Friday, October 17, 2025

Smartphone imaging system shows promise for early oral cancer detection in dental clinics

 


A smartphone-based system combines autofluorescence and white light imaging with machine learning for accurate identification of oral lesions that require referral to cancer specialists

Peer-Reviewed Publication

SPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics

Analysis of an anatomic site using the mobile Detection of Oral Cancer (mDOC) model. 

image: 

Analysis of an anatomic site using the mobile Detection of Oral Cancer (mDOC) model involves multiple inputs: images of clinically relevant regions are masked, cropped, resized for analysis, and passed through the mDOC system, along with oral cancer risk factors. The output referral decision is “Refer” or “Do Not Refer” for oral cancer evaluation.

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Credit: R. Mitbander et al., doi 10.1117/1.BIOS.2.4.042307

Oral cancer remains a serious health concern, often diagnosed too late for effective treatment—even though the mouth is easily accessible for routine examination. Dentists and dental hygienists are frequently the first to spot suspicious lesions, but many lack the specialized training to distinguish between benign and potentially malignant conditions. To address this gap, researchers led by Rebecca Richards-Kortum at Rice University have developed and tested a low-cost, smartphone-based imaging system called mDOC (mobile Detection of Oral Cancer). Their recent study, published in Biophotonics Discovery, evaluates how well this system can help dental professionals decide when to refer patients to oral cancer specialists.

The mDOC device combines white light and autofluorescence imaging with machine learning to assess oral lesions. Autofluorescence imaging uses blue light to detect changes in tissue fluorescence, which can signal abnormal growth. However, this method alone can be misleading, as benign conditions like inflammation also reduce fluorescence. To improve accuracy, the mDOC system uses a deep learning algorithm that analyzes both image data and patient risk factors—such as age, smoking habits, and anatomic location—to make referral recommendations.

In this study, researchers collected data from 50 patients at two community dental clinics in Houston, Texas. Each patient underwent imaging of up to five oral sites using the mDOC device. The images were reviewed by expert clinicians, and their referral decisions served as the ground truth for training and testing the algorithm. The team used a rehearsal training method, combining new data with previously collected images from high-prevalence and healthy populations to improve the model’s performance in typical dental settings, where suspicious lesions are rare.

The final model was tested on a holdout dataset representing a low-prevalence population. It achieved an area under the ROC curve (AUC-ROC) of 0.778, with a sensitivity of 60 percent and specificity of 88 percent. This means the system correctly identified 60% of the sites that experts recommended for referral, while avoiding unnecessary referrals in most cases. Notably, the mDOC algorithm outperformed dental providers, who had 0% sensitivity and 100 percent specificity—missing all cases that required referral.

While the system misclassified two of five referral sites, those lesions had resolved by the time of the specialist visit, suggesting that mDOC may have correctly predicted that no further evaluation was needed. However, the algorithm also produced 21 false positives, indicating room for improvement in specificity.

The study highlights the potential of mDOC to support early detection and referral decisions in dental clinics, especially where access to specialists is limited. With an average imaging time of just 3.5 minutes, the system fits easily into routine dental workflows. Future improvements may include collecting more detailed patient history and refining the algorithm to reduce false positives.

For details, see the original Gold Open Access article by R. Mitbander et al., “Optimization of a mobile imaging system to aid in evaluating patients with oral lesions in a dental care setting," Biophoton. Discovery 2(4), 042307 (2025), doi: 10.1117/1.BIOS.2.4.042307.

 

Saturday, October 11, 2025

Dental shame stops people seeking help for oral health issues


Shame can lead people to avoid getting treatment for dental issues, potentially worsening oral health inequalities, a new study warns.

A better understanding of dental shame could encourage more people to seek help, researchers and practitioners have said.

It would alleviate some of the devastating consequences that oral health problems can have on overall health, disease and even risk of death.

Researchers warn that healthcare practitioners can incite shame in patients both intentionally and unintentionally. When shaming is used purposefully with the intention to attempt to motivate positive health behaviours, there is no guarantee this will result in beneficial change.

Those working in dentistry and other health care and social settings should be trained in shame competence. This approach includes addressing systemic barriers and designing empathetic and inclusive care environments.

