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Biomedical subjects

R A Bagramian

Publications and source records attributed to R A Bagramian.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Prospective survey of percutaneous injuries in orthodontic assistants.

This prospective diary survey provides documentation concerning the occurrence of percutaneous injury among orthodontic chairside assistants in the United States and Canada. A 20-day period was used to collect data regarding exposure to injuries; 693 valid responses were received from orthodontic assistants. Most chairside assistants in this sample work in a solo practice and average 33 hours per week treating patients for 49 weeks per year. The study identified a percutaneous injury rate of 0.11 for chairside assistants during this period, a rate than can be extrapolated to 1.4 episodes of percutaneous injury per year per chairside assistant. The majority of these injuries occurred outside the mouth. Those assistants with longer orthodontic experience had a lower injury rate than those with less experience. The rate of percutaneous injury to dental assistants was slightly higher than the annual rate (0.99) for orthodontists monitored by means of a companion survey and slightly lower than the rate (1.9) for a smaller sample of orthodontists from the American Dental Association survey of 1995. The annual rate of percutaneous injury for orthodontic chairside assistants is less than half of that observed for dentists in general practice.

Canada↗
PubMed1998

A prospective survey of percutaneous injuries in orthodontists.

This national survey provides documentation regarding typical orthodontic practice patterns in the United States, including the prevalence of percutaneous injuries. The sample reflects a similar geographic distribution of the population as a whole, with more practitioners located in areas with higher populations. Most practitioners in this sample were in solo full-time practice, averaging 35 hours per week, and treating patients for 47 weeks per year. A 20-day prospective period was used to collect data regarding exposure to percutaneous injuries. The study identified a mean percutaneous injury rate of 0.085 during a 20-day period for practicing orthodontists, a value that can be extrapolated to slightly less than one (0.99) percutaneous injury per orthodontist per year. The majority of these injuries (84%) occurred outside the mouth. This rate is approximately one third the rate reported for dentists in general practice.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1997

Declining prevalence of dental caries in school children in Singapore.

OBJECTIVE: Dental health surveys of school children in Singapore from past decades were reviewed to document reductions in prevalence of dental caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surveys were carried out in schools by the Dental Division, Ministry of Health in 1970, 1979, 1984, 1989 and 1994. A sample size of approximately 5000 school children representing 1.2% of the school population aged 6 to 18 years old was examined in each survey. RESULTS: Survey data showed an increase in the proportion of children free of caries in the permanent dentition from 30% in 1970 to 58.7% in 1994. The DMFT index for 6 to 18 year old children has dropped from 2.98 in 1970, 2.61 in 1979, 1.97 in 1984, 1.61 in 1989 to 1.05 in 1994. CONCLUSION: Fluoridation of public water supplies together with the adoption of preventive dental health programmes by the State and professional bodies is credited as the major factor in caries reduction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Prevalence of dental fluorosis in children in Singapore.

Prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis was assessed in 1739 Singaporean children aged 9, 12 and 16 yr in three different ethnic groups. All subjects had resided since birth in Singapore, which has a tropical climate. The water supply was fluoridated in 1957 at a level of 0.7 ppm. In this sample, mouth prevalence was 82.6%, tooth prevalence was 66.9%, the community fluorosis index was at 1.96; 9.2% of children had severe fluorosis and 26.2% had moderate fluorosis. There were no significant gender or racial differences. Prevalences were higher than those reported in most other studies. Due to differences in indices used and methodology, comparisons could not be made directly with other studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Relation between incisal overjet and traumatic injury: a case control study.

Most previous studies have shown the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries in anterior teeth to increase with increasing overjet. This study identified 36 Singapore schoolchildren, age 7-18 years, from a clinic population of 11,179, who had suffered dental trauma while playing contact or collision sports. A case control group of 36 children, matched for age, sex, race and sporting activities, but who had not suffered dental trauma, was selected from the same clinic population. Both groups were examined and the nature of injuries received, together with overjet measured to the nearest 0.5 mm were determined. The mean overjet for the trauma group was 3.42 +/- 1.45 mm and for the injured group 3.42 +/- 1.33 mm. These means were not statistically different (p = 1.00), neither did the distribution of overjet between the groups differ. These data were not in accord with the majority of studies correlating incisal overjet and dental trauma, and they suggested that overjet was not a positive correlate with traumatic dental injury in Singapore schoolchildren.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

A survey of tooth injury experience and attitudes to prevention in a group of Singapore schoolboys.

