Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Vaping Is More Dangerous Than You Think, Chantel Perreault, Jodi Poirier, Chantelle Vazquez, Kaelyn Gallipeau

Dental Hygiene Student Research Posters

It is predicted that cigarette smokers and users of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have poor periodontal health and greater levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-15 and IL-18 in their saliva, compared to nonusers. Electronic cigarettes heat the liquid within the cartridge at a level that permits the individual to inhale. The inhalation within the lungs leads to tooth decay, gum disease and even oral cancer. The studies included in this review revealed that e-cigarette users had a higher risk of periodontal disease, tooth loss, and bone loss. This is due to vapor leaving a residue behind on teeth, known …

The Effect Of Periodontal Therapy On Diabetic Patients, Amelia Cohen, Deidra Perreault, Riley Reardon

Dental Hygiene Student Research Posters

Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disease affecting the body’s ability to produce the hormone insulin. The comparison between diabetic patients who received periodontal therapy, as opposed to those who have not, is explored in this report. Factors such as clinical attachment loss, probing depths, and effectiveness of periodontal therapy are measured. Recognizing the study's limitations, we conclude that non-surgical periodontal treatment on diabetic patients with periodontitis is shown to be clinically significant.

Opioid Addiction And Its Effect On Oral Health, Nicholas Chamberlain-Nunes, Andalena Chancio, Annika Thomas

Dental Hygiene Student Research Posters

Opioid addiction in this nation is an extremely prevalent public health crisis. The same can be said about dental caries and other oral health conditions. Research shows that opioid addiction and dental caries have a strong correlation, even former opioid addicts are more likely to have caries. The studies reviewed for this paper include an Iranian study, one on the effects of use during pregnancy, a systematic review and the inequities among various marginalized groups. It is clear there are harmful effects of opioid abuse on our oral cavity. The hope is that in the future more research will be …

Periodontal Disease And Alzheimer’S Disease, Lexis Labonte, Jaycee Cole

Dental Hygiene Student Research Posters

There is a direct correlation between patients with periodontal disease and negative cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s disease. Research has proven that those who suffer from Alzheimer’s/dementia have a reduced dentition which negatively impacts masticatory function. With impaired masticatory function, it leads to poor nutrition which has a direct effect on cerebral stimulation and blood flow which worsens the effects of Alzheimer’s. The bacteria that is present during periodontitis, causes a spike in inflammatory cytokines. These cytokines invade the brain and trigger CNS inflammation which leads to cognitive decline.

Teledentistry In Dentistry, Jaycee Murray, Lauren Chestnut

Dental Hygiene Student Research Posters

Teledentistry is an online service that is utilized in many dental offices allowing for clinicians to virtually meet with patients using interactive tools and telecommunications. This method of care has been extremely beneficial to both the patient and clinician as it continues to become popular and more developed, it increases access to care for many populations by minimizing the cost of dental treatment and providing more convenient care options. Through teledentistry, problems that impact patients' access to care such as unequal access, lack of financial resources, and lack of practice availability are eliminated, allowing for different populations to receive consultation, …

Effect Of Xylitol Versus Sugar On Caries Risk, Alyssa Birmingham, Kailey Hart, Raissa Igihozo, Amanda Osmolski

Dental Hygiene Student Research Posters

The effect of xylitol versus sugar on caries risk is a rising trend in caries prevention. The dominant explanation for this trend is explained by xylitol’s ability to significantly decrease caries rates in recent studies. To answer the question, in adult patients, what is the effect of xylitol versus sugar on caries risk, we compared previous studies in a literature review. The limitations of these findings include the many intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence plaque accumulation that were not considered. Further research is needed to determine if xylitol alone has caries-prevention qualities.

Strategies To Improve Patient Compliance Regarding Smoking Cessation, Genevieve R. Benzinger, Lydia Burton

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Exposure to cigarette smoke in the oral cavity alters the function of key periodontal pathogens such as P. gingivalis, promoting biofilm formation, colonization, and infection. The purpose of this review is to investigate how improved education on smoking can decrease negative oral health risks. Education amongst healthcare professionals and their patients is positively correlated to smoking cessation.

Smoking counseling has been shown to be more effective when given by multiple healthcare professionals outside of and in addition to primary care. Evidence shows that the chances of breaking smoking habits increase as smoking cessation counseling, cost-free medications, and follow up visits …

Cancer Therapy And Oral Mucositis, Breanna E. Walker, Heidi Berczes

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Cancer therapy can cause various adverse effects on the oral cavity. The development of oral mucositis is one of the most common oral condition associated with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As dental professionals it is our duty to prevent and treat this condition in our patients. OM is very painful and has been known to decrease the quality of life in those with the condition. We have looked at studies evaluating the effectiveness of various agents in the prevention and treatment of OM. Our hope is to bring awareness to OM while educating providers on treatment options.