Dental shame can stem directly from oral health issues or the aesthetic appearance of the teeth. It is often more found in those who are vulnerable because of deprivation, trauma or abuse. It is also found in relation to drinking, smoking or eating habits.

It can lead to lower self-worth, social isolation and unfavourable oral health care behaviours.

The study is by Louise Folker, Esben Boeskov Øzhayat and Astrid Pernille Jespersen from the University of Copenhagen, Luna Dolezal, from the University of Exeter, Lyndsey Withers, a community volunteer, Martha Paisi, from Peninsula Dental School, University of Plymouth, and Christina Worle, a dentist.

The academics from the University of Copenhagen are working on the project Lifelong Oral Health, which aims to identify barriers to oral health in Danish elderly care—and have identified dental shame as significant in elderly care settings. Professor Dolezal is leading the Shame and Medicine research project at the University of Exeter.

Professor Dolezal said: “Shame can help explain why some people don’t like to expose their teeth to dentists or tell them they smoke or have a poor diet.

“As the study explains, dental shame is both a consequence and a determinant of oral health issues. It is a consequence because oral health issues can cause shame, and it is a determinant because it can act as a barrier to both daily dental care and engagement with dentistry. This can turn dental shame into a self-reinforcing spiral, where shame about oral health can lead to unfortunate oral health behaviours, which can potentially intensify oral health issues and inequities, leading to more shame.

“Because our teeth are highly visible and central to our overall appearance and well-being, dental shame affects self-esteem, social interactions, access to the labour market, care systems and social services. This downward spiral concerns not only oral health but also various other aspects of life.”

“It is important to have non-judgmental environments where patients feel trustful and empowered to prioritise their oral health.”

The study says systemic inequities in dental care significantly contribute to dental shame and healthcare fee structures can increase dental shame.

Practitioners in oral health care and social settings should be trained in shame competence in order to be able to identify shame, to be aware of how it circulates between individuals and within institutional culture, to manage shame dynamics, identify shaming in policy and practice, and reduce the potentially damaging and anti-social effects of shame.

 

 

 

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Afraid of the dentist? The cause may be something different from what you think

 

Between 8 – 20 per cent of children and adolescents are so afraid of dental treatment that they meet the criteria for being diagnosed with dental fear.

Young people who have experienced bullying, divorce, violence or abuse are significantly more likely to be anxious in the dentist’s chair. 

This angst may cause some people to avoid going to the dentist, while others feel an intense urge to flee once they are there.

A major risk factor is painful experiences at the dental clinic.

Between 8 – 20 per cent of children and adolescents are so afraid of dental treatment that they meet the criteria for being diagnosed with dental fear.

Now, new research shows that dental fear occurs more often in those who have been exposed to stressful childhood experiences.

In other words, painful experiences in life can affect how you feel in the dentist's chair.

Lying on your back can make you feel vulnerable

The study, with responses from more than 5800 adolescents aged 13 -17 years, shows that adolescents who have experienced stressful experiences during childhood, such as violence, divorce, abuse or bullying are significantly more likely to have dental fear than adolescents who do not have such experiences.

The study is based on data from HUNT, The Trøndelag Health Study, which is one of the largest health studies ever performed. It is a unique database of questionnaire data, clinical measurements and samples from a county’s inhabitants since 1984.

The more stressful experiences the young people had, the great was the likelihood that they would have dental fear. The study also shows that the association was stronger in girls than in boys.

"For many people who have experienced a lot of insecurity in childhood, dental treatment can be demanding. The patients lie on their backs in a vulnerable position while an authority figure works inside the mouth. It's no wonder that dental treatment can be difficult," says Lena Myran, a specialist in psychology. She works on a daily basis at the Competence Center Tannhelse Midt (TkMidt).

Not been to the dentist for 40 years

This centre includes several specialist services where dentists and psychologists work together in teams to help children and adults who have severe dental anxiety. Myran works with adult patients. She is also working on a doctoral thesis at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) on the connections between painful childhood experiences and health, related to the oral cavity and teeth.

"I have patients who haven't been to the dentist for 40 years," Myran said.

