bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE FINE STRUCTURE OF HYMENOMONAS (CRICOSPHAERA) CARTERAE. II. OBSERVATIONS ON SCALE AND COCCOLITH PRODUCTION
Authors: Pienaar Richard N.
Published: April 2007

The fine structure of the marine coccolithophorid Hymenomonas (Cricosphaera) carterae (Braarud & Fagerland) Manton & Peterfi is reported. Details of the formation of the circular organic body scales are presented. Their formation is shown to be closely linked with the presence of tubules found within the Golgi cisternae. The details of coccolith production are also discussed. The formation of the organic matrix scale appears to be associated with a densely staining organelle, the intracellular coccolith pre‐cursor. The precise mechanisms involved in the mineralization of the organic matrix scale is not known but 2 possibilities are discussed. The production of coccoliths in H. carterae is compared with coccolith production in other coccolithophorids that have been investigated finestructurally.
IDENTITY OF ZOOXANTHELLAE ISOLATED FROM SOME PACIFIC TRIDACNIDAE
Authors: Taylor Dennis L.
Published: April 2007

The taxonomy and nltrastructure of zooxanthellae from 6 species of Pacific giant clam have been studied from cultures. Comparison with type material shows that all of the isolates are Symbiodinium microadriaticum, a symbiotic dinoflagellate originally recorded from coelenterates in the Caribbean. Specific criteria for the identification of this organism are discussed, and their value to the comparative taxonomy of marine zooxanthellae is noted.
POLYMORPHISM IN THE DESMID XANTHIDIUM REGULARE AND ITS TAXONOMIC IMPLICATIONS
Authors: de Mattos Bicudo Carlos Eduardo , de Carvalho Lucy Mirian
Published: April 2007

This paper refers to a case of polymorphism in the desmid genus Xanthidium Ehr. It is based on material from Lake Dais Irmaios, the main body of water in the Zoological and Botanical Garden in Recife, Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil, collected at 4 different times of the year during 1967 and 1968.

A detailed examination of almost 1300 specimens showed an enormous variety in form of Xanthidium regulare Nordst., X. fragile Borge, and X. pseudoregulare Borge, thus allowing the authors to draw the following conclusions: (1) the name X. regulare Nordst. should be retained until further and more detailed studies on form variation within the species are available; (2) the names X. regulare Nordst. var. asteptum Nordst. in Borge, X. regulare Nordst. var. sexangulare Grönbl., X. regulare Nordst. var. sexangulare Grönbl. f. robustior Grönbl., X. fragile Borge, X. fragile Borge forma, and X. fragile Borge var. depauperatum Borge should be considered synonymous, all referring to a single variety of X. regulare Nordst., var. asteptum Nordst. in Borge emend. C. Bic. & L. M. Carv.; (3) X. pseudoregulare Borge must be treated as a variety of X. regulare Nordst. and must be called X. regulare Nordst. var. pseudoregulare (Barge) C. Bic. & L. M. Carv.

Finally, a key is given to the 3 varieties of X. regulare Nordst. proposed in the present paper.
CAROTENOID INTERCONVERSION IN LIGHT‐DARK CULTURES OF THE DINOFLAGELLATE AMPHIDINIUM KLEBSII1
Authors: Mandelli Enrique F.
Published: April 2007

The carotenoid pigments of Amphidinium klebsii cultures grown in LD 12:12 light regimes were determined in cells harvested during the log phase growth in the dark and light photoperiods. The analysis of the individual pigments revealed the presence of an endogenous redox carotenoid system involving the epoxide carotenoid diadinoxanthin and an unidentified carotenoid with the properties of a dihydroxy xanthophyll.
Alcohol Effects on Behavioral Control: The Impact of Likelihood and Magnitude of Negative Consequences
Authors: Corbin William R. , Cronce Jessica M.
Published: April 2007

Background: This study utilized Signal Detection Theory to examine the relative influence of likelihood and magnitude of consequences when assessing alcohol effects on behavioral control.

Methods: Moderate to heavy drinkers (N=101) were assigned to alcohol or placebo and completed 4 administrations of a go/stop task that varied the likelihood and magnitude of punishment.

Results: Participants in the alcohol condition correctly responded to fewer go signals, and showed a trend toward reduction in sensitivity to task stimuli. Alcohol effects on sensitivity to go and stop signals were most evident when the likelihood of rewards and punishments were similar whereas the magnitude of punishment was not related to the strength of alcohol effects.

Conclusion: Results suggest that likelihood of punishment is a more powerful determinant of alcohol‐induced disinhibition than is magnitude.
Heterogeneous Effects of Alcohol on Dopamine Release in the Striatum: A PET Study
Authors: Yoder Karmen K. , Constantinescu Cristian C. , Kareken David A. , Normandin Marc D. , Cheng Tee‐Ean , O'Connor Sean J. , Morris Evan D.
Published: April 2007

Background:A dopaminergic response to alcohol in humans has not been demonstrated consistently with positron emission tomography (PET). We hypothesized that the effect of alcohol on striatal dopamine (DA) release may be anatomically heterogeneous between subjects. Our approach was to identify voxels that exhibited alcohol‐induced DA responses within the striatum, and to determine the relationships between DA responses and alcohol‐related behavior.

