Health investment behaviours and oral/gingival health condition,a cross-sectional study among Swedish 19-year olds

Objectives To test the hypothesis that certain individual, environmental and lifestyle factors are positively associated with beneficial health investment behaviours and oral/periodontal health among adolescents. Methods Five hundred and six randomly selected 19-year old subjects living in two different areas (Fyrbodal and Skaraborg) in the county council of Västra Götaland, Sweden participated in a clinical examination and answered questionnaires covering psycho-social and health behavioural issues. Two oral-health models were estimated with gingivitis score as an objective and self-perceived oral health as a subjective indicator. Three health- investment behaviour models were designed with indicators directly related to oral health and two with indicators related to general health as well. The explanatory variables included gender, upper secondary education programme, native country, living area, general self-efficacy and parents’ education level. Results In the objective oral-health model, theoretical studies and living in the Skaraborg area were both positively associated with a lower gingivitis score. For the subjective oral-health indicator, none of the explanatory variables showed statistical significance. In the investment-behaviour model with ‘tooth-brushing?≥?2 times daily’ as a health indicator, female gender and theoretical studies showed statistically significant associations. With the indicators ‘no/few missed dental appointments’, ‘no tobacco use’ and ‘weekly exercise’, theoretical studies were statistically significant and positively associated. In the investment model with ‘perceived oral health care attention’ as an indicator, a high score of general self-efficacy was significantly associated with the feeling of taking good care of the teeth. Conclusions Individual, environmental and lifestyle factors are associated with young individuals’ oral health investment behaviours and gingival health conditions.     

Associations among different orofacial dysfunctions in 6-8 year olds.

Associations among several orofacial dysfunctions such as articulatory speech disorders, craniomandibular disorders (CMD) and problems in coordinating the orofacial muscles were examined in two groups of Finnish first-graders, i.e. children with and without speech disorders. In the whole sample of 287 subjects the mean age was 7.5 yr. A speech therapist diagnosed articulatory speech disorders and a phoniatrician examined the morphology and function of the articulators. Signs and symptoms of CMD, capacity for mandibular movement, and prevalence of occlusal interferences were examined by a dentist. Deviations in motor skills, but not in morphology of the articulators, were associated with speech disorders. The findings also suggested that capacity for mandibular movement, deviation of the jaw during maximal mouth opening and occlusal interferences were related to certain speech disorders among these 6-8 yr olds. Different orofacial dysfunctions appear to be associated with each other during growth.     

Prosthetic possibilities using endosseal implants as anchorages – an epidemiological study in 65-year-old subjects

SUMMARY In order to evaluate the possibility of using endosseal implants (ITI Dental Implant System®) and implant-retained prostheses for 65-year-old patients from a medium-sized Finnish city, 431 such patients were examined by means of panoramic radiographs. The population represents 61% of the total age group in the city (born in 1923). The possibility to construct a prosthesis, anchored on implants, was evaluated in three different groups. It was shown that in group I (edentulous maxilla and mandible, 256 patients) all male and 97% of female subjects could have been treated with implant-retained over- dentures in the lower jaw. Corresponding figures in the upper jaw were 62% for males and 59% for females. In patients with edentulous maxilla and dentulous or partially edentulous mandible (group II, 84 subjects) implant-retained overdenture in the maxilla could have been possible in 52% of male and 43% of female participants. In subjects with own teeth left in both jaws (group III, 91 participants) some kind of implant-retained bridge or single implants could have been constructed in 70% in maxilla and in 92% in mandible.     

Primary tooth injuries in Norwegian children (1–8 years)

Abstract –  This prospective study examined the yearly incidence of traumatic injuries to primary teeth. The aim of the study was to find out more about dental injuries to primary teeth in Norwegian children. The study was performed in one county of Norway involving approximately 20 000 children in the age group 1–8 years. Twenty-seven public dental clinics and 42 dentists participated. The dentists attended information and calibration meetings and received illustrations of the classification of dental trauma as well as examples of how to fill in the forms correctly. Two hundred and sixty-six children were involved, including 447 primary teeth, recorded during a 1-year registration period (2003). The dental trauma incidence was 1.3% with 3.5-year old being the most accident-prone. Boys were significantly more often injured than girls, 164 versus 102 ( P  < 0.001). The upper central incisors were most involved (92%), with a non-significant difference between the right and left side. The minor periodontal injuries dominated (59%). Hard tissue injuries were far less frequent (13%). Avulsions were observed in 6.5% and intrusions in 7.5% of the injured children, being 5.5% and 5% of the injured teeth. Most of the injuries occurred either at home (38%) or at kindergarten (32%). Sixty-two percentage were falling accidents often sustained during children's play, and 25% were pure playing accidents.
Conclusion:  In Norwegian children aged 1–8 years, with a predominance of boys, the most common primary tooth injuries were minor luxations of the maxillary central incisors, sustained at an age of 3.5 years. As the traumas often occurred during children's play and/or were the consequence of falls, these are difficult to prevent. However, follow ups should be carried out to disclose pulpal or periodontal complications and/or developmental disturbances of the permanent successors.     

