The Journal of the American Dental Association
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Nontraumatic dental condition (NTDC) visits occur in emergency departments (EDs) and physician offices (POs), but little is known about factors associated with NTDC visit rates to EDs and POs. ⋯ Reductions in Medicaid visits to EDs and POs and the associated costs might be achieved by improving dental care access and targeted educational strategies among minorities, DHPSA residents and adults.
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Historical Article
Preventing dentists' involvement in torture: the developmental history of a new international declaration.
For more than half a century, the risk of physicians participating in torture has received thoughtful attention in the field of medicine, and a number of international organizations have issued declarations decrying such involvement. Despite publications that provide evidence of dentists' having participated in torture as well, until recently the dental profession was quiescent on the subject. ⋯ The authors provide insight and guidance to clinicians who diligently serve their patients, unaware that they may face military or other pressures to participate in torture.
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The authors evaluated racial/ethnic differences and their socioeconomic determinants in the oral health status of U.S. children, as reported by parents. ⋯ Significant racial/ethnic disparities exist in parental reports of their children's oral health, with Hispanics being the most disadvantaged group. Disparities appear to exist independent of preventive-care attitudes and socioeconomic status.
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder. The authors conducted a study to evaluate the demographics, caries experience and behavior of patients with ASD and compare these characteristics with those of patients without ASD (unaffected patients). ⋯ People with ASD were more likely to be caries-free and had lower DMFT scores than did their unaffected peers. Significantly more patients with ASD than unaffected patients were uncooperative and required general anesthesia to undergo dental treatment.
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The authors reviewed and compared gingival retraction techniques used for implants and teeth. ⋯ The use of injectable materials that form an expanding matrix to provide gingival retraction offers effective exposure of preparation finish lines and is suitable for conventional impression-making methods or computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing digital impressions in many situations. There are, however, limitations with any retraction technique, including injectable matrices, for situations in which clinicians place deep implants.