This paper outlines a novel study by the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders (AOHAB), using the photovoice method to examine the relationship between oral health and socio-environmental determinants in diverse communities by investigating how oral health correlates with individuals’ physical and social environments, including broader health determinants like resource accessibility, this research incorporates perspectives from urban, rural, and peri-urban areas across 13 countries. Participants documented their oral health experiences through photographs and narratives, focusing on three areas: community oral health status, the influence of physical and social environments, and broader social health determinants. These contributions reveal personal dental care, community facilities, hygiene practices, environmental impacts, social interactions, economic status, education, and cultural practices influencing oral health.

Currently undergoing thematic analysis, this study aims to elucidate the complex interplay between oral health and its socio-environmental contexts through participant narratives. Preliminary findings promise insights into the multifaceted nature of oral health determinants and the lived experiences of diverse communities, highlighting the critical roles of environmental and social factors. Upon acceptance, findings will be shared at the APHA annual conference and later published, enriching discussions on community-based participatory research and the innovative use of photovoice in public health. This research underscores the value of involving communities in health research to understand oral health disparities better and inform comprehensive health strategies through visual storytelling and participatory inquiry.

Backgrounds: COVID- 19 pandemic continues to impact dental treatment. During the Pandemic, dental providers implanted new infection control strategies to reduce the transmission of the disease, and to protect patients during dental treatment. Fear of contacting COVID-19 affected the frequency of dental visits. Pediatric dentists faced many obstacles of parental fears and behavioral changes of pediatric patients. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of pandemic on parents seeking dental care for their children, and to share recommended strategies that can be implemented in future pandemic. Methods: a survey was conducted for parents of pediatric patients that focused on parents’ attitude changes towards dental care post pandemic. Two-way ANOVA test was used to calculate the association between the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on seeking dental care and the implantation of infection control protocols. Results: many participants found the pandemic affected their willingness to dental visits. Most participants found the new protocols significantly safer. Our study showed that improved dental protocols could increase dental visits during and post pandemic. Conclusion: Implementing new protocols can prepare dental providers for any upcoming pandemic. Pediatric dentists build trust among their patients during health crisis. Practitioners should have more insight on how to handle outbreaks of new COVID-19 variants. Policy makers should support the new implantation of safety measures.

Background: Diabetes and periodontal disease (PD) frequently coexist, with inflammation playing a pivotal role in their association. However, the correlation between inflammation, oral microbiome, and glycemic levels remains unclear.

Methods: We enrolled 141 patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and 142 non-diabetic (ND) subjects. Subgingival microbiome samples underwent 16S rRNA sequencing and were assigned to corresponding amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). An oral inflammation score was calculated based on six inflammatory biomarkers detected in saliva samples. DESeq2 analysis was employed to identify ASVs correlating with oral inflammation and its interaction with T1D status.

Results: Average oral inflammation score was higher (higher inflammatory level) in moderate/severe PD subjects (P < 0.05) but showed no significant difference between T1D and ND groups. We identified sixty-one taxa correlated with the oral inflammation score, with 22 up-regulated and 39 down-regulated (Padj < 0.05). Furthermore, 51 taxa were found to be correlated with the interaction between inflammation score and T1D, featuring 35 up-regulated and 16 down-regulated taxa (Padj < 0.05). The up-regulated taxa mainly belonged to the genera Prevotella, F0058, Treponema, and Fusobacterium. Higher blood HbA1c levels correlated with increased salivary IL-1β and MMP8 in T1D patients after adjusting for age, race, gender, SBP, smoking, and drinking status but showed a negative correlation in ND subjects (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Our study revealed a positive correlation between glycemic levels and oral inflammation among T1D patients, along with inconsistent associations between subgingival microbiome and oral inflammation by T1D status.

