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Biomedical subjects

R A Kuthy

Publications and source records attributed to R A Kuthy.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Dietary fluoride supplements for children--the role of the physician.

1. All children should receive one form of systemic fluoride and appropriate forms of topical fluoride. 2. If a child is not receiving optimally fluoridated water, the dentist or physician should prescribe dietary fluoride supplements (tablets or drops). 3. The correct dosage must be determined based on patient age and fluoride content of the patient's main water source(s). 4. Special attention is necessary concerning fluoride intake for children breast feeding or consuming infant formula. 5. To arrive at the correct fluoride dose, these steps should be followed: A. Always have a sample of the main drinking water source (usually home water) analyzed for the fluoride content before prescribing a fluoride supplement, if you do not have other specific knowledge of water fluoride content. The Medical College of Georgia (Department of Oral Biology - Dr. Whitford) provides water fluoride assay services. B. When the fluoride content of the water has been determined, the fluoride level and the child's age should be matched on Table 1 to arrive at the correct supplement dose. 6. Dr. Alderman, Director of the Office of Dental Health, Division of Public Health, Georgia Department of Human Resources, can provide lists of communities in Georgia that are optimally fluoridated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Dietary fluoride supplements for Nebraska's children--the role of the physician.

1. All children should receive one form of systemic fluoride and appropriate forms of topical fluoride. 2. If a child is not receiving optimally fluoridated water, the physician or dentist should prescribe dietary fluoride supplements (tablets or drops). 3. The correct dosage must be determined based on patient age and fluoride content of the patient's main water source(s). 4. Special attention is necessary concerning fluoride intake for children breast-feeding or consuming infant formula. 5. To arrive at the correct fluoride dose, these steps should be followed: A. Always have a sample of the main drinking water source (usually home water) analyzed for the fluoride content before prescribing a fluoride supplement, if you do not have other specific knowledge of water fluoride content. The Laboratory Division of the Nebraska State Department of Health provides water fluoride assay services. B. When the fluoride content of the water has been determined, the fluoride level and the child's age should be matched on Table 1 to arrive at the correct supplement dose. 6. The Division of Dental Health of the Nebraska State Department of Health can provide lists of communities and schools in Nebraska that are optimally fluoridated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Dietary fluoride supplements for Tennessee's children: the role of the physician.

1. All children should receive some form of systemic fluoride and appropriate forms of topical fluoride. 2. If a child is not receiving optimally fluoridated water, the physician or dentist should prescribe a dietary fluoride supplement as tablets or drops. 3. The correct dosage must be determined, based on patient age and fluoride content of the patient's drinking water. 4. Special attention is necessary concerning fluoride intake for children breast-feeding or consuming infant formula. 5. To arrive at the correct fluoride dose, these steps should be followed: (A) Whenever you do not have specific knowledge of water fluoride content, have a sample of the main drinking water source (usually home water) analyzed for the fluoride content before prescribing a fluoride supplement. (B) When the fluoride content of the water has been determined, the fluoride level and the child's age should be matched on Table 1 to arrive at the correct supplement dose. 6. The Fluoridation Program of the Tennessee Division of Water Supply can provide lists of communities and schools in Tennessee that are optimally fluoridated.

Child↗
PubMed1988

Local dental programs: a descriptive assessment of funding and activities.

In 1986, 201 local dental programs received a dental survey requesting information on their programmatic activities. Survey categories included general agency information, dental coordinator characteristics, program budget, staffing and salaries, clinical services, health education and other programs, and miscellaneous questions. A total of 156 programs returned the survey, for a 77.6 percent response rate. This article provides descriptive data on various selected activities within local dental health organizations. Highlights include: (1) 12 agencies have terminated their dental program since 1982; (2) 88 percent of existing dental programs have a clinical component; and (3) the budgets of viable programs have increased over the past three years. These data will assist local health agencies and national organizations in program planning and serve as a resource for program directors, as well as those who are developing new programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Development of an oral health survey: Columbus, Ohio.

