Socio-behavioral factors, oral hygiene level and periodontitis prevalence in a 35-44-year-old Greek adult population: A cross-sectional survey.

Background: Sub-optimal oral hygiene is considered as a primary risk factor for periodontitis occurrence. Various socio-behavioral determinants may contribute either independently or by influencing adversely the oral hygiene (OH) level. The aim of the present study was to examine the periodontal status of 35-44-year-old Greek adults and determine the contribution of risk indicators, including the socio-behavioral aspects and the population's oral hygiene level, on disease prevalence.

Effect of toothpastes containing different NaF concentrations or a SnF2/NaF combination on root dentine erosive lesions, .

Background: Fluoride toothpastes presumably offer some protection against acid erosion. However, uncertainty exists towards fluoride's efficacy relatively to the concentration and the type of chemical compound used. This study evaluated the relative efficacy of toothpastes containing sodium fluoride in different concentrations or a stabilized stannous fluoride/sodium fluoride system on root dentine erosion.

The short-term effects of television advertisements of cariogenic foods on children's dietary choices.

Objective: To investigate the short-term influence of the advertising of cariogenic foods on children's dietary preferences, and the possible moderating effect of several factors on this influence.

Methods: One-hundred and eighty-three children, 11-12 years of age, were exposed to advertisements showing sugary food and non-food items, in a within-subject counterbalanced design. Their preferences for unhealthy and healthy foods, and their ability to recall or recognise the advertisements, were measured following both sessions.

Gender differences in oral health status and behavior of Greek dental students: A meta-analysis of 1981, 2000, and 2010 data.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the oral health status and behavior of Greek dental students over time, and to meta-analyze these findings to test the widely documented hypothesis that women have better oral health behavior, oral hygiene, and periodontal status but higher dental caries rates than men.

Materials And Methods: A total sample of 385 students was examined using identical indices to assess oral health and behavioral data initially in 1981 while the years 2000 and 2010 were selected due to significant changes that took place in the dental curriculum in the 1990s and 2000s. Data by gender concerning the outcome variables recorded in every one of the three surveys were analyzed using Mantel-Haenszel and continuous outcomes methods.

The extent of food advertising to children on Greek television: focus on foods potentially detrimental to oral health.

Objectives: To investigate the extent and nature of food advertising to children on Greek television, focusing on the adverts for foods with potential harmful effects on oral health, and to examine the persuasive marketing techniques used to promote food products.

Methods: Advertisements broadcast on six TV-channels during children's peak viewing times on two weekdays and two weekend days in the period May-June 2010 were recorded (166.7 hours).

Prevalence of dental caries in 5-year-old Greek children and the use of dental services: evaluation of socioeconomic, behavioural factors and living conditions.

Objectives: To assess dental caries and use of dental services experience in 5-year-old children attending public kindergartens in Attica, Greece and to examine the influence of certain socioeconomic factors and living conditions as well as dental behaviours and attitudes.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a random and stratified sample of 605 Greek children was examined using decayed, missing, filled tooth surfaces and simplified debris indices. The use of dental services was measured by children's dental visits (any dental visit up to the age of 5 years).

Apical periodontitis in association with the quality of root fillings and coronal restorations: a 14-year investigation in young Greek adults.

Purpose: To examine the possible association between the presence of apical periodontitis (AP) and the quality of endodontic treatment and coronal restoration over a time period of 14 years.

Materials And Methods: 1781 panoramic radiographs of freshmen cadets, taken between the years 1995-2008 were included in this study. The periapical status was evaluated using the Periapical Index (PAI) scoring system.

Risk indicators of coronal and root caries in Greek middle aged adults and senior citizens.

Background: Dental caries is the result of a complex interplay of multiple determinants which may change overtime. Therefore, periodic surveys of caries experience and redetermination of the risk indicators of the disease are needed. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of coronal and root caries in Greeks aged 35-44 and 65-74-year-old in relation to socio-demographic parameters.

Dental erosion prevalence and associated risk indicators among preschool children in Athens, Greece.

Objectives: The aims of the study were to investigate dental erosion prevalence, distribution and severity in Greek preschool children attending public kindergartens in the prefecture of Attica, Greece and to determine the effect of dental caries, oral hygiene level, socio-economic factors, dental behavior, erosion related medication and chronic illness.

Material And Methods: A random and stratified sample of 605 Greek preschool children was clinically examined for dental erosion using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination Index (ΒΕWE). Dental caries (dmfs) and Simplified Debris Index were also recorded.

