Australian Dental Journal

September 2002 - Volume 47 Number 3

DENTAL EDUCATION

A new era of dental education at the University of Sydney, Australia
Dental education is currently under scrutiny in order to most appropriately address community needs for the new millennium. Educational outcomes need to include a commitment to life-long learning, and an emphasis on professional ethics and moral responsibility.

I Klineberg
W Massey
M Thomas
D Cockrell

REVIEW

Dentists, diabetes and periodontitis
This review updates the relationship between diabetes mellitus and periodontitis. A checklist has been included to assist the general dental practitioner identify individuals with undiagnosed diabetes.

S Bjelland
P Bray
N Gupta
R Hirsch

ADRF REPORTS

Arthritis and use of dental services: A population based study Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are chronic systemic conditions that can have a profound effect on oral health as the result of physical disability, immunosuppressant and other medications and autoimmune disease. However, there is insufficient information available on the use of dental services by the people suffering from RA or OA. The purpose of this study was to investigate dental visits and factors associated with dental attendance in those with RA and OA in order to improve access to dental care in these groups.	V Pokrajac-Zirojevic LM Slack-Smith D Booth
A study of titanium release into body organs following the insertion of single threaded screw implants into the mandibles of sheep Titanium is generally considered a safe metal to use in implantation but some studies have suggested that particulate titanium may cause health problems either at the site overlying the implant or in distant organs, particularly after frictional wear of a medical prosthesis. It was the purpose of this investigation to study the levels of dissemination of titanium from threaded screw type implants following placement of single implants in sheep mandibles.	KW Frisken GW Dandie S Lugowski G Jordan
Strains in the marginal ridge during occlusal loading The marginal ridge is considered fundamental to the ability of the tooth to resist functional and parafunctional occlusal loads without damage. Despite this role, very little is known of patterns of stress and strain in marginal ridges under load. This study investigated strains in proximal enamel of mandibular premolars using finite element analysis (FEA) and strain gauge measurements.	JEA Palamara D Palamara HH Messer
Tooth development standards for South Australia Chronological age, as recorded by registration of birth date, is referred to throughout an individual’s life. This information is relevant in medical and dental practice for evaluating developmental progress, for educational purposes, and in legal matters, particularly in the application of criminal law.	CJ McKenna H James JA Taylor GC Townsend

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

Acidic diet and dental erosion among athletes The consumption of acidic foods and drinks is increasing in popularity. The purposes of the present study were to investigate the consumption patterns of acidic foods and drinks among several sport groups and to examine any relationships between consumption patterns and dental erosion.	V Sirimaharaj L Brearley Messer MV Morgan
Minimizing the risks of latex allergy: The effectivness of written information Latex allergy has been identified as an occupational risk for the dental profession. This study assessed whether identified latex-allergic dental personnel changed their practices after receiving verbal and written information about the management of latex allergy.	FM Carrozzi CH Katelaris TV Burke RP Widmer
Ethical dilemmas confronting dentists in Queensland, Australia This paper details contemporary ethical dilemmas encountered by Queensland dentists.	SAT Porter WL Grey
An investigation into the use of pilocarpine as a sialagogue in patients with radiation induced xerostomia Radiation therapy to the head and neck region can be an effective form of treatment for malignancies. Unfortunately damage to salivary glands may occur. Treatment of resultant dry mouth is at present very poor. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate whether pilocarpine dissolved in artificial saliva and administered in a mouth spray would be effective in relieving such symptoms.	AM Frydrych GR Davies LM Slack-Smith J Heywood

CLINICAL REPORTS

Undergraduate student experience in dental service delivery in rural South Australia: An analysis of costs and benefits Rural experience for dental students can provide valuable clinical education, change attitudes to rural practice, and make a valuable contribution to clinical service provision. The aim of this paper is to assess the costs and benefits of service delivery by students through rural training programmes.	L Richards B Symon D Burrow A Chartier G Misan D Wilkinson
Chest pain in the dental surgery: A brief review and practical points in diagnosis and management If a dental patient develops chest pain it must always be managed promptly and properly, i.e., the practitioner immediately stops the procedure and, being aware of the patient’s medical history, questions the patient regarding the nature of the pain to help determine the likely diagnosis.	PJ Chapman
Pericoronal radiolucencies and the significance of early detection Pericoronal radiolucencies are common radiographic findings encountered in general dental practice. In this report we present four cases of large pericoronal radiolucencies associated with unerupted teeth, and highlight the importance of early detection and management of such lesions.	CS Farah NW Savage

CLINICAL NOTE

A quick and simple method to obtain a radiographic evaluation of remaining alveolar bone height before implant placement
This article describes a method for making a diagnostic radiographic evaluation of remaining alveolar bone height in the bounded-saddle patient without the previous fabrication of a study model and radiographic ball-bearing template. The method presented is simple, enabling the busy practitioner to perform immediate radiographic diagnosis and inform the patient at the first visit about the available alveolar bone height at the site of planned implant insertion. This method is therefore time saving for both the dentist and the patient.

IR Blum
GA Smith

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Self-assessment quiz

The ADA and the Local Organising Committee invite all associated with dentistry to participate in the Australian Dental Congress and Exhibition in Perth.

Mark the dates in your diaries 12-15 March 2009

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Dental Health Week is a community awareness program coordinated and funded by the ADA. In 2008 the ADA is leading a campaign to target 30-50 year olds and has developed a range of Fact Sheets on oral health care. August 4 - 10 is Dental Health Week

Mouthguard Awareness

The ADA is once again conducting a Mouthguard Awareness campaign in 2008.
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On the 23rd July 2007 the ADA wrote to the major political parties seeking their policies on dental health issues. Click here to review the ADA Inc Report Card on Dental Health Policies Election 07 (PDF 122 KB)

As part of a community campaign to promote good oral health care for babies and toddlers the ADA has developed oral hygiene tips for parents and carers of young children.
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Click Here for information on the ADA Awards for Excellence in Dental Journalism

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