Oxford College Library

Is Obesity an Oral Bacterial Disease?

2009-07-16T06:53:00.000-07:00

Oral healthcare could hold the key to beating obesity according to new dental research. The UK's leading oral health charity has reminded the public of the importance of good dental hygiene after studies published in the June's Journal of Dental Research revealed further potential systemic links between oral health and overall health.

The British Dental Health Foundation has long campaigned on the importance of oral healthcare. Now scientists have suggested bacteria in our mouths could play a direct part in causing obesity.

Studies of over 500 women, 300 of whom were clinically obese, found that of 40 kinds bacteria tested one species - selenomonas noxia - was present at levels of more than 1% of total bacteria in 98% of the overweight group. This bacteria has previously been linked with the development of gum disease.

Further research will now investigate the importance of these infectionary agents as indicators of and potential causes of obesity.

Foundation chief executive Dr Nigel Carter said: "Though this information represents very early stages of research it is another fascinating example of the potential overall health links related to our oral health.

"It is uncertain whether people may become obese due to changes in the bacteria in their mouths or whether these changes occur as a result of obesity. What impact changing the bacterial make up may have on helping to reduce obesity is certainly worth additional research.

"There are hundreds of bacteria in our mouths at any one time, contributing to the most common dental hygiene issue - gum disease.

"Alongside posing risks of causing tooth loss if left unchecked, gum disease has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and premature births.

"Our advice to the public is to take simple steps to best look after your oral health by brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, cutting down on sugary snacks and drinks which harm you oral health and visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend."

You can read the full text of the article from the Journal of Dental Research here.

Nutrition in Dentistry CD-ROM

2009-07-15T10:51:00.000-07:00

We added to the library collection a new CD-ROM entitlted Nutrition in Dentistry, by Linda Lolkus and Mary Cooper.

This interactive CD-ROM provides dental hygiene students with information on nutrition and its dental implications. It can be used for self-study, as an adjunct to a text, and as a review tool for the national board examinations.

The CD-ROM contains numerous illustrations, not available through any other source, of clinical/oral manifestations of nutritional deficiencies. Students can compare and contrast similar symptoms of nutritional deficiencies and their causes. Also included are animations showing processes related to nutrition and dentistry. Each unit begins with a subject outline and ends with board review questions, answers, and rationales.

You can find on Audio-Visual Table in the Library, under the call number RK 281 .L657 2008

Dental Radiographic Errors

2009-07-06T07:28:00.000-07:00

These websites will give readers information and images of errors made on dental radiographs:

Fundamentals of Dental Radiology - has a section on faulty radiographs

Oral Radiology course - from Ohio State University. Has PPT lectures on Processing Errors, Bitewing and Parallel Technique Errors, and Bisecting Angle and Panoramic Technique Errors.

Panoramic Technique Errors - PPT, also from Ohio State University

Focusing on the Image - article with images of panoramic errors from Dimensions of Dental Hygiene

The quality of panoramic radiographs in a sample of general dental practices - article from the British Dental Journal - has no images, but some useful information about common errors

The Role of CRC in Clinical Research

2009-06-18T07:06:00.000-07:00

The Role of CRC in Clinical Research

Two new books for Dental Hygiene program

2009-06-11T12:38:00.000-07:00

The latest additions to the library collection are:

Ethics and Law in Dental Hygiene, 2nd Edition, by Phyllis L. Beemsterboer - KF 2910 .D3 2010

This book is written in the context of "real-world" situations that you will encounter on a regular basis in dental hygiene practice. The book is divided into three sections: ethics, law, and simulations and applications. The latter section contains 25 case studies with accompanying discussion and thought questions, along with testlets that mirror the style of the newly revised National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and suggested activities. Appendixes include the recently revised American Dental Association (ADA) and American Dental Hygiene Association (ADHA) respective codes of ethics, making this the most up-to-date ethics book for dental hygiene currently on the market. With this expert guidance, you’ll be prepared to take the NBDHE and address ethical dilemmas in everyday practice.

Saunders Review of Dental Hygiene, 2nd Edition, by Margaret J. Fehrenbach and Jane Weiner - RK 60.7 .N44 2009

This bestselling resource now reflects the new case-based format of the national exam along with content that covers new guidelines, especially in the areas of infection control and pharmacology. As you prepare and practice for your exam, you will find multiple ways to study with over 60 clinical case studies, and 1,500 plus questions. The accompanying CD-ROM includes an electronic, simulated exam as well as other interactive-review activities, such as crossword puzzles and word finds.

