Swed Dent J
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The aim of this study was to determine the effects of rectal midazolam on uncooperative children. The trial included 120 children at the age of 16 months to 10 years and six months (X = 4.5 years). The children were referred because behavioural management techniques alone had failed. ⋯ After two hours 86 children were still considered sedated but after three hours only four of them seemed effected by the drug. Midazolam has shown in this follow-up to be an effective and safe drug for premedication of infants in the stressed dental situation. The advantage to for example diazepam lies mainly in the shorter period of time of sedation.
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Our objective was to describe the occurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms and how they affect the daily life of three different occupational groups of dental personnel. A cross sectional-study was performed among 268 dental staff members and 111 referents. Female dental hygienists and female dentists showed, compared with their referents, higher prevalence of symptoms during the past 12 months from neck, shoulders and hands/wrists. ⋯ The high frequency of musculoskeletal disorders probably reflects the specific work load in dentistry, with high demands on vision and precision and fine manipulative hand movements and work with unsupported, elevated arms. The symptoms might impair work capacity and the future possibility to stay in the profession. Further studies are needed to verify this.
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Comparative Study
Caries risk assessment: a comparison between the computer program 'Cariogram', dental hygienists and dentists.
The 'Cariogram', which is an interactive PC-program for caries risk evaluation, illustrates the interaction between caries related factors and expresses the caries risk graphically. It also demonstrates a weighted impact of the different etiological factors on the risk. The aim of this paper was to use the Cariogram program on a set of patients, and to compare the outcome of its risk evaluation with those made by dental hygienists and dentists. A questionnaire, containing the descriptions of five patients with detailed information on nine factors generally associated with caries, was given to the participants. They were asked to rank the patients according to their 'chance to avoid dental caries' during the coming year. The results were compared with the assessments obtained from the Cariogram. ⋯ 73.5% of the dental hygienists and 78.5% of the dentists ranked the patients for caries risk either identically or with only one deviation when compared to the Cariogram. It was concluded that the 'opinion' of the Cariogram on caries risk was in agreement with that of the majority of the participants. In addition, the Cariogram program induced discussions about the relative impact of etiological factors of caries. It is envisaged that the Cariogram can serve as one further tool in the teaching of caries risk.
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Presence of orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorder in fibromyalgia. A study by questionnaire.
The objective of this study was to evaluate subjective symptoms from the temporomandibular system in patients with fibromyalgia. Two hundred and thirty-seven individuals with fibromyalgia affiliated to the Stockholm Rheumatologic Association were included in the study. A questionnaire about symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) was mailed and returned by 191 (81%). ⋯ Fibromyalgia is thus a probable cause of TMD. In conclusion this study shows that patients with fibromyalgia often suffer from symptoms of TMD, and that the intensity of the pain is correlated to general body pain. These findings indicate that fibromyalgia is one of the causes of TMD.
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Comparative Study
Identification of caries risk children and prevention of caries in pre-school children.
A special model for dental care in pre-school children was used in a small clinic in the county of Blekinge in southern Sweden. The model is based on screening of caries risk performed by a dental assistant before the caries attack. Any single risk factor or risk behavior in pre-school children was considered. ⋯ The total time spent per child in the test clinic was 22 minutes more than the county mean. However, dentist's time, excluding assistance, was 28 minutes less in the test clinic. The results suggest that the model used for caries prevention in pre-school children is cost-effective, and that dental health can be remarkably improved.