'It's good enough': Swedish general dental practitioners on reasons for accepting substandard root filling quality.

AIM: The concept of 'good enough' is central and necessary in the assessment of root filling quality. The aim was to explore the concept by analysing reasons and arguments for the acceptance or rejection of substandard root filling quality as reported by general dental practitioners (GDPs) in Sweden. METHODOLOGY: The study was designed as a qualitative and exploratory study based on seven videotaped focus group interviews analysed by means of qualitative content analysis. Thirty-three GDPs employed in the Public Dental Health Service in Gothenburg, Sweden, participated (4-6 GDPs/interview). In all, nine predetermined questions were followed. Before each focus group, the participants received radiographs of 37 root fillings and were asked to assess the root filling quality. The three cases representing the most divergent assessments served as a basis for the discussion. The cases were presented without clinical information; the dentists would relate to the cases as being just root filled by themselves. RESULTS: The radiographs did not provide a sufficient basis for decisions on whether or not to accept the root filling. This study emphasized that dentists did not primarily look for these arguments in the technical details of the root filling per se, but instead, they considered selected features of the contextual situation. The GDPs constantly introduced relevant 'ad hoc considerations' to account for the decisions they made. These contextual considerations were related to aspects of pulpal and periapical disease, risks (e.g. technical complications) or to consumed resources (personal and/or economic). CONCLUSIONS: It was obvious that the concept of 'good enough' does not exist as a general formula ready to be applied in particular situations. Instead, it is necessarily and irremediably tied to contextual properties that emerge from case to case.

Human papillomavirus vaccination of adult women and risk of autoimmune and neurological diseases.

BACKGROUND: Since 2006, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have been introduced in many countries worldwide. Whilst safety studies have been reassuring, focus has been on the primary target group, the young adolescent girls. However, it is also important to evaluate safety in adult women where background disease rates and safety issues could differ significantly. OBJECTIVE: We took advantage of the unique Danish and Swedish nationwide healthcare registers to conduct a cohort study comparing incidence rate ratios (RRs) of 45 preselected serious chronic diseases in quadrivalent HPV (qHPV)-vaccinated and qHPV-unvaccinated adult women 18-44 years of age. METHODS: We used Poisson regression to estimate RRs according to qHPV vaccination status with two-sided 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: The study cohort comprised 3 126 790 women (1 195 865 [38%] Danish and 1 930 925 [62%] Swedish) followed for 16 386 459 person-years. Vaccine uptake of at least one dose of qHPV vaccine was 8% in the cohort: 18% amongst Danish women and 2% amongst Swedish. We identified seven adverse events with statistically significant increased risks following vaccination-Hashimoto's thyroiditis, coeliac disease, localized lupus erythematosus, pemphigus vulgaris, Addison's disease, Raynaud's disease and other encephalitis, myelitis or encephalomyelitis. After taking multiple testing into account and conducting self-controlled case series analyses, coeliac disease (RR 1.56 [95% confidence interval 1.29-1.89]) was the only remaining association. CONCLUSION: Unmasking of conditions at vaccination visits is a plausible explanation for the increased risk associated with qHPV in this study because coeliac disease is underdiagnosed in Scandinavian populations. In conclusion, our study of serious adverse event rates in qHPV-vaccinated and qHPV-unvaccinated adult women 18-44 years of age did not raise any safety issues of concern.

