The effect on human salivary fluoride concentration of consuming fluoridated salt-containing baked food items.

Salt fluoridation is recognised world-wide as a proven and viable alternative means of consumer choice-related, community-based fluoridation where water fluoridation is either technically or politically impossible. However, as most salt consumed is contained within cooked food products, rather than sprinkled over prepared food at the table, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on salivary fluoride concentration of consuming baked food products prepared with 250 and 350 ppm fluoridated salt (as KF). Six food items were baked with (a) normal non-fluoridated salt, (b) 250 mg F/kg salt and (c) 350 mg F/kg salt.

Changes in subgingival microflora and humoral immune response following periodontal therapy.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of scaling and root planing (SRP) on the microflora and humoral immune response in adult periodontitis.

Materials & Methods: Clinical measurements, subgingival plaque samples, gingival crevicular fluid and sera were taken from 4 sites in 28 adult periodontitis patients before and after SRP. Polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the presence of A.

The mouth and palliative care.

Oral complications are common among patients with advanced cancer, though relatively little research has been undertaken in this field. This review article discusses the common problem of xerostomia among the terminally ill, together with an overview of oral candidosis, oral viral infections, chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-associated mucositis, and alterations in taste sensation among those with advanced cancer. Suggested management regimes, based on the limited clinical trial data available, are provided where appropriate.

Failure to detect an association with IL1 genotypes in European Caucasians with generalised early onset periodontitis.

Objectives: In order to elucidate the genetic background to EOP it is useful to investigate associations with genetic polymorphisms of immune response genes, whose products play a r le in the inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to examine IL1A and IL1B genetic polymorphisms in unrelated European white Caucasian patients with generalised early-onset periodontitis (GEOP).

Material And Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the ILIA (-889) gene and IL1B (+3953) gene (56 patients, 56 controls) was carried out and PCR products subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.

An assessment of the incidence of punctures in latex and non-latex dental examination gloves in routine clinical practice.

Objective: To investigate the puncture resistance of a recently introduced non-latex, nitrile dental glove in comparison with a latex glove worn during routine clinical dental procedures.

Setting: Dentists in general dental practice working within the UK during 1999.

Subjects And Methods: 2,020 gloves worn by five general dental practitioners were examined for punctures following standard clinical use by a water inflation method.

Follow-up evaluation of a series of dentin-bonded ceramic restorations.

Purpose: The results of a retrospective evaluation of 60 dentin-bonded full-coverage restorations with an average time in service of 2.4 years previously have been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the crowns after a further 2 years in service.

Root canal treatment and general health: a review of the literature.

The focal infection theory was prominent in the medical literature during the early 1900s and curtailed the progress of endodontics. This theory proposed that microorganisms, or their toxins, arising from a focus of circumscribed infection within a tissue could disseminate systemically, resulting in the initiation or exacerbation of systemic illness or the damage of a distant tissue site. For example, during the focal infection era rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was identified as having a close relationship with dental health.

Relaxation rate in the assessment of masseter muscle fatigue.

The aim of this study was to assess a simple method of measuring relaxation rate in the jaw-closing system for the purpose of quantifying jaw muscle fatigue. A summary of the various different methods of measuring relaxation rate is also provided. The rates of twitch contraction and relaxation were measured in 30 symptom-free subjects following bilateral direct electrical stimulation of the masseter muscles.

Detection of peptostreptococcus micros DNA in clinical samples by PCR.

Peptostreptococcus micros is a gram-positive anaerobic coccus which, although considered to be a natural commensal of the human oral cavity, is associated with periodontal, endodontal and peritonsillar infections. Identification of the organism has to date relied upon conventional culture methods and biochemical analyses. The purpose of this study was to develop a PCR method for rapid and specific identification of this organism in clinical samples.

The role of the general dental practitioner in detection and prevention of oral cancer: a review of the literature.

Over the last two decades little progress appears to have been made in reducing the incidence and number of deaths associated with oral cancer. The most recently available Scottish data indicate a steady rise in both incidence of, and mortality rates from, tongue and 'mouth' cancer, supporting previous observations of a steady rise in the incidence of oral cancer since the mid 1970s. Very little improvement in 5-year survival rates for oral cancer has been observed in England and Wales and, over the last 30 years, survival rates in Scotland have actually declined.

Dentine bonding systems: 2. Clinical uses.

As the reliability of dentine bonding agents has improved, the clinical uses of these systems has increased and now include the bonding of directly and indirectly constructed restorations, amalgam bonding and treatment of dentinal sensitivity. Areas of potential use which require further evaluation include pulp capping and the attachment of fractured tooth fragments.

One-year clinical evaluation of compomer restorations placed in general practice.

Objective: This study evaluated the in-service performance, after 1 year, of a sample of F2000 compomer restorations placed by 10 general dental practitioners as part of handling evaluation of this material.

