The purpose of this study was to compare the values of tongue pressure (TP), lip closing pressure (LCP), right buccal pressure (RBP), and left buccal pressure (LBP) and check the intraoral muscle imbalance and observe the changed values according to the myofunctional therapy (MFT) period. The MFT with a prefabricated appliance was performed on patients with certain muscular dysfunctions due to oral habits. And the improvement of perioral muscles was evaluated using a balloon-based pressure measurement. The group consisted of 21 patients with oral habits such as chronic mouth breathing, finger sucking, lip sucking, tongue thrusting, and atypical swallowing habits. When comparing the two groups before treatment, there was a significant difference in TP and LCP values. The TP increased the most in the first month since the start of myofunctional therapy, and the LCP increased the most between 3 and 6 months after treatment began. The values of TP, LCP, RBP, and LBP in the control group measured before treatment were very similar to the results of the experimental group 6 months after the myofunctional therapy. When the MFT was steadily performed, it was possible to observe a noticeable increase in the tongue and lip closing pressure. At least 6 months of myofunctional therapy is recommended for patients with intraoral muscle imbalance due to oral habits.

Traumatic bone cyst (TBC) is an asymptomatic lesion seen most in adolescents. TBC is found incidentally on routine panoramic examinations and appears as a relatively well-demarcated unilocular radiolucency with scalloped margins. Histological examination reveals a vacant cavity of cancellous bone usually unlined or very occasionally lined with a thin connective tissue layer. The lack of lining epithelial membrane is common histological feature. The most affected site is between the mandibular canine and third molar. The involvement of the mandibular symphysis is rare. The etiopathogenesis of the TBC is unclear. TBC is treated with surgical exploration and curettage; new bone is formed in place of the lesion within 6 - 12 months of surgery. Diagnosis of TBC prior to surgical intervention has limitations in most of the cases. Both of our patients were diagnosed through radiological examination and biopsy. Neither patient had a history of trauma. After surgery, the panoramic radiograph and CBCT were used to confirm bone healing.

The purpose of this study was to compare the color of maxillary primary central incisors, lateral incisors, canines with the color of various composite resins using a spectrophotometer VITA Easyshade®V.One researcher measured the color of sound maxillary primary anterior teeth of 100 children aged 1 to 6 and specimens which were made by composite resins with a total of 10 types and 31 shades, and CIE L*, a*, b* values were obtained.There was no clinically recognizable color difference between the maxillary primary central and lateral incisors. However, the maxillary primary canines showed difference in color above the clinical acceptability threshold with the primary central and lateral incisors. These findings showed no significant color differences between men and women, and no significant color changes with age. A1 shade is the most common in all maxillary primary anterior teeth.Composite resins, which are thought to be similar to the color of maxillary primary anterior teeth were selected from 9 types of maxillary primary central incisors, 6 types of primary lateral incisors, 6 types of primary canines.

The objective of this study is to analyze the shear bond strength of orthodontic buttons according to light tip distance and optic fiber diameter when an extended optic fiber was applied to the tip of a curing light unit.
In this study, 315 extracted premolar teeth were divided into 3 groups. Orthodontic buttons were attached using no optic fibers (Group I), 3.0 mm diameter optic fibers (Group II), or 5.0 mm diameter optic fibers (Group III). Each group was divided into subgroups A - C (5.0, 10.0, and 15.0 mm light tip distance), respectively. Shear bond strength was then measured while varying the light tip distance.
In group I, shear bond strength significantly decreased as the light tip distance increased. When the shear bond strength was evaluated according to the optic fiber diameter, no statistical significance was observed in group of 5.0 mm light tip distance. Compared with group IB, group IIIB showed significantly greater shear bond strength. Compared with group IC, all groups using 3.0 or 5.0 mm diameter optic fibers showed significantly greater shear bond strength.
Therefore, when a curing light unit has poor accessibility, optic fibers with a large diameter should be considered.

