Arina Vinereanu - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Arina Vinereanu
Children, Jan 25, 2024
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
oral health and dental management, 2003
Many epidemiological studies prove the high vulnerability to caries of the first permanent molar,... more Many epidemiological studies prove the high vulnerability to caries of the first permanent molar, even shortly after its emergence. Aim: to assess the knowledge of preschool children's parents on the matter of the first permanent molar. Material and method: the mothers of 215 children aged 1 to 7 years old were asked to fill in a questionnaire containing closed questions about the moment of the eruption of the first permanent molar and its position in the arch relative to the decidual molars, about caries prevention means for this tooth, as well as about the source of information on this subject. The mothers were aged 20 to 48 years (mean age = 31.16±0.29 years). 26.51% of them had a university degree, 55.81% were high school graduates and 16.28% had 10 classes or less. 22.79% were unemployed and 75.81% were employed. Results: Concerning the moment of the first permanent molar's emergence, 20.93% of the answers were correct, while the question on the place of this tooth in the arch was correctly answered by 21.39%. The mother's level of education significantly influences the answers on the moment of the emergence of the first permanent molar and does not influence the accuracy of the answers on the position of this tooth. Mother's occupation does not influence the level of knowledge (p=0.05). Regarding the preventive means applicable for the first permanent molar, tooth brushing was most commonly mentioned (79.53%), while sealing was familiar to only 7.91% of the mothers. Half of the questioned women admitted not to have got any information on this tooth, while 17.67% stated that they got information from the dentist. Conclusions: 1. Parents have little knowledge on the moment of eruption and position in the arch of the first permanent molar. 2. There is a certain discrepancy between theoretic knowledge on oral health and actual oral habits. 3. Further caries prevention programs need to target the first permanent molar. For an increased efficiency, such programs should involve dentists, parents and teachers at the same time.
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), 2022
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Sedation with nitrous oxide (N2O) has been widely used as a viable alternative to general anesthe... more Sedation with nitrous oxide (N2O) has been widely used as a viable alternative to general anesthesia to perform dental treatments in uncooperative or anxious children. The purpose of this retrospective study is to assess if repeated sedations with N2O can improve collaboration of uncooperative children. The medical records of 650 children, aged between 3 and 14 years, who underwent at least two sedations, were consulted. Differences in the Venham score during the first sedation and subsequent sedations were collected. After removal incomplete records, 577 children’s records (309 males and 268 females) were analyzed. The Venham score decreased both during each sedation and with repeated sedations (p < 0.01 for both comparisons). In particular, a significant reduction of the Venham score was observed at the first contact with the dentist, with a mean score ranging from 1.56 ± 1.46 to 1.16 ± 1.37, comparing the first and the second sedation, and from 1.65 ± 1.43 to 1.06 ± 1.30, comp...
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
Aim. To evaluate the prevalence (Ip) of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) in a group of presc... more Aim. To evaluate the prevalence (Ip) of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) in a group of preschool children at their first visit in clinic (during 2001), the severity of the lesions and the influences of some social and behavioral factors upon the onset and evolution of the condition. Material and methods. I) Data drawn from dental records of 180 children (age 4.43±0.22 yr.) analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2000 and Student Test. II) Questionnaires on social (SF) and behavioral (BF) topics answers by mothers of the children with S-ECC. Results. I) Ip=31.66%; 89.46% of the S-ECC children had complicated caries; 56.15% had affected molars (besides upper incisors). II) (SF) 52.94% of the mothers were under 25 at the time of childbirth and 82.35% were junior high/high school graduates. (BF) 61.76% of the S-ECC children were bottle-fed after the age of 3, contents of the bottle usually sweetened; 67% of the mothers gave the bottle to their children before he/she fell asleep and most of ...
