The complexity of managing oral dryness in general dental care.

Objective: To describe the experiences of general-practising dental professionals in managing oral dryness.

Materials And Methods: The purposive selection of dentists and dental hygienists sought to create a cohort with varying years of professional experience, of both genders, and in dissimilar working regions and workplaces for one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify themes and categories, where themes represented the interpretative aspect and categories, the descriptive aspect.

Interprofessional Learning and Oral Health-Related Attitudes and Knowledge Among Nursing Students at a University in Sweden-An Exploratory Study.

Aim: To evaluate an interprofessional learning (IPL) session involving dental hygiene students and nursing students and to investigate the nursing students' oral health-related knowledge and attitudes.

Material And Method: First, a questionnaire about knowledge and attitudes regarding oral health was answered by 84 nursing students. After an IPL session, including dental hygiene students and nursing students, both groups completed an evaluation questionnaire.

Explorative study of stimulated saliva proteome in head and neck cancer patients pre- and post-treatment.

Objectives: to compare saliva proteome of patients before treatment of head and neck cancer and six months post-treatment with controls.

Design: Five dentate patients and five age and gender-matched controls were included. The stimulated salivary secretion rate was determined, and saliva was stored at -80 °C.

Sex Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer-A Prospective Study.

Objective: To analyse sex differences in health-related quality of life (HRQL) before, during and up to 3 months posttreatment of head and neck cancer, and to examine the importance of salivary secretion rate for HRQL posttreatment.

Methods: Patients were recruited before starting curative oncologic treatment. Clinical examinations were performed including determination of the stimulated salivary secretion rate.

Prospective study on health-related quality of life, oral mucositis and oral health on during treatment of head and neck cancer.

Background: Few studies have examined health related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) during the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) with even fewer focusing on the impact of oral mucositis (OM) on HR-QoL. Studies performed during treatment of HNC makes it possible to follow fluctuations in HR-QoL, OM and other treatment related side effects. The aim was to prospectively analyze HR-QoL, changes in clinical variables and the impact of OM on HR-QoL during HNC treatment.

Oral health, dental treatment, and medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw in multiple myeloma - a longitudinal cohort study.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate oral health status, oral health related quality of life, and identify risk factors associated with invasive dental treatment and medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients with multiple myeloma.

Material And Methods: Patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma (n = 144) referred between January 2015 and September 2022 were retrospectively included. The patients underwent a thorough clinical and radiological oral examination and odontogenic infections were treated before the start of bisphosphonate treatment.

Dental care professionals' awareness of oral dryness and its clinical management: a questionnaire-based study.

Background: Despite the high prevalence of oral dryness and awareness of its complications, there is limited research on the clinical management of patients with oral dryness in general dental care.

Purpose: To (1) describe and compare awareness among dental care professionals regarding saliva functions, potential causes and complications of oral dryness, and patient management (2) Investigate if the length of professional experience influences these aspects.

Methods: A digital self-administrated survey was sent to 2668 dental care professionals working in the general dental care, Public Dental Service, in Sweden.

Patients with oral lichen planus display lower levels of salivary acidic glycoproteins than individuals without oral mucosal disease.

Objectives: Salivary proteins, acidic glycoproteins, and free calcium might take part in oral mucosal defence against inflammation in oral lichen planus (OLP). The study aimed to investigate whether the levels of sulfated and sialylated glycoproteins, total protein, and free calcium in saliva from patients with OLP differ from those of individuals without oral mucosal diseases.

Material And Methods: Patients diagnosed with OLP (n = 25) and two control groups without any oral mucosal disease; age- and gender-matched controls (n = 25, 65.

Salivary levels of Osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa ligand during orthodontic tooth movement-A prospective pilot study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to monitor changes in Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa ligand (RANKL) levels in the saliva during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM).