Timing of two versus three doses of quadrivalent HPV vaccine and associated effectiveness against condyloma in Sweden: a nationwide cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess incidence of condyloma after two doses of quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccine, by time since first vaccine dose, in girls and women initiating vaccination before age 20 years. DESIGN: Register-based nationwide open cohort study. SETTING: Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: Girls and women initiating qHPV vaccination before age 20 years between 2006 and 2012. The study cohort included 264 498 girls, of whom 72 042 had received two doses of qHPV vaccine and 185 456 had received all three doses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of condyloma estimated by time between first and second doses of qHPV in months (m) and age at vaccination, adjusted for attained age. RESULTS: For girls first vaccinated with two doses before the age of 17 years, the IRR of condyloma for 0-3 months between the first and second doses was 1.96 (95% CI 1.43 to 2.68) as compared with the standard three-dose schedule. The IRRs were 1.27 (95% CI 0.63 to 2.58) and 4.36 (95% CI 2.05 to 9.28) after receipt of two doses with 4-7 months and 8+ months between doses, respectively. For women first vaccinated after the age of 17 years, vaccination with two doses of qHPV vaccine and 0-3 months between doses was associated with an IRR of 2.12 (95% CI 1.62 to 2.77). For an interval of 4-7 months between doses, the IRR did not statistically significantly differ to the standard three-dose schedule (IRR=0.81, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.84). For women with 8+ months between dose 1 and dose 2 the IRR was 3.16 (95% CI 1.40 to 7.14). CONCLUSION: A two-dose schedule for qHPV vaccine with 4-7 months between the first and second doses may be as effective against condyloma in girls and women initiating vaccination under 20 years as a three-dose schedule. Results from this nationwide study support immunogenicity data from clinical trials.

The immunogenetics of narcolepsy associated with A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccination (Pandemrix) supports a potent gene-environment interaction.

The influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccination campaign from 2009 to 2010 was associated with a sudden increase in the incidence of narcolepsy in several countries. Narcolepsy with cataplexy is strongly associated with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II DQB1*06:02 allele, and protective associations with the DQB1*06:03 allele have been reported. Several non-HLA gene loci are also associated, such as common variants of the T-cell receptor-α (TRA), the purinergic receptor P2RY11, cathepsin H (CTSH) and TNFSF4/OX40L/CD252. In this retrospective multicenter study, we investigated if these predisposing gene loci were also involved in vaccination-associated narcolepsy. We compared HLA- along with single-nucleotide polymorphism genotypes for non-HLA regions between 42 Pandemrix-vaccinated narcolepsy cases and 1990 population-based controls. The class II gene loci associations supported previous findings. Nominal association (P-value<0.05) with TRA as well as suggestive (P-value<0.1) associations with P2RY11 and CTSH were found. These associations suggest a very strong gene-environment interaction, in which the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 strain or Pandemrix vaccine can act as potent environmental triggers.

'Working in the dark': Swedish general dental practitioners on the complexity of root canal treatment.

AIM: To explore elements of reasoning and understanding that might obstruct the performance of good-quality root canal treatment (RCT) and make general dental practitioners (GDPs) produce and accept root fillings of inferior quality. METHODOLOGY: The study was designed as a qualitative and explorative study based on seven videotaped focus group interviews analysed by means of qualitative content analysis. Nine predetermined questions were followed. Thirty-three GDPs (4-6 dentists/interview), employed in the Public Dental Health Service in Gothenburg, Sweden, participated. RESULTS: Feelings such as anxiety, frustration, stress or exhaustion were associated with RCT. In general, RCT was regarded as complex, mysterious and embedded in uncertainty. A feeling of loss of control was frequently described in relation to all procedural steps from negotiating the canal to prognostic deliberations. Reasons could include challenging canals, complicated instruments and the fact that treatment had to be performed in a concealed space without visible insight. Several dentists questioned the requirements for correctly performing RCT, and some indicated that striving towards optimal technical root filling quality should not be expected in each case in general practice. Most of the GDPs were unable to complete a case within the remuneration system, and they therefore either spent more time than the set fee allowed for or accepted a suboptimal root filling when the time limit was reached. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of stress and frustration in relation to RCT were reported by the GDPs. RCT was regarded as complex and was often performed with an overall sense of lack of control.

