bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Musculoskeletal symptoms of dentists assessed by a multidisciplinary approach
Authors: Lehto Tero Uolevi , Helenius Hans Ylermi Matias , Alaranta Hannu Tapani
Published: May 2006

Abstract Musculoskeletal health was studied as part of a comprehensive health examination in 131 professionally active dentists. 42% of dentists had experienced pain and disability (interference with daily activities) by neck‐shoulder problems during the preceding year, with a tendency to greater prevalence in salaried dentists than in private practitioners. For the lower back, this percentage was 37. Somatic symptoms of stress, perceiving dentistry as physically too heavy or mentally too straining and a poorer general health status rating were all associated with a greater 1‐yr prevalence of neck‐shoulder and lower hack pain and disability and with poorer general physical fitness. Age, weekly work hours, working posture, use of an assistant, or radiographic degenerative changes in the dentist's skeleton were not associated with l‐yr prevalence of neck‐shoulder or lower back pain and disability. The results provide evidence that physical exercise should be recommended lo dentists and might also he applicable lo subjects in other occupations with similar requirements.
Relative importance of psychologic factors in denture satisfaction
Authors: Vervoorn Johanna M. , Duinkerke Adriaan S. H. , Luteijn Frans , van de Pool Alphons C. M.
Published: May 2006

Abstract The aim of this investigation was to explore the relative importance of psychologic variables in explaining the degree of denture satisfaction in full denture patients. A group of 125 patients who were on a waiting list to have new dentures constructed participated in this study. The patients completed the Dutch version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist, the Dutch Personality Inventory, a denture satisfaction questionnaire and a denture complaint questionnaire. No relation was found between the personality variables and denture satisfaction as measured by the denture satisfaction questionnaire. When the different aspects of denture satisfaction were measured by means of complaint scales, satisfaction was related to personality traits. Functional complaints of the mandibular denture and complaints about a hollow face were related to the personality trait “extraversion‐introversion”. Vague denture complaints and complaints about a bulbous face were related to “neuroticism”.
Objective and subjective need for cosmetic dentistry in the Dutch adult population
Authors: Burgersdijk Rob , Truin Gert‐Jan , Kalsbeek Huib , van't Hot Martin , Mulder Jan
Published: May 2006

Abstract In order to assess the objective and subjective need for cosmetic dentistry in the Dutch adult population in 1986 a stratified sample of 2784 dentate persons, aged 15–74 yr, participated in the study. The aesthetics of anterior teeth and first premolars in the maxillary mandibular arch were determined by dental examiners as well as by the examinees. According to the dental examiners 16–63% of the people in the age range from 15 to 74 yr were in need of cosmetic dental care. Based on the patient's opinion (subjective need) these percentages varied between 18 and 40% in the different age groups. The discrepancy between the objective and subjective assessment in the percentage of people in need of cosmetic dental care increased with age.
Oral health in Slovenia, Yugoslavia
Authors: Vrbiç Vito , Homan Danica , Završnik Berta
Published: May 2006

Abstract An oral health epidemiological survey using WHO assessment forms was conducted in the Republic of Slovenia (Yugoslavia) in 1987. The study population consisted of 1623 persons aged 6, 12, 15, 18, 35–44 and over 65 yr. The survey included 10 towns in 9 geographical areas of Slovenia. The results showed the prevalence of dental caries in the Slovenian population to be very high (93.6% in 12‐yr‐olds). The mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) scores were as follows: 5.1 at age 12 yr, 10.2 at 15 yr, 12.9 at 18 yr, 20.5 at 35 44 yr, and 27.0 in persons aged over 65 yr. Assessment of the periodontal status showed calculus to be the predominant disorder in the age groups 18 and 35–44 yr, while shallow pockets prevailed in persons aged over 65 yr.
Risk factors associated with abundant dental caries and periodontal pocketing
Authors: Tervonen Tellervo , Knuuttila Matti , Nieminen Pentti
Published: May 2006

Abstract An adult population of 1275 subjects aged 25, 35, 50, and 65 yr were examined clinically with respect to their periodontal and caries situation. An interview and questionnaire were used to chart the following variables: dietary and oral hygiene habits, social factors, appreciation of natural teeth, and use and availability of dental services. The associations between the risk factors and the probability of periodontal pocketing (≥4 mm) or abundant dental caries (≥7 lesions) among the dentate population were examined using a logistic regression model. The final model correctly classified periodontal pocketing in 65% of the cases and abundant caries in 76%. In addition to social variables, behavioral factors were found to be significantly associated with periodontal pocketing and abundant untreated dental caries.
Study of lead and cadmium content of surface enamel of schoolchildren from an industrial area in Belgium
Authors: Cleymaet Roberto , Bottenberg Peter , Slop Dick , Clara Robert , Coomans Danny
Published: May 2006

