Calcium, phosphorus, fluoride, and pH levels of human dental plaque from areas of varying fluoride levels.

Plaque calcium, phosphorus, fluoride, and pH in samples obtained from 149 life-long resident children, aged from six to seven and 12 to 13 yr, from one of three naturally fluoridated communities were determined. In general, smaller amounts of phosphorus and fluoride, and larger amounts of calcium and hydrogen ions (lower pH values) are associated with smaller amounts of fluoride in the drinking water supply. Significant differences among the mean pH, fluoride, and Ca/P concentrations both in the six-to-seven- and 12- to 13-year age group were found when comparing the results of the three areas with different levels of fluoride in their drinking water supply.

Bilateral symmetrical lymphangiomas of the gingiva. A case report.

This is a report of a patient with bilateral symmetrical lymphangiomas of the mandibular gingiva which presented clinically as chronic localized gingivitis. The lesions were removed by conventional gingivectomy and have not recurred after 2 years. Both lesions were of the cavernous type and apparently confined to the gingiva. Their distribution indicates them to be developmental anomalies rather than tumors. For this reason it is felt that local excision is adequate even if the mass is incompletely removed. Anomalies should not recur in the same fashion as a tumor.

Oral health status of institutionalized elderly Cape Coloreds from the Cape Peninsula of South Africa.

A study has been conducted to assess the oral health status and need for dental treatment among elderly Cape Coloreds resident in homes for the aged in the Cape Peninsula of South Africa. This paper describes the prevalence of diseases of the mouth with special reference to denture-induced lesions and white lesions of the oral mucosa. Dental caries was the most prevalent oral lesion (27.2%). The most common conditions of the soft tissues were leukoedema (24.4%) and leukoplakia (4.4% for the tongue; 20.4% for the remainder of the oral mucosa). Leukoedema and leukoplakia showed statistically highly significant correlations with tobacco habits. Men more commonly had a tobacco habit than women (P less than 0.002) and leukoplakia, leukoedema and depigmented lesions of the lips were significantly more common in men than in women. No significant difference could be proven statistically when the frequency of irritative fibrous hyperplasia in females was compared with that in males.

Tooth survival in institutionalized elderly Cape Coloreds from the Cape Peninsula of South Africa.

An investigation has been conducted in order to assess the oral health status and need for dental treatment among Cape Coloreds resident in homes for the aged in the Cape Peninsula of South Africa. Tooth loss was greater in females than in males (P less than 0.002) but a statistically significantly greater proportion of surviving teeth were grossly carious in men than in women (P less than 0.002). More teeth had survived in the mandible than in the maxilla (P less than 0.002) and proportionately more teeth were grossly carious in the maxilla than in the mandible (P less than 0.002). The distribution pattern of the remaining dentition according to tooth type was similar for both jaws, the canines being the most persistent teeth.

The effect of areca nut on salivary and selected oral microorganisms.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect on the growth of salivary and selected oral microorganisms of areca nut, aqueous extracts of the nut, its major alkaloid arecoline and the components tannic acid and catechin of its tannin fraction. The antibacterial properties of the above were tested on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, Candida albicans and Fusobacterium nucleatum and, as a control, Staphylococcus aureus. This was followed by investigating its effect on salivary organisms cultured from the saliva after chewing boiled areca nut. Extracts inhibited the growth of the selected organisms in a concentration dependent manner, baked and boiled nuts being significantly more potent than raw nut. Growth of C. albicans was the least affected by the nut extracts. Tannic acid was strongly antibacterial but not catechin or arecoline. No antibacterial effect could be demonstrated on salivary organisms after chewing the nut for 5 minutes but exposure of saliva to the cud for 1 hour caused a significant depression of bacterial growth. It is concluded that the hydrolysable tannins in the tannin fraction, which include tannic acid, are responsible for the antibacterial properties of the nut and that prolonged intraoral exposure to the nut can suppress bacteria in the mouth.

