Cost of establishing a general dentistry department in a small or medium-sized hospital.

To contribute to future dental healthcare policies, this study compiled data on hospital expenses and follow-ups conducted after a hospital dentistry department was established. In addition, the management status and reports on the utility and challenges of establishing a dentistry department were analyzed. The dentistry department was established through fund raising and inaugurated in May 2009. The depreciation period was set at 7 years, and income and expenditure during the 7 years 8 months after opening were compiled. In total, 17.22 million yen was needed for the dentistry department. The average income from dental care was 21.59 million yen per year, and expenditure amounted to 21.54 million yen per year. The findings indicated that a general dentist able to systemically manage patients was essential in a chronic-care hospital. Moreover, the present findings indicate that if general dentistry consultations were performed without excessive investments, after adjusting for personnel expenses, such an initiative would neither yield considerable income nor produce a substantial deficit. Finally, it is imperative to develop staff who are familiar with the costs and management of hospital dentistry and to increase medical fees for consultations with elderly patients.

The effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on wound healing using scratch assay in epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is widely used in medical fields because it shortens the time required for biologic wound healing in fracture treatment. Also, in dental fields, LIPUS should be effectively employed for implant treatment. However, most of the relevant reports have been published on its effects on bone formation around implants, and the effects of LIPUS on soft tissue healing remain unclear. In the present study, we examined the effects of LIPUS on soft tissue healing using gingival epithelial cells. METHODS: Gingival epithelial cells were cultured on a dish, followed by LIPUS exposure at a frequency of 3MHz for 15min. The cells were counted with a hemocytometer, and a scratch assay was conducted by measuring the closing area of the scratch wound using a microscope. Following LIPUS exposure, total RNA was collected for microarray analysis. In addition, real-time PCR was performed to examine the mRNA expression level of integrin α6ß4. Furthermore, total protein was collected to examine the protein expression level of integrin α6ß4 by western blotting. RESULTS: The cell count and scratch assay demonstrated that LIPUS exposure promoted cell proliferation and scratch-wound closure. Microarray analysis demonstrated the increased expression levels of adhesion-related genes, including integrin. Real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that LIPUS exposure significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression level of integrin α6ß4. Western blotting showed intense staining of integrin α6ß4. CONCLUSION: LIPUS exposure promotes wound closure in the scratch assay and up-regulates the expression level of integrin α6ß4 as compared with the control.