Dental Hygiene Commons^™

Does Periodontal Treatment During Pregnancy Reduce The Incidence Of Preterm Birth Rates?: A Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Ashraf Elzer, Raga A. Elzahaf, Hameda Asrafel, Khalid Sassi, Mohamed Jedeh

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objective: To find out if scaling and root planing for periodontal disease during pregnancy lowers the incidence of preterm births. Methods: This is a meta-analysis study design; searches were conducted in the PubMed database and on Google Scholar between January 2000 and December 2023. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were considered. The studies will be examined to determine the relationship between non-surgical periodontal treatment and preterm birth rates among pregnant women. Results: Only 14 trials were included out of 194 articles identified. The overall result indicated a statistically significant reduction in preterm birth rate when we use the random …

Assessing Oral Cancer Screenings Provided By Dental Hygienists, Nora N/A Basheer Megerdichian

Dental Hygiene ETDs

Oral cancer remains a significant public health concern, with a five-year survival rate of approximately 50% due to late-stage diagnoses. Dental hygienists play a crucial role in the early screening of oral cancer through routine intraoral and extraoral examinations. This study evaluates the effectiveness of oral cancer screenings conducted by dental hygienists in referring for further evaluation and their overall perception of the importance and frequencies of these examinations. A survey was distributed through the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) to practicing dental hygienists across the United States, gathering data on screening frequency, referral patterns, perceived importance, and challenges faced …

Achieving Periodontal Disease Stabilization: Assessing The Impact Of Laser Therapy In Scaling And Root Planing And Periodontal Maintenance Visits, Cassandra Charlotte Cooper

Dental Hygiene ETDs

Purpose: This study examined the effectiveness of laser utilization in stabilizing periodontal disease over a one-year period. This research focused on the results following scaling and root planing with adjunctive laser-assisted periodontal therapy and laser bacterial reduction at subsequent periodontal maintenance visits. While short-term advantages are documented in the literature, research on sustained effectiveness is limited. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 30 adult patients who received the above treatment was conducted. Periodontal charting was recorded at three visits over one year. Data was collected and analyzed utilizing Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to determine statistical significance of periodontal …

Enhancing Periodontal Therapy With Non-Invasive Adjunctive Techniques A Comparative Literature Review, Stockton Stohl, Kamran H. Awan

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Dysbiosis Of The Oral Microbiome And Pathophysiology Of Pregnancy Complications, Jiselle Cornejo, Claudia M. Tellez Freitas

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

The Efficacy And Applications Of Stannous Fluoride In Dentifrices For Oral Health Care, Roger Xu, Kamran Awan

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Drug Addiction On Oral Health: Unveiling The Link Between Substance Abuse, Rahi [email protected], Kamran Awan

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Efficacy Of Biodegradable Natural Fibers Infused Toothbrushes In Plaque Control And Gingival Health: A Double Blind Randomized Control Clinical Trial, Shazneen Kandawalla

Annual Research Symposium

Title: Efficacy of Biodegradable Natural fibers-Infused Toothbrushes in Plaque Control and Gingival Health: A Comparative Study

Background: Plaque removal is crucial for preventing gingivitis and periodontitis. Biodegradable toothbrushes, infused with natural substances like charcoal and neem, provide an eco-friendly alternative to conventional nylon brushes. Charcoal offers antibacterial properties, while neem provides antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the antiplaque and anti-inflammatory effects of charcoal-infused and neem-infused toothbrushes with conventional toothbrushes.

Methods: This double-blind randomized controlled trial included 33 systemically healthy individuals diagnosed with gingivitis. Baseline plaque scores were set to zero through professional scaling. Subjects were randomly …

Oral Health-Related Quality Of Life: A Cross-Sectional Comparison Between Dental And Non-Dental Students At Newgiza University, Fayrouz Sayed Saber, Mohamed Sabry, Alaa Nawar, Mayar El Weik

Future Dental Journal

Introduction: Evaluating oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among Egyptian dental students can broaden the traditional focus on dental criteria to include social, emotional, and functional aspects. This perspective shift is vital as background knowledge influences both perceptions and behaviors regarding oral health. Comparing OHRQoL between dental and non-dental students is crucial for understanding these differences.

