Silver diamine nitrate (SDN) is expected to help control caries similar to silver diamine fluoride (SDF). The aim of this study was to determine the mineral precipitation in demineralized dentin and the cytotoxicity of SDN and SDF to dental pulp cells. Demineralized dentin specimens were prepared, and SDF, SDN, or water (control) was applied. The specimens were then remineralized in simulated body fluid for 2 weeks. The mineral precipitation in the specimens was examined using FTIR-ATR, SEM-EDX, and synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM). Additionally, the cytotoxicity of SDF and SDN to human dental pulp stem cells was analyzed using an MTT assay. The increase in FTIR spectra attributable to apatite formation in demineralized dentin in the SDF group was significantly higher compared to the SDN and control groups (p < 0.05). Dentinal tubule occlusion by the precipitation of silver salts was detected in both SDF and SDN groups. The mineral density as shown in SRXTM images and cytotoxicity of both SDN and SDF groups were comparable (p > 0.05). In conclusion, SDF demonstrated superior in vitro apatite formation compared to SDN. However, the degree of mineral precipitation and cytotoxic effects of both were similar.

The oral cavity functions in eating, speaking, socializing, and serving as a natural barrier to external pathogens. In the prevention of oral function decline in older people, oral health conditions should be maintained through public health actions. This article discusses public health actions to prevent oral functional decline through addressing three major issues among older people: tooth loss, hyposalivation, and oral cancer. Negative impacts of tooth loss, hyposalivation, and oral cancer will be described, followed by describing public health approaches to prevent these problems Tooth loss, commonly caused by dental caries and periodontal diseases, affects one's ability to eat, speak, and socialize freely. Prevention of tooth loss can be done in clinical settings, community settings, and through national policies. Saliva plays an important role in eating, swallowing, and protecting oral mucosa from pathogens. The major causes of dry mouth are polypharmacy and the use of anticholinergic medications among older people. Public health actions to promote collaboration between dentists and doctors in the adjustment of drug prescriptions are warranted. Oral cancer can affect oral function largely both from the disease itself and from cancer treatments due to the destruction of oral structures and salivary gland function. Tobacco use and alcohol consumption are major risk factors for oral cancer; they also contribute to various systemic diseases and cancers of other organs. Public health policies and interventions using the common risk factor approaches to tackle tobacco and alcohol consumption should be encouraged. Rather than focusing on older people, the prevention of oral function decline should be planned through a life-course perspective.

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a cost-effective method for arresting active dental caries. However, the limited cooperation of patients may lead to an SDF application time that is shorter than the recommended 1–3 min for carious lesions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of different application times of SDF on the degree of mineral precipitation in demineralized dentin. Demineralized dentin specimens from permanent maxillary molars were treated by applying 38% SDF for 30, 60, or 180 s. Water was applied in the control group. The specimens were immersed in simulated body fluid for 2 weeks, and the mineral precipitation in demineralized dentin was then analyzed using FTIR-ATR, SEM-EDX, and synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM). The FTIR-ATR results showed a significant increase in mineral precipitation in the 180 s group after 1 week. However, after 2 weeks, the SRXTM images indicated comparable mineral density between the 30, 60, and 180 s groups. The precipitation of silver chloride and calcium phosphate crystals that occluded dentinal tubules was similar in all experimental groups. In conclusion, an application time of either 30, 60, or 180 s promoted a comparable degree of mineral precipitation in demineralized dentin.

The characteristic of soft tissue changes in buccal shelf area during function is unclear. This study aimed for evaluating the potential denture covering area in buccal shelf area in different ranges of mouth opening by a digital approach. Nineteen qualified dentate participants were enrolled. An intraoral scanner was used to record soft tissue in buccal shelf area in different ranges of mandibular opening, which were maximum intercuspation, 10 mm, 20 mm, and 30 mm of interincisal distance. The experiment was performed by two examiners. The common area of each range was generated within the clinically acceptable denture adaptation range, which was represented as the potential denture covering area. Data were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistic, one-way repeated measure ANOVA, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and the Pearson correlation test. Trends of the mean distance of the potential denture covering area increased from the frenum area to the second premolar and the first molar area then decreased in the second molar area, along with the ranges of mouth opening increased. The distance in the second molar area had drastic percentage changes during the mouth opening. The mean distances changed significantly when the mouth opening increased (P < 0.001). All ICC values of intra-, inter-rater reliability indicated good to excellent reliability. The correlation between the results from two examiners was strong (P < 0.001). The characteristic of the denture covering area posteriorly to the first molar area is inversely proportional in length to ranges of mouth opening.

Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may experience challenges in social interaction, communication, and sensory processing, which might influence their cooperative behavior during dental visits. To address this issue, visual pedagogy is commonly employed as a behavioral technique to facilitate successful dental examinations and treatments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a structured-visual behavioral approach in promoting compliance and cooperation during dental examinations in children with ASD in the Yogyakarta Special Region Province, Indonesia. A structured visual study was performed at the Muhammadiyah University Dental Hospital during the 2021-2022 period. The study included 5 intervention visits at 1-week intervals and consisted of the Success Approach, Tell-Show-Feel-Do, Visual Pedagogy, Audiovisual Modeling, In vivo Modelling, Behavioral Trial, and Auto modeling. A total of 37 ASD children who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The study employed a quasi-experimental design comprising 1 pre-test and 3 post-tests. The efficacy assessment encompassed 2 key dimensions: firstly, the ability to comply with the stages of the dental examination, and secondly, the degree of cooperation was evaluated using the Frankl Behavior Scale (FBS). The findings showed that 64% of the cohort could achieve the highest score in achieving the highest score stage of dental examination in post-test 1. As for cooperation, 75% achieved a score of 4 (FBS) in post-test 1. Changes in the achievement of examination steps and cooperativeness after completing the intervention showed statistically significant changes with the Wilcoxon test (P < .01). The structured-visual behavioral model approach was found to be effective in improving compliance and cooperation during dental examination in children with ASD in Yogyakarta Special Region Province, Indonesia. These findings highlight the important point that the use of a structured-visual model in daily practice can be beneficial for children with ASD.

Background: Dysphagia, or swallowing difficulty, is common among older adults and can pose risks during dental treatments, including aspiration and accidental ingestion. While dysphagia prevalence is well-studied in healthcare and community settings, data from clinical dental settings remain limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of swallowing difficulties in older adults visiting a dental clinic. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Nong Khai General Hospital, Thailand, from November 2023 to April 2024, using completed demographic questionnaires and the Thai version of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10). Swallowing difficulties were defined as an EAT-10 score ≥3. Associations with demographic and clinical factors were examined using Chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact tests, and logistic regression. Results: Among 327 participants (mean age 69.2 ± 6.6 years; 52.3% female), 12.5% were screened as positive for swallowing difficulties. Significant predictors included female sex, dietary texture modification, and underlying conditions such as stroke and neuromuscular disorders. Self-reported choking or coughing during dental treatment were also associated with increased risk. Conclusions: This is the first study to investigate swallowing difficulties in older adults within a dental clinic setting. The findings underscore the need for dental professionals to screen for dysphagia and consider appropriate precautions to reduce procedural complications.