Yukie Nakai

This study examines the cross-cultural validity of the Japanese version of the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), designed for studies on dental caries to assess dietary intake in Japanese children. Parent-reported dietary data were collected (274 children, 3–6 years old) using the 38-item FFQ, whose reliability and validity have been demonstrated in adults. Factor analysis was used to determine dimensionality. Dietary cariogenicity scores were compared with the levels of plaque mutans streptococci, and the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index to evaluate the criterion validity using Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) and the Kruskal–Wallis test. The FFQ showed good criterion validity, assessed through its relationship with the dmft index (r = 0.119; p = 0.05) and Dentocult SM score (r = 0.124; p = 0.04). Factor analysis revealed six questionnaire subscales. Internal consistency was from low to acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.64 for the total scale, 0.39–0.53 for each subscale). Children with a higher SM score were more likely to have higher dietary cariogenicity scores (p = 0.01; Kruskal–Wallis test). These results confirm the validity of the Japanese version of the FFQ for children, which can be used to track dietary structure dynamics regarding cariogenicity from childhood to adulthood.

TP53 and other DNA damage response-related gene mutations in human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.

Professional identity formation, an important component of education, is influenced by participation, social relationships, and culture in communities of practice. As a preliminary investigation of dental hygienists’ professional identity formation, this study examined changes in the dental hygiene students’ perceptions of oral health professionals over the three years of their undergraduate program. At a Japanese dental hygiene school, 40 students participated in surveys with open-ended questions about professional groups several times during their studies. The text data were analyzed through content analysis with text mining software. The themes that characterized their dental hygienist profession perceptions in their programs each year were identified as: “Supporters at the dental clinic”; “Engagement with interprofessional care” and “Improved problem-solving skills for clinical issues regarding the oral region”; and “Active contribution to general health” and “Recognition of the roles considering relationships” (in the first, second, and third years, respectively). The students acquired professional knowledge and recognized the significance and roles of oral health professionals in practice. They gained more learning experiences in their education, including clinical placements and interprofessional education. This study provides insight into curriculum development for professional identity formation in dental hygiene students.