Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the potency of propolis fluoride (PPF) and nano silver fluoride (NSF) as fluoride-based varnishes for inhibiting Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation. In this study, both varnishes were compared to silver diamine fluoride (SDF) varnish, the gold standard for anticariogenic agents. Methods:The suspensions of S. mutans and E. faecalis were cultured and then plated into 96 -well plates and combined with SDF (38%), NSF (3.16, 3.66, and 4.16%), or PPF (3, 6, and 10%). E. faecalis was incubated in an anaerobic environment for 24 h, and the same protocol was used for S. mutans. The amount of biofilm inhibition was evaluated by optical density measurements at 570 nm using a microplate reader. Data were analyzed using oneway ANOVA. Results:The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of PPF for S. mutans was 3%, and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 10%. The MIC of PPF for E. faecalis was at 6%, but no MBC was established. The MIC of NSF for S. mutans was 3.16%, and the MBC was 4.16%. The MIC of NSF for E. faecalis was 3.16%, while the MBC was 4.16%. Biofilm formation was inhibited dose-dependently by both NSF and PPF.Conclusion: NSF and PPF fluoride-based varnishes show clear antibacterial effects that are comparable to those obtained with SDF fluoride-based varnish.

Undergraduate (UG) research is regarded as a fundamental component in dental education. The present study was designed to examine the perception of the clinical students and the graduates of dentistry profession programs in the past 10 years on UG research as a compulsory course at the Faculty of Dentistry Universitas Indonesia. A total of 310 respondents, consisting of clinical students (64.8%) and alumni (35.2%), participated in this study. The majority of respondents (81.3%) agreed to UG research as part of compulsory courses in the curriculum of dentistry study programs. The positive impact of UG research on their professional careers was perceived by 78.3% of participants. Only 11.6% of participants responded that UG research experiments were not important in dental education, and 18.7% preferred UG research as an elective course. UG research as a compulsory course in the dental curriculum was well received by the majority of participants. Recommendations included student autonomy to select research topics of interest, longer duration to complete UG research, and more opportunities to present the research results in scientific conferences and to publish in scientific journals. Dental schools and their faculties play essential roles in improving the research environment for undergraduate dental students.

Objectives: The purpose of this present study was to analyze several fluoride-based varnishes: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF), nanosilver fluoride (NSF), and propolis fluoride (PPF). Fluoride-based varnish is proven to act as antibacterial and remineralization agents that arrested caries progression with minimal side effects. SDF, the golden standard for this study, was compared to NSF and PPF, which were made in our own laboratory, to evaluate their ability to release calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions and act as anticariogenic agents.Methods: Human dentin discs were prepared and divided into control groups and treatment groups with SDF (38%), NSF (3.16%, 3.66%, and 4.16%), and PPF (3%, 6%, and 10%). The dentin discs were demineralized using a demineralization solution (pH 4.4) for 96 h. Each dentin disc in the treatment group received a topical application of various fluoride-based varnishes and then was subjected to pH-cycling for 8 days. The quantity of calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions on the dentin discs surface was compared after being detected using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Results:The result revealed that the calcium ion levels in groups NSF and PPF increased significantly compared to SDF. The levels of phosphate ions and fluoride ions in groups NSF and PPF increased significantly compared to SDF. Conclusion:The study concluded that, in contrast to SDF, the prepared NSF and PPF fluoride-based varnishes were shown to release calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions in this study. Hence, NSF and PPF fluoride-based varnishes are promising as anticariogenic agents.

Objectives:This study was conducted to analyze the effects of several fluoride-based varnishes: Sodium diamine fluoride (SDF), nanosilver fluoride (NSF), and propolis fluoride (PPF). Fluoride-based varnish is proven to remineralize and arrest caries progression with minimal side effects. SDF, the gold standard for this study, compared to NSF and PPF to observe the dentin morphology, hardness, and crystallinity test.Methods: Dentin blocks were allocated and divided into control groups and treatment groups with SDF (38%), NSF (3.16%, 3.66%, and 4.16%), and PPF (3%, 6%, and 10%). The dentin discs were demineralized using a demineralization solution (pH 4.4) for 96 h. Each dentin disc in the treatment group received a topical application of various fluoride-based varnishes and was then subjected to pH cycling for 8 days. The surface morphology of dentin was observed by a scanning electron micrograph (SEM), dentin hardness was analyzed by a Vickers microhardness tester, and the crystal characteristics of dentin blocks were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results:This study showed crystal fluorapatite on the dentin surface of SDF and NSF. There was an amorphous layer on the dentin surface of PPF (10%) detected when using SEM. The Vickers hardness number of dentin increased after the application of SDF, NSF, and PPF. XRD revealed precipitates of apatite compounds, calcium compounds, and metal compounds in the treatment groups in higher concentrations than in the control (demineralized) group. Conclusion:It was concluded that SDF, NSF, and PPF were effective for dentin remineralization. Hence, NSF and PPF fluoride-based varnishes are promising as anticariogenic agents.

To determine the effect of dental health education for teachers and parents on children aged 7-9 years old. Material and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a nonrandomized control group and a pretest-posttest design. The intervention group comprised 20 teachers and 66 mothers, whereas the control group consisted of 10 teachers and 54 mothers. Data on the knowledge and behavior of teachers and mothers were retrieved by pretest and posttest questionnaires. The 66 children in the intervention group underwent a 16-surface tooth brushing program, whereas the 54 children in the control group were only provided theoretical education by their teachers and mothers. The evaluation was conducted after one month to measure the children's dental plaque index. Results: An increase in teachers' oral health knowledge (16.7%), teachers' oral health behavior (20%), mothers' oral health knowledge (16.7%), and mothers' oral health behavior (20%) was noted; the children's plaque index was decreased (47%). Conclusion: The dental health education of teachers and parents (mothers) supported by the 16surface teeth brushing program resulted in a significant reduction in the dental plaque index in children aged 7-9 years old.