Cristian Funieru

Dr. Cristian Funieru


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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24 July 2023 in Pathogens
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MSMihai Săndulescu
Mihai Săndulescu
Mihnea Ioan NicolescuMihnea Ioan Nicolescu
Mihnea Ioan Nicolescu
CFCristian Funieru
Cristian Funieru
GŞGülşen Özkaya Şahin
Gülşen Özkaya Şahin
Oana SandulescuOana Sandulescu
Oana Sandulescu
Accidental exposure to blood or other biological fluids is a common occurrence in dentistry, and its post-exposure management is a key component of infection prevention and control programs designed to prevent the transmission of blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This narrative review aims to comprehensively review the risk assessment process for each of these pathogens at all steps of the epidemiological process, i.e., source–exposure route–receptive person, in order to provide a better understanding of the delicate differences that influence the transmission risk and that drive the individualized post-exposure management.

14 January 2024 in Healthcare
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Anca Cristina PerpeleaAnca Cristina Perpelea
Anca Cristina Perpelea
Ionela Ruxandra SfeatcuIonela Ruxandra Sfeatcu
Ionela Ruxandra Sfeatcu
MTMihaela Tanase
Mihaela Tanase
MIMarina Imre
Marina Imre
ARALEXANDRA RIPSZKY
ALEXANDRA RIPSZKY
SPSilviu Mirel Pițuru
Silviu Mirel Pițuru
This research analyzes the dental hygiene habits of schoolchildren from parents’ perspectives, using the STEPS approach recommended by the World Health Organization. The key points of oral health care in children include the role of the family in encouraging and maintaining proper oral hygiene practices. This study aimed to assess the oral hygiene practices of schoolchildren with on-site dentists in Romania. Additionally, it sought to establish correlations between these behaviors and the educational levels of the adults with whom they live with. The participants were selected from the zero grade to the eighth grade, totaling 3843students. Statistical analysis involved the application of Fisher’s Exact Test and Z-tests with Bonferroni correction. Multinominal and binominal logistic regression models were employed to predict the impact of parents’ education on children’s oral health status and behavior. The oral health status of children evaluated by parents as poor was more frequent in children whose parents had a primary or gymnasium education (p < 0.001). Female adults with a university education evaluated the gum health of their children as very good to a much greater extent (41.7%, p < 0.001). Regarding the use of auxiliary means, the majority of parents with a university education mentioned that their children use dental floss (26.4% females/27.4% males) (p < 0.001), compared to those with primary education, where the percentage was only (1.2% males/3.5% females) (p < 0.001). The results of this study highlight that the education level of the adults with whom the children live with influences the perception of the teeth and gums health status, the frequency of oral hygiene, the use of fluoride toothpaste, and auxiliary brushing aids.

19 December 2024 in Materials
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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RRRadu Radulescu
Radu Radulescu
MIMarina Imre
Marina Imre
ARALEXANDRA RIPSZKY
ALEXANDRA RIPSZKY
Florentina RusFlorentina Rus
Florentina Rus
APAlexandra Popa
Alexandra Popa
SPSilviu Mirel Pițuru
Silviu Mirel Pițuru
Tooth loss replacement using dental implants is becoming more frequent. Traditional dental implant materials such as commercially pure titanium and titanium aluminum vanadium alloys have well-proven mechanical and biological properties. New titanium alloying metals such as niobium provide improved mechanical properties such as lower elastic modulus while displaying comparable or even better biocompatibility. Hydroxyapatite coatings are a well-documented and widely used method for enhancing dental implants’ surface characteristics and properties and could provide a useful tool for further enhancing titanium–niobium implant properties like osteointegration. Among several coating techniques, physical deposition methods and, in particular, vapour deposition ones are the most used due to their advantages compared to wet deposition techniques for hydroxyapatite coating of metallic surfaces like that of dental implants. Considering the scarcity of data concerning the in vivo evaluation of titanium–niobium biocompatibility and osteointegration and the lack of studies investigating coating these new proposed alloys with hydroxyapatite, this review aims to further knowledge on hydroxyapatite-coated titanium niobium alloys.

