[Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment : Epidemiology and risk factors]. / Rhegmatogene Netzhautablösung : Epidemiologie und Risikofaktoren.

The incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in the European population is approximately 10 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year and reaches a peak in the 6th and 7th decades of life, mostly in atemporal association with posterior vitreous body detachment. Known risk factors include myopia and higher axial length of the eye, male gender, previous trauma and vitreoretinal degeneration or dystrophy. In recent years, an increase in the risk of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment following cataract surgery was also found, especially after capsule rupture and vitreous body loss. In contrast to clear lens extraction (CLE), the refractive intervention of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) does not seem to increase the risk of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Retinal detachment stabilizes during physical protection and posturing but progresses through bodily activity and during interruptions in patients with macula-on retinal detachment.

Establishment of a large collection of extracted teeth for research.

A collection of over 14,000 teeth extracted at the Prince Philip Dental Hospital since 1982 has been organized and catalogued on a computerized database management system. The computer catalogue provides, for each tooth in the collection, information on the age and sex of the patient, and the date of extraction and condition of the tooth. The catalogue can be searched according to any combination of the descriptive variables in the database record. Researchers, including visiting scientists, can borrow teeth from the central "tooth library" on a temporary or permanent basis. Further information on particular teeth (e.g. patient's medical and dental histories, dental radiographs) can be obtained from patients' charts. Establishment of this collection has greatly facilitated the work of researchers in clinical dentistry, dental anatomy, and dental anthropology.

The sequential modular curriculum for oral health personnel: an evaluation of the Fijian experience after five years.

In 1993 a new sequential modular curriculum was introduced for the training and education of oral health personnel in Pacific Island countries. The five-year model provided a multi-stage course with the opportunity to exist at the level of dental hygienist after two years, dental therapist or dental technologist after three years and dental surgeon after five years. After five years' experience the principles involved in the introduction of such a curriculum have been confirmed as educationally sound. The model may also be useful for introduction in other countries providing its structure and the details of individual modules are tailored to local social, cultural and demographic needs.

The use of role-play and psychodrama in the education of the dental undergraduate.

The delivery of effective information flow through self learning, critical thinking and problem solving is one of the objectives of current curriculum development within the Dental Faculty of the University of Hong Kong. These objectives reflect a desire to encourage skills related to 'comprehension learning' and 'meaning orientation' rather than 'rote' learning and 'surface' approaches. This paper explains the way in which role-play and psychodrama are used in an effort to achieve these objectives.

Incisor spacing: a sequential orthodontic restorative treatment approach.

For those patients presenting with one or more missing incisors, a sequential technique utilizing specific arch wires to level and align the irregular incisor teeth may be used. Auxiliary coil springs are then fitted to redistribute the space prior to the preparation of a prosthesis, the fabrication of which is facilitated by parallel and upright abutments. The space obtained allows esthetically proportioned pontics. Two cases that illustrate this technique are presented.

Management of worn dentition with resin-bonded cast metal lingual veneering.

The treatment of excessive tooth wear with limited interocclusal space is complicated. Nonprecious alloys may be cast into thin sections and bonded to the tooth surface with an adhesive cement. The technique may be applied to the provision of veneers to restore and protect worn tooth surfaces. This article describes the conservative management of excessively worn maxillary anterior teeth by use of this technique.

A clinical evaluation of conventional bridgework.

The present study evaluated the incidence and causes of failure of conventional bridgework provided in the Prince Philip Dental Hospital, Hong Kong. Any bridge that utilized resin-bonded (Maryland) retainers was excluded from this study. All patients with bridges fitted between 1981 and 1987 were recalled for review, and 143 patients attended, a response rate of 77%. A total of 169 bridges were examined, their mean length of service being 35 months. Thirty-five bridges were deemed to have failed. The most frequent cause was endodontic, followed by loss of retention, then persistent pain and sensitivity. Failures of endodontic origin affected mostly anterior bridges, which could be attributed to the over-sized pulp of anterior teeth and the amount of tooth reduction required for the ceramometal retainer. All of the bridges that failed because of endodontic problems had had ceramometal retainers. Taking posterior bridges alone, the failure rate was 4.4% per year. From the evidence of this study, the replacement of the maxillary canine with a cantilever bridge appears to be contra-indicated.