Survey of behavior management teaching in predoctoral pediatric dentistry programs

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to survey directors of predoctoral pediatric dentistry programs regarding the teaching of behavior management techniques. METHODS: Surveys were mailed to all 56 dental schools in the United States. Follow-up mailings were sent to nonrespondents. The survey contained items on program demographics and the program's teaching of communicative and pharmacologic techniques. Information was also obtained on informed consent and parental presence in the operatory. RESULTS: Surveys were returned by 48 schools. Two schools declined to respond because they had not yet accepted or graduated students. The final response rate was 89%. The mean (+/-SD) percentage of total didactic time devoted to behavior management was 12% (+/-6). Communicative techniques were taught as "acceptable" by 96% to 100% of programs, with the exception of the hand-over-mouth exercise (HOME). HOME was taught as "unacceptable" by 62% of programs. Active and passive immobilization of sedated and nonsedated children was taught as "acceptable" by 69% to 85% of programs. Sixty-seven percent to 98% of programs taught that pharmacologic techniques (nitrous oxide, conscious sedation, general anesthesia) are "acceptable." There was little evidence that the teaching of behavior management techniques had changed over the previous 5 years, nor that they were likely to change in the near future. Parental presence in the operatory was common for some procedures, particularly among younger children. CONCLUSIONS: Predoctoral programs teach as acceptable communicative and pharmacologic management techniques, with the exception of HOME. Predoctoral program directors report they are not likely to increase the amount of curricular time devoted to behavior management in the near future.     

Comparison of skeletal and dental morphology in asymptomatic volunteers and symptomatic patients with unilateral disk displacement with reduction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of unilateral disk displacement with reduction (UDDR) on the skeletal and dental pattern of affected individuals. There were 18 symptomatic female patients and 46 asymptomatic normal female volunteers. All study participants had bilateral high-resolution magnetic resonance scans in the sagittal (closed and open) and coronal (closed) planes to evaluate the temporomandibular joints. Linear and angular cephalometric measurements were taken to evaluate the skeletal, denture base, and dental characteristics of the two groups. Analysis of variance was used to compare the symptomatic with the control subjects. A few skeletal differences were found. There was an overall reduction in length of the anterior (S-Na) and posterior (S-Ba) cranial base measurements in the UDDR group. The cranial base angle was also increased. Both upper and lower dentures bases were retropositioned. The posterior ramal height (Ar-Go) was shorter in the symptomatic group. This study showed that alterations in skeletal morphology may be associated with UDDR. The mechanisms that produce DD or the mechanisms that cause this skeletal alteration are yet to be clarified. This study suggests that subjects with UDDR may manifest altered craniofacial morphology. The clinician should be aware of this possibility, especially for growing patients.     

Dental caries in HIV-seropositive women

Reports that compare dental caries indices in HIV-seropositive (HIV+) subjects with HIV-seronegative (HIV-) subjects are rare. The objective of this study was to determine if there was an association between HIV infection and dental caries among women enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Subjects included 538 HIV+ and 141 HIV- women at baseline and 242 HIV+ and 66 HIV- women at year 5. Caries indices included DMFS and DFS (coronal caries) and DFSrc (root caries). Cross-sectional analysis of coronal caries data revealed a 1.2-fold-higher caries prevalence among HIV+ women compared with HIV- women. Longitudinally, DMFS increased with increasing age and lower average stimulated salivary volume. Root caries results were not significant except for an overall increased DFSrc associated with smoking. Anti-retroviral therapy was not identified as a risk factor for dental caries.     

Comparison of skeletal and dental morphology in asymptomatic volunteers and symptomatic patients with bilateral disk displacement without reduction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of bilateral disk displacement without reduction (BDDN) on the skeletal and dental pattern of affected individuals. There were 59 symptomatic female patients and 46 asymptomatic normal female volunteers. All study participants had bilateral high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scans in the sagittal (closed and open) and coronal (closed) planes to evaluate the temporomandibular joints. Linear and angular cephalometric measurements were taken to evaluate the skeletal, denture base, and dental characteristics of the two groups. A smaller cranial base length (Ba-Na) was found in the symptomatic group. The facial plane angle was smaller, and the angle of convexity was larger because of the retropositioned mandible. The lower denture base was also retruded as shown by the smaller SNB angle. The BDDN group exhibited a larger overjet. The mandibular plane angle was steeper, the Y-axis was more vertical (S-Gn to FH), the posterior ramal height (Ar-Go) was shorter, and the angle between the mandibular and the palatal plane (PP to MP angle) was increased in the symptomatic group. No significant dental differences were found. This study showed that alterations in skeletal morphology might be associated with BDDN. This study suggests that subjects with BDDN may manifest altered craniofacial morphology. The clinician should be aware of that possibility, especially for the growing patients and the surgical candidates.     

Fixed prosthetics with a connective tissue and alloplastic bone graft ridge augmentation: a case report

Augmentation of the partially edentulous ridge can significantly improve the final prosthodontic rehabilitation. For enhancing soft tissue contours in the anterior region, the subepithelial connective tissue graft is the treatment of choice. The combination of connective tissue grafts with alloplastic bone graft material can optimize the ridge augmentation and reduce post extraction defects. The aim of this clinical report is to describe the use of subepithelial connective tissue in conjunction with an alloplastic bone graft for augmentation of a maxillary anterior ridge prior to prosthetic rehabilitation.     

Development of a standardized method for comparing fluoride ingested from toothpaste by 1.5-3.5-year-old children in seven European countries. Part 1: Field work

Abstract -  Objectives: To develop a standardized method for measuring the variables affecting fluoride ingestion from toothpaste in young children between the ages of 1.5 and 3.5 years, and to use the method at seven European sites. Methods: Random samples of children were invited to take part in the study. Parents who gave consent were visited at home. The children brushed their teeth using the toothpaste brand and toothbrush type currently in use. Variables measured were: type of toothpaste used, fluoride concentration of toothpaste used, weight of toothpaste used, frequency of brushing and body weight of the child. Results: It was not possible to follow the agreed protocol in all seven countries and in three countries appropriate alternative methods were employed. There was considerable variation between countries in the variables investigated. Use of children's toothpaste ranged from 69% in Ireland to 98% in Portugal. In the Netherlands up to 60% of the children were using toothpaste containing <400 ppm F and in Finland up to 27% of children were using toothpaste containing >1200 ppm F. Over half of the children used <0.25 g of toothpaste per brushing and the majority of children brushed once or twice per day. Conclusion: Although adherence to the agreed protocol was not possible at all study sites there was a clear picture of considerable variation in the oral hygiene practices of young children throughout Europe.     

A European perspective on fluoride use in seven countries

Abstract -  Objectives: The aim of this study was to collate data on national policies for the use of fluoride in the seven European countries participating in the FLINT project. Methods: Policies on the use of fluoride were obtained for each of the study areas. Data collected included the presence of water fluoridation and regulations governing fluoride toothpaste and fluoride supplements. Results: In Ireland 74% of the population had a fluoridated water supply but in all the other countries fluoride toothpaste was the principal form of delivering fluoride, usually recommended as a dose of a pea-sized amount. Fluoride supplement use varied considerably between countries. The Netherlands had the clearest regulations covering the use of fluoride supplements and definition of at-risk individuals. Most countries, even if they recognized particular caries-risk did not define the term clearly. In Iceland all children were regarded as being at high risk of developing caries. Conclusion: Considerable variation exists between European countries in their policies for fluoride use and no clear definitions of high-caries-risk individuals were found. The results show that there is even a lack of coherent thought and planning within the different countries, let alone between them.