Preoperative removal of lower third molars and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy in the UK.

To find out what consultants in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) in the UK think about complications of bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) in relation to lower third molars we organised a national postal questionnaire during 2012-13. Of 378 consultants, 192 practised orthognathic surgery of whom 132 replied (a 69% response rate). Eighty-one respondents routinely removed lower third molars before BSSO; 51 did not.

Hygiene-therapists could be used to screen for dental caries and periodontal disease.

Methodology: A purposive sample of large NHS dental practices with a minimum of three surgeries employing at least one hygiene-therapist (HT) was taken. Asymptomatic patients attending for routine checkups who consented to the study underwent a screen by H-T for dental caries and periodontal disease (index test) followed by a screen by a general dental practitioner (reference test). Patients were recruited consecutively.

Effect of hypnosis on masseter EMG recorded during the 'resting' and a slightly open jaw posture.

The aim of this experimental study was to determine whether minimal levels of electromyographic activity in the masseter muscle are altered when individuals are in a verified hypnotic state. Experiments were performed on 17 volunteer subjects (8 male, 9 female) all of whom gave informed consent. The subjects were dentate and had no symptoms of pain or masticatory dysfunction.

Fracture toughness testing: A discriminatory mechanical testing performance indicator for glass-ionomer restoratives?

Objectives: To investigate the single-edge notched (SEN) bend fracture toughness (KIC) testing methodology as a reproducible and discriminatory mechanical testing protocol for encapsulated and hand-mixed glass-ionomers (GI).

Methods: SEN bend test-pieces (35.0±0.

Visual Inspection for Caries Detection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

We aimed to perform a systematic review including a meta-analysis to evaluate the overall accuracy of visual methods for detecting carious lesions and to identify possible sources of heterogeneity among the studies included. Two reviewers searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and other sources through July 2014 to identify published and nonpublished studies in English. Studies of visual inspection were included that 1) assessed accuracy of the method in detecting caries lesions; 2) were performed on occlusal, proximal, or free smooth surfaces in primary or permanent teeth; 3) had a reference standard; and 4) reported sufficient data about sample size and accuracy of methods.

Shortened dental arch concept shown to be cost effective.

Design: Randomised controlled trial.

Intervention: All patients received treatment to render them dentally fit. Patients were randomly allocated to either the removable dental prostheses (RPD) or the shortened dental arch (SDA) group.

Lack of high-quality studies comparing the effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness, of dental auxiliaries and dentists in performing dental care.

Data Sources: Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) Group's Specialised Register; Cochrane Oral Health Group's Specialised Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Medline; Embase; CINAHL; Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness; five other databases and two trial registries. A number of dental journals were hand-searched and a grey literature search preformed.

Study Selection: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomised controlled trials (NRCTs), controlled before and after studies (CBAs) and interrupted time series (ITSs) were considered.

The meaning of dignified care: an exploration of health and social care professionals' perspectives working with older people.

Background: Despite well established national and local policies championing the need to provide dignity in care for older people, there continues to be a wealth of empirical evidence documenting how we are failing to deliver this. While we have evidence as to what older people and their relatives understand by the term 'dignified care' we have less insight into the perspectives of staff regarding their understanding of this key policy objective. This paper aimed to explore the meaning of dignified care from the perspective of health and social care professionals' working with older people.

Lack of high-quality studies comparing the effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness, of dental auxiliaries and dentists in performing dental care.

Data Sources: Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) Group's Specialised Register; Cochrane Oral Health Group's Specialised Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Medline; Embase; CINAHL; Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness; five other databases and two trial registries. A number of dental journals were hand-searched and a grey literature search preformed.

Study Selection: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomised controlled trials (NRCTs), controlled before and after studies (CBAs) and interrupted time series (ITSs) were considered.

Review finds that severe periodontitis affects 11% of the world population.

Data Sources: Medline, Embase and LILACS. Chief Dental Officers worldwide were contacted to request conference reports, theses, government reports and unpublished survey data.

Study Selection: Selection was carried out independently by two reviewers.

What influences the implementation of interceptive orthodontics in primary care?

Objective: To understand what influences the implementation of mixed dentition interceptive orthodontic treatment in primary care.

Methods: Postal survey of a random sample of 400 general dental practitioners in Scotland. The questionnaire assessed knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards providing interceptive treatment in seven different clinical scenarios in order to identify variables that may explain the decision to undertake this treatment.

Guidance on posterior resin composites: Academy of Operative Dentistry - European Section.

There have been many developments in operative dentistry in recent years, including a progressive shift to the use of resin composites, rather than dental amalgam, in the restoration of posterior teeth. This shift allows the adoption of minimal intervention approaches, thereby helping to conserve and preserve remaining tooth tissues and structures. This paper presents the position of the Academy of Operative Dentistry European Section (AODES) in relation to posterior resin composites.

Film and digital periapical radiographs for the measurement of apical root shortening.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy and agreement of scanned film and digital periapical radiographs for the measurement of apical root shortening.