Health Reports, from Statisitics Canada

2009-06-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

Health Reports, published by Statistics Canada, is a peer-reviewed journal of population health and health services research. It is designed for health professionals, researchers, policymakers, and the general public. The journal publishes articles of wide interest that contain original and timely analyses of national or provincial/territorial surveys or administrative databases. New articles are published electronically each month. Some of the more interesting ones include:

Edentulism and denture use

Dental consultations

Dental insurance and use of dental services

Diabetes: Prevalence and care practices

Cancer prevalence in the Canadian population

For more articles and information about this journal, please go to:

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-x/4060784-eng.htm

Mobile Oral Health Care in New Zealand

2009-06-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

New Model Of Oral Health Care
25 May 2009
Scoop.co.nz

New Zealand's Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne, today in Ashburton, officially opened the first of 94 mobile dental surgeries that will be introduced as part of a nationwide upgrade of oral health services for New Zealand communities.

As well as opening the mobile clinic, Mr Dunne and Canterbury District Health Board Deputy Chair Dr Olive Webb, also officially opened Canterbury's first community dental clinic at the Oakgrove Consulting Rooms at Ashburton Hospital.

CDHB will spend $13.3 million over the next three years upgrading its Community Dental Service for children at primary and intermediate school. The upgrade will see most of the region&'s 120 school dental clinics replaced by 12 ‘multi-chair' community clinics, supported by 18 campervan-style mobile clinics.

Sixteen of Canterbury&'s 18 mobile clinics will visit schools in the CDHB area from Ashburton to Rangiora. The other two mobile clinics will provide a full range of dental treatment for children in rural areas, including the Hurunui district and the area on State Highway 72 from Oxford in North Canterbury to Mayfield in Mid Canterbury.

Under the new system, the mobile clinics will see children for check ups. If they need further dental work, such as fillings, children will attend one of 12 community clinics, which will be opened in stages over the next three years.

Work is beginning on other community dental clinics at Hillmorton in Christchurch and Kaiapoi and Rangiora. Other clinics will be located at Nga Hau E Wha National Marae, Woolston, Hornby, Burnside, Northcote and Lincoln. Sites for the clinics were chosen based on the areas with the highest need for dental care and after discussions with schools and other interested parties.

Community Dental Service Clinical Director Martin Lee said the Community Dental Service upgrade would improve oral health services for young people in Canterbury.

A review of the old school dental service had shown that it was often hampered by ageing equipment and buildings. The way the service was being delivered through the old school dental clinics also no longer met community needs.

Dental therapists working in the clinics were among the biggest advocates of the need for change, he said.

"We are very proud of this first new community dental facility in Canterbury. The old clinics were past their used by date and were more focussed on treating decay, rather than preventing it. The new clinics will allow us to focus more on preventative care and to improve the oral health of young people."

All children under 18 in the CDHB area are eligible for free dental care. Once children reach high school, they are able to register with a private dentist who will provide free services until they are 18. "High school children will continue to be offered a comprehensive service by private dentists. Ashburton dentists provide a very good service for high school children," Dr Lee said.

Latest Dental Hygiene journals in Library

2009-06-03T11:08:00.000-07:00

Over the last few days we received a number of new issues of Dental Hygiene journals. They include:

The May-June 2009 issue of the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene:

"How understanding pscyhiatric illness can help clinicians porivideoptimal oral health care"

"Use of removable partial dentures and progression of periodontal disease"

"Mobile dental hygiene practice: What are the specific challenges?"

"Online continuing education for dental hygienists"

The May 2009 issue of RDH Magazine :

"Leveraging Evidence: How big a role will dental hygiene have in evidence-based dentistry"

"The dance of life: Hygienist uses meditation to help patients find balance in life"

"To Polish or Not to Polish: Rethinking the concept of selective polishing"

"Creating hope with dental implant theory"

"The heart of...An emphasis on communication brings a touch of psychology into our jobs"

"Biofilm Removal: The water jet's battle against an old foe"

"It's refractory: What exactly does that mean?" - article deals with periodontal disease

"Oral Exams: Lichen planus of the lip"

"Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Dental Offices"

We also received the May/June issue of Dispatch (Royal College of Dental Surgeons) and the May issue of Hygienetown (which is now included as part of the magazine Dentaltown).

Also, the May issue of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene is now available online. You can access it at http://www.dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com/ddhright.aspx?id=4648

It includes the following articles:

"The Power of Whitening" - This case report illustrates the effects of in-office power whitening on the dentition of a young patient seeking a brighter, whiter smile.

