Evaluation and assessment of the wettabilty and water contact angle of modified poly methyl methacrylate denture base materials against PEEK in cast partial denture framework: an in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of adults with partially dental arches is expected to be more than imagined and patients requiring replacement of missing teeth are slowly increasing in number too. Removable partial dentures are known to provide for substantial replacement for the missing teeth with also added advantages when compared to fixed or implant prosthesis, mainly in elderly patients. Denture base material performance and durability are greatly influenced by wettability and water contact angle. In the case of dentures; adequate moisture distribution is necessary to ensure excellent wettability which has an influence on comfort and oral health. The purpose of conducting this study was to find out whether the advancements made using PEEK (Polyether ether ketone) would prove to be more beneficial than the current upgrades in the current material spectrum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed under in vitro conditions. All the fabrication and processing was done only by one operator. The materials used were divided into three groups each comprising 20 samples. Group A was modified polymethylmethacrylate (Bredent Polyan), Group B was polyoxymethylene acetal resin (Biodentaplast) and Group C was PEEK. An Ossila Goniometer was used to measure the contact angle. The three types of liquids used for the testing included distilled water, natural saliva and mouth wetting solution (Wet Mouth Liquid, ICPA India). Human saliva was collected from an individual with no medical conditions and normal salivary secretion. RESULTS: The data was analyzed using One-way ANOVA test and a pairwise comparison using the Post Hoc Tukey's Honest Significant Difference. Table 1 consists of the mean water contact angles of the denture base materials and mean contact angles of various denture base materials. In saliva, mouth wetting solution and distilled water, the highest mean and least mean contact angle was seen in Polyan and Biodentaplast respectively. A signicant difference was seen between PEEK and Polyan and Biodentaplast and Polyan on further comparison. CONCLUSION: From the resources and the materials at our disposal, it could be concluded that Polyan, Biodentaplast and PEEK and could be used as viable options in cast partial denture framework.

An in vitro assessment of optimizing implant positions in bilateral distal extension implant-assisted removable partial dentures: A microstress analysis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the stress distribution on dental implants in various positions when used with implant-assisted removable partial dentures. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was an in vitro study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A model representing a mandibular bilateral partially edentulous condition, with missing premolars and molars, was fabricated using epoxy resin. Two implants of similar diameter measuring 4.0 mm × 10 mm (Dentium, Korea) were inserted in the second molar and the second premolar region on either side of the model for comparing the biomechanical effect of various implant locations. Two types of loads 100N and 125N were applied vertically using universal testing machines in the premolar and molar regions. The loads on the implants beneath the cast partial denture were measured by physical stress analysis using a microstrain gauge. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: A comparison of maximum stress observed at the premolar versus molar regions due to the application of the 100N and 125N loads was done using the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: In physical stress analysis, obtained results were statistically analyzed, and the result was statistically not significant (P = 0.435 at 100N and P = 0.718 at 125N) in positional changes of implant. CONCLUSION: In the current study, the statistical analysis of physical stress revealed no significant differences in stress values between the loadings at the premolar and molar regions. This suggests that the implant can be placed in either the premolar or molar region based on the availability of bone without affecting stress distribution.

Assessment of Level of Expectation and Awareness towards Dental Implants among Complete Denture Patients and Partial Denture Prostheses Wearers.

Background Among many options to replace missing teeth, dental implant is widely popular but willingness to have implant treatment and its success depends on patients' knowledge and expectations as well as the care, skill, and judgment of clinicians. Objective The main objective of this study was to assess awareness, expectation and source of information about dental implant among complete and removable partial denture wearers and to find association between them. Method A questionnaire consisting of 6 close-ended questions was used to assess the level of knowledge and awareness among patients visiting Dental Outpatient Department of Dhulikhel Hospital regarding dental implants as a treatment option for replacing missing teeth. Chi-square test was used to study the association between demographic variables and awareness about implantation. Statistical software SPSS 20.0 was used for data analysis. Result Our results revealed significant difference in age (p=0.001), education level (p=0.03) and occupation (p=0.004) in awareness of dental implant and no significant difference in gender (p=0.567), compared between complete and removable partial denture wearers. Due to lack of awareness, lower educational status and advanced age the patients responded that they "did not know " in answer to almost all the questions. Conclusion The awareness level of dental implant was low among complete and removable denture patients and this was associated with a low level of education and lack of accurate information about dental implants.

