Comparison of computer-assisted learning with tutorial teaching in a group of first-year dental students

Two identical groups of first-year dental students were instructed in the pathology of dental caries and periodontitis using computer-assisted learning (CAL) or tutorial teaching (TT). A cross-over arrangement, in which the first group was taught about dental caries by CAL and periodontitis by TT and the second group in the reverse order, allowed comparison of the two methods. The comparison included a knowledge test and completion of a questionnaire. CAL and TT were equally effective as far as acquisition of knowledge was concerned. Students felt pressurized with CAL and had problems with note-taking. They liked a teacher to be present. Nevertheless, CAL was an acceptable method of instruction and was more economical, in terms of staff involvement, than TT.     

Effects of cooling and heating of the tooth on pulpal blood flow in man

Abstract Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) was used to study the changes in pulpal blood flow (PBF) evoked by application of cold or heat to the palatinal surfaces of teeth 11 or 21 in nine young subjects. Switching from a thermode temperature of 33° to 5° G on average induced a slow decrease of PBF to about 80% of control, and also warming to 39°C evoked a small reduction in most subjects. Inter individual differences were large, however, and both cooling and warming sometimes triggered a rise in PBF. In contrast, skin blood flow, as recorded with LDF in the forearm, invariably rose during warming and fell during local cooling. The results suggested a more complex interaction between local and nervously mediated effects of moderate changes in temperature in the tooth pulp than skin, and that the previous held view of cold and heat decreasing and increasing PBF, respectively, is wrong.     

Eligible Veterans'' Choice Between VA-covered and Non-VA-covered Dental Care

Veterans who were eligible for dental care in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities at no monetary cost responded to a mailed questionnaire. Seventy-one percent were aware that they were actually eligible for VA dental care. However, only 48 percent reported the VA as their only or primary source of dental care. Eligibility status, perceived quality of VA dental care, use of VA medical care, perception that one's income meets expenses, and perceived need for dental care were significant correlates of using the VA as one's current source of dental care. Level of formal education, perception that one's income meets expenses, transportation pattern, geographic distance from a VA facility, and eligibility status were significant correlates of using the VA as one's current medical care source. Research on VA utilization offers the opportunity to study issues of access to, and use of, a large public health care system whose patients largely receive care at no monetary cost. Veterans' use of VA dental and medical care is apparently influenced by a wide variety of factors, ranging from barriers to access to non-VA systems, to characteristics of the VA delivery system itself, to need for treatment.     

ART技术封闭恒牙的3年临床效果观察

目的 :评价非创伤性充填 (ART)技术对恒牙窝沟封闭后 ,封闭剂保留及新生龋病发生情况。方法 :1996年在四川省德阳市 4所中学选取 12～ 13岁儿童 14 0名作 191个ART封闭。采用WHO的ART标准器械 ,德国ESPE公司生产的高强度玻璃离子材料 ,对选择的牙面窝沟进行封闭 ;操作者为经中等口腔专业训练的医生。试验 3年后对ART封闭及牙龋病情况进行评价。结果 :封闭后 1、2、3年的封闭成功率分别为 89.6% ,78.8% ,71.9%。试验后 1年没有新生龋齿的发生 ,试验后 2、3年 ,龋患率较低 ,分别为 1.6% ,2 .8%。结论 :ART封闭试验 3年的保存率较高 ,新生龋发生率低 ;作为恒牙龋病防治的措施是适合和可接受的 ;是一种适合于在学校、社区开展的有效、实用的龋病预防方法。     

重度磨耗患者髁道运动学初步评价

评价重度磨耗患者后方髁道运动学特征 ,探讨髁状突运动与牙合重建的关系。方法 :运用Pantronic髁状突运动描记系统和D5ADenar全调节式咬合架 ,对 15例中老年重度磨耗患者后方髁道决定因素对牙合运动的影响 ,以及对 5例已完成咬合重建的重度磨耗患者髁道运动学特征进行初步评价。结果 :15例重度磨耗患者平均髁间距离为 ( 60 .72± 4.40 )mm ,迅即侧移量 (ISS) 1.3 5mm (右 )和 1.2 4mm (左 ) ,渐进侧移量 (PSS)为14 .65°(右 )与 17.11°(左 ) ,前伸髁导斜度 (PRO)为 2 3 .45°(右 )与 2 6.85°(左 ) ,非工作侧髁道值 (ORB)为 2 6.5 0° ,前伸髁导斜度与非工作侧髁道之间极相关 ,存在较小的Fisher角。结论 :咬合重建主要影响侧移量和Pantronic重复运动指数 (PRI)的大小 ,反映出下颌侧方边缘运动限制所恢复的程度。但牙合重建对非工作侧髁道没有明显的影响 ,运动道的变化并不能预测治疗的效果。     

Comparative study of oral conditions in schoolchildren of Strasbourg, France, 1974–85

A representative sample of 1650 children randomly selected in the 6-15-yr-old schoolchild population of Strasbourg was examined by well-calibrated examiners. The prevalence of caries was determined with the DMFT, DMFS and dft indices using bitewing radiographs. Plaque, calculus and gingival indices were also determined. The results obtained were compared with the initial study of 1974 performed in Strasbourg using the same epidemiologic methods. Whereas no important variations were observed in caries prevalence of primary teeth, a significant reduction of caries activity was observed in DMFT and DMFS indices in all age groups. There was a reduction of these two indices of respectively 32% and 33% in the 12-yr-old children. The reduction was the most significant on approximal surface lesions. A statistically significant decrease of the calculus and gingival indices was also observed between 1974 and 1984. A less significant decrease was observed for the plaque index.     

Treatment time analysis for extensive amalgam restorations

The treatment times for the fabrication of Extensive Amalgam Restorations (EAR) as recorded in a longitudinal clinical trial at the Dental School in Nijmegen were analyzed. 269 EAR's with different retention methods were made on molars by three operators. A mean total treatment time of 60 min was found. The factor operator had a significant influence on all treatment phases resulting in a 26% difference in total treatment time between operators. Also significant influences were found in some treatment phases for the factor retention, side location of the tooth and extension of the restoration. The results of this study with regard to treatment times must be considered from the perspective of the quality of the care provided.     

釉质发育不全乳牙的超微形态研究

目的：观察不同类型乳牙釉质发育不全的超微表面形态，分析其在分类、致病机制、龋齿易感性中的意义。方法：将发育不全的乳牙固定脱水，临界点干燥，喷金镀膜，日立S－450扫描电子显微镜观察，加速电压20kV。结果：发育不全釉质中存在不同程度形态缺损，病报部位还存在矿化不良。结论：釉质发育不全不仅有釉质量的减少，而且有质的改变，因而可能提高了发育不全釉质对龋齿的易感性。     

纤维连接蛋白对生物矿化影响的体外实验研究

目的:探讨纤维连接蛋白(Fn)对生物矿化过程的影响,为其应用于临床作盖髓剂提供理论依据.方法:应用体外凝胶矿化系统结合微观形态学观察,研究有无羟基磷灰石(HAP)晶核时Fn对钙磷沉积的影响.结果:凝胶体系中随Fn浓度升高,吸光度值也升高(P<0.01),表明磷酸钙沉淀量的增多;加入HAP并不降低Fn的促沉积活性.结论:Fn可能通过促进钙磷沉积及其与HAP的相互作用参与矿化过程,此特性可能有利于Fn作为盖髓剂成份诱导牙本质桥形成.