Abstract The amount of lead and cadmium was determined in surface enamel from permanent teeth of schoolchildren by means of an acid etch surface enamel microbiopsy method. Lead and cadmium levels were calculated on the amount of etched enamel. A comparison of the concentrations of these heavy metals was made between children (7 and 11 yr) from a school close to a non‐ferrous metal plant and children from the same age group from a school situated nearby the same plant but in a zone polluted to a lesser degree. The lead concentrations in enamel biopsies from the first group were significantly higher than those from the second group. Cadmium shows the same trend but on a much lower level. A significant correlation between lead and cadmium was also found in both groups.
Relationship of dental coping beliefs and oral hygiene
Authors: Wolfe Gary Robert , Stewart James Edmund , Hartz Gary William
Published: May 2006

Abstract Previous research has found varying relationships between dental beliefs and oral hygiene. In this study a recently developed questionnaire, the Dental Coping Beliefs Scale (DCBS), was used to study the relationship between plaque index and dental beliefs. The DCBS was administered to 99 subjects; at the same time, the standard of oral hygiene was determined by the use of the Plaque Index scoring system. The rating dentist had an established test‐retest reliability of 0.91 in estimating plaque index. Correlations were obtained between each of the DCBS's 44 items and plaque index scores. Ten items were significantly correlated with plaque index, with r's from −0.19 (P < 0.05) to −0.33 (P < 0.001). The DCBS data was then analyzed by performing an oblique principal component cluster analysis to determine the major health belief composing the DCBS. Four clusters explained 38% of the total variance. The clusters were labeled Internal Locus of Control (15 items), External Locus of Control (15 items), Self Efficacy (8 items), and Oral Health Beliefs (6 items). Nine of the 10 items significantly correlated with plaque index were members of the External Locus of Control component. Thus, beliefs relating to increased external locus of control were related to higher plaque index.
Epidemiologic studies of oral mucosal conditions – methodologic issues
Authors: Kleinman Dushanka V. , Swango Philip A. , Niessen Linda C.
Published: May 2006

Abstract The methods used in the international English‐language literature of epidemiologic investigations of oral mucosal conditions were reviewed. Methods used to study leukoplakia, lichen planus, recurrent herpes labialis, recurrent aphthous ulcers, geographic tongue and candidiasis are highlighted. In addition, studies of the full range of pathologies documented in a population were reviewed. The methodologic issues raised by the epidemiologic literature as well as those to be considered for future studies of oral mucosal conditions are presented. Emphasis is placed on study population selection, diagnostic criteria development, type and training of examiners, risk factor assessment and issues related to data collection, analysis and reporting.
Occupational health complaints and adverse patient reactions as perceived by personnel in public dentistry
Authors: Jacobsen Nils , Aasenden Reidun , Hensten‐Pettersen Arne
Published: May 2006

Abstract A questionnaire survey on health complaints experienced by personnel in public dentistry was undertaken in 1979 and repealed in 1988/89. The reply rates were about 80% and 83%. In both surveys, about one half of the personnel reported occupation‐related health complaints, a majority of which were dermatoses of hands and fingers. The dermatoses were attributed to seasonal air quality problems, or to contact with chemically active substances relevant to hygienic measures, treatment patterns, or other activities connected with the running of a dental clinic. The majority of the dermatoses were probably irritative. Some presumably hypersensitivity reactions occurred after handling of dental materials. Latex gloves, which were in general use only at the time of the last survey, seemed to have prevented some dermatoses formerly attributed to handwashing procedures. However, latex gloves per se had also induced dermatoses. Non‐dermatological ailments of a transient nature comprised eye, respiratory, or systemic reactions and were connected with volatiles from X‐ray liquids, methylmethacrylate monomer, and disinfectants. Adverse patient reactions occurred at a frequency of about one per 2600 treated patients. The observations comprised skin reactions (head/face), gingival/mucosal ulcerations, and sometimes systemic/urticarial reactions. The reactions were associated with the use of local anesthetics, orthodontic appliances, and other biomaterials. Two reactions were related to contact with the dentists' latex gloves.
Teeth, tooth spaces, and prosthetic appliances in elderly men in Malmö, Sweden
Authors: Liedberg Birgitta , Norlén Per , Öwall Bengt
Published: May 2006

Abstract A group of 483 men, all of whom were 68 or 69 yr old and had lived for a long time in the city of Malmö were examined with regard to number of teeth present, removable dentures, fixed bridges, and tooth spaces. 76.4% had one or more natural teeth remaining, 59.2% had removable dentures, and 0.2% were edentulous and without dentures. The mean number of teeth present in a fixed dentition calculated on dentate subjects was 16.21 ± 8.02, including teeth replaced by pontics and 15.0 ± 7.44 when natural teeth only were recorded. The number of bridges was high, 28.8% of natural dentate persons having bridgework. This cohort had fewer remaining teeth than in similar groups in other areas of Sweden, but more fixed bridges. 19.5% had open tooth spaces corresponding to one or more teeth in the visible parts of the dental arches. The availability of dentistry has been extremely good in Malmö and financial support for all types of dental care has been provided for all inhabitants since 1974. In spite of this, a low number of remaining teeth and many untreated tooth spaces in visible part of the dental arches were found, though on the other hand much fixed bridgework was found. It appears from the present study that the population tends to polarize into two groups, namely one group which takes advantage of the dental services and one which does not.
National survey of oral health care in Finnish municipal old people's homes
Authors: Ekelund Raili
Published: May 2006