Assessment of iatrogenic damage to adjacent teeth during crown and bridge preparation.

INTRODUCTION: Iatrogenic damage to the adjacent tooth during crown preparation is a frequent disastrous effect. The aim of the study was, therefore, to determine the frequency of different types, degree and location of iatrogenic damage to the adjacent tooth during crown and bridge preparations in a tertiary care setting that lead towards the morbidity of tooth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in Aga Khan University dental laboratory in two months period in which a total of 150 dental casts fulfilling the inclusion criteria were analyzed using non-probability convenient sampling technique. The casts were examined using 3.5x magnifying loupes for the location, degree and type of damage to the proximal surface adjacent to the prepared tooth using Moonpar and Faulkner criteria. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 22. Chi square test was used to assess the association between the experience of practitioner and degree of damage to adjacent tooth. It was also used to determine the association between location of tooth and degree of damage to adjacent tooth. Inter-examiner reliability was assessed by using kappa statistics. RESULTS: A high prevalence of damage to the proximal surface of adjacent teeth (78% on mesial tooth and 60.6% on distal tooth) was observed, with the majority (32.6%) belonging to the mild categories. There were statistically significant associations between the experience of practitioner and the damage to the surface mesial to the preparation. However, more severe damages occurred in mandibular teeth preparations as compared to maxillary teeth preparations. CONCLUSIONS: A high frequency of iatrogenic damage to the adjacent teeth had been found during crown and bridge work with the middle of the tooth as the most susceptible site. However, the majority of damages were of milder type including only abrasions.

CAD/CAM milled removable complete dentures: time and cost estimation study.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the clinical time spent and the costs incurred whilst constructing complete dentures (CDs) using a two-visit digital-denture protocol with the conventional complete denture protocol, in a university setting. METHODS: Twelve undergraduate final-year dental students utilized both the digital denture protocol and the conventional complete denture protocol to construct two sets of CDs for patients requiring either an upper CD opposing a partial natural dentition restored using a partial removable prosthesis [Group#1: students: n = 6, upper CD: n = 12 (6-digital complete dentures +6-conventional complete dentures)] or both upper and lower CDs [Group#2: students: n = 6, upper and lower CDs: n = 24 (12-digital complete dentures+ 12-conventional complete dentures)]. Overall time spent and costs (clinical, materials, and laboratory) were calculated. A cost minimization analysis was performed to compare the economic costs of the two protocols. Paired t-tests were applied for the statistical analyses (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Conventional complete denture protocol required longer clinical time than digital complete dentures for both Group#1 (p = 0.0206) and Group#2 (p = 0.0020). The materials costs were higher for the digital complete dentures in both groups (Group#1 p < 0.0001; Group#2: p = 0.0002). The overall costs, were significantly higher for the conventional complete denture protocol than for the digital denture protocol (Group#1: p = 0.0032; Group 2: p = 0.0080). CONCLUSIONS: In a university setting student clinic in Geneva in Switzerland, the digital denture protocol is less costly when compared with the conventional complete denture protocol. The costs for clinical chairside time, laboratory and the overall costs were significantly lower for the digital denture protocol, even though the materials costs for this protocol were higher. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The digital denture protocol might prove highly beneficial to the elderly and/or the compromised edentulous patient, as it can help decrease the treatment burden on the patient by reducing the clinical procedures, number of visits, treatment time and incurred costs.

Dental Treatment in a State-Funded Primary Dental Care Facility: Contextual and Individual Predictors of Treatment Need?