The study she recently published is only about young people and looks at the connections between painful childhood experiences and dental fear. The researchers looked at different types of stressors, but painful experiences at the dental clinic were not included in this material.

"It is also important to note that this is a cross-sectional study that does not provide a basis for saying what is cause or effect. We can only see if there is a connection," says Myran.

The study found a clear link between dental fear and various types of painful childhood experiences, including bullying.

Girls most at risk

"Bullying means being systematically rejected and ridiculed. If you have experienced bullying, you may have a hypersensitivity to other people's intentions. There may be periods during dental treatment where it is silent, and you do not quite know what the dentist is thinking. This may be similar to situations where these individuals have felt insecure. For people who have been bullied, saying what you think and feel may have felt dangerous," says Myran.

Myran was surprised that the correlation between painful childhood experiences and dental fear was stronger in girls than in boys.

"We know that dental fear is more common among girls and that more girls than boys have experienced sexual abuse. There are also more girls than boys who develop anxiety and depression in adolescence, but the fact that we found such a clear difference in our material was still surprising," Myran said.

She believes the findings should have consequences for how the dental health service treats young people.

"When dental professionals meet frightened patients, they can ask about the cause. Patients often find it safe for the dentist to ask. Patients know that the dentist is not a psychologist, so it does not have to be a long conversation. But by taking the patient’s experiences and fears into account, dental professionals can contribute to better dental health and safer patient experiences," says Myran.

Tell the dentist

Inspired by other initiatives in Norway, TkMidt established a service for children and adolescents who suffer from dental fear called “Trygge Barn i Tannbehandling” (Safe Children in Dental Treatment) (TBiT) eight years ago. This offer is now being rolled out nationally.

As part of the effort, training is being offered to dental professionals on how to deal with young patients who are afraid.

"It’s important to talk to your dentist or dental hygienist about how you feel. Just telling your dentist that you are afraid can help an incredible amount. Even a short sentence about your fears will lead many dentists to be more sensitive. The dentist is a good friend who should help, and you don't have to ask in any specific way, but just say that you are afraid," says Myran.

She emphasizes that many children may have had painful childhood experiences without developing dental fear, and that the anxiety about the dentist is generally greatest when you are a child, and that it often decreases as the child matures.

Children who have been in dental treatment a lot have an extra vulnerability to developing dental fear.

"Our study and other research show that, overall, there are many ways to develop intense fear of going to the dentist. Fortunately, there is good help available," says Myran.

It is possible for adult patients throughout Norway to seek help from one of Norway's Centres of Expertise in the Dental Health Service (in Norwegian).

References:
Myran, L., Sun, YQ., Dahllöf, G. et al.Associations of adverse childhood experiences with dental fear, and the mediating role of dental fear on caries experience: the Young-HUNT4 Survey. BMC Oral Health 25, 1141 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06486-1

Laura Beaton, Ruth Freeman, Gerry Humphris; Why Are People Afraid of the Dentist? Observations and Explanations. Med Princ Pract 1 July 2014; 23 (4): 295–301. https://doi.org/10.1159/000357223

Raadal M, Strand GV, Amarante EC, Kvale G. Relationship between caries prevalence at 5 years of age and dental anxiety at 10. European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry. 2002 Mar;3(1):22-26. PMID: 12871013

Thursday, September 25, 2025

BMP9 regulates tooth root development

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Friday, September 19, 2025

For young adults, the color of their teeth is important

 


Peer-Reviewed Publication

University of Gothenburg

Laura Ståhl 

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Laura Ståhl, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg.

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Credit: Phot: Margareta G. Kubista

White teeth are highly valued by young adults. But an even tooth color is considered to be of even higher importance. A study from the University of Gothenburg, one of the first of its kind, shows that many people with a deviant color on a part of a tooth would like treatment.

The aim of the study, published in the journal Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, was to investigate young individuals' esthetic perception of the color on the visible surfaces of the upper front teeth, in themselves and in others.

The results are based on an online survey, launched via social media and targeted at individuals aged 18-30 years in Sweden. There were 2,082 participants, 55% of whom were women. The average age was 25 years.