Methods:A novel method was developed to examine the anatomic extent and magnitude of striatal DA responses to alcohol across subjects. Thirteen healthy control subjects underwent 2 PET scans with [11C]raclopride (1 at baseline, 1 with an IV alcohol infusion to a target breath alcohol concentration of either 60 or 80 mg%). Parametric images of striatal binding potential (BP) were used to create maps of change in BP (ΔBP, an index of changes in DA levels). The anatomic extent and magnitude of DA responses were determined with voxel extraction methods. Subjective responses (“High,”“Intoxication”) to the alcohol infusion and behavioral data from the 90‐day time‐line follow back were assessed for relationships with DA responses to alcohol.

Results:A voxel‐wiset‐test between baseline and alcohol BP images did not show any differences in D2/D3receptor availability between the conditions. Data from the striatal ΔBP maps nevertheless showed that the anatomic extent and magnitude of alcohol‐induced DA release in the striatum are correlated with subjective responses to alcohol.

Conclusions:The heterogeneity of dopaminergic responses to alcohol across subjects may be a reason for the lack of reports demonstrating DA involvement in alcohol‐related behaviors. By allowing for different spatial patterns of DA release within each subject's striata, we showed correlations between alcohol‐induced DA release in the striata and behavioral outcomes related to alcohol.
Serum Free Sialic Acid as a Marker of Alcohol Abuse
Authors: Chrostek Lech , Cylwik Bogdan , Korcz Walenty , Krawiec Agnieszka , Koput Alicja , Supronowicz Zbigniew , Szmitkowski Maciej
Published: April 2007

Background: Previous studies have shown that serum total sialic acid (TSA) concentration significantly increases during alcohol abuse. Chronic ethanol consumption impairs glycosylation of many proteins. The increased desialylation rate of serum glycoproteins is one of the effects of alcohol abuse. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of free sialic acid (FSA) as a marker of alcohol abuse.

Methods: We determined serum FSA concentrations in the group of 156 alcoholic subjects and 35 healthy control subjects by means of a modification of the thiobarbituric acid method. The alcoholic group was divided into subgroups according to their history of abuse.

Results: The FSA concentration was significantly higher in alcoholic subjects than in healthy controls. The subjects who consumed alcohol for longer than a week showed significantly higher FSA level than those who consumed alcohol for a shorter period. The serum FSA concentration was significantly higher in alcoholic subjects with elevated markers of liver dysfunction. The diagnostic accuracy of FSA was high, although it did not differ from TSA, and was limited by its low sensitivity.

Conclusions: This study shows that FSA concentration in the sera of alcoholic subjects is increased. The low diagnostic sensitivity is accompanied by high specificity, however the accuracy is high and similar to the accuracy of TSA. Free sialic acid does not seem to be a better marker of alcohol abuse than TSA and current markers.
l‐Buthionine (S,R) Sulfoximine Depletes Hepatic Glutathione But Protects Against Ethanol‐Induced Liver Injury
Authors: Donohue Terrence M. , Curry‐McCoy Tiana V. , Todero Sandra L. , White Ronda L. , Kharbanda Kusum K. , Nanji Amin A. , Osna Natalia A.
Published: April 2007

Background: l‐Buthionine (S,R) sulfoximine (BSO) is an inhibitor of glutathione biosynthesis and has been used as an effective means of depleting glutathione from cells and tissues. Here we investigated whether treatment with BSO enhanced ethanol‐induced liver injury in mice.

Methods: Female C57Bl/6 mice were pair fed with control and ethanol‐containing liquid diets in which ethanol was 29.2% of total calories. During the final 7 days of pair feeding, groups of control‐fed and ethanol‐fed mice were given 0, 5 or 7.6 mM BSO in the liquid diets.

Results: Compared with controls, ethanol given alone decreased total liver glutathione. This effect was exacerbated in mice given ethanol with 7.6 mM BSO, causing a 72% decline in hepatic glutathione. While ethanol alone caused no decrease in mitochondrial glutathione, inclusion of 7.6 mM BSO caused a 2‐fold decline compared with untreated controls. l‐Buthionine (S,R) sulfoximine did not affect ethanol consumption, but serum ethanol levels in BSO‐treated mice were nearly 6‐fold lower than in mice given ethanol alone. The latter decline in serum ethanol was associated with a significant elevation in the specific activities of cytochrome P450 2E1 and alcohol dehydrogenase in livers of BSO‐treated animals. Ethanol consumption caused a 3.5‐fold elevation in serum alanine aminotransferase levels but the enzyme fell to control levels when BSO was included in the diet. l‐Buthionine (S,R) sulfoximine administration also attenuated ethanol‐induced steatosis, prevented the leakage of lysosomal cathepsins into the cytosol, and prevented the ethanol‐elicited decline in proteasome activity.

