• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.60-65
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• 2021

Dental health care workers (DHCW) are at a risk of occupational exposure to Helicobacter pylori from the aerosolized oral biofilms and saliva of patients. We designed this study to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori in the oral biofilms of a group of dental and non-dental undergraduates from Sri Lanka. After obtaining informed consent, oral biofilms were collected from 38 dental undergraduates (19 males and 19 females) undergoing clinical training and 33 non-dental undergraduates (14 males and 19 females). The participants were in the age range of 22-27 years and had healthy periodontium. Total DNA from the oral biofilms were extracted, and H. pylori DNA was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of 16S rRNA gene of H. pylori using JW22-JW23 primers, and the results were confirmed using PCR amplification of H. pylori-urease specific HPU1-HPU2 primers. Out of 71 participants, 11 (28.95%) dental and 3 (9.09%) non-dental undergraduates had H. pylori in their oral biofilms indicating an overall prevalence rate of 19.72% (14/71). Thus, the prevalence of H. pylori in oral biofilms was significantly higher in dental undergraduates than in non-dental undergraduates (p < 0.05). An odds ratio of 4.07 indicated that dental undergraduates were four times more likely to harbor H. pylori in their oral biofilms than non-dental undergraduates. Foregoing data support the fact that there may be greater occupational risk of exposure to H. pylori for dental undergraduates during clinical training than that for non-dental undergraduates, warranting meticulous infection control practices during clinical dentistry.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.103-110
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• 2013

Background: Recently the use of sedation by pediatric dentists in Korea is increased. This study describes training programs about sedation practices in Korean pediatric dentistry residency program. Methods: A questionnaire was filled in by participants of Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry on 17th-18th August, 2008. Also the data about sedation practices of the training institution is collected by phone call. Results: Seventy two percent of respondents used sedation. Most of them used sedation with agents under 25% of their patients. Distribution of ages in patients sedated with agents was 3 years, 4-5 years, under 2 years, 6-10 years, and more than 10 years. Determinative factors of using sedation were behavior management, number of visiting, amount of treatment and general condition, and oral route was the most favorable route. Sixty six percent of them have failed on sedation, and thity percent of them have rarely failed on sedation. Only fifty percent of dentists using sedation completed the cardiopulmonary resuscitation course. Conclusions: For safety, dentists using sedation need to be educated about emergency equipment and management. Especially medication dose, use frequency and the detail related to treatment procedure should be discussed carefully. Also putting a patient under general anesthesia and taking emergency measures should be discussed with Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.305-311
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of providing toothbrushing by professionals as part of oral hygiene education for the elderly. We randomly visited 12 centers in the metropolitan city and analyzed the data of 114 participants among 310 early registrants aged >65 years, who participated in the study at all 3 time points. The subjects were categorized into an experimental group (odd-numbered visits) and a control group (even-numbered visits). Oral hygiene practices were provided for both experimental and control groups, but professional toothbrushing was performed in a different manner in the experimental group. Differences in plaque index (PI) according to the subjects' general characteristics and oral health status were assessed using the t-test, and the effect of PI difference between the experimental and control groups was assessed by repeated measure two-way analysis of variance. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to analyze factors affecting the PI. At baseline, the mean overall PI was 61.82. In both experimental and control groups, the PI significantly reduced from the baseline (p<0.01). At 5 weeks, the experimental group showed a decrease of 27.16 points from the baseline, and the 10-week PI was similar to the 5-week PI. The control group showed a decrease of 14.87 points from the baseline, and the PI increased by 5.74 points at 10 weeks. PI-related factors were gender and self-xerostomia. The PI was lower in the female group and the group with self- xerostomia (p<0.01). It is important to select an appropriate method to educate elderly subjects on proper removal of dental plaque and to habituate correct behavior, which requires inclusion of a direct toothbrushing intervention by a specialist.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-3
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• 2018

Blockchain is at the center of attention recently and it is expected to have a huge impact on healthcare industry including dentistry as well. Blockchain is a fundamental technology behind Bitcoin and itis all about decentralization, security, reliability, and transparency. These characteristics of the technology empower it to disrupt the current healthcare industry in innumerable practices such as supply chain management in pharmaceuticals to prevent the counterfeited medicine, clinical trials to guarantee transparency, healthcare information exchanges or personal health record systems to ensure data integrity and interoperability, etc. It will surely revolutionize the way the current healthcare system works; from provider-oriented to patient-centered. Hence, it is time to seriously consider how we could be a part of this blockchain revolution in dentistry.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.629-637
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• 2016

This study examined the tongue coating index and halitosis to determine the association with the oral care behavior and variation in halitosis according to the tongue coating index, dental calculus, and the oral environment before and after scaling among 130 participants in scaling practices of the Department of Dental Hygiene at K University in Daejeon. The subjects were asked to participate in a survey, in an oral examination for the tongue coating index, dental plaque, and dental calculus status, and in halitosis measurement. The tongue coating most significantly affected halitosis and the tongue coating index was strongly correlated with smoking and tongue washing. More frequent toothbrushing, a lower level of halitosis; and nonsurgical treatment of scaling were effective in reducing halitosis; age was associated with the tongue coating index. Therefore, it will be necessary to perform good oral care and reduce the amount of dental plaque and tongue coating and undergo regular scaling with the objective of improving oral health and reducing halitosis.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.365-373
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• 2023