Abstract As oral health is especially important for physically, mentally and socially handicapped old people, the aim of this study was to investigate the dental services provided for people living in municipal old people's homes in Finland. The study involved all the 431 municipal old people's homes in Finland in 1989. The directors of the old people's homes were asked to fill in a questionnaire. The response rate was 99.5%. The study showed that the dental services provided for the elderly vary greatly in different old people's homes. As a whole, however, dental care arrangements are inadequate: oral examinations on admission are performed always in 11% and never in 47% of the old people's homes, and oral examinations for residents are carried out annually in 23% and never in 21%. In 56% of the homes the need for treatment comes to light only when the old people themselves complain about a dental problem. Comprehensive dental care is available in 16% of the homes. One notable feature is that, although all the homes are publicly owned, the system of charging for the dental care of the elderly varies considerably between different homes. Comparing the results of this study with those from earlier investigations shows that, although there has been some progress in dental service arrangements in the 1980s, the oral care provided for these old people is still far from satisfactory. It is obvious that the value of oral health as an important component of human well‐being is not yet widely recognized. To rectify the situation uniform regulations governing dental services for the elderly in institutions are required for the whole of the country.
Oral mucosal health and disease in institutionalized elderly in Brazil
Authors: Junior Jacks Jorge , de Almeida Oslei Paes , Bozzo Lourenço , Scully Crispian , Graner Edgard
Published: May 2006

Abstract During the last decade, many studies in Europe and North America have evaluated oral conditions and dental needs in the elderly. Similar information does not exist in Brazil. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of oral health and disease in elderly persons living in an institution in the city of Piracicaba, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Of 350 elderly persons, 134 males and 136 females were interviewed and clinically examined. Less than one half had healthy mouths. 58.9% of the examined individuals showed one or more lesions in the oral mucosa, the most frequent being denture‐induced stomatitis (20.0%). Fibrous hyperplasias (11.8%) and angular cheilitis (9.3%) were fairly common. Gender, use and degree of hygiene of the denture were factors statistically significantly contributing to prevalence of denture stomatitis. Precancerous lesions such as leukoplakia (3.0%), actinic cheilitis (2.6%) were uncommon but three cases of squamous carcinoma (1.1%) were revealed. This study emphasizes the need for regular oral examinations of the elderly by personnel trained in oral diagnosis.
A study to determine oral health needs of institutionalised elderly patients by non dental health care workers
Authors: Hoad‐Reddick Gillian
Published: May 2006

Abstract In this survey normative need as assessed by an examining dentist and the subject's own perceived need are compared with need assessed by untrained care workers. A method for simple assessment of elderly people on admission to day centres or elderly peoples' residential homes is described and its efficiency in use assessed during a survey of 41 subjects. Results suggest that use of a simple questionnaire can alert carers to problems requiring dental care – oral hygiene regimens can then be improved, dentures named and dentists called to provide treatment. Too often this type of initial assessment is neglected.
Prediction of periodontal bone height from partial radiographic examination
Authors: Eliasson Sören , Bergström Jan
Published: May 2006

Abstract The object of the present study was to determine the relationship between the periodontal bone height as determined from the total dentition and that predicted from a limited number of teeth. The material comprised 247 subjects aged 21–60 yr with an average of 26.3 remaining teeth. All patients were radiographically examined by an intra‐oral lull mouth survey. The bone height was measured for each tooth and a mean of all single tooth specific values was calculated for each subject. The relationship between the measured value and the predicted value was expressed in terms of correlation coefficients. The correlation between the measured value and the predicted value improved with increasing number of teeth included in the predictor. It ranged from r = 0.79 (single tooth) to r = 0.98 (four teeth). It was concluded that the number of radiographs exposed and teeth examined can be considerably reduced when estimating the alveolar bone height for periodontal screening.
Dental erosion in a population of Swiss adults
Authors: Lussi A. , Schaffner M. , Hotz P. , Suter P.
Published: May 2006

