This study aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of children’s dental care programs on children and adolescents to reduce oral health inequalities. It measured and assessed the improvement effects of children’s dental care programs on the oral health of children and adolescents as part of the efforts to decrease oral health disparities in this age group. It included 406 individuals who participated in student and children’s dental care program between 2013 and 2019 at screening facilities in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. A frequency analysis was conducted for demographic characteristics, and a binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing the prevalence of dental caries as the dependent variable. The data were analyzed using PASW Statistics with the statistical significance level set at α = 0.05. Regarding oral health status based on the frequency of participation in children’s dental care program for children and adolescents, participants with seven or more sessions had lower prevalence rates of dental caries, malocclusion, and periodontal disease than those with only one session. Second, when comparing oral health status in children’s dental care program between primary and adolescent age groups, individuals under continuous oral health care showed a decrease in permanent teeth affected by dental caries, dental caries prevalence, and malocclusion prevalence (excluding primary school age). Third, a binary logistic regression analysis revealed significant influences (p < 0.05) of the developmental stage and frequency of program participation on dental caries prevalence. Children’s dental care programs are essential for alleviating oral health inequalities among children and adolescents and preventing oral diseases. Furthermore, the developmental stage of children and the frequency of program participation are crucial factors in preventing oral conditions, such as dental caries.

Jae-Young Lee, Ji-Na Lim, Byung-Hee Han, Soo-Hwang Seok, Hyun-Jun Yoo. IJCPD 2024;20:27-32. https://doi.org/10.15236/ijcpd.2024.20.1.27

Ji-Na Lim and Jae-Young Lee. J Dent Hyg Sci 2024;24:249-58. https://doi.org/10.17135/jdhs.2024.24.4.249

Dental plaque is a primary etiological factor in common oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease. Accurate visualization and effective removal of plaque are essential for maintaining oral health. However, conventional tar-based dye plaque disclosing agents have raised concerns due to potential cytotoxicity and difficulty in stain removal, prompting the need for safer, natural alternatives. This randomized, single-blind, crossover clinical trial aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a novel natural dye-based plaque disclosing agent derived from Gardenia blue, compared to a conventional tar-based disclosing agent. A total of 100 healthy adults (aged 20–45 years) participated in the study. Each participant sequentially used both disclosing agents in a randomized order. Plaque staining effectiveness was assessed using the Patient Hygiene Performance (PHP) index and standardized intraoral photography. Stain retention was evaluated after 10 minutes, and ease of removal was assessed after water rinsing and toothbrushing. Adverse reactions were monitored throughout the study. Both disclosing agents demonstrated strong spatial concordance in plaque staining (Pearson r = 0.75–0.97, p < 0.001). The natural dye-based agent showed comparable plaque visualization effectiveness to the tar-based agent and significantly superior ease of removal (Cohen’s d = 0.78–1.40, p < 0.001). No adverse effects or mucosal irritation were reported with the natural dye-based agent. The Gardenia blue-based natural dye disclosing agent is a clinically effective and safe alternative to conventional tar-based products for plaque visualization and oral hygiene education.

Seon-Jip Kim, Seung-Hee Ryu, Ji-Na Lim, Hye-Jin Kwon, Zi-Lan Wang, Jae-Young Lee, Hyun-Jae Cho. J Korean Acad Oral Health 2023;47:228-34. https://doi.org/10.11149/jkaoh.2023.47.4.228

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of paediatric dentistry programmes on children and adolescents to reduce oral health inequalities. It measures and assesses the improvement effects of paediatric dentistry programmes on the oral health of children and adolescents as part of the efforts to decrease oral health disparities in this age group. It included 406 individuals who participated in student and paediatric dentistry programmes between 2013 and 2019 at screening facilities in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Frequency analysis was conducted for demographic characteristics, and binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing the prevalence of dental caries as the dependent variable. Data were analysed using PASW Statistics with the statistical significance level set at α=0.05. Regarding oral health indicators based on the frequency of participation in paediatric dentistry programmes for children and adolescents, participants with seven or more sessions had lower prevalence rates of dental caries, malocclusion, and periodontal disease than those with only one session. Second, when comparing oral health indicators in paediatric dentistry programmes between primary and adolescent age groups, individuals under continuous management showed a decrease in permanent teeth affected by dental caries, dental caries prevalence, and malocclusion prevalence (excluding primary school age). Third, binary logistic regression analysis revealed significant influences (p