"Focus on Toothbrushes" - This reference guide details many of the toothbrushes now on the market, including such information as handle and bristle design.

"Expanding Your Instrument Armamentarium" - The use of extended shank, area-specific instruments in nonsurgical periodontal therapy.

"Starting Out Right" - The importance of infant oral health care and disease management.

"The Oral Implications of Rett Syndrome" - What clinicians need to know when treating this special patient population.

"Facing the Caries Challenge" - John D.B. Featherstone talks to Dimensions about the efficacy of fluoride varnish

International Journal of Dental Hygiene

2009-05-19T06:41:00.000-07:00

The first issue (February 2009) of this year's International Journal of Dental Hygiene is now available for free. Click on on the articles to read the full text:

Halitosis among racially diverse populations: an update

Attitudes of South African oral hygienists towards compulsory community service

Spanish dental hygienist attitudes to dental radiological protection: assessment of a 1-day pilot course

A survey on misunderstanding of dental scaling in Hong Kong

Evaluation of a 7-year school-based community dental hygiene programme in Portugal by high school teachers

Microbiological evaluation and antibiotic susceptibility of dental unit water systems in general dental practice

Legionella pneumophila contamination of a dental unit water line system in a dental teaching centre

Dental unit water: bacterial decontamination of old and new dental units by flushing water

A randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of professional oral care by dental hygienists

False gingival enlargement as a diagnostic problem: a case report

Super bugs: super problems

The second issue of this year's journal (May 2008) is also published, and the Library can provide you with copies of any article. They include:

Growth factors in periodontal regeneration

Bisphosphonate-related jaw necrosis: A team approach management and prevention

Child abuse and dental neglect: the dental team's role in identification and prevention

Factors affecting oral health-related quality of life among pregnant women

Public awareness and social acceptability of dental therapists

Gingival recession: epidemiology and risk indicators in a university dental hospital in Turkey

Increase in detectable opportunistic bacteria in the oral cavity of orthodontic patients

Comparison of the effects of pilocarpine and cevimeline on salivary flow

The analysis of oral air using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry in persons with and without a history of oral malodour

A study to evaluate the relationship between periodontitis, cardiovascular disease and serum lipid levels

A review of anticoagulation intensity and outcomes among patients prescribed oral anticoagulant therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Colour Atlas of Common Oral Diseases

2009-05-13T08:08:00.000-07:00

We have just added to the collection a new edition of Colour Atlas of Common Oral Diseases, by Robert Langlais, Craig Miller and Jill Nield-Gehrig. This fourth edition has been thoroughly revised, updated, and expanded with over 650 high-quality color photographs and radiographic illustrations of oral disease to help you recognize and identify oral diseases. It presents clinical and radiographic features of common diseases found in the oral cavity according to location, color, surface change, and radiographic appearance.

You can find in the books section under the call number RC 815 .L35 2009

Frequently Asked Questions about Plagiarism

2009-05-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

You've already heard the warnings about plagiarism. Obviously it's against the rules to buy essays or copy chunks from your friend's homework, and it's also plagiarism to borrow passages from books or articles or Web sites without identifying them. You know that the purpose of any paper is to show your own thinking, not create a patchwork of borrowed ideas. But you may still be wondering how you're supposed to give proper references to all the reading you've done and all the ideas you've encountered.

The point of documenting sources in academic papers is not just to avoid unpleasant visits to the Director's office, but to demonstrate that you know what is going on in your field of study. It's also a courtesy to your readers because it helps them consult the material you've found. That's especially important for Internet sources. So mentioning what others have said doesn't lessen the credit you get for your own thinking—in fact, it adds to your credibility.

That's not to say that questions about ownership of ideas are simple. For one thing, the different systems for typing up references are admittedly a nuisance. But the real challenge is establishing the relationship of your thinking to the reading you've done (yes, that includes the Internet). Here are some common questions and basic answers.

1. Can't I avoid problems just by listing every source in the bibliography?

No, you need to integrate your acknowledgements into what you're saying. Give the reference as soon as you've mentioned the idea you're using, not just at the end of the paragraph. It's often a good idea to name the authors ("X says" and "Y argues against X,") and then indicate your own stand ("A more inclusive perspective, however, . . . ").

