Changes in dentists' attitudes and practice in paediatric dentistry.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to determine if there had been any changes in the clinical practice and attitudes to the care of children by general dental practitioners over a ten year period from 1986 to 1996, following the introduction of a system of capitation payments in the United Kingdom.

Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to 1,290 general dental practitioners practicing in Yorkshire (UK) in an identical way to a previous survey ten years before. Practitioners were asked questions concerning their practice of dental caries prevention, behaviour management, restoration of primary teeth and pulp therapy.

The influence of restorative material on the survival rate of restorations in primary molars.

The survival rates of restorations in primary molars were calculated after a retrospective examination of patients' dental records from a study population of 1,065 children. A random sample of 128 records showing information for 604 dental restorations was examined, coded, and analyzed by the life table method of survival analysis. The order of the survival rate of restorations from higher to lower success was preformed crowns, amalgam, composite resin, and glass ionomer restorations.

Limiting factors in the site distribution of dental caries.

From records of 32 067 dentate persons from low fluoride communities in South Yorkshire, England, clinical dental caries has been scored at the distal and mesial sites of permanent canines, first and second premolars, and first and second molars, in relation to age. For those teeth with distal or mesial caries or both, the average number of distal and mesial sites attacked per DF tooth is calculated. The ratio observed generally reaches a stable value as age increases and is lowest for mandibular canines (1.

A new method of direct computer entry for dental epidemiological data using an X-Y digitiser.

A method has been devised for obtaining a rapid and accurate transfer of dental epidemiological data directly from survey sheets or dental charts to computer records by using an X-Y digitiser. The technique involves modification of the conventional 'menu' approach to data entry via a digitiser.

The problem of determining twin zygosity for epidemiological studies.

The use of epidemiological studies of twins as a means of determining the existence of genetic factors in various conditions is well known. To be of value, the zygosity of the twin pairs must be identified with as great a degree of confidence as possible. A method of determining twin zygosity, using concordance in general likeness, hair colour, hair type, eye colour, ear form, tongue roll and phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) taste sensitivity, was developed for use in a survey of 244 pairs of like-sexed twins aged 5 to 15 years.

Pulsed electromagnetic energy therapy in third molar surgery.

Pulsed electromagnetic energy is being increasingly employed to reduced symptoms and enhance the healing process following tissue injury. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial has been carried out to assess the value of electromagnetic energy in third molar surgery, but no significant benefit has been found.