Purpose: In the context of COVID-19, studies evaluating the adherence of dentists and dental students to infection control are relevant due to their high occupational exposure and risk, as well as their responsibility for disseminating information and good practices. This study evaluated the adherence of dentists and dental students to infection control in the oral radiology field in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic on different continents. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study involved individuals who performed intraoral radiographic examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Questionnaire on Infection Control in Oral Radiology was administered virtually using a Google Form. Participants from different continents(the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania) were recruited. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis and simple and multiple binary regression (5%). Results: There were 582 valid answers, and 68.73% of the participants were from the Americas, 18.90% from Europe, and 12.37% from Asia. The median score for infection control protocols was 94 points for dental students and 104 points for dentists, and participants below the median were considered to have low adherence to infection control in oral radiology. Low access to infection control was found for 53.0% of dentists in the Americas, 34.0% from Europe, and 26.9% from Asia. Conclusion: The adherence to infection control protocols in oral radiology was low even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results may help improve the awareness of students and professionals, since oral radiology routines have the potential for transmitting COVID-19.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2005

This study was intended to contribute towards the development of proper drug use system for pediatric patients by investigationg problems related to their medication and identifying drugs that need to be developed into low dosage tab-lets or syrups for pediatric use based on our analysis on the prescriptions for pediatric inpatients from 22 hospitals in South Korea on a day of Feb. 2003. The usage rates in the proportion of less than 0.5 and 1 per unit of oral solid formulation were $29.9{\%}$ and $54.3{\%}$ in hospitals with 1000 beds or more, 36.5 and $60.6{\%}$ in hospitals with 500 to less than 1000 beds, $60.8{\%}$ and $81.6{\%}$ in hospitals with less than 500 beds. Of the 63 oral solid formulation products that were used two or more times in the proportion oi less than 0.5 units, 34 products ($54.0{\%}$) were used as such despite the fact that syrups and lower dosage tablets or capsules were available in the market, and 24 products ($38.1{\%}$) so even when syrup formulations were available. Therefore, it would be desirable that pharmacist communities in charge of dispensing identify the most frequently crushed drugs or those that require special attention in choosing dispensing powders or solutions and develop dispensing guidelines that can be adopted by pharmacists in practice. Moreover government-led policies are needed to encourage development and manufacture of the formulations for pediatrics and to correct unsound prescription and dispensing practices such as using crushed forms of certain oral solid formulations although alternative formulations are available in the market.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.293-298
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• 2015

Objectives: Infection involving the orbit, zygomatic space, lateral pharyngeal space, or hemifacial and oral floor phlegmon is referred to as cervicofacial infection (CFI). When diagnosis and/or adequate treatment are delayed, these infections can be life-threatening. Most cases are the result of odontogenic infections. We highlight our experiences in the management of this life-threatening condition. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients who presented with CFI from December 2005 to June 2012 at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic or the Accident and Emergency Unit of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (Zaria, Nigeria). The medical records of all patients who presented with either localized or diffuse infection of the maxillofacial soft tissue spaces were retrospectively collected. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 13.0 and are expressed as descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Of the 77 patients, 49 patients (63.6%) were males, a male to female ratio of 1:7.5. The ages ranged from two years to 75 years with a mean of $35.0{\pm}19.3$ years, although most patients were older than 40 years. The duration of symptoms prior to presentation ranged from 6 to 60 days, with a mean of $11.0{\pm}9.4$ days. More than 90% of the patients presented to the clinic within the first 10 days. The most commonly involved anatomical space was the submandibular space (n=29, 37.7%), followed by hemifacial space (n=22, 28.6%) and buccal space (n=7, 9.1%). Ludwig angina accounted for about 7.8% of the cases. Conclusion: CFI most commonly involves the submandibular space, typically affects individuals with a low level of education, and is influenced by traditional medical practices. Despite improved health care delivery, CFI remains a significant problem in developing countries.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.773-784
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• 2021

Objectives: This study presents the basic data necessary to explore the methods used of Korean dental hygienists to resolve oral health inequalities in Korea via reviewing the professionalization trend of American dental hygienists. Methods: The supervision levels of American dental hygienists, and system of dental therapists were analyzed using the data published by the relevant associations. Results: In America, dental hygienists help address oral health inequalities. However, due to limitations in the supervision levels and scope of practice of dental hygienists, the autonomy of dental hygienists was expanded, and mid-level practitioner were employed. The autonomy for dental hygiene practice was higher in public than in private in America. Some states have introduced dental therapists as mid-level practitioners. Their practice settings have limitations such as serving low-income, uninsured, and underserved patients or serving in a dental health professional shortage area. Conclusions: It is necessary to expand the autonomy of dental hygienists based on their profession. In particular, it is suggested that they start with the low-risk level practices. Further, it is necessary to introduce a dental hygiene specialist system specialized for fields with high social demands.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2010

The aims of this study were to investigate the nosocomial infection route of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and explore preventative methods for this pathogen that involve blocking its dispersion. We cultured MRSA from nasal cavity swabs collected between June and July 2008 that we obtained from eight dental healthcare providers, 32 nurses and the sputum specimens of two patients from our hospital. In addition, we used VITEK 2 equipment to measure drug sensitivity, and we further performed biochemical testing and pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to isolate MRSA colonies. The incidence of these bacteria on the nasal swabs was 25.0% from dental clinic healthcare providers, 13.6% from the internal medicine ward nurses and 30.0% from intensive care unit nurses. Moreover, MRSA was detectable in sputum specimens of ward patients. The antimicrobial agents resistance and partial PFGE types of MRSA showed a similar pattern. We suggest from these analyses that nasal cavity infection by MRSA could occur by cross contamination between healthcare providers and patients which underscores the importance of stringent MRSA management practices.