2. If I put the ideas into my own words, do I still have to clog up my pages with all those names and numbers?

Sorry—yes, you do. In academic papers, you need to keep mentioning authors and pages and dates to show how your ideas are related to those of the experts. It's sensible to use your own words because that saves space and lets you connect ideas smoothly. But whether you quote a passage directly in quotation marks, paraphrase it closely in your own words, or just summarize it rapidly, you need to identify the source then and there. (That applies to Internet sources too: you still need author and date as well as title and URL.)

3. But I didn't know anything about the subject until I started this paper. Do I have to give an acknowledgement for every point I make?

You're safer to over-reference than to skimp. But you can cut down the clutter by recognizing that some ideas are "common knowledge" in the field—that is, taken for granted by people knowledgeable about the topic. Facts easily found in standard reference books are considered common knowledge: that brushing your teeth often helps your oral health, or that . You don't need to name a specific source for them, even if you learned them only when doing your research. In some disciplines, information covered in class lectures doesn't need acknowledgement. Some interpretive ideas may also be so well accepted that they don't need referencing: that Picasso is a distinguished modernist painter, for instance, or that smoking is harmful to health. Check with your instructor if you're in doubt whether a specific point is considered common knowledge in your field.

How can I tell what's my own idea and what has come from somebody else?

Careful record-keeping helps. Always write down the author, title and publication information (including the URL and other identifying information for web pages) so you can attach names and dates to specific ideas. Taking good notes is also essential. Don't paste passages from webpages into your draft: that's asking for trouble. As you read any text—online or on the page—summarize useful points in your own words. If you record a phrase or sentence you might want to quote, put quotation marks around it in your notes to remind yourself that you're copying the author's exact words. And make a deliberate effort as you read to notice connections among ideas, especially contrasts and disagreements, and also to jot down questions or thoughts of your own. If you find as you write that you're following one or two of your sources too closely, deliberately look back in your notes for other sources that take different views; then write about the differences and why they exist.

So what exactly do I have to document?

With experience reading academic prose, you'll soon get used to the ways writers in your field refer to their sources. Here are the main times you should give acknowledgements. (You'll notice many different formats in these examples. See the file on Standard Documentation Formats for advice on these systems.)

Quotations, paraphrases, or summaries: If you use the author's exact words, enclose them in quotation marks, or indent passages of more than four lines. But it's seldom worthwhile to use long quotations. In literary studies, quote a few words of the work you're analysing and comment on them. In other disciplines, quote only when the original words are especially memorable. In most cases, use your own words to paraphrase or summarize the idea you want to discuss, emphasizing the points relevant to your argument. But be sure to name sources even when you are not using the exact original words.

Specific facts used as evidence for your argument or interpretation: First consider whether the facts you're mentioning are "common knowledge" according to the definition in point 3 above; if so, you may not need to give a reference. But when you're relying on facts that might be disputed within your discipline—perhaps newly published data—establish that they're trustworthy by showing that you got them from an authoritative source.

Distinctive or authoritative ideas, whether you agree with them or not: The way you introduce a reference can indicate your attitude and lead into your own argument.

Dental Anatomy Videos

2009-04-28T09:15:00.000-07:00

The University of Michigan's School of Dentistry has put online a series of videos about dental anatomy. The videos date from the 1970s and 80s, but are still considered to be scientifically sound.

Podacsts about Clinical Research and Clinical Trials

2009-04-28T06:45:00.000-07:00

Medical University of South Carolina Health Podcasts

In this podcast, Rebekah Whichard, the Clinical Trials Coordinator for the MUSC Digestive Disease Center, explains the entire process of a clinical trial, how new medications are used, the length of the trial to receive FDA approval for the medications and the benefits for the patients. A good introductory podcast.

Clinical Trials for Liver Cancer Patients

Dr. Melanie Thomas is an expert in the field of liver cancer. In this podcast Dr. Thomas describes the process of participating in a clinical trial and the safeguards that are in place to protect a patient's health and privacy. She describes the phases of study for medication approval and what the role of a placebo medication is in a clinical trial, particularly in trials of cancer chemotherapy.

Applied Clinical Trials

Applied Clinical Trials has several podcasts posted on its website dealing with Clinical Research, which can be downloaded or listened to online:

New Approaches to Diabetes Trials

Covers the topics: Role of Imaging Labs in Diabetes Trials, Subjects for Diabetes Clinical Trials, Managing Data for Diabetes Research, Conducting Diabetes Clinical Trials, Drug Development for Diabetes, and Current State of Diabetes. Each podcast is about 20 to 30 minutes long, and includes commercials.

eCTD: Learn from Early Adopters

Implementation of the electronic Common Technical Document or eCTD is still early on the adoption curve within the pharmaceutical industry. Regulatory professionals will be interested to hear the insights from participants of an eCTD Early Adopters. Five episodes in this series.