Participants were asked to rate how satisfied they were with their own tooth color and how they perceived unevenness of tooth color (deviant color on a part of a tooth, spots). The results showed that 77% of participants were satisfied with their tooth color, with no major differences between gender and age. In contrast, those who perceive having a deviant color on a part of a tooth were less satisfied with their tooth color.

The color of teeth is noticed

Participants were also shown photos of different teeth with and without deviant color on a part of the enamel of the front teeth and then asked to rate esthetic impression. When participants looked at the photos and found the tooth color unacceptable, 90% of them cited the color deviation as a cause, with shade and extent also playing a role.

White teeth were revealed to be very popular. On a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being unimportant and 10 being very important, white teeth scored an average of 7.25. Even higher scores were given to an even tooth color, with an average score of 8.

Laura Ståhl is a PhD student at the Institute of Odontology at the University of Gothenburg, a Dental Professional in the Public Dental Service in Gothenburg and the study's first author:

“What we found is that the participants in the study notice uneven tooth color, and that it is something that is perceived negatively. We also observed that those who are more satisfied with their own tooth color placed more importance on the color of teeth, both their own and that of others.”

“It is important to understand how young people view their teeth, to listen to them and take their concerns seriously. Oral health is a broad concept—it is not only about having a healthy mouth, but also about being able to smile, laugh, and show self-confidence in every expression.” says Laura Ståhl.

Color correction: yes please

In the study, a higher proportion of women (22%) than men (13%) had experience with teeth whitening. Of those who reported having a deviant color on a part of a tooth, 9 percent had color corrective treatment. Another 52% were interested in having it.

The study is also authored by Nina Sabel, Associate Professor at the Institute of Odontology at the University of Gothenburg, Senior Dentist in Pediatric Dentistry, and with knowledge of esthetic treatment of uneven tooth color:

“Teeth are seen as an important part of the appearance, and some young people are troubled by having a deviant colour on part of a tooth. Teeth whitening or other treatments will not give you a total makeover, but can lead to improvements if done correctly,” she says.
“Dentistry does not own the issue of teeth whitening, which I wish it did. Different color deviations have different causes, requiring different types of treatment. In addition, dental professionals are knowledgeable about the risks and can prevent injury to gums, for example. A tip to minimizing side effects is to ensure that the bleaching is done in a controlled manner with a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide. It is also important not to over-bleach, because once your teeth have turned neon white, you cannot go back,” says Nina Sabel.

Fact box:

Participants were exposed to images of three dental conditions with deviant color on a part of the enamel:

Molar-Incisor-Hypomineralization (MIH) - a condition of unclear cause that results in more porous enamel and increased sensitivity of some teeth. Appearing as white, yellow, or brownish color deviations of the enamel of molars, and sometimes also on front teeth.

Dental Fluorosis - a condition caused by the overconsumption of fluoride early in life that results in visible color deviation of the enamel. Elevated fluoride intake may be due to high levels of fluoride in drinking water, for example from your own well. Generally seen as white to brown deviant color on a part of the enamel.

White Spot Lesions - a condition also known as enamel demineralization, seen as white areas in the enamel. Occurring in cases of poor oral hygiene usually at the gum line and can occur, for example, as a complication of orthodontic treatment with fixed braces, mainly around the braces.

Source: University of Gothenburg

 

 

Oral microbes linked to increased risk of pancreatic cancer

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Twenty-seven species of bacteria and fungi among the hundreds that live in people’s mouths have been collectively tied to a 3.5 times greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer, a study led by NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center shows.

Experts have long observed that those with poor oral health are more vulnerable to pancreatic cancer than those with healthier mouths. More recently, scientists have uncovered a mechanism that could help explain this connection, finding that bacteria can travel through swallowed saliva into the pancreas, an organ that helps with digestion. However, precisely which species may contribute to the condition had until now remained unclear.

Publishing online Sept. 18 in JAMA Oncology, the new analysis assessed the genetic makeup of microbes collected from the saliva of 122,000 healthy men and women.

“Our findings provide new insight into the relationship between the oral microbiome and pancreatic cancer,” said study lead author Yixuan Meng, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

The oral microbiome, the diverse community of bacteria and fungi that inhabit the mouth, is increasingly being studied for its potential role in human health.

