Asian Health, Science and Technology Reports

Digital Twins in Dentistry: Technological Foundations and Clinical Applications

Choncharoen Thamsopinkull — Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Digital twins have become a powerful new trend in dentistry, enabled by advancements in multimodality imaging, artificial intelligence (AI), and numerical simulation. Dental digital twins are living, data-driven virtual counterparts to a patient’s oral and craniofacial anatomy that allow real-time modeling, prediction, and optimization of clinical treatment. This review aimed to gather current knowledge about technical concepts, clinical fields, limitations, and future challenges of digital twins in dentistry. These key enabling technologies (including cone-beam computed tomography, intraoral scanning, facial surface imaging, and deep learning-based segmentation) contribute to accurate anatomical reconstruction and the generation of automated models. From a clinical perspective, digital twins appear particularly promising for implant planning, simulation of orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery, and patient communication. Research suggests that this technology may improve accuracy, workflow efficiency, and patient involvement. Many challenges, however, persist in regard to insufficient clinical validation; poor interoperability; high infrastructure requirements and authority issues in data access use cases . New modalities such as Internet of Things (IoT)-driven monitoring, blockchain-verified data sharing, and the integration of genomic information with biomechanical models may expand the range of applications for dental digital twins, enabling precision dentistry. Despite significant progress, digital twins are a developing technology. Scalability for clinical use will require robust evidence, standardized protocols, regulatory guidance, and ethical and societal considerations. Digital twins have significant potential to transform practice, education, and research in dentistry, but their benefits could be widespread only with responsible development and broad clinical evaluation.

Prevalence and Distribution of Protozoan Parasite Contamination in Fresh Vegetables from Bang Khla District, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand

Amornrat Dokmaikaw, Pisit Suntaravitun, Prodpran Tasiri, Chanapon Singsook — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Intestinal protozoan infections pose a significant public health concern, particularly for children and the elderly. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and distribution of protozoan cysts and oocysts in fresh vegetables grown in Bang Khla District, Thailand. The analysis employed the sedimentation technique and modified acid-fast staining method to analyze a total of 369 samples encompassing nine commonly consumed vegetable types collected from cultivation plots. The prevalence of four protozoan species was detected: Cryptosporidium spp. (11.9%), Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar (7.6%), Blastocystis sp. (3.5%), and Giardia spp. (1.9%). Notably, there was a statistically significant variation in contamination rates across different types of fresh vegetables (p < 0.05). Among the nine vegetable types, water spinach exhibited the highest contamination rate (70.7%), followed by coriander (36.6%), lettuce (34.1%), celery and kale (each at 22.0%), hoary basil and sweet basil (each at 12.2%), spring onion (9.8%), and yardlong bean (4.9%). The high contamination observed in water spinach, a semi-aquatic plant, suggests a potential role of irrigation water as an important source of protozoan contamination. The consumption of raw vegetables, particularly water spinach, may therefore pose a significant risk for the transmission of protozoan infections. These findings underscore the importance of food safety practices, including proper washing and cooking, as well as improved management of irrigation water and cultivation environments. This study provides important evidence supporting the need for strengthened environmental sanitation, targeted public health interventions, and further research on contamination pathways in agricultural systems.

Aviation Career within Generation Y and Z Behaviour in Vitamin Supplement and Healthy Food Consumption

Benjapol Worasuwannarak, Korawin Kungwol, Bavornluck Kuosuwan — Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This study investigated health-conscious consumption perceptions toward vitamin supplements and healthy food products among Generation Y and Generation Z employees in the aviation industry. Using an exploratory sequential mixed-method design, qualitative data from in-depth interviews with five aviation professionals informed the development of a quantitative survey administered to 400 airline employees in Bangkok, Thailand. Five dimensions of consumer health-consciousness were examined: product quality, informativeness, reliability, brand image, and perceived value. Independent-samples t-tests revealed significant generational differences: Generation Y placed greater emphasis on reliability (t = 4.12, p < .001, d = 0.43), whereas Generation Z placed greater emphasis on brand image (t = -3.98, p < .001, d = 0.40). These findings offer practical guidance for aviation organizations, supplement producers, and food industry stakeholders in tailoring strategies to the distinct health-related preferences of younger workforce cohorts.

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Asian Health, Science and Technology Reports — Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Content

Editorial Board

Asian Health, Science and Technology Reports — Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Editorial Board