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H Murtomaa

Publications and source records attributed to H Murtomaa.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

WHO Global Oral Data Bank, 1986-96: an overview of oral health surveys at 12 years of age.

The global oral health situation of 12-year-old children--decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) index and the percentage of population affected--is described in this article using the latest representative studies for 80 countries included in the WHO Global Oral Data Bank (GODB) between 1986 and 1996. The quantity of information varied considerably: 68% of developed market economies had at least one national data set, compared with 38% of developing countries and 36% of economies in transition. By WHO region, the proportions were as follows: Eastern Mediterranean, 55%; European, 50%; Western Pacific, 48%; African, 39%; South-East Asia, 30%; and the Americas, 26%. Globally, the weighted DMFT index for all data in the GODB is < 3.0%, the WHO/Fédération Dentaire Internationale goal for the year 2000. For the data reviewed in this article, achievement and nonachievement of this goal are discussed, as is the variation in DMFT means and proportions of children affected for various country groupings. There are difficulties in obtaining recent data for many countries, but the article emphasizes the need to maintain and develop the GODB to facilitate the compilation of valid, reliable and comparable data on oral health.

Child↗
PubMed1997

A device to predict lower third molar eruption.

This study was designed to create a transparent device to be superimposed on a panoramic tomogram taken of a patient at age 20 years to make predictions of future eruption or impaction of lower third molars. The device was developed from data on 40 lower third molars initially retained at age 20 years; one half of these remained impacted, and the other half of them erupted by age 26 years. Tracings were made from panoramic tomograms taken at age 20 years. The critical point for prediction in the overlay was the intersection of a horizontal reference line and the anterior border of the ascending ramus. To estimate this critical separation line, Bayes' Decision Theory was used. The sum of false negatives and false positives was least at a distance of 14.5 mm from the distal surface of the second molar. Mesial from this point, the probability of impaction was 76%; distal from this point, the probability of eruption was 72%. Tested against 35 initially unerupted lower third molars, the predictions made by the device and the actual clinical findings were in conformity in relation to 97% of the test teeth. It could thus be concluded that the method was simple to use and may prove a good addition for predicting lower third molar development.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A 5-year retrospective analysis of employer-provided dental care for Finnish male industrial workers.

The treatment-mix, treatment time, and dental status of 268 male industrial workers entitled to employer-provided dental care were studied. The data were collected from treatment records of the covered workers over the 5-year period 1989-93. Treatment time was based on clinical treatment time recorded per patient visit, and the treatment procedure codes were reclassified into a treatment-mix according to American Dental Association categories, with a modification combining endodontics and restorative treatment. The mean number of check-ups followed by prescribed treatment (treatment courses) during the 5 years was 3.7 among those who had entered the in-house dental care program prior to the monitored period (old attenders). Their treatment time was stable, 57-63 min per year, while the first-year mean treatment time (170 min) of those who had entered the program during the study period (new attenders) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than the 5-year mean of the old attenders (61 min). Over the first 2 years, the treatment-mix of the new attenders showed a rise in diagnostic and preventive procedures from one-third to about one-half of all procedures, as it was for the old attenders. The new attenders' mean number of carious teeth (2.7), registered at the initial check-up visit, paralleled the mean recently demonstrated in the similar non-covered population. It was significantly higher than the 5-year mean of the old attenders (0.5) (P < 0.001), but declined to the same level after the first year of treatment. It was concluded that the studied program seemed to contribute to a stabilization of treatment-mix, and to the establishment of a shorter annual treatment time within the first 2 years of treatment.

American Dental Association↗
PubMed1997

Self-assessed bleeding and plaque as methods for improving gingival health in adolescents.

The aim of this longitudinal study was to compare the effectiveness, in terms of cognitive and clinical changes, of two oral self-care promoting interventions based on a self-assessment of bleeding from gums or of presence of plaque. Adolescent students (age 14.0 + 0.7 years) from two health districts in Helsinki, Finland, participated in this one-year study. The self-assessment of bleeding group (n = 172) recorded bleeding during tooth brushing and inter-proximal cleaning with toothpicks on a single session. The self-assessment of plaque group (n = 156) recorded the presence of plaque with disclosing dye. Both programmes resulted in comparable clinical improvement in bleeding on probing over 9 months. Increased awareness of gingivitis was associated with clinical improvement. The subjects' socio-economic background, baseline gingival health status and age were statistically significantly associated with gingival health improvement during the follow-up. The results support earlier reports on self-assessment and suggest that both self-assessment approaches are beneficial for promoting gingival health in adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Periodontal awareness among adult Finns in 1972 and 1990.