Tobacco use in relation to socioeconomic factors and dental care habits among Swedish individuals 15–70 years of age, 1983–2003

Abstract: Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the use of tobacco and changes in its use over time among individuals living in Jönköping, Sweden, and to analyse tobacco habits in relation to socioeconomic conditions, personality aspects and dental care habits. Methods: This study comprised three epidemiological cross‐sectional studies, involving a random selection of individuals aged between 15 and 70 years, and was conducted in 1983, 1993 and 2003. The participants were asked to complete a questionnaire. Results: The results revealed a statistically significant reduction from 34% tobacco users in 1983 to 27% in 1993 and 28% in 2003. The main decrease was seen among smokers. At the same time, the number of users of snuff increased in all the age groups between 20 and 60 years of age. The use of tobacco was therefore largely unchanged in 1993 and 2003. In 2003, there was a statistically significant difference between users and non‐tobacco users when it came to the frequency of dental visits; more tobacco users than non‐tobacco users did not visit a dentist at all or did not visit a dentist regularly. In 1993, non‐tobacco users brushed their teeth more frequently than tobacco users and this difference was statistically significant. Conclusions: During the 20‐year study, there was a reduction in the number of smokers and an increase in the number of snuff users. There was a difference between tobacco users and non‐tobacco users when it came to the frequency of dental visits and oral hygiene habits.     

Endodontic status of mandibular premolars and molars in an adult Swedish population. A longitudinal study 1974–1985

Abstract The purpose of the investigation was to study the incidence of end endodontic treatment and the progression of periapical disease in an adult Swedish population. A random sample was selected in 1974 and offered a clinical and radiographic examination. In 1985, 345 of the original 1302 persons received a follow-up examination. The present study was based on information obtained from radiographs of the mandibular premolar and molar regions at the two examinations. The highest increase in people with endodontically treated teeth from 1974 to 1985 and the highest increase in people with periapical lesions were found in the youngest age-group, horn between 1945 and 1954. New endodontic treatment, received between 1974 and 1985, was mostly found among those who already had endodontically treated teeth in 1974. New periapical lesions also appeared more often in persons with endodontic disorders in 1974.     

A 10–year retrospective study of periodontal disease progression

The purpose of this study was to record the rate of periodontal disease progression over a 10-year period with respect to individual subject, age and tooth type. 283 subjects, who had undergone a full-mouth radiographic examination in 1974-76 and at that time were 25-70 years old, were randomly selected from a larger patient sample for a new radiographic examination in 1985-86. 201 subjects (71%) agreed to participate. For each respondent, tooth loss over the 10-year period was calculated. The radiographic bone height at the mesial and distal aspect of all teeth was assessed by measuring the distance between the cemento-enamel junction and the bone crest. Difference in periodontal bone height between the 2 examinations was calculated for each tooth site. The results revealed that the mean number of teeth lost over the 10-year period was 3.8 (SD 4.6). Tooth mortality, expressed as a % of the no. of teeth present at the initial examination, increased with age and varied between 2.9%-28.5%. In all age groups, molars had the highest and canines the lowest rate of tooth mortality. The frequency of subjects with loss of greater than 10 teeth was highest for the initially 45-year old individuals (20%). 7 individuals (3%) had become edentulous. The mean annual reduction of alveolar bone height varied between 0.07-0.14 mm in the age groups 25-65 years. The initially 70-year old subjects showed a statistically significant higher annual rate of bone loss (0.28 mm).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Prevalence of crown fractures in 8–10 years old schoolchildren in Canoas, Brazil

Abstract –  The objective of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of children with crown fractures in permanent anterior teeth in 206 schoolchildren (104 girls and 102 boys) between the ages of 8 and 10 years, enrolled in three public schools in the city of Canoas, Brazil. The prevalence found was 17% with no significant difference between boys and girls, as well as between the ages. The most affected tooth was the maxillary central incisor, and a majority of the children showed only one affected tooth (88.6%). The types of fracture most commonly found were oblique and horizontal, and the portions of dental structures most affected were 'enamel only' and 'enamel and dentin'. Only seven children (20%) sought out dental treatment.     

