Cannabis Uses in Dentistry: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Area of Science:

• Bibliometrics
• Oral Health
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Cannabis sativa (CS) research is expanding, with increasing attention to its therapeutic applications and potential harms.
• Oral health, particularly periodontics, has emerged as a significant area of interest in CS research.
• Social and political changes, including legalization, are influencing the trajectory of CS research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a bibliometric analysis of papers, authors, journals, and institutions related to Cannabis sativa (CS) therapeutic benefits and harmful effects.
• To identify key research trends, influential publications, and leading contributors in the field of CS and oral health.
• To assess the growth and emerging nature of CS research within dentistry.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of 196 records from Web of Science Core Collection (February 2024).
• Citation crossmatch performed using Scopus and Google Scholar.
• Analysis of publication metrics, keyword co-occurrence, and trends using VOSviewer and Altmetric tools.

Main Results:

• 53 articles were included, with 25 focusing on therapeutic or harmful effects of CS.
• General oral health and periodontics constituted 53% of the research topics.
• The United States and New Zealand were the leading countries in citations; Journal of Clinical Periodontology was prominent in dentistry.
• Keywords such as "periodontal disease" and "periodontitis" were frequently identified.

Conclusions:

• Research on Cannabis sativa (CS) and its oral health effects has experienced substantial growth in the last four years.
• The field of CS in dentistry is identified as an emerging research area, influenced by societal and legal shifts.
• Further investigation into the specific therapeutic benefits and risks of CS in oral health is warranted.