A provider-observed tool to assess Oral Hygiene Skill Mastery (OHSIM) in human immunodeficiency virus-positive (HIV+) adults.

Aims: Periodontal diseases (PDs) affect nearly half of Americans ≥30 years old and are common in human immunodeficiency virus-positive (HIV+) adults. A validated measure of oral hygiene skill could improve tailored prevention-focused health communication.

Methods: We developed Oral Hygiene Skill Mastery (OHSIM), a provider-observed measure of toothbrushing and flossing ability.

In Defense of Flossing: Part II-Can We Agree It's Premature to Claim Flossing Is Ineffective to Help Prevent Periodontal Diseases?

Periodontal diseases are complex, multifactorial disorders. Effective daily plaque control promotes gingival/periodontal health. Recent meta-analyses and other reviews have found inconclusive evidence to support that tooth flossing promotes gingival/periodontal health.

In Defense of Flossing: Can We Agree It's Premature to Claim Flossing is Ineffective to Prevent Dental Caries?

Current evidence pertaining to the effectiveness of flossing and caries prevention is potentially being misinterpreted by health oversight bodies, which may have significant implications for current and future public flossing guidelines. We identify and discuss several methodological deficiencies, including the lack of validated measures of flossing skill, over-reliance on self-reported flossing behavior, and the lack of current guidelines on how to interpret and apply evidence-based findings to specific clinical scenarios that are present in the studies of flossing effectiveness included in the Cochrane Review. As such, we argue that it is premature for health oversight bodies to conclude that flossing is ineffective in the prevention of dental caries.

Mental health stigma: Impact on mental health treatment attitudes and physical health.

The purpose of this study was to test two models of the impact of mental health stigma on both attitudes toward seeking psychological help and physical health. General self-efficacy, self-esteem, and anxiety were tested as potential mediators of these two relationships. A sample of adults ( N = 423) aged 18-72 years was surveyed using the participant pool of a large, distance learning university.

Could Blood Pressure Phobia Go Beyond the White Coat Effect?

Background: While it is known that excessive anxiety surrounding the measuring of blood pressure may preclude an accurate measurement, it is not known whether it could also lead to phobic avoidance behavior.

Methods: Self-reported information was collected on 125 individuals who made postings on 5 internet-based medical forums.

Results: Qualitative thematic analysis revealed that these individuals reported experiencing intense fear associated with the measuring of blood pressure, that was excessive or irrational and which contributed to avoidance of medical treatment and interference with life decisions.