Incidence of new-onset autoimmune disease in girls and women with pre-existing autoimmune disease after quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccination: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccination is associated with increased incidence of new-onset autoimmune disease in girls and women with pre-existing autoimmune disease. METHODS: This register-based open cohort study included all girls and women between 10 and 30 years of age in Sweden in 2006-2012 diagnosed with at least one of 49 prespecified autoimmune diseases (n = 70 265). Incidence rate ratios were estimated for new-onset autoimmune disease within 180 days of qHPV vaccination using Poisson regression adjusting for, country of birth, parental country of birth, parental income and parental education. RESULTS: A total of 70 265 girls and women had at least one of the 49 predefined autoimmune diseases; 16% of these individuals received at least one dose of qHPV vaccine. In unvaccinated girls and women, 5428 new-onset autoimmune diseases were observed during 245 807 person-years at a rate of 22.1 (95% CI 21.5-22.7) new events per 1000 person-years. In vaccinated girls and women, there were 124 new events during 7848 person-years at a rate of 15.8 (95% CI 13.2-18.8) per 1000 person-years. There was no increase in the incidence of new-onset autoimmune disease associated with qHPV vaccination during the risk period; on the contrary, we found a slightly reduced risk (incidence rate ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.65-0.93). CONCLUSION: In this nationwide study, qHPV vaccination was not associated with increased incidence of new-onset autoimmune disease in girls and women with pre-existing autoimmune disease.

Psychological Interventions for Poor Oral Health: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to study the effectiveness of psychological interventions in adults and adolescents with poor oral health. The review follows the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. The PICO format (population, intervention, comparison, and outcome) was used to define eligible studies. The populations were adults or adolescents (≥13 y of age and independent of others) with poor oral health (defined as dental caries, periodontal disease, and/or peri-implantitis). The interventions were psychological and/or behavioral models and theories, in comparison with traditional oral health education/information. The primary outcomes were dental caries, periodontitis, gingivitis, and peri-implantitis. Secondary outcomes were dental plaque, oral health-related behavior, health-related quality of life, health beliefs and attitudes, self-perceived oral health, and complications/risks. The systematic literature search identified 846 articles in December 2013 and 378 articles in July 2015. In total, 11 articles on 9 randomized controlled trials were found to meet the inclusion criteria. These reported on adults with periodontal disease, and several used motivational interviewing (MI) as their mode of intervention. The CONSORT guidelines and the GRADE approach were used for study appraisal and rating of evidence. The meta-analysis showed no statistically significant differences in gingivitis or plaque presence. In addition, a meta-analysis on MI compared with education/information found no statistically significant differences in gingivitis presence. Only 1 meta-analysis-on psychological interventions versus education/information regarding the plaque index-showed a small but statistically significant difference. There were also statistically significant differences reported in favor of psychological interventions in oral health behavior and self-efficacy in toothbrushing. However, the clinical relevance of these differences is difficult to estimate. The certainty of evidence was low. Future research needs to address several methodological issues and not only study adults with periodontal disease but also adolescents and patients with dental caries and peri-implantitis.

A coordinated cross-disciplinary research initiative to address an increased incidence of narcolepsy following the 2009-2010 Pandemrix vaccination programme in Sweden.

In response to the 2009-2010 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic, a mass vaccination programme with the AS03-adjuvanted influenza A(H1N1) vaccine Pandemrix was initiated in Sweden. Unexpectedly, there were a number of narcolepsy cases amongst vaccinated children and adolescents reported. In this review, we summarize the results of a joint cross-disciplinary national research effort to investigate the adverse reaction signal from the spontaneous reporting system and to better understand possible causative mechanisms. A three- to fourfold increased risk of narcolepsy in vaccinated children and adolescents was verified by epidemiological studies. Of importance, no risk increase was observed for the other neurological and autoimmune diseases studied. Genetic studies confirmed the association with the allele HLA-DQB1*06:02, which is known to be related to sporadic narcolepsy. Furthermore, a number of studies using cellular and molecular experimental models investigated possible links between influenza vaccination and narcolepsy. Serum analysis, using a peptide microarray platform, showed that individuals who received Pandemrix exhibited a different epitope reactivity pattern to neuraminidase and haemagglutinin, as compared to individuals who were infected with H1N1. Patients with narcolepsy were also found to have increased levels of interferon-gamma production in response to streptococcus-associated antigens. The chain of patient-related events and the study results emerging over time were subjected to intense nationwide media attention. The importance of transparent communication and collaboration with patient representatives to maintain public trust in vaccination programmes is also discussed in the review. Organizational challenges due to this unexpected event delayed the initiation of some of the research projects, still the main objectives of this joint, cross-disciplinary research effort were reached, and important insights were acquired for future, similar situations in which a fast and effective task force may be required to evaluate vaccination-related adverse events.

