A program review of a community-based oral health care program for socially vulnerable and underserved citizens in Denmark.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the oral health and oral health-related quality of life among social vulnerable adults enrolled in a special oral care program, and to evaluate the effect of oral care on their oral health-related quality of life. METHOD: Social workers identified social vulnerable persons in social centres and referred them to the program. Dental clinics were arranged including a well-motivated staff to be special responsive to these clients. The participants, (n = 235, mean age 43.5 years) with drug abuse, being homeless, permanently unemployed, or with mental problems were offered low-cost treatment services. Data collection was made by clinical registration and questionnaires. Oral health-related quality of life was measured by means of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 index (OHIP-14). RESULTS: 94% of the participants had actual decayed teeth (mean 9.5). Forty-four per cent had not visited a dentist within 5 years and less than one-third reported tooth brushing twice a day, 17% even less frequent. One hundred and forty-six completed the dental program within the program period. Mean OHIP-14 score was 28.6 at baseline. Among those who fulfilled the program, the OHIP-14 score was reduced to 9.9 (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Oral health among the study population was very poor. However, oral problems in this group can be solved, and their oral health-related quality of life can be increased although it requires special arrangements and special clinical environment.

Emergencies in orthodontics. Part 1: Management of general orthodontic problems as well as common problems with fixed appliances.

Fixed appliance treatment is a popular treatment modality with a burgeoning increase in the numbers of children and adults realizing the benefits that can be gained. Appliance breakage is an unavoidable nuisance which is at best inconvenient, and at worst may result in significant pain or discomfort for the patient. General dental practitioners (GDPs) should have the practical knowledge of how to provide timely and appropriate orthodontic 'emergency treatment'. This will significantly reduce the sometimes considerable inconvenience and discomfort for both the patient and his/her parents, and the inevitable frustration for the clinician providing ongoing care. This first paper will deal with general orthodontic problems that commonly present, as well as some issues specific to fixed appliances. The second paper will deal with the other orthodontic appliances that may be encountered by GDPs in their daily practice. Clinical Relevance: Appropriate handling of an orthodontic 'emergency' by the general practitioner will, on many occasions, provide immediate relief of pain and distress for the patient. This will in turn allow treatment to continue moving in the right direction, thus allowing more efficient and effective use of valuable resources.

[Choice of local anesthetic volume at the infiltration anesthesia on the upper jaw].

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of volume and pressure, at which the solution of local anesthetic is injected into the tissue, on the effectiveness of infiltration anesthesia of the periosteum on the upper jaw. We used the technique of tooth pain sensitivity thresholds. According to the rate of development and the duration of the maximum analgesia effect, the optimum volume for different levels of pressure was determined. The influence of the tissue density at the injection site on the effect criteria of analgesia was demonstrated.

[State of dental health of the population according to social status and satisfaction with medical care].

In the article is conducted assessment of the dental health of adults of Zaporozhye on the basis of epidemiological investigation. It is established that despite of the diversity of all diseases that were revealed during examination, adult population seeks dental help in the event of acute pain. It is shown, that there is dependence of level negotiability for dental help from social status, education and income.

The FiCTION dental trial protocol - filling children's teeth: indicated or not?

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of evidence for effective management of dental caries (decay) in children's primary (baby) teeth and an apparent failure of conventional dental restorations (fillings) to prevent dental pain and infection for UK children in Primary Care. UK dental schools' teaching has been based on British Society of Paediatric Dentistry guidance which recommends that caries in primary teeth should be removed and a restoration placed. However, the evidence base for this is limited in volume and quality, and comes from studies conducted in either secondary care or specialist practices. Restorations provided in specialist environments can be effective but the generalisability of this evidence to Primary Care has been questioned. The FiCTION trial addresses the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme's commissioning brief and research question "What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of restoration caries in primary teeth, compared to no treatment?" It compares conventional restorations with an intermediate treatment strategy based on the biological (sealing-in) management of caries and with no restorations. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a Primary Care-based multi-centre, three-arm, parallel group, patient-randomised controlled trial. Practitioners are recruiting 1461 children, (3-7 years) with at least one primary molar tooth where caries extends into dentine. Children are randomized and treated according to one of three treatment approaches; conventional caries management with best practice prevention, biological management of caries with best practice prevention or best practice prevention alone. Baseline measures and outcome data (at review/treatment during three year follow-up) are assessed through direct reporting, clinical examination including blinded radiograph assessment, and child/parent questionnaires. The primary outcome measure is the incidence of either pain or infection related to dental caries. Secondary outcomes are; incidence of caries in primary and permanent teeth, patient quality of life, cost-effectiveness, acceptability of treatment strategies to patients and parents and their experiences, and dentists' preferences. DISCUSSION: FiCTION will provide evidence for the most clinically-effective and cost-effective approach to managing caries in children's primary teeth in Primary Care. This will support general dental practitioners in treatment decision making for child patients to minimize pain and infection in primary teeth. The trial is currently recruiting patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Protocol ID: NCTU: ISRCTN77044005.