A survey of 246 boys aged 12-17 years (mean 13.8 years) determined the sports played, dental injury experience, knowledge and usage of and attitudes towards mouthguard wearing. Most played basketball and soccer. Twenty-one suffered 1 injury episode, 7-2 and 10-3 or more tooth injuries. Twenty-six subluxations, 19 fractures and 1 avulsion were reported. The sports with the highest prevalence of dental injury were boxing and wrestling (33%), soccer (20%), and basketball (19%). While 144 (56%) of boys knew about mouthguards, none wore one. Only 64 (25%) would wear a mouthguard if given one. Most dental injuries were minor, but four high-risk sports (> 19% injury prevalence) would justify preventive measures, including education for injury prevention and encouragement of mouthguard use.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

A comparison of periodontal disease among rural Amish and non-Amish adults.

Periodontal disease can be more efficiently studied within a homogeneous population where genetic influences and lifestyles are similar enough to negative their effect on the disease process. This study focuses on an Amish population in southern Michigan who isolate themselves from outside influences and their non-Amish neighbors. A total of 425 Amish and 290 non-Amish were contacted resulting in 330 Amish and 215 non-Amish who were examined in their homes giving a participation rate of 76.2%. Ages ranged from 18 to 82 years. Prevalence of periodontal disease tended to be higher among males and increased with age. There were slightly more Amish females (52%) than non-Amish (49%). Means of periodontal conditions for Amish were 1.35 mm for attachment loss, 2.59 mm for pocket depth, 0.24 for calculus, 0.77 for plaque and 0.74 for gingivitis. For non-Amish, the means were 1.03 mm for attachment loss, 2.38 mm for pocket depth, 0.40 for calculus, 0.95 for plaque and 0.87 for gingivitis. It is of interest that the Amish do not practice routine oral hygiene. Only 36.8% of Amish reported brushing at least 1 x a day compared to 84.6% of non-Amish. Similarly, only 8.2% of Amish reported flossing at least 1 x a week compared to 40.8% of non-Amish.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Periodontal disease in an Amish population.

Epidemiological studies of periodontal disease have attempted to focus on defined groups in which the variables thought to be responsible for disease could be controlled or more easily identified. This study documents periodontal disease parameters in a unique population of Amish farmers. A total of 371 Amish were contacted and 282 were examined in their homes giving a participation rate of 76%. Ages ranged from 18 to 79 years. Overall means for periodontal conditions were 1.54 mm for attachment loss, 2.63 mm for pocket depth, 0.17 for calculus, 0.63 for plaque and 0.61 for gingivitis. One dental examiner conducted all examinations. Prevalence of periodontal disease tended to be higher among males and increased with age. The majority of Amish examined had little evidence of destructive periodontal disease; about 3.4% of teeth examined had attachment loss of 6 mm or more. These findings indicate a modest level of periodontal disease among the Amish. It is of interest that this population does not generally seek routine dental care. Preliminary analyses of health behavior data collected indicate a lack of regular oral hygiene practices. It appears that the Amish may have protective factors which affect their level of disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Singapore dentists' knowledge, advocacy and utilisation of mouthguards.

A questionnaire was distributed to Singapore Registered Dental Practitioners, seeking demographic details, knowledge of mouthguards in preventing dental injury during contact sport, current attitudes to advice and provision to at-risk patients. 636 questionnaires were posted and 226 valid replies were received. Most dentists believed that mouthguards reduced the prevalence of dental injury in contact sports. Undergraduate education was the primary source of dentists' knowledge. Seventy-four per cent of respondents actively recommended mouthguards, but only 26 per cent made one or more in 1992. Only 3 dentists made more than 10. Twenty-eight per cent were comfortable with their knowledge in this area, and 76 per cent would be willing to assist a public awareness campaign.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed1993

Mouthguards: an easy-to-fabricate element of practice preventive programmes.