Surveys were conducted in 1972 and 1990 to analyze conceptions among Finns of their own periodontal status. The interview samples, drawn to represent the Finnish population, aged 15 years and more, comprised 965 persons in 1972 and 1,006 in 1990. After excluding edentulous individuals, a total of 732 in 1972 and 853 in 1990 were accepted for the interview study. In 1990, 2% of the respondents stated that they currently had gingivitis, the percentage being highest in the youngest age group (6%). In both years there were no statistically significant differences between the age, education, and residence subgroups with regard to gingivitis: nearly 60% of those in all subgroups claimed that they had never had gingivitis. The proportions of those who had never experienced gingival bleeding were 54% in 1972 and 50% in 1990. During the first observation period the youngest age group (15-24 years) was the only one in which the increment in self-recognized gingivitis was accompanied by a higher proportion experiencing gingival bleeding. The overall low prevalence of self-recognized gingivitis is at variance with the estimated periodontal treatment need according to Finnish clinical epidemiologic data. Our results indicate that knowledge concerning periodontal disease is still poor in Finland.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Determinants of self-assessed gingival health among adolescents.

The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to assess the extent of agreement between clinical and self-assessed gingival health and to investigate possible factors associated with the amount of self-assessed gingival bleeding. A study group comprising students enrolled in grade 7 or 8 in Helsinki, Finland (n = 172), performed a self-assessment based on two tests: the amount of bleeding after toothbrushing and after interproximal tooth cleaning with toothpicks. Clinical examinations based on bleeding on probing (BOP%) were carried out by four local community dentists. The highest observed kappa value was 0.43 for the agreement between BOP% and self-assessment when tested with different cut-off points of diagnosis. Multivariate analysis showed that clinical status and toothbrushing frequency were statistically significantly associated with self-assessed gingival bleeding in both tests. Socioeconomic status and locus of control orientation were also statistically significant factors in the toothpick test. In conclusion, the validity of self-assessment of bleeding was sufficient for monitoring adolescents' gingival health in groups. Self-assessed bleeding was explained by the same factors that were associated with clinical gingival health status.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Bacteriologic findings in tonsillitis and pericoronitis.

Bacteriologic samples from 31 young men were cultured quantitatively for aerobes and anaerobes; these samples included 31 specimens of tonsils (16 infected and 15 healthy), 16 specimens from pericoronal pockets of lower third molars (11 infected and 5 symptom-free), and 6 postoperative specimens from lower-third-molar extraction sockets. Anaerobes were isolated more often from infected third molars than from infected tonsils (14.5 isolates vs. 8.4 isolates, respectively; P < .001). Infected tonsil samples contained significantly more anaerobic species if an adjacent partly erupted lower third molar was present rather than absent (10.3 isolates vs. 6.9 isolates, respectively; P < .05). Eubacterium aerofaciens, Clostridium species, Peptostreptococcus micros, and Prevotella oris were frequently isolated. Streptococcus salivarius was found more frequently in tonsillar specimens, whereas Corynebacterium species, Prevotella denticola, Capnocytophaga species, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, and Lactobacillus species were more common in pericoronal pocket samples. Thus, partial eruption of lower third molars increases the number of anaerobic bacterial species on tonsils and many species can be isolated simultaneously from both tonsils and lower third molars.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Dentists' perceptions and management of pain experienced by children during treatment: a survey of groups of dentists in the USA and Finland.

Dentists' perceptions and management of the pain experienced by children during treatment were examined in surveys of 198 American and 230 Finnish dentists. Two pain management areas were studied: communication and the use of anaesthetics and sedation. Neither group of dentists routinely questioned children about pain, but encouraging the child to report pain during treatment was more common; the USA dentists asked about pain more often than the Finnish dentists, whereas the Finnish dentists more often encouraged children to report pain. Finnish dentists were much less likely to use local anaesthetics during restorative treatment of either primary or permanent teeth than USA dentists. Neither group of dentists routinely prescribed nitrous oxide sedation, or premedication, or post-operative pain medications. Regarding the dentists' perceptions of pain experienced by children during dental treatment, neither group rated dental treatment procedures as particularly painful or unpleasant. Most dentists found the pain reports of children credible, yet a sizeable minority (up to 67% of the USA dentists and 21% of the Finnish dentists) did not find them strongly credible. There was little relationship between the dentists' pain management behaviour and their perceptions of the pain experienced by their patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Subsidized dental care improves caries status in male industrial workers.

