This communication article addresses currently available rapid non-invasive methods to screen and detect periodontitis and dental peri-implantitis. In this regard, oral fluid biomarkers have been researched extensively but self-reported oral health (SROH)-questionnaires have also been developed. Both alternatives may offer a quick and easy way to screen and detect diseased patients. Active matrix metalloproteinase (aMMP-8) is one of the most validated biomarkers for screening and detecting periodontal breakdown related to periodontitis and peri-implantitis and monitoring their treatment effects revealing successful, less- and non-successful treatment results. Currently available aMMP-8 lateral-flow technologies allow this kind of analysis, as demonstrated here, to be conducted quantitatively online and real-time as point-of-care/chairside testing in dental and even medical care settings. In this study, an aMMP-8 peri-implant sulcular fluid point-of-care-test diagnosed peri-implantitis and healthy implants far more accurately than bleeding-on-probing or the other biomarkers, such as polymorphonuclear (PMN)/neutrophil elastase, myeloperoxidase and MMP-9. Although, SROH-questionnaires allow screening in similar settings but they lack the information about the current disease activity of periodontitis and peri-implantitis, which is of essential value in periodontal diagnostics and treatment monitoring. Thus, both methods can be considered as adjunct methods for periodontitis and peri-implant diagnostics, but the value of oral fluid biomarkers analysis does not seem to be substitutable.

Purpose/objectives The current coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected most countries. Infection, Prevention, and Control training is important in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. The closure of universities by the Nigerian government has hampered academic activities of dental students. Our objectives were to assess the knowledge, perception, and attitude of undergraduate dental students in Nigeria to the COVID-19 pandemic and infection control practices. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of undergraduate clinical dental students from the dental schools in Nigeria. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to participants using an online data collection platform. Correct responses to the 45-item questionnaire on COVID-19 knowledge were scored to determine their knowledge level. A Likert scale of 1-5 was used to assess the 13-item perception and attitude questions. The level of significance was set atPvalues <= 0.05. Results A total of 102 undergraduate clinical dental students participated in the study. Males represented 54.9%, and mean age was 25.3 +/- 2.4 years. Fifty percent of the students had adequate knowledge of COVID-19. Final-year students (58.1%) demonstrated more adequate knowledge of COVID-19 than penultimate-year students (28.6%,P = 0.008). Most (95.1%) respondents had positive attitudes towards infection control practices against COVID-19. Conclusion Although the clinical dental students had a positive attitude to infection control practices against COVID-19, the overall knowledge of COVID-19 was barely adequate. Guidelines on COVID-19 from reputable health authorities should be reviewed by dental school authorities and disseminated to the students to suit their clinical practice.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic utility of an MMP‐8 biosensor assay in differentiating periodontal health from gingivitis and periodontitis and compare it with an established time‐resolved immunofluorescence assay (IFMA) and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Background: Currently available antibody‐based assays display a wide variability in their ability to accurately measure matrix metalloproteinase‐8 (MMP‐8) levels in saliva.Methods: Salivary MMP‐8 levels were analyzed in 189 systemically healthy participants using an antibody‐based biosensor prototype that operates using a surface acoustic wave technology and compared with IFMA and ELISA antibody assays. Participants were categorized into 3 groups: periodontal health (59), gingivitis (63), and periodontitis (67). A sub‐population of participants (n = 20) with periodontitis received periodontal treatment and were monitored for 6 months.Results: All the assays demonstrated significantly higher salivary MMP‐8 concentrations in participants with periodontitis versus gingivitis, periodontitis versus health, and gingivitis versus health (all p < .05). The biosensor data demonstrated significant correlations with IFMA (r = .354, p < .001) and ELISA (r = .681, p < .001). Significant reductions in salivary MMP‐8 concentrations were detected by the biosensor (p = .030) and IFMA (p = .002) in participants with periodontitis 6 months after non‐surgical periodontal treatment. IFMA had the best sensitivity (89.2%) for detecting periodontitis and gingivitis versus health and 96.6% for detecting periodontitis versus health and gingivitis. The biosensor had an AUC value of 0.81 and diagnostic accuracy of 74.2% for differentiating periodontitis and gingivitis from health; an AUC value of 0.86 and diagnostic accuracy of 82.8% for periodontitis versus health and gingivitis.Conclusions: The biosensor, IFMA, and ELISA assays differentiated between periodontal health, gingivitis, and periodontitis based on salivary MMP‐8 levels. Only the biosensor and, particularly, IFMA identified an effect of periodontal treatment in the participants with periodontitis. Our findings support the potential utility of salivary oral fluid aMMP‐8‐based point‐of‐care technology in the future of periodontal diagnostics.

