Peter Holbrook | Search PubMed

PubMed2005

Properties and modification of soft drinks in relation to their erosive potential in vitro.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was three-fold; (1) to test the erosive potential (EP) of various soft drinks, (2) to determine properties related to the soft drinks that were important for EP, and (3) to test possibilities of reducing the EP of soft drinks by modification. METHODS: Sixteen soft drinks from the Icelandic market including three modified soft drinks were used. The pH, calcium, phosphorus, and titratable acid (TA) to pH 5.5, 7.0, and 10.0 were determined in each drink. From these results the buffer capacity (beta) at pH 4.5, 6.3, and 8.5, degree of saturation with respect to hydroxyapatite (DS(HAP)), and critical pH (DS(HAP)=1) were calculated. One orange juice was modified by addition of various concentrations of calcium and phosphate. EP was determined as weight loss from tooth pieces after immersion into the soft drinks for 24 and 72 h as well as calcium increase in the soft drink upon immersion. RESULTS: EP of the drinks varied from 0-10% weight loss and 0-31 mmol calcium increase. The pH in carbonated and sport drinks was lower than in fruit juices, whereas TA and beta was considerably higher in fruit juices. Significant correlations were obtained between EP and TA, beta, pH, and DS(HAP) (r(s)=0.69-0.90). Addition of calcium and phosphate to the experimental drinks considerably decreased their EP. CONCLUSION: We conclude that several properties related to soft drinks have an impact on their EP upon long exposure time to teeth and that moderate modification could be a helpful measure to reduce the EP of soft drinks.

Acids↗

PubMed2002

2.2 Continuous quality improvement.

Continuous quality improvement (CQI) can be envisaged as a circular process of goal-setting, followed by external and internal evaluations resulting in improvements that can serve as goals for a next cycle. The need for CQI is apparent, because of public accountability, maintaining European standards and the improvement of dental education. Many examples are known where recommendations from both external and internal evaluation are used for the improvement of dental education. Unfortunately, the implementation of the recommendations is inconsistent, rarely systematic and usually not transparent. This section agreed that it is essential to apply CQI in a structured, systematic and transparent way if we are to improve and maintain the quality of dental education. A model is proposed which includes three aspects: a) the process of CQI; b) the subjects to which CQI should be applied; and c) the management tools to govern CQI. It is stressed, that CQI is a process that can be applied in any dental school irrespective of curriculum or educational approach within the relevant context of the country or the region. The approach needs to recognize the complexity and the need to balance a quality improvement with accountability. A CQI system is also constrained in any organization by the attitudes and values of the staff. Inevitably there has to be a wide range in the application of CQI. Nevertheless, an agreed model on CQI might enhance convergence towards higher standards of dental education. The process of CQI can be supported by developments in information and communication technology (ICT): collection of data, identifying the steps in CQI, formats of reports, etc. The section was set, as one of its tasks, to advise on the development of a network based on a number of case studies on the application of CQI in dental education.

Cultural Diversity↗