Dental Utilization by Low-income Mothers

Objective : This study examines the influence of predisposing, enabling, and need variables on whether low-income mothers sought dental care during the past year. This report is a substudy of mothers and children on their self-reported health status, utilization, access, and satisfaction with health care in general. Methods : A convenience sample of 502 mothers and youngest child younger than 6 years old was administered a face-to-face questionnaire in four Ohio counties. Information was collected at county human services offices and WIC clinics between November 1995 and July 1996. Using whether or not the mother sought dental care as the dependent variable, logistic regression models were created for the variables within the predisposing, enabling, and need characteristics separately and together. Results : Fewer than one-half of the mothers sought dental care during the past year. Variables associated with the predisposing characteristic explained little about who sought care. Those mothers who have Medicaid coverage are 2.7 times more likely to have a dental visit than those without insurance. Moreover, those mothers who perceive any dental need are several times less likely to have received dental care than those who have no perceived need. Conclusion : Even among a somewhat homogeneous population of low-income women, source of payment for dental services and perceived need for dental care are discriminating variables in determining who seeks dental care.     

Reflex activity in the masseter muscle of young individuals

The monosynaptic myotatic (jaw jerk) potential (MSP) evoked in the relaxed masseter by a tap on the chin and recorded electromyographically in this muscle (latency 6-3 ms, duration 5-9 ms) was similar in subjects with, or without TMJ clicking. The latency of the myotatic potential was significantly shorter (5.8 ms) when evoked during isometric contraction. The duration was 5-2 ms. A potential with similar characteristics as the MSP was evoked by TMJ clicking, as we believe by excitation of muscle spindles from tissue transmitted vibrations (latency 5-5 ms, duration 5-6 ms). The TMJ click evoked MSP could in the contracting massester be followed by silent periods (SPs) both of the early (latency about 10 ms) and the late type (latency about 50 ms). A tap on the chin during isometric contraction of the jaw elevators, was followed by an SP of the early type (latency 12-2 ms, duration 17-5 ms) and sometimes by an SP of the late type (latency 58 ms, duration 18 ms). The late SP occurred significantly more often in patients with TMJ-dysfunction. The period of lower activity following an MSP can be divided into two phases: a first phase with a complete electrical silence, denoted SP, and a second phase during which the activity is slowly increasing to reach the control level. This latter phase will be called "depressed activity" (DA) and is introduced as a new parameter. The SP with tooth tapping (latency 10-5 ms, duration 9-4 ms) was similar in groups with or without TMJ clicking. The superimposed MSP (SMSP) preceding the SP at tooth tapping is supposed to be a manifestation of the "load-compensation reflex".     

O12 Volatile markers of oral malodor in the breath

In the early 1990s, a break-through toothpaste, known as Colgate^® Total™, was launched with documented long-lasting activity against plaque, gingivitis, calculus, tooth decay and bad breath. The technology behind this toothpaste is the combination of triclosan, a polyvinyl methyl ether maleic acid (PVM/MA) copolymer and sodium fluoride (TCF). The function of the copolymer is to ensure optimal oral retention and prolonged release of the antibacterial triclosan. Effective levels of triclosan have been measured in the oral cavity 12 h after brushing the teeth. This allows prolonged control of oral bacteria that can lead to the formation of dental plaque and gingivitis and bad breath. Similarly, the retention of triclosan to oral surfaces during 2 years regular use of the product has led to a significant reduction in incremental coronal caries compared to an ADA-approved anti-cavity fluoride toothpaste. Furthermore, significantly less calcium phosphate has been shown to be present in dental plaque after brushing the teeth with the triclosan/copolymer toothpaste, and this has resulted in the reduced formation of tartar. A new variant of the triclosan/copolymer/fluoride toothpaste, having the numerous therapeutic and aesthetic benefits of the original formula, has been made available to consumers. The new dentifrice, which contains an impactful breath freshening flavor, has been documented to be significantly better ( P  < 0.05) than a control toothpaste in providing sustained control of bad breath over 12 h. After 12 h, breath odor was reduced from 51% compared to the control. The long term retention and subsequent release of triclosan by the copolymer in the TCF formula provide consumers protection against plaque, gingivitis, tartar, caries and bad breath.     

Characteristics of ''best'' and ''worst'' clinical teachers as perceived by university nursing faculty and students

This study identified and compared characteristics of 'best' and 'worst' clinical teachers as perceived by university nursing faculty and students. The Nursing Clinical Teacher Effectiveness Inventory (NCTEI) was distributed to 201 volunteer subjects. This survey instrument, developed by the authors, contains 48 clinical teacher characteristics grouped into five categories. Each participant was asked to rate, using the NCTEI, the 'best' and them the 'worst' clinical teacher from past observations. Results showed both groups perceived that being a good role model was the highest rated characteristic for 'best' teachers and the 'lowest' rated characteristic for 'worst' teachers. Faculty and students' perceptions were fairly similar as to highest rated characteristics of 'best' clinical teachers. Less agreement was noted about the characteristics of 'worst' clinical teachers. When categories of clinical teacher characteristics were compared, there were significant differences between the ratings of faculty and students for 'best' clinical teachers, but none for 'worst' clinical teachers.     

Validation of the Defining Characteristics of the Nursing Diagnosis Ineffective Airway Clearance

The investigators designed this validation study to determine the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis ineffective airway clearance. Using Fehring's Diagnostic Content Validity Model, 546 nurses who care for respiratory clients validated one major and 19 minor defining characteristics. Nine characteristics previously described in the literature were eliminated. Clarification of the defining characteristics of this diagnosis improves communication in practice, education and research.