Background: The prevalence of dental caries has increased among children, largely due to nutritional habits or inadequate access to dental care. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dental caries associated with various factors that lead to their appearance, such as food intake and body composition, among Romanian school-age children from two counties, Bistriţa Năsăud and Mureş. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1100 children aged 6–10 years from two Romanian counties. Dental caries experience was assessed using the DMFT and dmft indices based on WHO criteria. Dietary intake and oral health behaviors were evaluated through a food frequency questionnaire completed by parents. Associations between dietary variables and dental caries were assessed using independent sample t-tests and Mann–Whitney U tests. A binary logistic regression model was used to estimate the likelihood of caries in the permanent dentition (DMFT > 0), with covariates including county, parental education, daily sugar intake, consumption of dairy products, body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-height ratio. Results: It was found that the children who daily consume cheese recorded a DMFT value lower than the children who did not consume (p < 0.05). Moreover, those who consume sugary foods recorded higher values of DMFT as compared with those who did not (p < 0.05). The body weight, BMI, and waist circumference are positively correlated with DMFT, but negatively with dmft (p < 0.05). The overall prevalence of caries was 79.8% in primary dentition and 63.6% in permanent dentition, with slightly higher rates observed in Bistriţa-Năsăud County compared to Mureş. It seems that the predictors of the caries’s presence among children include the mother’s education level, sugar intake frequency, and body fat ratio. Conclusions: Based on significant associations found, one can affirm that the dental caries of the Romanian school-age children is due to sugary food intake and body composition. In addition, the direct relationship between dental caries and childhood obesity showed through the correlation of BMI and dental health indices denotes that school-age children should reduce sugary foods and increase dairy products.

Background/Objectives: The prevalence of dental caries in Romania is significantly high, especially among children and adolescents. We aimed to assess the prevalence of dental caries and their associated factors among schoolchildren aged 6–11 years learning at urban and rural schools from Mureş County, Romania. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a sample of 1124 children, aged 6–8 years (n = 524), as well as aged 9–11 years (n = 600). Nine schools in Mureş County, Romania, were selected for screening, based on their location (4 schools from urban areas and 5 schools from rural areas). Data were collected based on children’s visual dental screenings and a self-administered questionnaire addressed to their parents to collect information about oral health behaviors, sugar consumption, and dental care history. Dental clinical examination was performed by specialists, and DMFT/dmft values were recorded. Binary logistic and negative binomial regression analyses were used to assess the factors associated with dental caries. Results: Among 6–8-year-olds, the prevalence of untreated decay was 76.5% and the prevalence of caries experience was 77.7% (mean dmft = 3.9). Among 9–11-year-olds, the prevalence of untreated decay was 43.5% and the prevalence of caries experience was 48.2% (mean DMFT = 1.9). Among the most significant factors associated with caries prevalence were school location (p = 0.04 for children aged 6–8 years, and p < 0.001 for 9–11 years); the employment status of mothers (p = 0.04 for 9–11 years); eating sweets ≥4 times/day (p = 0.04 for 6–8 years); brushing time ≥3 min (p = 0.03 for 9–11 years); as well as past dental restorative treatments or emergency (p < 0.001 for all the children examined). Conclusions: Preventive measures and innovative educational interventions are needed to mitigate the impact of dental caries prevalence on the health and education of schoolchildren.

Background/Objectives: The ongoing prevalence of dental issues within the school-age population continues to present significant public health challenges. This study aims to thoroughly evaluate the oral health conditions of schoolchildren aged 7–10 years, with a particular focus on identifying the prevalence and severity of dental caries, as well as their relationship with dental hygiene and dietary habits. Methods: A cross-sectional approach was employed involving 700 children aged from 7 to 10 years, recruited from nine urban and rural educational institutions across two Romanian counties, namely Mureș and Bistrița-Năsăud. Data were collected regarding the sociodemographic characteristics of participants, including parental educational background and occupational status. Furthermore, information on dental hygiene routines was gathered, encompassing tooth brushing habits, flossing usage, frequency of brushing, along with dietary details such as daily meal count, snacking frequency, and sugar intake levels. An oral examination was performed by a trained specialist to assess the condition of the children’s teeth, documenting the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth. The presence of plaque was evaluated using a plaque index, and the dental caries status was quantified using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Results: The findings revealed that the average plaque score was marginally higher in boys (mean = 0.69 ± 0.36) compared to girls (mean = 0.65 ± 0.40). Additionally, children from urban environments demonstrated a mean plaque score of 0.61 ± 0.32, whereas their rural counterparts exhibited a higher score of 0.73 ± 0.38. In multivariable models, irregular brushing, higher daily sugar consumption, and ≥3 snacks/day were independently associated with both caries prevalence (DMFT > 0) and greater DMFT counts (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The evidence denotes a concerning association between poor oral hygiene practices and higher rates of tooth decay among children, particularly among those with elevated sugar intake and frequent snacking behaviors. Dental public health professionals are encouraged to incorporate considerations of oral hygiene habits when developing future health promotion strategies aimed at improving the oral health status of children.

