Acknowledgement:  

I acknowledge the use of ChatGPT () to provide a background summary of the essay topic that I used to inform my basic level of understanding. I also generated a list of synonyms to help me expand my search and suggest some key articles on the topic, which were searched for in Library Search. 

Description of use of AI: 

Prompts used with ChatGPT were used to inform my initial research. Where information has been used directly in my work I have provided a citation.

Prompt 1: What is the role of Candida albicans in oral health and disease

Output 1: 

Candida albicans is a type of fungus that normally resides in the oral cavity of humans as a commensal organism, without causing any harm. However, under certain circumstances, this fungus can overgrow and cause a range of oral infections, including oral thrush, denture stomatitis, and angular cheilitis.

Oral thrush is a fungal infection that results in the formation of white, creamy patches on the tongue, inner cheeks, and roof of the mouth. It is more common in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or cancer, and in people taking antibiotics or corticosteroids.

Denture stomatitis, also known as denture-related candidiasis, is a common fungal infection that affects individuals who wear dentures. It is characterized by inflammation and redness of the oral mucosa covered by the dentures, and it can be caused by poor oral hygiene, ill-fitting dentures, or a weakened immune system.

Angular cheilitis, also called perleche, is a fungal infection that affects the corners of the mouth. It is often caused by a combination of factors, such as excessive moisture, nutritional deficiencies, or a weakened immune system.

In summary, Candida albicans plays a complex role in oral health and disease, as it can be both a commensal organism and a pathogenic fungus, depending on the host's immune status and other factors. Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene practices are essential to prevent the overgrowth of Candida albicans and other harmful microorganisms in the mouth.

Prompt 2: alternative synonyms for candida albicans 

Output 2: Here are some alternative synonyms for Candida albicans:

1. Monilia albicans
2. Oidium albicans
3. Yeast infection
4. Thrush
5. Candidiasis

Prompt 3: Key articles to read about the topic

Output 3:  

Here are some key articles you may want to read about Candida albicans and its role in oral health and disease:

1.  "Candida albicans and oral candidiasis: A review of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies" by Hasanreisoglu et al. (2019) in Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.
2. "Oral candidiasis: a review" by Williams et al. (2011) in Oral Diseases.
3. "Candida albicans interactions with the oral bacterial microbiota" by Diaz et al. (2019) in Journal of Fungi.
4. "Candida albicans: pathogenesis, diseases and laboratory diagnosis" by Kothari and Sagar (2017) in Open Journal of Clinical Diagnostics.
5. "Oral candidiasis: causes, types, and treatment" by Gendreau and Loewy (2011) in Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice.

These articles provide in-depth information on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of Candida albicans-related oral infections, as well as the interactions between Candida albicans and other microorganisms in the oral microbiota.

Reference: 

OpenAI ChatGPT (2023) ChatGPT in response to George Smith 23 March. Available at: