participate in this pilot project consisting of two online learning modules designed to prepare students for an in-person case-based interprofessional activity. Librarians and an instructional designer created two EBP modules. Students’ competence in EBP was assessed before and after the modules as well as after the in-person activity. Students evaluated the online learning modules and their impact on the students’ learning after the in-person session.Results:A total of 39 students from 8 health professions programs participated in the project. Average quiz scores for online EBP module 1 and module 2 were 83% and 76%, respectively. Following completion of the learning modules, adapted Fresno test of competence in EBP scores increased (p=0.001), indicating that the modules improved EBP skill competence. Student evaluations of the learning modules were positive. Students indicated that they acquired new information skills that contributed to their ability to develop a patient care plan and that they would use these information skills in their future clinical practice.Conclusions:Online EBP learning modules were effective in developing EBP knowledge and skills for health professions students. Using the same modules ensured that students from different health professions at different stages of their professional programs had consistent knowledge and enabled each student to fully engage in an interprofessional evidence-based activity. Student feedback indicated the modules were valued and beneficial.

Critical thinking is widely recognized as an essential competency in dental education, but there is little agreement on how it should be assessed. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the availability of instruments that could be used to measure critical thinking in dental students and to evaluate psychometric evidence to support their use. In January 2017, an electronic search of both the medical and education literature was performed on nine databases. The search included both keyword and Medical Subject Heading terms for critical thinking, higher education/health sciences education, measurement/assessment, and reproducibility of results. The grey literature was included in the search. The search produced 2,977 unique records. From the title and abstract review, 183 articles were selected for further review, which resulted in 36 articles for data extraction. Ten of these studies sought to evaluate psychometric properties of the instruments used and were subjected to quality assessment. Seven assessment instruments were identified. Of these, three instruments that have not been widely used nor tested in health professions students showed evidence of psychometric strength and appeared to have potential for use in dental education. Further research should focus on the three critical thinking instruments with strong psychometric evidence, with the aim of establishing validity and reliability in the context of dental education.

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