Objective: Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) exist to present recommendations and policies aimed at optimizing the oral health of children and adolescents born with cleft lip and/or palate. The aim of this review is to identify and assess the scope, quality, adequacy, and consistency of CPGs related to oral health in children and adolescents with clefts, along with reporting any differences and shortcomings. Methods: A systematic review of the literature of CPGs following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidelines was conducted. Assessment of selected CPGs was performed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II methodological quality instrument. Results: Only 7 CPGs fulfilled the criteria. Of these, 4 were from the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, and 1 each from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. The lowest overall mean scores were in the domain “Rigor of Development” (mean 29.58%, SD 17.11), revealing lower quality in methodology of the guideline. The domain “Clarity of Presentation” (mean 73.80%, SD 7.87) revealed the best score. Conclusions: Our review results reveal a lack of integrated high-quality CPGs that can be used as universal guidelines by health workers in a range of disciplines for improving oral health in children and adolescents with cleft problems.
CONTEXTAlthough the principles of infection prevention and control remain unchanged, new technologies, materials, equipment and updated data require continuous evaluation of current infection control practices 1 and continuous education for the oral health team.
Diet is well established as a significant etiological factor in oral diseases, particularly dental caries, and dental erosion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the stay-at-home orders (lockdown) impacted people’s well-being. Emotional distress affects food preferences and consumption. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the dietary changes due to lockdown in Teesside and consequently its impact on oral health.
Method: An online survey was developed based on the World Health Organization Adult Oral Health Survey. After obtaining ethical approval, the survey was distributed among residents ≥18y living in Teesside. The questions addressed dietary choices before and during the lockdown. Participants were also invited to a semi-structured interview to understand the influence of lockdown on dietary choices.
Results: The frequency of consuming daily fresh fruit decreased by 3.2%. Participants consuming cakes and biscuits 2-3 times daily doubled from 5.4% to 10.6%. The daily consumption of sweets increased from 8.6% to 14.9%. Drinking alcohol four or more times per week increased from 7.1% to 12.5%. The most common explanations were reliance on online grocery shopping, lack of social interaction, and working from home.
Conclusion: Support strategies are needed for communities to maintain healthy nutritional choices during periods of significant upheaval.
Oral disease continues to be a public health burden, affecting almost half of the global population, and disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable communities.1 Development organisations use different approaches to tackle this through short-term volunteering programmes in low- and middle-income countries, to address oral health needs in a variety of ways. There is evidence that volunteering requires a high level of cultural competence to avoid negatively impacting on local healthcare systems.2-4 The oral health care needs of communities in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) differ markedly from those in the developed world, posing challenges for volunteering organisations to provide effective programmes in circumstances where there is a lack of resources, equipment and infrastructure.
Introduction: Pandemics have affected and will continue to affect humankind. Historically the Human Immunodeficiency Virus changed the way dental clinics operate and the COVID-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented closure of dental clinics leading to short- and long-term impact on oral health.
Aim: To assess the impact on oral health and related behaviours related to modern pandemics.
Method: A literature search across eighteen electronic databases was conducted. Three reviewers screened 2029 articles against inclusion criteria and assessed quality. Included articles underwent thematic analysis, followed by narrative synthesis to describe the results.
Results: Forty-eight articles were included that identified themes: (i) oral health related quality of life, (ii) stress and pandemics, (iii) oral health behaviours, (iv) social capital, (v) access to oral healthcare, (vi) fear as a barrier to accessing oral healthcare and (vii) teledentistry.
Conclusion: Pandemics present multiple challenges to both individuals and oral health professionals that impact on oral health and these challenges disproportionately affect the most vulnerable communities. However, with the right support, these impacts can be mitigated through social capital and support to establish healthy routines. The use of digital technologies should be promoted to reach all communities before the next pandemic arrives.
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