The effect of social media on patient acceptance of temporary anchorage devices:: A cross-cultural study

ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between the use of social networking sites (SNSs) on patient perceptions, acceptance, and expectations of treatment using temporary anchorage devices (TADs) and to compare differences between patients from the United Kingdom and Brazil.Materials and MethodsCross-sectional questionnaires were administered to 39 participants at orthodontic practices in the United Kingdom and Brazil about patients'' use of SNSs, exposure to TADs on SNSs, and thoughts on extractions, jaw surgery, or TADs as treatment options.ResultsUK patients prefer for clinicians to have SNS profiles (P = .022). Most UK and Brazilian patients want to see their clinician''s work online (76.7%) and use SNSs to get information about treatment options (76.6%). There was a statistically significant difference in Brazilian patients'' acceptance of TADs as a treatment option compared with UK patients, particularly if it meant avoiding extractions (P = .002), avoiding jaw surgery (P = .004), or reducing treatment time (P = .010). Knowledge of TADs was greater in Brazilian patients (P < .001).ConclusionsPatients use SNSs to obtain information about treatments and prefer clinicians to have social media accounts. Patients exposed to TADs on SNSs are more likely to accept them as an orthodontic treatment option. UK patients have less knowledge of TADs and are therefore less sure to consider TADs as an option. Brazilian patients are more confident in considering the use of TADs. Clinicians should consider increasing their social media presence to accommodate patients'' expectations and acceptance of TADs.     

Machine learning methods applied to audit of surgical margins after curative surgery for head and neck cancer

Most surgical specialties have attempted to address concerns about the unfair comparison of outcomes by ‘risk-adjusting’ data to benchmark specialty-specific outcomes that are indicative of quality of care. We explore the ability to predict for positive margin status so that effective benchmarking that will account for complexity of case mix is possible. A dataset of care episodes recorded as a clinical audit of margin status after surgery for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (n=1316) was analysed within the Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analyisis (WEKA) machine learning programme. The outcome was a classification model that can predict for positivity of tumour margins (defined as less than 1mm) using data on preoperative demographics, operations, functional status, and tumour stage. Positive resection margins of less than 1mm were common, and varied considerably between treatment units (19%-29%). Four algorithms were compared to attempt to risk-adjust for case complexity. The 'champion' model was a Naïve Bayes classifier (AUROC 0.72) that suggested acceptable discrimination. Calibration was good (Hosmer-Lemershow goodness-of-fit test p=0.9). Adjusted positive margin rates are presented on a funnel plot. Subspecialty groups within oral and maxillofacial surgery are seeking metrics that will allow for meaningful comparison of the quality of care delivered by surgical units in the UK. To enable metrics to be effective, we argue that they can be modelled so that meaningful benchmarking, which takes account of variation in complexity of patient need or care, is possible.     

Brushing associated with oral irrigation in maintaining implants and overdentures hygiene – a randomized clinical trial

Odontology - Evaluate, through a randomized clinical trial, the efficacy of brushing associated with oral irrigation in maintaining implant and overdenture hygiene. Thirty-eight participants, who...     

Access to original canal trajectory after deviation and perforation with guided endodontic assistance

Procedural accidents are eventualities that may occur during endodontic treatment because of lack of attention to detail or even unforeseeable situations. Knowledge of the root canal anatomy and its variations is a prerequisite for successful endodontic treatment. This case report describes an endodontic treatment where there was an intercurrence, generating deviation and perforation, which was solved with the aid of guided endodontics. A 37 years old, ASA1, was referred to the clinic for localisation and treatment of a calcified canal of the second right upper premolar. The tomographic images revealed the presence of only one canal and deviation with apical perforation. With the help of CBCT and CAD/CAM, it was possible to perform the guided access technique even after deviation and root perforation. Once again, this technique proved to be safe and predictable, allowing for a favourable prognosis in the long term.     

Reliability and validity of a new classification of MIH based on severity

To describe a new molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) severity scoring system (MIH-SSS) that focuses on the defects’ severity and to assess the sy