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Healthcare
Special Issues
Contemporary Oral and Dental Health Care: Issues and Challenges
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Contemporary Oral and Dental Health Care: Issues and Challenges

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 5457

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimarães de Abreu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270901, Brazil
Interests: oral health epidemiology; quantitative methodology; dental public health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 50% of the world’s population suffers from oral diseases. Beyond being prevalent issues, oral diseases profoundly impact individuals’ lives and society as a whole. Consequently, many countries have integrated dental health services into their public health systems, employing various strategies in order to do so. With the WHO aiming for universal health coverage for oral health by 2030, the assessment of dental health services has garnered increasing attention within the scientific community. Observational, interventional, and qualitative studies serve as valuable methods for evaluating the quality and impact of these services. Such studies can pinpoint areas of concern, signal warnings, reinforce positive aspects, and refine unsuccessful strategies. We are therefore delighted to extend an invitation for you to submit your research to this Special Issue. This Special Issue seeks to include contributions from researchers worldwide to share their scientific findings and the challenges encountered in the development and evaluation of dental health services. Our goal is to describe and address some of these challenges, supporting the improvement and coordination of dental health care services in so doing. I eagerly anticipate receiving your contributions.

Dr. Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimarães de Abreu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • dental health care
  • oral health
  • epidemiology
  • dental public health
  • oral hygiene