Healthcare, 2022
This study aimed to give an image of the oral health status and treatment needs of intellectually... more This study aimed to give an image of the oral health status and treatment needs of intellectually challenged athletes taking part in Special Olympics—Special Smiles (SO-SS) events organized in Romania during 2011–2019 and to find potential associations with socio-economic factors. An observational ecological retrospective study was conducted, and 1860 oral examinations were performed on participants aged 8 to 30 years in nine SS-SO events. Oral examination was performed under field conditions. Percentage of caries-free subjects, mean DMF-T index and its components (D = decayed; M = missing; F = filled; T = teeth), restoration index RI = [F/(F + D) × 100]%, and Plaque Index were calculated for each of the nine groups. Caries-free subjects ranged between 5.90% and 21.70%. DMF-T ranged from 4.27 to 7.71. Higher values for “F” component (range 0.66–1.69) and RI (range 13.02–27.74%) were found in events held in cities from regions with higher reported Gross Domestic Product. Sealants wer...
Romanian Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2018
Aim: to assess the dynamics of craniofacial structures in an ED patient treated and followed from... more Aim: to assess the dynamics of craniofacial structures in an ED patient treated and followed from age 9 to 24 years and detect potential reciprocal influences between anatomic structures and dental treatment. Methods. Craniofacial dynamics were assessed using cephalograms taken at ages 11, 15, 17 and 24. Results. The initial mild class III skeletal pattern remained, with a normally developed maxilla more to the lower limits of standard and a mandible more to the middle of normal ranges. Restored function favored narrowing of the gonial angle down to normal values. Initially very low, the tongue gained a normal high position after provision of a well-retained implant-supported lower denture. Head posture improved. Consistent enlargement of posterior airway and decrease of initially hypertrophic adenoid occurred by age 15. Conclusions. Early prosthetic restorations in ED patients can induce favorable anatomic and posture changes, favoring close-to-standard craniofacial development wit...
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
Hypodontia (tooth agenesis) is regarded as the most common congenital dental anomaly. The present... more Hypodontia (tooth agenesis) is regarded as the most common congenital dental anomaly. The present review discusses the epidemiological characteristics of congenitally missing second permanent molars (CMSPMs) within a systematic review of the literature. The review was based on Pubmed library associated with the search of various scientific databases or academic resources, improved by hand search of reference lists. The terms 'hypodontia' or 'anodontia' in combination with 'prevalence' or 'epidemiology' were searched in the data sources for studies published between January 2001 and December 2020. Abstracts of non-English papers were also analyzed. The inclusion criteria were as follows: i) Study provided precise data about CMSPMs, even if no second permanent molar was reportedly missing; ii) the number of CMSPMs distributed by jaw was provided and iii) studies on subjects >3 years were used. The exclusion criteria were as follows: i) Studies on patients with history of trauma of the maxilla or the mandible, any type of syndrome affecting bone metabolism, metabolic disorders, previous extraction or tooth loss due to dental caries, cleft lip and palate; ii) studies performed on cohorts of patients with hypodontia and iii) studies reporting data including third molars, except for those that presented sufficient data to perform correct calculations. A total of 79 studies were selected, accumulating a population of 281,968 people, with an average sample size of 3,524.60±11,255.25. The prevalence of CMSPMs (IpHSPM) was 2.79±3.16% among all missing teeth (1.03±1.59% for upper CMSPMs and 1.76±2.32% for lower CMSPMs; P= 0.011). There were no significant differences (P= 0.250) in IpHSPM between men (1.59±1.52%) and women (2.13±1.67%). However, significant differences were recorded between continents. Furthermore, lower CMSPMs were found more frequently in orthodontic samples (P=0.033). The prevalence of CMSPMs is low compared with the overall prevalence of CM teeth. Despite the rarity of these anomalies, early detection is important to enable practitioners to plan and start treatment at the best time for optimal results.
Applied Sciences
Inflammation in primary teeth (PT) is commonly associated with a lower sensibility to painful sti... more Inflammation in primary teeth (PT) is commonly associated with a lower sensibility to painful stimuli, compared to permanent teeth, and usually leads to late presentation for dental treatment. Data obtained on the molecular assessments of dental pulp and clinical examinations could guide practitioners to conduct precise diagnoses and correct treatments. The aim of our pilot study was to assess the levels of several biomarkers (e.g., mineralization, oxidative stress, and inflammation) in primary teeth. The research included 46 dental pulp specimens collected from the primary teeth of children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 12. The experimental groups consisted of 18 samples collected from primary teeth with acute pulpitis and 15 samples from chronically inflamed pulp tissues. The control group was represented by 13 specimens acquired from clinically healthy primary teeth. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used to determine the protein expression o...