Conclusions: l‐Buthionine (S,R) sulfoximine, administered with ethanol, significantly depleted hepatic glutathione, compared with controls. However, despite the decrease in hepatic antioxidant levels, liver injury by ethanol was alleviated, due, in part, to a BSO‐elicited acceleration of ethanol metabolism.
Long‐Term Ethanol Self‐Administration by the Nonhuman Primate,Macaca fascicularis, Decreases the Benzodiazepine Sensitivity of Amygdala GABAAReceptors
Authors: Anderson Nancy J. , Daunais James B. , Friedman David P. , Grant Kathleen A. , McCool Brian A.
Published: April 2007

Background:Rodent models of chronic alcohol exposure are typically constrained to relatively short periods of forced ethanol due to the lifespan of these animals. Nonhuman primate models, particularly those employing long‐term self‐administration, are conceptually more similar to human alcoholic individuals.

Methods:We performed whole‐cell patch clamp recordings on acutely dissociated amygdala neurons isolated from cynomolgus macaque coronal temporal lobe slices. Slices were prepared from control monkeys or monkeys allowed to self‐administer oral ethanol for 18 months. Flunitrazepam and acute ethanol modulation of currents gated by exogenousγ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) application was assessed in these isolated neurons. Complementary experiments were performed on amygdala total RNA using quantitative real‐time reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction to understand potential ethanol‐dependent adaptations to subunit composition.

Results:γ‐Aminobutyric acid‐gated currents from ethanol‐exposed macaque amygdala neurons exhibited reduced modulation by flunitrazepam compared with control neurons. However, this was specific for benzodiazepines as the modest inhibition of GABA‐gated currents by acute ethanol was not affected by the chronic ethanol consumption. We also measured mRNA expression levels for theβ,γ, andδsubunits in total amygdala RNA isolated from control and ethanol‐drinking animals.β1andγ2expression was significantly reduced in samples from ethanol‐exposed amygdala.

Conclusions:Our findings demonstrate that chronic ethanol self‐administration reduces the benzodiazepine sensitivity of amygdala GABAAreceptors. This reduced sensitivity may be the result of decreased expression of an amygdalaγsubunit. These findings suggest that, while rodent and nonhuman primate models of chronic ethanol exposure share many characteristics, the specific molecular adaptations associated with the amygdala GABAergic system may not be identical.
NOTES and NEWS
Authors: Cady F. C.
Published: April 2007

From The Secretary's Office

Personals

Personnel

News From The National Dental Hygiene Association

Communique From The Oral Health Group Of The American Public Health Association
REVIEW OF BOOKS AND ARTICLES
Authors: Russell A. L
Published: April 2007

Yahres, Herbert. Your teethhow to save them.

Sandler, H. C., and Struscer, Harry. Studies in public health dentistry: dental treatment needs of 3,282 children aged 2 to 16 years, in New York City.

American Dental Association. Compulsory health insurance is not the answer.

Wisan, J. M. and Gruebbel, A. O. Dental health habits: a questionnaire survey.

Entine, Martin. A survey of dental diseases as a diagnostic aid in rheumatic fever.

Lawrence, J. D. American dentistry.

Scott, D. B., Kaplan, Harry and Wyckoff, R.W.G. Replica studies of changes in tooth surface with age.

Fosdick, L. W., and Ludwick, W. E. Ammonia content of dental plaque in relation to dental caries.

Engel, M. B. Glycogen and carbohydrate‐protein complex in developing teeth of the rat.

Becks, Hermann, and Jensen, A. Dental caries prevention service.

Dretsen, Samuel, Green, H. I., Carson, Bess C., and Speis, T. D. The in vitro production of a “yellow‐brown melanin‐like pigment” in organic matrix of noncarious human tooth crowns by methylgiyoxal (pyruvic aldehyde) and acetol (acetyl carbinol).
THE FLUORIDATION OF PUBLIC MATER SUPPLIES STATEMENT OF RECOMENDED POLICY
Authors: Jordan Earry E.
Published: April 2007

A statement approved “by the Board of Directors on May 29, 1949, and presented on'June 1, 1949, at the annual Conference, Chicago,” by, A P. Black, Chairman, Special Committee on A. W. W. A. Policy re Fluoridation of public Water Supplies.
A REVIEW OF THE ANTICARIOGENIC EFFECT OF SODIUM AND STANNOUS FLUORIDE ON THE TEETH OF ADULTS
Authors: Campbell Susan J.
Published: April 2007

At the last meeting of the American Association of Public Health Dentists, the Editor requested the designation of groups to perform critical reviews of the literature. Here's a try!
A SCHEDULE FOR THE APPRAISAL OF LOCAL DENTAL PROGRAMS
Authors: Miller Sidney
Published: April 2007

Perhaps Planning Evaluation for all Types of Local Programs Is Not a Terribly Devastating Experience
I. THE WORK OF THE MICHIGAN HEALTH COUNCIL
Authors: Doherty John A.
Published: April 2007

A positive program of recruitment has been worked out in Michigan.
III. EDUCATION IN DENTAL HYGIENE; POTENTIAL IN THE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Authors: McCullough Patricia A. , Gale Laurence E.
Published: April 2007

A plea to upgrade education in dental hygiene by keeping the curriculum in state colleges.
IV. WHAT THE DENTAL SCHOOLS AND THE PROFESSION ARE DOING TO COMBAT THE SHORTAGE IN DENTAL PERSONNEL
Authors: Sullens Reginald H.
Published: April 2007

Almost traditionally dental schools are blamed for the wrongs in dental practice. Read this paper to learn how much the schools are doing.
TESTING THE ORAL HYGIENE INDEX; ITS USE IN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES*
Authors: Mobley Eugenia L.
Published: April 2007

Scores for the Oral Hygiene Index and P. I. have been tested with Negro youths.
Projecting Shortages and Surpluses of Dentists From Availarle Data
Authors: Beck James D. , McGill James T.
Published: April 2007

The usefulness of manpower projections are reviewed and methodologies for projecting are reviewed.

