Background: Pre-eclampsia, the second most frequent direct source of maternal mortality, is a multisystem gestational disorder characterized by proteinuria and maternal hypertension after the 20th gestational week. Although the causes of pre-eclampsia are still discussed, research has suggested that the placenta has a central place in the pathogenesis of this disease. Moreover, current surveys indicated that periodontal disorders observed during the pregnancy and more particularly, periodontal pathogens could be link to the risk of pre-eclampsia. Objectives: This article aims to review recent studies focusing on periodontal conditions and pathogens associated with pre-eclampsia. Methods: The process followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Results: Metabolic conditions, immunological changes, fluctuating progesterone and estrogen levels of the pregnant woman induce a dysbiosis of the oral microbiota and contribute to increase inflammation of periodontal tissues. Periodontal pathogens could diffuse through the bloodstream inducing a placenta inflammatory response as well as inflammatory molecules produced in response to periodontopathogens could migrate through the bloodstream leading to a placenta inflammatory response. Also, periodontopathogens can colonize the vaginal microbiota through the gastrointestinal tract or during oro-genital contacts. Conclusion: A cumulative bi-directional relationship between periodontal conditions, pathogens and the pre-eclampsia exists.

The scope of this study was to assess the prevalence, severity of extension, and risk factors of gingivitis among pregnant women. In this cross-sectional study, 220 nulliparous women at 3 months of pregnancy were recruited in 2022 at the first obstetrical visit in Dakar, Senegal. Demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, prenatal clinical status, and oral clinical parameters were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to assess relationships between gingivitis and risk factors. Eighty-eight percent of women had gingivitis, 15% were classified as moderate and 73% as severe. A total of 66.7% (95% CI [28.8–92.1]) of the sites had bleeding on interdental brushing. The odds for gingivitis decreased significantly for women consuming more than five portions of fruits and vegetables per day (OR = 0.15; 95% CI [0.03–0.66]) and increased in women who had a professional activity (OR = 6.75; 95% CI [1.27–35.87]) and high education. Concomitantly, the percentage of dental plaque (OR = 131.6; 95% CI [10.80–1619.71] and the severity of clinical attachment loss (OR = 7.70; 95% CI [3.16–18.92]) were important risk factors. Inverse associations were observed with increasing body mass index (OR = 0.76; 95% CI [0.63–0.93]). Our results underline that gingivitis cases and bleeding were particularly high among 3-month pregnant women. Literacy and adequate oral hygiene actions to modify behaviors and to achieve meticulous biofilm disorganization could make a favorable change in the gingival health outcome. Additionally, further research is necessary to precisely determine the role of biofilm-induced gingivitis and systemic-induced gingivitis in improving gingival conditions.

In sub-Saharan Africa, oral health is a real epidemiological challenge. Mobile applications represent a hope for the learning of oral hygiene in children and the fight against oral diseases. This study overviews and assesses the quality of mobile applications linked to oral hygiene for children currently featured on the iOS and Android stores in sub-Saharan Africa. Ten oral health professionals (OHP) used the French Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS-F) to rate 15 selected applications. The highest MARS-F scores for overall quality were reported for Bonne nuit Caillou (3.89 ± 0.74), Mon Raccoon (3.63 ± 0.95), and Chomper Chums (3.54 ± 0.54) while the lowest MARS-F scores for overall quality were achieved by Brushing time (2.31 ± 0.61), De belles dents (2.55 ± 0.55) and Brushing Hero (2.77 ± 0.53). The subjective quality scores ranged from 1.50 ± 0.68 for Brushing time to 3.25 ± 0.97 for Bonne nuit Caillou. Specificity scores ranged from 1.95 ± 0.88 (Brushing time) to 3.75 ± 0.84 (Bonne nuit Caillou). Thus, OHP rated positively the quality of the majority of mobile applications linked to oral hygiene for children, their effect on users’ knowledge, attitudes, and intentions to change, and the probability of effective oral hygiene behavior modification. They stated that they would recommend their use to their patients who need them. However, studies analyzing the change in oral hygiene behavior of children using these apps need to be conducted.