Many epidemiological studies prove the high vulnerability to caries of the first permanent molar,... more Many epidemiological studies prove the high vulnerability to caries of the first permanent molar, even shortly after its emergence. Aim: to assess the knowledge of preschool children’s parents on the matter of the first permanent molar. Material and method: the mothers of 215 children aged 1 to 7 years old were asked to fill in a questionnaire containing closed questions about the moment of the eruption of the first permanent molar and its position in the arch relative to the decidual molars, about caries prevention means for this tooth, as well as about the source of information on this subject. The mothers were aged 20 to 48 years (mean age = 31.16±0.29 years). 26.51% of them had a university degree, 55.81% were high school graduates and 16.28% had 10 classes or less. 22.79% were unemployed and 75.81% were employed. Results: Concerning the moment of the first permanent molar’s emergence, 20.93% of the answers were correct, while the question on the place of this tooth in the arch ...
Prosthetic treatments for children represent a challenge for the paediatric dentist due to the va... more Prosthetic treatments for children represent a challenge for the paediatric dentist due to the various characteristics of the growing arches and developing teeth that must be taken into account. Aim. To evaluate the needs for prosthetic treatment in the front of the jaws in a group of young patients, as well as the causes and consequences of these needs. Material and methods. 250 patients recruited from the Pedodontics clinic (123 boys), aged 7 to 18 years (12.00 – 2.96 years), were examined in terms of missing or severely destructed front permanent teeth needing prosthetic treatment. Data was registered and processed using SPSS software for Windows. Results. 12.8% of the subjects needed prosthetic treatment of front teeth. 2.7% of the teeth taken into account needed prosthetic treatment, from which 48.2% were central incisors, 36.1% were lateral incisors, and 15.7% were canines. No correlation was found between the age of the patients and the needs for prosthetic treatment. Most of...
Facts Dental health is an important issue for mentally and/or physically impaired persons in Roma... more Facts Dental health is an important issue for mentally and/or physically impaired persons in Romania. Special needs persons represent in our country, for the time being, a category of patients highly underserved from the dental point of view. Of these, the mentally impaired seem to be particularly affected. There are several reasons for this situation: Health care for special needs patients usually focuses on their main illness, leaving dental care on a secondary place. Mentally impaired patients sometimes have difficulties in expressing pain/discomfort. In absence of regular dental check-ups this may lead in time to an aggravated dental condition. At the moment, in Romania there is a total lack of a dedicated network of dental offices where these patients could get dental care. In Romania, the National Health Insurance Trust pays for children’s dental treatment provided in state clinics or in private dental offices it has an agreement with. However, there is a maximum amount of mon...
Aim: Previous studies have shown differences between urban and rural areas concerning dental heal... more Aim: Previous studies have shown differences between urban and rural areas concerning dental health. Our purpose was to compare caries experience among preschool children from two areas in Romania: an urban area and a rural one. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted upon 235 children aged between 3 and 7 years - 129 from an urban area (mean age 5.43 ± 0.18 years) and 106 from a rural area (mean age 5.90 ± 0.20 years). Examination was performed according to the WHO criteria (1987). Mean values and confidence intervals were calculated for caries prevalence (Ip), dmft/s indices and their components for the entire sample and for the 5-yearold subjects using Microsoft Excel (t=1.96). Statistical significance of differences between the two areas was assessed by using the t-Student test (p=0.05). Results: 1) For the entire sample: a) in the urban area Ip=72.87% ± 4.23%; dmft=4.18 ± 0.72; dmfs=8.20 ± 1.87; in the rural area Ip=92.46% ± 2.90%; dmft= 7.03 ± 0.83; dmfs=14...
