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Biomedical subjects

S M Levy

Publications and source records attributed to S M Levy.

124 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of fluoride exposures in children.

This paper reports the findings of a study looking at children's fluoride exposures in detail beyond the fluoride content of home drinking water. What emerges are the most clinically relevant questions to ask parents when conducting histories of fluoride exposure of child patients. Dental caries in children has decreased dramatically in the U.S. and other developed countries. At the same time, the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis in the U.S. may be increasing because of the widespread ingestion of fluoride. Children are vulnerable to fluorosis, according to the results of a fifty-item questionnaire administered to mothers through the University of Iowa. Patients have reported multiple water sources and fluoride levels, use of soy-based formulas, toothpaste ingestion, and dietary fluoride supplements.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The status of water fluoride assay programs and implications for prescribing of dietary fluoride supplements.

Although community water fluoridation has long been recognized as the most efficient, cost-effective method of providing the recommended levels of systemic fluoride, about 46 percent of all Americans do not have such access. Little has been known about the states' programs for providing assays of individual patients water supplies. The status of these programs was surveyed, with collected data showing patterns among the states. Thirty-nine programs (76 percent) reported assay services available, with most of these provided by state laboratories.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dentistry and the children of poverty.

In this paper, the fact that poor people, and specifically poor children, are a problem for our society was discussed. The eradication of poverty is a goal that our nation has not been able to achieve and probably will not reach in the foreseeable future. Data that are supportive of links between poverty and increased needs for dental treatment and difficulty in the acquisition of professional dental care for children were reviewed. Finally, it was pointed out that social consequences surrounding the environments of poor children and, in some instances, the manner in which these children are reared, are predictive of misbehavior at dental appointments, particularly in younger age-groups. Such misbehavior paired with the finding that these children often do need restorative and surgical care may present challenges in patient management. The most important conclusion of this paper is that the dentist must be sensitive to the problems of poor children, responsive to their psychological needs, and prepared to give the extra energy and time that may be needed in management before and during the dental appointment.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Validation of the children's Oral Health Status Index (COHSI).

The findings presented here provide support for the validity of the Children's Oral Health Status Index. The COHSI is a good predictor of dentists' ranking of the oral health of pairs of children when there are at least ten points difference between the scores.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Water and formula fluoride concentrations: significance for infants fed formula.

The independent contributions of formula and water to the total fluoride (F) intake from the diet of formula-fed infants is not fully documented. Although the precise timing and mechanism by which dental fluorosis occurs has not been fully defined, water F levels can be an important consideration in the risk of dental fluorosis for formula-fed infants. An assessment of 1,308 participants younger than 2 years old revealed that: 81% of homes received public water; 19% received well water; 26% of participants used bottled water; and 11% used some kind of filtration system. In this study, virtually all formulas consumed by the birth cohort and water sources used in the reconstitution of these formulas were assayed for F using a F ion specific electrode and direct read method, except for soy-based formulas, which were analyzed by microdiffusion (modified Taves). Among 78 commercially available bottled waters in Iowa, F levels ranged from 0.02 to 1.36 ppm (mean 0.18 ppm), 83% from 0.02 to 0.16 ppm, 7% from 0.34 to 0.56 ppm, 1% had a F level of 0.88, and 9% had F levels > 1.0 ppm. Among 47 casein (milk)-based formulas, 16 ready-to-feed (RTF) formulas had levels of 0.04-0.55 ppm F (mean 0.17 ppm), 14 liquid concentrates (LC) reconstituted with distilled water had levels of 0.04-0.19 ppm F (mean 0.12 ppm), and 17 powdered concentrates (PC) reconstituted with distilled water had levels of 0.05-0.28 ppm F (mean 0.14 ppm). The 17 soy-based formulas had a range of 0.04-0.47 ppm F (mean 0.26 ppm).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A review of fluoride intake from fluoride dentifrice.