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental erosion in an adult population in Switzerland. 391 randomly selected persons from two age groups (26–30 and 46–50 yr) were examined for frequency and severity of erosion on all tooth surfaces. Information was gathered by interview about lifestyle, dietary and oral health habits. For facial surfaces 7.7% of the younger age group and 13.2% of the older age group showed at least one tooth affected with erosion with involvement of dentin (grade 2). 3.5 teeth per person in the younger and 2.8 teeth per person in the older age group were affected. Occlusally at least one severe erosion was observed in 29.9% of the younger and 42.6% of the older sample with 3.2 and 3.9 erosion‐affected teeth per person, respectively. 3.6% of the younger age group and 6.1% of the older age group showed slight lingual erosion on the maxillary anterior teeth. Severe lingual erosions were scarce. Data from interviews and multiple regression analyses revealed that acids from beverages are significantly associated with presence of erosion.
Exploration of prediction models for caries risk assessment of the geriatric population
Authors: Powell L. Virginia , Mancl Lloyd A. , Senft Geralyn D.
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe purpose of This study was to demonstrate a method for establishing a model designed to predict the caries risk of elderly individuals. Twenty‐three patients over the age of 65 and living in a semi‐independent retirement center were examined; several variables were collected and analyzed for their ability to predict the development of new carious lesions. The analysis was performed using logistic regression where the proportion of new decay was used as the dependent variable. The model for prediction of combined coronal and root caries included the variables flow rate, gender, and root caries index. The proposed method has the advantages of easily collected data, individualized criteria, and the ability to order patients as to the relative risk of developing decay.
Extent and Severity Index based on assessments of radiographic bone loss
Authors: Papapanou Panos N. , Wennström Jan L. , Johnsson Tommy
Published: May 2006

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to develop a partial recording system based on the principles of the Extent and Severity Index, aiming at describing the degree of radiographic alveolar bone loss on a population level. The data analyzed were derived from a subject sample comprising 531 individuals aged 25–75 yr. In these subjects alveolar bone level (ABL) was radiographically assessed at all approximal tooth surfaces. An ABL value of >2 mm was required for a tooth site to be included in the computation of a full mouth bivariate Extent and Severity Index (FESI). A partial recording index (PESI‐2) based on 18 ad hoc selected tooth sites depicted in one periapical and one vertical bitewing radiograph was evaluated in comparison with the FESI as well as with partial recording indices based on the 9 and 18 tooth sites which displayed the highest correlation with full mouth scores (PESI‐9) and PESI‐18, respectively). It was shown that all three partial recording systems generated values reasonably close to the full‐mouth scores. However, the fitness of all partial indices varied with age. The potential of the partial indices to predict full‐mouth scores could be further enhanced via simple regression models. Such an evaluation should, ideally, be carried out in an independent subject sample.
Dental health behavior and attitudes – an application of correspondence analysis
Authors: van Rossum Ger M. J. M. , Kalk Warner , Felling Albert J. A. , van't Hof Martin A.
Published: May 2006

Abstract Differences in dental behavior and dental altitudes between people with (almost) all natural teeth, people with a full denture in both jaws and people with a full denture in only the maxilla are visualized by means of correspondence analysis in one overall picture. In this picture the three distinguished subgroups of dental patients and their characteristics are indicated as points in a two‐dimensional space. The distances between the points in this picture show to what extent these points are connected. The findings obtained in this study can lead to the conclusion that: a. differences in dental status are related to differences in dental behavior and dental attitudes; b. people with all natural teeth and people with a full demure in both jaws obviously are opposite of each other in many respects, whereas people with a full denture in only one jaw can be characterized as a dental in‐between group.
A random effects model for some epidemiological features of dental caries
Authors: Manji F. , Fejerskov O. , Nagelkerke N. J. D. , Baelum V.
Published: May 2006

Abstract We describe a random effects model for caries lesion development and progression based on considering the effects of the pH fluctuations over time in microbial dental plaque as a Wiener process with a single absorptive barrier. The model predicts that the period of greatest risk to developing caries occurs shortly after eruption, but thereafter the longer a surface survives without developing a lesion, the less likely will it be that a lesion will subsequently develop. The model is able to anticipate why the effect of water fluoridation on caries prevalence is most pronounced when caries is diagnosed at cavity level. This model offers one way in which the variability which characterizes the complex ecosystem associated with dental caries may be considered a subject of interest for enhancing our understanding of its pathogenesis and epidemiology.
Reliability and clinical usefulness of psychometric measures in a self‐referred population of odontophobics
Authors: Moore Rod , Berggren Ulf , Carlsson Sven G.
Published: May 2006

Abstract Questionnaire responses of 155 self‐referred subjects with extreme dental fear were used to evaluate the reliability and clinical usefulness of some psychometric tests used in diagnosis and treatment. The Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and a general Geer Fear Scale (GPS) were filled out by all subjects, while 80 patients with highest dental fear scores were also tested before and after dental fear treatment with the following scales: a Getz Dental Belief Survey (DBS). Dental Fear Survey (DFS), and a Mood Adjective Checklist (M ACL). Cronbach's alpha measured internal consistency reliability. SPSS data analyses calculated item‐remainder and test‐retest correlations. Clinical usefulness of scales was judged by Spearman correlations of initial scores and test score changes after dental fear treatment. All total test scores showed high internal consistency and test‐retest reliability. DFS was judged the preferred clinical measure of threatening perceptions of pain or unpleasantness specific to dental procedures. DBS and STAI‐State measured confidence in relating with the dentist and situational feat‐associated with that relationship. GFS, STAI‐Trait, and MACL discriminated levels of general fearfulness, anxiety and mood fluctuations that can impact on dental fear.
Supplier inducement – its relative effect on demand and utilization
Authors: Grytten Jostein
Published: May 2006

