Background: A person’s smile has been identified as one of the first observed facial characteristics. Even minor deviations from societal beauty standards, especially among younger individuals, can have a negative effect on their self-esteem. The aim of this research is to evaluate the self-perceived psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics and self-esteem among respondents and their association, as well as to determine the main factors contributing to dissatisfaction with dental appearance. Methods: This research was conducted as a cross-sectional study that surveyed students of the University of Novi Sad. Other Universities and private faculties were excluded from participation. Data collection used standardized questionnaires measuring the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics (PIDAQ) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Questionnaire (an online GoogleForms) was sent to the students via official Facebook groups of the faculties, student’s e-mails and Instagram profiles. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Students T-test, ANOVA, multiple linear regression analysis and Spearman coefficient. To test internal consistency, Cronbach’s alpha(α) was calculated for the questionnaire as a whole (0,761) and each used questionnaire (PIDAQ – 0.766; RSES – 0.765). Cronbach’s alpha(α) was also calculated for each domain from PIDAQ (DSC-0.946; SI-0.882; PI–0.953; AC-0.916). Results: The study involved 410 participants, predominantly female (80%), aged between 21 and 23 (45.4%), primarily in ther first academic year (21.5%), and with a grade point average between 8.01 and 9.00 (42.4%). Data analysis has shown a statistically significant difference in the total PIDAQ score and SI subdomain in relation to the academic year (total PIDAQ p = 0.025; SI p = 0.000). In terms of self-esteem, results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that the academic year (95%CI: 0.410–1.837; p = 0.002) and the average point grade (95%CI: -0.025-1.600; p = 0.047) were significant predictors of greater self-esteem. The Spearman coefficient value (r=-0.316, p < 0.001) confirmed a statistically significant negative correlation between PIDAQ and self-esteem. Only 34% of respondents expressed satisfaction with their teeth. Dissatisfaction about the smile was primarily attributed to the arrangement and positioning of their teeth (32.2%). Financial constraints were identified as the main barrier for seeking interventions to improve smile satisfaction (39.5%). Conclusion: Students experiencing a greater psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics tended to exhibit lower self-esteem.

Given the posited role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of both periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), it may also serve as a link between these highly prevalent chronic inflammatory diseases. This view is supported by an ample body of evidence indicating that the severity and progression of periodontitis is in part driven by diabetes, while periodontal infection may hinder the attainment of adequate glycemic control in diabetic patients. Thus, this review focuses on the potential synergistic interactions along the oxidative stress–inflammation pathway characterizing both conditions. Because periodontitis and T2DM share the same risk factors and compromise patients’ quality of life, to develop effective strategies for combatting both conditions, their mutual influence needs to be explored.

Considering the widespread use of social media, it is unsurprising that dentists are increasingly drawn to these platforms as a means of connecting with patients and sharing valuable insights. The aim of this research is to examine the influence of social media on the selection of dentists among residents of the Vojvodina province in the Republic of Serbia. This cross-sectional study surveyed residents of Vojvodina, Serbia, aged 18 years and above, with an account on at least one social media platform. Dentists and dental students were excluded. The questionnaire was divided into three sections: sociodemographic information, social media usage habits, and the influence of social media on the selection of dentist/dental clinic. Descriptive statistics and chi-squared test were used for categorical variables. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and the decision to select a dentist based on social media presence. In this study, 983 participants were involved, with the majority being female (79.5%) and aged between 18 and 25 years (46.7%). Over half of the respondents (60.3%) stated that they would not select dentists based on their social media profiles, with a significant difference across age groups (p < 0.001). The main advantage of social media was quick access to information (67.2%), while disadvantages included the promotion of harmful trends (62.4%) and concerns about credibility (55.4%). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that age (95% CI: 1.144–2.983; p < 0.001) and educational level (95% CI: 0.472–0.891; p < 0.05) were significant predictors for selecting dentists based on their social media presence. Social networks do not play a crucial role in selection of a dentist among the residents of Vojvodina. Age and educational level were significant predictors for selecting dentists based on their social media presence.