Ins and Outs of Comparator Sourcing

A two-part podacasdt about sourcing strategies for drugs in clinical trials and how it can be achieved more effectively and strategically.

Global Trial Considerations

Viq Pervaaz, VP, Global Project Management MDS Pharma Services, speaks about the challenges associated with clinical trials in China.

The Association of Academic Health Centers

The AAHC has several podcasts dealing with clinical trials as part of its Conversations Podcasts series.

Clinical Trials

Learn about the breakthrough work of the Budgeting and Billing Workgroup of the AAHC’s Forum on Regulation in our first podcast. The group is developing a functional process map for billing and budgeting that will improve and enhance compliance operations in our institutions. Nick Gaich, Chief Operating Officer,Stanford/Packard Center for Translational Research in Medicine, and David Haray,Vice President, Patient Financial Services, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, and workgroup co-chairs from Stanford University, discuss how the group is identifying and defining required skill sets and competencies in the functions associated with billing compliance as well as the critical business requirements that will be required for a comprehensive IT solution. The group is working at top speed with incredible dedication, and Nick and David focus on how essential clinical trial budgeting, billing, and IT are to improving academic health center operations.

Clinical Trials: A Map For The Future

Members of the AAHC Forum on Regulation discuss their impressions of the work that the Forum is doing to develop a toolkit for institutions to help streamline regulatory compliance in clinical trials.

Changing Clinical Trials

AAHC Forum on Regulation Co-Chairs, Nick Gaich, Chief Operating Officer, Stanford/Packard Center for Translational Research in Medicine, and David Haray,Vice President, Patient Financial Services, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, discuss the ground breaking work of the Forum.

Leadership and Clinical Trials

Dr. Stephanie Spangler, Deputy Provost for Biomedical and Health Affairs, Yale University, speaks about the important benefits of having organization-wide support for clinical trial compliance.

Science Magazine

The journal Science had a special issue on Clinical Trials in October 2008. Its online version includes this podcast, which is an interview with David Malakoff on the spiraling costs that are threatening gridlock for clinical trials in the United States.

Integrated Clinical Trial Services (ICTS)

How Site Selection Impacts Clinical Trials

In the podcast, Dr. David M. Shearer, chief medical officer and vice president of clinical operations at ICTS, discusses how effective site selection can positively affect clinical trials, and the company’s process for investigating and selecting sites.

Recruitment And Retention For In-Hospital Trials

Strategies For Patient Compliance

PharmaVOICE

Pharmavoice offers dozens of podcasts dealing with pharmaceutical products and procedures, some of which are about clinical research:

Global Clinical Trials Outsourcing: New Tips and Trends

Redefining the CRO

The Clinical Data Liaison: The Key to Better, Faster Clinical Trials

Learn Clinical Research

2009-03-02T05:15:00.001-08:00

Our college has just set up a new website to promote our Clinical Research program. You can find it at LearnClinicalResearch.ca

Oral health-related quality of life among HIV-infected and at-risk women

2009-01-30T06:55:00.001-08:00

HIV/AIDS; McGill University publishes research in HIV/AIDS
5 January 2009
AIDS Weekly

"Objective measures of dental diseases reflect only their clinical end-point. There is a need to use multidimensional measures of diseases that consider their psychosocial aspects and functional impact," researchers in Montreal, Canada report.

"The aim of this study is to compare the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) between a group of HIV-infected women and a similar group of at-risk HIV-uninfected women, and to investigate the role of potential confounding clinical oral health and behavioral factors. Our sample included HIV-infected women (87%) and women at risk for HIV infection (13%) followed up for 5.5 years. OHRQOL was measured using the short version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), which is a validated and reliable instrument. HIV-infected women averaged 10% poorer OHRQOL than HIV-uninfected women; this difference was not apparent after adjusting for the number of study visits attended and significant behavioral and clinical oral health factors. The OHRQOL was inversely related to dental and periodontal diseases and to smoking and freebase cocaine use; these relationships were not confounded by HIV status," wrote S. Li and colleagues, McGill University.

The researchers concluded: "The study identified specific clinical and behavioral factors where dental professionals can intervene to possibly improve the OHRQOL of HIV-infected or at-risk HIV-uninfected women."

Li and colleagues published their study in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology (Oral health-related quality of life among HIV-infected and at-risk women. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 2008;36(6):542-548).

