Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 19-26).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1973. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-66). Also issued in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1973. / Typescript (photocopy). eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-66).

Thesis--Helsinki. / Extra t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references (p. 31-43).

Thesis (M.D.S.)--University of Hong Kong, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 221-226).

Thesis--Helsinki. / Extra t. p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references (p. 31-43).

No description available.

The current evidenced-based caries understanding, based on biological concepts, involves new approaches in caries detection, assessment, and management that should include non-cavitated lesions. The purpose of the studies presented in this thesis was to investigate the current available evidence on methods to detect non-cavitated lesions (NCCls), the current evidence related to the efficacy of non-surgical caries preventive methods to arrest or reverse the progression of NCCls, the current evidence for the prediction of caries using four caries risk assessment systems/guidelines and a review of the literature related to alternative caries clinical trial methods for oral care products. The purpose of the in vitro studies was to study the performance of different caries detection methods (ICDAS, ICDAS photographs, FOTI, QLF, OCT, Soprolife) in detecting early caries lesions and in particular and to assess the QLF ability to detect changes after remineralisation/demineralisation cycles. The last study was a cross-sectional study aiming to investigate the caries management decisions for early caries lesions among dentists. The results of the systematic reviews (Paper I-IV) suggest a large variation of Sensitivity, Specificity and lack of consistence on the definition of disease among the detection methods assessed. The evidence on Caries Risk Assessment Systems is limited and the current systems seem not to predict future disease. In terms of Caries Management, according to the evidence fluorides continue to be the most effectiveness anti-caries agent. The evidence on abbreviated clinical trials showed excellent discrimination between anti-caries products in short clinical trials with fewer subjects using more sensitive caries detection methods. Paper V, showed that all the caries detection methods assessed in this study, except for OCT (0.65), were strongly correlated with Histology. In papers VI and VII, QLF showed the ability to detect differences between two NaF toothpastes (550 ppm F, 1100 ppm F) and a fluoride placebo treatment in two pH cycling models. Finally, the results of the questionnaire on Caries Related Treatment Decisions (Paper VIII) revealed that 60% of the dentists are practising prevention in occlusal early lesions. However, a large number of dentists are still oriented towards a restorative approach and do not base their treatment decisions on individual caries risk. The main conclusions from this thesis are that: 1) A comprehensive management system should include initial caries lesions; 2) Visual examinations is still the standard method of detection, other methods may be included for monitoring purposes; 3) QLF was able to detect remineralisation of artificial carious lesions and inhibition of demineralisation in sound enamel after two remineralisation/demineralisation pH cycling models; 4) The results of the cross-over study indicate that Colombian dentists have not yet fully adopted conservative treatment for early caries lesions.

Trabajo de Investigación Requisito para optar al Título de Cirujano Dentista / La presente investigación corresponde a un estudio Observacional Comparativo de Corte Transversal, cuyo objetivo fue determinar el efecto que tiene la Caries Temprana de la Infancia, en sus formas severas, en la calidad de vida de los niños que la padecen. El universo a estudiar correspondió a niños de entre 3 años 0 meses y 5 años 11 meses, que por sector habitacional, les corresponde atención en el Hospital Dr. Sótero del Río, dependiente del Servicio de Salud Sur Oriente de la Región Metropolitana. La muestra final estuvo constituida por 200 niños (n = 200), de los cuales 100 eran niños con Caries Temprana de la Infancia en sus formas severas, los cuales conformaron el grupo de estudio, mientras que los 100 restantes eran niños sanos, o que presentaban la patología en sus formas leves o moderada y conformaron el grupo control. Los datos, que fueron recolectados mediante una encuesta realizada a los padres de los niños, fueron analizados estadísticamente mediante los Test T de Student y la prueba estadística Chi cuadrado, determinando que existían diferencias altamente significativas al comprar entre ambos grupos la prevalencia de alteraciones causadas por la caries dental: presencia de dolor (p < 0,005), alteraciones del sueño (p < 0,005), alteraciones en la alimentación (p < 0,005), ausentismo escolar (p < 0,005) y cambios en el comportamiento (p < 0,005). Por lo tanto, este trabajo permite concluir que en los niños participantes de este estudio, la Caries Temprana de la Infancia en sus formas severas, altera las funciones de su diario vivir, afectando negativamente su calidad de vida.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in Emergency Medicine. Johannesburg, 2012 / Anecdotal evidence in Johannesburg suggests that the burden of oral health disease, especially dental caries, is significantly higher in children with special health needs than in healthy children. This study sought to determine the dental caries prevalence of children attending special needs schools in Johannesburg, South Africa. The objectives of the study were to determine: (1) demographic characteristics of children attending special needs schools in Johannesburg, (2) the dental caries status of children attending special needs schools in Johannesburg, and (3) treatment needs of children attending special needs schools in Johannesburg; to (4) compare dental caries status and treatment needs of children attending special needs schools in Johannesburg with those revealed by the National Children’s Oral Health Survey (NCOHS); and to (5) To determine the association between type of disability and dental caries status. Results: The mean age was 10.5 years of age, with the majority being males (64.97%). The dental caries prevalence was 27.55% in the primary dentition and 33.56% in the permanent dentition. Cerebral palsy and Hearing impaired groups had higher dental caries prevalence. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that children with special health care needs as a group have lower caries prevalence in both the primary and permanent dentition compared to the general population in the NCOHS. They also have high unmet treatment needs regardless of the type of disability.