Prevalence of Sjögren's syndrome in patients with dry mouth in the region of Central Hungary.

OBJECTIVE: One-third of the Hungarian population suffers from xerostomia. Since there is no evidence of the actual prevalence of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in Hungary, this study aimed to evaluate the same. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from the Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University from 2008 to 2015. A diagnosis of SS was established based on the American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism criteria. RESULTS: Of the 1076 patients examined with sicca symptoms, 188 patients had confirmed SS. Primary SS (pSS) was diagnosed in 135 patients and secondary SS (sSS) was confirmed in 53 patients. According to the available statistical records of the public health service of Hungary, there were an average of 16 (0.0014%, 5-26) newly diagnosed SS cases in the entire population and 141 SS patient-practitioner consultations (49-232) per 100,000 inhabitants in the country over the past 10 years (based on the past 10 years: 2011-2020). CONCLUSION: Results revealed that approximately 1/5th-1/6th of patients with sicca symptoms have SS, among whom 72% and 285 have pSS and sSS, respectively. Global Hungarian records simultaneously revealed that the number of both new diagnoses and doctor-SS patient encounters has significantly decreased (by 50%) yearly over the last decade.

User Experience and Sustainability of 3D Printing in Dentistry.

BACKGROUND: 3D printing is a rapidly developing technology in the healthcare industry and in dentistry. Its application clearly shows that this area of digital dentistry has potential for everyday usage across all fields, including prosthodontics, orthodontics, maxillofacial surgery, and oral implantology. However, despite gaining ground, there is a lack of information about how specialists (dentists and dental technicians) use additive technology. Our research group aimed to investigate the impact of social media on additive manufacturing technology among dental specialists and their everyday usage of 3D printing. METHODS: This paper investigated specialists' everyday usage of 3D printers via an online survey (Google Forms). The survey questions aimed to discover the number of 3D printers used, the accessibility of the devices, the annual cost, and the design programs. Since specialists tend to build online communities on social media, we circulated our study questionnaire using our profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram platforms during our research. RESULTS: A total of 120 responses were received from 20 countries, with the most significant numbers being from Hungary 23.7% (n = 27), the United States 18.4% (n = 21), and the United Kingdom 7.9% (n = 9). Most of the participants were dentists (n = 68) or dental technicians (n = 29), but some CAD/CAM specialists (n = 23) also completed our survey. The participants had an average of 3.8 years (±0.7) of experience in the 3D printing field, and owned a total of 405 printing devices (3.6 on average/person). CONCLUSIONS: The impact of social media on this research field is growing increasingly. Hence, we support specialists in joining virtual communities on professional platforms. This article intended to provide a practical overview, feedback, and direction for dentists interested in 3D printing technology. From our survey, we can conclude that additive technology is broadening dental applications and the services that we can provide for our patients.

[Effect of a gel-type denture adhesive on unstimulated whole saliva and minor salivary gland flow rates and on subjective orofacial sicca symptoms]. / A mufogsorragasztó hatása a nyugalmi kevert és a kis nyálmirigyek szekréciójára, valamint a szájszárazság érzetére teljes lemezes fogpótlást viselokben.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: To determine whether the continuous use of gel-type denture adhesives influence the unstimulated whole saliva, the palatal and labial saliva flow rates, and to assess the possible changes of subjective orofacial sicca symptoms. METHOD: 28 maxillary complete denture wearing patients (average age: 70 ± 10 years) were investigated. A gel-type denture adhesive was administered to the patients for regular use during the 3 weeks of examination. A questionnaire of 16 questions was used to evaluate subjective orofacial sicca symptoms. Unstimulated whole saliva was determined by the spitting method, palatal and labial saliva flow rates were measured by the Periotron® device with filter paper discs at the initial, first, second and third weeks. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The following tests were used: subjective values - χ2-test; flow rates - ANOVA, paired Student's t-test. RESULTS: According to the questionnaire, the ratio or severity of xerostomia did not change. A significant increase in the subjective feeling of "saliva thickness" could be detected (p = 0.027), but the other subjective parameters remained unchanged. Palatal saliva flow rates decreased significantly by week 3 (week 0: 4.21 ± 3.96 µl/cm2/min; week 3: 2.21 ± 2.30 µl/cm2/min; p = 0.024). On the other hand, there was no significant change in the unstimulated whole saliva (week 0: 0.37 ± 0.36 ml/min; week 3: 0.39 ± 0.35 ml/min) and labial saliva (week 0: 3.99 ± 3.75 µl/cm2/min; week 3: 2.58 ± 3.39 µl/cm2/min) flow rates. CONCLUSIONS: The regular use of denture adhesives did not influence xerostomia and the majority of subjective orofacial sicca symptoms, but may cause a subjective feeling of "increased saliva thickness" and reduce palatal minor salivary gland flow rates among complete maxillary denture wearers. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(40): 1637-1644.

Liberty, necessity and the foundations of Hume's 'science of man'.

[[analysis­synthesisDavid Humeideology of modern sciencescience of mantheodicy ]] In this article I suggest that section VIII of Hume's Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding could be read as a contribution to the foundational issues of a characteristic 18th-century enterprise, namely the 'science of man'. More specifically, it can be read as a summary of his attempt to place this science on an experimental footing, with an awareness of the lessons he has drawn in the previous sections of the Enquiry. This interpretation fits with an overall reading of the work as responding to the epistemological problems that arise in the context of then-contemporary ways of knowledge production. As I argue, this section is relevant for the methodology of a science of human nature. The main problems it addresses are the following. What kind of knowledge can we hope for about human beings, and how should we pursue it? What are the meaningful questions that can be asked, and what is beyond the reach of this kind of inquiry? Answering these questions sets the scope and limits of this science.