Caries prevalence of 5, 12 and 15-year-old Greek children: a national pathfinder survey.

Aim: To study the caries prevalence and caries experience of 5, 12 and 15-year-old children in Greece and evaluate how the disease pattern is related to their sociodemographic parameters.

Methods: A stratified cluster sample of 1209, 1224 and 1257 of five, twelve and fifteen-year-old Greek children were randomly selected according to WHO guidelines for national pathfinder surveys and examined for dental caries, according to the BASCD criteria and standards. d3mft, D3MFT and their components, as well as d3mfs, D3MFS, Care Index (CI) and SiC were recorded and related to the demographic data collected concerning age, gender, counties, urban/rural areas and parents' educational status.

Tooth loss and oral rehabilitation in Greek middle-aged adults and senior citizens.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of tooth loss in Greek individuals aged 35 to 44 and 65 to 74 years in relation to sociodemographic parameters and to describe their prosthetic status and needs.

Materials And Methods: A stratified cluster sample of 1,188 middle-aged adults and 1,093 senior citizens was selected according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for national pathfinder surveys. Tooth loss and prosthetic status and needs were recorded according to WHO criteria.

Oral hygiene and periodontal status of 12 and 15-year-old Greek adolescents. A national pathfinder survey.

Aim: To investigate oral hygiene and periodontal status of 12- and 15-year old Greek adolescents, in relation to sociodemographic and behavioural parameters.

Methods: A stratified cluster sample of 1,224 12-year old and 1,257 15-year old adolescents of Greek nationality were selected and examined by calibrated examiners. Periodontal and oral hygiene status were assessed using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and the simplified Debris Index (DIs) respectively.

An in vitro study of the effect of aluminum and the combined effect of strontium, aluminum, and fluoride elements on early enamel carious lesions.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of aluminum and of combined strontium, aluminum, and fluoride treatments on enamel demineralization and remineralization. During a 6-day pH-cycling protocol, pre-softened bovine enamel slabs were immersed twice daily for 1 min in the following experimental solutions: (a) distilled water [W] (negative control); (b) 1,000 ppm F [F] (positive control); (c) 1,000 ppm Al [Al]; (d) 1,000 ppm Al,1,000 ppm F applied interchangeably [Al-F]; (e) 1,000 ppm Al, 1,000 ppm F, applied in sequential order [Al+F]; (f) combined 1,000 ppm Al and 150 ppm Sr [Al+Sr]; and (g) combined 150 ppm Sr and 1,000 ppm F [Sr+F]. Subsequently, the specimens were subjected to a 5-day acid resistance test.

In vitro evaluation of fluoride and calcium sodium phosphosilicate toothpastes, on root dentine caries lesions.

Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the effect of toothpastes containing three different sodium fluoride concentrations and a calcium sodium phosphosilicate system, on root dentine demineralization and remineralization.

Methods: During a fourteen-day pH-cycling protocol, pre-softened bovine root dentine specimens were immersed twice daily, before and after the demineralization periods, for 2 min, in the following toothpaste slurries: (a) non-fluoridated (control), (b) 7.5% calcium sodium phosphosilicate, (c) 1450 ppm F, (d) 2800 ppm F, and (e) 5000 ppm F.

Tooth wear in the deciduous dentition of 5-7-year-old children: risk factors.

This study was conducted to investigate the distribution and severity of tooth wear in deciduous dentition and its relationship with possible risk factors. A stratified cluster sample of 243 5-7-year-old children was examined using the tooth wear index of Smith and Knight, and their exposure to intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors was retrospectively investigated through a structured questionnaire. The severity of wear was quantitatively estimated by the number of surfaces with affected dentine and by the cumulative score of the sextants, based on the Basic Erosive Wear Examination scoring system.

Dental caries prevalence and treatment needs of 5- to 12-year-old children in relation to area-based income and immigrant background in Greece.

Objectives:   To investigate the association between certain socio-demographic characteristics and dental health status of 5- to 12-year-old children attending public kindergarten and primary schools in Piraeus, Greece.

Methods:   Gender, age, place of residence, immigrant background and area-based income were associated with dental caries prevalence, treatment needs and oral hygiene level in 5,116 children.

Results:   The mean number of decayed, missing and filled deciduous teeth (dmft) and Unmet Restorative Treatment Needs Index (UTN) at 6-year-olds were 1.

Socio-behavioural factors influencing oral health of 12 and 15 year old Greek adolescents. A national pathfinder survey.