For additional information, contact P.J. Allison, McGill University, Faculty Dental, 3640 University St., Montreal, PQ H3A 2B2, Canada.

Publisher contact information for the journal Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology is: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England.

New study on pregnancy and periodontal disease

2009-01-30T06:46:00.000-08:00

Health Reporter
BY SHERYL UBELACKER
29 January 2009
The Canadian Press

There's an old saying that mothers "lose a tooth for every baby." While the tooth-loss bit may be merely folklore, it's true that pregnancy can affect a woman's oral health, including exacerbating existing gum disease.

But contrary to another long-held suspicion, a major new study has found that treating pregnant women for periodontal disease does not lower their risk of premature birth or other fetal complications.

"Numerous studies have shown an association between periodontal disease in pregnant women and adverse pregnancy outcomes, which include premature deliveries, obstetric complications like pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction," said Dr. Steven Offenbacher, a professor of periodontal medicine at the University of North Carolina and principal investigator of the study.

"And in particular, mothers who showed disease progression during pregnancy - and about one in four mothers get quite a bit worse during pregnancy - are seen to be at the highest risk," he said Thursday from Chapel Hill, N.C.

Gum, or periodontal, disease is caused by a bacterial infection that attacks the teeth-supporting tissues below the gum line. Left untreated, it can lead to the loss of teeth and underlying bone. Standard treatment involves scaling and root planing to remove bacteria-induced deposits (calculus and plaque) from the surfaces of teeth.

The study of 1,800 pregnant women with periodontal disease, the largest of its type ever conducted, assigned half of participants to have treatment before 23 weeks' gestation, while the remainder had no treatment.

"We found that mothers who had a scaling and root planing to treat their periodontal disease did not have reduced risk of pre-term delivery," Offenbacher said. "This would suggest that scaling and root planing, although it may improve the periodontal health of the mothers, has no effect on pregnancy outcome. Dead stop."

The study, conducted at the University or North Carolina and three other U.S. academic centres, also found that treatment in many of the mothers-to-be did not arrest progression of their gum disease.

"In the untreated mothers, 40 per cent got significantly worse," Offenbacher said. "And in the treated group, 30 per cent of them got significantly worse. I think at this point we don't really know the best way to treat periodontal disease in pregnant women, because we're still having a lot of disease progression."

However, that doesn't mean that pregnant women with gum disease should put off having their teeth and gums checked, and having treatment as needed, said co-author Dr. Amy Murtha, director of obstetrics research at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C.

"Our study emphasizes that treating periodontal disease during pregnancy is safe, but that standard periodontal care is not enough," Murtha, who presented the findings Thursday at the annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in San Diego, said in a release.

It's possible, the researchers suggest, that pregnant women may need more aggressive treatment for gum disease, beyond the standard care provided in the study, to bring down the rate of premature delivery.

Murtha said much remains unknown about the link between gum disease and the increased risk for pre-term birth and low-weight babies. "Periodontal disease and poor pregnancy outcomes travel together, but we don't know why."

Offenbacher said changes in hormone levels and a somewhat lowered immune response may allow oral bacteria to flourish and exaggerate the body's inflammatory response. But he said more studies are needed to fully explain the connection.

Commenting on the U.S. study, Dr. Benoit Soucy of the Canadian Dental Association said the findings are not surprising because the association between pregnancy and gum disease is "a very, very complex issue."

"The reason they're not surprising to us is that there is no mechanism that has been identified to link periodontal disease to premature birth or small birth weight," Soucy, the association's director of clinical scientific affairs, said from Ottawa. "There could be there is an underlying process that is masked by other factors, and that is very likely because periodontal disease is extremely common. According to the best numbers that we have ... there would be as much as 70 per cent of the population that is affected by periodontal disease at one time or another."

Any woman who is considering getting pregnant should have a dental exam and regular monitoring during pregnancy because of the bumped-up risk for either developing gum problems or making existing disease even worse, he said. "There is no good general health if your mouth is not healthy. It is very important no matter what to keep your mouth in good health."

The oral health status of patients on oral bisphosphonates for osteoporosis

2009-01-30T06:43:00.001-08:00

Osteoporosis; Scientists at University of Adelaide publish new data on osteoporosis
22 January 2009
Women's Health Weekly

According to recent research from Adelaide, Australia, "The oral health status of patients on bisphosphonates is the key to the patient's ongoing health and well-being. If they are orally healthy, invasive bone procedures, particularly extractions can be avoided, then the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) is low."

