Australian Dental Journal

INVITED REVIEW

The oral medicine of tooth wear
This review illustrates, through a series of case histories, how oral medicine insights aid the diagnosis and management of patients with excessive tooth wear. The cases reviewed are drawn from the records of 500 southeast Queensland patients referred to the author over a 12 year period.

WG Young

REVIEW

Classical and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseases and their potential impact on the practice of clinical dentistry in Australia
Following recent published evidence regarding the experimental transmission of prion diseases via blood transfusion, dental practitioners have expressed their concern about the potential impact of these transmissible spongiform encephalopathies on dental care provision. This review provides updated information on Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and related disorders and highlights their potential significance for the practice of clinical dentistry. The current guidelines in Australia relating to infection control and clinical dental procedures are discussed together with recommended guidelines and considerations from the United Kingdom and the World Health Organization (WHO).

SWY Chan
S Collins
CL Masters
DM Walker

ADRF RESEARCH REPORTS

Pits and fissures: etch resistance in prismless enamel walls
In a previous study to examine the nature of etching on the walls of fissures, there was a consistent result of resistance to deep etching on parts of the walls and a zone of lesser etching on part of the walls as evidenced by the uptake of stain. The staining had been used to examine the nature of the etch pattern. The aims of this study were to define the nature of this etch resistant area.

MF Burrow
JF Burrow
OF Makinson

Dental erosion: In vitro model of wine assessor's erosion
Wine makers and assessors frequently experience severe dental erosion. The objectives of this study were to develop an in vitro model of dental erosion caused by frequent wine contact with teeth, and to use this model to assess the effectiveness of a variety of methods which might protect against this form of erosion.

Tong Bee Mok
J McIntyre
D Hunt

The shelf-life of sodium hypochlorite irrigating solutions
Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solutions are widely used as irrigants in endodontics. Their tendency to deteriorate is worsened by environmental influences which could cause loss of available chlorine content.

RM Clarkson
AJ Moule
HM Podlich

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

Opinions of dentists and directors of nursing concerning dental care provision for Adelaide nursing homes
The complex oral health problems of nursing home residents have been well documented. However, the influences on residents’ oral health status, including opinions and experiences of dental professionals and nursing home staff, have not yet been adequately investigated.

JM Chalmers
C Hodge
JM Fuss
AJ Spencer
KD Carter
R Mathew

Incidence and aetiology of facial injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents in Queensland for a three-year period
No studies have been reported on the frequency and aetiology of facial injuries due to MVAs in Queensland. This study aims to investigate the incidence, aetiology, age and sex distribution of facial injuries resulting from MVAs for a period of three years.

EB Wood
TJ Freer

Professional development for dentists: patterns and their implications
Approaches to models of professional development for dentists continue to evolve. This study examined the participation and attitudes of dentists in non-formal and informal professional development and continuing dental education.

HA Best
L Brearley Messer

CASE REPORT

Oral lesions in scurvy
Scurvy is the nutritional deficiency state associated with lowered levels of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Lack of ascorbic acid leads to suppression of collagen synthesis and the synthesis of defective collagen among other metabolic derangements. Weakening of vascular walls results in signs and symptoms mimicking other diseases such as bleeding diatheses and deep vein thrombosis. A case of scurvy presenting primarily with oral manifestations is reported here.

N Firth
E Marvan

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Digital imaging for dentists
This review of digital imaging and the technical aspects of radiographic equipment manufactured for dentists is designed to provide practical information to assist in the decision making process and purchase of radiographic digital imaging for clinical use.

R Macdonald

Self-assessment Quiz
In the review by Young on page 236 in this issue, a number of interesting questions are raised on oral medicine of tooth wear. Test your knowledge here by first reading the article titled: The oral medicine of tooth wear, answer the following questions and then forward the completed questionnaire to the ADJ Office and we’ll let you know how you scored. Please note that the answers have been provided in good faith and to the best of our knowledge are correct. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.