Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to E J Kay.
The life of a GDP is stressful, and the reasons why dentists may experience stress in their chosen profession are many and varied. This article discusses the causes of stress, and outlines some strategies for coping with it.
A 6-yr double-blind study was undertaken to compare the caries inhibiting-effectiveness of (a) 1 mgF- tablets (daily at school) plus fortnightly rinsing at school with 1000 ppmF-; (b) 1 mgF- tablets plus placebo rinsing; and (c) placebo tablets plus 1000 ppmF- rinsing. Participants were aged 4.5-5 yr at outset of the trial. At baseline, and annually thereafter, clinical caries and bitewing X-ray examinations were undertaken, hence ethical approval for a negative control was not feasible. Fissure sealant presence was also recorded. Initially, 192 children from predominantly low socio-economic backgrounds were enrolled, and baseline analyses showed no significant differences between groups with respect to primary caries prevalence. After 6 yr, 112 children remained, by which time no significant differences were noted between DMFT and DMFS values for those in the active tablet/active rinse group, as compared to those in the placebo tablet/active rinse group. However, in relation to both indices, in permanent first molars, the effectiveness of the active tablet/placebo rinse regime appeared to be significantly poorer than the placebo tablet/active rinse programme. For the active tablet/active rinse group, the DMFT difference was significantly less than the active tablet/placebo rinse group (37.9%), although for the DMFS difference, significance was not achieved. Similar trends were noted when DMFT and DMFS values for all permanent teeth were considered. The occlusal caries prevalence in permanent first molars followed the DMFT pattern, but differences between combined tablet/rinsing children and tablet-only children could be ascribed solely to the effectiveness of sealant presence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Oro-facial and dental injuries are of particular importance as dental tissues have a low potential for recovery when damaged and such injuries can give rise to functional, aesthetic and psychological disfigurement. Also their repair can be costly, distressing and time consuming. This study sought to clarify the nature and severity of oro-facial injuries amongst rugby players in a first division club in Scotland. A secondary aim of the study was to examine the influence of position and standard of play on injury rates. The results show that oro-facial injuries are common amongst rugby players, and that players in the first fifteen were at the greatest risk. Although injuries may still occur when mouthguards are used, their severity will be reduced by use of such protective devices.
It is increasingly recognized that the provision of dental care should not be seen in isolation from the psychological make-up and social background of the patient. The General Dental Council has recently approved the report of its Working Party giving guidance on the teaching of the behavioural sciences (psychology and sociology) in the dental curriculum. One of the members of the Working Party was Professor Keith Millar. In this five-part series edited by Professor Millar we will cover the practical application of behavioural science in dentistry, covering communication with patients, ways to change your patients' behaviour, the management of anxious adult and child patients, and stress in dentistry. This first article offers some advice on coping with the nervous child.
Two two-year double-blind clinical trials were undertaken involving the newly-erupted first permanent molars of 133 children aged 5-6 years at the outset. In one study of 76 subjects, half the teeth were sealed with the filled sealants Prismashield or Estiseal. In the other study of 58 children, half were again sealed with Prismashield, and the others with the unfilled Concise white sealant, by a community dental service hygienist, as part of her routine dental duties. Subjects were examined under blind conditions at 6 monthly intervals and, by 24 months in the first study, 71 per cent of Prismashield sites were intact and caries-free, compared with only 53 per cent of Estiseal-treated tooth units (P less than 0.001). In the second study comparing Prismashield and Concise, by two years, 81 per cent of Prismashield resins were complete, compared with 88 per cent of the nonfilled Concise material. There were, however, no differences noted with respect to buccal and palatal site retention for either study. It can be concluded that Estiseal is a poorer material than Prismashield, certainly in relation to its bulk retention properties. Nonetheless it is possible that, along with other tooth-coloured/transparent resins, small fragments may not be as readily detectable as is the case with the unfilled Concise white sealant. However, as the abrasion resistance of unfilled materials is poorer than that of filled resins, the similar buccal/palatal site retention for Prismashield and Concise was also unexpected. Nevertheless this study illustrates again the value of sealant placement in the erupting first permanent molars of 5-6-year-old children, at a time when these teeth are most susceptible to carious attack.
Epidemiological studies suggest that Asians living in Britain, particularly children, have poor oral health. This study of the dental health knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and behaviour of a random sample of sixty-nine Asian adults in Glasgow aimed to identify some possible underlying factors. The dental health knowledge of Asians living in Glasgow appeared to be limited, specifically with regard to methods of reducing the incidence of caries. Thirty per cent could not name any foods which were known to be detrimental to dental health and only 30% felt that children under the age of five required access to dental services. The aesthetic value of a healthy mouth was highly appreciated by the majority of respondents and poor oral health was considered to be socially unacceptable. The Asian population examined would seem to be an appropriate target group for dental health education, since low knowledge levels rather than negative attitudes appear to cause Asians to be at high risk from caries.
Three hundred and fifteen mothers of pre-school children from socially deprived areas in Scotland were interviewed to assess their knowledge of, and attitudes towards, caries prevention. Thirty-five per cent of them believed that the dental profession had the most important part to play in the prevention of dental disease, while thirty-five per cent were complacent about their children's teeth and did not feel that preventive measures were necessary. Sixty-seven per cent thought that a caries vaccine would be acceptable if it posed no health risks and reduced caries experience by 50 per cent. This proportion increased to 78 per cent if all caries could be avoided by being immunized. Significantly more mothers held positive attitudes towards a hypothetical vaccine than to the more realistic prospect of fluoridation of public water supplies. This study has shown that mothers in deprived areas have little understanding of how to control dental disease and see little point in taking a personal initiative to alter their children's behaviour to reduce the risk of caries. They prefer to leave the control of disease to the dental profession. The idea that dental disease might be reduced by a vaccine was more acceptable than fluoridation.
In Southern Sudan it is a commonly held belief that the unerupted deciduous canine tooth is injurious to the health of infants and that it causes diarrheal diseases. The teeth are therefore often removed by native extractors in an attempt to alleviate the symptoms of these dangerous diseases. This study examined the prevalence of this practice among babies presenting at a hospital, and examined the health status of the infants involved. The 90 infants in the study had all had at least one deciduous tooth removed, and the great majority were suffering from dehydration, caused by various abdominal diseases. It is clear that an educational campaign aimed at reducing the prevalence of this practice is required.
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Three hundred and fifteen parents of pre-school children from socially deprived areas in the Forth Valley region of Scotland were interviewed to assess their preferred methods of controlling dental decay in their children's mouths. Thirty-five percent of the parents believed that dental disease in their children would be most satisfactorily controlled by the dental profession, whilst 35% felt that their children were unlikely to suffer from disease, even without any specific preventive actions being taken. Controlling sucrose intake was less popular than a hypothetical anti-caries vaccine as a means of preventing dental decay, with fluoridation of water supplies being preferred by only 5% of the sample. This study shows that parents of some socially deprived children in Central Scotland prefer to retain the ability to determine their child's dental future, in collaboration with their family dentist, rather than accept public health measures.
This study investigates the validity of the treatment decisions made by 10 hospital dentists, who examined the fissures of extracted teeth using a visual-only technique. The study shows that 8 of the 10 dentists were more likely to leave carious teeth unrestored than unnecessarily treat sound teeth. The authors suggest that this system of diagnosing occlusal caries is a satisfactory one in terms of its sensitivity and specificity.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.