"The records of 49 consecutive patients on oral bisphosphonates, referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit (OMSU) for an oral health check and probable extractions, were retrospectively reviewed. The DMFT, periodontal and pathologic state were calculated from the OPG radiographs. An age and gender matched control group, from patients referred to the OMSU but who were not on oral bisphosphonates, were similarly assessed. Community data were also obtained. The DMFT score for the oral bisphosphonate group was 29: Decayed 3, Missing 10, Filled 16. The control group DMFT score was 24: Decayed 5, Missing 11, Filled 8. Both groups had advanced periodontal disease (over 95 per cent) and were medically compromised (over 90 per cent). The DMFT for general community data for age matched government pensioners was 19.1: Decayed 0.8, Missing 10.4, Filled 7.9. With severe periodontal disease 23 per cent. Thus, the oral health of the oral bisphosphonate group was similar to the control group and both had more decayed teeth and periodontal disease than community values. This study confirms that one cannot assume that a patient on an oral bisphosphonate for osteoporosis has a healthy mouth," wrote R. Kunchur and colleagues, University of Adelaide.

The researchers concluded: "It supports the view that all patients on bisphosphonates need to be seen by a dentist either before or soon after commencement of bisphosphonate therapy."

Kunchur and colleagues published their study in Australian Dental Journal (. Australian Dental Journal, 2008;53(4):354-357).

For additional information, contact R. Kunchur, University of Adelaide, Faculty Health Science, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.

Publisher contact information for the Australian Dental Journal is: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England.

Canadian tooth fairy takes message of dental hygiene to Kenyan kids

2009-01-30T06:39:00.000-08:00

Canadian tooth fairy takes message of dental hygiene to Kenyan kids
Michelle Magnan
26 January 2009
Victoria Times Colonist

A former dental hygienist who reinvented herself as "Toothena the Tooth Fairy" for a children's book she wrote has spread her wings to Kenya to hand out 4,000 toothbrushes to kids in need.

It was the maiden voyage for the charity CoraMarie Clark of Calgary founded in late 2007, called The Tooth Fairy Children's Foundation. The foundation recently received its official charitable status.

"My goal is to get toothbrushes into the hands of all children. And if they end up getting a cavity, I want somebody there to help them have it taken care of," says Clark.

"In developing countries, 90 per cent of decay goes untreated. (Learning that) just ripped my heart out and I thought, 'I need to do something to try to make a difference.' "

The 52-year-old has an MBA from the University of Calgary and is a dental consultant for practices across North America. But dressed in her light-pink gown, wand and tiara, Clark glows as Toothena, the real-life version of the animated heroine in her self-published children's book, Emily's Magical Journey with Toothena the Tooth Fairy (2007, $22.95).

Clark donned her costume every time she spoke at a school or orphanage in Kenya and, months after her October trip, still gets teary speaking about the kids she met along the way.

Many times, the kids receiving the toothbrushes had never owned their own toothbrush and were used to sharing.

"At an orphanage for boys, there was a peanut butter jar with the oldest, most awful-looking toothbrushes I've ever seen. It made my stomach turn," she says.

"It was just amazing to give them (each) a new toothbrush."

For more information, visit thetoothfairyspeaks. com.

TOOTHENA'S TIPS FOR PARENTS

Caring for your child's teeth from a young age sets the stage for a lifetime of good oral health, Cora Marie Clark, otherwise known as Toothena, says. Here are her tips to ensure you and your kids have healthy, pearly whites:

- Set a good example by brushing and flossing your own teeth. Make toothbrushing a fun, bonding experience with your kids.

- Your child's teeth need to be brushed at least twice a day and flossed at least once a day, especially right before bedtime.

- Begin cleaning your child's teeth as soon as the first one appears. start with a cloth or piece of gauze and move on to a toothbrush as your child gets older.

- Don't share toothbrushes. If you have periodontal disease, it can be passed on to the child.

- Begin flossing your child's teeth when he is three or four years old. Flossing is important because no matter how meticulously you brush, when the teeth are touching each other, toothbrush bristles can't clean effectively between them.

- Plan to floss your kids' teeth until they are about eight years old. Children usually don't have the manual dexterity to floss on their own until that age.

- Your baby's first visit to the dentist should be for an assessment within six months of the eruption of the first tooth or by the time the infant reaches the first birthday. The goal is to have your child see your dentist before there are any problems with his/her teeth.

