Dental caries is a widespread global public health problem with significant health and financial implications. The purpose of this study was to determine dental caries prevalence, experience and severity, as well as to investigate disparities by geographic (urban/rural) location, dental health care utilization and oral hygiene practices in seven to eight year old Nova Scotia school children in 2006-2007. The study results demonstrated that over half (57.3%) of the seven to eight year old population was afflicted by dental caries in the overall dentition. Primary dentition caries prevalence was 55%, with a mean deft score of 2.58 ± 0.08 SE. Prevalence of permanent dentition caries was 14%, with a mean DMFT score of 0.26 ± 0.02 SE. The mean defs score was 6.86 ± 0.28 SE and the average DMFS score was 0.47 ± 0.04 SE. Geographic location was not found to have a major influence on dental caries prevalence, experience and severity in this population. However, a significant relationship was observed between dental caries and dental visit frequency, with higher overall caries prevalence and severity among those who visited the dentist less than once per year. Disparities in dental caries were also found by frequency of brushing, with significantly lower caries rates in those who brushed at least twice per day. Health promotion measures such as pit and fissure sealants and topical fluoride application in susceptible and high-risk children, and appropriate health education regarding recommended frequency of brushing twice per day using fluoridated toothpaste, as well as preventive and regular dental visits are merited to help promote children’s overall health and well-being.

Zielsetzung: Bei Patienten mit Morbus Crohn (M.C.) wurde ein erhöhter Zuckerkonsum beschrieben. Ebenfall wurde bei M.C. ein subklinisches Zinkdefizit zahlreich beschrieben. Die Zusammenhänge zwischen Geschmackswahrnehmung und Zucherkonsum hinsichtlich der Zinkkonzentration im Plasma und die Auswirkungen auf die orale Mundgesundheit von Patienten mit M.C.. Versuchsplan: Für 24 M.C. Patienten und 24 Kontrollpersonen (Kon) mit ähnlicher Altersstruktur wurde der Zuckerkonsum die Zinkkonzentration im Plasma ermittelt. Die Geschmacksschwellen, die Mundhygiene und die Kariesprävalenz wurden erhoben. Ergebnisse: Bei M.C. wurde ein erhöhter Zuckerkonsum (M.C. 107,1 plusminus 27,7 vs. Kon 71,9plusminus13,7 g/d; p / Background: An increased intake of sucrose is reported in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Subclinical zinc deficiency is frequently described in CD. The relationship between taste perception and sucrose intake in respect to zinc as well as the effect on dental and oral health in CD patients should be examined. Methods: In 24 CD patients and 24 age matched controls (Con) carbohydrate intake and plasma zinc levels were assessed. Taste threshold, oral hygiene and caries prevalence were evaluated. Results: In CD a higher sucrose intake (CD 107,1 plusminus 27,7 vs. Con 71,9 plusminus 13,7 g/d; p

Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) / AIM:The aim of this study was to review the data available from the Department of Health(DOH), on pre-school paediatric patients treated under Dental General Anaesthesia(DGA), at public health facilities in the Western Cape (WC) in order to ascertain the type and nature of treatment provided.METHODOLOGY:This retrospective descriptive study reviewed the records on the Department of Health(DoH) Database of 16 732 pre-school patients treated under dental general anaesthesia in the period 1 January 2005 until 31 December 2007. A questionnaire was also completed telephonically with 22 dentists from the district dental health clinics.Summary descriptive statistics were calculated from data collected and comparisons were drawn between services available at the health districts and academic hospitals.RESULTS:Of the 58 255 procedures recorded for pre-school patients in the district health clinics in the Western Cape, 99.94% were for extractions provided and 0.5% for restorations.The average number of teeth extracted was 10.4 (SD ±3.9).The average rate of DGA per 1000 of the population was 1.06. Only 9% (2) of dentists at district clinics reported that pre-DGA prevention was provided and 5% (1) reported including post-DGA prevention. The Academic Hospital at Tygerberg Oral Health Centre was the only facility in the Western Cape that provided comprehensive dental treatment for pre-school patients which included restorations, extractions, pre and post DGA prevention. Red Cross Children’s Hospital provided treatment for pre-school patients under DGA that included extractions, pre- and post DGA, but no restorative treatment. CONCLUSION:The demand for DGA in pre-school patients in the WC was high. The lack of prevention associated with DGA in the public health service is the most likely reason the retreatment rate under DGA was reported by dentists as being 77%. There was an absence of protocol regarding DGA for pre-school patients in the public health service.RECOMMENDATIONS:Guidelines formulated were recommended for use in the public service for pre-school patients being treated under DGA and includes the provision of preventive interventions such as regular topical fluoride applications, oral hygiene instruction and dietary advice.

ABSTRACT:The purpose of this literature study is to study the dental caries status (DMFT) of 12-years-olds in Scandinavia and describe and compare the different preventive strategies and methods used by different dental care personal in each country and between these three countries. To achieve the objective information from scientific literature and publications, and data from WHO database on these three countries were used.DMFT for 12-year olds in Norway was 1.7 (2004), 0.7 for Denmark (2008) and in Sweden 0.9 (2008). During the past decade, changes have occurred in the prevention system of population- based prevention to individual-based prevention. This is a result partly of the low caries prevalence and partly because of a disproportional distribution of caries in this target group. It is regarded as a smart solution to be able to access the most affected or at risk patients who have the most dental care needs.The results showed different dental personals used different preventive strategies. Choices related to the use of fluoride vehicles were also varied. There were also differences in prevention strategies between different countries. This shows that despite the similarities in the dental teams, free and subsidized dental care for children there are also differences in quality of the offering of policies and practices. All this data confirm the differences between all three countries in choice of preventive method for risk and none-risk patients. This seems to be influenced by different cultural patterns within the dental professional communities of each country. Differences in caries incidence probably could be due to different combinations of preventive methods. There is a need for more research in this area. There is a need for a consensus about which strategy and approach is most effective and which one should be used against dental caries in risk and non risk patients, a consensus in which all countries agree to implement.