Impact Of Treating Maternal Periodontal Disease On The Risk Of Preterm Birth And Low Birth Weight: An Umbrella Review Of Systematic Reviews, May Salama, Abdullah Al-Taiar

College of Health Sciences Posters

Pregnancy involves complex physical and hormonal changes that significantly impact almost every organ system, including the oral cavity. The presence of oral disease in women has consequences for both their child and their health. The two main oral conditions linked to pregnancy are gingivitis and periodontal disease. Several studies have demonstrated that there is a positive association between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW). PTB and LBW are among the leading causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity. It has been hypothesized that periodontal disease may cause PTB and/or LBW either …

The Effects Of Celiac Disease On Oral Health In Children And Adults, Marissa Balducci, Katarina Jones

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Objectives: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by intolerance to dietary gluten in genetically predisposed subjects. To ensure affected patients receive optimal dental care, it is necessary for dental professionals to recognize the oral manifestations of celiac disease in both children and adults. Upon associating oral conditions with celiac disease, the dental provider should be able to present recommendations to the patient, contributing to an improvement in their oral health.

Methods: This review of the literature used PubMed to identify relevant professional research articles with publication after 2017. MesH terms utilized in the search process were …

How Effective Are Eco-Friendly Dental Hygiene Products In Preventing Carious Lesions And Improvement In Overall Oral Health, Mary Claryns Truz, Destiney Coles

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Objectives: The purpose of this review of literature is to measure the effectiveness, and future of eco-friendly¹ dental hygiene products in the dental field. As the manufacturing of products from food to technology increases over time, so does the sentiment for environmental practices. The numerous organizations that push for more sustainable initiatives in modern-day society continue to increase over time. The efforts for sustainable practices can be seen in the field of dentistry through dental hygiene products. These products range from compostable toothbrushes, waste-free toothpastes to organic floss advertised for use by the public. In reviewing the efficacy of …

Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste On Caries Prevention In Children, Samantha Richardson, Kelly Vaughan

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Are Hydroxyapatite Toothpastes The Answer To Fluoride Free Patients?

Richardson, Samantha 1 and Vaughan, Kelly 2

Dental Hygiene Program, Virginia Commonwealth University

Abstract:

Objectives/Aims: With the rising trend to become more clean with our ingredient lists, we are facing more patients refusing fluoride treatments and fluoridated toothpastes. This trend has been prevalent in our younger generations due to parents only wanting the purest natural ingredients for their children and now declining fluoride application. The goal of this literature is to find a safe alternative toothpaste that will be just as effective as fluoride.

Methods: This review of literature has been …

The Effects Of Clinical Depression On The Oral Health Of College Students, Delorias Perkins, Sarah Peng

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Objectives: Mental health among college students has become a recent concern due to the rising cases of depression. In addition to the stress factors a typical college student often faces, we now have the COVID-19 pandemic that further exacerbates this issue. One’s state of mind has a significant impact on not only their mindset but their body overall. If the body’s health is impacted by depression, then it will influence the immune system and bodily function, ultimately affecting the oral cavity as well. The purpose of this review of literature is to identify the relationship between clinically diagnosed depression and …

The Impact Of Oral Health On Low-Income Pregnant Women Living In The United States, Olivia Ward, Jill Jacobs Diss

College of Health Sciences Posters

Introduction: Oral health has a significant impact on pregnancy outcomes. Inter-professional collaboration can assist in bridging the gap between oral and systemic health and assist in optimizing the health of low-income pregnant women, infants, and children.

Methods: A literature review was used to ascertain the impact of oral health on adverse pregnancy outcomes. Research sources used in this literature review were gathered from the U.S. National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health, PubMed, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Elsevier, Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), the Office of the Surgeon General, and Google Scholars. …

Allied Dental Students' Dvi Learning Outcomes Following A Multimedia Module, Samantha Vest, Brenda Bradshaw, Marsha Voelker, Ann Bruhn, Tara L. Newcomb, Sinjini Sikdar

College of Health Sciences Posters

This pilot project assessed cognitive and affective learning outcomes of allied dental students following a disaster victim identification (DVI) multi-media learning module.

