Objectives: To investigate the relationship between self-rating of subjective oral health, oral hygiene behaviors, and objective oral health status, and to identify factors that determine self-rating for subjective oral health. Methods: This retrospective study examined data from 1,128 patients who underwent panoramic radiography and oral examination based on national health checkups between 2009 and 2015. Oral hygiene behavior was validated using a questionnaire, and the presence of oral diseases was validated through oral examination and panoramic radiographs. The effect of oral hygiene behaviors on the presence of oral diseases or dental treatment was evaluated using univariate regression analysis. Oral hygiene behaviors and the prevalence of oral disease were compared, according to selfrated subjective oral health, using the chi-square test. Factors affecting self-rating of subjective oral health were determined using multivariate regression analysis. Results: Patients who brushed their teeth less than three times per day had a higher risk of dental caries, periodontitis, and missing teeth (P<0.05). The percentage of patients performing oral hygiene behaviors differed significantly according to the self-rating of subjective oral health. The factors affecting the self-rating of subjective oral health were pain and the presence of restored teeth.The presence of gingivitis, periodontitis, and the number of dental caries had no significant effect on the self-rating of oral health. Conclusions Self-rating of oral health was determined by treatment experience rather than objective oral health status and it affected oral hygiene behavior.

The Korean Academy of Preventive Dentistry and Oral Health (KAPDOH) has been dedicated to improving the nation’s oral health for over half a century. However, with the rapid societal changes of today, KAPDOH is also encountering new challenges.Demographic shifts, including a declining birth rate and rapid population aging, are reshaping national oral health priorities.In the 1980s, dental caries among school-age children was a major public health concern; however, oral health issues among older adults are now emerging as a significant societal challenge. In the past, addressing children’s oral health primarily involved the relatively straightforward task of preventing dental caries. In contrast, ensuring oral health in older adults requires a broader academic focus, encompassing the prevention of dental caries and periodontitis, improvement of chewing function, and prevention of pneumonia in older adults hospitalized for long periods in nursing hospitals. Tackling these issues necessitates close collaboration and interdisciplinary research.A defining characteristic of the 21st century is the blurring of boundaries between disciplines. The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has brought about transformative changes across all fields, surpassing previous expectations.For society to continue progressing, all KAPDOH members must remain open to collaboration with other disciplines and embrace change with a flexible mindset. While concerns about AI technology exist, its potential to drive academic progress is undeniable. In particular, AI-based prediction models and diagnostic technologies for oral diseases are expected to play a pivotal role in oral health research.Having attended the conference over the past few years, I have been able to confirm that the society is consistently striving to pioneer new areas of research. This is a highly encouraging development, and I hope that KAPDOH will continue to contribute to the advancement of oral health in the years to come.With these expectations, I conclude my foreword.

Objectives: This study aimed to provide relevant information and data for establishing oral health policies in Korea by analyzing international agendas and the current status of various Asian coun-tries, through participation in the 13 th Asian Chief Dental Officers Meeting (ACDOM). Methods: This study utilized a three-phase approach: pre-meeting research, ACDOM field activity, and post-meeting reflections. Before the meeting, a foundational literature review was conducted to understand oral health policies and the current status of the countries joining ACDOM. During the program at the meeting venue, various oral health policy agendas from 17 countries and WHO officials, were presented and discussed. Finally, the findings from the meeting were analyzed and organized to derive implications for Korea’s oral health policy. Results: The primary findings from the presentations of the various Asian countries align with the WHO Oral Health Program goals for 2030. The meeting was organized and developed using the framework of the Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023–2030), as published by the WHO. Most Chief Dental Officers and representatives from different Asian countries agreed with the translation of the program and the need to put the action plan into practice according to proper solutions for each country’s unique public oral health condition. Conclusions The 13 th ACDOM emphasized the need of Asian countries to take action to improve public oral health in alignment with the WHO Oral Health Program. Korea also needs to play an im-portant role by contributing to the international collaboration and supporting the vision of universal oral health care.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the local Vietnamese government initiative, the ‘invisible healthcare system’, on the activities of Organization A, which focuses on oral health projects. Methods: Since 2000, Organization A has conducted preventive care and oral health-focused activities in central Vietnam, with formal and informal interventions from local Vietnamese governments. This study conducts an in-depth analysis of the relationship between local Vietnamese governments and oversea non-government organizations (NGOs) from the perspective of the recipient country. Results: First, the initial step involves aligning intentions with the local Vietnamese government through negotiations, such as reaching agreements on the operation of oral health programs. Second, efforts should be made to understand the implicit aspects of Vietnamese policies regarding oversea NGO activities. For instance, it can be the People’s Aid Coordination Committee (PACCOM), which has a policy to manage oversea NGOs. The policies of PACCOM inherently reflect an ‘invisible healthcare system’ and a ‘nationalist-oriented character’. Conclusions Finally, oversea NGO activities in Vietnam increasingly require a focus on ‘localization’and ‘Vietnamization’ to effectively achieve the desired outcomes.

