Thai Dental Public Health Journal

Objective and policy

Nontinee Tangcharoendee — 2023-12-13

Ethics

Nontinee Tangcharoendee — 2023-12-13

Editorial Team

Nontinee Tangcharoendee — 2023-12-13

Author Guidelines

Nontinee Tangcharoendee — 2023-12-13

Content

Nontinee Tangcharoendee — 2023-12-13

Cover

Nontinee Tangcharoendee — 2024-03-06

Acknowledgement

Nontinee Tangcharoendee — 2023-12-13

Evaluation of the oral health promotion program for the Healthy Teeth Happy Life Network Sisaket municipality, Sisaket province (2011-2021)

Nipaporn Urwannachotima — 2023-12-13

This study was to evaluate the oral health promotion program for the Healthy Teeth Happy Life Network, Sisaket municipality, Sisaket province, 2011-2021, in four domains: context, input, process, and product. The total of 99 key informants consisted of school administrators, school health teachers, other teachers, public health personnel, and municipal personnel. The data were collected through self-administration and documentary review. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were both used to analyze the quantitative data. The qualitative data was analyzed by content analysis. The results found that overall evaluation scores for each domain were at a good level. 1) Context: mean score of 4.15 (SD=0.819), the program principles conformed to public health and education policies. The program plan responded to the problems and needs of the schools. The objectives and strategies were appropriate. 2) Input: mean score of 4.07 (SD=0.759); the materials, budget, knowledge, and numbers of staff were adequate. Team members had potential for implementation. 3) Process: mean score of 4.10 (SD=0.729), the network had a clear action plan, participatory processes, and standard monitoring. 4) Product: mean score of 4.11 (SD=0.737) Students gained knowledge about oral health care. After-lunch tooth-brushing programs were regularly implemented. The caries prevalence among students in the network has decreased. At the 95% confidence level, there was no difference in key informant appraisal outcomes by gender, age, or work experience at 95% confidence. Occupation classification revealed significant variations in input and process domains (p-value<0.05).

Inequalities in regular oral health check-up behaviour among preschool children in Bang Pu subdistrict municipality, Samut Prakan

Nichamon Chaianant — 2023-12-13

The objective of this study was to study the inequalities in regular oral health check-up behaviour (ROHCB) and factors affecting ROHCB among preschool children in Bang Pu subdistrict municipality. By collecting data from parents using questionnaires, the results showed that only 18.26 percent of preschool children had ROHCB, and 81.74 percent of the sample had never visited a dentist or visited a dentist only when having oral problems. There are inequalities and social gradients in ROHCB among preschoolers. The ROHCB of preschoolers was concentrated among parents with high education levels, high occupation levels, high family income, and high socio-economic status (SES). In addition, the logistic regression analysis revealed that the factors related to ROHCB of preschool children were the SES of the parents. The children that have parents in the upper-middle/upper class were more likely to have ROHCB than children whose parents were in upper-lower class (OR=2.13; 95% CI=1.05-4.31) and parents who ROHCB were more likely to have their children had ROHCB than parents did not have ROHCB (OR=4.11; 95% CI=2.66-6.60). In conclusion, ROHCB in preschool children was related to their parent's SES. To formulate an effective and target-oriented policy, policymakers need to utilise academic evidence and local population data to set goals and strategies for improving access to dental services, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition, improving service delivery system capacity should respond to local's needs and way of life. These factors should be prioritised in planning dental health policy.

In conclusion, ROHCB in preschool children was related to their parent's SES. To formulate an effective and target-oriented policy, policymakers need to utilise academic evidence and local population data to set goals and strategies for improving access to dental services, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition, improving service delivery system capacity should respond to local's needs and way of life. These factors should be prioritised in planning dental health policy.