Background: On October 1, 2017, a new coinsurance reduction policy for children under 15 was introduced to minimize the lack of inpatient medical services for economic reasons and secure children’s access to medical care. Methods: This study analyzes the effect of this coinsurance reduction policy on healthcare utilization using data from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort between 2015 and 2019. Groups were classified by 3 case groups and a control group according to age. The dependent variables were inpatient cost, admission, length of hospitalization, outpatient cost and visit, and total cost. The difference-in-differences method was used to examine changes in healthcare utilization among the case and control groups after policy implementation. Results: Children of the age group 1–5 exhibited an increase in inpatient services and a decrease in outpatient services. There was a 16.17% increase in inpatient cost, 8.55% increase in inpatient admission, 10.67% increase in inpatient length of hospitalization, −9.14% decline in outpatient cost, and −6.79% decline in outpatient visits. Regarding children in the age groups of 6–10 and 11–15, the effect of the policy was inconclusive. Conclusion The reduction in coinsurance rate policy in hospitalization among children has increased inpatient services and reduced outpatient services for 1–5-year-olds—a substitute effect was observed in this group. There is need for further research to examine the longterm effects of the coinsurance reduction policy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the association between cohabitation status and sleep quality in family members of people with dementia (PwDs). Methods: Data of 190 365 participants aged ≥19 years from the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey were analyzed. Participants were categorized according to their cohabitation status with PwDs. Multiple logistic regression and ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between the cohabitation status of PwDs’ relatives and sleep quality measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and PSQI subscales. Results: Compared to participants without PwDs in their families, both cohabitation and non-cohabitation with PwDs were associated with poor sleep quality (cohabitation, male: odds ratio [OR],1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 1.52; female: OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.20 to 1.64; non-cohabitation, male: OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.24; female: OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.33). In a subgroup analysis, non-cohabiting family members showed the highest odds of experiencing poor sleep quality when the PwD lived alone (male: OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.91; female: OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.24 to 2.01). Cohabiting male and female participants had higher odds of poor subjective sleep quality and use of sleeping medications than non-cohabiting male and female participants, respectively. Conclusions The residence of PwDs and cohabitation status may contribute to poor sleep quality among PwDs’ family members. The circumstances faced by cohabiting and non-cohabiting family members should be considered when evaluating sleep quality in family members of PwDs, and appropriate interventions may be needed to improve sleep quality in both cohabiting and non-cohabiting family members.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the association between cohabitation status and sleep quality in family members of people with dementia (PwDs). Methods: Data of 190 365 participants aged ≥19 years from the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey were analyzed. Participants were categorized according to their cohabitation status with PwDs. Multiple logistic regression and ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between the cohabitation status of PwDs’ relatives and sleep quality measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and PSQI subscales. Results: Compared to participants without PwDs in their families, both cohabitation and non-cohabitation with PwDs were associated with poor sleep quality (cohabitation, male: odds ratio [OR],1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 1.52; female: OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.20 to 1.64; non-cohabitation, male: OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.24; female: OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.33). In a subgroup analysis, non-cohabiting family members showed the highest odds of experiencing poor sleep quality when the PwD lived alone (male: OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.91; female: OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.24 to 2.01). Cohabiting male and female participants had higher odds of poor subjective sleep quality and use of sleeping medications than non-cohabiting male and female participants, respectively. Conclusions The residence of PwDs and cohabitation status may contribute to poor sleep quality among PwDs’ family members. The circumstances faced by cohabiting and non-cohabiting family members should be considered when evaluating sleep quality in family members of PwDs, and appropriate interventions may be needed to improve sleep quality in both cohabiting and non-cohabiting family members.

The clinical staging model is considered a useful and practical method not only in dealing with the early stage of psychosis overcoming the debate about diagnostic boundaries but also in emerging mood disorder. However, its one limitation is that it cannot discriminate the heterogeneity of individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis, but lumps them all together. Even a healthy offspring of schizophrenia can eventually show clinical symptoms and progress to schizophrenia under the influence of genetic vulnerability and environmental stress even after the peak age of onset of schizophrenia. Therefore, individuals with genetic liability of schizophrenia may require a more intensive intervention than recommended by the staging model based on current clinical status.
Age of Onset ; Methods ; Mood Disorders ; Population Characteristics ; Psychotic Disorders ; Schizophrenia*

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the trends in gender disparity in the self-rated health of people aged 25 to 64 in South Korea, a rapidly changing society, with specific attention to socio-structural inequality. METHODS: Representative sample data were obtained from six successive, nationwide Social Statistics Surveys of the Korean National Statistical Office performed during 1992 to 2010. RESULTS: The results showed a convergent trend in poor self-rated health between genders since 1992, with a sharper decline in gender disparity observed in younger adults (aged 25 to 44) than in older adults (aged 45 to 64). The diminishing gender gap seemed to be attributable to an increase in women's educational attainment levels and to their higher status in the labor market. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated the importance of equitable social opportunities for both genders for understanding the historical trends in the gender gap in the self-reported health data from South Korea.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Data Collection ; Educational Status ; Employment/classification/economics ; Female ; *Health Status Disparities ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea ; Sex Factors ; *Social Change ; Social Class ; Women's Health/*trends ; Women's Rights/*trends