Cost-effectiveness and efficacy of fluoride varnish for caries prevention in South African children: A cluster-randomized controlled community trial.

Objectives: This cluster-randomized controlled community trial aimed to assess the efficacy and costs of fluoride varnish (FV) application for caries prevention in a high-risk population in South Africa.

Methods: 513 children aged 4-8 years from two schools in a township in South Africa were randomly allocated by class to the FV or Control (CO) groups. In addition to supervised toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste in both groups, FV was applied in 3-month intervals by trained local non-professional assistants.

COVID-19 testing in a UK dental practice - results of a pilot study.

Objective In December 2019, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) caused a disease outbreak that soon became a global pandemic. Dentists are potentially exposed to infectious microorganisms, including SARS-CoV-2, by virtue of the transmission routes and work environment. This study aims to determine the infection load in a dental healthcare setting during the onset of the pandemic in the UK, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of recommended test regimens in order to estimate potential risks for caregivers and patients in a dynamically changing pandemic environment.

Silver diamine fluoride - an overview of the literature and current clinical techniques.

Dental caries continues to affect the British population, despite advances in prevention and management options. There are many treatment and preventive treatment strategies to address dental caries. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a colourless alkaline solution containing silver and fluoride, which forms a complex with ammonia and has proven to be effective in management of dental caries.

The single discoloured tooth: vital and non-vital bleaching techniques.

The single discoloured tooth poses an aesthetic dilemma. While several treatment approaches are available, bleaching offers a minimally invasive, aesthetic treatment modality. Predictability and success with bleaching stems from correct diagnosis, didactic treatment planning and the utilisation of appropriate techniques.

Charcoal-containing dentifrices.

Charcoal toothpastes and powders are fashionable oral hygiene products, intended for toothbrushing, extrinsic stain removal and, it is claimed, 'tooth whitening'. The popularity of charcoal toothpastes is believed to be increasing in many countries across the world, including the UK, US, Japan, India, Thailand, Lithuania, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Korea and Switzerland, where charcoal-based toothpastes have been reported to be produced. It is understood that many patients ask members of their dental team for advice on the use and benefits of charcoal toothpastes and powders, and that such advice is often empirical.

The safety and efficacy of 'over the counter' bleaching products in the UK.

Introduction EU council directive 2011/84/EU resulted in a demand for over the counter (OTC) bleaching products. The industry has latched onto this renewed demand by developing a range of non-hydrogen peroxide OTC products. Aims To determine whether non-hydrogen peroxide OTC whitening products available in the UK are safe and to determine the lightening effect of those products.

Treatment considerations for bleaching and bonding white lesions in the anterior dentition.

White lesions occur commonly on the anterior teeth. There are numerous reasons why these lesions appear in the anterior dentition, and these reasons will be discussed in detail. For some patients, these white lesions may be considered unsightly and the patients may seek treatment to have them removed; other patients are not concerned about their presence on their anterior teeth.