Materials And Methods: Nine healthy females (15-20 y of age) with four pre-molar extractions and fixed appliance were included. In total, 134 stimulated and 134 unstimulated saliva samples were collected: at baseline and then every 6-8 weeks at follow-up appointments during the whole orthodontic treatment.

Stimulated saliva composition in patients with cancer of the head and neck region.

Background: To analyse over time changes in stimulated whole saliva regarding total protein, Immunoglobulin A (IgA), and mucin type O-glycans (mostly MUC5B and MUC7) in head and neck cancer patients.

Methods: 29 dentate patients (20 men and 9 women, 59 ± 8 years) treated with curative radiation therapy and chemotherapy for cancer of the head and neck region were included. The stimulated whole salivary secretion rate was determined and saliva collected at four time-points: at pretreatment, and at 6 months, 1 and 2 years post treatment.

Explorative study on Lactobacillus species and their acid-producing capacity and anti-microbial activity in head and neck cancer patients.

Objective: To determine acid-producing capacity and anti-microbial activity of Lactobacillus species collected pretreatment and post treatment in head and neck cancer patients.

Material And Methods: Lactobacillus isolates from 21 patients pretreatment and post treatment were identified using molecular methods. The patients' stimulated salivary secretion was determined pretreatment, and 6 and 12 months post treatment and caries lesions/new filled surfaces registered at 24 months post treatment.

Variations in odontological care routines for patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer in county councils/regions of Sweden.

Objective: To investigate current odontological care routines for patients treated for head and neck cancers in the county councils/regions (C/Rs) of Sweden.

Methods: An invitation to fill in a web-based questionnaire was sent to dentists/dental hygienists working in dental clinics in the 12 C/Rs, treating and responsible for the odontological care of patients undergoing treatment for cancer of the head and neck. The questionnaire started with two mandatory and one non-mandatory questions, followed by questions regarding routines before (n = 28), during (n = 23), and after (n = 9) treatment, plus two additional questions, totalling 65 questions.

Explorative study on quality of life in relation to salivary secretion rate in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy up to 2 years post treatment.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse quality of life (QoL) pretreatment and up to 24 months post radiation therapy (RT) in patients with head and neck (H&N) cancer.

Methods: Twenty-nine patients (19 men and 10 women) with a mean age of 59 ± 8 years were included. The stimulated salivary secretion was measured and the patients completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 and H&N35) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) pretreatment and at 6, 12 and 24 months post RT.

Acid-producing capacity from sugars and sugar alcohols among Lactobacillus isolates collected in connection with radiation therapy.

Objective: To investigate the acid-producing capacity from sugars and sugar alcohols of oral Lactobacillus collected in connection with radiation therapy (RT) to the head and neck region.

Design: Lactobacillus were collected from the tongue, buccal mucosa and supragingival plaque in 24 patients before, during, and after RT. The acid-producing capacity of Lactobacillus isolates (n=211) was analyzed using a colorimetric fermentation test in microtiter plates.

Effect of 12-month weekly professional oral hygiene care on the composition of the oral flora in dentate, dependent elderly residents: A prospective study.

Objective: To study the effect of weekly professional oral hygiene care on the proportion of micro-organisms associated with good oral health, caries, and periodontal and soft tissue diseases in oral biofilms in dentate, dependent elderly residents.

Background: Assisted oral hygiene care reduces the plaque score and number of micro-organisms in the oral biofilms in elderly residents. Less is known about the effect on the quality/composition of the remaining oral flora.

Oral Care and Mortality in Older Adults with Pneumonia in Hospitals or Nursing Homes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The objectives of the study were to compare the effect of intensified oral care interventions given by dental or nursing personnel on mortality from healthcare-associated pneumonia (HAP) in elderly adults in hospitals or nursing homes with the effect of usual oral care. Systematic literature searches were conducted in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the Health Technology Assessment database of the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (August 2015). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were considered for inclusion.

Microflora in oral ecosystems and salivary secretion rates--A 3-year follow-up after radiation therapy to the head and neck region.

