Oral health & preventive dentistry最新文献

{"title":"Impact of Inhalation Sedation on Cardiovascular Haemodynamics in Hypertensive Patients Requiring Dental Treatment: A Clinical Observational Study.","authors":"Hassan Abed","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2753","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2753","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Several research studies reported the anxiolytic and analgesic properties of nitrous oxide sedation, as well as its effectiveness in facilitating dental procedures for anxious populations, specifically, dental patients with high blood pressure.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This clinical observational study aims to assess the impact of inhalation sedation using nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen on cardiovascular haemodynamics in hypertensive patients requiring dental treatment.</p><p><strong>Methods and materials: </strong>Adult dental patients with hypertension and dental anxiety who attended the dental clinic with acute dental pain were included in the study. Non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP/mmHg), heart rate (beats per min (bpm)), and oxygen saturation (SPO2%) were measured before, during, and after inhalation sedation. Participants' dental anxiety and need for conscious sedation were measured using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale and the Indicator of Sedation Need, respectively. Dental procedure characteristics and sedation details were also collected, such as procedure type and duration, number of visits, and nitrous oxide concentration.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant reductions in heart rate and blood pressure were observed during and after the procedure compared with baseline. Mean heart rate decreased from pre-sedation to intraprocedural and post-procedural phases, while blood pressure shifted from pre-hypertensive or hypertensive levels to normal in most participants during and after sedation. Respiratory rate remained stable, and oxygen saturation was maintained at optimal levels throughout all phases.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen was associated with reductions in heart rate and blood pressure in hypertensive patients undergoing dental treatment, while maintaining stable oxygen saturation. It was also associated with reduced dental anxiety and facilitation of dental procedures. These findings suggest a potentially beneficial role for inhalation sedation in this population; however, causal inferences are limited by the observational study design.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"473-479"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13312311/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148346000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association Between Ankylosing Spondylitis and Periodontitis: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Valentin Quemard, Zocko Ange Désiré Pockpa, Christian Verner, Assem Soueidan, Camille Bechina, Xavier Struillou","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2747","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2747","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This systematic review aimed to investigate a potential association between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and periodontitis (PD), two chronic inflammatory diseases.</p><p><strong>Methods and materials: </strong>Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, searches were conducted in PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science. Keywords included 'spondyloarthritis', 'ankylosing spondylitis', 'periodontal diseases', and 'periodontitis'. Study selection was performed by independent authors, and quality was assessed using Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) methodology and the STROBE-MR statement.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 255 initial studies, 18 eligible studies (3 cohort, 14 case-control, 1 Mendelian randomisation) were selected, all of acceptable to high quality. The prevalence of PD in AS patients showed conflicting results. Periodontal parameters like bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL) didn't consistently show statistically significant differences but were frequently correlated with AS parameters (eg, MASES, BASDAI, BASFI, CRP, AS duration). AS treatment with anti-TNF-α agents was associated with a decrease in PPD and CAL. Other findings included an increase in Gingival Index in AS patients treated with anti-TNF-α and mixed results for the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth Index. Microbiological studies showed inconsistent results for Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), but anti-Pg IgG levels correlated with AS parameters. PD appeared to significantly increase inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, CRP, ESR) in AS patients. Only one study investigated a genetic association, finding none.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A definitive conclusion regarding an increased prevalence of PD in AS patients cannot be drawn with certainty from this review, possibly due to heterogeneous classification criteria. However, the correlation between PD and AS parameters, alongside the impact of AS therapy on periodontal health, is noteworthy. Screening and treating periodontal disease in AS patients might delay symptom progression and reduce drug dosage, though targeted clinical trials are necessary to confirm these findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"461-472"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13311374/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148318359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of Salivary Stress Biomarkers in Patients with and without Periodontal Diseases: A Cross-sectional Study.","authors":"Rana Hameed Jabr, Omar Husham Ali","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2741","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2741","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the salivary concentrations of cortisol (Cort), chromogranin A (CgA), and alpha-amylase (sAA) in periodontally healthy individuals and individuals with periodontal disease, and to investigate their association with perceived psychological stress, as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The study included 400 participants aged ≥18 years (117 healthy participants, 140 with gingivitis, and 143 with periodontitis). Unstimulated salivary samples were collected from 90 participants systematically randomized from the 400 enrolled in this study. Subsequently, psychological stress was assessed using the PSS, and periodontal parameters were recorded. The ELISA test was used to measure salivary levels of Cort, CgA, and sAA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The means of salivary cortisol concentrations were 33.54 (± 3.77 ng/ml) in controls, 65.89 (± 16.41 ng/ml) and 47.06 (± 4.55 ng/ml) in the gingivitis and periodontitis groups, respectively. Mean CgA concentrations were 724.75 (± 90.70 pg/ml) in controls, 1133.47 (± 302.49 pg/ml) in gingivitis, and 1526.30 (± 433.81 pg/ml) in periodontitis. Additionally, the mean of sAA levels was 24.40 (± 6.91 ng/ml) in the control group, 31.44 (± 3.91 ng/ml) and 34.13 (± 5.64 ng/ml) in the gingivitis and periodontitis groups, respectively. PSS scores were considerably higher in individuals with periodontal disease than in healthy controls.