The present study examined the relative effect of supplier inducement on demand as opposed to on utilization. Supply of dentists was measured as population: dentist ratio at the level of trade areas. The dependent variable was number of dental visits during the last year. The probability of having, any visa was used as the measure of demand. Number of visits, conditional upon having any visit, was used as the measure of utilization. The data were analyzed using Tobit analysis. This analysis gave the fraction of the total effect of a marginal increase in supply that is due to an increase in utilization as opposed to an increase in demand. The analysis was performed on a national sample comprising 1186 adult Norwegians. Supplier inducement had nearly the same effect on demand as on utilization. This finding may be a result of the payment system for dental care, which relates each item of service to the average time it takes to perform that item. Income opportunities for dentists are then fairly independent of whether they spend their time doing check‐ups or treatment. The finding indicates that supplier induced demand is a factor to consider in addition to supplier induced utilization when one tries to explain how supplier inducement may affect the unequal distribution of dentists.
Changes in radiographic bone level in orthodontically treated teenagers over a 4‐year period
Authors: Aass Anne Merete , Gjermo Per
Published: May 2006

In 1984 the prevalence of subjects with radiographic bone loss was assessed in all 14‐year‐old schoolchildren in Oslo (n = 2767). An overrepresentation of subjects with bone loss was found among those undergoing orthodontic treatment. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of orthodontic treatment on the prevalence and incidence of radiographic bone loss during the following 4‐yr period. Bitewing radiographs from 1984, 1986, and 1988 of a sample of 438 subjects from the original population constituted the study material. Bone loss was recorded if the distance from the alveolar crest to the ccmentoenamel junction exceeded 2 mm. I I 1 subjects (25.3%) had received orthodontic treatment. In 1984, 18 of them (16.2%) exhibited bone loss. The corresponding figure for the 327 non‐treated children was 14 (4.3%). The incidence of subjects with new tooth sites with bone loss among those with a record of previous orthodontic treatmen t was 1.1% and 3.2% in the periods 1984–1986and1986–1988, respectively. Among those who had never received such treatment the incidence figures were 3.2% in the period1984–86 and 2.0% in the last period. The results indicated that the majority of the bone loss observed during or immediately after termination of orthodontic treatment was transient in nature.
Referral pattern of patients with oral mucosal lesions in The Netherlands
Authors: Jovanovic Andreas , Schulten Engelbert A.J.M. , van der Waal Isaäc
Published: May 2006

The referral pattern of 140 Dutch patients with oral mucosal lesions, who had been referred to a Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Pathology, shows that patients with oral mucosal lesions consult the dentist as often as the family doctor as the first source of help or information. Furthermore, family doctors were much more used to refer patients with oral mucosal disease to medical specialists rather than to the dentist or the oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Correction of self‐assessment of dental conditions
Authors: Arnbjerg Dorte , Söderfeldt Björn , Palmqvist Sigvard
Published: May 2006

A correction matrix or self‐assessed data on dental conditions was developed. 100 subjects, who were randomly selected among 2383 respondents to a questionnaire, were clinically examined. The dental conditions, determined clinically and through self‐assessment, were recoiled to seven dental categories, and the agreement between the two methods of reporting were investigated for persons with prosthodontic work and/or edentulous persons the sell‐assessment was valid, whereas people with remaining teeth over reported their dental conditions through sell‐assessment. The over reporting did not depend on gender, but was dependent on age, which again was related to dental status. The over reporting was most marked for persons having one to two single teeth or several single teeth missing and not replaced.
Comparative effectiveness of visual/tactile and simplified screening examinations in caries risk assessment
Authors: Disney Judith A. , Abernathy James R. , Graves Richard C. , Mauriello Sally M. , Bohannan Harry M. , Zack Denis D.
Published: May 2006

Central to the development of a model for identifying children at high risk to caries is a clinical evaluation to assess dental status and other conditions potentially useful in caries prediction. Traditionally, this evaluation has been based on a relatively lengthy visual/tactile examination conducted by a dentist. Replacing the dentist examination with a dental auxiliary conducted screening evaluation could lead to reduced time and costs. The 4‐yr University of North Carolina Curies Risk Assessment Study involved approximately 5000 schoolchildren initially in Grades 1 and 5 living near Aiken, South Carolina, and Portland, Maine. The effectiveness of caries prediction models using visual/tactile examination data were compared with the same models using simplified screening evaluation data. Results showed sensitivity ranged from 0.57 to 0.61 for the visual/tactile and screening models by site and grade cohort. Specificity for the models ranged from 0.80 to 0.83. None of these differences in sensitivity and specificity between visual/tactile (dentist) and screening (hygienist) models was statistically significant. Findings show that for the prediction of children at high risk to dental caries the clinical evaluation may be conducted with no reduction of precision by using dental hygienist performed screening evaluations rather than dentist conducted visual/tactile examinations. While no cost data were collected, these results imply that costs to future prediction programs could be reduced by using screening evaluations.
Caries prevalence among adults in communities with optimal and low water fluoride concentrations
Authors: Wiktorsson Ann‐Marie , Martinsson Thore , Zimmerman Mikael
Published: May 2006