Estimates of current (1975) and projected (1990) surpluses and deficits of dentists are presented for Illinois. The model used to derive these estimates has the following characteristics.

1. Only generally available data are used.

2. Mortality rates of dentists, production and retention of new dentists, dental productivity by age, and inmigration of dentists are all accounted for.

3. It is assumed that the distribution of new dentists in the future will be similar to the distribution of currently practicing dentists.

4. The assumptions regarding the demand variables of dental productivity and patient visits per person per year can be varied according to the specific situation.
In Vitro Treatment of Human Root Surfaces With Fluorides
Authors: Shannon I. L. , Buchanan W. E. , Mahan C. J.
Published: April 2007

Two‐minute topical applications with four different fluoride compounds, acidulated phosphate fluoride, sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophospate and stannous fluoride, were evaluated for ability to reduce the acide solubility of human root surfaces in vitro. Each fluoride was in aqueous solution with the fluoride level adjusted to 1.23 percent and the pH native. Rectangular windows were prepared on root surfaces and control versus test differences were invariably studied within teeth and not between teeth.

Sodium fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate solutions reduced root surface solubility by approximately 30 percent while acidulated phosphate fluoride and stannous fluoride were more than 2.5 times more effective, the solubility reduction exceeding 80 percent.

Root surfaces thus are similar to enamel in their reactions to topically applied fluorides. Based upon these results the clinician should choose between acidulated phosphate fluoride and stannous fluoride when making the choice of a single treatment compound for office application.
ANNOTATED REVIEW OF RECENT REPORTS
Authors: Menerey Merle
Published: April 2007

Book reviewed in this article:

Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. Comprehensive health program systems report: services, expenditures and programs of state and territorial health agencies, fiscal year 1975
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Cohen Robert
Published: April 2007

Book reviewed in this article:

The Health Robbers Edited by Stephen Barrett & Gilda Knight
Caries Patterns in Head Start Children in a Fluoridated Community*
Authors: Johnsen David C. , Schultz Diane W. , Schubot David B. , Easley Michael W.
Published: April 2007

Assessment of caries experience based on the person rather than on the tooth opens the possibility for qualitative descriptions of caries in a population, as well as for the study of specific factors associated with different caries experiences. The study of a Head Start population in adjacent fluoridated communities was divided into two parts.

It was the purpose of part one of the study to determine the prevalence of specific caries patterns (presumably associated with different etiologies). Of the children, 39 percent were caries‐free; 32 percent had carious lesions only in pit‐and‐fissure defects of molars; 6.5 percent had carious lesions in hypoplastic defects; 11 percent had facial‐lingual lesions, compatible with “nursing caries”; and 11.5 percent had approximal lesions of molars; no child in the study had rampant caries.

The second part compared specific lifestyle variables with specific caries patterns. Statistically significant differences or trends were found between caries‐free children and those with smooth‐surface lesions for mother's educational level, time spent with grandparents, mother's perceived primary reason for cavities, and mother's tendency to permit the child to eat sweets without restriction. No significant differences or trends were found for lifestyle variables between caries‐free children and those having lesions associated only with tooth defects.
Is It Time for CONFER, a Computer‐Based Conference for Dental Public Health?
Authors: Eklund Stephen A.
Published: April 2007

The usual methods of information exchange within a specialty, such as journals and newsletters, have deficiencies in terms of speed. Adjuncts to them such as the telephone, traditional correspondence, and meetings have other problems with coverage and cost. Advances in computing and telecommunications provide an additional medium for group communication that can be a complement to the strengths of the other media. By using a computer‐based conference, a geographically dispersed group can have an efficient and orderly exchange of information and ideas in a way that makes it easy for all members of the group to participate without the usual time or place requirements. Use of such a facility by those in the specialty of dental public health could provide an important focus for ideas, information, discussion, and group identity.
Prevalence of Nontraditional Dental Hygiene Practice
Authors: Cohen Leonard , LaBelle Ann , Singer Jacquelyn , Blandford Donald , Groeneman Sid
Published: April 2007

