Summary:  Purpose: We performed a dental survey of epilepsy patients to examine their oral health by statistical means and to provide a guide for the dental treatment of these patients. Methods: We first set up four “dental” subgroups of epilepsy patients, based on the types of seizures, seizure frequency, and mental state. One hundred one patients underwent a survey concerning their dental, medical, and epilepsy histories, followed by a dental examination. Indexes quantifying oral hygiene, the number and condition of the remaining teeth, periodontium, and the degree of prosthetic treatment were measured. An age‐matched control group of general (nonepilepsy) population underwent an identical dental examination. Statistical comparison was performed between the patient and the control groups and between subgroups of epilepsy patients. Results: In almost all aspects of oral health and dental status, patients with epilepsy showed a significantly worse condition compared with the control group. Comparison of the subgroups of epilepsy patients revealed that the most severe findings concern patients who have poorly controlled epilepsy, especially those who have frequent generalized tonic–clonic seizures. Conclusions: The observed difference probably results from a combination of factors such as the effect of the seizures themselves, socioeconomic conditions, and the negative attitude of dentists. We recommend that the planning of dental treatment of such patients should start with the assessment of their disease and determination of the “dental” subgroup to which they belong. For each subgroup, specific recommendations for interventions are given.

According to our examination dental status of long-term survivors is worse than in controls. Hence proper oral hygiene for children cancer survivors (CCS) is critical. In order to meet the need for dental care in CCS health authorities are encouraged to revitalize the dental services Long-term follow-up of CCS is necessary to monitor their dental growth and oral health.

Anatomical changes in the structure of the temporomandibular joint caused by complete edentulousness Background: The posterior slope of the articular eminence of completely edentulous patients compared to patients with maintained occlusion shows significant flattening. Objective: The aim of this present study was to reveal a possible correlation between edentulousness and the flattening of the eminence and to find out whether this deformation is connected to age. Material and methods: Thirty patients were examined in three groups, each consisting of 10 persons (group I: 18-to 25-year-old patients with maintained occlusion, group II: patients over 60 with maintained occlusion, group III: edentulous patients over 60). The three groups were compared according to dental status, age, sex and side. Measurements were carried out on orthopantomographic images taken with Kodak 8000 Digital Panoramic System. The angle of the posterior slope of the articular eminence relative to the Frankfort plane was measured on both sides. Data were analysed statistically with the one-way ANOVA test (a = 0.05). Results:The highest values were measured in group I (right side: 39.8 ± 5.4°, left side: 43.0 ± 5.9°), values were somewhat lower in group II (right side: 38.9 ± 4.7°, left side: 39.5 ± 7.4°) and were the lowest in group III, which was significantly lower on both sides than the results of group I and group II (right side: 29.8 ± 6.0°, left side: 31.9 ± 5.2°, p < 0.01). The correlation coefficient between age and the flattening of the eminence in group I, II and III was 0.23, 0.35 and 0.92, respectively. Conclusion: The flattening of the articular eminence could be correlated with age; however, the rate of deformation is significantly higher in completely edentulous patients than in patients with maintained occlusion.

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According to these results, chemotherapy in children might result in a decreased stimulated whole saliva flow rate, hyposalivation, and, consequently, increased caries risk. Although these processes might be compensated to a limited extend by the increased minor saliva flow rate, resulting in a higher buffer capacity, nutrition and oral hygiene control of children obtaining cancer therapy is essential in the preservation of the oral tissues.