Dental fear, communication, and behavioural management problems in children referred for dental problems.

Background: Knowledge about the influence of the interaction between child, parent, and dentist and the referral pattern is very limited.

Aim: This study intended to assess to what extent the pathways of Rachman could clarify why a child is being referred to a specialist in paediatric dentistry and if other aspects in the interaction between child, parent, and dentist play a role in the referral.

Design: The referral letters of 500 children referred to a Special Dental Care Centre in Amsterdam were examined.

Diagnostic and restorative behaviour in Dutch dentists' paediatric dental care.

Aim: This was to assess if Dutch dentists have comparable attitudes in providing diagnosis and consecutive dental treatment in children. Prevention, radiographic diagnostics and restorative care were compared in four consecutive age groups [<6 years old, 6-8, 9-11, 12-17].

Methods: In a cross-sectional study calculations were made using the financial records of one of the largest Dutch health insurance companies.

Molar incisor hypomineralization: review and prevalence data from the study of primary school children in Kaunas/Lithuania.

Aims: These were to determine the prevalence of MIH in a group of primary school children in Kaunas, Lithuania and to compare the prevalence of MIH in Lithuania with the prevalence in other countries using published data.

Methods: First permanent molars and all permanent incisors were examined in 1277 children, aged 7 to 9 years and having at least one erupted permanent molar, for demarcated opacities, post-eruptive enamel breakdown, atypical restorations and extractions due to MIH, according to the criteria, provided by the EAPD experts. Examinations were performed by two calibrated observers (k=0.

Influence of residual caries and cervical gaps on the survival rate of Class II glass ionomer restorations.

Aim: To assess the influence of different variables on the survival of class II glass ionomer restorations a clinical study was carried out among 6-7 year old schoolchildren in and around Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Methods: 217 children were randomly divided into three groups. In the conventional group, Class-II cavities were excavated with burs, in the ART group they were excavated with hand instruments and in the Carisolv group excavation took place with a chemical solution and special blunt hand instruments.

Residual caries and marginal integrity in relation to Class II glass ionomer restorations in primary molars.

Aim: To assess the effectiveness of three treatment methods (ART, Carisolv(TM) and rotary instruments) in caries removal and sealing capability of hand-mixed glass ionomer in the management of proximal caries in deciduous molars.

Methods: In a clinical study 217 dentally naïve children (age 7.5, SD 0.

Iatrogenic damage to the adjacent surfaces of primary molars, in three different ways of cavity preparation.

Aim: A clinical study was carried out to compare three methods of preparing a cavity regarding the measure of damage to adjacent teeth: the ART method, the use of the latest version of Carisolv and as a control group the use of rotating instruments.

Methods: Preparations (217) were made by 2 Tanzanian dentists and 2 final year Dutch dental students at the Muhimbili University College of Health Science (MUCHS) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Only children 7 years old, with one class II cavity in a primary molar and no dental experience were included in the study.

Osteogenesis versus chondrogenesis by BMP-2 and BMP-7 in adipose stem cells.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) initiate, promote, and maintain chondrogenesis and osteogenesis. We hypothesize that BMP-2 induces an osteogenic, and BMP-7 a chondrogenic phenotype in adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs). We compared the effects of a short 15min BMP-2 or BMP-7 (10ng/ml) treatment on osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of AT-MSCs.

Dental Discomfort Questionnaire: assessment of dental discomfort and/or pain in very young children.

Objective: To present and analyse the Dental Discomfort Questionnaire (DDQ) for very young children and to assess the possible differences in pain-related behaviours displayed by children with or without reported toothache, and by children with or without decayed teeth.

Methods: Based on parental interviews of toddlers referred to a dental care practice 12 pain-related behaviours were identified which formed the DDQ. The DDQ was filled out by parents on behalf of their children (n = 146; mean age 47 months).

Quality management in orthodontics.

The introduction of modern quality thinking to orthodontic care should be a continuing effort on the part of the orthodontic profession. The strategy for the development of a European quality management system in orthodontic care was developed from 1993 to 2000 during the EURO-QUAL project. During the project's first stage, the basic prerequisites were identified for a general model of quality management in orthodontic care.

The theory of reasoned action and patient compliance during orthodontic treatment.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of the theory of reasoned action (TRA) for the prediction and understanding of patients' intention to comply during orthodontic treatment and to analyze the effect of two additional variables in the model, namely perceived behavioral control and anticipated regret. Moreover, (the determinants of) intentions of orthodontic patients to comply during treatment were compared with (the determinants of) intentions of parents to stimulate this cooperation.

Methods: A questionnaire was handed out to patients and parents visiting the Department of Orthodontics of the Academic Centre of Dentistry in Amsterdam.

Patient compliance: a determinant of patient satisfaction?