Introduction: Dietary habits adopted during young adulthood play a critical role in physical, emotional, and cognitive health. University students represent a particularly vulnerable group due to academic stress, lifestyle transitions, and increased autonomy, factors that may influence eating behaviors, body weight perception, and psychological well-being. This study aims to examine dietary habits among students and their associations with self-perceived body weight, lifestyle characteristics, and psychological factors within a biopsychosocial framework. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a structured, self-administered online questionnaire distributed to university students aged 18–30 years in Romania. The questionnaire assessed dietary habits, nutritional knowledge, lifestyle behaviors, and psychological variables, including perceived stress and body weight perception. Body mass index was calculated based on self-reported anthropometric data. Results: The findings indicated substantial variability in dietary behaviors, with a high prevalence of irregular meal patterns, frequent snacking, and engagement in weight-control practices. Irregular meal patterns were reported by approximately 62% of participants, while 47% had engaged in at least one weight-loss diet. Discrepancies between self-reported BMI and perceived body weight were observed in roughly 38% of cases, and 83% of respondents reported at least one psychological symptom (stress, anxiety, or low mood) related to eating behaviors. A positive correlation was observed between sleep duration and perceived rest quality (r = 0.364, p < 0.001). High frequencies of caffeinated beverage consumption were also observed. Additionally, 204 participants reported no alcohol consumption, while the variety of alcoholic beverages consumed was strongly correlated with alcohol intake frequency (r = 0.734, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Dietary habits among university students are closely interconnected with body weight perception, lifestyle behaviors, and psychological well-being. These findings emphasize the need for integrative health promotion strategies that address nutrition, emotional regulation, and lifestyle balance to support mental and cognitive health during young adulthood.

Background: The rapid evolution of dental adhesive systems presents both opportunities and challenges for clinical practice, particularly regarding the translation of emerging evidence into routine use. Aim: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices related to modern adhesive systems among Romanian dentists and to explore factors associated with their clinical decision-making. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2025 and February 2026 using a 115-item online questionnaire. A convenience sample of 372 Romanian dentists participated. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square and Kruskal–Wallis tests, and multivariate models (multiple linear regression, binary logistic regression, and multinomial logistic regression). Internal consistency of the knowledge scale was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Results: The knowledge scale demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.873). Although 68.0% of respondents reported familiarity with universal adhesives, a discrepancy between awareness and reported clinical application was observed for several key concepts, including MMP inhibitors and hydrolytic stability. Notably, 14.8% of participants were unaware whether their preferred adhesive system contained 10-MDP. Continuing education frequency was the only independent predictor of higher knowledge scores (β = 1.63, p = 0.024), while greater clinical experience was inversely associated with rubber dam use (OR = 0.550, p = 0.024). Conclusions: The findings suggest a discrepancy between theoretical knowledge and the clinical implementation of modern adhesive concepts. Structured continuing education plays a critical role in improving knowledge and may help bridge this gap in clinical practice.

Background/Objectives: The trainer–doctor model (TDM) is a participatory paradigm in which the physician acts as a mentor and educator. Effective health communication and patient engagement are key determinants of treatment adherence and health outcomes. Based on this conceptual framework, the present study aimed to assess preferences for the Trainer–Doctor Model among dental practitioners and patients, examine the influence of demographic variables, and provide a preliminary psychometric evaluation of the TDM questionnaire in accordance with the COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments) criteria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Romania between May 2023 and April 2024. The study included dental practitioners recruited during scientific dental conferences and patients recruited from a private dental practice in Alba Iulia, Romania. Eligible participants were adults aged 18 years or older who provided written informed consent and completed the data protection requirements. Individuals younger than 18 years of age or those who did not provide complete informed consent were excluded. Participants completed a 12-item Likert-type questionnaire assessing preferences toward the Trainer–Doctor Model. Results: Both groups showed high TDM preference (practitioners: 43.93 ± 5.56; patients: 44.77 ± 4.84; p = 0.195); 71–76% of responses were high-preference (≥4). Cronbach’s α with reverse-scored items was 0.752/0.651. EFA (KMO = 0.740; Bartlett’s p < 0.001) identified a 3-factor structure, explaining 51.3% of the variance. Patients scored significantly higher on items A (p = 0.002), B (p = 0.022), and F (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Both groups demonstrate a strong, consistent preference for TDM across demographics. The preliminary psychometric evaluation indicates acceptable internal consistency and structural validity; however, further validation, including Delphi-based content validation and confirmatory factor analysis, is required.