An in vivo investigation into bond failure rates with a new self-etching primer system.

Self-etching primers have recently been introduced to simplify the orthodontic bonding process. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of such a product with conventional 2-stage etching and priming with 37% o-phosphoric acid and a conventional unfilled primer. Twenty consecutive patients having orthodontic bonds placed were selected to participate in this cross-mouth control study. Diagonally opposite quadrants were randomly allocated to either the self-etching primer group or the conventional etching and priming group. A total of 364 teeth were bonded with a light-cured diacrylate adhesive; bond failures were then monitored over 6 months. There were 20 bond failures (10.99%) in the self-etching primer group and 9 bond failures (4.95%) in the conventional etch and priming group over this period. The results were analyzed with the McNemar test and 95% confidence interval. The difference between the failure proportions was -0.06 with an associated 95% confidence interval of -0.121 to 0.001. This study produced weak evidence to suggest that bond failures with a self-etching primer will be higher than those with conventional etching and priming. This increased likelihood of bond failure must be weighed against the time advantage of the self-etching primer when used at the initial bonding appointment.     

Role for mannose binding lectin in the prevention of Mycoplasma infection

Polymorphisms in exon 1 of the MBL-2 gene, resulting in reduced plasma levels of mannose binding lectin, were significantly overrepresented in 23 patients with primary antibody deficiency and culture-proven mycoplasma infections (P = 0.0038). This association persisted with the inclusion of a further nine suspected (doxycycline-responsive) cases (P = 0.0087). The lectin was shown to bind to three strains of mycoplasma.     

The Role of Community Health Workers Within the Continuum of Services for HIV,Viral Hepatitis,and Other STIs Amongst Men Who Have Sex with Men in Europe

Journal of Community Health - Little is known about Community Health Workers (CHWs) who work in non-clinical settings to provide sexual health support around HIV, viral hepatitis, and other...     

Comparison of patients' appreciation of 500 complete dentures and clinical assessment of quality

To compare patients' appreciation and clinical assessment of quality of complete dentures 500 patients attending a dental teaching hospital for provision of new complete dentures were recruited. In each case denture quality was assessed by an experienced prosthodontist using a validated classification of aspects of denture quality. Patients graded their appreciation of features of the dentures on a four point scale. Multiple correspondence analysis demonstrated close correspondence between dentist and patient appreciation of dentures when the dentures were rated as poor, but little or no correspondence when dentists or patients rated the dentures highly.     

Student perceptions of syndicate learning: tutor‐less group work within an undergraduate dental curriculum

This paper describes the implementation of syndicate learning (tutor‐less group working) to teach the basic principles and skills of removable partial denture design within an undergraduate dental curriculum at the University of Glasgow. Student perceptions of syndicate group learning were collected through using questionnaires with Likert scales and through focus group interviews. The majority of students expressed positive views of syndicate learning that focused on the following themes: the added value of the group in terms of learning and in terms of social cohesion; the sense of responsibility to peers that led them to work harder; the autonomy of tutor‐less groups that led them to improve their ability to justify their work; and the effectiveness of the syndicate groups in comparison with other learning methods. On the basis of these findings along with reports from students that learning about group roles enhanced their preparation for future work, we argue that syndicate learning can offer some valuable benefits to the undergraduate dental curriculum.     

Careers in paediatrics: Community paediatrics revisited

The concept of ‘community paediatrics’, as enunciated by Robert Haggerty in 1968, has informed and shaped many paediatric careers. The principle tenets of inclusiveness: attention to unmet needs; addressing common health problems of children and youth; using and applying preventive and harm-reduction strategies; and securing community input and control, were part of the Haggerty model. The present article revisits Haggerty’s model and describes how the concepts have shaped contemporary paediatrics in North America.