Despite efforts to reduce sugar consumption, Italy continues to experience high levels of caries, particularly among 12-year-old children. The introduction of a sugar tax is one strategy that gained traction as a mean of curbing excessive sugar intake. This study aims to assess the potential impact of a sugar tax on reducing caries prevalence through the analysis of two scenarios: a hypothetical implementation of the tax in 2008 (Scen1), compared against actual 2017 data, and a projection of the effects of the planned 2025 tax extending to 2034 (Scen2).

Objectives The study aims to assess the direct and indirect effect of parental locus of control (LoC) on child oral health related quality of life. Methods As part of the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) multicenter longitudinal cohort study, sociodemographic characteristics of parents and their children were obtained at recruitment. Oral health status and dental caries outcomes were assessed at the 5th year post-natal visit and administered alongside the LoC questionnaire. Intra-oral examinations were carried out by 3 trained calibrated dental professionals using the modified International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-II) criteria. At the 6th year postnatal visit, the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) was administered to mothers to assess the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of their child. Statistical analysis of direct effects of parental LoC on OHRQoL and causal mediation effects of dental caries were carried out using the potential outcomes approach with 1000 simulations. Results A total of 312 parent-child dyads were included in this prospective cohort study. At the 5th year post-natal visit, the median decayed missing and filled surfaces (dmfs) was 2 (IQR 0 - 5), while the median locus of control was 47 (IQR 43 - 50). The total effect of parental LoC on ECOHIS was -2.05 (95% CI -4.03 - -0.08), of which the direct effect through dmfs was -1.45 (95% CI, -3.41 - 0.47). The percentage of the total effect of parental locus of control on ECOHIS that was mediated by the presence of dental caries was 29.5% for dmfs including incipient caries (ICDAS 1-6). The proportion mediated was lower if only active decayed surfaces (ds) were considered (23.7%) and higher if only cavitated lesions (ICDAS 3-6) (30.1%) were considered. Conclusions The effect of parental LoC on child OHRQoL was mediated in part through the development of dental caries.

Research on the impact of physical activity (PA) and physical fitness on oral health has been limited in scope. The aim of this report was to assess the impact of PA and physical fitness as modifiable factors in dental caries and erosive tooth wear (ETW) among middle-aged individuals in Finland.

To prevent caries with targeted strategies and to act conservatively, it is essential oral health care providers perform an individual caries risk assessment (CRA). This study aims to explore knowledge and application regarding CRA by Dutch fifth-year dental students (D5DS) and practitioners (DDPs).

In vitro studies show that fluoride varnishes (FV) differ significantly in their ability to remineralize and fluoridate enamel caries lesions, as respectively measured by surface microhardness recovery (%SMHr) and enamel fluoride-uptake (EFU). However, there is a need to confirm these findings in clinically relevant conditions.

This study evaluated the Toddler Oral Health Intervention (TOHI) for preventing early childhood caries (ECC) by 48 months. TOHI, an add-on to standard care in well-baby clinics (WBCs), aims to reduce ECC incidence and severity.

Sealing of occlusal dentin caries has shown promise in studies, but long-term outcomes remain inconclusive. This RCT aimed to investigate the potential of postponing restorative interventions of manifest occlusal caries by sealing.

Professional fluorides form reaction products on tooth substrates, which once dissolved, interfere with the caries process. However, the persistence of these reservoirs before the need of a new application is unknown. We investigated in situ the effect of various cariogenic challenges and exposure to fluoride toothpaste on the retention of enamel fluoride reservoirs.

The efficacy of fissure sealants (FS) in controlling occlusal caries is well documented. However, several factors can potentially modify the caries-preventive effect of FS and their failure rate in real life might be higher than in controlled experimental settings. The aim of this study was to prospectively examine failures and risk factors in sealed first permanent molars (FPMs) with sound occlusal surfaces or initial caries lesions of children in a practice-based setting in public dental service (PDS) in Norway.

Caries is the most widespread non-communicable disease (NCD) globally and can predict fatality NCDs in the future, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, we hypothesized that the behavioral risk factors for those NCDs may be present in adolescents with caries.

This in vitro study evaluated the validity and reliability of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to detect approximal carious lesions compared to bitewing radiography.

The study sought to assess the cost-effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) relative to sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish and direct restorations placed chairside or under general anaesthesia, accounting for caries activity.

Dental caries is a noncommunicable disease caused by dysbiosis of a dental biofilm. Streptococcus mutans is considered the major pathogen. The orphan response regulator GcrR negatively regulates exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesis in S. mutans. We aimed to investigate the effect of GcrR on the cariogenicity of oral biofilms. A triple-species biofilm model was constructed, including S. mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Streptococcus gordonii.

The association between breastfeeding status and early childhood caries (ECC) remains inconclusive. Few studies evaluate the breastfeeding status including both duration and exclusivity according to the WHO recommendations on breastfeeding. This study aimed to investigate the association between breastfeeding status and ECC.

Children with early childhood caries (ECC) show different caries severities and susceptibility in different tooth types and location in the oral cavity. The study aimed to investigate differences in the oral microbiome in ECC subjects stratified according to the severity of caries and between more and less caries-prone teeth within the same subjects.

This study examined the association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) history and their dental caries experience status.

The aim of the study was to investigate the caries-preventive effect of fluoride-free toothpastes, containing either herbal agents or (nano-)hydroxyapatite.

Root caries (RC) remains a global health problem leading to negative impacts on an elderly person's well-being causing oral health-related quality of life issues, such as inadequate nutrition and detrimental oral functionality. The present systematic review with meta-analysis is designed to synthesize existing research findings on the prevalence and experience of root caries globally over the past 30 years. It aims to describe its distribution by country and explore its links with various socioeconomic indicators.

The Caries Impacts and Experiences Questionnaire for Children (CARIES-QC) is a disease-specific questionnaire that assesses the impact of caries on the oral health-related quality of life of children. This study aimed to establish a baseline for caries-specific impact on schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia and to examine its association with dental care utilization.

The present study evaluated the association between drug use and erosive tooth wear (ETW) in prisoners.