This article describes the method used to develop and implement a local oral health survey (Columbus, Ohio) conducted in 1986. With the shift in the national dental disease pattern in the past decade, local oral health information is essential for program planning purposes. A collaborative effort by a city health department, a state health department, a dental school, and a school of public health demonstrated how this group worked harmoniously in a relatively inexpensive venture to determine the oral status of various age groups (grades 1-2, grades 6-7, age 35-44, and age 65+). This information provided part of the framework for a five-year dental plan at the Columbus Health Department. The survey design will serve as a basis for conducting a similar survey statewide. Modifications of existing oral health survey instruments are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Usefulness of a local oral health survey in program development.

In 1986, the Columbus (Ohio) Health Department conducted an oral health survey of children in grades 1, 2, 6, and 7. The World Health Organization's Pathfinder methodology served as the basis for survey design. The survey was made possible through collaboration and sharing resources among the local and state health departments and two universities. The findings of the children's portion of the survey proved useful in program planning, marketing (including resource procurement), constituency building, and educating the dental profession and the public. The data were used to support successful grant requests that led to the implementation of a school-based dental sealant program. The local government expanded the health department's dental budget to continue the sealant program beyond the grant period. The state health department considered the survey to be a pilot for a statewide effort.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Barrier techniques and hepatitis B vaccine policies in dental components of local health agencies.

National health organizations have issued guidelines for barrier control techniques against infectious diseases and for inoculation against hepatitis B. This study surveys the policies of local health agencies regarding the safeguards used in protecting their employees. Local health agencies (N = 201) operating independently of state health departments were mailed questionnaires seeking information regarding glove, mask, and eyewear policies, as well as hepatitis B vaccine policies for new and current employees. Of the 156 programs returning the survey, 127 (76.6%) reported having a clinical component. Many agencies did not require infection control policies to be implemented for every patient. Agencies that had dental directors who have held their positions for fewer than four years were more likely to have requirements for gloves and masks than agencies run by directors with longer tenure. Those agencies that provided dental treatment to inmates at correctional institutions were also more likely to require infection control policies. The data indicate policy inconsistencies among local dental health programs nationwide. Of considerable concern is the fact that infection control was not identified as a priority for the near future. Many local health agencies would benefit from further education in infection control.

Communicable Disease Control↗
PubMed1987

Fluoride prescription practices of Ohio physicians.

In 1985 a fluoride supplement survey was mailed to all members of the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians and the Ohio chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The response rate after two mailings was 60.2 percent. Of the respondents who were identified as either family physicians or pediatricians, 76.6 percent reportedly prescribed fluoride supplements for at least some of their child patients. Pediatricians were more likely to prescribe fluoride supplements than were family physicians. Younger physicians also were more apt to prescribe fluoride supplements than were their older colleagues. Only 6.2 percent of those physicians who prescribed fluoride adhered to a minimum protocol of inquiring about the fluoride content of the child's drinking water, having the water analyzed when the fluoride content was unknown, and continuing fluoride supplements until at least age ten. Medical schools, and especially residency programs, should include a preventive dental segment that uses a state-specific protocol for the prescription of fluoride, including where water may be analyzed. For those already in practice, the preferred method of providing information may be short articles in local journals or newsletters. Public health dentists should assist the medical profession in this educational process.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Education: a key to fluoridation compliance.

This descriptive study reviews the pre- and post-seminar compliance for water plant operators with regard to water fluoridation. The Illinois Department of Public Health conducted eight workshops with 198 participants representing 91 water facilities. These workshops provided a basic course in water fluoridation. Monthly water sample results were studied six months prior and subsequent to the seminar. The mean compliance levels showed a statistically significant increase at p = 0.05 after the seminar. For subgroups there were statistically significant (p less than 0.05) differences of the mean for facilities requiring a class C water plant operator, facilities adding hydrofluosilicic acid, and operators in communities serving more than 10,000 people. Discussion of the variables and their possible influence on the outcome is elaborated. For the maintenance of proper levels of fluoride, states may want to consider providing an ongoing level of education for the water plant operators.

Attitude↗