Method And Materials: Five general dental practitioners who participated in the handling evaluation were asked to cooperate in the 1-year assessment of the restorations. The practitioners were requested to contact patients and inquire if they were willing to attend at a specified time for examination of their restorations by a trained evaluator who would travel to the various practice locations.

Development and evaluation of a multimedia resource pack for oral health training of medical and nursing staff.

A resource pack has been devised for training medical and nursing staff and other carers in order that they may recognize oral disease and carry out routine oral care and treat common oral disorders. The custom-designed folding pack contains a videotape, a CD-ROM disc, and an A5-sized spiral-bound booklet, together with wall posters and a list of useful addresses. One hundred of the packs were distributed across Scotland to medical, nursing, and dental staff involved in postgraduate medical and nursing education.

Comparison of a conventional and modified tooth stain index.

Objectives: To evaluate a modified tooth stain index and determine the effect of dietary factors on stain formation.

Methods: At baseline, 182 adult volunteers were given a full oral prophylaxis followed by stain assessment using a modification of the Lobene index. This involved assigning separate scores to the mesial (M) and distal (D) sites of each tooth, in addition to the standard gingival area (G) and tooth body (B).

Detection of Helicobacter pylori DNA in recurrent aphthous stomatitis tissue by PCR.

Helicobacter pylori is recognised as being an aetiological agent of chronic active gastritis and peptic ulcer disease and has been associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. The natural reservoir for H. pylori is unknown, although the oral cavity has been the focus of much attention in this respect.

A survey of Scottish primary care dental practitioners' oral cancer-related practices and training requirements.

Objective: The study sought to investigate current examination habits and preventive practices of Scottish dental primary care professionals, with respect to oral cancer, and to determine any training needs of these practitioners in relation to the disease.

Basic Research Design: A questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 331 general dental practitioners and community dental officers throughout Scotland, achieving an overall response rate of 68%.

Main Outcome Measures: The study investigated examination and health promotion practices in relation to oral cancer.

Antibiotic prescribing by general dental practitioners in the Greater Glasgow Health Board, Scotland.

Objective: To investigate antibiotic prescribing patterns by general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the Greater Glasgow Health Board Area, Scotland.

Study Design: A 10% sample of prescriptions were selected at random from 35,545 prescriptions written by GDPs over a 6-month period.

Main Outcome Measures: Absolute and relative frequencies were used to describe the different classes of antibiotics used and the variations in prescribing practice.

Assessment of zygomatico-orbital complex fractures using ultrasonography.

Twenty-two patients were referred to the maxillofacial surgical unit for assessment and management of suspected fractures of the zygomatico-orbital complex. In each case, both routine plain radiographic and ultrasound examinations were made. The aim of the study was to investigate the sensitivity and reliability of ultrasound to detect such fractures.

Chemochemical caries removal: a review of the techniques and latest developments.

Chemomechanical caries removal involves the chemical softening of carious dentine followed by its removal by gentle excavation. The reagent involved is generated by mixing amino acids with sodium hypochlorite; N-monochloroamino acids are formed which selectively degrade demineralised collagen in carious dentine. The procedure requires 5-15 minutes but avoids the painful removal of sound dentine thereby reducing the need for local anaesthesia.

Describing shape changes in the human mandible using elliptical Fourier functions.

Elliptical Fourier functions (EFF) were generated for the boundary outline of the mandibular form in 24 non-orthodontic growth study subjects at 9, 11, 13, and 15 years of age. The mean residual fit (observed versus predicted points) of the mandibular form was 0.11 mm, with a range from 0.

Orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances in the General Dental Service in Scotland.

The records of 128 subjects treated by orthodontic specialists with fixed appliances in the General Dental Service in Scotland were randomly selected from the Scottish Dental Practice Board for analysis. The results of the study revealed that: (1) Mean post-treatment Peer Assessment Rating was 7.8 +/- 4.

The first orthodontic diploma.

The advent of the Inter-Collegiate Membership in Orthodontics in the year 2000 will mark the end of an orthodontic diploma specific to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. The Diploma in Dental Orthopaedics (RCPS) was the first orthodontic diploma in the United Kingdom. The fact that such a diploma has existed first as a DDO and latterly as the MDO (Membership) for some 50 years is remarkable in view of the relative infancy of most dental specialties and the fact that the General Dental Council has instigated a specialist register in orthodontics as recently as 1998.

Fluoride prospects for the new millennium--community and individual patient aspects.

Over the past 2 decades, it has been suggested that with the generalized availability of fluoridated dentifrices, and coupled with a possible increased likelihood of fluorosis, the benefits of community-based fluoridation have receded. However, while this may be so for dentally motivated populations, there are convincing data to suggest that the least fortunate amongst us could still benefit from communally delivered fluoride. Furthermore, the deleterious effects of such program withdrawals have been demonstrated and, with respect to fluorosis fears, client assessment of their own fluorosis status has indicated few concerns.