Aim: This study aims to compare the oral health related quality of life and oral hygiene measures between a group of dental and non-dental students at Newgiza University.

Methods: During the Oral Health Day at Newgiza University, the short form of the Oral …

"Dental Health For Mental Wealth": A Comprehensive Analysis Of The Underexplored Impact Of Oral Health And Behaviors On Neurobiology And Psychological Well-Being, Brooke C. Beck

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This thesis explores the link between oral health and psychological state, specifically, the effect of oral health on psychological state and how appropriate oral health impacts this relationship. A review of the literature was conducted and studies interpreted within the scope of oral health’s impact on psychological health and detailing some of the pathways proposed for such a link. The literature search was limited to the English language from well-known databases mainly from 2015 to 2025. A few outliers are present to include foundational information.

The effects of oral disease and oral self-care behaviors were dissected through a biochemical perspective, …

Match Accuracy Of Burned Teeth: A Pilot Study Of Allied Dental Professionals, Brenda T. Bradshaw, Marsha A. Voelker, Samantha C. Vest, Sinjini Sikdar

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess allied dental professionals' match accuracy of burned teeth; a skill required by disaster victim identification (DVI) team members.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used a convenience sample of registered dental hygienists (RDH) (n=15) and dental assistants (DA) (n=15) to assess their match accuracy of burned teeth with simulated antemortem (AM) and postmortem (PM) images. Fifteen human teeth were heated at 400°C for 15 minutes. Prior to and following heat alteration, each tooth was photographed and radiographed. Images were presented to participants in randomized order, and they were instructed to correctly match …

Improving Dental Hygiene Students' Knowledge, Attitudes, And Confidence Toward Prenatal Oral Health Through Experiential Learning, Denise C. Mckinney, Sinjini Sikdar, Shillpa Naavaal

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose Maintaining optimal oral health is essential for maternal health as well as the health of their child. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine dental hygiene (DH) students' knowledge of prenatal oral health before and after receiving an asynchronous prenatal oral health care training (POHCT), and their attitudes and self-perceived confidence before and after receiving an experiential learning opportunity with a pregnant and/or post-partum client at a Women's Infants and Children nutrition program (WIC) clinic.

Methods A one-group pre/post-test design was used. This IRB-approved study (#2027439-4) utilized a convenience sample of DH student participants (n=37) in their …

Prevalence Of Sexuality Implicit Bias In Entry-Level Dental Hygiene Students, Monica Drew, Emily Ludwig, Jessica Suedbeck, Adaira Howell

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose Bias and discrimination may create barriers and affect the delivery of culturally competent care to sexual minorities. An awareness of biases early in education may promote more equitable oral health care delivery to diverse populations. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of sexuality-implicit attitudes in entry-level dental hygiene students at one university.

Methods This cross-sectional survey study included a convenience sample of dental hygiene students from one university (n=74). The Implicit Associations Test (IAT), a validated tool for measuring implicit bias, was modified for use in dentistry with permission from Project Implicit(®) The IAT requires …

Use Of Clinical Competency Examinations For Dental Hygiene Licensure, Jocelyn D. Weinhagen, Tara L. Newcomb, Brenda T. Bradshaw

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Dental hygiene licensure with a clinical competency examination (CCE) using a live patient has been required by state licensing boards since 1929. Clinical competency examinations were initially used when dental training was poorly developed, non-standardized, and largely based on the apprenticeship model. Currently, Canada and the state of California have removed the requirement of passing a CCE for dental hygiene licensure, provided certain requirements have been met. Dentistry is the last health care profession to mandate that graduates pass a CCE. The vast majority of dental licensing boards continue to require that third party testing agencies validate the clinical skills …

The Impact Of Smoking Cessation On Clinical Outcomes Of Stage I/Stage Ii, Grade A/Grade B Periodontitis Patients In Periodontal Maintenance Phase: A 2-Year Longitudinal Study, Santosh R Patil, Shikhar Daniel, Aysha Jebin A

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of smoking cessation interventions on periodontal outcomes in individuals who have successfully abstained from smoking for a minimum of six months following non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Methods: A total of 122 participants, based on inclusion & exclusion criteria, were divided into a smoking cessation group (n=61) and a control group (n=61). Demographic characteristics, smoking history, and baseline oral health parameters were assessed in these patients. Over a 2-year follow-up period, changes in probing depth and alveolar bone loss were measured, statistically analysis were performed using SPSS software.

