Thai Dental Nurse Journal

Nursing Care for Patients Undergoing Surgery for Oral and Jaw Cysts

2025-07-14T08:50:08+07:00

Background and Objective: The Odontogenic Keratocyst (OKC) is a lesion with a high recurrence rate, complicating postoperative care, especially in adolescent patients who often experience concurrent anxiety. However, there is a scarcity of case studies demonstrating the systematic application of the nursing process in the Thai context. This case study aimed to present the application of the nursing process by integrating Orem's Self-Care deficit Theory, Kolcaba's Comfort Theory, and NANDA-I diagnoses in the care of an adolescent female patient undergoing enucleation of an OKC.

Method: This was a descriptive case study of one adolescent female patient who underwent surgery at the Dental Hospital, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University. Data were collected retrospectively from medical and nursing records, then were analyzed to assess Self-Care deficits and establish nursing diagnoses.

Results: Six key nursing diagnoses were identified: 1) Anxiety, 2) Acute Pain, 3) Risk for Bleeding, 4) Risk for Infection, 5) Risk for Falls, and 6) Deficient Knowledge. Nursing interventions, utilizing Kolcaba's Comfort Theory for pain and anxiety management along with Orem's nursing systems, resulted in the patient being safe from complications and adequately prepared for self-care upon discharge.

Conclusion: The systematic application of the nursing process, guided by a clear theoretical framework, effectively managed the complex problems of an adolescent OKC patient. This case study can serve as a concrete reference for nursing personnel to improve treatment outcomes for this patient population.

Fabrication of Complete Dentures Using the Neutral Zone Technique in a Patient with Severely Resorbed Mandibular Ridge

2025-11-12T14:31:20+07:00

Background Edentulous patients with severe mandibular ridge resorption often experience poor denture stability and retention. The neutral zone technique, which positions teeth and contours polished surfaces in harmony with the functional forces of the tongue, cheeks, and lips, has been shown to improve patient-reported outcomes compared with conventional methods.

Objective To present the fabrication of complete dentures using the neutral zone technique for a patient with severe mandibular ridge resorption, demonstrating a feasible approach in a community hospital setting.

Methods The maxillary denture was fabricated following conventional procedures. For the mandibular arch, the neutral zone was recorded using an admixed compound, and a silicone index was used to transfer the functional form. Monoplane occlusion was adopted, with slight cross-overlap of the anterior and posterior teeth to accommodate tongue space. The polished surfaces were sculpted according to functional movements.

Results The denture exhibited satisfactory retention and stability. The patient reported comfort during mastication and clear speech. Minor sore spots noted at the 3-day follow-up were successfully adjusted. At 1-, 3-, and 6-month recalls, no recurrent pressure lesions were observed.

Conclusion The neutral zone technique is a simple and effective option for patients with severe mandibular ridge resorption when implant treatment is not feasible. It enhances denture stability and patient satisfaction in community clinical practice.

Microsurgical Endodontic Retreatment of a Mandibular First Molar with a recurrent Periapical Lesion

2025-12-23T08:43:10+07:00

Surgical endodontic retreatment is an established therapeutic approach for managing cases in which primary root canal treatment has failed. The use of high-magnification surgical microscopy has been shown to enhance procedural accuracy and improve treatment outcomes. This case report aims to present the clinical and radiographic results of surgical retreatment in a 43-year-old Thai female patient who presented with a persistent periapical infection associated with a previously treated mandibular first molar. The patient was referred for endodontic retreatment after reporting pain and tenderness during mastication on tooth 46, which had undergone root canal treatment and full-coverage restoration eight years earlier. The post, core, and crown restorations were in good condition with an intact margin. A periapical radiograph demonstrated an enlargement of the periapical radiolucency compared with a radiograph obtained four years prior, indicating failure of the primary endodontic treatment. After discussing treatment options, the patient elected to undergo surgical endodontic retreatment. The procedure was performed using modern endodontic microsurgical techniques under high magnification, including apicoectomy, and root-end filling with a bioceramic material. At the one-year follow-up, the patient remained asymptomatic, and radiographic examination demonstrated complete resolution of the periapical lesion.