The aim of this study was to compare the dental health status of adults measured as caries prevalence in two socioeconomically similar communities with optimal and low water fluoride concentrations respectively. Other topical fluoride sources are also taken into consideration. The study is based on clinical and radiological examinations of 30–40‐yr‐ofd subjects who for all their lives have been drinking water with a fluoride concentration representative for the community. 260 individuals resident in the optimal fluoride area and 236 from the low fluoride are included in the study. The results show that caries prevalence was lower in the optimal fluoride area. Caries prevalence was higher in women than in men within both groups. The prevalence of primary caries was low but significantly higher in the low fluoride area, principally in the form of proximal caries. Caries prevalence was not influenced by other topical fluoride sources.
Prevalence of caries in adolescents in relation to diet
Authors: Larsson Bengt , Johansson Ingegerd , Ericson Thorild
Published: May 2006

The aim of the present study was to compare dietary habits between adolescents with high or low dental caries prevalence. All 15‐yr‐old adolescents living in a small community in Northern Sweden were studied in 1987, 1988, and 1989. The median values for energy and nutrient intake exceeded or were close to the recommendations (SNR89) given by the Swedish National Food Administration. The fiber intake did not reach the recommended daily amount even for the 90th percentile of (he studied cohort. Nineteen percent of the adolescents had caries free teeth and 10% had nine or more decayed or filled surfaces. There was no difference in daily sucrose intake or average number of meals per day between these two groups. The group with nine or more decayed or filled surfaces had worse dietary habits, expressed as a higher fat intake, lower intake of complex carbohydrates, and lower density of iron (mg/MJ) than the group with no dental caries. Dietary counseling by dentists should be a valuable addition to other caries prophylactic measures taken by the dentists.
Effect of conventional dental restorative treatment on bacteria in saliva
Authors: Wright J. Tim , Cutter Gary R. , Dasanayake Ananda P. , MacStiles H. , Caufield Page W.
Published: May 2006

Dental caries results from the dissolution of mineralized dental tissues by the metabolic by‐products of oral bacteria colonizing the surface of teeth. The principal modality for dealing with this infectious process is through restorative treatment which removes the pathologic tissue and replaces it with a variety of inert materials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of traditional restorative treatment on select oral bacterial populations. Fifty‐two females demonstrating high levels of mutans streptococci (≥ 2.5 × 104 colony forming units (cfu) per ml saliva) with no more than four missing posterior teeth were recruited for this study. Salivary levels of mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, total streptococci, and total cultivable bacteria were evaluated before, during, and after restorative treatment. Initial DMFS scores were established by two standardized examiners using bitewing radiographs and clinical examination, which was conducted under optimal conditions. All restorative treatment was completed by faculty members of the University of Alabama School of Dentistry using treatment plans developed by the DMFS examiners. The participants received a mean of 16.4 restored surfaces, which resulted in significant reductions of all the bacterial populations tested. All microbial populations monitored were predicted to return to their baseline levels within 151 days after restorative treatment in 50% of the participants. This study shows that conventional restorative treatment results in a significant reduction of bacterial populations including those associated with the dental caries process, i.e., mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. Although restorative treatment is essential for replacing form and function to the dentition, it does not appear to have a prolonged effect on any of the salivary bacterial populations monitored, including those thought responsible for dental caries. Ideally, comprehensive treatment of dental caries should address the infectious nature of this disease through modalities directed at controlling bacterial colonization as well as restoring the afflicted dentition.
Investigation of delay in utilization ot government dental services in Malaysia
Authors: Jaafar Nasruddin , Jalalluddin Raja Latifah , Razak Ishak Abdul , Esa Rashidah
Published: May 2006

Although delays in seeking dental care among patients are frequently observed in daily practice, this problem has never been investigated in other utilization studies. This study attempts to establish the magnitude and severity of the problem of delay in a delivery system where cost is not a major barrier to utilization. 555 users of Government dental services were interviewed. Only 37% of them came promptly within 6 days of perceiving a dental need. The majority (63%) had delayed their dental visit for more than I week. In fact, the highest frequency of delay was for more than I month. Prompt attendance was found to be associated with people who regularly came for asymptomatic check‐ups. In contrast, more than 50% of those who thought they needed fillings and extractions had delayed their visit for more than a month. The main causes of delays were attributed to work commitments and the lack of perceived need for urgent care. Barriers related to transport or financial problems were ranked very low. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Use of fluoride tablets and effect on prevalence of dental caries and dental fluorosis
Authors: Kalsbeek Huib , Verrtps Erik , Dirks Otto Backer
Published: May 2006