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Salivary levels of Cort, CgA, and sAA were elevated in individuals with periodontal disease compared to healthy controls. These biomarkers may serve as supportive indicators in the assessment of periodontal disease. However, further studies are required to validate these findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"451-460"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13288478/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148302660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Awareness of Effective Communication Skills Among Paediatric Dentists in Turkey.","authors":"Murat Büyüksefil, Ülhak Çimen, Sera Şimşek Derelioğlu, Sait Sinan Atılgan, Feride Aktaş","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2680","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2680","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Effective communication with paediatric patients is one of the cornerstones of paediatric dentistry. Strong communication skills play a critical role in reducing dental anxiety, enhancing patient satisfaction, and facilitating the overall treatment process. This study aimed to assess the verbal and nonverbal communication skills of paediatric dentists working across Turkey and to explore variations based on demographic variables.</p><p><strong>Methods and materials: </strong>This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted through an online questionnaire completed by 331 actively practising paediatric dentists in Turkey. The questionnaire included items structured on a 5-point Likert scale designed to evaluate communication competencies. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean) were used to summarise the participants' responses, and comparative analyses were performed based on selected variables (eg, gender, years of professional experience, parenthood status). The Mann-Whitney U test was applied for comparisons between two groups when parametric test assumptions were not met. Furthermore, questionnaire items were grouped under specific sub-dimensions of communication and presented thematically. A significance level of P 0.05 was adopted.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, participants reported a high level of perceived self-efficacy regarding their communication skills. Communication scores of faculty members and private practitioners were significantly higher than those of research assistants (P 0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between years of clinical experience and communication competencies (P 0.01). Notably, younger clinicians scored lower in subdomains such as the use of 'I-messages' and democratic guidance.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>While the communication skills of paediatric dentists appear to be generally strong, younger clinicians may require further support in developing certain experience-based communication strategies. These findings highlight the need to integrate structured and practice-oriented communication training into both undergraduate and postgraduate dental education.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"443-449"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13280650/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148278321","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation of the Additional Use of a Single‑tufted Brush with a Standard Manual Toothbrush in Dental Students.","authors":"Ayça Muhterem, Beyza Kaymaz, Şeymanur Genbay, Bilge Cansu Uzun Saylan, Pembe Keskinoğlu, Aliye Akcalı","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2722","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2722","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Effective plaque control is essential for preventing and managing periodontal diseases. However, standard manual toothbrushing alone may be insufficient, especially in anatomically challenging areas. This study evaluated the adjunctive effect of a single-tufted brush on plaque and gingival indices when used with a standard manual toothbrush in periodontally healthy dental students.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this single-center, matched-pairs comparative study, 40 periodontally healthy dental students used a standard manual toothbrush alone on one side (control) of the mouth and a standard manual toothbrush plus a single-tufted brush on the contralateral side (experimental) for 2 weeks. Plaque and gingival indices were recorded at baseline and 2 weeks by a calibrated, blinded examiner. Data were analyzed using Friedman's ANOVA for repeated measures and Dunn's post-hoc test (α = 0.05).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both groups showed statistically significant reductions in plaque and gingival indices over time (p 0.001). Plaque index reduction did not differ statistically significantly between sides (p = 0.160), whereas gingival index reduction was statistically significantly greater on the experimental side (p 0.001). Furthermore, 82.5% of participants expressed willingness to continue using the single-tufted brush.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Adjunctive use of a single-tufted brush statistically significantly improved gingival health within a short period. It may be recommended as a practical supplementary oral hygiene aid, particularly for areas inadequately cleaned by standard manual toothbrushing alone.