Periodontal status of orthodontic patients and the relationship between dental aesthetic index and community periodontal index of treatment need

This prospective clinic-based study evaluated the pretreatment periodontal status of the orthodontic patients seen at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, and assessed the relationship between dental aesthetic index (DAI) scores and periodontal status according to community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN) scores. One hundred forty five patients-70 (48.3%) males and 75 (51.7%) females from 6 to 45 years (mean 15.8 +/- 7.5)-were seen. World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines were followed in the examination and reporting of the periodontal status, and DAI scores were assessed based on WHO guidelines. The chi-square test was used to determine the association between the DAI and the CPITN scores. Most patients were in the 6-15 (55.9%) or 16-25 (35.9%) age groups. Based on the WHO preferred cumulative calculations of treatment need (TN), 35.2% of the patients had TN 0, 64.9% had TN 1, 24.9% had TN 2, and only 0.7% had TN 3. The relationship between DAI scores and periodontal treatment needs was not statistically significant (P >.05). Although many patients were yet to attain the WHO goal of no more than 1 sextant affected by bleeding or calculus at the age of 15, over one third had satisfactory periodontal health.     

Knowledge and practice of behavioral management principles among dentists treating adults with learning disabilities

This study investigated U.K. dentists’ knowledge and practice of behavioral management principles (BMPs) as applied to adults with learning disabilities (AWLD). A postal questionnaire enquired into the dentists’ experience in managing AWLD, utilization of behavioral management techniques, and knowledge of BMPs. The response rate was 41% (N = 53). Two groups were investigated: specialists (dentists registered on the Special Care Dentistry specialists’ list, n = 37) and nonspecialists (dentists not on the list, n = 16). Although specialists treated more AWLD than nonspecialists, both groups of dentists reported they felt highly confident in managing AWLD. However, all dentists’ knowledge of the principles of nonpharmacological BMPs was low. Specialists had a tendency to use a greater range of nonpharmacological behavioral management techniques compared to non‐specialists. These results suggest that dental team members need more training in the theory and practice of BMPs, which might lead to less reliance on costly pharmacological interventions and a clinical experience that is more respectful of the dignity and independence of AWLD.     

Supervised toothbrushing and oral health education program in Kuwait for children and young adults with Down syndrome

The authors report on the effectiveness of a school-based, supervised toothbrushing program among a group of 112 children with Down syndrome in Kuwait. The study involved 45 boys and 67 girls, who ranged in age from 11–22 years (mean, 14.8 years). The participants had moderate mental retardation and attended one of two special needs schools. Plaque was scored according to the Silness and Loe plaque index and gingivitis according to the Loe and Silness gingival index. Supervised toothbrushing and dental health education sessions were conducted twice a week. The program was evaluated at the end of three months. The mean plaque score decreased from 1.93 to 0.95 (p < 0.001), and the mean gingival score from 2.00 to 0.83 (p < 0.001). This three-month supervised toothbrushing program was effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis scores, but the key to long-term success of the program is sustaining the children's motivation to make oral hygiene a part of their daily life.     

Reaction Panel to Group Discussions: What Should Dental Public Health Be? and How to Get to the “Should”?

The purpose of the reaction panel is to assess the group discussion reports, “What Should Public Health Be ?” and “How to Get to the Should.” The panel members were asked to comment on the points they believe were especially significant for future development in dental public health for North Carolina. The panel participants were the four speakers from the initial session of the symposium, including Dr. George Dudney, Dr. John Stamm, Dr. Stephen Corbin, and Dr. Linda Niessen. The reactions to the group discussions are of special value to the participants at the symposium. However, the comments should be helpful and informative to any group involved in planning the future of dental health in local communities or statewide programs.     

The oral health of children with Down syndrome in Ireland

The authors investigated the oral health of a convenience sample of 71 children with Down syndrome. The study group had a lower caries prevalence but similar levels of unmet treatment needs as children at special and mainstream schools. Treatment experience varied with age: 5-year-olds had more extractions and fewer restorations, and 15-year olds had fewer extractions and more restorations. The number of teeth with fissure sealants was comparable to that of other children in Special Needs Schools. Although the study group had poor oral hygiene, a need for advanced periodontal treatment was not evident. Few had evidence of dental trauma. Malocclusion was prevalent. Through a government-funded program, most of the sample had seen a dentist within the previous year, and few parents reported problems accessing dental care.
This study suggests that services targeted toward groups with special needs could generate outcomes comparable to those seen in other service users. A finding that also may hold true for other underserved populations.     

Differences between Racial Groups in the Impact of Oral Disorders among Older Adults in North Carolina

Objectives : This study investigated variations in impact of oral disorders between older black adults and older white adults living in North Carolina. Methods : Using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) questionnaire, 440 participants aged 70 and older provided data on their perceptions of the impact of oral disease on aspects of their lives during the previous 12 months. Results : For 22 of the 49 items queried in the OHIP questionnaire, older blacks reported more frequent impact than older whites (P<. 05). For none of the OHIP items did whites report more frequent impact. The impacts reported were diverse and included items reflecting pain, physical disability, psychological disability, and social disability. When the number of items occurring fairly often or very often were summed for dentate participants, blacks reported more items than did whites (3.7 vs 1.1 , P<. 0001). This difference decreased to 2.7 vs 2.0 (P<. 346) after controlling statistically for greater mean periodontal pocket depth, more unreplaced missing teeth, and more episodic dental visits among blacks. Conclusions : Older dentate blacks reported more impact from oral problems than older dentate whites. The differences in reported impact likely are linked to differences in oral status and dental visit history between these two racial groups in North Carolina.     

The University of North Carolina Caries Risk Assessment Study I: Rationale and Content

This article presents the rationale and content of a current study that seeks to improve methods to identify children at high risk to dental caries. It summarizes the results of the development of a 12-factor, preliminary caries prediction model based on data derived from the National Preventive Demonstration Program. Despite data limitations, the model produced a sensitivity of .5 and specificity of .8 for four-year caries increment prediction in first- and fifth-grade children. Data on a number of additional potential predictors are being collected in two sites to expand and improve the existing model. These factors are identified.