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 3047 KiB  
Article
Driving Stress-Induced Effects on the Orofacial Region and Its Functions and Health Behaviors in Riyadh: A Cross-Sectional Survey
by Cristalle Soman, Aya Tarek Faisal, Malak Mohamed Alsaeygh, Abdulrahman Dahham Al Saffan and Ra’ed Ghaleb Salma
Healthcare 2024, 12(15), 1538; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12151538 - 2 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1073
Abstract
Driving stress is a multifaceted phenomenon, and the experience of driving invokes stress. Driving causes the activation of stress-response mechanisms, leading to short-term and long-term stress responses resulting in physiological and behavioral changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate driving stress-initiated [...] Read more.
Driving stress is a multifaceted phenomenon, and the experience of driving invokes stress. Driving causes the activation of stress-response mechanisms, leading to short-term and long-term stress responses resulting in physiological and behavioral changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate driving stress-initiated effects on orofacial functions and health behaviors in the Riyadh population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Riyadh using a pre-validated set of questionnaires for habitual information, a driving stress assessment using a driving-behavior inventory, and an assessment of parafunctional habits and effects on orofacial functions. The results indicate that nearly 50% of the sample spends more than two hours commuting, and more than 50% of the sample has inadequate sleep and insufficient exercise. Oral parafunctional habits like nail biting (p = 0.039) and lip or object biting (p = 0.029) had a significant correlation with aggressive driving behaviors, whereas the grinding of teeth (p = 0.011), the clenching of jaws (p = 0.048), lip or object biting (p = 0.018), and pain in mastication (p = 0.036) had a positive correlation with driving dislikes. Driving stress can be detrimental to one’s health and not only impacts health behaviors but also induces oral parafunctional habits and adversely affects orofacial regions and functions. Acute driving stress responses may be transient. However, prolonged driving stress can be maladaptive and can increase the risk of chronic diseases including chronic temporomandibular joint disorders and parafunctional habit-related changes in the oral cavity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Oral and Dental Health Care: Issues and Challenges)
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10 pages, 626 KiB  
Article
Oral Hygiene Profile of Schoolchildren from Bucharest, Romania—How It Can Be Used and Improved for Better Prevention of Oral Diseases
by Cristian Funieru, Mihnea Ioan Nicolescu, Cristian Băicuş, Oana Slușanschi, Clara Ilinca Bica, Andreea Moldoveanu, Anca Cristina Perpelea and Adrian Teodor Țandără
Healthcare 2024, 12(13), 1293; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12131293 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 904
Abstract
Background: Oral hygiene is essential for low caries or gingivitis prevalence in children. This study aimed to determine the oral hygiene profile of children from secondary schools (10–17 years) in Bucharest, Romania, and to explore options for preventing their future oral diseases. Methods: [...] Read more.
Background: Oral hygiene is essential for low caries or gingivitis prevalence in children. This study aimed to determine the oral hygiene profile of children from secondary schools (10–17 years) in Bucharest, Romania, and to explore options for preventing their future oral diseases. Methods: The study was cross-sectional, with a sample of n = 1595 pupils. The sample was stratified by clusters in city areas, grades, and the criterion of the presence/absence of in-school dental service. Dental check-ups were performed by using a commune dental examination kit. The oral hygiene simplified index (OHI; Silness and Löe) was used to assess the children’s oral hygiene status. Five questions were used to determine oral hygiene habits. Results: The mean value of the OHI was 1.04. Some differences in oral hygiene scores were found for different socioeconomic variables, such as parents’ education (p < 0.05): parents with vs. without a university degree—0.95/0.94 (male/female) vs. 1.06. Most of the children used manual toothbrushes (88%). Conclusions: The analysis of objective data (OHI) revealed a good level of oral hygiene, with many socioeconomic disparities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Oral and Dental Health Care: Issues and Challenges)
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15 pages, 2106 KiB  
Article
Patients’ Satisfaction Regarding Oral Healthcare Services in the North-East Region of Romania: A Preliminary Questionnaire Survey
by Silviu Catalin Tibeica, Dragoș Ioan Virvescu, Iulian Costin Lupu, Dana Gabriela Budala, Ionut Luchian, Andreea Tibeica, Zinovia Surlari and Elena Mihaela Carausu
Healthcare 2024, 12(12), 1195; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12121195 - 13 Jun 2024
Viewed by 956
Abstract
This research addresses a gap in the literature by conducting a comprehensive analysis of patients’ level of satisfaction with dental care. Methods: By combining quantitative and qualitative survey methods with a PSQ, this study aims to augment ongoing initiatives to enhance dental patients’ [...] Read more.
This research addresses a gap in the literature by conducting a comprehensive analysis of patients’ level of satisfaction with dental care. Methods: By combining quantitative and qualitative survey methods with a PSQ, this study aims to augment ongoing initiatives to enhance dental patients’ experiences by painting a more comprehensive depiction of patients’ level of satisfaction. Results: When asked about their overall level of satisfaction 77.1% of the patients said that they received excellent services from office personnel and 72.2% said they trust their doctors. Conclusions: Assessing patient satisfaction in the realm of dental service quality is crucial for enhancing service quality and accuracy, which would benefit both patients and dentists and, ultimately, improve public health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Oral and Dental Health Care: Issues and Challenges)
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12 pages, 3300 KiB  
Article
Management of SARS-CoV-2 Prevention Methods in Dental Offices—A Cross-Sectional Study in Bucharest, Romania
by Mihnea Ioan Nicolescu, Oana Irina Lupu, Raluca Ștefania Georgescu, Mihai Săndulescu and Cristian Funieru
Healthcare 2024, 12(12), 1169; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12121169 - 10 Jun 2024
Viewed by 989
Abstract
We compared the managing of prevention methods for SARS-CoV-2 infections in dental offices before and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to find out the varieties of infection prevention methods used by dentists before and during the pandemic [...] Read more.
We compared the managing of prevention methods for SARS-CoV-2 infections in dental offices before and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to find out the varieties of infection prevention methods used by dentists before and during the pandemic and compare them. We designed a digital transversal questionnaire with 15 closed questions that was sent to 150 dentists in Bucharest, Romania. We received n = 112 valid answers during July-August 2021 from dentists of all age groups (25–60 years), with a sex ratio of 0.36, which agreed to anonymously participate in this study. The results showed an increase in types and amount of personal protection equipment (i.e., ocular/facial protection, supplemental gown, and upgrading the FFP1 masks to FFP2 or FFP3). Ocular protection showed statistical significance by gender but not by age group. Vaccination rate against SARS-CoV-2 was at 80% of the participant dentists at the time of the survey and had statistical significance. However, vaccination status of the patients did not alter dentists’ protection protocol. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Oral and Dental Health Care: Issues and Challenges)
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9 pages, 270 KiB  
Article
Dental Profile of Brazilian Patients with Rare Skeletal Genetic Disorders: Clinical Features and Associated Factors
by Ivanete Cláudia de Oliveira Vilar, Jennifer Reis-Oliveira, Gabriela Lopes Ângelo Dornas, Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimarães de Abreu, Natália Cristina Ruy Carneiro and Ana Cristina Borges-Oliveira
Healthcare 2024, 12(10), 1046; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12101046 - 19 May 2024
Viewed by 935
Abstract
The aim of this study is to compare the dental profiles of Brazilian patients with rare genetic skeletal disorders and normotypical patients. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 210 individuals aged between 2 and 54 years old [105 with rare diseases (Mucopolysaccharidosis/MPS [...] Read more.
The aim of this study is to compare the dental profiles of Brazilian patients with rare genetic skeletal disorders and normotypical patients. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 210 individuals aged between 2 and 54 years old [105 with rare diseases (Mucopolysaccharidosis/MPS n = 27 and Osteogenesis Imperfecta/OI n = 78) and 105 without rare diseases] and their parents/caregivers. The parents/caregivers answered a questionnaire about individual aspects of their child and the dental profile was identified from questions related to dental history and the presence/absence of dental problems. The patients’ oral cavity was also examined by three examiners for dental caries, malocclusion, gingivitis, and dental anomalies. The average age of individuals with a rare disease was 14.1 years (±12.2) and the median was 9.5 years. Participants who had already used the public health system (SUS) dental care services had a 2.24 times higher chance of belonging to the group with a rare disease (OR = 2.24; 95% CI: 1.07–4.89). Patients with rare diseases are 14.86 times more likely to have difficulty receiving dental treatment (OR = 14.86; 95% CI: 5.96–27.03) and 10.38 times more likely to have one or more dental problems (OR = 10.38; 95% CI: 1.95–35.17). Individuals with rare disorders have a greater history of difficulty in accessing dental treatment, using the SUS, and were diagnosed with more dental problems compared to normotypical individuals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Oral and Dental Health Care: Issues and Challenges)
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