Objectives: To propose age group classification criteria for efficient tooth loss management by ana-lyzing the distribution of tooth loss in Korean adults by age group and causes of tooth loss. In addi-tion, to determine the efficacy of a Significant Tooth Loss index. Methods: The study included 13,199 adults who participated in the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018). The mean number of missing teeth was compared by classifying the ages into 10- and 5-year intervals. Based on this analysis, the distribution of missing teeth was determined by classifying the age groups into 15-year intervals. Subsequently, the causes of tooth loss by age group at 15-year intervals and the efficacy of the Significant Tooth Loss Index were determined. Results: Classification at 5-year age intervals was more appropriate for analyzing changes in the distribution of missing teeth than classification at 10-year age intervals. However, establishing a public oral health program for the management of tooth loss on a 5-year or 10-year basis is im-practical. Therefore, a classification method with 15-year age intervals was proposed, in which the groups were young (19-34 years), middle-aged (35-49 years), older adult (50-64 years), and elderly (65 years or older). Although the criteria for the Significant Tooth Loss Index were appropri-ate for the young, older adults, and elderly groups, modifications were required for the middle-aged group. Conclusions Age-based oral health programs for adults should be promoted to prevent tooth loss by classifying adults into different age groups based on their clinical characteristics.

Objectives: To evaluate changes in probing depth, bleeding on probing, and three-dimensional plaque distribution after using an interdental brush for three months. Methods: This was a split-mouth design, examiner-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Fifteen patients were randomly assigned to use an interdental brush between their maxillary left or right 1st and 2nd premolar. They were instructed not to use an interdental brush on the opposite side for three months. Probing depth, bleeding on probing, bleeding on using an interdental brush, gingival recession, and plaque distribution were assessed at baseline and after three months. Results: After using an interdental brush for three months, 4.26±15.16% of plaque on interdental surfaces decreased. Bleeding on probing and bleeding on using an interdental brush also decreased by 16.67% and 40%, respectively. The size of interdental areas increased by 0.16 mm when using an interdental brush. There were no statistically significant changes in probing depth or gingival recession. Conclusions An interdental brush is an effective interdental cleaning aid that reduces interdental plaque and decreases inflammation of interdental soft tissues.

Objectives: Moral sensitivity and moral judgment are key factors influencing ethical decision-making in the clinical practice of dental hygienists. This study utilized a dilemma discussion in a dental hygiene ethics class to assess changes in the moral sensitivity and moral judgment of students and to examine the implications of these changes. Methods: The study included 46 sophomore students from the Department of Dental Hygiene who were enrolled in a dental hygiene ethics course during the second semester of 2021. The class employed the dilemma discussion method in the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) model-based Development Beyond Learning (DBL) dental hygiene ethics curriculum. This approach aimed to help dental hygienists develop professional ethics and make sound ethical judgments. To evaluate the degree of change in moral perception before and after the dilemma discussion class, a predesigned questionnaire was administered twice—once in the first week and again in the 15th week of the course. Results: Moral sensitivity increased following the dental hygiene ethics course. Although moral judgement did no show a statistically significant change, students demonstrated a noticeable shift toward deeper consideration in their ethical reasoning. Conclusions Dental hygiene programs should explore diverse instructional designs and activities to foster ethical competencies. This study provides insights that may contribute to improving the ethical thinking skills of future dental hygienists.

