2025, Vol.25, No.2

Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene 2025 KCI Impact Factor : 1.22

pISSN : 2287-1705 / eISSN : 2288-2294
https://journal.kci.go.kr/jksdh

Objectives: Chewing discomfort (CD) is a predictor of poor oral and general health. Herein, we report a case in which we evaluated the effects of multi-oral muscle function improvement training (MoMFIT) for tongue pressure and masticatory function (bite force) conducted via home visits in an older adult. Methods: For 12 weeks, two trained dental hygienists visited the home of a denture-wearing older adult who complained of severe CD to conducted weekly MoMFIT sessions. MoMFIT comprises oral muscle massage, oral stretching exercises, tongue strength and pressure improvement training, and gum chewing exercises. Tongue pressure and bite force were measured at baseline (pre-intervention) and during the 9th and 12th MoMFIT sessions. Tongue pressure was determined as the maximum value after three measurements, and bite force was measured using a Prescale Film. Results: Tongue pressure increased by 58.6% in the 9th session (20.3 kPa) compared with the baseline (12.8 kPa) and by 72.7% in the 12th session (22.1 kPa). Compared with their pre-intervention values, the maximum and average bite forces increased by 58.9% and 12.7%, respectively, in the 12th session. Conclusions: Our data suggest that MoMFIT conducted via home visits can be a useful oral function rehabilitation program for denture-wearing older adults with CD.

Objectives: Probiotic supplementation, integrated into routine oral care, may improve periodontal status and metabolic function. In this retrospective longitudinal study, we evaluated the efficacy of probiotics added to non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) in reducing the burden of oral pathogens and improving metabolic dysfunction. Methods: Twenty outpatients with chronic periodontitis and at least one metabolic abnormality underwent NSPT with daily probiotic supplementation for 12 weeks. Baseline and post-intervention assessments included clinical indices, blood pressure, and blood biomarkers (HbA1c, fasting glucose, and lipid profiles), with analysis of oral pathogens using qPCR. Results: Among the 13 eligible participants, probiotics with NSPT resulted in significant reductions in HbA1c (-0.3%, p<0.001), and systolic blood pressure (-9.6 mmHg, p<0.001), and Tannerella forsythia (p<0.05) levels, along with decreasing trends in other pathogens. However, no significant changes were noted in periodontal indices, including probing pocket depth and bleeding on probing, nor in lipid profiles. Conclusions: These f indings suggest that probiotic supplementation with NSPT may improve glycemic control and systolic blood pressure but may have a limited effect on periodontal indices, warranting larger trials to confirm its potential.

Objectives: Unmet dental care needs are a major cause of oral health deterioration among older adults. This study aimed to explore ways to improve access to dental care by comparing trends in unmet dental care needs over several years. Methods: Using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), we identified factors related to unmet dental care at each survey point from the 2013-2022, with a four-year interval. The study participants for the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth waves were 1,375, 1,632, 1,735, and 1,666 older adults, respectively. Results: From 2013–2022, unmet dental care showed statistically significant differences according to sex (p<0.05), health checkups (p<0.05), and chewing discomfort (p<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that chewing discomfort was a statistically significant (p<0.001) factor influencing unmet dental care needs over the past decade. Conclusions: The study findings indicated that chewing discomfort has consistently influenced unmet dental care, and comprehensive measures to improve access to dental care for the older population are needed.