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"425-432"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13280786/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148278275","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Natural Agents for the Improvement of Gingival Health: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.","authors":"Frederic Meyer, Zubaida Selva Mohammed, James Deschner, Joachim Enax","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2697","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2697","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of natural ingredients used in toothpastes and gels in improving gingival health.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A comprehensive search strategy using different databases was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on the use of natural ingredients for improving gingival health. Included studies focussed on outcomes measuring gingival health parameters, such as gingival index (GI), or bleeding on probing (BoP). Out of 249 identified studies, 10 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Formulations included natural ingredients from plant extracts such as Aloe vera or Pudilan, and hydroxyapatite (as tooth-like calcium phosphate).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The meta-analysis demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in gingival health when natural ingredients were used compared to control toothpastes and gels (p=0.0051). These findings suggest that natural ingredients may offer comparable or superior efficacy to conventional oral care products in terms of gingival health. Notably, Aloe vera and hydroxyapatite consistently demonstrated clinical benefits.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Natural ingredients used in oral care products represent a promising strategy in gingivitis prevention and management. Their use in toothpastes and gels may therefore provide clinicians and patients with evidence-based, well-tolerated alternatives or adjuncts to conventional formulations for maintaining and improving gingival health.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"417-423"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13280788/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148278265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global Trends in Incidence of Caries in Permanent Teeth of the Elderly Aged Over 55 Years, 1990-2021: A Multilevel Analysis Using GBD Data.","authors":"Siman Sun, Xin Li, Yupei Lai, Anqi Yang, Chu Xu, Zilong Deng","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2719","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2719","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To examine global, regional, and national trends in the incidence of permanent tooth caries among adults aged ≥ 55 years from 1990 to 2021 and to evaluate disparities across sociodemographic contexts.</p><p><strong>Methods and materials: </strong>Incidence data were obtained from the Global Burden of Diseases 2021 study covering 204 countries and territories. Incidence rates and incident case numbers were analysed at global, regional, and national levels. Temporal trends were assessed using Joinpoint regression to calculate annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Globally, the number of caries cases in the elderly increased from 121.54 million in 1990 to 260.18 million in 2021, with a relative change of 114%, while the incidence rate slightly decreased from 18.1% in 1990 to 17.5% in 2021. However, there were differences in trends among different age groups, genders, and regions. The 55-59-year-old group had the highest incident rate. Low-to-middle Socio-demographic Index (SDI) areas had a consistently high incidence. The number of cases increased in all Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study regions. Joinpoint analysis identified significant temporal change points in multiple regions, indicating divergent epidemiological trajectories.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Permanent tooth caries among adults aged ≥ 55 years continues to represent a significant public health challenge. Although some high-income settings show stabilising trends, increasing incidence in socioeconomically transitioning regions highlights inequalities in preventive coverage and access to care. Targeted, age-specific preventive strategies are essential to address the growing needs of ageing populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"433-442"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13280787/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148278258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Reciprocal Risk Relationship of Dental Caries with NAFLD and Liver Fibrosis: Combined Evidence from the NHANES Study and Mendelian Randomization Analysis.","authors":"LiLi Xu, Xiaoyu Wang, Xiaofan Meng, Wenhui Wang, Honglin Liu, Hong Xiao, Chuanhua Zhang","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2714","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2714","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To explore the relationship between dental caries and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its advanced stage of liver fibrosis, and to confirm causality by employing a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis to confirm causality.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>6650 participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2017-2020 were included. Two multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between untreated dental caries (UDC) and liver conditions of NAFLD and fibrosis, with adjustments for demographics, lifestyle, and medical history. Furthermore, two-sample MR was performed with caries as exposure and NAFLD with NAFLD-related conditions as outcome, and vice versa for bidirectional causality validation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In observational research, UDC was notably associated with NAFLD (OR [odds ratio]: 1.40, 95% CI [confidence interval]: 1.06-1.86) and significant fibrosis (SF) (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.03-1.62). NAFLD and SF were statistically significantly associated with UDC (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.08-1.83; OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.26-2.08). In the MR analysis, caries posed a statistically non-significant risk for liver conditions. In contrast, liver conditions non-significantly protected against caries (NAFLD: OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98-1.01; fibrosis: OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.99-1.00; cirrhosis: OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.99-1.00; fibrosis/cirrhosis: OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.98-1.02).