Oral health & preventive dentistry最新文献

{"title":"Impact of Perioperative Oral Care on the Length of Hospital Stay in Cardiovascular Surgery Patients.","authors":"Hiroshi Ishibashi, Yoshiharu Enomoto, Satoshi Fukuzawa, Keiji Tabuchi, Yasuyuki Suzuki, Toru Yanagawa","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2585","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2585","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study compared pre- and postoperative interventions on perioperative oral function management during cardiovascular surgery to clarify their effects on patient outcomes.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>243 consecutive patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery at a single-center facility between January 2018 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Fever of 38°C or higher was analyzed by univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses, and the length of hospital stay was analyzed using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patients who received preoperative oral function management were more likely to have a fever than those who received postoperative management. The log-rank test showed a shorter length of hospital stay by 5 days for the preoperative oral function management group; however, the length of hospital stay was not statistically significantly different between the group that underwent postoperative oral function management and the group that did not.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Preoperative oral management is important to reduce the length of hospital stay after cardiovascular surgery.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"269-276"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13074603/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147675649","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":"Evaluating Knowledge and Practice Related to Light-Curing and Resin-Based Composites Polymerization.","authors":"Afnan O Al-Zain, Haidar Alhaddad, Rozana A Al-Bukhary, Dalia E Meisha","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2629","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2629","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Delivering high-quality restorative care requires clinicians to possess a solid understanding of light-curing units (LCUs) and resin-based composite (RBC) polymerisation. Despite growing research highlighting knowledge gaps among dental professionals, a disconnect remains between evidence-based recommendations and clinical implementation. This study assessed knowledge gaps and clinical practices related to LCUs and RBC polymerisation among dental students, general dentists, specialists and consultants in Saudi Arabia.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A validated, electronic questionnaire collected data on demographics, LCU and RBC selection criteria, knowledge of polymerisation, and related clinical practices.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 291 respondents, 63.9% of participants were unaware of their LCU irradiance, and 52.6% were not aware of the emission spectrum. Related clinical practices, maintenance routines, and infection control were suboptimal, with only 7.9% performed daily irradiance checks and 38.5% lacking a defined maintenance routine. Specialists demonstrated better knowledge than students and general dentists (P 0.05), yet knowledge gaps persisted across all groups. Notably, 81% of respondents expressed interest in continuing education on LCUs.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Significant deficiencies in LCU selection, photoinitiator compatibility awareness, and maintenance practices were identified across all practitioner categories. Integrating competency-based education and standardised protocols is essential to improve polymerisation quality, ensure long-term restorative success, and safeguard patient care.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"253-268"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13077327/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147675630","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":"Impact of Bristle Hardness of Manual Toothbrushes on the Cleaning Efficacy of Teeth with Fixed Orthodontic Appliances.","authors":"Damian Wüthrich, Andrea Gubler, Thomas Attin, Florian J Wegehaupt","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2638","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2638","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To evaluate the influence of bristle hardness (soft or medium) and simulated aging of manual toothbrushes on the cleaning efficacy in teeth with fixed orthodontic appliances.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Brackets were attached to black resin teeth coated with a layer of titanium dioxide and brushed using a soft and medium toothbrush. Two different brushing motions, horizontal and circular, were tested. After every brushing session, the percentage of cleaned areas was measured to evaluate the cleaning performance. Brushing with the respective toothbrushes on a 3D-printed typodont with brackets and wire was performed to simulate the aging of the brush. Cleaning performance was reassessed after simulated periods of two, four and six months. Statistical analysis was performed at baseline and after six months of simulated use, using beta regression and pairwise comparisons.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Toothbrushes with softer bristles consistently cleaned more effectively than harder ones, regardless of brushing motion (p 0.0001, respectively). At all timepoints, horizontal brushing was also more effective than circular brushing. The cleaning performance for all bristle types and brushing motions improved over the test period.