Factors Associated with Dental Healthcare Behavior among Self-Reliant Elderly in Sri Songkhram District, Nakhon Phanom Province

2025-06-13T16:10:11+07:00

This study employed a cross-sectional analytical design to investigate factors associated with oral healthcare behaviors among self-reliant older adults in Sri Songkhram District, Nakhon Phanom Province. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 278 participants. Data were collected using questionnaires from July to September 2024. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics, Chi-Square tests, and Odds Ratios.

This study revealed that most participants were female (73.0%) and aged between 60-69 (62.2%), predominantly with a primary school education (86.3%) and low monthly incomes (<1,000 Baht for 57.9%). Over half had chronic diseases (57.6%) and used universal health insurance (83.1%). Despite 57.2% not having recent dental care, 87.4% showed high-level oral health behaviors. Chronic diseases (OR = 2.35; 95% CI = 1.056-5.228; p = 0.023) and perceived susceptibility to oral health problems (OR = 4.07; 95% CI = 1.404-11.777; p = 0.015) were significantly associated with oral health behaviors.

Based on these findings, tailored oral healthcare for the elderly who has chronic diseases, regular check-ups, clear information on oral health risks and accessibility to dental services should be considered.

Oral health status and eating behaviors baed on the nutritional flag associated with nutritional status in the elderly of Wang nam yen subdistrict, Wang nam yen district, Sa kaeo province

2025-11-04T10:18:37+07:00

This cross-sectional descriptive study examined the relationship between oral health status, dietary behavior based on the nutrition flag, and nutritional status in 180 elderly individuals from Wang Nam Yen Subdistrict, Sa Kaeo Province. Data were collected via questionnaires in June 2024 and analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, Chi-square, Spearman’s rank correlation, and Kendall’s tau-c.

Results showed that 36.70% had at least 20 teeth, 48.30% had at least 4 occluding pairs, and 5.60% were edentulous. Among those with fewer than 4 occluding pairs, 5.60% used dentures, while 46.10% did not. For those with at least 4 occluding pairs, 17.80% used dentures, while 30.60% did not. Most elderly followed the nutrition flag at a moderate level (49.70%) and were overweight (62.20%). No significant correlation was found between oral health, dietary behavior, and nutritional status.

Recommendations Education on the nutrition flag and oral health education should be enhanced for elderly individuals and caregivers, , to improve elderly’s health.

Keywords: Oral health, dietary behavior, nutrition flag, nutritional status, elderly

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Tooth Loss among Elderly people aged 60-69 years in Na Wa District, Nakhon Phanom Province

2025-11-10T16:16:54+07:00

This study was a cross-sectional descriptive research aimed to (1) investigate the prevalence of tooth loss among the elderly aged 60-69 in Na Wa District, Nakhon Phanom Province, and (2) examine the factors associated with tooth loss in 266 participants who were selected through stratified sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire regarding general information, attitudes, oral health care behaviors and knowledge. Dental health status were also recorded. The reliability coefficients for the knowledge test, attitude and oral health care behavior questionnaires were 0.75, 0.70, and 0.70, respectively. The consistency of dental examinations was analyzed using Kappa statistics, yielding a value of 0.83. Descriptive statistics were employed for general data analysis. To identify factors associated with tooth loss the Chi-square test was used to calculate the p-value, and to report the Odds Ratio (OR) with a 95% CI from the risk estimate calculation. If the assumptions for the Chi-square test didn't follow the agreement, Fisher’s Exact Test was used instead. Comparisons of mean values for natural teeth, decay, extraction, and filling were performed using Independent t-tests.

The results revealed a prevalence of tooth loss of 22.20% among the sample. Analysis showed that elderly with periodontal pockets ≥4 mm and those with gingival inflammation were significantly associated with tooth loss (OR = 3.90, 95% CI 1.80-8.47, p-value<0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between the average number of natural teeth and tooth loss. Participants with ≥20 functional natural teeth (DMFT 7.31 teeth per person) had statistically significantly lower mean DMFT scores than those with <20 functional teeth (DMFT 11.19 teeth per person), resulting in a difference of 3.88 teeth (95% CI 1.91-5.83, Mean diff = 3.88, p-value <0.001).

