ISSN : 0376-4672
Dental pulp stem cells are mesenchymal stem cells derived from the dental pulp tissue of permanent or deciduous teeth. Espe- cially, stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) have an enhanced capacity than adult pulp stem cells counterpart for self-renewal (proliferation) and multilineage differentiation, being able to generate dentin/pulp-like complexes, neural cells, skin cells, chondrocytes, and osteogenic cells, among others. Their accessibility from routine dental procedures and lack of ethical concerns make SHED an attractive stem cell source for regenerative therapy. This paper reviews current preclinical and clinical research on the tissue regenerative potential of SHED-based therapies. In preclinical animal models and clinical trials, SHED transplantation have shown promise for bone regeneration and repair, neural regeneration, myocardial infarction treatment, inflam- matory bowel disease, renal injury, liver fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, skin wounds, muscle injury, and other con- ditions. Early-phase human trials further indicate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of SHED based cell therapy for various disease introduced before. However, therapeutic effects from SHED injections vary greatly depending on cell source, delivery method, dose, and disease model or condition. Additional translational medicine studies for elucidating key therapeutic mechanisms of SHED and methodological advances in cell processing and delivery are needed to improve consistency. If the remaining challenges are addressed through rigorous research, SHED cell therapy may become versatile clinical (dental) materials for tissue repair and regeneration across a wide range of organs and disease states.
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the reasons of the claim rejections and denials compensated by dental related the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) that is operated by the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service (COMWEL). Methods: We collected 803 claims from one consultant who responded to dental-related medical inquiries commissioned by the Daegu and Gyeongbuk Workers’ COMWEL from January 2021 to May 2023. We analyzed the approval status and the reasons for non-approval, based on the reviewed response materials and dental online medical consultation data. Results: Among the initial and supplementary compensation applications, there were 79 cases with insufficient examina tions, 72 cases with incomplete records, 19 cases with errors, 148 cases due to pre-existing conditions, and 6 cases where the applicant was ineligible for medical benefits. The reasons for re-evaluation after data supplementation included 122 cases of inadequate examinations, 76 cases of incomplete records, 24 cases with logical errors, 11 cases with insufficient photographs, and 57 cases for a combination of these reasons. Conclusions: In the context of industrial injury compensation claims, the denial of claims often arises from missing or incomplete dental records, diagnostic omissions, or logical inconsistencies between records, diagnoses, and treatment plans. Therefore, it is essential to ensure accurate medical records, appropriate examinations, and evidence-based diagnosis. Spe cial attention should also be given to the collection of clinical data, including photographs.
Elderly care faciliities and welfare services are becoming more important as the aging tendancy accelarates and the pro portion of the elderly population increases. However, in long-term care ratings for elderly care services, evaluation criteria for oral health or oral hygiene managing ability are insufficient. In this study, we surveyed the teeth condition of the elderly in long-term care facilities located in Korea, and compared with the results of KNHANES. Correlation analysis was per formed between collected data about teeth condition and other factors of patients including other oral hygiene conditions, information about long-term care, and systemic diseases. The above can be summarized as results and proposals as follows. 1. Teeth conditions including natural teeth of elderly in long-term care facilities are worse than general people. The elderly in long-term care facilities were proven to have less natural teeth, less percentage of natural teeth more than 20, and be more edentulous than general people. 2. Three indices about natural teeth also had correlation with periodontal condition, xerostomia, and temporomandibular disorders. Also, number of prosthesis and dental caries had correlation with each other, and had relation with salivary function. 3. Since maintaining the natural teeth is nationally considered as infortant factors to maintain the quality of life, manage ment of natural teeth, and eventually, general oral health should be performed necessarily in the elderly of long-term care facilities.