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Softer bristles consistently outperformed harder ones, indicating potential benefits for patients with orthodontic appliances. While horizontal brushing was more effective than circular motions, the direct application to clinical settings is limited due to the complexity of in-vivo toothbrush wear and individual brushing habits. Nonetheless, the choice of softer bristles and horizontal brushing techniques may increase the cleaning efficacy on orthodontic appliances.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"277-283"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13074604/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147675612","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":"Efficacy of Conservative Approaches on the Physio-Mechanical Properties of Caries Lesions Remineralized with Silver Diamine Fluoride.","authors":"Sarah S Al-Angari, Ali Alrahlah","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2505","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2505","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a proven caries-arresting agent, but its clinical acceptance is limited by the black staining of treated lesions. This purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of potassium iodide (KI), bleaching, microabrasion, and their combinations on the average surface roughness (Ra) and shear bond strength (SBS) of SDF-stained remineralized caries-like lesions (s-RCLs).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Human enamel slabs were demineralized and randomized into six groups (n = 17): G1, no treatment; G2, treated with 38% SDF to create s-RCLs; G3, s-RCLs+KI; G4, s-RCLs+KI+bleaching; G5, s-RCLs+KI+microabrasion, and G6, s-RCLs+KI+microabrasion+bleaching. Ra and SBS were measured and analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Demineralization statistically significantly increased Ra (p ≤ 0.003). Post-treatment, G5 exhibited the highest Ra (p 0.001) and SBS (p ≤ 0.010), while G4 had the lowest SBS (p ≤ 0.018). G6 demonstrated Ra comparable to control groups and an average SBS, indicating a favorable balance between surface smoothness and bonding.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings suggest that the combined use of KI, microabrasion, and bleaching achieved the least statistically significant Ra while maintaining an average SBS, providing superior functional outcomes compared with bleaching or microabrasion alone, making it a promising conservative approach for managing SDF-treated lesions.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"245-252"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13034779/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147575071","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":"Associations Between Comorbidities, Medication Use and Dental Outcomes in Clinical Practice in Hail Dental Centre in Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study.","authors":"Abdulmajeed O Alotaibi, Fahad Bakitian, Hatem D Alshammari, Abdullah Alqhtani, Mohamed Omar Elboraey, Mostafa I Fayad, Ali Ghareeb Altamimi, Feras Mohammed Bokhamsin","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2615","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2615","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Patients with medical conditions present unique challenges in dental practice, requiring modifications to treatment protocols and heightened awareness of potential complications. Understanding the prevalence and patterns of medical conditions and medication use among dental patients is crucial for providing safe and effective care.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To examine the prevalence and patterns of medical conditions and medication use among dental patients, and to explore possible links between medical conditions and dental health outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods and materials: </strong>This retrospective study was conducted on 383 dental patients in Hail, Saudi Arabia. Demographic information, medical history, medication profiles, and dental health parameters were analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to characterise the sample and associations between medical conditions, medications, and dental health outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of patients was 51.5 years (SD = 16.5), with a female predominance (65%). The prevalence of diabetes was 53.5%, hypertension 49.6%, and hypothyroidism 23.0%. Polypharmacy (≥ 5 medications) occurred in 8.4% of patients. Commonly used medications included antihypertensives, antidiabetics, and analgesics. The mean number of active dental caries was 1.37 per patient. Significant associations were observed between diabetes and the number of active caries, and hypertension was associated with increased dental pain.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings highlight the high prevalence of medical conditions and medication use among dental patients, emphasising the importance of comprehensive medical history assessment in dental practice. Understanding these patterns can inform treatment planning, risk assessment, and preventive strategies for medically compromised dental patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"233-243"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13015271/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147513709","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":"In Vitro Study to Evaluate the Antibacterial Effect of an Oxidising Agent on Ex Vivo Biofilm.","authors":"Denise Zschach, Franca Neujahr, Paula Auschill, Anton Sculean, Christian Heumann, Nicole B Arweiler","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2582","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2582","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To evaluate the antibacterial effect of a mouthrinse and a fluid, both containing an oxidising agent, compared with saline (negative control) and chlorhexidine (0.2%, positive control), after application to 24-hour-old biofilms.