A grave matter--dental findings of people buried in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The exhumed remains of 181 people, buried during the period 1848-1984 were examined. Because of the carelessness of exhumations, only 125 yielded sufficient information to compare the condition of skulls and jaws with the period in the grave, while 63 yielded information about the teeth. No correlation could be shown between the condition of the skulls and jaws and the period interred, but it was found that the better preserved remains belonged to younger people. Dental findings included the presence of healthy and decayed teeth, gold foil restorations, gold and porcelain inlays, amalgam and silicate fillings, and vulcanite and acrylic dentures. Amalgam restorations were present in people buried from 1875 (114 years ago) and vulcanite dentures from 1882 (107 years ago). The characteristics of the earliest amalgam restorations showed that they could have been placed before 1850. Findings of this study indicate that: (a) one cannot on the appearance of exhumed remains estimate the burial period, (b) dental features were well preserved and can be used for dental identification if antimortem data are available, (c) advanced dentistry could have been practised in South Africa during the last century, and (d) recovery of human skeletal remains from old cemeteries should be undertaken with care to preserve as much information as possible. A plea is made for closer co-operation between developers of old graveyard sites and scientists in order to preserve as much information as possible.

An experimental cyst model established from human unkeratinized vaginal mucosa.

Because of the scarcity of sizeable specimens of normal oral mucosa and the availability of human vaginal mucosa, which resembles the lining mucosa of the mouth, we used the latter to establish a human cyst model. Fragments of vaginal mucosa, removed during corrective procedures, were sutured around 2 mm glass balls and implanted into the flanks of nude mice. Thirty-seven specimens were implanted and 31 harvested after 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks. At 6 weeks the wall of the implanted cyst consisted of recognizable unkeratinized vaginal mucosa but had not healed completely at the sutured edges. From 9 weeks the cyst cavities were healed and the lumens lined by unkeratinized stratified squamous vaginal epithelium. The enclosing connective tissue had retained the characteristics of the lamina propria of the vaginal mucosa and could be distinguished from mouse tissue.

Recurrent unicystic ameloblastoma of the maxilla.

A previously reported unicystic ameloblastoma, showing luminal plexiform epithelial proliferation and the presence of small islands of odontogenic epithelium in the connective tissue of the cyst wall, recurred 5 years after conservative surgery. The tumour was nucleated and since the epithelial islands were confined to its fibrous capsule a conservative approach was regarded as adequate. In view of the later experience it is now proposed that where cystic ameloblastomas depict epithelial infiltration into the capsule a second excision be considered and that such surgical material be thoroughly examined for signs of epithelial infiltration. Whatever type of treatment the surgeon decides to perform, it is essential to have a long postoperative period of monitoring. Because the presence of islands of odontogenic epithelium in the cyst wall influences the surgical approach, it is recommended that pathologists carefully examine cystic ameloblastoma surgical specimens for their presence. Multiple, even serial sections are required for such examinations. The pathology report should include a description of the islands with an indication of their site in the capsule of the tumour.

Primary intraosseous carcinoma involving the anterior mandible.

A case is reported of a primary intraosseous carcinoma arising in the anterior mandible with metastasis to the submandibular lymph node in a 69 year-old Caucasian female. The patient initially presented with a burning sensation in the oral cavity in 1983, when no obvious pathological finding was noted; she returned 2 years later with a firm buccal swelling which had increased in size after the extraction of a mobile tooth. The tumour proved to be a primary intraosseous intraosseous carcinoma; extensive investigation did not reveal a primary carcinoma elsewhere.

[Advancements at the Faculty of Dentistry, now the School for Oral Health Science--an overview]. / Navorsing in die Fakulteit Tandheelkunde, nou Skool vir Mondheelkunde--'n oorsig.

The aim of this communication is to give an overview of the contributions made by the faculty of Dentistry, now School of Oral Health Science, at scientific meetings of the SA Division of the IADR since 1970, the year that research started in the faculty. With the increase of staff from 1970 research started in the faculty. With the increase of staff from 1970 research papers increased in leaps and bounds. In 1970 one paper was presented in 1978 there were 15 and in 1980, 27. The abstracts of 423 presentations have been published in the Journal of Dental Research - 17% of all the abstracts of all the papers read at IADR meetings. The majority of papers from this faculty concerned pathological conditions of the mouth (77 or 18.2%), followed by community-oriented research (8.3%), fluoride (8%), and microbiology and orthodontics (7.8% respectively). Also prominent were papers on röntgenology, oral biology, pharmacology, periodontics, prosthetics, forensic dentistry, oral surgery and research on lead uptake. Epidemiology featured in 19.9% of the research papers. Of note are the number of doctorates awarded: 20 PhDs, 4 senior doctorates (DSc), 1 DEd, DSc from the University of Pretoria and an Honorary Doctorate also from Pretoria.