Recent studies have shown that there is a distinct relationship between patient satisfaction and patient compliance in orthodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate whether patient compliance, as noticed and recorded by the orthodontist during treatment, can be used as a determinant of patient's satisfaction in the long run. Documentation of 100 patients who completed active orthodontic treatment in the year 2000 at the Academic Centre of Dentistry Amsterdam was analyzed, and compliance scores for patients were computed.

Towards a comprehensive model for the study of compliance in orthodontics.

The aims of the present study were to explore methods used by Dutch orthodontists in daily practice to estimate and stimulate patient compliance, and to develop a theoretical model of compliance. A questionnaire, containing 38 items, was distributed among participants at the annual congress of the Dutch Society of Orthodontists in September 2002. The items concerned the need for and the level of patient adherence during orthodontic treatment, modes of estimating and stimulating compliance, and perceived reasons for non-compliance.

Children's coping with pain during dental care.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was (i) to assess the coping strategies of 11-year-old children when dealing with pain at the dentist, (ii) to determine the extent to which the level of the children's dental fear and their experience with pain at the dentist are related to their ability to cope and their choice of strategies, and (iii) to analyse the possible differences between subsamples concerning dental caries.

Methods: The coping strategies were investigated using the Dental Cope Questionnaire (n = 597); the level of dental fear was assessed using the Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-DS); a question is asked whether a child had experienced pain at the dentist in the past and dental caries was assessed using the DMFS index.

Results: The results show that 11-year olds use a variety of coping strategies.

Patient participation during dental consultations: the influence of patients' characteristics and dentists' behavior.

Objective: This study examined the influence of the following variables on patients' information-seeking and participating behavior during emergency treatment: patients' preferences for information and participation, patients' coping style, patients' socio-demographic variables, and dentists' communicative behavior.

Methods: The sample consisted of 83 patients receiving emergency care from 13 different dentists. Consultations were videotaped in order to assess dentists' and patients' behavior.

A comparison of dental health care attitudes in the Netherlands in 1985, 1995, and 2001.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to re-establish and update empirical data obtained in 1985 and 1995 using the dental attitudes questionnaire (DAQ). In 1984, this instrument for assessing oral health care attitudes was presented by Stockwell and Banting. The DAQ has six content scales: cynicism, health concern, motivation, oral function, social aesthetic and susceptibility, and two validity scales, halo and infrequency.

Dentists' and patients' communicative behaviour and their satisfaction with the dental encounter.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relations between patients' and dentists' communicative behaviour and their satisfaction with the dental encounter.

Participant: The sample consisted of 90 patients receiving emergency care from 13 different dentists.

Basic Research Design: Consultations were videotaped in order to assess dentists' and patients' communicative behaviour.

Modeling of the viscoelastic behavior of dental light-activated resin composites during curing.

Objective: Three models consisting of springs and dashpots were investigated to describe the viscoelastic behavior of a commercial light-activated restorative composite during curing.

Methods: Stress-strain data on Z100 were recorded by means of a dynamic test method performed on a universal testing machine. The model was tested by matching its response to experimental data and the material parameters, E (Young's modulus) and eta (viscosity), associated with the model were calculated.

Expectations of treatment and satisfaction with dentofacial appearance in orthodontic patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate correlations between satisfaction with dental and facial appearance and expectations of orthodontic treatment. The effects of sex and age on these variables were also explored. A sample of 154 patients who applied for orthodontic treatment at the Academic Centre of Dentistry Amsterdam, The Netherlands, completed 2 questionnaires, containing 16 items on satisfaction with facial appearance and 23 items on expectations of orthodontic treatment.

A modified classification and staging system for oral leukoplakia.

A proposal for a modified classification and staging system for oral leukoplakia (OLEP) has been presented in which the size of the leukoplakia and the presence or absence of epithelial dysplasia are taken into account. Altogether four stages are recognised. The presently proposed system should facilitate uniform reporting of treatment or management results of OLEPs in which a biopsy has become available.

Influence of enzymes and plaque acids on in vitro wear of dental composites.

The purpose of this investigation was to test the effect of an enzymatic and an acidic medium on in vitro wear of dental resin composites and an amalgam. Wear was evaluated in two-body and three-body wear conditions. The third body was a food slurry either in water, an esterase solution or an acid solution at a composition and concentration as found in caries active plaque fluid.

Management of developmental asymmetrical facial growth.

Several aspects of the management of developmental asymmetrical facial growth are addressed. The abnormality is further defined. Methods of examination and assessment of records are discussed.

Cranial base growth for Dutch boys and girls: a multilevel approach.

Growth of the cranial base in Dutch children who had undergone orthodontic treatment and children who had not is described and compared with the aid of multilevel statistical techniques. Growth changes of the cranial base (S-N, N-Ba, and S-Ba) were evaluated. The results pertain to a mixed longitudinal sample of 153 boys and 167 girls for S-N and 116 boys and 116 girls for N-Ba and S-Ba, 7 to 14 years of age.