The aim of this article is to describe oral medicine patients’ satisfaction level with teledentistry services during COVID-19 pandemic by a factor analysis. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the Oral Medicine Clinic in 31 patients who used teledentistry services at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic under informed consent. Questionnaire modification was validated with the Rasch model analysis and components that contribute to satisfaction were analyzed by the factor analysis. A total of satisfaction scores were then categorized into five levels (very dissatisfied; not satisfied; moderate; satisfied and very satisfied). The questionnaire shows Cronbach’s alpha of 0.83 and a reliability item of 0.95 with a separation of 4.49. The factor analysis shows two components that contribute to satisfaction, namely, components convenience and communication. One hundred percent of the subjects were in the satisfied and very satisfied categories. The Rasch model can determine the validity and reliability of the questionnaire used more accurately. The components of convenience and communication are the main things that are considered when patients choose teledentistry services. Oral medicine patients’ satisfaction level with teledentistry services during the COVID-19 pandemic was 100% in the satisfied and very satisfied categories, with contributing factors being convenience and communication.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subpopulation of cancer cells that are believed to initiate and drive cancer progression. In animal models, xenotransplanted CSCs have demonstrated the ability to produce tumors. Since their initial isolation in blood cancers, CSCs have been identified in various solid human cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In addition to their tumorigenic properties, dysregulated stem-cell-related signaling pathways—Wnt family member (Wnt), neurogenic locus notch homolog protein (Notch), and hedgehog—have been shown to endow CSCs with characteristics like self-renewal, phenotypic plasticity, and chemoresistance, contributing to recurrence and treatment failure. Consequently, CSCs have become targets for new therapeutic agents, with some currently in different phases of clinical trials. Notably, small molecule inhibitors of the hedgehog signaling pathway, such as vismodegib and glasdegib, have been approved for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma and acute myeloid leukemia, respectively. Other strategies for eradicating CSCs include natural compounds, nano-drug delivery systems, targeting mitochondria and the CSC microenvironment, autophagy, hyperthermia, and immunotherapy. Despite the extensive documentation of CSCs in OSCC since its first demonstration in head and neck (HN) SCC in 2007, none of these novel pharmacological approaches have yet entered clinical trials for OSCC patients. This narrative review summarizes the in vivo and in vitro evidence of CSCs and CSC-related signaling pathways in OSCC, highlighting their role in promoting chemoresistance and immunotherapy resistance. Additionally, it addresses methodological challenges and discusses future research directions to improve experimental systems and advance CSC studies.

Background: Numerous studies have found higher levels of autoantibodies including anti citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (aCCP), or rheumatoid factor (RF) against periodontal microorganisms in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Objective: To evaluate the correlation between periodontal bacteria and RA disease parameters. Methods: We utilized PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and manual search databases up until March 2024 using PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The data were obtained from microbiological assays by RT-PCR/qPCR, sequencing, and serological testing of disease parameters (ACPA, aCCP, and RF) utilizing ELISA method. Results: A total of 1514 documents were discovered based on the inclusion criteria. Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Prevotella_9 were associated with elevated levels of ACPA/aCCP and RF in RA with periodontitis. A positive correlation was found between Peptococcus simiae, Aminipila butyrica, Leptotrichia spp., Leptotrichia wadei, and Neisseria bacilliformis with ACPA, and Treponema sp. canine oral taxon 087 with RF. Conclusions: This study found that several oral microorganisms correlate with elevated ACPA/aCCP and RF in RA with periodontitis. Future studies of the oral microbiome and the molecular mechanisms are anticipated to discover new therapies and diagnostic methods for periodontitis and RA.

Dentists’ knowledge and attitudes are two main components that may have a role in reducing and preventing the severity of HIV infection. No recent data on this are available in Jakarta.Objective: To evaluate the dental profession's experience based on knowledge and attitude toward HIV patients in West Jakarta.Subjects and Method: A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 218 private dentists. The knowledge and attitude were assessed by validated questionnaire under informed consent. Data were analyzed by the Rasch model to assess reliability and multiple logistic regression.Result: Rasch test found person reliability was poor (0.60; 1.23) and item reliability was excellent (0.97; 5.32). Good knowledge was shown in 58.3% of respondents, and a good attitude was practiced in 56.9%. Only the duration of dental practice (p < .005) <1 year served as an independent risk factor for good knowledge and attitude (p < .05; p < .05), respectively. Age, gender, having a social history of interacting with HIV patients, or a history of having treated HIV patients were not associated (p > .05). The results suggest that newly graduated dentists (<1 year) have retained the knowledge which could impact on their attitude toward HIV patients in dental practice.Conclusion: Newly qualified dentists had the best knowledge and attitude toward treating HIV patients in West Jakarta.

Photobiomodulation therapy is a nonthermal light therapy with therapeutic properties for pain and inflammation relief, immune modulation, and tissue regeneration. Our goal was to provide a comprehensive overview of photobiomodulation therapy for oral lesions using visual mapping techniques. We used VOSViewer to analyze publications in the “photobiomodulation” and “oral lesion” categories from PubMed, Scopus, and Dimension AI databases, allowing us to track author contributions, journal, institutional affiliations, and contributions by country. A total of 373 publications from 1991 to 2022 were gathered. Notably, Brazil, the United States, and France emerged as major contributors in this field. The College of Dentistry at the University of Florida (US) ranked first with 515 citations. Jan Magnus Bjordal was the most prolific author, receiving 207 total citations. Supportive Care in Cancer and Photomedicine and Laser Surgery were identified as the two most promising journals. The intellectual structure was divided into four clusters: cluster one for ‘lllt’, cluster two for ‘head and neck cancer’, cluster three for ‘olp’, and cluster four for ‘inflammatory mediators’. Overall, there has been a significant increase in research on photobiomodulation, particularly over the last decade. The study identified four distinct research clusters: low-level light therapy, head and neck cancer, oral lichen planus, and inflammatory mediators. These findings highlight the need for further research into photobiomodulation in the treatment of various oral diseases. This trend may indicate an increase in the use of low-level light therapy to treat oral lesions in the population, as well as the potential for alternative treatments.