Community dentistry and oral epidemiology
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Community Dent Oral Epidemiol · Aug 2006
Dental attitudes: proximal basis for oral health disparities in adults.
Behavioral science postulates that underlying characteristics of populations, rather than sociodemographic groupings, are more proximal causes of oral health disparities through differing oral health behaviors. To our knowledge this is the first report in the literature that examines longitudinal correlates of oral health and dental care using groups of persons holding similar attitudes and beliefs. ⋯ This study takes a novel approach to examining oral healthy disparities. Differences in oral health behaviors support the validity of the groups.
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Community Dent Oral Epidemiol · Feb 2006
Inter-examiner reliability in the clinical examination of temporomandibular disorders: influence of age.
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the age of the subject on inter-examiner reliability of the clinical signs of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). ⋯ The age-dependent lower range of motion and the inferior reliability of metric measurements in the elderly could lead to wrong diagnoses. The reliability of detecting joint sounds and tender muscles was not age dependent within the limitations of the study.
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Community Dent Oral Epidemiol · Apr 2005
Development and validation of the Manchester orofacial pain disability scale.
To design and validate a self-administered instrument for assessing orofacial pain related disability in the general population. ⋯ We have therefore designed a valid instrument for assessing the impact of painful orofacial conditions in both community and clinic settings.
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Community Dent Oral Epidemiol · Apr 2005
Improving the oral health of older people: the approach of the WHO Global Oral Health Programme.
The proportion of older people continues to grow worldwide, especially in developing countries. Non-communicable diseases are fast becoming the leading causes of disability and mortality, and in coming decades health and social policy-makers will face tremendous challenges posed by the rapidly changing burden of chronic diseases in old age. Chronic disease and most oral diseases share common risk factors. ⋯ Research for better oral health should not just focus on the biomedical and clinical aspects of oral health care; public health research needs to be strengthened particularly in developing countries. Operational research and efforts to translate science into practice are to be encouraged. WHO supports national capacity building in the oral health of older people through intercountry and interregional exchange of experiences.
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Community Dent Oral Epidemiol · Feb 2005
Assessment of risk factors for oral leukoplakia in West Virginia.
To assess risk factors associated with oral leukoplakia in a US population with high use of smoked tobacco and smokeless tobacco. ⋯ Generalizability is an issue when studying risk factors associated with oral leukoplakia because of geographical variations in the composition of smokeless tobacco (i.e. betel, lime, ash, and N-nitrosamines) and cultural variations in the use of tobacco (i.e. reverse smoking). Snuff was the main smokeless tobacco product currently used in West Virginia, and was strongly associated with oral leukoplakia, after adjusting for potential explanatory variables.