OBJECTIVE: This study examined individual and contextual factors which predict the dental care received by patients in a state-funded primary dental care training facility in England. METHODS: Routine clinical and demographic data were extracted from a live dental patient management system in a state-funded facility using novel methods. The data, spanning a four-year period [2008-2012] were cleaned, validated, linked by means of postcode to deprivation status, and analysed to identify factors which predict dental treatment need. The predictive relationship between patients' individual characteristics (demography, smoking, payment status) and contextual experience (deprivation based on area of residence), with common dental treatments received was examined using unadjusted analysis and adjusted logistic regression. Additionally, multilevel modelling was used to establish the isolated influence of area of residence on treatments. RESULTS: Data on 6,351 dental patients extracted comprised of 147,417 treatment procedures delivered across 10,371 courses of care. Individual level factors associated with the treatments were age, sex, payment exemption and smoking status and deprivation associated with area of residence was a contextual predictor of treatment. More than 50% of children (<18 years) and older adults (≥65 years) received preventive care in the form of 'instruction and advice', compared with 46% of working age adults (18-64 years); p = 0.001. The odds of receiving treatment increased with each increasing year of age amongst adults (p = 0.001): 'partial dentures' (7%); 'scale and polish' (3.7%); 'tooth extraction' (3%; p = 0.001), and 'instruction and advice' (3%; p = 0.001). Smokers had a higher likelihood of receiving all treatments; and were notably over four times more likely to receive 'instruction and advice' than non-smokers (OR 4.124; 95% CI: 3.088-5.508; p = 0.01). A further new finding from the multilevel models was a significant difference in treatment related to area of residence; adults from the most deprived quintile were more likely to receive 'tooth extraction' when compared with least deprived, and less likely to receive preventive 'instruction and advice' (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to model patient management data from a state-funded dental service and show that individual and contextual factors predict common treatments received. Implications of this research include the importance of making provision for our aging population and ensuring that preventative care is available to all. Further research is required to explain the interaction of organisational and system policies, practitioner and patient perspectives on care and, thus, inform effective commissioning and provision of dental services.

Dental treatment needs and health care-seeking behaviours of patients with acute odontogenic infections in Lithuania.

AIMS: To assess patients with acute odontogenic maxillofacial infections (AOMIs), regarding their functional dentition and dental treatment needs, and identify factors explaining these outcomes. METHODS: During a 1-year period, 160 patients with AOMIs were treated at the specialised dental care centre of Vilnius University. Both oral status and specific dental treatment needs were evaluated for each patient. For the restorative dental treatment need, we examined if patients needed fillings, crowns or bridges. Periodontal dental treatment needs were based only on the most severe cases, and patients were allocated either to a group for which periodontal treatment was recommended or to a group that did not need periodontal treatment. Based on these clinical assessments, four ratios for specific dental treatment needs (restorations, extractions, endodontic treatment and periodontal treatment) and two summative ratios (total dental treatment needs and presence of a functional dentition) were calculated. The questionnaire included variables from various domains. RESULTS: Patients with AOMIs retained one-third of their functional dentition and the mean ± standard deviation of their total dental treatment needs was 46.0 ± 29.7%, of which 32.4 ± 17.1% related to the need for restorations. Higher dental treatment needs were associated with a low level of education, low income, irregular oral self-care, systemic diseases and self-treatment of acute dental conditions before seeking professional help. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AOMIs retained one-third of their functional dentition, and almost half of their dentition were in need of dental treatment.