Background: The 2023 JCNDE report shows a national failure rate of 14.3% for first-time attempts on the 2022 National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and highlights the need for initiatives involving fairness in testing. New iterations of the exam reflect the growth and complexity of oral healthcare. Consequently, students feel pressured into taking costly commercial test prep courses, and many lack the resources to access external materials, necessitating inter-programmatic innovation. This initiative aims to develop an integrative digital platform where dental hygiene (DH) course directors collaborate to create NBDHE-style questions without additional costs to students as a matter of justice as fairness in health professions education.

Method: The project was funded by the NYU College of Dentistry’s Office of Educational Technology and the NYU Center for Faculty Advancement. We constructed the integrative platform using the NBDHE specifications and scope of examination categories of scientific basis, clinical services, and community health principles. Content matter experts were designated from the pool of course directors within the curriculum and trained by the investigators on the examination categories, stand-alone question construction, and case study development. Questions were tiered by level of difficulty.

Results: We anticipate higher student assessment and achievement within their coursework, reduced need for external supplemental preparation materials, and increased first-time passing rates.

Conclusion: Creating a shared platform supports student achievement as a matter of justice as fairness in health professions education by reducing additional costs. Interprofessional collaboration in education is essential for comprehensive patient care and improved health outcomes.

Background: Training dental students in community-based participatory research (CBPR) is essential for fostering culturally competent oral health practices and addressing socio-cultural determinants of oral health disparities in marginalized populations.

Objective: This study evaluates the impact of CBPR training on dental students' knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy in implementing oral health needs assessments in indigenous communities in Venezuela.

Methods: Two studies are being conducted in indigenous communities in Venezuela (Maniapure, Bolivar, and Canaima, Amazonas) to obtain community-led oral health needs assessments for an oral health promotion campaign. Dental students (n=12) underwent structured CBPR training sessions covering principles, cultural competency, research methodology, and oral health topics before fieldwork. Pre- and post-tests assessed the impact of training on students' knowledge, attitudes, and skills (Research Self-Efficacy scale and Cultural Competence scale EMCC-14).

Results: Trained dental students demonstrated significant improvements in cultural competence, attitudes towards indigenous cultures, community engagement, and research self-efficacy. Enhanced cultural sensitivity, collaborative skills, and confidence were observed during the needs assessment process, evidenced by improved communication, trust-building, and cultural adaptation strategies.

Conclusion: CBPR training enhances dental students' ability to engage with indigenous communities and conduct culturally sensitive oral health needs assessments, emphasizing the importance of integrating CBPR principles into dental education curricula.

Overview: Our organization’s mission is to improve oral health for all. One way to achieve this is through programs, which aim to improve dental care delivery through educating and supporting dental clinics on value-based, minimally invasive, and person-centered care.

Methods: This mixed methods study collected quantitative and qualitative data from participating dental clinics (n=11) and one control clinic during three evaluations periods. Quantitative data included patient demographics, claims data, and financial and data measures. Descriptive statistics and Difference-in-Difference (DiD) regression models were used to evaluate effectiveness and seasonality of interventions.

Qualitative interviews were conducted with program stakeholders during each of the evaluation periods. Coding and thematic data analysis were performed using Dedoose qualitative data software.

Results: Aggregated clinic data showed improvements in patient care delivery from baseline to program conclusion for patient care delivery measures, financial measures, and data collection measures. In the intervention clinics, the percent of prophylaxis claims decreased after intervention (DiD coefficient = -.19, 95% CI [-0.57;0.19]), as did surgical claims (coefficient = -0.61, 95% CI [-1.29; 0.07]), while silver diamine fluoride application claims increased (coefficient = 0.31, 95% CI [0.22; 0.40]. There was a slight change in caries risk assessments (coefficient = 0.09, 95% CI [-0.78; 0.96]). Qualitative results with stakeholder’s suggest program strengths include improved time management and MIC, and challenges including data sharing and workforce.

Discussion: This presentation will provide attendees with results from a transformative oral health intervention. Evaluations are important to identify the potential for program sustainability and policy making.