Factors Related to Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Older People in Namon District, Kalasin Province

2025-06-17T15:02:26+07:00

Oral health-related quality of life is linked between oral health and quality of life, not just merely the absence of oral disease. This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to assess the level of oral health-related Quality of life (OHRQoL) and examine the association between access to dental services among 178 older people in Namon District, Kalasin Province. Data were collected using structural questionnaires involving demographic data, oral health status, access to dental services, and OHRQoL measured by the Oral health Impact profile (OHIP-14). Cronbach's Alpha for the dental service access scale was 0.96. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to explore associations, and results were reported as adjusted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals and p-values.

The findings indicated that 81.46% (95% CI: 74.96 to 86.88) of participants reported a high level of OHRQoL. After adjustment for all variables in the model, three factors were found to be significantly associated with OHRQoL: the number of posterior occluding pairs, accommodation (domain 3) healthcare convenience and facilities and service quality acceptability acceptability (domain 5) (p-value <0.05). Participants who reported high levels of accommodation had significantly lower OHRQoL impact scores compared to those with moderate levels (Adjusted mean difference = -3.19, 95% CI: -5.49 to -0.88, p-value = 0.007). Likewise, those with high acceptability reported lower impact scores than those with moderate levels (Adjusted mean difference = -3.98, 95% CI: -7.61 to -0.35, p-value = 0.032). These results suggest that improving the accessibility and quality of dental services may enhance OHRQoL among the older people. Efforts should be made to ensure age-friendly service environments that support better oral health outcomes in older people.

Factors Associated with Oral hygiene Behavior of Type 2 Diabetic Patients Receiving Services at the Diabetes Clinic of Somdej Phra Yuppharat Kuchinarai Hospital, Buakhao Subdistrict, Kuchinarai District, Kalasin Province

2025-10-10T09:43:56+07:00

This study aimed to examine factors associated with oral cleaning behavior among type 2 diabetic patients attending the diabetes clinic at Somdej Phra Yuppharat Kuchinarai Hospital, Kalasin Province, Thailand, between July and September 2024. The sample consisted of 153 participants selected through simple random samplings. A questionnaire verified for content validity and reliability (IOC = 0.67-1.00, α = 0.649-0.774) was used. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact tests), with reported Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI).

Results showed that most participants were female (64.7%), aged 50-59 years (80.4%), and had never received dental services (65.4%). The majority had recent blood glucose levels below 130 mg/dL (60.1%), high oral health knowledge (76.5%), and positive attitudes (79.0%), while oral hygiene behavior was at a moderate level (56.8%) and most exhibited low plaque accumulation (81.0%). Knowledge and income were significantly associated with oral cleaning behavior (p = 0.042 and p = 0.014, respectively). Participants with high oral health knowledge were 2.42 times more likely to have good oral cleaning behavior (OR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.02-5.77), and those with higher income were 2.31 times more likely to demonstrate good behavior (OR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.18-4.51).

Factors Associated with Dental Caries Prevention Behaviors among Grade 6 Students in Chok Chai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

2025-10-29T09:40:30+07:00

This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to examine dental caries prevention behaviors and associated factors among sixth-grade students in Chokchai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. A total of 194 students were selected using stratified and simple random samplings. Data were collected through questionnaires during July-August 2024 and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Relationships were analyzed using Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, with odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals reported.