Pocket depth and bleeding on probing and their associations with dental, lifestyle, socioeconomic and blood variables: a cross-sectional, multicenter feasibility study of the German National Cohort.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the periodontal disease status in a multi-center cross-sectional study in Germany. Associations of dental, socio-economic, blood and biomedical variables with periodontal outcome parameters were evaluated. METHODS: From 4 different centers N = 311 persons were included, drawn randomly from the registration offices. Maximal pocket depth (PD) was used as primary indicator for periodontitis. It was classified as: no/mild ≤3 mm, moderate 4-5 mm, severe ≥6 mm. Associations between socioeconomic (household income, education), lifestyle, and biomedical factors and PD or bleeding on probing (BOP) per site ("Yes"/"No") was analyzed with logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Mean age of subjects was 46.4 (range 20-77) years. A significantly higher risk of deeper pockets for smokers (OR = 2.4, current vs. never smoker) or persons with higher BMI (OR = 1.6, BMI increase by 5) was found. Severity of periodontitis was significantly associated with caries lesions (p = 0.01), bridges (p < .0001), crowns (p < .0001), leukocytes (p = 0.04), HbA1c (p < .0001) and MCV (p = 0.04). PD was positively correlated with BOP. No significant associations with BOP were found in regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Earlier findings for BMI and smoking with severity of PD were confirmed. Dental variables might be influenced by potential confounding factors e.g. dental hygiene. For blood parameters interactions with unknown systemic diseases may exist.

Purpose of esthetic risk assessment in prosthetic rehabilitations with gingiva-shade ceramics.

Esthetic predictability and the possibility to reduce the need for more aggressive surgical interventions have been two strong reasons for the growing acceptance of gingiva shade ceramics in dental treatments. However this type of rehabilitation also has several esthetic constraints. The aim of this paper is to present an assessment system that may serve as a clinician's guideline to clearly identify the risk factors influencing the esthetic result of gum-shade ceramics and, in the end, to grade these clinical situations as high, medium or low esthetic risk. Over several years of clinical experience, the authors have identified different factors that influence the achievement of satisfactory esthetic results using gumshade ceramics: smile line, extension of the prosthetic rehabilitation, anatomical area, vertical and horizontal transition between the prosthesis and the natural gingiva, contact surface, framework material, and color. In conclusion, despite the great applicability of gingiva-shade ceramics in the resolution of clinical cases involving complex architecture of the hard and soft tissues, this procedure should not be considered one free of esthetic risk. There are different factors that should be evaluated when considering the esthetic results with gingiva-shade ceramics.

The quality of impressions for crowns and bridges: an assessment of the work received at three commercial dental laboratories. assessing qualities of impressions that may lead to occlusal discrepancies with indirect restorations.

There are few published studies that directly assess the quality of impressions for crowns and bridges in the UK. This paper considers aspects of impression quality with particular attention to factors causing potential occlusal discrepancies in the final restoration. To this end three dental laboratories were visited over a 3-month period. All impressions for conventional crown and bridgework that arrived on the days of the visits were examined and assessed against criteria defined on a custom-designed assessment form. A total of 206 impression cases were considered in this study. Flexible impression trays were used for 65% of working impressions. Their use was more common for NHS work than for private work. 31.9% of all alginate impressions examined were not adequately fixed to the tray. Visible contamination of impressions was not uncommon.

Social determinants of denture/bridge use: Japan gerontological evaluation study project cross-sectional study in older Japanese.

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that using a denture/bridge may prevent disability in older people. However, not all older people with few remaining teeth use a denture/bridge. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the social determinants which promote denture/bridge use among older Japanese. METHODS: A total of 54,388 (25,630 males and 28,758 females) community-dwelling individuals aged 65 or over, living independently, able to perform daily activities, and with 19 or fewer teeth. The dependent variable was denture/bridge use. Socio-demographics, number of teeth, present illness, social participation, social support, and social networks were used as individual-level independent variables. Data for social capital were aggregated and used as local district (n = 561 for males, n = 562 for females) -level independent variables. Number of dentists working in hospitals/clinics per population and population density were used as municipality (n = 28) -level independent variables. Three-level multilevel Poisson regression analysis was performed for each sex. RESULTS: High equivalent income, low number of teeth, present illness, and living in a municipality with high population density were significantly associated with denture/bridge use in both sexes in the fully adjusted models (p < 0.05). Denture/bridge use was significantly associated with high educational attainment in males and participating in social groups in females in the fully adjusted model (p < 0.05). No significant associations were observed between denture/bridge use and social capital. CONCLUSIONS: Denture/bridge use was significantly associated with high economic status and present illness in both sexes, high educational attainment in males, and participation in social groups in females among community-dwelling older Japanese after adjusting for possible confounders.