Ingestion of fluoride dentifrice by preschool children recently has been identified as a risk factor for dental fluorosis. There are relatively few published studies concerning patterns of fluoride dentifrice use and ingestion among preschool children at greatest risk for dental fluorosis. This paper reviews the literature on dentifrice use and ingestion in an attempt to emphasize to the practitioner the potential importance of this fluoride exposure in fluorosis etiology.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Patterns of fluoride dentifrice use among infants.

The early use of fluoride dentifrice and use of larger quantities recently have been identified as risk factors for dental fluorosis. However, little is known about fluoride dentifrice use and ingestion among infants and young children whose developing permanent teeth are at risk for dental fluorosis. This paper reports on patterns of fluoride dentifrice use among a birth cohort up to 12 months of age as reported by mothers by written questionnaire. Among those with teeth, percentages whose teeth were brushed at age 6, 9, and 12 months were 12.9%, 36.7%, and 64.5%, respectively. Percentages brushing with fluoride dentifrice were 1.9%, 11.7%, and 31.7%. Among those using dentifrice, the percentages using fluoride dentifrice were 94-97%. Among those using dentifrice, mean estimated quantities of fluoride from dentifrice used per brushing were 0.11, 0.14, and 0.17 mg F (range up to 0.88 mg). Among users, mean quantities of fluoride from dentifrice used per day were 0.21, 0.20, and 0.19 mg F (range up to 1.75 mg). Results suggest that fluoride dentifrice use among infants varies greatly, can be substantial, and can be a risk factor for dental, fluorosis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of air abrasion versus acid etch sealant techniques: six-month retention.

This study compared two techniques for placing sealant in an elementary school setting. Eighty-five children in grades 1 to 4 in two schools were assigned randomly to two sealant treatment groups: 1) acid etch technique (AE), and 2) air abrasion with no acid etch (KCP-1000). Noncarious, nonfilled occlusal, distolingual and buccal pit surfaces of first permanent molars were sealed. A total of 300 teeth received sealants, and 230 were evaluated at 6 months. Rates of complete sealant retention at 6 months were: occlusal surfaces, 97% for AE and 96% for KCP-1000; distolingual surfaces, 82% for AE and 49% for KCP-1000; and buccal surfaces, 77% for AE and 7% for KCP-1000. Differences in complete retention at 6 months between AE and KCP-1000 were not significant for occlusal surfaces (P = 0.14) but were significant for buccal and distolingual surfaces (P < 0.0001). Results suggest that sealants placed with air abrasion have retention rates for occlusal surfaces similar to AE. More research is needed to identify factors contributing to low retention rates on other surfaces for KCP-1000.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The impact of WIC dental screenings and referrals on utilization of dental services among low-income children.

PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study examined whether referrals from nondental health professionals impacted utilization of dental services by low-income populations. METHODS: A sample of 309 mothers enrolled in the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) clinic in Jackson County, Missouri, completed a self-administered, 32-item questionnaire to assess the mother and child's oral health behavior and past use of dental services. Dental utilization, the primary dependent variable, was defined as whether or not the child had ever been to a dentist. RESULTS: Findings showed 27% of the children in the sample had been referred for dental care. Bivariate analysis indicated that a dental referral, age of the child, age of the mother, mother's perceived dental need for the child, household size, number of children in the household, and dental insurance for the child were associated with a child having a dental visit. Logistic regression, however, indicated that only age was significantly related to utilization. CONCLUSION: The results showed a strong effect of increasing age being related to dental utilization, while additional research is needed to clarify the importance of WIC referrals.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A pilot study of esthetic perceptions of dental fluorosis vs. selected other dental conditions.

The prevalence of fluorosis has increased over the past fifty years, and with this increase, esthetic concerns pertaining to fluorosis should also be taken into consideration. Canadian, Australian, and British studies have explored perceptions concerning enamel fluorosis, but no studies in this area have been published from the United States. In the previous studies, esthetic concerns resulting from fluorosis generally were not compared with the esthetic perceptions of other conditions such as isolated opacities, tetracycline staining, or various types of malocclusion. In the present investigation, respondents answered written questions about paired photographs, one of fluorotic teeth and the other with one of the other conditions. Results show that not only is fluorosis noticeable, but it may be more of an esthetic concern than the other conditions.

Adolescent↗