Dental and maxillofacial skeletal injuries seen at the University of Otago School of Dentistry, New Zealand 2000-2004.

An epidemiological study of dental and facial trauma injuries was performed on patient presentations to the University of Otago School of Dentistry during the period 2000-2004. A total of 1287 patients were seen for dental injuries with 3473 tooth injuries. The mean age was 17.48 +/- 13.13 years (range: 2-86), the highest number of injuries occurred in the 16-25 year group with a male to female ratio of 2.01:1. Uncomplicated crown fractures were the most common injury that required treatment and the variables of age, gender, tooth type, type of injury, cause of injury, location where injury occurred were similar to other studies. Falls, accidental contact, assault and motor vehicle accidents attributed to >60% of the causes of trauma and to more serious injuries. Dental injuries sustained during sporting activities reflected the potential for high impact contact and the pattern of injury suggested that preventative measures had a positive outcome in limiting the number and degree of complexity of injuries. The emergence of skateboard injuries was a feature of this study. Non-sport causes attributed to the majority of facial fractures while rugby union was the most common sport associated with bone fractures. This study shows that dental and facial injury rates and patterns in a New Zealand region are similar to other populations.

Bacterial chemoprophylaxis knowledge and practice among New Zealand dentists.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate general dental practitioners' current understanding and practice of oral antibiotic prophylaxis. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of a random sample of New Zealand general dental practitioners (GDPs). METHODS: A postal questionnaire was sent to 700 GDPs (response rate 64.5%). RESULTS: Most practitioners (91.3%) followed the guidelines of the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand (NHFNZ), rather than those of other organisations, and the majority accurately prescribed the standard oral amoxycillin dose. However, there was inconsistency when prescribing for penicillin-allergic patients, with three-quarters of respondents opting for inappropriate regimens, and almost half favouring an outdated erythromycin regimen. There was also inconsistency in prescribing for patients with a prosthetic joint. Most respondents considered their practice to be adequately equipped to handle an allergic reaction. CONCLUSIONS: In general, New Zealand GDPs adhere to the accepted guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis, but some confusion remains, and a review of the NHFNZ guidelines may be warranted to ensure that they reflect current scientific opinion, and to make New Zealand guidelines consistent with those used in similar countries.

Aplasia of the parotid gland in Down syndrome.

Salivary gland aplasia has not to our knowledge been previously reported in association with Down syndrome. We present a case of bilateral parotid aplasia in a patient with Down syndrome. Clinically he had aplasia of the major salivary glands and symptoms of xerostomia. Thirteen other family members over three generations were examined, and all had functional parotid glands. We reviewed publications about Down syndrome and salivary aplasia, together with the data regarding his other clinical problems and family background. His oral problems were inadequate plaque control, dental caries, and erosion of the teeth.