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Observational studies suggested a statistically significant association between UDC and liver conditions of NAFLD and fibrosis. However, MR suggested a statistically non-significant causal relationship between caries and liver conditions; in contrast, liver conditions had a non-significant protective effect on caries.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"405-415"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13273965/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148265392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrative Analysis of Triphala's Therapeutic Mechanisms in Periodontitis: Network Pharmacology-guided Investigation with Experimental Validation in Cellular and Animal Models.","authors":"Yiwei Zhao, Simin Li, Deborah Kreher, Rainer Haak, Andreas Fichter, Gerhard Schmalz","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2572","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2572","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Purpose: &lt;/strong&gt;Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterised by progressive destruction of periodontal tissues and alveolar bone resorption. Triphala (TRP), a traditional Ayurvedic formulation comprising equal proportions of Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, and Phyllanthus emblica, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying TRP's therapeutic effects on periodontitis through an integrated approach combining network pharmacology with experimental validation, focusing on the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods and materials: &lt;/strong&gt;Network pharmacology analysis was performed using TCMSP and TCM databases to identify active compounds and potential targets of TRP. The intersection between TRP targets and periodontitis-related genes was analysed. In vitro studies utilised lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDLFs) treated with various concentrations of TRP (5-40 μg/ml). Cell viability (CCK-8), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (flow cytometry), and expression of hub genes, oxidative stress markers, and PI3K/AKT pathway components were assessed via Western blotting and qPCR. Functional rescue experiments using PI3K activator (740Y-P) and inhibitor (LY294002) were conducted. In vivo validation employed a ligature-induced periodontitis rat model with TRP irrigation treatment, evaluated through micro-CT, histological staining (H&E and TRAP), and molecular analyses.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;Network pharmacology identified 129 potential targets of TRP for treating periodontitis, with PI3K/AKT emerging as a key signalling pathway. The top 10 hub genes included JUN, TP53, MYC, EGFR, and AKT1. TRP (20 μg/ml) significantly restored LPS-induced cell viability reduction (P 0.01) and decreased ROS levels (P 0.01). TRP downregulated the expression of hub genes (P53, MYC, EGFR, AKT1) and oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT, Nrf2, HO-1) elevated by LPS (P 0.01). Mechanistically, TRP suppressed PI3K/AKT pathway activation, reducing phosphorylated PI3K, AKT1, and AKT2 levels while upregulating PTEN expression (P 0.01). These effects were reversed by the PI3K activator and enhanced by the PI3K inhibitor. TRP treatment significantly decreased inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and MMP8 secretion (P 0.01). In vivo, TRP irrigation reduced alveolar bone loss (decreased ABC-CEJ distance, increased BV/TV ratio, P 0.05), decreased RANKL/OPG ratio (2.3 ± 0.242 vs 8.481 ± 1.56 in model group, P 0.05), reduced osteoclast numbers (P 0.05), and attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration in periodontal tissues.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;This study demonstrates that TRP exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects on LPS-induced periodontal inflammation through inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. The integration of network pharmacology with comprehensive experim","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"375-394"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13217290/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148043056","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parental Perceptions and Concerns Regarding Infection Control in a Pediatric Dental Setting Post Covid-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Basim Almulhim","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2693","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2693","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To evaluate parental perceptions and concerns regarding post-COVID-19 pediatric dental infection control measures in Saudi Arabia.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This study applied a questionnaire-based cross-sectional analysis. The questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics and six closed-ended questions. The resultant data were entered and analyzed utilizing SPSS software. Descriptive analysis utilizing frequency and percentage was conducted for qualitative data, and a chi-squared test was performed. A p-value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 400 responses were available for the final analysis. The majority of the parental participants (43.2%) were 30 to 39 years old; 51.2% of the study population were male, and the remaining 48.8% of participants were female. The majority of parents felt that wearing gloves (97.8%; 95% CI = 96.3, 99.2), a dental mask (98%; 95% CI = 96.6, 99.4), and protective eyewear (89.5%; 95% CI = 86.5, 92.5) while treating their child was essential. The majority of parents considered it necessary to change masks (76.3%; 95% CI = 72.1, 80.4) and clean eyewear (79.0%; 95% CI = 75.0, 83.0) after treating every patient. Almost 50.5% (95% CI = 45.6, 55.4) of parents expressed no concern about contracting an infection at a pediatric dentist's office. A significant difference was noted among several questions based on gender and levels of education.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The majority of parents reported positive perceptions, and there was an absence of concern regarding the risk of infection during dental visits. However, to guarantee compliance with infection control protocols in pediatric dental settings, additional efforts are required to provide parents with precise information and a comprehensive understanding of the relevant guidelines.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"367-373"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13218206/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148043027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}