Mouthguards reduce the prevalence of dental injuries in contact sports. All types are effective, but those which are closely adapted to the teeth are the best retained, most comfortable, and therefore best accepted by sports people. Closely fitting mouthguards can be directly adapted in the mouth or laboratory-made on a stone model of the dental arch. The mouth-formed types can be fitted without professional supervision, but the procedure is often more successful if undertaken or supervised by a dental professional. The mouth forming procedure is quick and involves little material cost compared to the laboratory-made type. These savings can be passed on to patients in the form of lower fees which should encourage the widespread acceptance of mouthguards as a cost-effective preventive measure. Professionally fitted laboratory-made mouthguards are particularly suitable for high risk activities such as boxing, where more specialised protection such as a bimaxillary guard is indicated.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed1989

Relation of sources of systemic fluoride to prevalence of dental fluorosis.

The prevalence of dental fluorosis in a nonfluoridated area was determined and related to the reported fluoride ingestion histories of the children examined. A convenience sample of 543 schoolchildren in rural areas of Michigan was examined for fluorosis using the Tooth Surface Index of Fluorosis. Questionnaires that asked about previous use of fluorides were sent to parents of all children examined. The response rate was 76 percent (412 usable questionnaires). A criterion for inclusion in the data analysis stipulated that only fluorosed surfaces that occurred bilaterally would be included. Fluorosis was found on 7 percent of all tooth surfaces and only in the mild form. Twenty-two percent of the subjects were classified as having fluorosis. Dietary supplement was the only fluoride that was found to be significantly related to the occurrence of fluorosis. A greater proportion of the subjects with fluorosis listed physicians, rather than dentists, as the source of fluoride prescriptions. The results demonstrate similarities to the fluorosis reported in other studies in nonfluoridated areas, but also suggest the need to minimize the occurrence of fluorosis through proper assessment of a child's fluoride exposure and the judicious use of additional fluoride.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1989

Relationship of dental caries and fluorosis to fluoride supplement history in a non-fluoridated sample of schoolchildren.

A random sample of 206 Michigan children, aged from 9 to 13, were examined for fluorosis from a larger group of 2038 children participating in a dental project. Clinical examinations included caries data (DMFS) and assessment of fluorosis by use of the Tooth Surface Index of Fluorosis (TSIF). Separate examiners were used for each index. The response rate of a questionnaire mailed to parents to gather information on residence histories, use of fluoride supplements, and antibiotics was 78%. The prevalence of fluorosis was about 20% among the respondents. Of the 4868 tooth surfaces examined, 9.2% were affected by fluorosis. In all cases, dental fluorosis was judged as mild, with most occurrences on the posterior teeth. No instances of moderate or severe fluorosis were found. The caries experience of respondents was 1.69 +/- 2.73 DMFS. Caries experience does not appear to be significantly related to income, education, or fluoride supplement use. Approximately 52% of respondents were reported to have taken fluoride supplements with various degrees of consistency. Parents' education was positively related to both prevalence of fluorosis (odds ratio = 2.2) and use of fluoride supplements (odds ratio = 2.7). No significant relation was revealed with evidence of fluorosis and use of supplements. This study shows a relatively mild level of dental fluorosis in a sample of children from a non-fluoridated area. Dental fluorosis in this group does not appear to be related to use of fluoride supplements or differences in caries experience.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Fissure sealant knowledge and characteristics of parents as a function of their child's sealant status.