The results revealed that 61.3% of participants demonstrated a moderate level of dental caries prevention behaviors. Regarding predisposing factors, 60.8% of the students had a high-level of knowledge about dental caries, 85.6% had positive attitudes toward dental caries prevention, and 58.3% had high self-efficacy in preventing dental caries. For enabling factors, 88.1% reported that schools provided tooth brushing facilities after lunch, and 78.4% had convenient access to dental services. Concerning reinforcing factors, 41.2% received high-level support from family, teachers, and peers, 91.8% had received information about dental caries, and 65.5% reported that schools provided oral health education. Statistical analysis revealed that knowledge about dental caries (p-value = 0.001), attitudes toward dental caries prevention (p-value = 0.011), and self-efficacy in preventing dental caries (p-value = 0.018) were significantly associated with dental caries prevention behaviors at the 0.05 level. Students with high-level knowledge were 2.82 times more likely to demonstrate dental caries prevention behaviors than those with low-level knowledge (OR = 2.82, 95%CI = 1.47-5.41). Students with positive attitudes toward oral health care were 3.86 times more likely to exhibit dental caries prevention behaviors than those with low-level attitudes (OR = 3.86, 95%CI = 1.28-11.64). Additionally, students with high self-efficacy in preventing dental caries were 2.11 times more likely to demonstrate dental caries prevention behaviors (OR = 2.11, 95%CI = 1.13-3.93).

The study recommends that schools and relevant agencies may continuously implement oral health promotion activities to enhance students' awareness and recognition of the importance of dental caries prevention by disseminating knowledge through social media platforms and organizing hands-on activities such as proper tooth brushing techniques and self-oral health examination to strengthen students' confidence and capability in maintaining oral health effectively.

The Impact of Sub-district Health Promoting Hospitals Mission Transferring to Provincial Administrative Organizations on the Dental Public Health System in Lom Kao District, Phetchabun Province

2025-10-08T16:24:52+07:00

This mixed-methods research aimed to study the impact of the transfer of Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospitals (HPHs) to Provincial Administrative Organizations (PAOs) on the dental public health system.

The study consisted of a qualitative approach using in-depth interviews with 30 stakeholders and a quantitative cross-sectional study using questionnaires to survey the satisfaction with dental public health operations among 25 personnel and 138 service recipients who received dental services at the HPHs during May-June 2025. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis, and quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation. The study showed that dental public health operations maintained their status as a Contracted Unit for Primary Care (CUP) and continuously coordinated with referral hospitals. The most noticeable changes were in finances and coordination, which then had to go through the PAO system. The transfer had the advantage of more flexible budgets and support for equipment and mobile dental units from the PAOs, as well as improved morale among personnel due to better compensation and career advancement opportunities. However, there was an increase of documentation workload and a lack of clear supervision. Overall, personnel satisfaction with dental public health operations was at a high level (4.37 ± 0.45), while service recipient satisfaction with the dental services received was at the highest level (4.58 ± 0.44).

In conclusion, the transfer of HPHs to PAOs resulted in high satisfaction among both personnel and service recipients. However, the complexity of regulations during the transition and the increased documentation workload remained concerns.

Factors Influencing Satisfaction with the Use of Dental Benefits Under the Social Security System Among Personnel at Sirinthorn Hospital, Khon Kaen Province

2025-12-17T11:14:23+07:00

This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to examine the levels of knowledge, attitudes, access to dental benefits, and satisfaction among insured persons under the Social Security Scheme, as well as to analyze factors influencing satisfaction among hospital personnel. The study population consisted of 77 staff members of Sirindhorn Hospital, Khon Kaen Province, who were covered by social security benefits. Data were collected from the entire population (census) using a questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.87. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics including multiple logistic regression analysis.

The results revealed that most respondents were female (68.8%) with a mean age of 38.42 years (SD = 11.45). Overall satisfaction with dental services was at a high level (x ̅ = 4.04, SD = 0.71). The three highest satisfaction aspects were cleanliness of instruments and facilities, politeness of dental personnel, and quality of dental service, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that the level of access to dental benefits significantly influenced satisfaction (p <0.05). Those with high access were 5.23 times more likely to be satisfied than those with moderate access (Adjusted OR = 5.23, 95% CI:1.26-21.73, p = 0.02). The model explained 24.8% of the variance in satisfaction.

The findings suggest that promoting knowledge, understanding, and access to dental benefits, along with improving service quality and dental care environments, may enhance satisfaction and encourage insured persons to utilize dental services in public hospitals.