Aggressive periodontitis in a Nigerian teaching hospital.

AIM: These case series were aimed at highlighting late presentations of aggressive periodontitis (AP) in a teaching hospital as well as proffering possible reasons for such presentations which would serve as part of the solution to prevent such presentations in the future. BACKGROUND: Aggressive periodontitis is a severe form of destructive periodontitis traditionally believed to present around puberty. However, many cases seen in a teaching hospital presented much later for yet-to-be explained reasons. CASE DESCRIPTION: Seven patients referred to the specialist periodontal clinic of a Nigerian teaching hospital presented with clinical features consistent with AP. Most of the patients were over twenty and some over thirty years of age. CONCLUSION: Aggressive periodontitis patients seen in our center were often outside the traditional age brackets. The range of treatment options available to the patients were under-utilized due to serious financial constraints. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Aggressive periodontitis comes with serious psychological challenges and severe morbidity. Prompt diagnosis and effective management hold the key to success It is important to investigate why many of the cases seen in our center presented that late. Could be due to ignorance and poverty or could be due to failure of dentists recognize these cases and consequent misdiagnosis? Further studies are needed to answer these questions.

The quality of impressions for crowns and bridges: an assessment of the work received at three commercial dental laboratories. assessing the quality of the impressions of prepared teeth.

The literature is limited in studies directly assessing the quality of impressions for crowns and bridges in the UK. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of impressions for conventional crown and bridgework received by commercial dental laboratories. Three dental laboratories were visited over a 3-month period. All impressions for conventional crowns and bridges that arrived on the days of the visits were examined prior to any laboratory processing. A total of 206 impression cases were examined and assessed against criteria laid out in a custom-designed assessment form. Defects were commonly found in the recording of prepared teeth. Overall, 44.2% of impression cases were unsatisfactory. NHS impressions were more than twice as likely to be unsatisfactory compared to private impressions. If the results of this survey are typical then the general quality of impressions for fixed crown and bridgework is unacceptable. This is particularly true for work completed under the NHS contract.

Denture wearer's perception of ambient care. Part 2. Analyses of data.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate to what extent denture wearers were satisfied with the ambient care (care) received. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study sample of 117 completely edentulous and 56 partially edentulous patients, who had received their dentures in the period 1997-2005 at Bergen School of Dentistry, completed a questionnaire containing eight specific items regarding different aspects of care, each with two positive (a and b) and two negative (c and d) categories, and four global items. The care items, including confidence in the dental team, information, waiting time and cost, constitute the Ambient Care Scale; the global items were concerned with overall care, satisfaction with dentures, self-reported oral and general health. RESULTS: Between 91-100% of Ambient Care Scale responses were in the two positive categories. The completely edentulous group was significantly more satisfied than the partially edentulous group regarding several Ambient Care Scale items and oral health. Also, ratios between categories b and a showed systematic higher degrees of satisfaction for the completely edentulous group than the partially edentulous group. Fifty-six per cent in the completely edentulous group and 36% in the partially edentulous group were very satisfied, i.e. with ≥ 6 of 8 possible responses in category a. Analysis of the very satisfied showed that the highest degrees of satisfaction for both groups were found regarding students and staff, the lowest regarding cost and waiting times. CONCLUSIONS: Patient satisfaction with care was very high. Completely edentulous patients were systematically more satisfied than partially edentulous ones.

