Molecular identification of Acanthamoeba sp. in Lake Buhi, Philippines.

Acanthamoeba spp. are ubiquitous in both natural and man-made environments and have been isolated in lakes, recreational pools, tap water, and air conditioning systems. Twenty surface water (SW) samples were collected from different sampling areas of Lake Buhi.

OHEP: an oral health education program for mothers of newborns.

Introduction: The purposes of the study were to determine (a) the knowledge base of mothers of newborns on oral health for newborns and young infants and (b) the effectiveness of an oral health education program provided to mothers of newborns prior to discharge from the postpartum unit.

Methods: Ninety-four mothers of healthy newborns on a postpartum unit were randomized to the treatment or control group. A pretest was administered to each mother to assess the mother's knowledge of infant oral health.

Identification and long term stability of DNA captured on a dental impression wafer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the quantity and quality of DNA extracted from a dental bite impression wafer immediately after impression and after 12 months of home storage. The authors' hypothesis was that the wafer would retain sufficient DNA with appropriate genetic markers to make an identification match.

Methods: Two impression wafers (Toothprints(®) brand) were administered to 100 3- to 26-year-olds.

Oral health findings in athletes with intellectual disabilities at the NYC Special Olympics.

This study collected data to describe the oral health in Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities from New York City, using the standardized Special Olympics, Special Smiles protocol. A total of 664 self-selected athletes with intellectual disabilities were screened between 2005 and 2008. A standardized form was used for data collection.

Use of mobile electronic devices as educational tool in pediatric community outreach.

The introduction of mobile electronic devices, as opposed to paper forms, in pediatric outreach programs of the New York University College of Dentistry is discussed. Since 2007, students have been receiving training on how to operate a personal digital assistant (PDA) and use it in community outreach for non-invasive oral-facial screenings and patient education. The shift from using paper forms to electronic media had a positive impact among the academic community, as it resulted in saving time and reducing the possibility of data collection errors.

Nursing strategies to reduce the incidence of early childhood caries in culturally diverse populations.

In the United States, early childhood caries (ECC) is a major unmet health care need adversely affecting the overall health of young children from diverse ethnic populations. Nurses who work in the newborn nursery, pediatrics, public, and community health centers have a unique opportunity to positively influence a change in this epidemic of ECC. Guided by Leininger's theory of cultural care, these authors describe ways to implement a comprehensive culturally sensitive oral health education program for parents of newborns and infants.

Nutrition and oral health considerations in children with special health care needs: implications for oral health care providers.

Children with special health care needs are at increased risk for oral diseases. The purpose of this article was to discuss: nutritional and oral health factors routinely observed in most chronic childhood disorders; dietary modifications associated with select systemic disorders and how they may impact oral health in children; and the following factors common to chronic disorders associated with diet modifications-decreased appetite and increased nutritional risk; frequency of food intake; parental overindulgence; long-term use of cariogenic medications; and xerostomia. Characteristics of childhood disorders that require dietary modifications (congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis, cancer, AIDS/HIV, diabetes mellitus, and phenylketonuria) are summarized.

Public-private collaboration to improve oral health status of children enrolled in Head Start in New York City.

A comprehensive oral health care program for Head Start children in New York City is described. Head Start is a federally funded pre-school program for low-income families and their children. It provides activities that help children grow mentally, socially, emotionally and physically.

A unique role for dental school faculty: telephone triage training and integration into a health departments' emergency response planning.

Objective: Dental professionals with proper training and integration into existing protocols for mobilization can be one additional resource during catastrophic events. A pilot project on training of dental school faculty in telephone triage in the event of an avian flu pandemic is described. A partnership was established with a grant from the Department of Justice/Department of Homeland Security, between the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and New York University to initiate a pilot program to increase the manpower resources available to the health agency should an overwhelming public health event be present in the New York City area.