Preventive Dentistry and Public Health

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Preventive dentistry is a crucial aspect of dental practice aimed at averting oral diseases and promoting overall oral health. The field of public health dentistry involves the implementation of community-based initiatives and policies designed to enhance oral health outcomes on a broader scale. This topic focuses on the latest advancements, strategies, and evidence-based practices in preventive dentistry and their significant impact on public health. Recent developments have highlighted the importance of integrating oral health with general health policies to ensure comprehensive healthcare delivery. Innovative preventive strategies, such as community dental health programs, fluoride applications, dental sealants, and educational initiatives, play a pivotal role in reducing the prevalence of oral diseases like dental caries, periodontal diseases, and oral cancers. This topic invites contributions from experts from around the globe, including reviews, original research articles, and case studies. We encourage submissions that explore various aspects of preventive dentistry and public health, including, but not limited to, the development of new preventive measures, implementation of community programs, interdisciplinary approaches, health promotion, and policy development. The insights and findings shared through this topic will be invaluable to healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers dedicated to improving oral health outcomes and quality of life.

Prof. Dr. Denis Bourgeois
Dr. Elena Bardellini
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Applied Sciences applsci	2.5	5.3	2011	18.4 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Children children	2.0	2.7	2014	14 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Dentistry Journal dentistry	2.5	3.7	2013	26.2 Days	CHF 2000	Submit
Journal of Clinical Medicine jcm	3.0	5.7	2012	16 Days	CHF 2600	Submit

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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All Applied Sciences Children Dentistry Journal JCM

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13 pages, 1049 KiB  

Open AccessReview

An Overview of Dentist–Patient Communication in Quality Dental Care

by Jasmine Cheuk Ying Ho, Hollis Haotian Chai, Bella Weijia Luo, Edward Chin Man Lo, Michelle Zeping Huang and Chun Hung Chu

Dent. J. 2025, 13(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13010031 - 14 Jan 2025

Viewed by 2799

Abstract

Dentist–patient communication is at the core of providing quality dental care. This study aims to review the importance, challenges, strategies, and training of dentist–patient communication. The World Dental Federation (FDI) emphasizes the importance of effective communication between oral healthcare providers and patients as [...] Read more.

Dentist–patient communication is at the core of providing quality dental care. This study aims to review the importance, challenges, strategies, and training of dentist–patient communication. The World Dental Federation (FDI) emphasizes the importance of effective communication between oral healthcare providers and patients as a critical component of high-quality care. Effective dentist–patient communication allows dentists to accurately and effectively pass on essential medical information to patients. It improves the dentist’s efficiency, boosts self-confidence, reduces occupational stress, and minimizes the risks of complaint or litigation. Moreover, it alleviates dental anxiety and fear, helps build trust between dentists and patients, addresses patients’ needs and preferences, increases patients’ adherence to improved treatment outcomes, and ultimately leads to enhanced patient satisfaction. Nonetheless, it has been widely acknowledged that dentists universally encounter the repercussions arising from suboptimal communication strategies. Time constraints, difficulties in establishing rapport, the oral-health illiteracy of the patients, the poor communication skills of the dentists, dentists’ perceptions, and language barriers often hinder dentist–patient communication. Dentists should take the patient-centered approach as a premise and acquire verbal and non-verbal communication skills to overcome these communication barriers. The patient-centered approach comprises the understanding of patients’ illness, shared decision-making, and intervention with mindfulness of the patient’s own pace. Simple, succinct, and jargon-free language should be used in verbal communication. Proper body postures and gestures are fundamental for showing positive attitudes towards patients. Communication training for dental students should involve a structured pedagogical approach that includes didactic instruction, role-playing exercises, patient interviewing, and ongoing assessments. Key components of effective communication skills training in dental education include motivational interviewing, open-ended questioning, affirmations, reflective listening, and summaries to enhance patient engagement and adherence to treatment plans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Preventive Dentistry and Public Health)

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15 pages, 637 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Serum Vitamin D Levels and Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) Gene Variants on Dental Caries

by Ece Şengün Berber, Feyza Umay Koç, Ayça Aykut, Burcu Barutçuoğlu, Fahinur Ertuğrul, Merve Tosyalı, Mert Pekerbaş and Arzu Aykut Yetkiner

Children 2025, 12(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12010007 - 24 Dec 2024

Viewed by 791

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Vitamin D helps the mineralization of bone, teeth, and other calcified tissues by regulating calcium–phosphate metabolism. The nuclear activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene is essential for the effectiveness of vitamin D. The main objective of this study [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Vitamin D helps the mineralization of bone, teeth, and other calcified tissues by regulating calcium–phosphate metabolism. The nuclear activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene is essential for the effectiveness of vitamin D. The main objective of this study is to determine the role of vitamin D levels and VDR gene variants in dental caries. Methods: This study included 128 3–6-year-old children who were divided into 64 caries-free and 64 carious children. Blood samples were taken, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured. Intraoral examinations were performed to record dmft index values. Genetic testing was performed on 26 children to examine VDR gene variations. Relevant gene regions were amplified using PCR and sequenced via Sanger sequencing in a total of 13 caries-free and 13 carious children. Stats analyses included chi-square/trend tests to compare count data; Student’s T/Mann–Whitney U tests for two-group normally/non-normally distributed data; and the Kruskal–Wallis test for 3+ groups with non-normal data. Results: The results showed that vitamin D levels were relatively low in the caries group, but no statistically significant relationship was found between vitamin D levels and caries. No mutations were detected in the VDR gene in either group, and there was no significant difference observed in terms of the number of ApaI, TaqI, and FokI polymorphisms. Based on these findings, the use of prophylactic vitamin D supplements to prevent caries formation or development cannot be recommended. Conclusions: This study provides important insights into the relationship between vitamin D and dental caries and can contribute to the development of effective preventive strategies for oral and dental health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Preventive Dentistry and Public Health)

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