Objectives: Clinical examination is considered the gold standard for monitoring periodontal disease. However, it requires significant resources. Self-reported assessment serves as a useful method for screening periodontal diseases in different cohorts. We aimed to evaluate the validity of a selfreported questionnaire for the surveillance of periodontal disease among Korean adults. Methods: The participants were 120 patients aged ≥19 years old who were examined using the community periodontal index. The questionnaire comprised 10 questions, translated from an English-version, that was used to identify periodontitis. The predictiveness of the measures from the self-reported questions was assessed by multivariable logistic regression modeling using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity, and specificity. Results: For item 3, “Have you ever had treatment for gum disease, such as scaling and root planning”, the adjusted odds ratio was 4.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-17.67; and AUROC, 0.82. The sensitivity and specificity of this item were, 0.93 and 0.42, respectively. In Kendall’s Tau-b correlation analysis, items 1 (“Have gum disease”) and 10 Periodontal treatment and surgery under anesthesia”) had the strongest correlations with item 3, with correlation coefficients of 0.48 and 0.42, respectively. A model combining items 1, 3, and 10, adjusted for demographic variables, resulted in an AUROC of 0.86, sensitivity of 0.86, and specificity of 0.26. Conclusions An adapted Korean version (“Have gum disease”, “Treatment for gum disease, such as scaling and root planning”, and “periodontal treatment under anesthesia”) of the self-reported questionnaire demonstrated its capacity for epidemiological surveillance of periodontal disease in this study cohort.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between self-rating of subjective oral health, oral hygiene behaviors, and objective oral health status, and to identify factors that determine self-rating for subjective oral health. Methods: This retrospective study examined data from 1,128 patients who underwent panoramic radiography and oral examination based on national health checkups between 2009 and 2015. Oral hygiene behavior was validated using a questionnaire, and the presence of oral diseases was validated through oral examination and panoramic radiographs. The effect of oral hygiene behaviors on the presence of oral diseases or dental treatment was evaluated using univariate regression analysis. Oral hygiene behaviors and the prevalence of oral disease were compared, according to selfrated subjective oral health, using the chi-square test. Factors affecting self-rating of subjective oral health were determined using multivariate regression analysis. Results: Patients who brushed their teeth less than three times per day had a higher risk of dental caries, periodontitis, and missing teeth (P<0.05). The percentage of patients performing oral hygiene behaviors differed significantly according to the self-rating of subjective oral health. The factors affecting the self-rating of subjective oral health were pain and the presence of restored teeth.The presence of gingivitis, periodontitis, and the number of dental caries had no significant effect on the self-rating of oral health. Conclusions Self-rating of oral health was determined by treatment experience rather than objective oral health status and it affected oral hygiene behavior.

The Korean Academy of Preventive Dentistry and Oral Health (KAPDOH) has been dedicated to improving the nation’s oral health for over half a century. However, with the rapid societal changes of today, KAPDOH is also encountering new challenges.Demographic shifts, including a declining birth rate and rapid population aging, are reshaping national oral health priorities.In the 1980s, dental caries among school-age children was a major public health concern; however, oral health issues among older adults are now emerging as a significant societal challenge. In the past, addressing children’s oral health primarily involved the relatively straightforward task of preventing dental caries. In contrast, ensuring oral health in older adults requires a broader academic focus, encompassing the prevention of dental caries and periodontitis, improvement of chewing function, and prevention of pneumonia in older adults hospitalized for long periods in nursing hospitals. Tackling these issues necessitates close collaboration and interdisciplinary research.A defining characteristic of the 21st century is the blurring of boundaries between disciplines. The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has brought about transformative changes across all fields, surpassing previous expectations.For society to continue progressing, all KAPDOH members must remain open to collaboration with other disciplines and embrace change with a flexible mindset. While concerns about AI technology exist, its potential to drive academic progress is undeniable. In particular, AI-based prediction models and diagnostic technologies for oral diseases are expected to play a pivotal role in oral health research.Having attended the conference over the past few years, I have been able to confirm that the society is consistently striving to pioneer new areas of research. This is a highly encouraging development, and I hope that KAPDOH will continue to contribute to the advancement of oral health in the years to come.With these expectations, I conclude my foreword.