A study was executed to investigate the relation between the use of fluoride tablets by children in the age period 1.5 ‐6 yr on the one hand and the caries experience at the age of 6 and 15 yr and the prevalence of fluorosis at the age of 15 yr on the other hand. The year of birth of the child, the motivation of the mother to engage in preventive dental behavior, the level of her school education and her place of birth were taken into account as possible confounding factors. A significant relation was found between the use of fluoride tablets and the prevalence of fluorosis. The most important predicting factor for tlie caries experience of the child was the mother's motivation to engage in preventive dental behavior. An effect of fluoride tablets on the caries experience could not be demonstrated.
Decline in caries prevalence in6–14‐year‐old schoolchildren during1975–85 in Shizuoka, Japan
Authors: Okawa Yoshikazu , Takahashi Yoshikazu , Sazuka Jinichiro , Matsukubo Takashi , Takaesu Yoshinori
Published: May 2006

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in caries prevalence during 1975 85 in Japanese schoolchildren who did not have an apparent change in fluoride exposure. A total of 2872 schoolchildren aged 6 14 yr in two primary schools and one junior high school in Shi/uoka city, Japan, were examined in 1985. The caries prevalence in 1985 was then compared with data which had been collected in a longitudinal survey on schoolchildren in the same primary and junior high schools by Katayama in 1970 75. The results indicated that DM FT and DMFS indices in 1985 were significantly lower than those in 1970 75 in all the examined ages (P <0.01). The DM FT indices at age 12 were 3.60 in 1985 and 5.47 in 1970 75. Remarkable decreases in DM FT al age 12 were observed in maxillary incisors (50%), followed by maxillary molars (24%) and mandibular molars (22%), The decline in caries prevalence in the examined area may be mainly attributed to several factors other than use of fluoride, such as changes in dietary pattern, an increasing dental awareness and promotion of dental health care. But the percentage decrease per annum of DM FT index at age of 12 in the examined population was relatively low (–4.1%) in comparison with other industrial countries. Comparing the results with data from national denial surveys, it can be considered that rural areas in Japan do not exhibit a similar decline of caries prevalence as in Shizuoka city, but there will be a lot of districts exhibiting significant reduction in caries prevalence in the near future.
Assessment of dental health state utilities
Authors: Fyffe Hazel E. , Kay Elizabeth J.
Published: May 2006

The term “health state utility” implies the assigning of a numerical value to a state of health. Assessment of the success of health care procedures, using health stale utilities, enables evaluation of available treatments and procedures in terms of differing health outcomes and therefore facilitates cost‐benefit analyses. Although measurement of general health state utilities has become increasingly common in medicine using a variety of techniques, few attempts have as yet been made in dentistry lo place valuations on different dental health states. The absence of tried and tested methods for measuring tooth quality make the benefits gained from preventive and restorative dental programmes difficult to quantify. The aim of this study was to assess the average utility values, held by a group of dentists and a group of members of the general public, for four different tooth states which it was hypothesised would have different values. These were 1) a decayed and painful posterior tooth: 2) a decayed and non‐painful posterior tooth: 3) a posterior tooth which had been restored and would need further restoralive treatment and 4) a permanently restored posterior tooth. A standard gamble questionnaire was used to elicit the utility values which were then substituted as “weightings” in a modified version of the “T‐health” index (1). The results show that it is possible lo assess dental health stale utility values using the standard gamble method and that the average utility values of the dentists in (he study were consistently higher than those of the general public. The application of utility values as “weightings” in a dental health index demonstrates the potential value of utility assessment in the evaluation of dental procedures or programmes.
A method to compare cost‐effectiveness of dental treatments: adhesive bridges compared to conventional bridges
Authors: Creugers Nico H. J. , Käyser Arnd F.
Published: May 2006

The cost‐effectiveness of a denial restoration depends primarily on the durability and the cost of the restoration. In this report a method is described to compare the cost‐effectiveness using the durability data of adhesive bridges and conventional bridges. The study shows that, for the situation in the Netherlands, the breakeven point for equal cost‐effectiveness compared lo conventional bridges is achieved when the 50% survival for adhesive bridges is approximately 6.5 yr. Clinical data indicate a higher cost‐effectiveness for anterior adhesive bridges. The method
Coefficients of relationship by isonymy among oral cancer registrations in Scottish males
Authors: Holloway Susan M. , Sofaer Jeffrey A.
Published: May 2006

The role of inherited susceptibility to oral cancers was studied by comparing groups of cancer patients and controls in terms of the coefficient of relationship by isonymy (Ri), both within and between Regions of mainland Scotland. Surname distributions for 3658 male cancer cases were derived from the Scottish Cancer Register for the years1959–85. Control distributions were derived from a total of 32468 male deaths in Scotland for 1976. For cancer floor of mouth, there was no evidence for increased isonymy in patients compared to controls and therefore no indication that familial factors contribute to cancer at this site. For cancer of the tongue there was a suggestion of increased isonymy within but not between Regions, perhaps reflecting environmental risk factors common to members of the same family. For cancers of the lip and salivary gland there was evidence of increased isonymy both within and to a lesser extent between Regions, suggesting a genetic contribution. There is corroborative evidence from other sources for a heritable component in salivary gland cancer but the reasons for the similar pattern of results in cancer of the lip are less clear.
The University of North Carolina caries risk assessment study: caries increments of misclassified children
Authors: Graves Richard C. , Disney Judith A. , Beck James D. , Abernathy James R. , Stamm John W. , Bohannan Harry M.
Published: May 2006