Applied Sciences
Dental pulp inflammation, caused by the evolution of caries, involves numerous interrelated activ... more Dental pulp inflammation, caused by the evolution of caries, involves numerous interrelated activities at a cellular and molecular level. Cytokines, proteases, growth factors, and other biomarkers of the host response may take part in dental pulp’s immune defense. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the levels of inflammation, oxidative stress, and extracellular matrix degradation biomarkers in healthy and symptomatic irreversibly inflamed dental pulp samples from children and adolescents. Twenty-three dental pulp samples were collected from permanent teeth with irreversible inflammation, while nineteen healthy dental pulp samples were obtained from teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons. Pulp lysates were obtained and the levels of IL-2, IL-17, TNF-α, SOD3, TGF-β1, catalase, osteocalcin, MMP-7, and MMP-9 were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. We detected significantly higher levels (p < 0.001) of IL-2, IL-17, TNF-α, SOD3, osteoca...
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
International Dental Journal, 2015
The aims of this study were to evaluate the oral condition and treatment needs of Special Olympic... more The aims of this study were to evaluate the oral condition and treatment needs of Special Olympics (SO) athletes from Poland, Romania and Slovenia. A cross-sectional study was performed with data collected through standardised oral screening of athletes who participated in the annual SO events held in Poland, Romania and Slovenia, between 2011 and 2012. The data were compiled and transferred to an SPSS data file for analysis using descriptive statistics. A total of 3,545 athletes participated in the study. Among the main findings, the prevalence of untreated decay was 41% in Poland and 61% in Slovenia, whilst 70% of the Romanian athletes had signs of gingival disease and only 3.8% presented molar fissure sealants. In addition, 47% of Polish athletes were in need of urgent treatment. Analysis of the results obtained following screening showed comparable oral health needs of athletes with intellectual disability among countries. Exploration of the oral health systems of the countries revealed similar significant co-payments and lack of incentive for dentists to treat patients with special needs. The results from Romania, Poland and Slovenia demonstrated the need for a structured system in which a special population is a target for oral-health-related education programmes and system-included preventive, restorative and maintenance interventions.
Children, Jan 25, 2024
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
oral health and dental management, 2003
Many epidemiological studies prove the high vulnerability to caries of the first permanent molar,... more Many epidemiological studies prove the high vulnerability to caries of the first permanent molar, even shortly after its emergence. Aim: to assess the knowledge of preschool children's parents on the matter of the first permanent molar. Material and method: the mothers of 215 children aged 1 to 7 years old were asked to fill in a questionnaire containing closed questions about the moment of the eruption of the first permanent molar and its position in the arch relative to the decidual molars, about caries prevention means for this tooth, as well as about the source of information on this subject. The mothers were aged 20 to 48 years (mean age = 31.16±0.29 years). 26.51% of them had a university degree, 55.81% were high school graduates and 16.28% had 10 classes or less. 22.79% were unemployed and 75.81% were employed. Results: Concerning the moment of the first permanent molar's emergence, 20.93% of the answers were correct, while the question on the place of this tooth in the arch was correctly answered by 21.39%. The mother's level of education significantly influences the answers on the moment of the emergence of the first permanent molar and does not influence the accuracy of the answers on the position of this tooth. Mother's occupation does not influence the level of knowledge (p=0.05). Regarding the preventive means applicable for the first permanent molar, tooth brushing was most commonly mentioned (79.53%), while sealing was familiar to only 7.91% of the mothers. Half of the questioned women admitted not to have got any information on this tooth, while 17.67% stated that they got information from the dentist. Conclusions: 1. Parents have little knowledge on the moment of eruption and position in the arch of the first permanent molar. 2. There is a certain discrepancy between theoretic knowledge on oral health and actual oral habits. 3. Further caries prevention programs need to target the first permanent molar. For an increased efficiency, such programs should involve dentists, parents and teachers at the same time.
