By 2040, more than one in four Europeans is expected to be over 65. Despite improvements in older patients' care, oral healthcare is still neglected. One of the major obstacles could be the negative representations associated with aging: ageism. The present study aims to quantify and qualify ageism for general and specific representations of aging…

Oral care-related challenges are well documented in the autistic community. This review examined interventions designed to improve oral health in autistic individuals across the lifespan. Through a systematic process, 36 studies were identified which focused on improving home-based oral care skills and routines, and reducing fear, anxiety, and/or…

The aim of this pilot study was to assess the efficacy of a desensitization program developed by dentists and occupational therapists, targeted at autistic adults, to encourage their cooperation in the dental setting. The study group consisted of 18 individuals with autism (10 men and 8 women, aged 18 - 45 years). The patients underwent a baseline…

The power of process drama as a dynamic tool for exploration and learning is well documented. Far less is known about its potency as a qualitative research methodology. This article aims to address that deficit, drawing on lessons learnt from a collaborative project investigating the causes of dental anxiety in children. It argues that process…

Researchers have revealed the advantages of experiential learning for students and professionals at all levels of the health care delivery system. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the use of head simulators in dental school in acquiring proficient periodontal knowledge, dental skills, and confidence by practicing oral…

Background: In this paper, we describe the design, program details, and baseline demographics and oral health of participants in ForsythKids, a regional, comprehensive, school-based mobile caries prevention program. Methods: We solicited all Massachusetts elementary schools with greater than 50% of students receiving free or reduced-price meals.…

Background: School-based dental sealant programs are noted to increase sealant uptake among children, especially those from low-income families and those living in rural and underserved areas. However, nationally school-based dental sealant programs are substantially underutilized. This paper describes a partnership approach to a school-based…

Electronic dental record (EDR) with dental diagnostic terminology (DDT) is an innovation in health information technology as it contributes to the oral health system of the Dominican Republic and other Spanish-speaking countries. The implementation and use of electronic health record and EDR in developing countries is limited, and there is lack of…

Signature pedagogies are widely used in professional education to prepare students for the complex and unpredictable nature of professional work. We argue that assessment moments involving professional artefacts contribute to the evaluation and formation of professional knowledge, skills and moral understandings -- and thus to the signature of the…

Children and adults with developmental disabilities often experience oral health problems such as excessive plaque accumulation and dental restorations related to caries. Researchers have examined the efficacy of a variety of behavioral intervention packages to teach preventative strategies (brushing, flossing) and to decrease challenging…

Dental treatment provided under general anaesthesia (DGA) is an expectation for many children and young adults (CYA) diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Planning and delivery of DGA requires consideration of morbidity and mortality risks and implications for families and healthcare services. One hundred patient records of CYA with…

Faculty hesitancy to implement educational technologies for instruction is problematic in dental hygiene education. Little or no scholarly research has been conducted on faculty use of educational technologies for instructional practices in the dental hygiene field. Grounded in the technology acceptance model, the purpose of this inquiry was to…

Oral health care can be a difficult experience for a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), for their family and for the dentist. The purpose of this study is to provide an understanding of the challenges experienced by the three aforementioned figures during oral care treatment. A cohort of 275 parents of typical development children (TD), 57…

Background: General anaesthesia (GA) remains a vital modality to facilitate dental treatment for patients with special needs but there is limited literature to describe the types of patients requiring this form of care and the treatment they receive. Method: A cross-sectional clinical audit was conducted of patients treated under GA at the Day…

Background: People with intellectual disabilities (ID) typically have poorer oral health. Oral diseases have a microbiological origin, and thus, dental plaque control (DPC) is key to safeguard their oral health. Methods: A structured search strategy was applied to screen oral health promotion initiatives for DPC among children and adolescents with…