A prospective study of the factors affecting outcomes of nonsurgical root canal treatment: part 1: periapical health.

AIM: To investigate the probability of and factors influencing periapical status of teeth following primary (1°RCTx) or secondary (2°RCTx) root canal treatment. METHODOLOGY: This prospective study involved annual clinical and radiographic follow-up of 1°RCTx (1170 roots, 702 teeth and 534 patients) or 2°RCTx (1314 roots, 750 teeth and 559 patients) carried out by Endodontic postgraduate students for 2-4 (50%) years. Pre-, intra- and postoperative data were collected prospectively on customized forms. The proportion of roots with complete periapical healing was estimated, and prognostic factors were investigated using multiple logistic regression models. Clustering effects within patients were adjusted in all models using robust standard error. RESULTS: proportion of roots with complete periapical healing after 1°RCTx (83%; 95% CI: 81%, 85%) or 2°RCTx (80%; 95% CI: 78%, 82%) were similar. Eleven prognostic factors were identified. The conditions that were found to improve periapical healing significantly were: the preoperative absence of a periapical lesion (P = 0.003); in presence of a periapical lesion, the smaller its size (P ≤ 0.001), the better the treatment prognosis; the absence of a preoperative sinus tract (P = 0.001); achievement of patency at the canal terminus (P = 0.001); extension of canal cleaning as close as possible to its apical terminus (P = 0.001); the use of ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) solution as a penultimate wash followed by final rinse with NaOCl solution in 2°RCTx cases (P = 0.002); abstaining from using 2% chlorexidine as an adjunct irrigant to NaOCl solution (P = 0.01); absence of tooth/root perforation (P = 0.06); absence of interappointment flare-up (pain or swelling) (P =0.002); absence of root-filling extrusion (P ≤ 0.001); and presence of a satisfactory coronal restoration (P ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Success based on periapical health associated with roots following 1°RCTx (83%) or 2°RCTx (80%) was similar, with 10 factors having a common effect on both, whilst the 11th factor 'EDTA as an additional irrigant' had different effects on the two treatments.

Eighteen-month clinical and radiographic evaluation of two root canal-filling materials in primary teeth with pulp necrosis secondary to trauma.

AIM: This study compared clinically and radiographically the use of zinc oxide and eugenol cement (ZOE) and a commercial calcium hydroxide and polyethylene glycol-based paste (Calen(®) ) thickened with zinc oxide as root canal-filling materials for primary teeth with pulp necrosis secondary to trauma within 18months of follow up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eligible patients of both genders aged 2years and 6months to 5years and 10months who had been referred for dental treatment at a pediatric dental trauma service and presented at least one anterior primary tooth (central and/or lateral incisor) with pulp necrosis secondary to traumatic injury were selected. Twenty-six children (n=31 teeth) with mean age of 3.4years met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled after parental written consent. The root canals were instrumented and filled with either ZOE (group I; n=15 teeth) or Calen(®) paste [composition: 2.5g calcium hydroxide, 0.5g zinc oxide, 0.05g colophony, and 1.75ml polyethylene glycol 400 (vehicle)] thickened with zinc oxide (Calen(®) /ZO; group II; n=16 teeth). ZO was added to the Calen(®) paste for slowing paste resorption, which should ideally occur simultaneously with the physiologic resorption of primary tooth roots. Clinical success after 18months of follow up was considered as absence of pain, tooth mobility or fistula, and radiographic success as the partial or total remission of apical periodontitis, absence of pathological root resorption or presence of new bone formation. RESULTS: Eighteen months after treatment, the teeth obturated with ZOE and Calen(®) /ZO presented statistically similar (Fisher's exact test; P >0.05) success rates of 93.3% and 87.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results showed the clinical and radiographic outcomes for Calen(®) /ZO to be equal to those for ZOE after 18months, suggesting that both materials can be indicated for obturating primary teeth with pulp necrosis after trauma.

[Quality of life and oral health in children]. / Levenskwaliteit en mondgezondheid van kinderen.