Differences in impact of patient and prosthetic characteristics on oral health-related quality of life among implant-retained overdenture wearers.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of implant-retained overdenture users. METHODS: 63 patients aged 50-90 years treated with at least one implant overdenture at the Complutense University (Madrid) in 2000-2010 were included. Of those, 42 answered the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14 sp) questionnaire. The additive method was used in the OHIP analysis. Data regarding sociodemographic background, overdenture features, and clinical factors were recorded. Sociodemographic and overdenture-related variables for the lost patients (n=21) were also gathered from their history files. Descriptive probes, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and the Spearman correlation coefficient were applied (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: The predominant participants' profile was that of a 71-80-year-old woman wearing a mandibular overdenture with a bar retention system and a complete denture in the opposite jaw. 71.4% of the respondents suffered from some kind of impact on OHRQoL, showing an average score of 2.7 ± 3.0 (range: 0-13). 100% of respondents reported no impact for the "social disability" and "handicap" dimensions. The most prevalently affected domain was "physical pain", followed by "functional limitation" and "psychological discomfort". Variables such as the overdenture location or the retention system affected specific OHIP subscales (p ≤ 0.05). The greatest total score was achieved when the antagonist was a complete denture (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Implant-retained overdentures provide a seemingly acceptable quality of life in the elderly population studied, irrespective of the influence of the location, retention system, and antagonist. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Although further research is necessary, mandibular implant overdentures are more comfortable than maxillary ones. Ball-retained prostheses facilitate eating the most, whereas the presence of oral ulcers and/or candidiasis was only detected in the case of bars, thus impairing OHRQoL. A complete denture as antagonist decreases the patient overall satisfaction.

Digital image processing versus visual assessment of chewed two-colour wax in mixing ability tests.

Two-colour chewing gum and wax have been widely used as test foods to evaluate the ability to mix and knead a food bolus. The mixing of the colours has been assessed by computer analysis or by visual inspection. Reports contradict each other about whether computer analysis and visual assessment could equally well discriminate between the masticatory performances of groups of participants with different dental status. This study compares the results of computer analysis of digital images of chewed two-colour wax with the results of visual assessment of these images. Sixty healthy subjects participated and chewed on red-blue wax for 5, 10, 15 and 20 chewing strokes. The subjects were divided into three groups of 20, matched for age and gender, according to their dental status: natural dentition, full dentures and maxillary denture plus implant-supported mandibular overdenture. Mixing of the chewed wax was determined by computer analysis of images of the wax and by visual assessment of the images by five examiners. Both the computer method and the observers were able to distinguish the mixing abilities of the dentate subjects from the two denture wearer groups. Computer analysis could also discriminate the mixing abilities of the two denture groups. However, observers were not able to distinguish the mixing abilities of the two denture groups after 5, 10 and 15 chewing strokes. Only after 20 chewing strokes, they could detect a significant difference in mixing ability.

Factors explaining desire for dental implant therapy: analysis of the results from a longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this research was to investigate possible factors behind the desire for and changes in attitude toward implant treatment in a population of middle-aged and older individuals in Sweden. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 1989 and 1999, questionnaires were sent to 3,000 residents in Orebro County, Sweden. Response rates were 79% and 68%, respectively. Those responding to both questionnaires yielded a longitudinal study panel. Logistic regression models were done with "desire of implant treatment" and "changes in desire of implant treatment" as dependent variables. RESULTS: Older people, non-city residents, and those with one or several missing and unreplaced teeth changed their desire for implant treatment between study years. Effects of age, residence, and better dental status disappeared during the 10-year study period. Those who were edentulous and those with removable dentures (pseudo R2: 0.17) expressed lower desire for treatment than those with all teeth remaining or only one or a few teeth missing (pseudo R2: 0.24) in 1989. High income significantly increased the probability to desire implant treatment for the study panel at both study occasions (P = .016 and P = .034 for 1989 and 1999, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Factors influencing desire for implant treatment were primarily income and dental status. The influence of young age, urban living, and dental status regarding the subgroup with one or several teeth missing in relation to those with all their teeth disappeared during the 10-year study period.