There is little knowledge of the number or the work characteristics of dental hygienists outside the private‐practice setting. This survey was conducted to determine the percentage of hygienists practicing in nontraditional (nonprivate‐practice) settings and the types of settings in which they are employed. Mail questionnaires were returned from a total of 21,847 (56.9%) of the hygienists in the survey sample. The percentage of active hygienists practicing in nontraditional settings was 11.8. Dental or dental hygiene schools, and government and nongovernment‐supported clinics were the most frequent nontraditional practice settings. State supervision requirements were found to be associated significantly with the prevalence of nontraditional hygiene practice.
The School‐Based Dental Care Systems of New Zealand and South Australia—a Decade of Change
Authors: Jones Rhys B.
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this paper is to review and update the highly successful school‐based dental care systems of the country of New Zealand and the state of South Australia. These school‐based systems have undergone changes in the past 10 years. The New Zealand Dental Service has greatly reduced the number of dental nurses in training. Declining birth rates, changes in disease patterns, revision of diagnostic criteria, and longer employment trends in women have all had an impact on the system. The South Australian School Dental Service has expanded rapidly in recent years to serve a high percentage of eligible South Australian children. This system also is responding to these factors with flexible programs to meet new trends. Both systems are examples of comprehensive programs of quality dental care that dissolve away SES utilization differences providing equal access to continuity of care for all children.
Dental Treatment and Demand for Services in a Veterans Administration Nursing Home Care Unit*
Authors: Benson Beth H. , Niessen Linda C. , Toga Carl J.
Published: April 2007

Planning the provision of dental care in nursing homes requires evaluation of both dental needs and demand for services. Dental treatment needs have been documented for residents of long‐term care facilities. This paper examines the actual dental care provided to institutionalized persons demanding care. Dental records of 144 patients at a Veterans Administration Nursing Home Care Unit (NHCU) were reviewed to evaluate needs and treatment demands. About 20 percent of the NHCU patients were currently receiving dental treatment; the remainder were on recall (closed cases). Of the total services needed, slightly over half were denture related services, about a quarter were oral surgical services, and 16 percent were operative procedures. Almost a third refused some or all of the proposed dental treatment; seven percent were unable to be examined or treated. No statistically significant difference was found between the age and the level of nursing home care needed for those receiving treatment and those refusing treatment. Once the backlog of need was met, this NHCU dental program consisted primarily of recall exams, and prosthetic and oral surgical treatment. The case mix and refusal rate may change, however, as future cohorts of elders retain more teeth and have experienced preventive dental services during their lifetimes.
Infectious and Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Implications for Dental Public Health*
Authors: Silverman Sot
Published: April 2007

The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has stimulated renewed attention toward infectious diseases and dental public health. Currently, AIDS is defined as individuals with Kaposi's sarcoma and/or pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and/or other life‐threatening opportunistic infections (e.g., specific forms of tuberculosis or meningitis, candidal esophagitis), and associated immu‐nosuppression that cannot be accounted for by another disease process and/or medications. As of January 1986, the AIDS epidemic has afflicted over 16,000 persons in the United States and has taken over 8,000 lives. All present indications point toward a much more extensive epidemic based on the lack of a vaccine and effective forms of treatment, the large number of carriers in the population, and variable modes of transmission.
Dental Hygienists in Nontraditional Settings: Practice and Patient Characteristics
Authors: Singer Jacquelyn L. , Cohen Leonard , LaBelle Ann
Published: April 2007

The dental hygienist's role in the treatment of special populations in nontraditional settings is an important one. Little is known about the hygienist's practice characteristics in these settings, nor about the patients receiving care. To gain needed information, a representative sample of the entire population of licensed hygienists in the United States was screened (n = 38,380). This screening identified 1,205 hygienists practicing in nontraditional settings. These hygienists were sent comprehensive questionnaires examining practice and patient characteristics. Completed questionnaires were returned by 1,016 (84.3%) hygienists. This report describes reported hygiene practice characteristics; hygienist interactions with patients and providers; and patient characteristics, including age, medical/emotional/social conditions, and dental treatment needs. Major findings of respondents' reports reveal that: 1) approximately 90 percent of patients were in need of dental/dental hygiene services with approximately one in four requiring only dental hygiene services; 2) the dental hygienists perceived a high level of acceptance of their role by patients and providers; 3) the majority of patients treated were categorized as generally medically healthy (65.7%); and 4) the clinical practice of dental hygiene in nontraditional settings mirrors that of private practice.
A Cost Analysis Comparing Xeroradiography to Film Technics for Intraoral Radiography
Authors: Graft Barton M. , Sickles Edward A.
Published: April 2007

In the United States during 1978 $730 million was spent on dental radiographic services. Currently there are three alternatives for the processing of intraoral radiographs: manual wet‐tanks, automatic film units, or xeroradiography. It was the intent of this study to determine which processing system is the most economical. Cost estimates were based on a usage rate of 750 patient images per month and included a calculation of the average cost per radiograph over a five‐year period. Capital costs included initial processing equipment and site preparation. Operational costs included labor, supplies, utilities, darkroom rental, and breakdown costs. Clinical time trials were employed to measure examination times. Maintenance logs were employed to assess labor costs. Indirect costs of training were estimated. Results indicated that xeroradiography was the most cost effective ($0.81 per image) compared to either automatic film processing ($1.14 per image) or manual processing ($1.35 per image). Variations in projected costs indicated that it a dental practice performs primarily complete‐mouth surveys, exposes less than 120 radiographs per month, and pays less than $6.50 per hour in wages, then manual (wet‐tank) processing is the most economical method for producing intraoral radiographs.
Bacteriologic and Nonbacteriologic Criteria for Identifying Individuals at High Risk of Developing Dental Caries: A Review
Authors: Vanderas Apostole P.
Published: April 2007

