open access
메뉴
ISSN : 0376-4672
Purpose: This study investigated the dental disease patterns and healthcare utilization of pediatric patients with rare diseases in Korea using national and clinical data. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive analysis was conducted on substantial data obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) Service and clinical records from Jeonbuk National University Dental Hospital, focusing on patients between the ages of 0 and 19 who had been diagnosed with rare diseases during the period spanning from April 2019 to April 2024. Results: Analysis of HIRA data (387,838 patients) indicated that 61.9% of patients were aged 0–9 years. Disorders of tooth de velopment and eruption accounted for 91.2% of care. The most common diagnoses were dental caries (33.7%) and disorders of tooth development and eruption (25.3%). Total medical expenses and out-of-pocket costs both increased annually. Data from Jeonbuk National University Dental Hospital revealed that patients with congenital malformations and nervous system disorders required frequent long-term management involving hygiene, restorations and extractions. Conclusions: Although the dental disease spectrum mirrors that of the general population, management is com plicated by systemic conditions. Given the heavy reliance on primary care, specialized education for local prac titioners is crucial. In order to improve quality of life, it is essential to establish primary treatments, expand insurance coverage for essential non-covered treatments and create a robust referral system between specialized centers and local clinics.(J Korean Dent Assoc 2026; 64(4): 111-120)
Purpose: This study aimed to explore the problems and needs of North Korean defectors in accessing dental care in South Korea by analyzing open-ended survey responses with Word2Vec, and to derive implications for oral health support strategies. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 North Korean defectors in South Korea. Of these, 133 respondents who answered an open-ended question on improving dental care utilization were included in the text analysis. Data were analyzed using frequency analysis and Word2Vec in a Python-based Google Colab environment. To improve stability, the model was trained 10 times with random seeds, and only neighboring words reproduced in at least 70% of runs were interpreted. Subgroup analyses were performed ac cording to settlement period in South Korea (≤10 vs. ≥11 years). Results: Although overall satisfaction with dental care in South Korea was high, “cost” emerged as the most fre quent and central keyword, linked with “burden,” “high cost,” and “dental implants.” “Consultation/Education” was associated with “understanding,” “be unable to,” and “lack,” indicating gaps in comprehensible communication. Respondents with ≤10 years of settlement showed greater needs related to insurance, language, and service adap tation, whereas those with ≥11 years of settlement showed more concentrated concerns about financial burden, policy support, and persistent communication gaps. Conclusion: Despite high reported satisfaction, North Korean defectors’ dental care experiences in South Korea were shaped by persistent economic and communicative barriers. These findings suggest the need for financial support for high-cost treatments, health literacy-sensitive and culturally tailored explanations, and settlement stage-specific support strategies.(J Korean Dent Assoc 2026; 64(4): 121-132)
Mastication is a complex functional process involving the teeth, tongue, lips, and masticatory muscles, and it has been shown to be closely associated with cognitive function. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents an intermediate stage between normal cognition and dementia, characterized by measurable cognitive decline without significant impairment in activities of daily living. Early intervention at this stage is critical to delay progression to dementia. Masticatory dysfunction has been identified as a potential risk factor for cognitive decline in older adults. This study aimed to identify the key variables among subjective and objective measures of masticatory function that are associated with MCI. The results demonstrated significant differences in posterior occlusal support, tongue pressure (TP), oral diadochokinesis (ODK), and masseter muscle thickness (MMT) between groups, whereas no significant differences were observed in masticatory performance (MP) or bite force (BF). Logistic regression analysis further revealed that posterior occlusal support and oral muscle–related functional parameters were significantly associated with MCI. These findings suggest that interventions such as orofacial muscle training and posterior occlusal rehabilitation may play a role in mitigating cognitive decline in older adults with MCI. (J Korean Dent Assoc 2026; 64(4): 133-137)
The global demographic transition toward an aging society introduces complex clinical challenges in dental practice, specifically regarding the management of polypharmacy in elderly patients with multiple chronic comorbidities. This pharmacological complexity significantly increases the incidence of potential drug-drug interactions, which are as sociated with elevated risks of therapeutic failure and severe adverse drug reactions. Epidemiological data indicate a 40.7% prevalence of drug-drug interactions in dental patients, with a markedly higher interaction problem observed in individuals with cardiovascular disease. Despite the clinical significance, dentist’s recognition of these interactions is documented at 42.7%, indicating a critical gap in pharmacological surveillance. Age-related physiological altera tions, including diminished glomerular filtration rates and altered distribution volumes, necessitate function-based dose titrations to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity. Specific dental pharmacotherapeutics, mainly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics such as macrolides, and vasoconstrictors, demonstrate high-risk profiles when co-administered with systemic anticoagulants, beta-blockers, or antidepressants. Clinical safety in geriatric dentistry requires a systematic approach encompassing comprehensive medication history review, the utilization of web-based or application screening tools, dose individualization based on renal and hepatic function, and interprofessional collaboration to optimize individualized prescribing strategies. This systematic approach is essential for optimizing patient safety in an aging society. (J Korean Dent Assoc 2026; 64(4): 138-142)
Patients with intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, or severe dental fear often have difficulty undergoing routine outpatient dental treatment, leading to repeated delays or treatment failure. In such cases, sedation may serve as an important option bridging general anesthesia and routine outpatient care. Remimazolam is a recently introduced sedative and general anesthetic agent approved in major regions. This article reviews the clinical signifi cance of remimazolam in dental treatment for patients with disabilities and summarizes the rationale for considering it as an agent for dental sedation. (J Korean Dent Assoc 2026; 64(4): 143-150)