Increased ß-haemolytic group A streptococcal M6 serotype and streptodornase B-specific cellular immune responses in Swedish narcolepsy cases.

BACKGROUND: Type 1 narcolepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy associated with the HLA allele DQB1*06:02. Genetic predisposition along with external triggering factors may drive autoimmune responses, ultimately leading to the selective loss of hypocretin-positive neurons. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate potential aetiological factors in Swedish cases of postvaccination (Pandemrix) narcolepsy defined by interferon-gamma (IFNγ) production from immune cells in response to molecularly defined targets. METHODS: Cellular reactivity defined by IFNγ production was examined in blood from 38 (HLA-DQB1*06:02(+) ) Pandemrix-vaccinated narcolepsy cases and 76 (23 HLA-DQB1*06:02(+) and 53 HLA-DQB1*06:02(-) ) control subjects, matched for age, sex and exposure, using a variety of different antigens: ß-haemolytic group A streptococcal (GAS) antigens (M5, M6 and streptodornase B), influenza (the pandemic A/H1N1/California/7/09 NYMC X-179A and A/H1N1/California/7/09 NYMC X-181 vaccine antigens, previous Flu-A and -B vaccine targets, A/H1N1/Brisbane/59/2007, A/H1N1/Solomon Islands/3/2006, A/H3N2/Uruguay/716/2007, A/H3N2/Wisconsin/67/2005, A/H5N1/Vietnam/1203/2004 and B/Malaysia/2506/2004), noninfluenza viral targets (CMVpp65, EBNA-1 and EBNA-3) and auto-antigens (hypocretin peptide, Tribbles homolog 2 peptide cocktail and extract from rat hypothalamus tissue). RESULTS: IFN-γ production was significantly increased in whole blood from narcolepsy cases in response to streptococcus serotype M6 (P = 0.0065) and streptodornase B protein (P = 0.0050). T-cell recognition of M6 and streptodornase B was confirmed at the single-cell level by intracellular cytokine (IL-2, IFNγ, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and IL-17) production after stimulation with synthetic M6 or streptodornase B peptides. Significantly, higher (P = 0.02) titres of serum antistreptolysin O were observed in narcolepsy cases, compared to vaccinated controls. CONCLUSION: ß-haemolytic GAS may be involved in triggering autoimmune responses in patients who developed narcolepsy symptoms after vaccination with Pandemrix in Sweden, characterized by a Streptococcus pyogenes M-type-specific IFN-γ cellular immune response.

