Polymeric liners are materials commonly used in prosthodontics to reshape denture surfaces contacting the soft tissues of the oral cavity. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of different cleaning methods on two polymeric materials used in prosthodontics as non-adhesive permanent liners. The material for the research consisted of samples made from Mollosil Plus (Detax, Ettlingen, Germany)—direct polysiloxan liner; and Plastitanium (Pressing Dental, San Marino, Republic of San Marino)—an injection-molded liner. A total of 198 samples were made, 99 of each assessed material. They were exposed to different cleaning methods—a toothbrush, a toothbrush and soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste (BlendaMed, Procter&Gamble, Cincinnati, OH, USA), a toothpaste and denture cleaning paste (Protefix Hygiene Denture Paste, Queisser Pharma, Germany), denture cleansing tablets (Protefix Hygiene Cleaning Tablets, Queisse Pharma, Germany), and a disinfecting spray (Aftermat, Port Jefferson Station, New York City, NY, USA)—for 1 min, 5 min, 10 min, and 15 min. The image acquisition was performed with scanning electron microscopy and samples were analyzed for the homogeneity of their surfaces—the presence of holes, grooves, precipitate, and small and large separating pieces of the material marking departures from this homogeneity. For each type of damage, one point was given. Continuous data from two groups were compared with Mann–Whitney U testing. Due to a small sample size and distribution of variables other than normal, to compare more than two groups, Kruskal–Wallis testing with post hoc analysis (Dunn test with Bonferroni correction) was used. Categorical data were compared with the chi-square test and the Fisher’s exact test. The Mollosil Plus material should be decontaminated with the use of a toothbrush or toothbrush with soap, while Plastitanium material should be disinfected. Plastitanium samples are more susceptible to damage during the decontamination procedures than Mollosil Plus.

Purpose: To identify correlations between demographic, health-related, environmental factors and the employment status of power wheelchair (PWC) users.Method: We retrospectively analysed semi-structured interviews with 128 participants, their assistants or family members, and the participant's provided medical records. Participants were adult PWC users who applied for grants in purchasing a new PWC for gaining or keeping employment between 2019-2021 in Mazovian Province, Poland.Results: Forty-six PWC users (35.9%) were employed while applying for the financial support programme. Fischer's Exact Test of Independence identified positive correlations between employment and education level (p < 0.001), residing in an urban area (p = 0.02), being employed before starting PWC use (p < 0.001), having vocational rehabilitation (p < 0.001), and living in a relationship (p = 0.002). There were no associations between employment status and sex, age at study entry, age at disability onset, living alone or with others, duration of PWC use, or full or part-time PWC use. Our findings indicate that PWC users are at risk of non-employment and financial hardship. This research may support policies for PWC provision that would support gainful employment. The results show that access to quality education, vocational rehabilitation, and perhaps the physical/emotional support from others in close relationships matter. These aspects should be considered in educational policies, transportation, and physical environmental accessibility for PWC users, supporting their gainful employment.

Acrylic resin remains the primary material used in the fabrication of removable prostheses, despite the continuous development of prosthetic materials science. The nature of the material’s composition requires frequent hygienic procedures and occasional disinfection, typically employing...

Chewing is an important function ensuring the proper nutrition of the patient. The condition of the oral cavity, including the presence of the patient's own teeth and reconstruction of teeth gaps, significantly determine the quantity and quality of food consumed. Malnutrition may be an obvious...

Employment determinants remain a critical yet under-researched factor in the social participation and inclusion of individuals with mobility impairments who use powered mobility devices (PWSMD). This systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis aims to evaluate employment rates and identify factors influencing employment among PWSMD users. One- and two-stage meta-analyses were conducted, assessing employment status in relation to demographic, health-related and environmental factors. Random-effects models were used to account for between-study heterogeneity. Quality assessment was performed with tools for evidence synthesis provided by Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). The PRISMA criteria were followed in the review. A systematic search of CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases conducted up to February 2025 identified 19 eligible studies encompassing 443 participants. 46.6% of participants were working at higher rates associated with tertiary education, pre-existing employment, vocational rehabilitation and PWSMD use of more than 10 years. Higher employment rates were also observed in participants younger than 60 years and those with childhood onset disability. No significant correlations were observed with sex, marital status, or residential setting. Higher levels of education, longer duration of PWSMD use, younger age, pre-existing employment and participation in vocational rehabilitation are associated with an increased likelihood of employment among PWSMD users. Sex, marital status and settlement type may not have an impact on employment. Further research is needed to determine most beneficial aspects of vocational rehabilitation and to explore the relationship between disability duration and employment in specific diagnostic groups.

Microwave radiation is a potential alternative to conventional disinfection of acrylic resin, but exposure time must be minimized, e.g., by combining it with chemical agents, due to its effects on material properties. This study aimed to microbiologically evaluate the antifungal activity of microwave disinfection performed in distilled water, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chlorhexidine (CHX), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), or without immersion. Thermally polymerized PMMA samples colonized with Candida albicans ATCC 14053 were exposed to microwaves for 1 or 3 min in an unmodified microwave oven. Disinfection effectiveness was assessed by colony counting after 48 h of culture and absorbance after crystal violet staining. All microwave treatments significantly reduced fungal counts compared with the control (5360.00 ± 1663.09 CFU/mL). Complete inhibition of colony growth occurred only after 3 min exposure in distilled water, NaOCl, or CHX. One-minute exposure in these liquids reduced but did not eliminate fungi. The least effective method was disinfection without immersion, yielding 1040.00 ± 169.71 CFU/mL after 1 min and 560.00 ± 108.32 CFU/mL after 3 min. None of the tested conditions fully removed biofilms, although microwaves combined with NaOCl produced the best results. Overall, it was found that the presence of a liquid itself, rather than the type of chemical used, was the key factor in effective microwave-assisted disinfection. Microwave disinfection without the addition of chemicals does not remove biofilms.