Prótese dentária na saúde pública: resultados de um centro de especialidades odontológicas no município de Maringá - PR / Dental prostheses in public health: results from a dental specialities center in the city of Maringá - PR

Objetivos: Avaliar a prevalência de aceitação do tratamento reabilitador protético por parte dos usuários do Centro de Especialidades Odontológicas (CEO) de Maringá - PR e analisar o perfil demográfico e socioeconômico dos mesmos. Material e método: A amostra consistiu de 39 pacientes atendidos entre março de 2006 e março de 2007. Os dados foram coletados dos prontuários e por meio de questionário estruturado. Para fins de análise, foi utilizada estatística descritiva e análise multivariada. Resultado: Em relação à aceitação do tratamento, 49% dosusuários ainda utilizavam as próteses confeccionadas pelo CEO, 36% as utilizavam parcialmente (apenas a superior ou a inferior) e 15% desistiram do tratamento. Da amostra, 57% tinham idade entre 61,8 e 76,6 anos. Mulheres representaram 67% e homens, 33%. Casados e viúvos representaram 67 e 31%, respectivamente. A renda mensal de 90% era de até três salários mínimos e 67% tinham o Primeiro Grau incompleto. Conclusão: Apesar do benefício oferecido à população estudada por meio dos CEO, grande parte desta não encontrou total resolutividade nosserviços oferecidos.

Objective: To evaluate the patient´s acceptance prevalence of the prosthetic treatment made in one of the Dental Specialties Center (DSC) of Maringá - PR and to analyze the demographic and socioeconomic profile of this population. Material and method: The sample consisted of 39 patients treated wihtin March 2006 and March 2007. The data were collected from the patient´s file, it was applied a structured questionnaire. In order to analyze the data, It was used the descriptive and multivariate analysis. Result: Concerning the treatment acceptance, 49% of thesample still used the prostheses made by the CEO, 36% used the prostheses partially (just upper or lower) and 15% gave up the treatment. From the sample, 57% were 61.8 to 76.6 years old. Women represented 67% of the sample and men 33%. Married and widows represented 67 and 31%, respectively. Most of patients (90%) had a three minimumsalaries income, and 67% had a lower level of education. Conclusion: Beside the benefits offered to the studied population, great part of them still haven´t found totally resolution to their problems.

Factors that dentists use to decide whether or not to render a patient edentulous. Part 1. A qualitative study of East Lancashire general dental practitioners' views.

AIMS: To identify the factors that dentists use to decide whether to render a patient edentulous, prior to developing a questionnaire to investigate the factors that dentists use when making this decision. METHOD: This was a qualitative study involving two groups of seven dentists practising in primary care in East Lancashire who were given scenarios involving patients of different types to facilitate discussion and identify all factors. Audio recordings were used during the focus groups and were subsequently fully transcribed. Two members of the research team independently coded the transcripts and then used thematic analysis to identify key themes. RESULTS: Analysis of the results identified 12 factors that the dentists considered when making a patient edentulous. These were caries, periodontal disease, position of the teeth, aesthetics, bone support, the transition from partial dentures, patient motivation, medicolegal issues, age of the patient, patient choice, cost of treatment, and the dentist's attitude and skills. CONCLUSION: The dentists identified a large number of factors that they might consider before making a patient edentulous. There was a consensus that the change should be made gradually, if possible.

Predictors of utilisation of dental care services in a nationally representative sample of adults.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the predictors of utilisation of dental care services in Ireland. PARTICIPANTS: The 2007 Irish Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition is a cross-sectional study, conducted in 2006/2007 (n = 10,364), by interviews at home to a representative sample of adults aged 18 years or over. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the influence of socioeconomic, predisposing and enabling factors on the odds of males and females having a dental visit in the past year. RESULTS: The significant predictors of visiting the dentist in the past year were for males: having 3rd level education, employment status, earning 50,000 euros or more, location of residence, use of a car, brushing frequently, and dentition status. For females, the predictors were being between 25-34 or 55-64 years-old, education level, earning 50,000 euros or more, location of residence, use of a car, brushing frequently and dentition status. CONCLUSIONS: Predictors of the use of dental services vary by gender. Predictors common to both genders were education level, higher income, location of residence, use of a car, brushing frequently and dentition status. Many of the predictors of dental visiting in the past year are also related to social inequalities in health. These predictors may be useful markers of impact for policies designed to address inequalities in access to oral health services.