Background: Although many dental clinics online say they accept Medicaid for young children, we assessed actual dental clinic access in the Chicago metro area.

Methods: In 2023, we created a list of dental clinics that accepted Medicaid according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website. Data were limited to zip codes of Coordinated Oral Health Promotion (CO-OP) Chicago Cohort Study (U01DE030067) participants (N=331). Research staff then called each clinic posing as a parent with Medicaid trying to schedule their child. Dental clinic data and participant addresses are currently being geocoded and will be linked to neighborhood-level factors and child plaque scores, brushing frequency, and last dentist visit.

Results: Of the 478 dental clinics that online accepted Medicaid, 291 (61%) confirmed they did, 79 (17%) did not, and 73 (15%) could not be reached. The majority taking Medicaid were in Chicago (349, 73%); 10 suburban zip codes had no dental clinics that accepted Medicaid. The majority took all ages (250, 86%); 20 (7%) took 3 and above, while 17 (6%) took only 5 and above. Appointments were available for 240 (82%) in one month and 38 (13%) in 2-3 months. When asked if they do caries restorations for children with Medicaid, 275 (95%) said yes. Dental clinic Medicaid acceptance associations between neighborhood factors and child oral health behaviors will be presented via statistics and maps.

Conclusions: Young children with Medicaid in disadvantaged neighborhoods had inconsistent actual access to dental clinic care. Multi-level change is needed to address this problem.

Background:
The goal of this paper is to present a case of implant placement in a patient diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, to discuss the potential risk factors germane to the practical implications of implant therapy. More than 5.5 million implants are placed annually to match the rising prevalence of sarcoidosis. There is a shifting trend as sarcoidosis affects more males than females, with a mortality that parallels a significant increase in the dental implant placements.


Literature reviewed:
A review was conducted to establish the survival rate of dental implants in Sarcoidosis patients. The effects of the immunosuppressants and NSAIDs as drugs of choice for treatment of Sarcoidosis and their effects on healing and osteointegration were assessed. The effect of Sarcoidosis on implant survival, and the effect of dental implants on severity of cardiac Sarcoidosis are discussed. The possibility of a foreign body reaction to dental implants despite their biocompatibility, and bacterial exposure through integrated implants without a periodontal ligament are inspected. Sarcoidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all non-healing peri-implantitis without response to antibiotics, and periodontal procedures should be considered for referral to a medical specialist.

Results:
Peri-implantitis and implant failure are reported in a Sarcoidosis patient treated with immunosuppressants following implant placement.

Practical Implications:
Survivability of implant is discussed in relation to proper case selection, medical collaboration, consistent follow up, and proper implant maintenance. Patient education and a detailed informed consent at the time of treatment planning are emphasized.

Background: Generative artificial intelligence (AI) based on the process called Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF) is gaining popularity in healthcare and public health. Generative AI has varied applications in oral health such as in diagnosis, scheduling new and follow-up appointments, and research. It has a huge impact on public health as it can improve the literacy about the treatment procedures to the patients and their families by making them more informed. This paper aims to evaluate the potential applications of generative AI in oral health.

Methods: A systematic and current review of the literature was done. Data were qualitatively evaluated for the usefulness of generative AI in healthcare, dentistry, and oral health.

Results: The greatest strength of generative AI was its unmatched speed which assists healthcare providers by contributing a further objective and evidence-based approach to decision-making and decreasing the chances of human errors. The chief weaknesses were its reduced accuracy and risk of infodemics. The threats include ethical concerns, copyright, and legal and regulatory issues. This AI-powered modality has a lot of potential when used in association with proper healthcare-trained professionals to improve patient care and outcomes.

Conclusion: The generative AI can assist clinicians in treatment planning, monitoring, and follow-up of patients. Generative AI has the potential to transform the oral healthcare system, however, its unsupervised application may prove to be more harmful than beneficial. There is a requirement for continuous monitoring of the system for all its versions for the most positive impact on oral health education.