In recent years, research on the influence of oral health on quality of life among children has become increasingly popular Half of the children and adolescents will have had moments of diminished oral health and that can lead to functional problems, pain and decreased quality of life. While measuring oral health-related quality of life of children, reports of parents are frequently used as a proxy. Diminished oral health not only has an impact on the child's quality of life, but also on that of his family members. Results from studies on oral health-related quality of life in children may be used as the basis for useful guidance for parents and children on improving oral health and quality of life.

Community pharmacy staff oral health training, training needs and professional self-efficacy related to managing children's dental problems.

OBJECTIVES: Few studies have explored the oral health training needs and professional self-efficacy (PSE) in both pharmacy support staff and pharmacists related to managing children's dental problems. This study assessed community pharmacy staff perceptions of their (i) training experiences and interests; (ii) PSE; and (iii) whether this was influenced by the pharmacy being part of a minor ailment scheme (MAS), where staff could directly offer advice and issue prescription medications without patients seeing a doctor. METHODS: All of the 1851 community pharmacies across London, UK, were invited to participate in an online questionnaire. Staff rated their prior training, perceived need for further training and confidence in giving parents advice related to three dental problems in children (dental pain, mouth ulcers and dental trauma). Information was collected about staff roles and whether the pharmacy was a MAS. KEY FINDINGS: From 752 community pharmacies, 846 community pharmacy staff participated. Positive experiences of training were variable but interest in further training for all three dental problems was high. Pharmacy support staff had significantly lower PSE scores than pharmacy professionals (P = 0.009). A significant interaction showed that pharmacy staff who had poorly rated prior training on advising parents about managing their child's dental pain and who did not work in a MAS had lower PSE scores than staff who had highly rated training and who worked in a MAS (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Minor ailment scheme pharmacies may be an optimal environment for frontline pharmacy support staff to develop higher PSE when combined with good quality oral health training.

The effect of preoperative ibuprofen on tooth sensitivity caused by in-office bleaching.

This study determined the effect of Ibuprofen on tooth sensitivity from in-office bleaching with 38% hydrogen peroxide. A double-blind, randomized-controlled clinical trial was performed on healthy non-smoker patients who retain all anterior teeth (N=31). Patients with anterior restorations, calculus or heavy stain, and those who were taking medications or desensitizer products were excluded. After signing the informed consent, the patients were randomly divided into a Placebo group (n=16) that received a placebo (tinted oil in clear capsule) (Health Dimensions Inc, Compound Pharmacy, Farmington Hills, MI, U.S.A.) or an Ibuprofen group (n=15) that received a 600 mg, PO single dose of Ibuprofen (Advil Liquid Gel, Wyeth, Madison, NJ, USA). The patients were watched while taking the capsules 30 minutes prior to treatment. A single operator applied the 38% hydrogen peroxide (Opalescence Xtra Boost, Ultradent Products Inc) for 20 minutes on 12 anterior teeth. The hydrogen peroxide solution was then rinsed, the teeth were gently dried and the cycle was repeated, for a total application time of 40 minutes. A Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the level of sensitivity 30 minutes before treatment, immediately after treatment, then 1 hour and 24 hours post-bleaching. The patients graded their maximum sensitivity levels during each period on a scale from 0 to 100 (0=no sensitivity, 100=unbearable sensitivity). The VAS scores were statistically analyzed to compare the groups' scores at different times and to compare the scores within each group at various times (Wilcoxon rank sum tests). The mean score and standard deviation of the Ibuprofen group immediately after bleaching was 5.0 +/- 9.9, at 1 hour--31.5 +/- 32.1 and at 24 hours--25.8 +/- 30.8; the placebo group at the time of treatment was 26.6 +/- 31.0, at 1 hour--30.9 +/- 30.5 and at 24 hours--31.1 +/- 32.6. When comparing the two groups at different times, the Ibuprofen group showed statistically significantly lower sensitivity scores immediately post-bleaching than the placebo group (p = 0.0216) but not at 1 hour (p = 0.84) or 24 hours post-bleaching (p = 0.54). When comparing times within the Ibuprofen group, the mean VAS score immediately after bleaching was significantly lower than 1 hour post-bleaching (p = 0.0024) and 24-hours post-bleaching (p = 0.0110), but the mean VAS score at 1 hour post-bleaching and 24-hours post-bleaching were not significantly different (p = 0.64). For the placebo group, the intragroup time effect was not significant. Within the limitations of the current study, the authors concluded that the use of an analgesic may help to reduce tooth sensitivity during in-office bleaching. In the current study, Ibuprofen (600 mg, PO single dose) reduced tooth sensitivity during but not after the treatment period.

Systemic, prophylactic and local applications of antimicrobials in endodontics: an update review.