The association between an employer-provided dental benefit scheme and dental status was studied in male industrial workers in southern Finland in 1994. A total of 325 workers (age 38-65 yrs) with access to subsidized dental care and 174 controls completed a multiple-choice questionnaire followed by clinical examinations. One or more carious teeth was registered in 19% of the subsidized group and 50% of the controls (P < 0.001). For subjects with retained roots the proportions were 2% and 15%, respectively (P < 0.001). Among those with caries the mean number of carious teeth was 2.1 (SD 2.0) in the subsidized group, and 3.2 (SD 3.8) in the control group (P < 0.05). The groups did not differ significantly in numbers of teeth or filled teeth. The probability of having one or more carious teeth was negatively associated with access to subsidized dental care, with a recall or check-up as the reason for the last dental visit, and with having had the last dental visit within the past two years. The results showed that the dental benefit scheme resulted in less untreated caries.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Dental knowledge, attitudes towards oral health care and utilization of dental services among male industrial workers with or without an employer-provided dental benefit scheme.

In industrialized countries various dental benefit schemes have been implemented to improve the utilization of dental services, though few studies have demonstrated that effect. Prior to a comprehensive clinical study in southern Finland, a postal questionnaire survey of male industrial workers (age 38-65 yrs) was conducted to investigate knowledge and attitudes concerning oral health care and whether access to an employer-provided dental benefit scheme was associated with the utilization of dental services. The response rate was 81% (n = 325) in the subsidized group and 69% (n = 174) in the control group. In both groups, 60% of the subjects had had their last dental visit within a year but 91% of the subsidized workers compared to 79% of the controls had visited a dentist in the past two years (P < 0.001). The subjects had similar attitudes towards the importance of regular dental care and its implications for dental and general health. Subsidization explained the disparity in the current dental visiting pattern between the groups better than the possibility of using working hours for dental visits. Backward stepwise logistic regression revealed that the probability of a dental visit within the past two years was positively associated with access to an employer-provided dental benefit scheme, tooth brushing to maintain dental health, and number of teeth, and negatively associated with number of carious teeth. Our results demonstrate a positive impact of subsidization on the utilization of dental services.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Periodontal status among male industrial workers in southern Finland with or without access to subsidized dental care.

The association between subsidized dental care and periodontal status was studied in male industrial workers in southern Finland in 1994. Clinical examinations and a multiple-choice questionnaire were completed for 325 workers (age, 38-65 years) with access to subsidized dental care and 174 controls without access. The CPITN scores based on full-mouth recordings were analyzed, using both the individual and sextant as units of analysis. Overall, 6% of the subsidized group and 2% of the control group had no periodontal treatment need (p < 0.05). Deep pockets > or = 6 mm were found in 5% of the subsidized workers and 11% of the controls (p < 0.05). In the logistic regression analyses the probability of calculus was negatively associated with access to subsidized dental care. Smoking was the strongest independent factor affecting periodontal status. Our findings show a positive relationship between access to subsidized dental care and periodontal status.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Oral mucosal changes and associated factors among male industrial workers with or without access to subsidized dental care.

Oral mucosal changes and associated factors were studied among male industrial workers in southern Finland. Two groups, with or without access to an employer-provided dental benefit scheme, were compared. A multiple-choice questionnaire followed by clinical examinations was completed by 325 (81%) subsidized workers and 174 (69%) controls. In both groups 52% of the subjects had some oral mucosal change, and there were no significant differences between the groups in the location distribution of the changes. Smoking was significantly associated with redness of the oral mucosa (p < 0.001), coating (p < 0.001), and leukoplakia (p < 0.01), whereas denture wearing was associated with ulcers (p < 0.05), hyperplasia (p < 0.001), and redness (p < 0.001). Among denture wearers non-acceptable dentures were significantly associated with hyperplasia (p < 0.001). The subsidized group had better dentures, although this did not significantly benefit their oral mucosal status.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Respiratory tract infections and concomitant pericoronitis of the wisdom teeth.

OBJECTIVE: To discover if there is an association between respiratory tract infections and pericoronitis of erupting third molars in young adults. DESIGN: Data from male military conscripts' medical records were collected over five years and the incidence of respiratory tract infection before and after acute pericoronitis (191 cases) and before and after standard (722 cases) and operative (741) extractions compared with that in controls (n = 703) who had no infections in the third molar regions. SUBJECTS: 14,500 male military conscripts aged 20. SETTING: Garrisons in Valkeala and Kouvola, Finland. RESULTS: The incidence of respiratory tract infection was significantly higher during the two weeks before acute pericoronitis was diagnosed compared with that in controls. The highest incidence was observed in the three days before pericoronitis (odds ratio 6.8; 95% confidence interval 3.0 to 15.0). The incidence was also increased in the first week after pericoronitis (odds ratio 3.7; 1.6 to 8.4) and three days before (odds ratio 2.6; 0.9 to 7.5) and during the first week after extraction of third molars (odds ratio 2.6; 1.3 to 5.3). CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory tract infection may precipitate and occur concomitantly with acute pericoronitis. Third molar surgery for pericoronitis, on the other hand, may trigger respiratory tract infection.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Smoking and oral health: a population survey in Finland.