Results …

Subgingival Microbiomes Of Healthy And Periodontitis Subjects, Tareq Abdulrasoul

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease triggered by the dysbiosis of the subgingival microbiome. 16s rRNA sequencing has been used to profile the subgingival plaque samples in healthy and periodontitis subjects. Here, we have collected subgingival plaque samples from subjects and analyzed the microbiome profile from 16s rRNA sequencing. We hypothesized that periodontitis patients will have a different subgingival microbiome profile than that of healthy subjects.

Methods: Subgingival plaque samples were collected from periodontitis and healthy subjects who were indicated for periodontal surgeries (osseous resective and regenerative surgery for periodontitis patients or crown lengthening for healthy …

Examining Low-Income Caregivers' Knowledge And Comprehension Of The Dental Caries Process, Melissa Sullivan, Denise C. Mckinney, Deanne Shuman, Qi Zhang

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose Dental caries among young children remains a public health concern in the United States (US). Children of caregivers with low oral health literacy (OHL) tend to have greater unmet dental needs and poorer oral health status. The purpose of this study was to examine the understanding of pediatric dental terms associated with the dental caries process among low-income caregivers.

Methods This study included 14 caregivers with children enrolled in a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in the Southeastern US. Through structured phone interviews, the validated Oral Health Literacy Inventory for Parents (OH-LIP) was used …

Dental Hygiene Program Feasibility In Kailua Kona, Hawaii, William Li, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Establishing a dental hygiene program in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, could address critical gaps in local healthcare but requires careful consideration of its feasibility given the significant costs involved. This literature review assesses existing studies to understand the potential for success, focusing on effective recruitment and retention strategies that have been implemented in other rural and underserved regions. Findings reveal that communities worldwide face similar challenges in attracting healthcare providers to remote areas, with successful programs often integrating mandatory externships to encourage healthcare workers to experience and engage with underserved communities. Given Hawaii’s diverse ethnic makeup, insights from cross-cultural and global …

Dental Hygiene Programs’ Use Of Oral Health Literacy Techniques For Special Needs Patients And Caregivers, Socorro D. Tejeda Diaz

Dental Hygiene ETDs

This study examined oral health literacy communication techniques in dental hygiene programs across the U.S. for special needs patients and their caregivers. The study surveyed 46 U.S. dental hygiene program directors on communication techniques, degrees offered, and subject areas. Two-sample t-tests compared differences in communication techniques between AAS and BAS and subject areas. Most respondents routinely employed printed materials with 2 or 3 concepts, speak slowly, and simple language. When comparing the variances in communication techniques offered in AAS and BAS, we observed a t-statistic of 2.06 with a corresponding p-value of 0.54. This suggests that the mean communication techniques …

Transforming Care: Elevating Oral Hygiene Compliance To Combat Nosocomial Aspiration Pneumonia In Adult Oncology Patients, Karina Larrea

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective Aspiration pneumonia is a preventable, yet common complication in oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy, steered by suboptimal compliance with oral hygiene protocols and elevated susceptibility due to mucosal barrier injuries. Despite its major impact on healthcare costs and morbidity, compliance with evidence-based practices remains inadequate. Aim This project aimed to decrease nosocomial aspiration pneumonia rates from 1.5% to 1.3% by enhancing oral hygiene compliance from 41% to 70% over a 12-week period. Methods Proposed interventions included implementing paired oral hygiene order sets into electronic medical records, once-per-shift cues, staggered patient education sessions, and staff education on standardized protocols. Pre-intervention data …