Temperature changes caused by light curing units on dentine of primary teeth.

AIM: This was to determine the temperature changes produced in dentine discs of primary teeth placed below a glass ionomer, microhybrid flow resin or microhybrid resin during the photocuring process with conventional halogen lamps and LEDs at different distances. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This in vitro study was carried out in the research laboratory of the Universitat International de Catalunya. We cut 1 mm thick dentine discs with the IsoMet 1000 cutting machine. Thereafter, we cut stainless steel rings of different heights. Subsequently, to facilitate the temperature measurement, we prepared silicone moulds, in which the dentine disc, stainless steel ring and the digital thermometer/ thermocouple were positioned. Once the silicone mould was finished, a 2 mm thick layer of the restorative material was placed on the dentine disc. Finally, the polymerisation process was conducted according to the times recommended by the manufacturers, and the temperature produced was recorded at the end of the procedure. STATISTICAL EVALUATION: Replies were analyzed using the STATGRAPHICS® Plus Version 5.0 statistics software system, in order to obtain comparative diagrams and graphs using the ANOVA multifactorial system. RESULTS: The photocuring lamps used on the restorative materials produced statistically significant differences in temperature, with p = 0.00001. CONCLUSION: Halogen lamps cause a greater temperature rise in materials than LEDs lamps, and the greatest rise is produced when microhybrid flow resin is photocured with the Optilux 501 halogen lamp.

Acceptance by Spanish parents of behaviour-management techniques used in paediatric dentistry.

AIM: This was to examine the attitude of a group of Spanish parents towards behaviour-management techniques used in paediatric dentistry. METHODS: A video with 8 different behaviour-management techniques used in paediatric dentistry was shown to 50 parents whose children were being treated at the International University of Catalonia (Barcelona, Spain). The techniques shown were: tell-show-do, nitrous-oxide sedation, passive restraint, voice control, handover- mouth (HOM), oral premedication, active restraint and general anaesthesia. Parents gave an acceptance rating of each of these techniques according to a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the lowest level of acceptance and 10 the highest. RESULTS: The technique rated as most acceptable was the tell-show-do technique, while the least accepted was the HOM technique. An association was found between acceptance of the different techniques and the socioeconomic status and gender of the parent, and the differences were statistically significant. No statistically significant differences were found regarding the age or gender of the child treated, or the previous dental experiences of those interviewed or of their children, with acceptance of each of the techniques. CONCLUSIONS: The techniques were well accepted by all those surveyed with the exception of HOM technique and the use of the papoose board. On comparing this study to other studies previously carried out in other areas of the world, similar results were found.

Effects of xylitol chewing gum on salivary flow rate, pH, buffering capacity and presence of Streptococcus mutans in saliva.

AIM: The first studies on the use of chewing gum in dentistry were done in the 1970s. The Turku Sugar Studies, carried out between 1970 and 1973, showed the excellent anticaries properties of xylitol chewing gums. Since then, many dentists, particularly in Scandinavian countries, have studied the role of chewing xylitol-sweetened chewing gums as another preventive strategy in the control of dental caries. OBJECTIVE: To compare variations in salivary flow rate, pH, buffering capacity, and levels of Streptococcus mutans in baseline conditions and after chewing paraffin pellets or xylitol chewing gum in children between the ages of 6 and 12 years who eat lunch in a school canteen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 90 children divided into 2 study groups, and a control group. The children ate lunch at the canteen of the Escultor Ortells state school in the town of Vila-real (Castellón, Spain). The baseline data recorded in the first phase of the study were compared with the data recorded in the second phase, after 15 minutes of chewing xylitol- sweetened chewing gums or paraffin pellets, depending on the study group. Salivary flow rate was measured by collecting the stimulated saliva in a graduated beaker. Levels of pH were measured using a Cyberscan pH 110 pH meter (Eutech Instruments). CRT buffer strips and the CRT bacteria test (Ivoclar-Vivadent) were used to measure buffering capacity and levels of S. mutans, respectively. RESULTS: The data obtained after sample collection were compared by means of a 1-way analysis of variance using the StatGraphics Plus statistical software package, version 5.0. Statistically significant differences were found (p<.05) when pH, buffering capacity and levels of S. mutans were compared between the 3 groups. Comparison of salivary flow rates revealed no statistically significant differences (p>.05), though salivary flow rates were higher in the groups where gum was chewed. CONCLUSION: The effect of chewing is essential to the stimulation of salivary flow and the resulting recovery of pH levels and reduction of levels of S. mutans in saliva.

Short communication. Frequency of dispensing paediatric medicines with high sugar content by pharmacists in Barcelona.

AIM: To determine which high sugar cough syrups sell most frequently in pharmacies in Barcelona. METHODS: 300 pharmacies in 10 districts of Barcelona (Spain) were visited and data collected on the type of syrup-based medicines dispensed most often over a 3-month period in 2008. RESULTS: Data was collected in 142 out of 300 pharmacies. The percentage of the medicines sold by group of antibiotics (sweetener) were: Augmentine (aspartame) 5.72%; Clamoxyl (sucrose) 3.28%; Ceclor (sucrose) 3.66%. In the anti-inflammatory group: Junifen 2.0% (saccharine sódic); 3.59%, Junifen 4.0% (sodic sucrose); 4.35%, Apiretal Codeine (sucrose); 0.31%, Dalsy (sucrose) 39.35%; Febrectal (sodic saccharine): 0.89%. CONCLUSIONS: It is very important to advise parents, pharmacists, paediatricians, and paediatric dentists about low-sweetener paediatric medicine alternatives to control the high content sucrose medicines. The aim should be to reduce the intake of over the counter medication.