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), 2022
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Sedation with nitrous oxide (N2O) has been widely used as a viable alternative to general anesthe... more Sedation with nitrous oxide (N2O) has been widely used as a viable alternative to general anesthesia to perform dental treatments in uncooperative or anxious children. The purpose of this retrospective study is to assess if repeated sedations with N2O can improve collaboration of uncooperative children. The medical records of 650 children, aged between 3 and 14 years, who underwent at least two sedations, were consulted. Differences in the Venham score during the first sedation and subsequent sedations were collected. After removal incomplete records, 577 children’s records (309 males and 268 females) were analyzed. The Venham score decreased both during each sedation and with repeated sedations (p < 0.01 for both comparisons). In particular, a significant reduction of the Venham score was observed at the first contact with the dentist, with a mean score ranging from 1.56 ± 1.46 to 1.16 ± 1.37, comparing the first and the second sedation, and from 1.65 ± 1.43 to 1.06 ± 1.30, comp...
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
Aim. To evaluate the prevalence (Ip) of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) in a group of presc... more Aim. To evaluate the prevalence (Ip) of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) in a group of preschool children at their first visit in clinic (during 2001), the severity of the lesions and the influences of some social and behavioral factors upon the onset and evolution of the condition. Material and methods. I) Data drawn from dental records of 180 children (age 4.43±0.22 yr.) analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2000 and Student Test. II) Questionnaires on social (SF) and behavioral (BF) topics answers by mothers of the children with S-ECC. Results. I) Ip=31.66%; 89.46% of the S-ECC children had complicated caries; 56.15% had affected molars (besides upper incisors). II) (SF) 52.94% of the mothers were under 25 at the time of childbirth and 82.35% were junior high/high school graduates. (BF) 61.76% of the S-ECC children were bottle-fed after the age of 3, contents of the bottle usually sweetened; 67% of the mothers gave the bottle to their children before he/she fell asleep and most of ...
Healthcare, 2022
This study aimed to give an image of the oral health status and treatment needs of intellectually... more This study aimed to give an image of the oral health status and treatment needs of intellectually challenged athletes taking part in Special Olympics—Special Smiles (SO-SS) events organized in Romania during 2011–2019 and to find potential associations with socio-economic factors. An observational ecological retrospective study was conducted, and 1860 oral examinations were performed on participants aged 8 to 30 years in nine SS-SO events. Oral examination was performed under field conditions. Percentage of caries-free subjects, mean DMF-T index and its components (D = decayed; M = missing; F = filled; T = teeth), restoration index RI = [F/(F + D) × 100]%, and Plaque Index were calculated for each of the nine groups. Caries-free subjects ranged between 5.90% and 21.70%. DMF-T ranged from 4.27 to 7.71. Higher values for “F” component (range 0.66–1.69) and RI (range 13.02–27.74%) were found in events held in cities from regions with higher reported Gross Domestic Product. Sealants wer...
Romanian Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2018
Aim: to assess the dynamics of craniofacial structures in an ED patient treated and followed from... more Aim: to assess the dynamics of craniofacial structures in an ED patient treated and followed from age 9 to 24 years and detect potential reciprocal influences between anatomic structures and dental treatment. Methods. Craniofacial dynamics were assessed using cephalograms taken at ages 11, 15, 17 and 24. Results. The initial mild class III skeletal pattern remained, with a normally developed maxilla more to the lower limits of standard and a mandible more to the middle of normal ranges. Restored function favored narrowing of the gonial angle down to normal values. Initially very low, the tongue gained a normal high position after provision of a well-retained implant-supported lower denture. Head posture improved. Consistent enlargement of posterior airway and decrease of initially hypertrophic adenoid occurred by age 15. Conclusions. Early prosthetic restorations in ED patients can induce favorable anatomic and posture changes, favoring close-to-standard craniofacial development wit...