Antibiotics were first discovered in the late 1920s but were not routinely used clinically until the early 1940s during the Second World War. They can be used as an adjunct to endodontic treatment in a number of ways-systemically, prophylactically and locally. There are few real indications for the systemic use of antibiotics in conjunction with endodontic treatment. They are only needed when the body's efforts at fighting bacteria are failing. Use of antibiotics to prevent infection (antibiotic prophylaxis) may prevent some case of bacterial endocarditis. Therefore, prophylaxis is recommended for individuals in high-risk and moderate-risk categories. Another mode of application of antibiotics is local application as intracanal medicaments and root canal irrigants.

Sharing early preventive oral health with medical colleagues: a dental pain prevention strategy.

An alarming number of children suffer from preventable dental pain and infections. Untreated caries may cause severe discomfort and grave systemic problems. Using this article as a curriculum of fundamentals, all dental professionals are encouraged to share current best practice oral health prevention strategies with their local community medical providers. Subject matter includes rudimentary pathophysiology, very early oral health risk assessment, anticipatory guidance, fluoride varnish, and establishing a dental home by age 1.

New safety margins for chin bone harvesting based on the course of the mandibular incisive canal in CT.

OBJECTIVES: Altered pulp sensitivity of anterior lower teeth is a frequent finding following chin bone harvesting. Persistent loss of tooth sensitivity has been reported in up to 20% of the patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate current recommendations for the location of the harvest zone with respect to the course of the mandibular incisive canal (MIC), the intrabony continuation of the mandibular canal mesial to the mental foramen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: On computed tomographic (CT) scans of 50 dentate mandibles, the MIC was located and its distance to the root apices, to the labial bony surface, and to the inferior margin of the mandible was assessed. The risk of nerve injury and the percentage of patients suitable for chin bone grafting were calculated. RESULTS: Respecting current recommendations for chin bone grafting, the content of the MIC was endangered in 57% of the CTs. Therefore, new safety margins are suggested: the chin bone should be harvested at least 8 mm below the tooth apices with a maximum harvest depth of 4 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Applying the new safety recommendations and proper patient selection in chin bone harvesting could reduce the risk of altered postoperative tooth sensitivity due to injury of the mandibular incisive nerve.

Postoperative pain following the use of two different intracanal medications.

This study evaluated the incidence of postoperative pain after intracanal dressings with either 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate gel (CHX) or a calcium hydroxide/camphorated paramonochlorophenol/glycerin paste (CH/CPMC). Overall, 138 asymptomatic teeth had their canals instrumented under irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl and then dressed with either CH/CPMC or CHX. The incidence of different intensity levels of postoperative pain was registered for the period between appointments. Data revealed that 84% of the total number of cases treated with either medicament showed absence of any level of pain. No case medicated with CH/CPMC and four cases (5.8%) medicated with CHX were categorized as flare-ups. There were no statistically significant differences between all possible comparisons involving the two medicaments in treatment/retreatment cases and teeth with/without apical periodontitis lesions. The low incidence of postoperative pain after the use of both medications, coupled to their antimicrobial effectiveness, gives support to using one or the other in routine treatment/retreatment.

How should we manage caries in deciduous teeth?

UNLABELLED: Recent research from the North of England has focused attention on the effectiveness of routine conservation of carious deciduous teeth. This has led to a debate within the profession stimulated by the belief that falling levels of restorative care equate to a failure of clinical care. The results from two major clinical studies suggest that the majority of carious deciduous teeth exfoliate without the child attending his/her dentist with pain and infection if left unrestored. In addition, it would appear that the conventional restoration of such teeth by general dental practitioners does not change the outcome. However, a study from Scotland suggests that untreated carious deciduous teeth increases the risk of sepsis, especially when many carious teeth are present. Further research is needed to help inform clinical decisions. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This article addresses the central issue of the dental care of young children.

Oral health awareness in school-going children and its significance to parent's education level.

BACKGROUND: The oral health imparts a major impact on one's quality of life. Since last decades, there is an increase in the prevalence of dental afflictions which can be avoided by the knowledge of simple preventive measures. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of children and to analyze its association with the education level of their parents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two randomly schools were selected and all the children from 5-15 years willing to participate in the present cross-sectional study were assessed for oral health status using the World Health Organization for the oral health awareness in children, 2004. Both child and parents were directly interviewed to avoid any bias in understanding the questionnaire. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (16.0) was used for data analysis. Chi-square/Fisher's exact test was used to compare the dichotomous variables. RESULTS: A total of 210 (133 males and 77 females) children were assessed along with their parents for the awareness of child's oral health condition. Totally 134 (63.3%) children were of age group 5-10 years, while 76 (36.7%) children were of age group 11-15 years. Children with uneducated parents have often experienced toothache, brushes once a daily and frequently visits the dentist for toothache compared to children of educated parents, and this association was observed to be statistically significant (<0.001). CONCLUSION: The oral health status of children was average. However, education level and awareness of parents regarding oral health preventive measures play a key role in determining the oral health of children.