A review of the literature on bacteriologic and non‐bacteriologic criteria for identifying individuals at high risk to dental caries is presented. The studies have been evaluated on the basis of 1) their ability to predict future caries activity of individuals and 2) their practical use. Single measurements of past caries experience in the primary and permanent dentitions, filled tooth surfaces, and S. mutans in dental plaque and saliva were found to have limited value in identifying individuals that later would develop carious lesions, as judged from the low values of sensitivity and specificity. Lactobacilli counts in saliva indicated some evidence of high reliability as a basis for selecting patients susceptible to dental decay. The results of these studies, however, were not comparable because of variations in methods, critical value of the screening criteria, and age and size of the samples. A combination of two or more predictors showed promising results, as the predictive value was increased. More research is needed on appropriate screening methods to provide higher reliability and validity of the predictors.
Time of Development of Occlusal and Proximal Lesions: Implications for Fissure Sealants
Authors: Eklund Stephen A. , Ismail Amid I.
Published: April 2007

Analysis of surface and tooth‐specific data from NHANES I and HHANES shows that the pattern of dental caries differs greatly from tooth to tooth and surface to surface. Occlusal caries precedes all other types, and increases most rapidly and to the highest levels in the molars. Caries on the proximal surfaces comes later.

For sealants to be of value, they must reduce the need for restorations. Therefore, the value of sealants will be determined by the balance between high enough levels of potential caries on occlusal surfaces to give them something to prevent, and low levels of, or sufficiently delayed, proximal lesions to prevent the loss of the otherwise saved occlusal surface.

The data presented demonstrate that as of the time of NHANES I, the number of permanent molars that could have had surfaces saved from restoration, at least for a number of years, appears to be sufficient to warrant widespread use of sealants on those teeth. More recent data (HHANES) suggest that the current decline in caries prevalence is likely to reduce the value of sealants in the short run because there are fewer occlusal lesions in young children, but may increase the value of sealants in the long run because proximal caries in older children and adults is also declining.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Fissure Sealants: A Dental Insurer's Perspective
Authors: Eklund Stephen A.
Published: April 2007

The slow adoption of sealants into dental practice is attributed partly to the fact that few prepayment plans pay for sealants. An important concern of insurers is how a sealants benefit will affect premiums.

In this analysis, caries rates for various surfaces and teeth, failure rates for both sealants and amalgam restorations, fees and copayments, interest rates, reimbursement policies for replacement and repair, and the passage of time were studied to assess the cost to an insurer of amalgam restorations versus sealants. The results indicate:

1. Sealants as a covered benefit for molars may not cause premiums to increase if fees and copayment levels are properly balanced. If caries in children continues to decline, however, higher premiums may be required if a sealant benefit is provided.

2. Sealants as a covered benefit for bicuspids are likely to require higher premiums.

3. The level of dental caries in the population should be monitored closely, because a further substantial decline in caries prevalence could diminish the economic argument for sealants.
Controversy over the Supervision of Dental Hygienists: Impact on a Community‐Based Sealant Program*
Authors: Siegal Mark D. , Calderone James J.
Published: April 2007

In 1983, the New Mexico Board of Dentistry ruled that the New Mexico Health and Environment Department's sealant program violated its rules and regulations concerning the supervision of dental hygienists. The state was forced to reduce the number of children served by the program to comply with the decision. Attempts to secure a revision of the rules and regulations to accommodate the needs of public programs were unsuccessful. Relief eventually came through the revision of the Dental Practice Act itself to permit general supervision of all dental hygienists. The supervision controversy was an explosive political issue between dentists and dental hygienists that had negative repercussions for the state dental public health preventive program.
Usefulness of a Statewide Referral Directory of Dentists Found Willing to Treat Disabled Persons
Authors: Siegal Mark D.
Published: April 2007

Referral directories of dentists willing to treat disabled individuals have been used as an expeditious means of improving access to care for this group. The purpose of this survey was to assess the usefulness of one such statewide referral directory. Agencies, individual field workers, and organizations to which the directory had been sent 18 months earlier were surveyed to determine the usefulness of the directory. Of the 77 groups and individuals surveyed, 46 (59.7 percent) reported that they had received the directory. The directory was considered “useful” or “very useful” by 58.7 percent of the acknowledged recipients. An additional 19.6 percent considered it to be “marginally useful.” The directory was estimated to be used at least once per month by 59.1 percent of the recipients. Referral directories address only one aspect of access to dental care for disabled individuals; the effectiveness of such directories depends on their appropriate use by referring agencies.
Indexes for Measuring Dental Fluorosis
Authors: Horowitz Herschel S.
Published: April 2007