A convenience sample (n=41) of senior dental hygiene and dental assisting students from two institutions completed an IRB-exempt descriptive pretest/posttest study to assess cognitive and affective changes resulting from exposure to a multimedia DVI learning module of a PowerPoint presentation with audio/video recordings. After completing the learning module, participants were presented with 10 sets of mismatched antemortem (AM) and postmortem (PM) digital bitewing radiographs to test their cognitive ability to indicate identification matches. The pretest/posttest survey was a …

Pour Me Some Polyphenols, Sara Dupont, Sadie Garceau, Sydney Jones, Debra Chalmers

Dental Hygiene Student Research Posters

Polyphenols have a positive impact on the overall health of the oral cavity. They can be found in different drinks that are plant-based such as tea, coffee or products containing cocoa. They can be found in plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables. Polyphenols are able to reduce the cariogenic process is what makes them have such an importance in oral health. They play a role in systemic health. The studies provided evidence that polyphenols are able to reduce caries in individuals who are frequently consuming them.

Effects Of Vaping Nicotine Vs Traditional Cigarette Smoking On Periodontal Patients, Rachel Pion, Brianna Fontes, Megan Robert, Debra Chalmers

Dental Hygiene Student Research Posters

Vaping is becoming increasingly popular as an attempt to decrease traditional smoking. Chemicals found in cigarettes are known to be harmful to the periodontium. Nicotine, found in both inhalants, is a vasoconstrictor that causes a reduction in the inflammatory response. This leads to less bleeding and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) flow in those that smoke cigarettes versus those that vape. Due to e-cigarettes new prevalence, additional research is required to understand its long-term effects on periodontitis.

Stopping The Progression Of Periodontal Disease With Laser Therapy, Sarah Almukhtar, Autumn Baker, Joann Moulton

Dental Hygiene Student Research Posters

A thorough execution of bacteria is not necessarily achieved by non-surgical periodontal instrumentation alone, so it is likely that optimal healing may not take place. Numerous studies have reported on the uses of laser therapy in conjunction with nonsurgical instrumentation. In periodontal laser therapy, the fiber optic tip is placed at the top of the periodontal pocket to remove the diseased tissue that lines the pocket. This is done with a laser specific for dental hygiene such as; neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser (ND:YAG) laser. When reviewing the literature, it is evident that periodontal pocketing, inflammation, and bacteria cannot be …

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (Omt), Katelynn Perkins, Sophany Srey, Courtney E. Vannah

Dental Hygiene Student Research Posters

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by upper airway obstruction during sleep. This literature review aimed to determine if myofunctional therapy (MT) could be an effective treatment for OSA. The goal of MT is to induce changes in weak and dysfunctional upper airway muscles. The literature suggests that myofunctional therapy may reduce the symptoms of mild to moderate OSA.

Cranberry Extract’S Potential To Reduce Streptococcus Mutans, Eliza Estey, Baylee Flemming, Emma Graves, Julia Hamilton, Courtney E. Vannah

Dental Hygiene Student Research Posters

Streptococcus mutans is the most prominent cariogenic bacteria in the oral cavity due to strong adhesion properties. Reducing the leading cariogenic bacteria in dental caries is important for the longevity of natural teeth. The anti-adhesion effects from cranberry derivatives could be helpful in reducing the amount of S. mutans. This literature review aims to determine whether cranberry extract based mouth rinse is effective in reduction of the S. mutans bacterial load. Current evidence seems to indicate that cranberry derivatives in mouth rinses can effectively reduce numbers of this specific bacterium in the oral cavity. As a result, cranberry extracts …

Wash Your Hands... And Brush Your Teeth!, Michelle Desjardins, Sarah Desrochers, Emma Heyland, Joann Moulton

Dental Hygiene Student Research Posters

COVID-19 has become a novel pandemic increasing rapidly all over the world. Periodontal disease and COVID-19 share many of the same risk factors such as age, gender, and systemic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Although not many studies exist on periodontal disease (PD) and COVID-19 due to it being a new and emerging topic, many studies suggest key links between the two. Maintaining superior oral health is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent PD. Further research is needed to have concrete evidence between PD and COVID-19 due to COVID-19 being a new and emerging illness, while PD is …

Effects Of Polyphenols On Periodontitis, Scott Roberts, Noah Sawtelle, Emma Nelson, Marayah Hynes, Joann Moulton

Dental Hygiene Student Research Posters

Pharmacological agents have been used for centuries to treat or cure diseases. Foods, herbs, and extracts can produce similar pharmacological effects, one being polyphenols. This extract in particular exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. One cellular study stated the biofilm forming capacity and viability of periodontitis pathogens can be significantly altered by dietary polyphenols. Each year 2.8 million people in the United States are diagnosed with an antibiotic resistant bacterial or fungal pathogen. Due to the increasing occurrence of antibiotic resistance, importance of finding new molecules capable of expanding treatment modalities is fundamental in maintaining an acceptable standard of care.