Supplementary techniques for pain control during root canal treatment of lower posterior teeth with irreversible pulpitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate utilisation of supplementary techniques for pain control during root canal treatment of lower molars with irreversible pulpitis. The literature was searched using electronic databases up to year 2012. Seventeen studies with 1504 participants were included and each study compared experimental interventions with a standard treatment, i.e. the inferior alveolar nerve block. Changing the injection techniques or supplemental injection had no significant effect on pulp anaesthesia compared to the standard treatment (P = 1.00 or P = 0.14), whereas changing anaesthetic features and increasing anaesthetic volumes resulted in significantly higher rates of anaesthesia than those of the standard treatment (P = 0.03 and P = 0.007, respectively). Premedication with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) also significantly increased the success rate of anaesthesia (P = 0.001). Taken together, increased anaesthetic volumes and premedication with NSAIDs provide predictable anaesthesia and more pain control during endodontic treatment of lower molars with irreversible pulpitis.

A blinded randomized controlled trial comparing lignocaine and placebo administration to the palate for removal of maxillary third molars.

Routine use of a palatal injection for the removal of maxillary third molars has never been validated. The purpose of this blinded, randomized, controlled trial was to assess the requirement of a separate palatal injection for the extraction of maxillary third molars. Fifty-one patients requiring the removal of bilateral maxillary third molars were enrolled. Each patient acting as their own control received buccal infiltrations of lignocaine bilaterally, then 0.2 mL of lignocaine without vasoconstrictor was administered to one side of the palate and the same amount of normal saline administered to the other side. Sides were randomized as to the active ingredient and both the patient and operator were blinded. All extractions were performed by a single operator using a consistent technique and no additional sedative or anaesthetic agents were utilized. Data relating to the pain of the extractions and of the palatal injection were obtained on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Verbal Response Scale (VRS) data were obtained additionally for a subset of 21 patients. Statistical analysis confirmed clinical equivalence between saline and lignocaine to the palate (95% CI -1.7 to 6.2mm, equivalence range -6.75 to 6.75 mm). No patients requested additional lignocaine to the palate in order to ensure comfortable extraction. This study provides evidence that the poorly tolerated palatal injection of local anaesthetic for the removal of maxillary third molars may not be required.

[Complications due to the waiting period for dental treatment under general anaesthesia]. / Complicaties door wachttijd voor behandeling onder algehele anesthesie.

The capacity for dental treatment under general anaesthesia is limited. Clearly, the demand for treatment exceeds the supply. A written questionnaire completed by all 403 patients who were treated in 2003 in a centre for special dentistry under general anaesthesia, or their parents or carers, revealed that the median time between referral and the first consultation was 8 weeks. The median time between the first consultation and treatment was also 8 weeks. The waiting period for children was longer than that for adults, with that for 4- and 5-year-olds the longest of all. During the waiting period, 43% of the patients developed complications, such as oral pain and problems with eating and sleeping. Children developed complications more often than adults. With every week of waiting, the likelihood of children developing complications increased by 6.7%.

Prevention of tooth loss and dental pain for reducing the global burden of oral diseases.

Population ageing is a global phenomenon and is predicted to become one of the most significant social transformations of the 21st century. The anticipated demographic shift provides governments the opportunity to proactively align policies with the estimated demands for housing, transportation, social protection, and health and well-being. Oral health is a fundamental component of health and physical and mental well-being, and is influenced by the individual's changing experience, perceptions, expectations and ability to adapt to circumstances. As such, prevention of oral disease and maintenance of oral health contributes to the systemic health, well-being, and quality of life of older adults. Dental caries, periodontal disease, and tooth loss in older adults are global health concerns because they are highly prevalent worldwide, socio-economic inequalities contribute to these diseases, many of the risk factors are modifiable, and these diseases result in compromised oral health-related quality of life. Oral care must be tailored to the needs and level of dependency of older adults through the use of evidence-based approaches and inter-professional collaboration. The persistence of between countries and within countries oral health disparities indicate that population-based policies are also needed to address the underlying social, environmental, and economic causes of oral diseases.