Dental fluorosis, a hypoplasia or hypomineralization of tooth enamel or dentin, ranges in intensity from barely noticeable whitish striations to confluent pitting and staining. Various indexes or classification systems have been used in surveys to measure the presence and severity of enamel fluorosis. Other systems and indexes record all defects in enamel, based on a premise that an etiology for the condition should not be presumed. If all defects are recorded, a retrospective attempt to reconstruct which of them are fluorosis is inappropriate. Dean's classification system has been used most frequently over the years for assessing fluorosis. Therefore, its continued use is sometimes important for historical comparisons. Dean's system, however, has several shortcomings, principally its inability to measure fluorosis in different tooth surfaces. As it has been traditionally used, it also does not permit specifying the cosmetic importance of the most severe fluorosis detected in a dentition. The Tooth Surface Index of Fluorosis (TSIF) eliminates or reduces some of the shortcomings of Dean's method. Use of the TSIF in a survey in Illinois was able to discriminate between the prevalence and severity of fluorosis in four groups of communities with different concentrations of fluoride in their drinking water.
Antifluoridationists Persist: the Constitutional Basis for Fluoridation
Authors: Block Lester E.
Published: April 2007

The controversy surrounding fluoridation persists. In recent years opponents of fluoridation have resorted to the courts with increasing frequency and have achieved a few victories in the trial courts. To date, however, no appellate court has ruled against fluoridation. This article discusses the constitutional basis for the court decisions upholding fluoridation and the main arguments put forth by the antifluoridationists. Five of the more recent cases are summarized, as is the first fluoridation case to be appealed to the US Supreme Court. The article concludes that the legal validity of fluoridation in the United States has been thoroughly tested in the courts and confirmed. It appears that the antifluoridationists will concentrate their future legal attacks on the “harmful effects” of fluoridation on health and the environment. If they can convince the courts that even a few people were truly harmed, the delicate balance between the rights of the state to fluoridate in order to protect the public's health and the rights of the individual not to be harmed could well shift In closing, the question is raised whether the US Congress has the power to pass legislation either to mandate or forbid fluoridation.
Comparison of Medicaid and Non‐Medicaid Dental Providers
Authors: Lang W. Paul , Weintraub Jane A.
Published: April 2007

A statewide mail survey of a stratified sample of 640 Michigan general dentists was conducted in 1983, with a response rate of 41 percent, n = 261. An analysis was performed to compare Medicaid and non‐Medicaid providers. About half of all respondents reported that they were not seeing any Medicaid patients (Group 1); 29 percent reported that less than 10 percent of their patients were Medicaid‐eligible (Group 2), and 22 percent reported that 10 percent or more of their patients were Medicaid‐eligible (Group 3). Significant differences existed among the three groups for age of respondent, length of time in practice, and number of new patients seen each month. Respondents with greater percentages of Medicaid patients in their practices were more likely to be in group practice. Stratification of respondents by location suggested that rural providers were more likely than urban respondents to have some Medicaid patients in their practices. Over 40 percent of respondents from all groups reported themselves as being not busy enough. In 1984, more than one million persons in Michigan were eligible for Medicaid dental benefits, but only one‐fourth of these individuals were recipients of dental care. Factors that may limit dentists' participation in the Medicaid program, despite the presence of a large eligible population and self‐reported lack of busyness, are discussed.
Dentists' Response to Financial Incentives in a Mail Survey of Malpractice Liability Experience
Authors: Fiset Louis , Milgrom Peter , Tarnai John
Published: April 2007

This two‐part methodologic research was designed to evaluate the effects of a financial incentive on questionnaire response rate and response bias for general dentists surveyed by mail. Subjects were 517 clinicians randomly selected from a two‐state population of practitioners insured by a single malpractice liability carrier. Subjects received a check for either $5 or $10 in the original mailing. In Study 1, a single mailing and postcard follow‐up resulted in a 57.8 percent (111/192) response rate. In Study 2, employing Dillman's Total Design Method, a 69.6 percent (208/299) response was obtained after a third mailing. Analysis of response rate by incentive level in each study revealed no significant differences. In contrast, early responders (first mailing and follow‐up postcard) differed from late responders (second and third mailings) on age (41.4 vs 37.0 years; T=‐2.17; P=.032), non‐Caucasians (27.7% vs 63.9%; χ2=17.3; df=4; P<.002), females (13.9% vs 27.8%; χ2=3.9; df=1; P<. 05), foreign‐trained (7.0% vs 19.4%; χ2=16.5; df=2; P<.001), and dissatisfaction with practice (31% vs 51%; χ2=7.8; df=4; P =. 10). Thus, the magnitude of the financial incentive in this experiment had no differential effect on response rate. But differences in responses from late responders (proxies for nonresponders) on demographic characteristics and key study variables suggest the persistence of response bias despite an acceptable response rate. Future dental health survey research should employ tests for response bias on both sets of variables.
Evaluation of a Dental Public Health Program for Old‐age Pensioners in Denmark
Authors: Petersen Poul Erik , Nörtov Bjarne
Published: April 2007