The impact of a continuing education programme on the adoption of nickel-titanium rotary instrumentation and root-filling quality amongst a group of Swedish general dental practitioners.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that a further education programme relating to nickel-titanium rotary instrumentation (NTRI), with the concurrent activation of social/professional networks amongst all general dental practitioners (GDPs) in a public dental service in Sweden, would increase the adoption rate and improve root-filling quality. MATERIAL AND METHOD: To activate the networks, the GDPs at the 25 clinics elected training coaches from amongst themselves. The coaches were educated by a specialist and were then free to organise and conduct the training of the local GDPs. However, collective hands-on training and discussions were mandatory. Lectures were held by an endodontist. The rate of adoption and root-filling quality was evaluated just before and 6 months after the education. Statistical tests were performed with chi-square using a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Nickel-titanium rotary instrumentation was adopted by 88%. Excellent root fillings (score 1) increased from 45% to 59% (P = 0.003). The rate of poor-quality root fillings (score 4 and score 5) was not affected. The quality ratio (score 1/score 5) increased from 5.36 (118/22) to 9.5 (133/14). Eleven dentists (17%) at nine different clinics produced 49% of the poor-quality root fillings (score 4 and score 5). Seventy-three per cent of these dentists stated that they had adopted NTRI. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of NTRI will increase the adoption rate and the frequency of good-quality root fillings. However, it will not overcome the problems associated with dentists producing a low-quality level, even if a local professional network is activated.

Changes in function and in pain-related and cognitive-behavioral variables after arthroscopy of temporomandibular joints.

The purpose was to prospectively evaluate changes in clinical, pain, and cognitive-behavioral variables in a structurally homogenous group of patients with painful temporomandibular joints (TMJ), who had undergone an identical intervention, arthroscopy. Twenty-six consecutive patients who had previously undergone unsuccessful conservative treatment participated. They were evaluated with the Craniomandibular Index (CMI), pain-related measures on visual analogue scales (VASs) for 1 wk, questionnaires, and the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI). The mean CMI decreased significantly, from 0.28 to 0.18, 3 months after surgery. Pain measures also decreased significantly as rated on questionnaires, and "at worst" and "most of the time" on VASs. Intrapsychic variables related to pain also decreased significantly, while interpersonal and activity measures remained unchanged. An overall MPI dysfunctional variable correlated significantly with pain. Few further changes were observed at 12 months. Lysis and lavage of the upper TMJ compartment appears to effectively alleviate persisting functional and pain-related symptoms with low morbidity, in line with previous findings. Recoveries seem to be accompanied by changes in certain pain-related cognitive-behavioral variables within a limited sphere. Biological and intrapsychic features may interact with interpersonal factors in a complicated way in patients with orofacial pain.

Perception of treatment need among orthodontic patients compared with professionals.

The aim was to evaluate estimated need for orthodontic treatment, as judged from intraoral photographs, among orthodontic patients and professionals. Twenty consecutive prospective orthodontic patients, 20 consecutive orthodontically treated patients, 10 randomized general dentists, and 10 orthodontists participated. Seventy pairs of anonymous intraoral photographs of dentitions with varying degrees of objective treatment need were randomly arranged in a notebook. The general dentists and orthodontists rated orthodontic treatment need on a visual analog scale in a similar way among themselves and were more reserved than both patient categories, who also scored similarly among themselves. Professional raters also had similar inter- and intra-rater reliability among themselves, and it was higher than in either of the patient categories. Treatment providers appear to be more restrictive, consistent, and reliable in their judgement of orthodontic treatment need from intraoral photographs than the target group, patients positive toward orthodontic treatment.

Treatment of atherosclerotic ostial renal artery stenosis with the intravascular stent.

