OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the associations of smoking status, intensity, duration, and cumulative exposure with the risk of dental implant failure in Korean adults. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study utilized the National Health Insurance Service–Health Screening Cohort (2016–2019). Overall, 23,573 individuals who had completed the dental implant process were included. Smoking status was categorized as non-smoker, ex-smoker, or current smoker. Smoking intensity, duration, and cumulative exposure were classified using standardized thresholds (>10 cigarettes per day, >10 years, and >10 pack-years). Implant failure was defined as reimplantation or removal. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for demographic, clinical, and behavioral covariates. RESULTS: During follow-up, 605 implant failures occurred: 344 in non-smokers, 182 in ex-smokers, and 79 in current smokers. The corresponding incidence rates per 1,000 person-years were 11.56, 16.54, and 22.33, respectively. Current smoking was significantly associated with higher implant failure risk (adjusted HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.20 to 2.09), while ex-smokers displayed a non-significant increase (adjusted HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.45). A dose–response relationship was observed: smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day, smoking for more than 10 years, or exceeding 10 pack-years was associated with significantly increased risk. CONCLUSIONS Smoking is a significant, dose–dependent risk factor for dental implant failure in Korean adults. Current smokers have the highest risk; smoking cessation may reduce adverse outcomes. These findings emphasize the importance of detailed smoking assessments and cessation counseling in implant care and public health strategies.

The prevalence of dementia is 2- to 7-fold higher among patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) than among the general population; however, its clinical implications in this population remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether comorbid dementia increases mortality among older patients with ESKD undergoing newly initiated hemodialysis. Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean Society of Geriatric Nephrology retrospective cohort, which included 2,736 older ESKD patients (≥70 years old) who started hemodialysis between 2010 and 2017. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were used to examine all-cause mortality between the patients with and without dementia in this cohort. Results: Of the 2,406 included patients, 8.3% had dementia at the initiation of dialysis; these patients were older (79.6 ± 6.0 years) than patients without dementia (77.7 ± 5.5 years) and included more women (male:female, 89:111). Pre-ESKD diagnosis of dementia was associated with an increased risk of overall mortality (hazard ratio, 1.503; p < 0.001), and this association remained consistent after multivariate adjustment (hazard ratio, 1.268; p = 0.009). In subgroup analysis, prevalent dementia was associated with mortality following dialysis initiation in female patients, those aged <85 years, those with no history of cerebrovascular accidents or severe behavioral disorders, those not residing in nursing facilities, and those with no or short-term hospitalization. Conclusion: A pre-ESKD diagnosis of dementia is associated with mortality following dialysis initiation in older Korean population. In older patients with ESKD, cognitive assessment at dialysis initiation is necessary.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) patients usually wonder if their condition will worsen after vaccination or if they should continue with the treatment they are receiving. Considering that many patients treated with dupilumab had previously experienced severe AD symptoms and flares, the concerns are more understandable. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the safety of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in patients with AD treated with dupilumab. Methods: We enrolled 133 patients (101 dupilumab-treated and 32 systemic oral agentstreated as control group) with AD from six hospitals. Patients were asked about worsening pruritus and AD (5-point Likert scale) after vaccination. AD variables (eczema area and severity index [EASI], investigator’s global assessment [IGA], itch numerical rating scale [NRS], sleep NRS, and patient-oriented eczema measure [POEM]) were compared pre- and postvaccination. Adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccination were observed. Results: The incidence of adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines and worsening AD symptoms in dupilumab-treated patients were not significantly different compared with that in the control group. The itch NRS score increased significantly after vaccination (p<0.001).However, there were no statistically significant differences between the pre-and post-EASI, IGA, and POEM scores. Eight patients (7.9%) had worse EASI scores and required rescue therapy; however, most were easily managed with low-dose steroids or topical agents. None of the patients discontinued dupilumab treatment. Conclusion No serious adverse reactions were observed in patients with AD after COVID-19 vaccination. Exacerbation of pruritus and AD symptoms was observed but was mostly mild and transient.