The University of North Carolina caries risk assessment was conducted between 1986 and 1989 with 5000 children initially in grades 1 and 5 from low fluoride sites in South Carolina and Maine. Clinical, microbiologic, behavioral, and demographic factors served as independent variables used in logistic multiple regression models to determine the predicted caries risk classification of each child. The 3‐yr DMFS increment of each child was the dependent variable, and the20–25% of those in each cohort with the highest increment were considered the high risk group. Sensitivity and specificity values averaged 0.60 and 0.83 respectively, indicating the misclassification of substantial numbers of children. This paper reports analysis of the DMFS increments of the misclassified children. The majority of children had DMFS increments within one or two surfaces of the classification cut points. Many false negative children had increments composed entirely of filled surfaces, often of minimal extent and without evidence of previous decay. Many false positive children had increments composed of decayed surfaces and would have benefitted from being identified as high risk and assigned to a preventive program. Other false positive children had sealants placed after the baseline examination that undoubtedly reduced their true increment. It is concluded that the consequences of misclassification are not serious for most children in this study.
Results after 3 years of non‐operative occlusal caries treatment of erupting permanent first molars
Authors: Carvalho Joana Christina , Thylstrup Anders , Ekstrand Kim Rud
Published: May 2006

The aim of the study was to describe the 3‐yr results of a treatment program designed to control occlusal caries on the basis of intensive patient education and professional toothcleaning. The sample consisted of 56 children 6–8 yr old with their permanent right first molars in different stages of eruption. The results were compared with record data from 58 children of the same age who had received a traditional caries treatment program including fissure sealing (control group). After 1 yr a significant reduction of occlusal surfaces with visible plaque was noted in the study group as well as an increased proportion of arrested lesions. These results were maintained after 2 and 3 yr. Ten (9%) teeth were sealed and one filled during the study period. Examination of record data in the control group over a 3‐yr period revealed that 76 (65%) first molars were sealed and 7 (6%) were filled. During the first year 1/3 of the children in the study group needed 5–6 recall visits, whereas in the following period all children were only seen 1–4 times. In contrast, 50% of the children in the control group needed 5–6 recalls in the 3rd yr. Our data indicate that professional care for erupting teeth on an individual basis has a long‐term effect on occlusal surfaces as well. The alternative technique required less clinical time than the traditional application of sealants.
Effects of School Dental Care Service in Hong Kong‐primary teeth
Authors: Evans R. Wendell , Lo Edward C. M.
Published: May 2006

The aim of this study was to describe the effects of the School Dental Care Service on the dental status of primary teeth, against the background of the water fluoridation program. A representative sample of Chinese children aged 6–12 yr was selected for a dental examination for caries and treatment needs. Thirty‐two percent of the children aged 6–8 yr were caries free. The dmft indices for 6, 7, and 8‐yr‐olds were 2.8, 3.1, and 2.9 respectively, and the ratio of decayed to filled teeth declined from 3.2 at age 6 to 1.0 at age 9. The average child aged 6–8 yr needed treatment for caries on just fewer than two teeth. More teeth were in need of 1‐surface fillings and such complex treatment as pulpotomy than other treatment types. It was concluded that I) dental caries prevalence and severity in primary teeth of Hong Kong children continues to decline, 2) there has been an obvious improvement in dental fitness as a result of establishing the School Dental Care Service. 3) the risk to dental caries appears to be associated with the preschool time‐frame and therefore 4) the dental service should redirect its attention to preschool children and 5) replace its restorative policy with a preventive policy.
Prevalence of enamel defects/fluorosis in fluoridated and non‐fluoridated areas in Ireland
Authors: Clarkson John J. , O'Mullane Denis M.
Published: May 2006

Water fluoridation was introduced in Ireland in 1964 and in recent years the availability of fluoride from other sources had increased. As part of a National Survey of Children's Health in Ireland Dean's and the DDE indices were used to determine the prevalence of enamel fluorosis/defects in 8‐ and 15‐yr‐old children in fluoridated and non‐fluoridated areas. Over 94% of the children examined in all areas were regarded as having normal enamel, as defined by Dean's index, the remainder showing evidence of either questionable, very mild or mild fluorosis. Between 52% and 63% of the children had one or more teeth affected by enamel defects when measured by the DDE index. The prevalence of enamel fluorosis/defects was similar in children living in fluoridated and non‐fluoridated areas but the prevalence of diffuse opacities (DDE) was higher in the fluoridated areas.