- Your child's first dental exam should happen by age two or three. This visit will allow the dentist to ensure your home care is working and to detect and prevent any problems right away.

- Help your child feel comfortable about a visit to the dentist. Read books, such as the Berenstein Bears go to the Dentist or Emily's Magical Journey With Toothena the Tooth Fairy. Consider bringing him along to your own checkup and cleaning, to familiarize him with how much fun a visit to the dentist can be.

Substance Use and Its Impact on Dental Hygiene Treatment

2008-12-18T12:28:00.000-08:00

We just want to direct readers' attention to an article posted by the Maryland Dental Hygienists Association: Substance Use and Its Impact on Dental Hygiene Treatment, by Gwen Grosso and Renee Prajer, from the May 2007 issue of JPH.

You can access the article at: www.maryland-dha.org/SubstanceUse-071907.pdf

Journal of Dental Hygiene, October 2008

2008-12-16T06:42:00.000-08:00

The October 2008 issue of the Journal of Dental Hygiene has been published. You can ask the librarian for a copy of any of the following articles:

Cetylpyridinium Chloride Mouth rinse on Gingivitis and Plaque

Survey of Diabetes Knowledge and Practices of Dental Hygienists

Mouthguards in the American Hockey League [AHL]

Clinical and antibacterial effectiveness of three different sealant materials

Tooth Decay in Ontario's Children: An Ounce of Prevention -- A Pound of Cure

2008-11-18T08:36:00.000-08:00

The Ontario Dental Association released a report today entitled: Tooth Decay in Ontario's Children: An Ounce of Prevention -- A Pound of Cure. You can download the report, along with supporting powerpoint presentations at:

http://www.youroralhealth.ca/index.php/Special-Reports/Tooth-Decay-in-Ontario/Tooth-Decay-in-Ontario-s-Children-Special-Report.html

Boy's Death Leads to Better Access to Dental Care for Other Children

2008-11-17T07:08:00.000-08:00

Children in Prince George's County will have better access to dental care after the death of a 12-year-old pushed lawmakers and the medical community to examine the issue.

New dental articles and monographs in the Library

2008-11-13T07:23:00.000-08:00

We added several new articles to the cabinet file today, covering different dental hygiene topics:

Medical emergencies in dental practice – be prepared! – from Dental Health, Sept 2008

Which patients – The oral health benefits of probiotics – from Dental Health, Sept 2008

Pulpotomies in primary teeth – a review – from Dental Health, Nov 2008

Oral manifestations of alcohol abuse – from Dental Health, Nov 2008

Delivering Better Oral Health – An Evidence-Based Toolkit for Prevention: A Review – from Dental Update, Sept 2008

Training Health Professionals to Address the Oral Health Care of Older Adults – from Journal of the Massachusetts Dental Society, Fall 2008

Management of Elderly Diabetic Patients - from Journal of the Massachusetts Dental Society, Fall 2008

Clinical Tips for Treating Elderly Patients - from Journal of the Massachusetts Dental Society, Fall 2008

Xerostomia: The Invisible Oral Health Condition - from Journal of the Massachusetts Dental Society, Fall 2008

Oral Side Effects of Isotretinoin Chronic Intake – from NYSDJ, June 2008

Meth Mouth – from NYSDJ, August 2008

Management of Dental Patients with Obstructive Lung Diseases – from Texas Dental Journal, March 2008

Parental Attitudes Regarding Behavior Guidance of Dental Patients with Autism – Pediatric Dentistry, Sept 2008

Flouride Varnish in the Prevention of Dental Caries in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review – from Texas Dental Journal, April 2008

Tooth Whitening: A Clinical Review – from Texas Dental Journal, July 2008

We also added a copy the International Dental Journal, Vol.58, No.4 (Suppl. 1) (August 2008) – which are the proceedings of a symposium on Diabetes and Oral Health. It includes 4 articles on the topic. You can find this with the books under the call number RA 645 .D5 I7 2008

Elfenbaum-Kamen Essay Award Contest

2008-11-03T12:35:00.000-08:00

The annual Elfenbaum-Kamen Essay Award Contest is open to all predoctoral dental students, dental hygiene students and those completing a degree in dental hygiene in the US or Canada. Students are invited to submit a well-referenced original work focusing on the oral health of older adults.

Download the 2009 Brochure.

Submission deadline February 2, 2009.

Dental Health in the News

2008-10-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some recent news stories related to dental health:

Super Suckers Could Help Kids' Teeth

Some Dental Implants May Contain Lead, Investigation Reveals

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