Objectives: This mini review aims to address some possible gaps in periodontal diagnosis in clinical studies particularly involving the oral‐systemic connection with a view to minimize such gaps, and thus improve patient treatment experiences and outcomes.Methods: The conventional assessment of periodontitis has traditionally been by clinical and radiographic oral parameters. We reviewed numerous studies published mainly within the past decade, to affirm the oral‐systemic link, the contribution of periodontitis to the inflammatory burden in various systemic diseases and conditions, and the potential role of active matrix metalloproteinase‐8 (aMMP‐8).Results: While it is established that periodontal pathogens in dental plaque biofilm are the primary initiating agents in periodontitis, it has become clear from the appraisal of recent studies that the host inflammation, including biomarkers such as aMMP‐8 play a major role, being the driving underlying pathological mechanism in both periodontitis and systemic diseases.Conclusions: The apparent limitations of conventional diagnostic tools have led researchers to seek alternative methods of evaluation such as the quantification of biomarkers including aMMP‐8, which can be a bridge between oral/periodontal and systemic diseases; aMMP‐8 can form a mouth‐body connection.

Objective: To assess internal medicine residents’ knowledge of associations between periodontal disease and systemic illnesses, and attitudes toward patients’ periodontal health. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among internal medicine residents attending the Faculty of Internal Medicine 2014 Update Course organized by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. Participants came from all over the country. Data on respondents’ demographic characteristics, periodontal disease knowledge, knowledge of associations between periodontal disease and systemic illnesses, and attitudes toward patients’ periodontal health were collected. Data were analyzed using Epi INFO software. The Pearson chi square test was used to measure significant association between categorical variables such as the knowledge of periodontal disease and gender, age group and designation of the participants (p ⩽ 0.05). Results: Of 150 questionnaires distributed, 123 were returned (82% response rate); 109 questionnaires were completed properly and included in the analysis. The most common source of residents’ information on oral health was television (59.4%). Only 11.2% of respondents were aware that gingival bleeding was the earliest sign of periodontal disease. Respondents correctly identified periodontal disease as a risk factor for coronary heart disease (45.9%), stroke (43.5%), hospital-acquired pneumonia (53.2%), diabetes mellitus (13.8%), and preterm birth (11%). Increased age (p = 0.032) and male gender (p = 0.022) were associated significantly with knowledge of periodontal disease as a risk factor for stroke. Higher designation (p = 0.002) and longer duration in residency training (p = 0.004) were associated significantly with knowledge of periodontal disease as risk factor for peripheral arterial disease. The majority (90.9%) of respondents had positive attitudes toward the referral of their patients for regular periodontal care. Conclusions: Knowledge of periodontal disease as a risk factor for systemic illnesses among medical residents in Nigeria is inadequate. These relationships should be emphasized in continuing medical education courses.

Periodontal diseases, a group of complex conditions marked by an excessive immune response and periodontal tissue destruction, are a global health concern. Since 1990, the incidence of these diseases has doubled, with Western sub‐Saharan Africa experiencing the highest burden. Accurate diagnosis and case identification are crucial for understanding the etiology, features of disease, research, treatment and prevention. Modern perspectives on periodontal disease classification are based on commonality among those affected. However, current literature is often plagued by methodological inconsistencies and focused on disease mechanisms in European populations. Health inequalities in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) are exacerbated by these challenges, with sub‐Saharan Africa, and Nigeria specifically, facing unique difficulties such as clinical personnel shortages and limited research infrastructure. This review explored disparities in periodontal disease research, care and outcomes in African populations. We highlighted these disparities and identified the factors contributing to inequities in periodontal health outcomes. We further demonstrated the critical need for inclusive and equitable healthcare and research practices tailored to the unique challenges faced by diverse populations and regions with limited resources. Addressing these disparities is essential for ensuring that advancements in healthcare are accessible to all, thereby improving global oral health and general health.