Traditional approaches to revascularization for atherosclerotic ostial renal artery stenosis (RAS) have been suboptimal because of the invasiveness and relatively high perioperative morbidity and mortality of surgery and the low rates of success and long-term patency with percutaneous renal angioplasty (PTRA). We report our 5-year (1991 to 1996) experience with the intravascular stent (Palmaz stent; Johnson & Johnson, Miami Lakes, FL) for the treatment of ostial RAS in 129 patients (63 men, 66 women) and 148 arteries. The mean age of the patients was 71+/-10 years; 98% were hypertensive and 57% had renal dysfunction. Angiographic characteristics of RAS were unilateral in 78%, bilateral in 15%, and single kidney in 7%. The technical success rates were 98% for stent versus 11% for PTRA in the ostial location. The stent restenosis rate (angiographic) was 14% at 8+/-5 months. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were as follows: baseline, 158+/-3 and 84+/-2 mm Hg; 6 months, 149+/-3 and 81+/-2 mm Hg; 12 months, 149+/-3 and 79+/-2 mm Hg; and 24 months, 135+/-3 and 79+/-2 mm Hg. Follow-up values were significantly lower than baseline (P < 0.05). The number of medications for hypertension initially decreased from 2.2+/-0.1 at baseline to 1.6+/-0.1 and 1.8+/-0.1 at 1 and 3 months, respectively (P < 0.05). By 6 months, however, the number of medications had increased and was not significantly different from before stent placement. Renal function was stable in the group as a whole: Cockroft-Gault creatinine clearance (C-G CrCl) at baseline was 40+/-2 mL/min; at 6 months, 36+/-3 mL/min; at 12 months, 39+/-3 mL/min; and at 24 months, 39+/-4 mL/min. When stratified by degree of renal function, values were similarly stable. Patients with a baseline serum creatinine level of 2 mg/dL or less had C-G CrCl values as follows: baseline, 53+/-3 mg/dL; 6 months, 43+/-4 mg/dL; 12 months, 46+/-4 mg/dL; and 24 months, 52+/-5 mg/dL. Those with a baseline serum creatinine level greater than 2 mg/dL had C-G CrCl values as follows: baseline, 26+/-2 mg/dL; 6 months, 31+/-4 mg/dL; 12 months, 32+/-6 mg/dL; and 24 months, 23+/-3 mg/dL. Of eight patients who were dialysis dependent, four (50%) recovered renal function with a mean serum creatinine level of 2.3+/-0.5 mg/dL at 15+/-6 months (range, 9 to 24 months). Stent placement for the treatment of atherosclerotic ostial RAS has a high success rate and a low rate of restenosis. Control of hypertension improves in most patients. Renal function stabilizes or improves in the majority of patients, even those with severe renal failure. These favorable outcomes are maintained long term.

Background pain in burn patients: routine measurement and recording of pain intensity in a burn unit.

It goes without saying that pain following a burn must be treated but it is not so evident to measure and document the intensity of pain and the efficacy of treatment. Since 1994 the authors have routinely measured background pain, that is, at rest, along with temperature and pulse rate. For analysis and quality assessment a relational database programme is used in the ward. In this paper the authors' experience is reported from a consecutive series of 98 patients with burn injuries who assessed the intensity of pain on a visual analogue scale. There were great intra- and inter-individual variations in pain intensity. Highest values were found during the first week of treatment when female patients experienced pain more intensively than male. For other time periods there was no statistical significant difference between the sexes. Pain intensity and severity of burn was not related except during the second week when patients with major burns had a tendency to express more pain than moderate burns. Measurement of background pain along with other routine registrations is easy and not time-consuming. Patients needing intensified pain treatment can be identified. For research and quality assessment a computerized patient register is of great help.

Diagnoses among referrals to a Swedish clinic specialized in temporomandibular disorders.

The purpose was to describe the distribution of diagnoses among all referrals to a clinic specialized in temporomandibular disorders (TMD). A series of 1500 consecutive patients, evaluated by 1 dentist, were diagnosed according to the criteria of The International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification: ICD-9-CM. Some referrals (12%) were never evaluated, were symptom-free, or were forwarded to other clinics. Various dental, neurogenic, occlusal, dentofacial, and other problems occurred. Vague orofacial pain was common, as was tension-type headache (6% each). More than 5% of the patients were affected by systemic disorders with manifestations in the temporomandibular joints. About half of all referrals could be strictly diagnosed with TMD. Myalgia was diagnosed as the main complaint in 19%. Internal derangement 'clicking' (15%) and 'closed lock' (6%) were more common than traumatic/ unspecified arthritis (6%) or osteoarthrosis (5%). A combination of myalgia and clicking appears to be the core sign in patients referred with TMD.

Cognitive-behavioral profiles among different categories of orofacial pain patients: diagnostic and treatment implications.