Save The Bees, They Prevent Caries, Michaela Godzick, Jessica Meyer, Magnolia Nishan, Aleigh Toof, Debra Chalmers

Dental Hygiene Student Research Posters

Research poster investigating the question: Does the use of natural product based dental products containing propolis provide a decreased risk of caries compared to dental products that are not natural product based? Propolis is a product that is created from bees that is commonly found in a wide variety of natural dental products. Propolis has many beneficial effects; antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory. Dental caries are prominent in children worldwide. Propolis containing products were shown to be as effective in reducing plaque-biofilm as non-natural products.

Xylitol In Preventing Dental Caries, Nicholas Fields, Tu Bui

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Abstract

Problem: Dental caries is a common form of tooth infection among adults and children. The disease is easily transmissible, and therefore a great focus should be put on prevention to ensure healthy and proper oral hygiene for the population. Xylitol use has been proposed as one of the most effective preventive interventions against dental caries.

Methods: The literature review engaged different electronic databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library in evaluating the effectiveness of xylitol use in preventing dental caries in both children and adults. Articles used in the review were published between 2016 …

Can Botox Be The Cure For Tmj Associated Pain And Dysfunction?, Haley Headley, Bella Pollard

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Problem: Over 10 million Americans suffer from pain, headaches, and jaw dysfunction associated with temporomandibular joint disorders. Traditionally, when diagnosed, patients are given conservative treatment option recommendations such as an occlusal bite guard, stabilization splint, and over-the-counter pain medication, such as Ibuprofen. These conservative treatment options are meant for short term use. What is the long term answer to temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction? Surgical replacement of jaw joints with artificial implants has been considered; however, the effectiveness of this irreversible procedure is inconclusive and highly controversial. Botulinum toxin type A injections, or botox, offers an alternative treatment that …

The Effects Of Covid-19-Related Stressors On Bruxism And Temporomandibular Disorders, Hagir A. Saleh, Samantha Smith

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Problem: COVID-19 has proven to be a major public health emergency, with an array of physical and emotional complications. While COVID-19 has its own effects on the human body, anxiety induced by the pandemic has shown to take a toll on the human oral cavity by means of causing individuals to grind and clench their teeth due to anxiety/stress, potentially leading to temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain.

Methods: A thorough review of literature was conducted by consulting credible studies published on online databases such as PubMed, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, Google Scholar, and Academic Search Complete. The studies examined …

Marijuana Legislation: Identifying The Impact On The Oral Healthcare Provider, Abby L. Geiser, Jessica Reid-Burrell

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Objectives/Aims: Since the mid-2000s, the United States has seen a surge in legislation involving the legalization of marijuana, both recreationally and medicinally. The relaxed laws translated into an increase of marijuana consumption and thereby a potential increase in the number of patients a provider will see that are cannabis users. The purpose of this review is to illustrate how the providers begin to see pathologies related to cannabis use more frequently, and how they will need to be prepared for ways this can be addressed. Additionally, oral healthcare providers will face ethical dilemmas and legal challenges when treating patients and …

The Effect Of Competitive Swimming On Oral Health Status, Laura Apsley, Alexandra Walter

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Objectives/Aims: Competitive athletes are often considered to be susceptible to bodily injury. It is now being realized that competitive swimmers are also at risk, specifically in the unsuspected realm of the oral cavity. The purpose of our research is to examine the effect of competitive swimming on an athlete's oral health status.

Methods: Using sources found on Pubmed and Google Scholar, the data used for the correlation of swimming pools and generalized dental trauma are as follows: competitive swimmers and non- competitive swimmers were examined for specific variables such as decayed, missing, or restoratively involved teeth, plaque and gingival index, …

Lead X-Ray Vests: Pros And Cons In Dental Radiography And Patient Education On Radiographic Technology, Kayla D. Oakley, Emily Deker

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Problem: There is a greater need to emphasize and educate patients and providers about radiologic advancements and patient exposure. The tradition of placing lead x-ray vests on patients for all radiographs is no longer a necessity. Without the explanation of why lead aprons are no longer needed, unnecessary steps for the provider and potential harm to the patient could be caused.

Methods: This review of literature was assembled by analyzing data from primary and secondary sources through online databases. The most recent research on the risks and benefits of the use of lead x-ray vests towards patients in …

The Ethics Of Using A Live Patient For Dental Board Exams, Aaliyah Gibbs, Ashley Christ

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Objective: This study will discuss the various viewpoints regarding the ethics of using a live patient for board examination in dentistry. It will expand upon the inconsistency of the exam to include the compromised patient care, dishonorable delay in care needed so students can perform care during boards, the dignity of both the student and the patient that is paid to agree to be subject to such procedures, and the potential and irreversible harm caused to these patients. The research in this paper will explore various options for obtaining a license for clinical boards in dentistry and dental hygiene in …