Study Design: Twenty-four film and digital [phosphor plate sensor (PPS)] periapical radiographs were taken using the long-cone paralleling technique for six extracted teeth before and after 1mm of apical root trimming. All teeth were mounted using a typodont and the radiographs were recorded using a film holder and polysiloxane occlusal index for each tooth to ensure standardization during the different radiographic exposures.

Study suggests dentine bonding agents provided better relief from dentine hypersensitivity than a desensitising toothpaste.

Study Design: Randomised, controlled, single-blind, three-arm parallel-group trial set in general dental practice with a single general dental practitioner operator/assessor.

Intervention: Seventy-five adult patients, with basic periodontal examination scores of 0 in all sextants, good oral hygiene, at least one sensitive tooth (not diagnosed as pulpitis) and willing to comply with the trial regime were entered into the trial and randomised. Seventy-two participants completed the study.

Reducing white spot lesion incidence during fixed appliance therapy.

Unlabelled: Fixed orthodontic appliances are commonly used in contemporary orthodontic treatment and can be associated with the development of white spot lesions on the teeth. These lesions can be detrimental to both the aesthetics and health of the teeth so prevention is better than cure and patient selection is critical. This paper discusses predictors of development in addition to methods to help prevent white spot lesions during fixed appliance therapy.

Accessing the best available evidence.

Unlabelled: This narrative review aims to highlight sources of the best available evidence and describe primary clinical trials currently taking place in primary dental care across the United Kingdom which will add to the evidence base.

Clinical Relevance: To provide evidence-based dental care, dental professionals have to integrate the best available evidence, their clinical experience and their patients' values; this paper should help to identify user-friendly sources of the best available evidence.

Interceptive orthodontics--current evidence-based best practice.

Unlabelled: This article examines the key areas relating to interceptive orthodontics, ie crossbites, anterior and posterior; eruption problems and impaction (including incisors and canines); poor quality first permanent molars; infra-occluded primary molar teeth; non-nutritive sucking habits (digit and pacifier sucking) leading to anterior openbite, posterior crossbite and increased overjet; centreline shifts related to unilateral loss of primary teeth; and increased overjet and associated risk of trauma. It aims to provide information and recommendations.

Clinical Relevance: The GDP requires evidence to support the clinical management of common problems presenting in the mixed dentition.

Setting up a randomized clinical trial in the UK: approvals and process.

Randomized clinical trials are considered the 'gold standard' in primary research for healthcare interventions. However, they can be expensive and time-consuming to set up and require many approvals to be in place before they can begin. This paper outlines how to determine what approvals are required for a trial, the background of each approval and the process for obtaining them.

Validation of conventional 2D lateral cephalometry using 3D cone beam CT.

Objective: To determine if two-dimensional (2D) measurements from conventional cephalometric lateral skull radiographs are comparable to those derived from three-dimensional (3D) cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

Design: In vitro laboratory study.

Setting: University Dental Hospital.

Should I eXtract Every Six dental trial (SIXES): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Extraction of lower first permanent molars in children is common. There is uncertainty among clinicians as to whether a 'compensating extraction' (removal of the upper first permanent molar to prevent it over erupting) is necessary despite current guidelines recommending this. As a result, unnecessary dental extractions may be carried out or children may be failing to receive extractions required to achieve optimal long-term oral health.

Comparative evaluation of calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite on soft-tissue dissolution.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare in vitro the tissue-dissolution properties of 5% and 10% calcium hypochlorite (Ca(OCl)(2)) with two concentrations (1.36% and 4.65%) of proprietary sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on bovine muscle tissue.

An in vitro investigation of the initial pH and titratable acidity of a selection of fruit smoothies.

Unlabelled: Four commercially-available fruit smoothie drinks were assessed for both initial/baseline pH and titratable acidity. A commercially-available smooth orange juice drink was used as a positive control. Baseline pH and titratable acidity were measured by titrating each fruit smoothie with 0.

A preliminary investigation into the effect of the use of the Short Message Service (SMS) on patient attendance at an NHS Dental Access Centre in Scotland.

Aim: This study´s aim was to assess whether the use of Short Message Service (SMS) text reminders sent to patients prior to their dental appointments improved attendance rates for two dentists at a dental access centre in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland.

Method: Automated SMS text reminders were set up through practice management software at Kirkcaldy Dental Access Centre. Two audits, using a research methodology, were then performed.

Precision of measurements on conventional negative 'bones white' and inverted greyscale 'bones black' digital lateral cephalograms.

The objective of this study was to determine whether the accuracy of measurement data from inverted greyscale digital cephalometric radiographs equals that obtained from conventional negative digital cephalometric radiographs. Fifty-five consecutively lateral cephalometric radiographs from a university orthodontic clinic obtained for treatment planning were used for this study. A 5 MB conventional negative 'bones white' and inverted greyscale 'bones black' TIFF digital image of each radiograph was produced.