OBJECTIVES: A survey was conducted to study smokers' oral health behaviors and attitudes, and to determine if smokers were advised by their dentists to quit smoking. METHODS: A random sample of 1,200 adults 15 to 64 years of age living in the province of North Karelia, Finland, was selected in each of two study years (1990 and 1991) and surveyed using a mail questionnaire. The 102-item questionnaire solicited information on smoking status, oral health behaviors, missing teeth, perceptions of tobacco's harmful effects on oral health, smoking status and quitting, and advice on smoking cessation provided by dentists. Variations in behaviors and opinions according to smoking status were analyzed. RESULTS: Nonsmokers reported more frequent healthy oral health behaviors than did daily smokers, with the exception that no difference in toothbrushing frequencies existed among women. Daily smoking was associated with increased use of sugar in tea or coffee, and with more frequent alcohol consumption. Daily smoking was correlated with the number of missing teeth in bivariate analyses, but not in multivariate analyses. Fewer daily smokers than nonsmokers considered smoking to have harmful effects on oral health. The majority of daily smokers, however, wanted to quit. Eight percent of daily smokers reported that they had been advised by their dentist to quit. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists need to provide patients with counseling on tobacco use because of the desire of many smokers to quit. Counseling of smokers by the oral health team requires special attention and skills, because smokers' health behaviors and attitudes appear to be less favorable to oral health compared to nonsmokers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Seafaring: a risk for seamen's oral health?

Information about the oral status and dental health behavior and the working history of 369 Finnish seamen on different types of ships was gathered by means of a questionnaire. A control group of workers on shore was formed for sailors 35-44 years of age. Removable dentures were worn by 16% of the seamen. Oral disorders during the week before the study were reported by one-third. During the previous 2 years 14% of the sailors had had at least one episode of oral troubles, 15% twice and 9% three or even more times. One-third of seamen with oral trouble had needed pain-killing tablets or antibiotics. Sick leave days had been needed by 3% of respondents during the previous 2 years because of oral disorder (mean length of sick leave period was 1.4 days). The control group reported gum bleeding more often than the seafarers. Even though there were no signs of poorer dental condition in sailors than in the controls on shore, the possibility that the seafaring could constitute a risk for the oral health of seamen in other age groups cannot be excluded.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Caries experience in a selected group of children in Kuwait.

A study to set base-line data for future interventions to develop young children's oral health care was carried out in November 1993 in Kuwait. The study population comprised a random sample of 450 3- to 7-year-old children drawn from the students in Kindergarten and Primary Departments of Kuwait English School in the Salwa District of Kuwait. The mean dmft and mean d values were highest at the age of 6 (4.1, SD = 3.6, and 2.1, SD = 2.4, respectively) and lowest at the age of 4 (1.4, SD = 2.5, and 1.0, SD = 2.0, respectively). The proportion of caries-free children (dmft = 0) was 39%. Molars and maxillary incisors were most prevalently affected by caries. There seems to be a distinct need for both organized dental health care and preventive programs for the very young children in Kuwait.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

Smart Habit Xylitol campaign, a new approach in oral health promotion.

A national 'Smart Habit' Xylitol campaign was organised in Finland in autumn 1992. The aim of the campaign was to increase consumption of xylitol chewing gum in 13-year-old school children, to promote their oral health. The campaign was conducted in elementary schools in the form of a quiz and lesson related to xylitol. Seventh form children from schools in 12 local health authority areas in 10 provinces took part in the campaign. Six thousand seven hundred children were involved. Data were collected with a series of three separate postal questionnaires. The study group consisted of 1,281 children exposed to the campaign. A control group was formed from 1,227 children in the same provinces not exposed to it. Questionnaires were distributed before and after the campaign. A third one was sent out a month later. A high number of the children had consumed xylitol chewing gum even before the campaign. The majority of the respondents reported no changes in consumption of xylitol chewing gum after meals in the first two questionnaires. The results showed that the consumption of xylitol chewing gum after meals increased more in the group exposed to the campaign than in the control group (P = 0.002). Girls in the study group increased their consumption of xylitol chewing gum more than boys (P = 0.016). Also an increase in the daily use of xylitol chewing gum was achieved by the campaign; differences between the study and the control group being significant (P < 0.05). Even though there was knowledge about the beneficial properties of xylitol beforehand, an increase in knowledge was achieved by the campaign. There seems to be potential for positive oral health promotion by means of this type of xylitol campaign.

Adolescent↗