Psychological homogeneity in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is not conclusive. The multidimensional pain inventory (MPI) has previously identified 3 cognitive-behavioral profiles in TMD and chronic pain patients. Our aims were to replicate these findings in another cultural setting and relate the profiles to the diagnosis and to the treatment demand and outcome. The MPI was administered to 112 referrals comprising 6 categories of patients diagnosed with TMD or intractable orofacial pain. Dysfunctional profiles (high in pain and distress) were most common in patients with orofacial pain of obscure origin and more common in myofascial pain patients than in patients with other TMD diagnoses. Interpersonally-distressed profiles were found in all categories. Among patients with disk displacement, the 3rd profile (adaptive copers with low pain and distress and high control and activity) was most common in earlier successfully diskectomized patients and least common in those about to undergo invasive interventions. A dysfunctional profile was associated with treatment failure, conservative or surgical, and with the demand for radical therapy. Some support for a cyclical causality between pain and psychological factors was found. It is concluded that the robustness of the MPI as a relevant assessment instrument was further strengthened.

Management of chronic orofacial pain: attitudes among patients and dentists in a Swedish county.

The purpose was to survey attitudes towards management of chronic orofacial pain (COP). Questionnaires were mailed to 30 randomized dentists and to 30 consecutive COP patients, examined 16 months earlier by a pain group of dental specialists. Fifty-seven per cent of the patients reported that their pain was the same as or worse than before and was disturbing. Few were dissatisfied with the examinations. Fifty-nine per cent thought that the consultations had been good. The surveyed dentists judged the most common causes of COP to be neurogenic and psychogenic in origin; they were overwhelmingly positive to the idea of a pain group (93%) and could consider referring patients (97%). Pain-inducing local diseases occurred but were not dominant among these COP patients. We concluded that management of COP in a pain group appears to be meaningful, as reflected by the respondents' attitudes but would gain by a closer collaboration with medical expertise.

Diskectomy in temporomandibular joints with internal derangement: a follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To follow up a series of patients treated consecutively who had undergone a diskectomy 2 years previously because of persistent pain and disk displacement in the temporomandibular joint. STUDY DESIGN: Sixteen subjects rated their current symptoms during 1 week and were systematically examined for signs of temporomandibular disorders clinically and radiographically by independent observers. RESULTS: Subjectively, all subjects were satisfied with the operation. Five rated their current pain as significant during masticatory function. Some signs of temporomandibular disorders, usually related to function, were registered in all subjects. Postoperative mandibular movements were improved but still below normal range. Signs and symptoms correlated significantly. Surgical complications were nonexistent, but radiographic changes were extensive. Erosion and flattening of the condyle were common. CONCLUSIONS: It was verified that subjects with persistent pain and disk displacement benefit subjectively and clinically from diskectomy. The radiographic outcomes appear less encouraging. Only prospective, randomized, and controlled studies can eventually clarify the effectiveness of diskectomy in relieving pain caused by displacements in the temporomandibular joint.

Phenotypic and genetic divergence in three species of dart-poison frogs with contrasting parental behavior.

Why some species exhibit remarkable variation among populations while closely related species are relatively uniform remains unclear. The strawberry dart-poison frog (Dendrobates pumillo) exhibits spectacular color and pattern polmorphism among populations in the Bocas del Toro archipelago of Panama. In contrast, two other sympatric species of dart-poison frog, Phyllobates lugubris and Minyobates sp., show little color or pattern variation among island populations. Here we demonstrate that the color and pattern variation among populations of D. pumilio is not matched by higher levels of mitochondrial DNA sequence divergence relative to P. lugubris or Minyobates sp. Thus, neutral divergence in allopatry is unlikely to have caused the geographical differences observed in D. pumilio. We suggest that strong sexual selection associated with female parental care in D. pumilio, which contrasts the male parental care of P. lugubris and Minyobates sp., may have driven divergence in coloration and pattern in D. pumilio.