Pre-eclampsia (PE), a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder, characterized by the development of placental endothelial dysfunction, remains a major source of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, especially in low- and middle-income settings. Periodontal disorders during pregnancy, and particularly periodontal pathogens, may be related to the risk of PE. Standard oral hygiene methods, based mainly on the joint use of toothbrushes and interdental brushes, reduce periodontal inflammatory risk and modulate the dysbiosis of the oral microbiome. The aim of this trial is to compare the PE outcomes in high-risk pregnant women receiving oral prophylactic measures to a control group. This trial is designed as a two-arm, parallel, cluster randomized controlled trial with the antenatal obstetric clinic as the unit of randomization and an allocation ratio of 1:1. The pregnant women will be included at 3 months of pregnancy and will be followed throughout the pregnancy. The primary outcome measure will be the incidence of PE from a baseline during the pregnancy. Secondary outcomes measures will include changes from the baseline in quantification of the pathogenic bacterial load of the interdental microbiota, the severity scores of periodontal indicators, and the incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes. This trial should demonstrate that the implementation of daily oral hygiene reduces oral dysbiosis, the incidence of periodontal disease, and the risk of PE.

Introduction Significant inequalities in oral health needs exist among people with intellectual and developmental disability in low-income settings such as Burkina Faso. Aim To explore enablers and barriers to the creation of an oral health training for caregivers of children with disabilities at specialized centres in Ouagadougou. Method This was a formative study informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) using qualitative methods comprising observations at five centres for disability and semi-structured interviews with 14 caregivers. Results A successful training facilitation to caregivers must account for resources available in centres, part of the training must be dedicated to healthy diets and provide ideas for lowering sugar consumption and the training must empower caregivers with practical skills and tools to manage regular toothbrushing and identification of child oral health needs. Discussion These observations and interviews enabled us to gather valuable and unique perspectives into the everyday functioning of centres for disability, and the professional and personal role of caregivers working with children with disabilities in Ouagadougou. Implications for practice Teams planning oral health promotion activities in low resourced settings for vulnerable population groups can benefit from the methodology and results of this research for ensuring their interventions are appropriate and relevant. Relevance statement This is a unique field study conducted in a scarcely researched area of caregiving practices for children with disabilities in a low-income country, Burkina Faso. Results from the disability centre observations and interviews with local caregivers are of great value to any team planning health projects in similar low-resourced settings. Psychiatric and mental health nursing practices are highly context-dependent, thus using proposed qualitative methods can help to ensure that planned interventions are appropriate and relevant. Accessible summary What is known on the subject? People with disabilities often suffer from oral disease and lack opportunities to access oral care, especially in low-income countries such as Burkina Faso. Their caregivers and nurses lack training in oral health, necessary resources, and motivation to take care of oral hygiene and diet. What the paper adds to existing knowledge? This paper provides a detailed description of the everyday activities and functioning of disability care centres in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and insider perspectives related to the struggles, joys, and motivation of carers in performing their work activities. This paper adds new knowledge about the reality of disability care in Burkina Faso and gives practical information to teams planning health promotion activities in similar contexts, focusing primarily on oral health promotion and training. What are the implications for practice? Dedicating effort to improving the oral health of people with disabilities depends largely on nurses and carers having necessary resources including materials, practical skills, time and support to be empowered in their duties. Results from the disability centre observations and interviews with local caregivers are of great value to any team planning health projects in similar low-resourced settings with mental health nurses or carers.

Aim: To explore enablers and barriers to the creation of an oral health training for care workers at specialized centres for children with disabilities in Ouagadougou.Design: This was a formative study informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework using qualitative methods.Methods: Qualitative observations and 14 semi‐structured interviews were conducted with care workers from six specialized centres for disability.Results: Carer workers emphasized that a successful oral health training must account for available resources and competencies in each specific centre. Part of the training must be dedicated to oral hygiene targeted for people with disabilities and provide knowledge about risk factor management. Care workers must be empowered through the training with practical skills and tools to manage regular toothbrushing and identify oral health needs of their dependents.Conclusion: This study gathered valuable and unique perspectives about the roles of care workers of children with disabilities in Ouagadougou and underscores the need for improving access to oral health and care services for children with disabilities in low‐resourced settings.Implications for Patient Care: Teams planning oral health promotion activities in low resourced settings for vulnerable population groups can benefit from the methodology and results of this research for ensuring their interventions are appropriate and relevant.Impact: This is a unique field study conducted in a scarcely researched area of caregiving practices for children with disabilities in a low‐income country, Burkina Faso. Results from the disability centre observations and interviews with local caregivers are of great value to any team planning health projects in similar low‐resourced settings. Psychiatric and mental health nursing practices are highly context‐dependent, thus using proposed qualitative methods can help to ensure that planned interventions are appropriate and relevant.Patient or Public Contribution: There was no patient contribution in this study.