A survey was conducted to identify and compare sealant knowledge and sources of sealant information of parents whose children had and had not received fissure sealants. The socioeconomic characteristics of these individuals were also compared. The sealant group was composed of the parents of children found to have a sealant on at least one permanent tooth during dental examinations of 2,036 elementary schoolchildren in southwestern Michigan. Another group of children was selected from the same population and matched to the children with sealants by child's age, sex, school location, and community. Surveys were returned by 210 of 260 sets of parents (81% response rate). Significant differences were found between the two groups with regard to parents' ages and levels of income. Parents of children with sealants had more correct information about the procedure and 74 percent of these individuals reported that the dental office was their primary source of information. For the group without sealants, 48 percent of respondents reported no source of sealant information. Findings suggest that dental personnel may strongly influence dissemination of information about sealants and utilization of this preventive procedure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Oral health status, knowledge, and practices in an Amish population.

This study was conducted in the summer of 1985 to assess the oral health status, knowledge, and practices of an Amish population in southwest Michigan. Dental caries experience, periodontal health, and oral hygiene status were recorded using decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (DMFS), periodontal index (PI), and simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S). Data on oral health knowledge and practices were collected by interviews using a structured questionnaire. Results showed significantly lower levels of disease among Amish. DMFS scores for 5-17-year-old Amish children were almost half that of the US general population (NIDR 1979-80). PI score of all ages combined was 2.0, which was 3.6 times lower than a national sample (1971-74). Lower levels of disease in Amish could be related to their way of life and dietary patterns. A relatively higher level of unmet need for prosthodontic care, inadequate oral health knowledge, and barriers to dental care in the study population emphasize the need for dental public health and health education programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Self-reported health behavior and dental knowledge of a migrant worker population.

In conjunction with operation of a summer school-based dental program in Michigan, 101 children from migrant families, primarily Mexican-American, completed questionnaires relating demographic background, past dental experience, and knowledge of caries preventive methods. A smaller number of available mothers were asked these questions plus others relating to family dental problems, diet and knowledge of periodontal disease. Adults and children reported similar demographic backgrounds. Most children (68.7%) listed brushing as the best way to prevent cavities as did 60% of the mothers. Less than 2% of the children considered use of fluoride in any form as the best way to prevent cavities and only two of 20 mothers mentioned fluoride in this context. Members of this selected population were weak in their knowledge of the relation between a sweet diet and caries, the relation between oral hygiene and periodontal health, and the role of fluorides in caries prevention.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Oral health of children of migrant farm workers in northwest Michigan.

A considerable number of Hispanic agricultural workers come to Northwest Michigan during the summer every year to harvest fruit and vegetable crops. The Department of Community Dentistry of The University of Michigan School of Dentistry helps provide dental services for these migrant workers and their families. Some 203 five-to-14-year-old children of migrant farm workers were examined for caries and periodontal condition and the results compared with recent national surveys. Traditional indicators of dental caries experience (DMFT/dft and DMFS/dfs indices), periodontal disease (PI), and oral cleanliness (OHI-S) were used by one examiner. These migrant children presented higher numbers of decayed teeth and lower numbers of restored teeth than United States schoolchildren generally. Migrant children also presented less caries-free teeth and higher PI and OHI-S scores than United States children generally.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

A 5-year school-based comprehensive preventive program in Michigan, U.S.A.

The objectives were to demonstrate that a combination of preventive regimens could significantly reduce dental disease in a school population, to demonstrate the feasibility of a school-based program in relation to sustained benefits. There were 1286 students in 1st and 6th grades enrolled in the study. Subjects were stratified by grade, sex, and race and randomly placed in a treatment or education group. Procedures included ingestion of fluoridated water, oral hygiene education program, dental examinations, prophylaxis, acidulated phosphate fluoride gel (1.23%) applied in trays, pit and fissure sealants (bis-GMA) on occlusal surfaces of all eligible posterior teeth, and provision of all restorative care. Fluoride and sealant procedures were repeated at 6-month intervals. After 3 years the treatment group was randomly divided to provide a group that would not continue with treatment and serve as a comparison. The study population was enrolled in 18 schools and clinical procedures were provided on-site, using mobile dental vans. Five-year results indicate high degree of success with fall-off of benefits to those for whom treatment was terminated. This pilot program gives strong evidence for the possibility of implementing school-based dental programs. The study also indicates that prevention programs must be comprehensive and continuous for maximum benefit to occur.

Child↗