The oral health of 219 residents with mental retardation living in a long-term-care institution near Milan was assessed. The dental and periodontal status, daily habits, oral hygiene, and oral mucosal status were evaluated. Of the sample, 179 (81.7%) were males. The mean age of the residents was 61.3 years, and the degree of cooperation was evaluated as good for 131 subjects (59.8%), fair for 79 (36.1%), and poor for nine (4.1%). The percentage of residents who were edentulous was 21.5% (47 subjects), of whom 28 subjects (59.6%) were without dentures. Evaluation showed an overall DMFT of 23.1, and the average number of missing teeth was 20.5. All subjects had periodontal disease: Forty-five subjects had calculus and/or shallow pockets (4-5 mm); 61 had deep pockets (> or = 6 mm). The most common mucosal lesion was oral stomatitis (49.3%). These findings underline the need for special programs aimed at institutionalized subjects with mental retardation.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Caries-preventive effect of topical amine fluoride in children with high and low salivary levels of mutans streptococci.

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the salivary mutans streptococci (SMS) level and the effectiveness of a preventive intervention based on a biannual application of an amine fluoride solution (AmF). A total of 284 schoolchildren aged 6 years were recruited from eleven classes of a primary school in Milan and randomly assigned to an experimental (A) and a control group (B). SMS counts were obtained at baseline and caries incidence data (diseased, missing, filled teeth, DMFT) were recorded every 6 months for 5 years. The participants of the experimental group received application of an AmF 1% F(-) solution twice a year on the enamel surfaces of the first permanent molars for 5 years. Control group subjects received application of a placebo solution twice a year on the enamel surfaces of the first molars for the same period. The mean DMFT in the experimental and control groups were 0.56 and 0.22, respectively, at the beginning and 1.14 and 2.06 after 5 years. SMS data allowed children to be classified into low- (0-10(5) CFU/ml of saliva) and high- (>10(5) CFU/ml of saliva) SMS subjects. Survival analysis, performed on the first molar data split by SMS group, showed a significantly higher caries reduction in low-SMS experimental group subjects compared to low-SMS control group subjects after 5 years. No significant differences were found between the two high-SMS experimental and control groups. These findings indicate that the preventive effects of the treatment were significantly lower in subjects who had high SMS. It is concluded that the effectiveness of a simple and economical topical fluoride intervention applicable at a community level is significantly influenced by the SMS level of the subjects involved. Simple AmF preventive interventions, applied on low-SMS subjects, can give significant results in terms of caries reduction.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiologic survey of medical and non-medical personnel in a public dental clinic].

Hepatitis B and C and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection represent an occupational problem for the dentist. Few data are available in literature about the situation in our country. An epidemiological survey was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of Hepatitis B (HbsAb) and C (HCVab) markers and the exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Tine test) of the whole population of a public dental clinic (247 dental care workers). Furthermore participants were asked to fill a questionnaire to assess their vaccination status. 67,2% of the subjects were found to be positive for HbsAb (77,4% of medical personnel and 28,8% of the auxiliary medical personnel). Only one subject was found positive for anti-HCV (0,4%). 12,5% of the population showed a positive Tine test (15,4% of medical personnel and 1,9% of the auxiliary medical personnel). Our data show a difference between the percentage of subjects who were vaccinated (2,4%) and those who were positive to the Tine test (12,5%).

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Changes in the yeast oral flora in patients in orthodontic treatment].

The Authors analyzed the modifications of some components of salivary microflora (S. mutans, Lactobacillus and yeasts) induced by orthodontic treatment. This one is able to modify the oral microflora, increasing cariogenic microorganisms concentrations in plaque and saliva. Our results demonstrated a high caries risk for the subjects of the experimental group; this data suggest the need for a critical evaluation of preventive protocols applied to the orthodontic patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Assistants and hygienists: a current profile of two professions].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Dental Assistants↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Dental diseases].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Nutrition and health (not only dental)].

A correct alimentary education is a very important way to keep oneself in good health. From this statement, the Authors briefly illustrate the characteristics of a balanced diet and the effects of wrong nutritional habits, which are related to the most common oral diseases, dental caries in particular.

Dental Caries↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Biological basis of fluoride resistance].

The authors synthetically illustrate some fundamental concepts about the mechanisms through which the oral flora develops fluoride resistance and the main consequences of this phenomenon at a biochemical and microbiological level. They briefly discuss the most recent experimental contributes of the literature in this field.

Adaptation, Biological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Relations between sodium fluoride sensitivity and cariogenic potential in Streptococcus mutans].

Supragingival plaque samples of a group of 59 schoolchildren were taken. The samples were cultivated on a selective medium for Streptococcus mutans and the isolated wild strains were tested for resistance to sodium fluoride (NaF). The results show the existence of a positive statistic correlation between the degree of resistance to NaF caries experience, obtained by DMFS of the experimental group.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Prevention intervention in a Milan school situation].

The authors refer an epidemiological survey about caries and periodontal conditions of school children of some schools of the city of Milan and prevention program that will take place in the school investigated. The data presented are the starting situation of a longitudinal intervention in the committee.

Child↗