Development an oral self-care behavior surveillance in working-age population

Nanmanas Yaembut — 2024-07-17

The objective of this study was to develop an oral self-care behavior surveillance process among working-age groups aged 15–59 years. A representative sample size in thirteen health regions was calculated using Cochran's formula. Randomization was used to select people in all provinces of the health regions. The required sample size was 2,628. The study was conducted according to the process of health behavior surveillance. Identify risk behaviors associated with oral diseases that needed to be monitored in the working-age group, including brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste every day at least 2 minutes before bedtime, drinking sugar-sweetened beverages, smoking, and visiting a dentist at least once a year for oral checkup. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire through the H4U application between May and September 2021. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Chi-square at the statistically significant level with p-value<0.05. The result showed that 29.6% of working people neglected to brush their teeth before bedtime with fluoride toothpaste daily, 80.0% drank sugar-sweetened beverages, 16.9% smoked, and 64.6% did not visit a dentist in the past year. The data on oral self-care behaviors was used to create an oral health promotion project integrated with health promotion in the workplace for the fiscal year 2022-2023. In addition, the data was used to develop methods to educate oral health care through infographics in the H4U application if the respondents had incorrect oral health care behaviors. This development aims to improve oral health literacy so working people have desirable oral care behaviors.

Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus SD11 as a probiotic in yogurt on oral microbial and caries outcomes in 12-15 years old children: A double blind randomized controlled trial

Chavarot Mapaisansin — 2024-10-15

This study aims to evaluate effects of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus SD11 on salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli count, and dental caries in children. A double-blind randomized control trial was conducted. A total of 102 children, aged 12-15 years, were recruited, and randomly assigned to either the probiotic group receiving yogurt containing L. rhamnosus SD11 or control group receiving standard yogurt containing L. bulgaricus. One hundred milliliters of yogurt were provided once daily for 3 months. The salivary samples were collected at baseline (T0), 3 months (T3), 6 months (T6) and 9 months (T9) for counting the numbers of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. Dental caries was examined at baseline and at the end of study (T9). At T3, mutans streptococci in probiotic group was significantly lower (p<0.05) than the control group and a significant reduction (p<0.05) were found when compare with T0. Simultaneously, the numbers of lactobacilli in probiotic group were significantly increased (p<0.01) at T3 when compared with T0 and with control group. However, there were no significant differences between the groups at T6 and T9. The caries progression (transitional probability) was not significantly different between groups. No adverse event was found in both groups. In conclusion, the consumption of L. rhamnosus SD11 daily for 3 months is safe. The increasing of lactobacilli and reduction of cariogenic pathogen, mutans streptococci were found within 3 months of the study. However, the effect to prevent caries progression was not presented.

Electronic cigarette and oral health: a narrative literature review

Saruta Saengtipbovorn — 2024-10-15

Now, electronic cigarettes are increasing in popularity, especially among juveniles. The vapour from electronic cigarettes had reactive oxidative effects, carcinogenic components, and toxic carbonyl compounds that were harmful to general health as a result of smoking cigarettes. However, in the aspect of oral health, there is still a lack of knowledge about the effects of electronic cigarettes on oral health. The objective of this study was to review the effects of electronic cigarettes on oral health. This review was conducted from June to October 2023. Relevant articles were independently searched on PubMed and Google Scholar, which were published until September 2023. The inclusion criteria were published in English and did not exceed 10 years. The results showed electronic cigarettes caused dysbiosis of oral flora in saliva and sub-gingiva and caused inflammation of oral cells by increased inflammatory mediators, which led to periodontal disease (OR: 1.43), dental caries, peri-implantitis, implant failure, orthodontic treatment failure, and oral lesions. Furthermore, the toxic vapour from electronic cigarettes damaged oral cells and caused oral cancer. The other effects of electronic cigarettes were hard and soft tissue trauma to oral ulcers (OR: 1.54) and cracks and fractures of teeth (OR: 1.65) from the method of smoking electronic cigarettes. Dental personnel who were familiar with juveniles could observe any changes in the oral cavity from electronic cigarettes. So, dental personnel need to play their roles by providing knowledge of the effects of electronic cigarettes and smoking cessation counseling to their patients. The electronic cigarette campaign should include the effects of oral health.

Editor's note

Nontinee Tangcharoendee — 2023-12-13

Workflow

Nontinee Tangcharoendee — 2023-12-13