SADJ : journal of the South African Dental Association = tydskrif van die Suid-Afrikaanse Tandheelkundige Vereniging
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An investigation into the pattern of complaints lodged by patients after impacted mandibular third molar surgery was done in a Nigerian teaching hospital over a period of 3 years. One hundred and twenty seven records were retrieved. Pericoronitis (71.2%), pulpitis (17.6%) and periodontitis (11.2%) were the reasons for surgery. ⋯ No significant relationship was however found between the complaints and patients' age, indication for extraction, impaction type and method of impacted tooth removal. Although the findings of this retrospective study are limited in their comparability, they suggest the need for an appraisal of pain management in patients undergoing mandibular third molar surgery in our hospital. Consequently, there should be a reduction in complaint rate thereby making selective review appointment on the first postoperative day feasible.
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The use of antiretroviral drug therapies in HIV-1 infected pregnant women and their infants has resulted in significant reductions in the rates of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1. A number of drugs that target the reverse transcriptase enzyme have been tested either alone or in combination in short-course regimens tailored for use in developing countries. ⋯ While these mutations do not compromise the ability of nevirapine to prevent mother-to-child transmission there is some concern that they may compromise future treatment options. Here we review the current data on HIV-1 drug resistance mutations and what they might mean in terms of efficacy of antiretroviral therapies to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
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The purpose of this study was to assess dentists' knowledge of HIV/AIDS, as it affects them in their workplace, attitudes pertaining to universal precautions and treatment of patients with HIV/AIDS and their behaviour toward their patients. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out. A 34-item questionnaire was delivered to a random sample of 145 dentists based in Nairobi, Kenya. ⋯ In addition, courses on working with patients with HIV/AIDS should be offered so as to remove ignorance and fear. Results from this survey show that there is a fair level of knowledge as far as HIV/AIDS is concerned. The results also indicate that a greater compliance with universally accepted guidelines for infection control is needed, as it remains low for dentists working in the capital city of a country that records a rising number of new HIV/AIDS cases every day.
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Mouthrinses are frequently prescribed for the treatment of ulcerative diseases of the oral mucosa. In this study the in vitro cytotoxic effect of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate in water, 0.15% benzydamine-HCl in 8.5% ethanol and 1% povidone iodine in 10% ethanol were determined. Results of photographs and cell counts revealed that all the cells exposed to chlorhexidine gluconate, benzydamine-HCl and povidone iodine were immediately fixated onto the tissue culture surfaces. ⋯ Photographs were taken and cell concentrations in the wells were determined immediately after exposure and after 2, 4 and 24 hours. Results indicated that cells were immediately fixated by 10% chlorhexidine gluconate in water, 20% povidone iodine and 70% benzydamine-HCl. Fibroblasts survived and recovered from the exposure to 8.5% and 10% ethanol, which indicated that the fixation effect is not the result of the ethanol, but should be ascribed to the activity of the active ingredients in the mouthrinses.