Parents' Preferences and Perceptions of Their Children's Consumption of Sugar and Non-nutritive Sugar Substitutes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate opinions and preferences of parents from various sociodemographics regarding sugar and both natural and artificial non-nutritive sugar substitutes (NNS). Methods: Oral interview surveys were conducted in dental practice settings. Parents were asked about demographics, their consumption of and feelings about sugar and NNS for themselves and their children, and their concerns regarding NNS. Parents were asked about natural and artificial labels and were asked to select snacks/beverages they would purchase for their children. Results: Parents (N equals 100) preferred sugar-sweetened drinks for their children (76 percent), and 78 percent expressed concern about the potential health effects of NNS, especially cancer. Parents felt sugar was safer than NNS and were more positive about natural NNS than artificial ones. More highly educated parents (P = 0.02) were more likely to avoid NNS for their children, and parents of the lowest income level were likely to express ambivalence regarding naturally labeled NNS. Conclusions: Parents are concerned about giving their children NNS and cite cancer as the primary reason. Parents from higher sociodemographic backgrounds are more likely to limit their children's consumption of NNS and have negative feelings about them. Most parents, especially those of higher sociodemographics, are more accepting of natural NNS.

A Questionnaire of Parental Perceptions of Conscious Sedation in Pediatric Dentistry.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the opinions of parents about oral sedation in pediatric dentistry. METHODS: A 21-question questionnaire, administered to parents of children presenting for care in four pediatric dental practices, collected demographic information, media exposure to sedation, and parental knowledge/opinions regarding sedation procedures, such as NPO (nothing by mouth) guidelines, need for restraint, parental presence, and parental acceptance of treatment scenarios. RESULTS: Among 256 questionnaires completed, 235 were usable. Fifty-eight percent of respondents reported using public insurance. Parents agreed/strongly agreed (75 percent) that protective stabilization should not be necessary during sedation, and 87 percent preferred to stay with their child during the appointment. No parents perceived sedation as unsafe. Seventy-three percent of parents were unaware of media coverage of sedation; 82 percent reported it was acceptable for their child to sleep through a sedation appointment, while only 18 percent found it acceptable for the child to be highly reactive. CONCLUSIONS: Parents prefer to remain with their child, believe that sedation is safe and restraint should not be necessary, and are more accepting of the child sleeping during treatment. Most parents are unaware of media coverage of dental sedation for children.

Seeking to Understand the Reader of Interest-Your Patient-Health Literacy and Adherence Concerns for the Dentist and the Dental/Medical Team.

The overall health of the United States' (U.S.) population has been surveyed and reported for several decades in a quest by healthcare professionals to understand the etiology for healthcare disparities and seek to lessen its effects on individuals and, ultimately, eliminate them. Many of these surveys and reports have illuminated disparities, of access to healthcare by focusing on measures to address health literacy deficiencies. A plethora of information concerning patients' health literacy skills and printed information has been made available for dentists and their staff. The printed information is in the format of published patient- centered educational guidelines and readable dental and medical limited reach media (LRM), such as information sheets and prescription drug leaflets. LRM has great potential to enhance access to healthcare information for the reader of interest--your patient--at a readable and comprehensible level. Printed materials are an effective means to enhance health promotion and education for the lay populace. Tailored LRM protocol and the Patient Introduction Form (PIF) are excellent educational instruments for dentists and the dental/medical team (The Team). These instruments are valuable assets for The Team to assist its patients in monitoring and maintaining dental and medical adherence protocols in their daily lives.

The crisis of women and at-risk populations needing dental care in Tennessee: challenges and engagement efforts.

Women's health issues are receiving increased attention, including the differences in their dental needs and experiences. Biological and social factors are strong determinants of physical and dental health along the entire life spectrum. Socio-environmental place also contributes significantly to some of the barriers to quality and quantity of health care received, placing population groups who have less access to care at risk. Considerable disparities exist in who receives dental care and what type of dental treatment is received among different segments of the population. Greater illumination of these issues in all discussions related to healthcare of women and at-risk populations continues to be a needed focus of concern. The plight of women and at-risk populations and problems influencing access to care are addressed.

Diagnostic considerations of calcified lymph nodes.

Dentists are responsible for the diagnosis of abnormalities involving both hard and soft tissues in and around the oral cavity. In addition to a clinical examination, the radiographic evaluation will often highlight abnormalities within the radiographic field. A relatively uncommon radiographic abnormality is calcification of lymph nodes, which may be associated with a number of pathologic processes, both local and systemic. We present and discuss lymph node calcifications and the diagnostic considerations associated with them in order to assist practitioners in managing their patients appropriately.

Tennessee smiles: the UT grassroots oral health outreach initiative.

Access to and awareness of oral healthcare in the United States have been highlighted in the mass media and discussed among diverse populations. The current surge to provide access to oral healthcare for citizens springs from this quagmire of oral healthcare issues which affects global to local (grassroots) communities. Publications by the World Health Organization's (WHO) Health for All and the United States' Healthy People have set into motion an agenda by which institutions, healthcare professionals and governments can develop action plans to foster and nurture grassroots organizations to address these issues. An initiative has been undertaken by members of the faculty, student doctors and staff of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Dentistry (UTHSC CoD) and its partners. This cadre of volunteers has implemented grassroots efforts for the citizens of western Tennessee to date as the flagship of Tennessee Smiles: UT Grassroots Oral Health Outreach Initiative (Tennessee Smiles). By participation in health fairs, school programs and other cultural events, these volunteers have made a difference in the lives of thousands of Tennessee citizens who need exposure to information regarding their oral health care needs. The authors discuss the basis for the Tennessee Smiles organization, their successes and challenges. Future plans and the need for support of the organization are emphasized.

Medication use in geriatric populations: dental implications of frequently prescribed medications.

Anticipated demographic changes in the U.S. during the next 20 years will bring increasing numbers of geriatric patients into dental practices. It is expected that these patients will have multiple co-morbid medical conditions and will have to take multiple medications as a result. Dental practitioners must stay informed concerning newly marketed drugs and those commonly prescribed to geriatric patients, and the potential dental implications of those drugs. Specialized training in geriatric dentistry, continuing education, and consultation with medical and pharmacy practitioners can provide valuable tools for managing this special patient population.

Third molar development in the estimation of chronologic age in american blacks as compared with whites.

Third molar (M3) development determined from dental radiographs in American blacks (African Americans; n=637) aged 14-24 years was contrasted against American whites (n=563) from a previous study using the method of Demirjian et al. Differences were assessed using descriptive statistics and the parametric proportional hazards model. For each developmental stage, the probability of an individual being at least 18 years old was evaluated. As in other M3 studies, there were highly significant modal differences, but the age ranges at each stage overlapped considerably. Black-white differences were highly significant with developmental stages occurring in blacks a year or so earlier. Gender differences also varied significantly, both with increasing age and between races. The empirical likelihood that an African American male with fully developed M3's is at least 18 years old is 93% and that for African American female is 84%. Corresponding risks for whites are 90% and 93%.