The associations among early childhood caries (ECC), socioeconomic status, and sugar consumption are of the utmost importance, due to their potential policy implications. The purpose of this study was to identify trends in ECC burden in children under 5 years old among European Union (EU) member states over time and to evaluate the relationship with its risk factors. Global Burden of Disease 2019 data were analyzed to estimate the burden of ECC over time, specifically incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) for children under 5 years old. Four ecological variables with a potential effect on YLDs for ECC were used to investigate the association between 2014 and 2017. The YLDs rate was consistently higher among Eastern EU countries over time. Univariate models showed a positive significant association between at-risk-of-poverty rate and YLDs rate, while GDP per capita and urbanization were inversely associated with YLDs rate. In the multivariate analysis, sugar consumption, GDP per capita and urbanization showed significant association with YLDs rate. After stratification by region, association remained significant only in the Eastern EU countries between GDP, urbanization, and YLDs rate, while sugar consumption and at-risk-of-poverty rate had no significant impact on YLDs rates. This study found increasing ECC burden in the EU. The complexity of the problem indicates the need for innovative and personalized policy approaches to tackle the disease.

Objectives: To evaluate the survival rate, success rate, and peri-implant biological changes of immediately loaded dental implants (ILs) placed in type 2 diabetic patients (DM2). Materials and methods: The present study was registered on PROSPERO and followed the PRISMA checklist. The search was performed by the first reviewer in January 2021. The electronic databases used were MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane, BVS, Web of Science, Scopus, LIVIVO, and gray literature. The risk of bias analysis was performed using an instrument from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Results: A total of 3566 titles and abstracts were obtained. The qualitative synthesis included 7 studies, while the quantitative synthesis included 5 studies. The meta-analysis of IL in individuals with DM2 compared to nondiabetic individuals showed no significant difference among the groups regarding the survival rate of dental implants (RR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.96–1.04; p = 0.91; I² = 0%), even if the patient had poor glycemic control (RR = 1.08, 95% CI 0.87–1.33; p = 0.48; I² = 70%). Meta-analysis of marginal bone loss in IL compared to conventional loading in DM2 patients also showed no significant difference (mean difference = − 0.08, 95% CI − 0.25–0.08; p = 0.33; I² = 83%). Conclusions: Type 2 diabetes mellitus does not seem to be a risk factor for immediately loaded implants if the glycemic level is controlled, the oral hygiene is satisfactory, and the technical steps are strictly followed. Clinical relevance Rehabilitation in diabetic individuals is more common due to the highest prevalence of edentulism in this population. It is essential to establish appropriate protocols for loading dental implants.

Summary: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a highly prevalent disease worldwide, with an equally increased expenditure associated with it. We aimed to longitudinally evaluate the epidemiologic and economic burden of T2D in the current member states of the European Union and the United Kingdom (EU‐28). The present systematic review is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020219894), and it followed the PRISMA guidelines. Eligibility criteria comprised original observational studies in English reporting economic and epidemiological data for T2D in member states of the EU‐28. Methodological assessment was performed with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools. The search retrieved 2253 titles and abstracts. After study selection, 41 studies were included in the epidemiologic analysis and 25 in the economic analysis. Economic and epidemiologic studies covered only 15 member states with reported data between 1970 and 2017, resulting in an incomplete picture. For children in particular, limited information is available. The prevalence, incidence, mortality, and expenditure of the T2D population have increased across the decades in member states. Therefore, policies should aim to prevent or reduce the burden of T2D in the EU and consequently mitigate the expenditure on T2D.