28 June 2024 in Healthcare
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CFCristian Funieru
Cristian Funieru
Mihnea Ioan NicolescuMihnea Ioan Nicolescu
Mihnea Ioan Nicolescu
Cristian BaicusCristian Baicus
Cristian Baicus
OSOana Slusanschi
Oana Slusanschi
CBClara Ilinca Bica
Clara Ilinca Bica
ATAdrian Teodor Tandara
Adrian Teodor Tandara
Background: Oral hygiene is essential for low caries or gingivitis prevalence in children. This study aimed to determine the oral hygiene profile of children from secondary schools (10–17 years) in Bucharest, Romania, and to explore options for preventing their future oral diseases. Methods: The study was cross-sectional, with a sample of n = 1595 pupils. The sample was stratified by clusters in city areas, grades, and the criterion of the presence/absence of in-school dental service. Dental check-ups were performed by using a commune dental examination kit. The oral hygiene simplified index (OHI; Silness and Löe) was used to assess the children’s oral hygiene status. Five questions were used to determine oral hygiene habits. Results: The mean value of the OHI was 1.04. Some differences in oral hygiene scores were found for different socioeconomic variables, such as parents’ education (p < 0.05): parents with vs. without a university degree—0.95/0.94 (male/female) vs. 1.06. Most of the children used manual toothbrushes (88%). Conclusions: The analysis of objective data (OHI) revealed a good level of oral hygiene, with many socioeconomic disparities.

24 April 2024 in Healthcare
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Anca Cristina PerpeleaAnca Cristina Perpelea
Anca Cristina Perpelea
Ionela Ruxandra SfeatcuIonela Ruxandra Sfeatcu
Ionela Ruxandra Sfeatcu
MTMihail Tusaliu
Mihail Tusaliu
MTMihaela Tanase
Mihaela Tanase
MIMarina Imre
Marina Imre
SPSilviu Mirel Pițuru
Silviu Mirel Pițuru
Oral health is situated within the framework of the global health agenda, addressing facets pertaining to well-being and quality of life. The research is based on the need to address variables at the community level to improve schoolchildren’s oral health and promote healthy behaviors and aims to carry out an in-depth analysis from the perspective of the factors that influence children’s oral health. Step 1, designed by the World Health Organization, was utilized. An easy-to-use web interface was created for data collection. The statistical analysis consisted of using multinomial and binominal logistic regression models. The level of education of the adult has a high probability of influencing the consumption of unhealthy or healthy foods, it has a significant probability of exerting influence on social or medical problems and a correlation was found between the level of academic education and the pattern of dental visits. The development of health-promoting behaviors begins in childhood and involves parents, who have an essential role in the education of their children. Oral health promotion programs in schools need to target the child–adult–teacher–dentist relationships. Taking into consideration the aforementioned, a threefold viewpoint is necessary for the development of a national program aimed at promoting the oral health of schoolchildren in Romania.

27 August 2025 in Healthcare
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SWSterling Wright
Sterling Wright
OSOana Slusanschi
Oana Slusanschi
AGAna Maria Giura
Ana Maria Giura
IPIoanina Parlatescu
Ioanina Parlatescu
CFCristian Funieru
Cristian Funieru
LWLaura S Weyrich
Laura S Weyrich
Periodontal disease is a widespread chronic condition linked to systemic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Despite its global burden, population-specific studies on its risk factors remain limited, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. The SANA-biome Project is a cross-sectional, community-based study designed to investigate the biological and social determinants of periodontal disease in Romania, a country with disproportionately high oral disease rates and minimal microbiome data. This protocol will integrate metagenomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data of the oral microbiome from saliva and dental calculus samples with detailed sociodemographic and lifestyle data collected through a structured 44-question survey. This study is grounded in two complementary frameworks: the IMPEDE model, which conceptualizes inflammation as both a driver and a consequence of microbial dysbiosis, and Ecosocial Theory, which situates disease within social and structural contexts. Our aims are as follows: (1) to identify lifestyle and behavioral predictors of periodontal disease; (2) to characterize the oral microbiome in individuals with and without periodontal disease; and (3) to evaluate the predictive value of combined microbial and sociodemographic features using statistical and machine learning approaches. Power calculations based on pilot data indicate a target enrollment of 120 participants. This integrative approach will help disentangle the complex interplay between microbiological and structural determinants of periodontal disease and inform culturally relevant prevention strategies. By focusing on an underrepresented population, this work contributes to a more equitable and interdisciplinary model of oral health research and supports the development of future precision public health interventions.