Objective: Results indicate that late improvements of radiation therapy (RT) in the head and neck region may diminish the long-term effects on salivary glands and oral microflora. The aim was therefore to analyze salivary secretion rates and oral microflora over time in RT subjects.

Design: Twelve dentate subjects (28±2 teeth) and 12 controls were included.

Explorative study on quality of life in relation to salivary secretion rate in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy.

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) to the head and neck region often results in oral complications. In this explorative study, the pretreatment and posttreatment (6 months and 12 months) quality of life (QOL) was analyzed for patients with head and neck cancer. The associations between QOL and salivary secretion rates were analyzed.

Fermentation of sugars and sugar alcohols by plaque Lactobacillus strains.

Objective: The objective was to analyse the ability of Lactobacillus strains isolated from supragingival plaque of subjects with hyposalivation and from healthy controls to ferment sugars and sugar alcohols.

Material And Methods: Fifty strains isolated from interproximal plaque from subjects with radiation-induced hyposalivation (25 strains), subjects with primary Sjögren's syndrome (16 strains) and from subjects with normal salivary secretion rate (9 strains) were tested. Growth and pH were determined after 24 and 48 h of anaerobic incubation in vials containing basal media with 1 % of glucose, fructose, sucrose, mannitol, sorbitol or xylitol.

Virulence factors and antibiotic susceptibility in enterococci isolated from oral mucosal and deep infections.

Objective: This study evaluates the presence of virulence factors and antibiotic susceptibility among enterococcal isolates from oral mucosal and deep infections.

Methods: Forty-three enterococcal strains from oral mucosal lesions and 18 from deep infections were isolated from 830 samples that were sent during 2 years to Oral Microbiology, University of Gothenburg, for analysis. The 61 strains were identified by 16S rDNA, and characterized by the presence of the virulence genes efa A (endocarditis gene), gel E (gelatinase gene), ace (collagen binding antigen gene), asa (aggregation substance gene), cyl A (cytolysin activator gene) and esp (surface adhesin gene), tested for the production of bacteriocins and presence of plasmids.

A prospective study on oral microbial flora and related variables in dentate dependent elderly residents.

Objective: Oral microorganisms and related variables were followed over a 1-year period in dentate dependent elderly.

Background: For nursing personnel, oral hygiene for the dependent elderly is demanding. It requires good knowledge of how to carry out preventive oral health measures and to judge when help is needed.

Lactobacillus species in supragingival plaque in subjects with hyposalivation.

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to analyse the frequency of different Lactobacillus species in relation to the pH-lowering potential of the plaque.

Methods: Ten subjects with radiation-induced hyposalivation (RT group) and 10 subjects with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS group) and matched controls with normal salivary secretion were included. Lactobacillus species were selected from their growth on Rogosa agar and identified by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism using HaeIII and HpaII restriction enzymes.

Microflora in oral ecosystems in subjects with hyposalivation due to medicines or of unknown origin.

Purpose: To analyse the microbial flora in specific sites in 20 dentate (> or = 16 teeth) subjects with hyposalivation due to medicines or of unknown origin and in 20 controls matched according to age, sex and number of teeth.

Materials And Methods: The microbial samples were analysed for the following micro-organisms: mutans streptococci, Lactobacillus spp. and Actinomyces spp.

Electrolytes in stimulated whole saliva in individuals with hyposalivation of different origins.

There are reasons to believe that changes in the secretion rate of saliva as well as changes in its protein and electrolyte composition promote the growth of micro-organisms associated with oral disorders. Knowledge of the electrolytes in the saliva of those with hyposalivation might therefore be of value in designing oral health-promoting measures. In this study, electrolytes in stimulated whole saliva were analysed in individuals with hyposalivation due to radiation therapy in the head and neck region (RT group), primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS group), neuroleptic treatment (Neuro group), and to medication or of unknown origin (Unknown group).