Objectives: To evaluate the stability of periodontal tissues 3 (T₃), 6 (T₆), and 12 (T₁₂) months after esthetic crown lengthening (ACL) and the possible correlations between changes in those structures. Materials and methods: Twenty individuals were evaluated through clinical assessment, photography, and tomography. Measurements included gingival margin (GM), clinical crown length (CCL), interdental papilla height (PH) and width (PW), gingival thickness (GT), bone thickness (BT), probing depth (PD), distance between alveolar crest and GM, distance between alveolar crest and cementoenamel junction. Nonparametric and correlation statistics were performed (p < 0.05). Results: CCL at T₀ was 7.42 ± 0.70 mm and increased to 9.48 ± 0.49 mm immediately after ACL, but it decreased to 8.93 ± 0.65 mm at T₁₂. PD decreased 0.60 mm from T₀ to T₆, and it increased 0.39 mm from T₆ to T₁₂. BT decreased 0.20 mm, while GT increased 0.29 mm from T₀ to T₁₂. Both PW and PH showed enlargement in T₁₂. A positive moderate correlation was found between CCL/T₀ and CCL/T₁₂, GT/T₀ and AC-GM/T₁₂, BT/T₀ and GT/T₁₂. A few negative moderate correlations were PD/T₀ and CCL/T₁₂, PD/T₀ and PH/T₀, PD/T₀ and BT/T₁₂. Conclusions: ACL procedure was effective. Although some rebound occurred, that was not clinically important. PD tended to reestablish its original length, partially due to a migration of GM during the healing period. Besides, a thickening of supracrestal soft tissues was observed. Clinical relevance: The present study centers on the factors influencing the stability of periodontal tissues after esthetic crown lengthening, underscoring the procedure’s influence on esthetics and biology and the need for careful treatment planning.

Interventions for primary prevention are crucial in tackling type 2 diabetes (T2D) by offering a structured approach to implementing lifestyle modifications, such as community-based programs. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of primary prevention interventions in preventing or delaying the onset of T2D in the 28 EU member states (EU-28). The present systematic review is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020219994), and it followed the PRISMA guidelines. Eligibility criteria comprised original interventional studies reporting incidence of T2D in member states of the EU-28. A total of 23,437 records were initially retrieved, of which 16 met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. These interventional studies, published between 2003 and 2021, provided data from Spain, the UK, Finland, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Thirteen studies were of low quality, two were moderate, and one was high-quality. Three studies focused solely on dietary interventions, twelve studies combined diet, physical activity, and lifestyle counseling, and one study applied repeated health checks with personalized feedback and lifestyle advice. Overall, 10 studies reported a significant reduction in T2D incidence exclusively among high-risk individuals following the interventions with HR: 0.4 (95% CI: 0.3–0.7) to 0.75 (95% CI: 0.58–0.96). Only a few studies reported that primary lifestyle interventions decreased T2D risk, thus limiting generalizability. While lifestyle improvements were noted on high-risk groups, significant risk reduction among healthy individuals was not observed. Multicomponent interventions combining dietary modifications, physical activity, and personalized lifestyle counseling were the most effective in reducing the incidence of T2D among high-risk populations in the EU-28.

Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a growing public health burden in the European Union (EU), largely driven by modifiable lifestyle factors such as diet. This systematic review aimed to synthesize observational evidence on the associations between nutritional exposures and incident T2DM across the EU-28, with a focus on regional heterogeneity and implications for EU-level nutrition policy. Methods: The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020219994). Searches were conducted in different databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science) identifying 23,437 records, from which 104 observational studies were included. Eligible studies involved adults (≥18 years) without T2DM at baseline and assessed dietary exposures in relation to T2DM incidence. Data extraction and methodological quality assessment were performed in duplicate using the NHLBI tool in Covidence. Results: Most included studies were cohort studies (77.9%), primarily conducted in Western, Northern, and Southern Europe. Diets characterized by high consumption of whole and minimally processed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fermented dairy, consistently showed associations with lower T2DM risk. In contrast, high intake of red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and ultra-processed foods was linked to higher risk. Adherence to Mediterranean or plant-based dietary patterns was associated with lower risk, whereas high animal-protein dietary patterns were detrimental. Conclusions: Nutritional determinants play a decisive role in shaping T2DM risk in the EU. Evidence supports prioritizing dietary patterns rich in plant-based and minimally processed foods while reducing ultra-processed and meat-based products. Tailored region-specific policies are needed to address the T2DM epidemic and guide effective prevention strategies.