A high priority is given to improvements in the oral health of the elderly in Scandinavia. In 1987 a Danish municipality established a dental public health care program for old‐age pensioners. All 67‐year‐old citizens were offered school‐based preventive and curative care using guidelines and principles established by the Danish Municipal Dental Service for children. Care was provided free of charge. Citizens not wishing to obtain care through the public system could do so from private dental practitioners. Reimbursement for care obtained from the private system was provided by the National Health Insurance and the municipality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of the program after three years of operation. A follow‐up design was used and data were collected by interviews and clinical registrations. At baseline and follow‐up 216 (71%) and 235 (77%) pensioners, respectively, were interviewed about their self‐assessments of dental health, dental knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. Clinical data were collected only for the elderly who participated in the public program, and included 194 persons at baseline and 187 at follow‐up. These data included information on tooth loss, dental caries, periodontal health, and presence and function of removable dentures. At the follow‐up, 86 percent of all respondents had regular dental visits of at least once a year compared to 46 percent at baseline; 75 percent participated in the public program and 11 percent obtained care from private practitioners. At the end of the intervention period, fewer elderly reported symptoms of poor oral health or impaired function of dentures. Moreover, improvements in self‐care, knowledge, and attitudes in oral health were found. The clinical data showed a reduction in unmet need for dental treatment. More preventive care services were given to attenders of the public program than the private one. The present evaluation of systematic public dental care demonstrates positive results in improvment of the oral health and life‐quality among the elderly.
Evaluation of Subjective Oral Health Status Indicators
Authors: Locker David , Miller Yasmin
Published: April 2007

Objectives: This paper reports the results of a study to evaluate the performance of a battery of subjective oral health status indicators originally developed for use in large scale surveys of older adults. The aim was to assess their generalizability, efficiency, reliability, and validity when used in a study of adults aged 18 years and over and to compare their performance with respect to younger and older adults. Methods: Data were collected by means of a mail survey and self‐complete questionnaire of a random sample of the population aged 18 years and older. Results: The results suggested that the measures were sensitive to the oral health concerns of adults of all ages and that item nonresponse was within acceptable limits. Test‐retest and internal consistency reliability statistics were good and all hypotheses designed to assess concurrent and construct validity were confirmed. Conclusions: The results confirm an earlier, but more limited, evaluation and suggest that these indicators are useful for descriptive oral health surveys of general populations.
The Use of Milk as a Saliva Substitute
Authors: Herod Edward L.
Published: April 2007

Xerostomia, a clinical manifestation of salivary gland dysfunction, affects many people. These individuals frequently sip liquids to alleviate the discomforts associated with hyposalivation. Milk appears to have many of the chemical and physical properties of a good saliva substitute. Besides the obvious benefit of providing moisture and lubrication for the dehydrated mucosa, milk buffers oral acids, reduces enamel solubility, and contributes to enamel remineralization. These anticariogenic factors are generally attributed to the high calcium and phosphate content along with the milk phosphoproteins that strongly adsorb to enamel. Patients with xerostomia frequently have difficulty in obtaining proper nutrition due to problems associated with lubricating, masticating, tasting, and swallowing food. Milk is a food with high nutritional quality that would certainly benefit most patients with xerostomia. Because of the nutritional, anticariogenic, and moisturizing properties of milk, patients with xerostomia may find milk of value as a saliva substitute to help reduce the oral health problems associated with hyposalivation.

Xerostomia is a serious condition frequently affecting the elderly, those undergoing radiation therapy, and individuals with Sjogren's syndrome. The dry mucosa and rampant dental caries associated with the loss of salivary flow presents a frustrating situation for both the patient and the dental practitioner. Xerostomia patients frequently use saliva substitutes to relieve some of the discomforts associated with this condition.

Milk appears to be a good saliva substitute. It provides moisture and lubrication for the dehydrated mucosa. Milk aids the patient in masticating, swallowing, and cleansing the mouth of oral debris. Experiments in vivo and in vitro support the hypothesis that, under normal circumstances, milk is not generally cariogenic and may have anticariogenic potential. These anticariogenic factors are attributed to milk's ability to buffer acids produced from sugars, inhibit demineralization of enamel, and facilitate the remineralization phenomenon that occurs with early enamel lesions. The calcium and phosphorus content seems to be a factor in the cariostatic mechanism of milk. Casein also seems to be involved in the reduction of enamel demineralization. Casein phosphopeptides may be responsible for some anticariogenicity by concentrating calcium and phosphate in plaque.
Knowledge of and Practices Related to Caries Prevention among Koreans
Authors: Paik Dai‐ll , Moon Hyock‐soo , Horowitz Alice M. , Gift Helen C. , Jeong Kwang‐lai , Suh Sung‐soo
Published: April 2007

Objectives: This study assessed the knowledge and opinions of caries prevention and source of oral health information among Koreans. Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 36 items was used to interview 2,000 Koreans 10 through 69 years of age. Results for only selected questions are reported. A multistage, stratified, random sampling method was used. Results: Sixty‐nine percent of the respondents had heard about fluoride. Only 16 percent knew that some community water supplies in Korea are fluoridated. Fifty‐five percent of respondents who knew about community water fluoridation learned the information from television, whereas 28 percent read about it in a newspaper. Among those respondents who reported hearing about community water fluoridation, only 30 percent had precise information about its purpose. Fifty‐five percent of the respondents reported that toothbrushing is the best way to maintain good oral health. Almost all respondents (97 percent) reported brushing their teeth one or more times a day. Conclusions: These data indicate that there is a relatively low level of accurate knowledge about dental caries prevention among Koreans 10 through 69 years of age. The majority of respondents report learning information about oral health from the mass media.