</p><p><strong>Methods and materials: </strong>After 24 participants had refrained from all oral hygiene measures for a period of 24 h, a voluminous biofilm sample was taken from the buccal sites of molars, smeared on a microscope slide and divided into four parts. The four samples were each coated with 5 µl of a mouth rinse solution (BMmr, blueM mouth rinsing solution, NL), a fluid (BMfl, blueM oxygen fluid, NL), chlorhexidine 0.2% (CHX) and NaCl. After 1 min, excess liquid was suctioned off, and biofilms were stained with vital fluorescent dyes for 2 min. The stained samples were covered with a cover slip, and four pictures per sample were recorded with a digital camera under the fluorescence microscope. A special image analysis program used the red and green pixels to calculate the percentage of metabolically active bacteria in the entire biofilm sample (dental biofilm vitality, VF%).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both BMmr and BMfl reduced VF to 18.46 ± 9.59% and 19.53 ± 12.17% significantly (P 0.001) compared to NaCl, with values of 59.88 ± 10.14%. CHX revealed values of 14.35 ± 6.56%, values that were not significantly lower (P 0.001) than the other active solutions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Both BMmr and BMfl demonstrated a statistically significant antibacterial effect compared to NaCl and showed a similar effect to CHX. However, clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of both products containing oxidising agents when used as oral rinses.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"227-231"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13015266/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147513704","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":"Effect of Video-Assisted Reflective Practice on Infection Control Performance During Oral Hygiene Procedures Performed by Dental Hygienists.","authors":"Myoung-Hee Kim, Young Sun Hwang","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2491","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2491","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The dental clinic environment is highly vulnerable to cross-infection from patients' blood and oral fluids. Regular training is vital to prevent cross-contamination between healthcare providers and patients. This study evaluated the effectiveness of video-assisted reflective practice compared to traditional verbal Instruction for infection-control education.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Dental hygienists participated in the study, during which their dental calculus removal procedures were video-recorded. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the verbal instruction group received conventional training on infection control, while the video-assisted reflective practice group reviewed video recordings of their own clinical performance with guidance from a researcher. Following the educational intervention, all participants repeated the calculus removal procedure, and this session was also recorded. The effectiveness of each instructional method was assessed by analyzing the number of non-clinical surface contacts during dental hygiene procedures in the video recordings, both before and after the intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Video analysis revealed that both verbal instruction and video-assisted reflective practice effectively reduced non-clinical surface contact during dental hygiene procedures. However, the reduction was statistically significantly greater in the video-assisted reflective practice group. Notably, the dental unit chair and the clinician's knee, identified as the most frequent contact sites, showed statistically significantly greater reductions in contact frequency in this group compared to the verbal instruction group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrates that video-assisted reflective practice, which allows clinicians to reflect on their own behavior, is effective for infection control training. When combined with verbal instruction, it may further enhance dental hygienists' self-directed competence.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"219-225"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12994231/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147474847","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":"Burden of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Among Pediatric Cancer Patients: Evidence from Saudi Arabia.","authors":"Shaikha Aldukhail, Hadeel Jiffry, Aseel Salem, Fotoon AlOtaibi, Hazar AlHarbi","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2571","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2571","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is a critical dimension of well-being, particularly for pediatric cancer patients. Because limited evidence is available from Saudi Arabia regarding OHRQoL in this vulnerable population, this study aimed to assess and explore the factors influencing OHRQoL among pediatric cancer patients and survivors in Saudi Arabia using the OHIP-14 questionnaire, and to describe self-reported oral health practices, access to dental care, and related behaviors in this population.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 pediatric cancer patients (aged 1-12 years) at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, between February and April 2024. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that captured sociodemographic characteristics, oral health practices, access to dental care, and responses to the validated OHIP-14 scale. Each OHIP-14 item was rated on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating poorer OHRQoL. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, including chi-squared tests, were performed, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Leukemia and related hematologic malignancies were most common (42%), followed by lymphomas (12%). Chemotherapy alone was the predominant treatment (44%). Over half of participants (52%) had OHIP-14 scores ≥3, indicating poor OHRQoL, most notably in the physical pain (74%) and physical disability (52%) domains. The most frequent severe impacts were 'pain in the mouth' (25%), 'difficulty eating' (23%), and 'interrupted meals' (21%). Half of the patients (50%) had not visited a dentist within the past year, and 30% reported not brushing daily. Chi-squared analyses revealed statistically significant associations between access to dental care and several sociodemographic and clinical factors (p 0.001 for household size, parental education, job, cancer diagnosis, and treatment). Similarly, high OHIP-14 scores were statistically significantly related to age, parental education, and cancer- and treatment-related variables.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Pediatric cancer patients in this study demonstrated considerable OHRQoL impairments, particularly in relation to pain and functional limitations. The findings underscore the importance of integrating routine oral health assessment and supportive dental care into pediatric oncology services in Saudi Arabia.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"211-218"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12989757/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147444615","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":"Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Effects of Herbal Extract-Enriched Artificial Saliva: In-Vitro Biocompatibility and Cell Culture Studies.","authors":"Hülya Erten Can, Asli Silkü Oflioğlu, Nasibe Aycan Yilmaz, Kadriye Merve Altikat, Rukiye Yavaşer Boncooğlu, Gamze Tuna, Göksu Derinsu","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2552","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2552","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The antioxidant activity of the artificial saliva formulations was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Quantitative results are presented in Fig 11. Formulations containing plant extracts demonstrated statistically significantly higher radical scavenging activity compared with extract-free control formulations (p 0.05). Among the tested extracts, formulations containing Olea europaea and Hypericum perforatum exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. A dose-dependent increase in radical scavenging activity was observed with increasing formulation volume. Fig 11 DPPH radical scavenging activity of artificial saliva formulations containing different plant extracts. Data are presented as percentage inhibition, with extract-free formulations serving as controls. A dose-dependent increase in antioxidant activity was observed.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"201-209"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12981309/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147434706","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":"Correlation Between Oral Health and General Medical Condition in Geriatric Patients.","authors":"Naomi Sofie Strobel, David Kiramira, Roland Hardt, James Deschner, Philipp C Mildenberger, Michael Mohr","doi":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2487","DOIUrl":"10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2487","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The aging population presents an increasing demand for healthcare, including dental care. Oral health in older adults is often compromised by physical limitations, chronic diseases, and medications. This study investigates the oral health status of geriatric patients and its correlation with general medical, psychosocial, and functional health indicators.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from January 2022 to September 2023, involving 62 hospitalized patients (aged 69-99) in a geriatric unit. Dental health was assessed using the DMFT index, and geriatric assessments included the Barthel Index, Tinetti mobility test, and hand strength measurements. Participants' demographic and clinical data, such as marital status, living situation, and care level, were recorded. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used for data analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A statistically significant association was observed between the level of geriatric impairment and oral health status, as assessed by the DMFT index, in older patients. Cognitive function, measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), showed a strong relationship with oral health. Participants with severe dementia had a statistically significantly higher DMFT index (p 0.001) and a greater number of missing teeth (p 0.001) compared to those without cognitive impairment. Mild cognitive impairment was associated with an increased number of decayed teeth (p = 0.044), while severe dementia was linked to a statistically significant rise in the number of decayed teeth (p 0.001). Physical function, as assessed by the Barthel Index, was also statistically significantly associated with oral health. The DMFT index was higher among participants with mild (p = 0.007) and severe dependency (p = 0.033) compared to independent individuals. The number of missing teeth was statistically significantly greater in participants with mild (p 0.001), moderate (p = 0.049), and severe dependency (p = 0.013). Furthermore, those who were totally dependent had a statistically significantly higher number of decayed teeth (p = 0.039).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Oral health is crucial to overall health and quality of life in the elderly. Integrating dental assessments into geriatric care is essential, and tailored dental treatment strategies are needed to improve the well-being of geriatric patients. Future research should explore causal relationships between oral health and geriatric diseases to refine care strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19696,"journal":{"name":"Oral health & preventive dentistry","volume":"24 ","pages":"189-200"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12980087/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147434669","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}