METHODS: A nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study was conducted using patient records from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. For the period 2004-2019, patient data were categorized into 2 groups: a diagnosis of OSA (747 subjects) and no diagnosis of OSA (1,494 subjects). Subsequently, 1:2 propensity score matching was performed to ensure the homogeneity of the 2 groups. To analyze the risk of incident chronic periodontitis, a Cox proportional-hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: In the Kaplan-Meier curve, the disease-free probability was significantly lower in the OSA group than in the non-OSA group (p for log-rank test=0.001). The crude HR for the association between OSA and chronic periodontitis was 1.29 (95% CI, 1.16 to 1.43). The multivariable-adjusted HR was calculated at 1.28 (95% CI, 1.15 to 1.42). CONCLUSIONS This study confirmed a relationship between OSA and chronic periodontitis. Therefore, OSA patients require oral care to prevent the progression of chronic periodontitis from mild to severe.

Background: Occupational allergic contact dermatitis accounts for about half of all occupational skin diseases. Patch testing is essential for establishing a diagnosis of occupational allergic contact dermatitis. To date, allergic contact dermatitis caused by seawater has rarely been reported. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the patch test results of seawater in foreign maritime workers. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical photos and medical records of patients who underwent the patch test with the Korean standard series and sea-water at Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital and St. Vincent’s Hospital from January 2017 to August 2020. Results: A total of 26 patients were enrolled in the study. All patients were men with a median age of 26.5 years.Twenty-five patients were Sri Lankan, and 25 patients (96.2%) showed a positive reaction to seawater. Patients showed positive reactions with multiple allergens (average: 4), and the positive rates were higher than those reported in previous studies. Atypical reactions, such as pricking patterns or erosive patches, have been observed. A marked erosive reaction was observed even at the site without allergen attachment in a patient who showed a negative reaction to seawater. Conclusion These results suggest the possibility of artificially inducing positive reactions to seawater in maritime workers. Therefore, it is necessary to identify atypical reactions and confirm the relationship between positive reactions and medical history when judging contact dermatitis with unknown substances such as seawater. This study emphasizes education on the standardization of the reading of results.

Background: Occupational allergic contact dermatitis accounts for about half of all occupational skin diseases. Patch testing is essential for establishing a diagnosis of occupational allergic contact dermatitis. To date, allergic contact dermatitis caused by seawater has rarely been reported. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the patch test results of seawater in foreign maritime workers. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical photos and medical records of patients who underwent the patch test with the Korean standard series and sea-water at Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital and St. Vincent’s Hospital from January 2017 to August 2020. Results: A total of 26 patients were enrolled in the study. All patients were men with a median age of 26.5 years.Twenty-five patients were Sri Lankan, and 25 patients (96.2%) showed a positive reaction to seawater. Patients showed positive reactions with multiple allergens (average: 4), and the positive rates were higher than those reported in previous studies. Atypical reactions, such as pricking patterns or erosive patches, have been observed. A marked erosive reaction was observed even at the site without allergen attachment in a patient who showed a negative reaction to seawater. Conclusion These results suggest the possibility of artificially inducing positive reactions to seawater in maritime workers. Therefore, it is necessary to identify atypical reactions and confirm the relationship between positive reactions and medical history when judging contact dermatitis with unknown substances such as seawater. This study emphasizes education on the standardization of the reading of results.

Background: The incidence of dementia in Korea is a serious social problem, as the number of patients with dementia is increasing with a decrease in the age of dementia onset dementia is associated with oral disease among various causes, but there is very low awareness of the relationship between dementia and oral health. Therefore, in view of the above, we aimed to check oral health promotion and dementia prevention behaviors and use them as basic data for preventing dementia. Methods: In this study, we conducted a month-long survey of people aged 40 years and above living in South Korea, and reclaimed 140 survey questionnaires. Frequency analysis was performed for the perception level of the relationship between dementia and oral health, and the demographic characteristics assessed according to the perception level. Independent t-tests were performed for the mean comparison between oral health promotion and dementia prevention behaviors. Correlation analysis was performed for the relationship between the three variables (oral health promotion and dementia prevention behaviors, the perception level of the relationship between them). Results: The results showed that groups with a high level of awareness of the relationship between dementia and oral health were more likely to develop oral health promotion and dementia prevention behaviors (p＜0.01). In addition, the higher the level of awareness related to dementia and oral health, the greater the likelihood of oral health and dementia prevention behaviors (p＜ 0.01). Conclusion Therefore, we should try to improve dementia prevention and oral health promotion by providing accurate knowledge and awareness of the relevance between dementia and oral health.