The association between incisor trauma and occlusal characteristics in individuals 8–50 years of age

Abstract –  To explore the association between incisal trauma and occlusal characteristics using oral examination and health interview data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1988–1994 (NHANES III). Incisal trauma examinations were performed on 15 364 individuals 6–50 years of age using an ordinal scale developed by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Occlusal examinations were performed on 13 057 individuals 8–50 years of age. We fitted separate multivariate logistic regression models for maxillary and mandibular incisor trauma adjusting for socio-demographic variables (age, gender, race-ethnicity) and occlusal characteristics (overbite, overjet, open bite). 23.45% of all individuals evidenced trauma on at least one incisor, with trauma more than four times more prevalent on maxillary (22.59%) than on mandibular incisors (4.78%). Males (OR = 1.67) had greater odds of trauma than females; Whites (OR = 1.37) and non-Hispanic Blacks (OR = 1.37) had greater odds of trauma than Mexican–Americans. The odds of trauma increased with age, peaked from age 21 to 30 (OR = 2.92), and declined. As overjet increased, so did the odds of trauma. Compared to individuals with ≤0-mm overjet, odds of trauma increased from 1–3 mm (OR = 1.42) to 4–6 mm (OR = 2.42) to 7–8 mm (OR = 3.24) to >8 mm (OR = 12.47). Trauma to incisors is prevalent but mostly limited to enamel. Trauma to maxillary incisors is associated with overjet, gender, race-ethnicity, and age, while trauma to mandibular incisors is associated with gender, age, and overbite.     

Lip cancer in Western Australia, 1982–2006: a 25-year retrospective epidemiological study

Background:  The aim of this study was to report on the epidemiological trends in incidence and mortality rates of lip cancer in Western Australia from 1982–2006.
Methods:  Incidence and mortality data were provided by the Western Australian Cancer Registry. Analysis of demographic distribution by gender, age, metro-rural residence and Indigenous status and by sub-site of lip cancer was undertaken. Percentages, crude, age-specific and direct age-standardized rates were computed with 95% confidence intervals.
Results:  In Western Australia, lip cancer represents 49 per cent of all oral cancer cases. A total of 2152 new cases and 31 deaths due to lip cancer were reported. Eighty-one per cent of new cases occurred on the lower lip. The incidence rate ratio of males to females was 2.5-3:1, with non-Indigenous people suffering 98 per cent of lip cancer. Rural dwellers have higher standardized incidence rates when compared to people living in metropolitan areas. An increasing trend with older age is consistent throughout the study period.
Conclusions:  Over the 25 years, on average 90–100 people are diagnosed with lip cancer but only 1–2 people die each year. These mortality rates are very low indeed and are the reason for its good prognosis.     

Primary prevention trial of oral cancer in India: a 10–year follow-up study

Oral cancer is caused by chewing and smoking of tobacco. To assess the feasibility of primary prevention of oral cancer, two cohorts were studied in base-line surveys and then followed up annually for 10-yr in Ernakulam district of Kerala state. The intervention cohort consisted of 12212 tobacco users aged 15 yr and over, who were exposed to a concentrated program of education against tobacco use. The control cohort was a non-concurrent cohort of 6075 tobacco users studied using similar methods but with a minimal amount of advice against tobacco use. The stoppage of tobacco use increased and the incidence rate of leukoplakia decreased significantly and substantially in the intervention cohort compared to the control cohort. The decrease in the incidence of leukoplakia was indicative of the decrease in the risk of oral cancer since the two were intimately related. This study demonstrated feasibility of primary prevention of oral cancer.     

A longitudinal study of dental health in Swedish children aged 3–5 years

ABSTRACT This paper presents data concerning caries, gingivitis, interdental spacing, occlusion and oral habits obtained in a longitudinal investigation of 177 children at the ages of 3, 4 and 5 years. It was found that between 3 and 5 years of age, deft increased from 2.01 to 4.05 and defs from 2.69 to 5.98. The occlusal surfaces of the primary second molars and the occlusal and distal surfaces of the primary first molars were the ones most often affected. The mean Gingival Index decreased from 3 to 5 years (P < 0.05) and also the number of children with a score of 2 from 4 to 5 years (P < 0.05). The sagittal and transversal relationship between the jaws remained unchanged in most of the children, while the vertical relationship varied with changes in sucking habits. Dummy sucking was initially more than three times as common as finger sucking, but decreased markedly with increasing age. The children with the habit of finger sucking tended to keep this habit. Nocturnal grinding of the teeth was reported by the parents of 13 % of the children. Dental treatment was needed by 61 % at the age of 3, by 71 % at the age of 4 and by 68 % at the age of 5, as they had caries and/or gingivitis with a gingival score of 2. Furthermore, there was a need for orthodontic supervision including treatment. Caries prophylactic treatment was necessary in all age groups.     

Reaction of 5 and 6 year olds to dental injection after viewing the needle: pilot study

The aim was to evaluate the practice of hiding the needle prior to dental anesthesia administration to children. Fourteen 5 and 6 year olds received dental treatment in two sessions. The needle was shown in one session and hidden in the other. Eleven children were cooperative and 3 uncooperative irrespective of approach. The children's behavior correlated with fears expressed by the mothers. Our initial fndintgs do not support the practice of hiding the needle.