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
Hypodontia (tooth agenesis) is regarded as the most common congenital dental anomaly. The present... more Hypodontia (tooth agenesis) is regarded as the most common congenital dental anomaly. The present review discusses the epidemiological characteristics of congenitally missing second permanent molars (CMSPMs) within a systematic review of the literature. The review was based on Pubmed library associated with the search of various scientific databases or academic resources, improved by hand search of reference lists. The terms 'hypodontia' or 'anodontia' in combination with 'prevalence' or 'epidemiology' were searched in the data sources for studies published between January 2001 and December 2020. Abstracts of non-English papers were also analyzed. The inclusion criteria were as follows: i) Study provided precise data about CMSPMs, even if no second permanent molar was reportedly missing; ii) the number of CMSPMs distributed by jaw was provided and iii) studies on subjects >3 years were used. The exclusion criteria were as follows: i) Studies on patients with history of trauma of the maxilla or the mandible, any type of syndrome affecting bone metabolism, metabolic disorders, previous extraction or tooth loss due to dental caries, cleft lip and palate; ii) studies performed on cohorts of patients with hypodontia and iii) studies reporting data including third molars, except for those that presented sufficient data to perform correct calculations. A total of 79 studies were selected, accumulating a population of 281,968 people, with an average sample size of 3,524.60±11,255.25. The prevalence of CMSPMs (IpHSPM) was 2.79±3.16% among all missing teeth (1.03±1.59% for upper CMSPMs and 1.76±2.32% for lower CMSPMs; P= 0.011). There were no significant differences (P= 0.250) in IpHSPM between men (1.59±1.52%) and women (2.13±1.67%). However, significant differences were recorded between continents. Furthermore, lower CMSPMs were found more frequently in orthodontic samples (P=0.033). The prevalence of CMSPMs is low compared with the overall prevalence of CM teeth. Despite the rarity of these anomalies, early detection is important to enable practitioners to plan and start treatment at the best time for optimal results.
Applied Sciences
Inflammation in primary teeth (PT) is commonly associated with a lower sensibility to painful sti... more Inflammation in primary teeth (PT) is commonly associated with a lower sensibility to painful stimuli, compared to permanent teeth, and usually leads to late presentation for dental treatment. Data obtained on the molecular assessments of dental pulp and clinical examinations could guide practitioners to conduct precise diagnoses and correct treatments. The aim of our pilot study was to assess the levels of several biomarkers (e.g., mineralization, oxidative stress, and inflammation) in primary teeth. The research included 46 dental pulp specimens collected from the primary teeth of children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 12. The experimental groups consisted of 18 samples collected from primary teeth with acute pulpitis and 15 samples from chronically inflamed pulp tissues. The control group was represented by 13 specimens acquired from clinically healthy primary teeth. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used to determine the protein expression o...
Many epidemiological studies prove the high vulnerability to caries of the first permanent molar,... more Many epidemiological studies prove the high vulnerability to caries of the first permanent molar, even shortly after its emergence. Aim: to assess the knowledge of preschool children’s parents on the matter of the first permanent molar. Material and method: the mothers of 215 children aged 1 to 7 years old were asked to fill in a questionnaire containing closed questions about the moment of the eruption of the first permanent molar and its position in the arch relative to the decidual molars, about caries prevention means for this tooth, as well as about the source of information on this subject. The mothers were aged 20 to 48 years (mean age = 31.16±0.29 years). 26.51% of them had a university degree, 55.81% were high school graduates and 16.28% had 10 classes or less. 22.79% were unemployed and 75.81% were employed. Results: Concerning the moment of the first permanent molar’s emergence, 20.93% of the answers were correct, while the question on the place of this tooth in the arch ...
Prosthetic treatments for children represent a challenge for the paediatric dentist due to the va... more Prosthetic treatments for children represent a challenge for the paediatric dentist due to the various characteristics of the growing arches and developing teeth that must be taken into account. Aim. To evaluate the needs for prosthetic treatment in the front of the jaws in a group of young patients, as well as the causes and consequences of these needs. Material and methods. 250 patients recruited from the Pedodontics clinic (123 boys), aged 7 to 18 years (12.00 – 2.96 years), were examined in terms of missing or severely destructed front permanent teeth needing prosthetic treatment. Data was registered and processed using SPSS software for Windows. Results. 12.8% of the subjects needed prosthetic treatment of front teeth. 2.7% of the teeth taken into account needed prosthetic treatment, from which 48.2% were central incisors, 36.1% were lateral incisors, and 15.7% were canines. No correlation was found between the age of the patients and the needs for prosthetic treatment. Most of...