Aim: To estimate the frequency in use of oral health services, oral health self-assessment, oral hygiene practices of 12- and 15-year-old Greek children and adolescents, to investigate possible influences of these factors and other socio-demographic parameters on oral health.

Methods: A stratified cluster sample of 1224 12 year old and 1257 15 year old children and adolescents of Greek nationality were selected and examined by calibrated examiners. Clinical examination included recording of caries according to the British association for the study of community dentistry diagnostic criteria, while oral hygiene and periodontal status were assessed by means of the simplified debris and the community periodontal index.

Novel methods of balancing covariates for the assessment of dental erosion: a contribution to validation of a synthetic scoring system for erosive wear.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to balance several potential erosive covariates, using traditional and novel epidemiological approaches, in order to assess the relative risks of dental erosion more precisely.

Methods: Traditional (univariate and logistic regression analysis) and novel techniques (propensity scores and Inverse Probability Weighting-IPW) were applied for evaluating the effect of twenty covariates on dental erosion among 502 adolescents.

Results: Different approaches gave different estimates of the relative risks of dental erosion.

Prevalence of sealants in relation to dental caries on the permanent molars of 12 and 15-year-old Greek adolescents. A national pathfinder survey.

Background: The use of sealants as an effective measure for the prevention of pit and fissure caries in children has been well documented by several studies; either they are used on an individual or on a public health basis. In order to plan and establish a national preventive program with sealants in a community, it is mandatory to know the epidemiological pattern of caries along with other variables influencing their use and effectiveness.

Aims: To assess the utilization and distribution pattern of pit and fissure sealants on the first and second permanent molars of Greek adolescents and to evaluate whether the existing usage of sealants and some socio-demographic factors are correlated to caries prevalence on the population examined

Methods: A stratified cluster sample of 2481 Greek adolescents was selected according to WHO guidelines (1224 twelve and 1,257 fifteen-year-old), living in urban and rural areas in 11 districts within the country.

Evaluation of three different scoring systems for dental erosion: a comparative study in adolescents.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate and compare three scoring systems for dental erosion representing different approaches: the recently proposed Basic Erosive Wear Examination (B.E.W.

Periodontal diseases in Greek adults between 1985 and 2005--risk indicators.

Aim: This study provides data on the periodontal status of Greek adults aged 35-44-years-old in relation to socio-demographic and behavioural parameters and compares these data with those of 1985.

Material And Methods: A stratified cluster sample was selected according to WHO guidelines for national pathfinder surveys. Periodontal and oral hygiene status were assessed using the CPI index and the OHI-S index respectively.

Effect of fluoride and of calcium sodium phosphosilicate toothpastes on pre-softened dentin demineralization and remineralization in vitro.

Objectives: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of toothpastes containing sodium fluoride in different concentrations or a calcium sodium phosphosilicate system on pre-softened dentin demineralization and remineralization.

Methods: During a ten day pH-cycling protocol, pre-softened bovine root dentin slabs were immersed twice daily, after the demineralization periods, for 2min, in the following toothpaste slurries: (a) non-fluoridated (control), (b) 7.5% calcium sodium phosphosilicate, (c) 1450 ppm F, (d) 2800 ppm F and (e) 5000 ppm F.

Physical and psychological nicotine dependence in Greeks: an epidemiological study.

Purpose: Smoking is the most widespread addictive behaviour in the world, as it causes physical and psychological dependence on nicotine. The objective of the present study was to discern the prevalence and the relative risks of nicotine dependence of adult people in Athens, Greece, as this country holds first place in cigarette consumption in the European Union.

Materials And Methods: A random sample of 202 current smokers (82 men and 120 women) was drawn from residents aged v 18 years in Athens, the capital of Greece.

The microbiota on different oral surfaces in healthy children.

Introduction: Knowledge of the early oral colonization patterns could provide a better understanding of oral biofilm development and disease initiation that in turn could be the basis for early preventive programmes.

Methods: Microbial samples were collected from five different oral habitats from a total of 93 children (age 3-12 years), attending the Dental School of the University of Athens, who were split into three age groups. A total of 38 microbial species were sought out by the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique.

A standardized photographic method for evaluating enamel opacities including fluorosis.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to demonstrate the reproducibility of a standardized photographic technique for recording fluorosis when used by a group of epidemiologists as part of a large multicentred European study.

Methods: Studies were first carried out to develop the equipment specification and photographic method. The author (JAC) was then trained and calibrated in this method.