Infection control in South African oral hygiene practice.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to gain information about the practice of infection control in oral hygiene practice. METHODS: A questionnaire based on OSHA and CDC guidelines was submitted to oral hygienists who attended a refresher course followed by a second posted questionnaire seeking information about hand hygiene practice. The questions were directed to observance of personal protection by oral hygienists and the application of procedures required for infection control in the surgery. RESULTS: 87.5% wore face masks but the proper use of facial protection, overcoats and disposable overcoats was reported by fewer than 50%. A total of 97% wore gloves and 88% changed gloves between patients. Skin reactions to gloves were reported by 26%. Only 7% had not been vaccinated against hepatitis B. The correct procedures for sterilising equipment and instruments were carried out by fewer than 50%, and 57% of participants wanted an improvement of infection control arrangements in their workplace. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that a need exists for proper practice of infection control by oral hygienists which can be remedied by interceptive and preventive education and peer pressure.

[What do dental students at the University of Stellenbosch know of the education and functions of oral hygienists?]. / Wat weet tandheelkunde-studente aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch van die opleiding en funksies van mondhigiëniste?

The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge of dental students regarding the requirements for the course in oral hygiene at the University of Stellenbosch, the functions of oral hygienists and how they rate the necessity of the profession compared with other health care providers. Students in their second, third, fourth and fifth years of study were asked to complete a questionnaire. Although obvious gaps existed in the knowledge of a notable number of students, the majority of students in all the years showed good insight into the requirements for and contents of the course and functions of an oral hygienist. The number of second- and third-year students who gave the correct answers were consistently fewer than the senior students, indicating that when dental students come into contact with oral hygiene students in their clinical years their knowledge of the course and the profession improves. The void in the knowledge of dental students which most certainly needs correction is the limited concept some of them have about the training oral hygienists receive in periodontics (especially the preclinical students), orthodontics, medicines, legal aspects concerning dentistry, first aid and diagnostic radiology. Regarding the functions of oral hygienists, their importance was regarded by many students as comparable with that of occupational therapists, radiographers, nurses, dieticians and dental therapists, notably higher than that of dental assistants and slightly less important than that of physio-therapists.

South African oral hygienists: their profile and perception of their profession and career.

The aim of the study was to determine a profile of the oral hygienists in South Africa, their views on the profession, work-place, and the practice of their career, which aspects of the work they enjoy and which are not enjoyable, their opinions on expanding duties for hygienists and which duties should be included, and their perceptions about the status and importance of oral hygienists vis-à-vis other health providers. A questionnaire was sent to every third registered oral hygienist and 47 per cent responded. The majority who responded were in the age group 20 to 39 years, had been in practice for less than 15 years, were married, qualified at the Universities of Pretoria and Stellenbosch, and were employed in traditional practice. The larger proportion worked individually and practised from six to eight hours per day. They were happy with the training they received, believed their job was worthwhile, were satisfied with their careers and enjoyed a cordial relationship with dentists. Motivating, educating, assisting patients and communicating with people were the most enjoyable aspects of practice while procedures associated with the treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis and the poor response of patients to treatment were the least enjoyable. The majority preferred expanded duties for hygienists which should include elementary dentistry, local anaesthesia, minor extractions and emergency treatment and they also desired greater independence. Seventy-eight per cent felt that the public does not know what oral hygiene is. The status and importance of the profession were rated comparable to that of physiotherapists, qualified nurses, radiographers and dental therapists but significantly higher than dental assistants.

Oral lesions caused by habits.

Oral lesions caused by habits can be of teeth only, of teeth and the soft tissues of the mouth or may be only of the soft tissues. Lesions of teeth are permanent and may remain even when there has been total destruction of soft tissues. Recognition of lesions due to habits such as betel chewing, snuff dipping, pipe smoking and certain sexual practices may help towards establishing the sex, the ethnic grouping or even the place of origin of a person or their remains. Certain dental and gingival changes may indicate a person's working circumstances and even the type of treatment received.