Last year, the same team of scientists uncovered a link between certain oral bacteria and a heightened risk of developing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, a group of cancers that arise in the mouth and throat. The researchers had also conducted a small study in 2016 that tied microbes living in the mouth to pancreatic cancer, but could not identify precise bacterial species.

Their latest report is the largest and most detailed analysis of its kind to date, says Meng. It is also the first to show that oral fungi — namely a type of yeast called Candida that naturally lives on the skin and throughout the body — may play a role in pancreatic cancer. The researchers also identified these oral Candida species in patients’ pancreatic tumors.

For the study, the team assessed data from two ongoing investigations tracking Americans from across the country to better understand how diet, lifestyle, medical history, and many other factors are involved in cancer. The data were gathered for the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study II and the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial.

Shortly after enrolling, participants rinsed with mouthwash, providing saliva samples that preserved the numbers and species of microbes for testing. Researchers then followed up for roughly nine years on average to record any presence of tumors.

In the current study, the investigators analyzed bacterial and fungal DNA from the spit samples. Then, they identified 445 patients who were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and compared the DNA of their microbes with that of another 445 randomly selected study subjects who had remained cancer free. The team made sure to account for factors known to play a role in developing the condition, such as age, race, and how often subjects smoked cigarettes.

The findings identified 24 species of bacteria and fungi that individually either raised or lowered pancreatic cancer risk. Another three kinds of bacteria tied to the cancer were already known to contribute to periodontal disease, a serious gum infection that can eat away at the jawbone and the soft tissues surrounding teeth.

Altogether, the entire group of microbes boosted participants’ chances of developing the cancer by more than threefold.

In addition, by assessing the makeup of each participant’s oral microbiome, the scientists for the first time developed a tool that could estimate their cancer risk.

“By profiling bacterial and fungal populations in the mouth, oncologists may be able to flag those most in need of pancreatic cancer screening,” said study co-senior author Jiyoung Ahn, a professor in the Departments of Population Health and Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Ahn, who is also the associate director for population sciences at Perlmutter Cancer Center, notes that there are currently few effective screening methods for the disease, which is among the deadliest forms of cancer.

“It is clearer than ever that brushing and flossing your teeth may not only help prevent periodontal disease but may also protect against cancer,” said study co-senior author Richard Hayes, DDS, MPH, PhD, a professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Hayes, who is also a member of Perlmutter Cancer Center, emphasizes that the study was designed to identify correlations between disease risk and certain microbes in the mouth, but not to establish a direct cause-and-effect link. That will require further investigation.

The research team next plans to explore whether oral viruses could contribute to cancer and how the mouth’s microbiome may affect patients’ chances of survival, adds Hayes.

Funding for the study was provided by National Institutes of Health grants P30CA016087, P20CA252728, R01LM014085, R01CA159036, and U01CA250186.

Along with Meng, Hayes, and Ahn, other NYU Langone researchers involved in the study are Feng Wu, PhD; Soyoung Kwak, PhD; Chan Wang, PhD; Tamas Gonda, MD; Paul Oberstein, MD; and Huilin Li, PhD.

Other study co-investigators include Mykhaylo Usyk, PhD, at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City; Neal Freedman, PhD, and Wen-Yi Huang, PhD, at the National Cancer Institute in Rockville, Maryland; and Caroline Um, PhD, at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta.

About NYU Langone Health
NYU Langone Health is a fully integrated health system that consistently achieves the best patient outcomes through a rigorous focus on quality that has resulted in some of the lowest mortality rates in the nation. Vizient, Inc. has ranked NYU Langone No. 1 out of 118 comprehensive academic medical centers across the nation for four years in a row, and U.S. News & World Report recently ranked four of its clinical specialties number one in the nation. NYU Langone offers a comprehensive range of medical services with one high standard of care across seven inpatient locations, its Perlmutter Cancer Center, and more than 320 outpatient locations in the New York area and Florida. With $14.2 billion in revenue this year, the system also includes two tuition-free medical schools, in Manhattan and on Long Island, and a vast research enterprise.

Media Inquiries
Shira Polan
Phone: 212-404-4279
Shira.Polan@NYULangone.org