Australian Dental Journal

December 2005 - Volume 50 Number 4

REVIEW

Burning mouth syndrome: an update on recent findings Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by a burning sensation of the oral mucosa in the absence of mucosal abnormality. Various local, systemic and psychological factors are associated with BMS, but its aetiology is not fully understood. Recently, significant inroads have been made, producing a better understanding of this complex condition. The aim of the current paper is to explore the condition of BMS in an educational context with the specific outcome of increasing awareness of the condition.

KE Barker NW Savage

COMMENTARY

Fund allocation within Australian dental care: an innovative approach to output based funding Over the last 15 years in Australia the process of funding government health care has changed significantly. The development of dental funding models that transparently meet both the service delivery needs for data at the treatment level and policy makers’ need for health condition data is critical to the continued integration of dentistry into the wider health system.

M Tennant C Carrello E Kruger

ADRF RESEARCH REPORTS

The potential for dental plaque to protect against erosion using an in vivo-in vitro model – A pilot study Tooth erosion is a problem for professional wine tasters (exogenous erosion from frequent exposure to wine acids) and for people with gastro oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and bulimia who experience frequent reflux of gastric contents into the mouth (endogenous erosion from mainly HCl). The objective in this study was to determine whether plaque/pellicle could provide teeth with any protection from two common erosive acids, using an in vivo-in vitro technique.	A Cheung Z Zid D Hunt J McIntyre
Dentist-patient communication in the multilingual dental setting Communication between dentists and patients can be exceptionally challenging when the patient and the dentist do not speak the same language, as is frequently the case in multicultural Australia. The aim of this study was to describe the issues involved in dealing with limited-English speaking patients in order to formulate recommendations on how to improve dental communication.	C Goldsmith L Slack-Smith G Davies
An in vitro model to measure the effect of a silver fluoride and potassium iodide treatment on the permeability of demineralized dentine to Streptococcus mutans Diamine silver fluoride (Ag(NH3)2F), referred to as AgF, has been used to reduce the incidence of caries in primary dentitions but has been limited by the associated staining of both teeth and restorative materials. The application of potassium iodide (KI), following AgF prevents staining but its effects on the ability of AgF to reduce caries are not known. The aim of this study was to develop an in vitro model that would provide an indication of the permeability of demineralized dentine to Streptococcus mutans after treatment of the dentine with AgF followed by KI.	GM Knight JM McIntyre GG Craig Mulyani PS Zilm NJ Gully
Microhardness and Ca:P ratio of carious and Carisolv™ treated caries-affected dentine using an ultra-microindentation system and energy dispersive analysis of x-rays – A pilot study This study aimed to evaluate microhardness and chemical analysis of carious and caries-affected dentine. The hypothesis tested was that calcium:phosphorous (Ca:P) ratios correlate with microhardness values.	R Sakoolnamarka MF Burrow M Swain MJ Tyas

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

Uptake of rotary NiTi technology within Australia Rotary NiTi technology was introduced into Australia approximately 10 years ago. Little information is available in the dental literature to explain the adoption of new technology in dentistry. The aim of this paper is to identify and describe demographic features in the uptake of rotary NiTi technology within Australia.	P Parashos HH Messer
Pre-school child oral health in rural Western Australia In light of the various challenges faced by public dental health services, especially when large geographical areas and isolated communities are concerned, targeting of high risk groups within these populations needs to be investigated. This study aimed to assess caries experience, dental health behaviour and dental service utilization among a sample of pre-school children in a rural community in Western Australia.	E Kruger K Dyson M Tennant
The ability of 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride gel to inhibit simulated endogenous erosion in tooth roots Endogenous dental erosion is that produced by contact of gastric acids with tooth structure. It may affect exposed root cementum/ dentine as well as coronal enamel, causing marked loss of mineral. The aim of this study was to determine whether 1.23 per cent acidulated phosphate fluoride gel, if applied to the surface cementum at certain intervals during an erosive acid challenge, could provide any protection against demineralization.	JGC Saunders JM McIntyre

CLINICAL REPORTS

Tooth follicle extirpation and uvulectomy Migration is not only the movement of people, but also of their culture, customs and beliefs. As more people from developing countries in Africa migrate to industrialized countries, the more likely health professionals will find themselves providing care for people of whose customs and practices they have little knowledge. This review of the literature suggests that removal of deciduous canine follicles and uvulectomy are frequently practised in some African and neighbouring countries.

NL Johnston PJ Riordan

Doxycycline-induced staining of permanent adult dentition Doxycycline is the most effective antibiotic for managing brucellosis. Although it is relatively free from side effects, complications involving the skin, nails and teeth may rarely be encountered.

E Ayaslioglu E Erkek AA Oba E Cebecioglu

CASE REPORT

Extensive bleeding during surgical treatment for gingival overgrowth in a patient on haemodialysis – A case report and review of the literature Before performing renal transplantation, a most important concern is to control any infection, including oral infections before transplantation. The bleeding diathesis of patients with uraemia is a significant clinical concern, especially when surgery is required. A 44-year-old female patient on haemodialysis was referred for evaluation of gingival overgrowth.

N Nishide T Nishikawa N Kanamura

DATA WATCH

Oral health and access to dental care in Australia – Comparisons by cardholder status and geographic region It is well established that certain groups within the Australian population have poorer oral health and are disadvantaged with respect to access to regular preventive dental care. The purpose of this article is to investigate whether government concession cardholders and residents living in rural and remote locations have a lower standard of oral health than other Australians, and whether they experience any disadvantage in respect to access to dental services.

Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health

COCHRANE REVIEW WITH COMMENTARY

Fluoridated milk for preventing dental caries Dental caries remains a major public health problem in most industrialized countries, affecting 60 to 90 per cent of school children and the vast majority of adults. Milk provides a relatively cost-effective vehicle for fluoride in the prevention of dental caries.

CA Yeung JL Hitchings TV Macfarlane AG Threlfall M Tickle AM Glenny