Facts Dental health is an important issue for mentally and/or physically impaired persons in Roma... more Facts Dental health is an important issue for mentally and/or physically impaired persons in Romania. Special needs persons represent in our country, for the time being, a category of patients highly underserved from the dental point of view. Of these, the mentally impaired seem to be particularly affected. There are several reasons for this situation: Health care for special needs patients usually focuses on their main illness, leaving dental care on a secondary place. Mentally impaired patients sometimes have difficulties in expressing pain/discomfort. In absence of regular dental check-ups this may lead in time to an aggravated dental condition. At the moment, in Romania there is a total lack of a dedicated network of dental offices where these patients could get dental care. In Romania, the National Health Insurance Trust pays for children’s dental treatment provided in state clinics or in private dental offices it has an agreement with. However, there is a maximum amount of mon...
Aim: Previous studies have shown differences between urban and rural areas concerning dental heal... more Aim: Previous studies have shown differences between urban and rural areas concerning dental health. Our purpose was to compare caries experience among preschool children from two areas in Romania: an urban area and a rural one. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted upon 235 children aged between 3 and 7 years - 129 from an urban area (mean age 5.43 ± 0.18 years) and 106 from a rural area (mean age 5.90 ± 0.20 years). Examination was performed according to the WHO criteria (1987). Mean values and confidence intervals were calculated for caries prevalence (Ip), dmft/s indices and their components for the entire sample and for the 5-yearold subjects using Microsoft Excel (t=1.96). Statistical significance of differences between the two areas was assessed by using the t-Student test (p=0.05). Results: 1) For the entire sample: a) in the urban area Ip=72.87% ± 4.23%; dmft=4.18 ± 0.72; dmfs=8.20 ± 1.87; in the rural area Ip=92.46% ± 2.90%; dmft= 7.03 ± 0.83; dmfs=14...
Applied Sciences
Dental pulp inflammation, caused by the evolution of caries, involves numerous interrelated activ... more Dental pulp inflammation, caused by the evolution of caries, involves numerous interrelated activities at a cellular and molecular level. Cytokines, proteases, growth factors, and other biomarkers of the host response may take part in dental pulp’s immune defense. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the levels of inflammation, oxidative stress, and extracellular matrix degradation biomarkers in healthy and symptomatic irreversibly inflamed dental pulp samples from children and adolescents. Twenty-three dental pulp samples were collected from permanent teeth with irreversible inflammation, while nineteen healthy dental pulp samples were obtained from teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons. Pulp lysates were obtained and the levels of IL-2, IL-17, TNF-α, SOD3, TGF-β1, catalase, osteocalcin, MMP-7, and MMP-9 were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. We detected significantly higher levels (p < 0.001) of IL-2, IL-17, TNF-α, SOD3, osteoca...
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
International Dental Journal, 2015
The aims of this study were to evaluate the oral condition and treatment needs of Special Olympic... more The aims of this study were to evaluate the oral condition and treatment needs of Special Olympics (SO) athletes from Poland, Romania and Slovenia. A cross-sectional study was performed with data collected through standardised oral screening of athletes who participated in the annual SO events held in Poland, Romania and Slovenia, between 2011 and 2012. The data were compiled and transferred to an SPSS data file for analysis using descriptive statistics. A total of 3,545 athletes participated in the study. Among the main findings, the prevalence of untreated decay was 41% in Poland and 61% in Slovenia, whilst 70% of the Romanian athletes had signs of gingival disease and only 3.8% presented molar fissure sealants. In addition, 47% of Polish athletes were in need of urgent treatment. Analysis of the results obtained following screening showed comparable oral health needs of athletes with intellectual disability among countries. Exploration of the oral health systems of the countries revealed similar significant co-payments and lack of incentive for dentists to treat patients with special needs. The results from Romania, Poland and Slovenia demonstrated the need for a structured system in which a special population is a target for oral-health-related education programmes and system-included preventive, restorative and maintenance interventions.