Antioxidant capacity is frequently measured by evaluating superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration in body fluids. The aim of this study was to compare SOD concentrations in the saliva and plasma of patients with periodontitis to those measured in a group of patients with healthy periodontium, as well as to evaluate the influence of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on salivary and plasma SOD in periodontitis patients. For this purpose, 40 systemically healthy patients aged 30–70 years who had at least 20 teeth were recruited, 20 of whom had periodontitis, and 20 served as healthy periodontitis-free controls. In all participants, periodontal status was assessed via the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), papilla bleeding index (PIB), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL), and the SOD concentration in both saliva and plasma was determined by conducting a commercial immunoenzymatic ELISA test. In periodontitis patients, periodontal indices and saliva and blood samples were taken at the beginning of the study, as well as 3 months after periodontal therapy, while in the control group, these data were gathered at the beginning of the study only. SOD values in the saliva of patients with periodontitis (0.244 U/µL) were statistically significantly higher compared with patients with healthy periodontium (0.017 U/µL). Moreover, periodontal therapy led to a statistically significant decrease in this marker in the saliva of patients with periodontitis (p = 0.023), which was comparable with that measured in the control group. On the other hand, no statistically significant differences were noted in plasma SOD values either between the two groups or at follow-up compared with baseline in the group with periodontitis. These findings suggest that the elevated salivary SOD in patients with periodontal disease may represent a mechanism of tissue protection against oxidative stress that occurs in response to periodontal disease.

Background: Strong evidence supports the association between periodontitis and certain systemic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge of a group of physicians and dentists in Serbia regarding this topic and assess their professional actions to prevent and control both periodontal and systemic diseases.Methods: An anonymous self-administered structured questionnaire was sent to the available e-mail addresses of randomly selected healthcare providers working in Serbia. According to the inclusion criteria, general practitioners, specialists, general dentists, and specialists working in government hospitals and private practices in various cities in Serbia were recruited in the study. The questionnaire consisted of 17 questions divided into three parts. The first part recorded the sociodemographic characteristics of participants, the second part included questions about the clinical manifestation and etiology of periodontitis, as well as knowledge of the association between periodontitis and systemic diseases, and the third part included questions about professional procedures for the prevention and control of periodontitis and systemic diseases.Results: A total of 1301 health participants, 739 (57.8%) physicians and 562 (43.2%) dentists, were included in this cross-sectional study. Most respondents (94.7%) were aware of the association between periodontitis and general health. The highest percentage of respondents associated diabetes mellitus and periodontitis. Factors significantly associated with higher knowledge were female sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37–2.52; p < 0.001) and dental profession (OR, 5.86; 95% CI], 4.03–8.53; p < 0.001). Participants who had higher knowledge score were more likely to ask their patients about gum/systematic health (p < 0.001) and refer them to dentists/physicians (p < 0.001).Conclusions: It was concluded that compared to the group of dentists, the group of physicians had less knowledge of the relationship between periodontitis and systemic diseases. The female gender was significantly associated with better knowledge. A better understanding of this topic is associated with better clinical practice.

Background: This report aims to augment the presently limited knowledge on the characteristics of jawbone osteomas in children by presenting an exceptionally rare case of this tumor located on the buccal aspect of the alveolar process of the maxilla in a 13-year-old boy. Methods: A well-defined, painless, bony, hard, spherical enlargement on the maxillary alveolar ridge was identified and thoroughly evaluated through clinical examination, panoramic radiographs, CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) scans, and histopathological analysis. The tumor was surgically removed, and the patient participated in postoperative clinical follow-ups for eight years. Results: Based on the clinical characteristics and CBCT scan findings, a jawbone tumor was suspected. After histopathological analysis, the definitive diagnosis was a peripheral trabecular osteoma. There were no signs of tumor recurrence during the postoperative follow-up period. Conclusions: This report presents the youngest documented case of peripheral osteoma in the maxillary alveolar ridge, and highlights the need to consider this rare lesion in the differential diagnosis of similar pathological changes in this region, even in pediatric patients. The absence of clinical signs of recurrence over eight years of follow-up underscores the long-term stability and favorable prognosis of peripheral jawbone osteoma in children.