BACKGROUND: Oral diseases are caused by various systemic and local factors, the most closely related being the biofilm. However, the challenges involved in removing an established biofilm necessitate professional care for its removal. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of professional self and professional biofilm care in healthy patients to prevent the development of periodontal diseases. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients who visited the dental clinic between September 2018 and February 2019 were included in this study. Self-biofilm care was performed by routine tooth brushing and professional biofilm care was provided using the toothpick method (TPM) or the oral prophylaxis (OP) method using a rubber cup. Subgingival bacterial motility and halitosis (levels of hydrogen sulfide, H₂2S; methyl mercaptan, CH₃SH; and di-methyl sulfide, (CH₃)₂S) were measured before, immediately after, and 5 hours after the preventive treatment in the three groups. Repeated measures analysis of variance test was performed to determine significant differences among the groups. RESULTS: TPM was effective immediately after the prevention treatment, whereas OP was more effective after 5 hours (proximal surfaces, F=16.353, p<0.001; smooth surfaces, F=66.575, p<0.001). The three components responsible for halitosis were effectively reduced by professional biofilm care immediately after the preventive treatment; however, self-biofilm care was more effective after 5 hours (H₂S, F=3.564, p=0.011; CH₃SH, F=6.657, p<0.001; (CH₃)₂S, F=21.135, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: To prevent oral diseases, it is critical to monitor the biofilm. The dental hygienist should check the oral hygiene status and the ability of the patient to administer oral care. Professional biofilm care should be provided by assessing and treating each surface of the tooth. We hope to strengthen our professional in biofilm care through continuous clinical research.
Bacteria ; Biofilms ; Dental Care ; Dental Clinics ; Dental Hygienists ; Halitosis ; Hope ; Humans ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; Methods ; Oral Health ; Oral Hygiene ; Periodontal Diseases ; Rubber ; Tooth

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a clinical preventative care program, based on a dental hygiene process (accessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation; ADPIE) in a dental clinic, by analyzing patient recognition, knowledge, practice, and satisfaction with respect to oral health. The collected data (in percentages) were analyzed Fisher's exact test and paired t-test using IBM SPSS ver. 21.0 (IBM Co., USA). This study demonstrated a significant difference in oral health knowledge, recognition, and practice before and after the clinical preventive care program (p<0.05). The results were significant in the individual preventive plan within the planning stage, and in the professional teeth cleaning implementation stage (p<0.05). This result can be attributed to the sympathy of the dental hygienist (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between recommending dental checkups and regular checking of the (r=0.552, p<0.05), undergoing radiography (r=0.434, p<0.01), following an individual preventive plan (r=0.568, p<0.01), undergoing proximal machine teeth cleaning (r=0.437, p<0.05), following tooth brushing instructions (r=0.552, p<0.05), and the evaluation results (r=1.000, p<0.05). Our results demonstrate, that the clinical preventive care program, based on dental hygiene, is an effective program. Given the positive effect of dental revisits and patient recommendations promoting dental hygienists, it is hoped that this preventative program will be widely used.
Dental Clinics ; Dental Hygienists ; Diagnosis ; Hope ; Humans ; Oral Health* ; Oral Hygiene* ; Radiography ; Tooth

The purpose of this study was to reveal analyze the relationship between status of participation in an oral health care program and oral health outcomes among patients in Korea, and to evaluate the results to provide evidence regarding the feasibility of widespread implementation of the program. Patients were designated as either cooperative or non-cooperative with the oral health care program and were assigned to each group accordingly. Modified dental hygiene process (M-DHP) of the oral healthcare program was modified to form the dental hygiene process. The study included 48 patients at a dental clinic in Busan, Korea. Questionnaires were used to collect information on oral health behavior (OHB), clinical examination was used to record bleeding on probing (BOP) and O'Leary index, and phase microscopy was used to identify microorganisms. Differences between groups were evaluated using repeated measures ANOVA. Our results showed that the group cooperative with the oral health care program showed greater improvement in OHB, BOP, and O'Leary index than the non-cooperative group. Second, patient satisfaction with the M-DHP was very high, particularly for content and the friendly nature of the staff. The cooperative group showed greater improvement in oral health than the non-cooperative group for all metrics. Our results suggest that this low-coste program, if implemented, would be actively accepted and utilized in dental clinics.
Busan ; Delivery of Health Care ; Dental Clinics ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Korea ; Microscopy ; Oral Health* ; Oral Hygiene ; Oral Hygiene Index ; Patient Satisfaction ; Periodontal Index