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Copyright of Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene is the property of Canadian Dental Hygienists Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the world in unprecedented ways. It is clear that this pandemic, unlike any public health challenge in recent memory, has the potential to fundamentally alter the delivery of many healthcare services, including dentistry. As evidence-based information on COVID-19 continues to emerge, this article serves as a means to disseminate current opinions, management strategies, and the impact of COVID-19 on dentistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the barriers and enablers of minimal intervention dentistry (MID) practice in an Australian community dental program. Methods: Qualitative data collection and analysis were performed by two investigators via semi-structured interviews with employed dentists, dental/oral health therapists, dental assistants and oral health coaches (dental assistants with formal training in oral health promotion). A convenience snowball sampling method was adopted. Results: A total of 24 oral health professionals participated in the study: four dentists, six dental/oral health therapists, ten dental assistants and four oral health coaches. The main barriers identified were related to: i) patient-level factors, ii) organisational supports and processes, iii) service capacity/funding model, iv) professional development and training, and v) staff continuity. One of the most cited barriers by the participants to MID practice were patient resistance to behaviour change. The main enablers identified were related to i) health promotion; ii) workforce factors; iii) professional development and training; and iv) organisational culture and supports. Frequently cited enablers were the organisational culture shift towards a preventive model of public dental care and the utilisation of oral health coaches. A responsibility framework was developed to assist in planning and enhancing the implementation of MID practice. Conclusions: In order for MID to be enhanced within public dental programs, oral health professionals have identified that multi-level intervention may be necessary to optimise the provision of dental care that are aligned with MID practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The association between nutrition and oral health has been studied in the elderly. This study aimed to examine the impacts of undernutrition and the mothers' socioeconomic and oral health statuses on the incidence of dental caries in Korean preschool children. Methods: Data of 610 children aged 3‐5 years and their mothers who underwent oral examinations and responded to the questionnaires in the 6th KNAHNES were used. Caries prevalence was measured by dft and dt among the primary teeth in children and DMFT among mothers. Dietary reference intake values were used to evaluate nutritional status, a nutritional quality index and the mean nutrient adequacy ratio. Complex sample correlation analysis was performed by using children's dft and dt statuses as dependent variables. Multilevel linear regression was applied to investigate the impacts of undernutrition and mothers' socioeconomic and oral health status on children's dft and dt statuses. Statistical significance was set as P <.05. Results: Factors significantly related to dft in children were age and food. Food insecurity was the only factor significantly associated with dt in children. Children's sex and mother's DMFT were likely to be relevant to dft in children. Children's age and a nutritional quality index value less than 1 were also likely to be relevant to the dt of children. Conclusions: Children with an undernourished status had a higher caries experience. A comprehensive community dental health promotion programme should be developed to prevent the incidence of dental caries in vulnerable undernourished children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines standards of record keeping regarding maxillary canine palpation in paediatric dental patients aged 10 and 11 in the Pennine Care Community Dental Service (CDS). The article discusses the record keeping for new patients and recall examinations, whether implemented changes improved record keeping, and if radiographic assessment was completed in cases without palpable canines.

Die Kassenzahnärztlichen Vereinigungen sorgen für die Sicherstellung einer flächendeckenden und wohnortnahen zahnärztlichen ambulanten Versorgung. Diese wird seit Jahrzehnten insbesondere von Einzelzahnärzten, von Berufsausübungsgemeinschaften und von Praxisgemeinschaften sowie seit dem Jahre 2015 auch von Medizinischen Versorgungszentren sichergestellt. Seit einiger Zeit ist jedoch festzustellen, dass die Geschäftsaktivitäten von sog. Private-Equity-Gesellschaften im zahnärztlichen Bereich stark zugenommen haben. Insbesondere kaufen diese als versorgungsfremde Investoren Vertragskrankenhäuser und Zahnarztpraxen auf, um letztere in MVZ umzuwandeln und zu betreiben. Dadurch besteht jedoch die Gefahr, dass durch eine profitorientierte Einflussnahme die Unabhängigkeit medizinscher Entscheidungen beeinträchtigt wird. Um dieser Entwicklung entgegenzuwirken, hat der Gesetzgeber kurzfristig Regelungen geschaffen, die im Rahmen des nachfolgenden Beitrages dargestellt werden sollen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigenous populations around the world experience a disproportionate burden in terms of oral diseases and conditions. These inequalities are likely due to a complex web of social determinants that includes poverty, historical consequences of colonialism, social exclusion, government policies of assimilation, cultural annihilation, and racism in all its forms (societal, institutional). Despite documented oral health disparities, prevention interventions have been scarce in Indigenous communities. This review describes oral health interventions and their outcomes conducted for Indigenous populations of the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand. The review includes research published since 2006 that are available in English in electronic databases, including MEDLINE. A total of 13 studies were included from the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Australia. The studies reviewed provide a wide range of initiatives, including interventions for prevention and treatment of dental disease, as well as interventions that improve oral health knowledge, behaviors, and other psychosocial factors. Overall, 6 studies resulted in improved oral health in the study participants, including improvements in periodontal health, caries reduction, and oral health literacy. Preferred intervention methodologies included community-based research approaches, culturally tailored strategies, and use of community workers to deliver the initiative. Although these studies were conducted with discrete Indigenous populations, investigators reported similar challenges in research implementation. Recommendations for future work in reducing oral health disparities include addressing social determinants of health in various Indigenous populations, training future generations of dental providers in cultural competency, and making Indigenous communities true partners in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the adverse effects and parental satisfaction following the different regimes of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) treatment among preschool children. A total of 888 preschool children who had active dentin caries received different SDF application regimes: group 1, 12% SDF applied annually; group 2, 12% SDF applied semiannually; group 3, 38% SDF applied annually; and group 4, 38% SDF applied semiannually. Information on adverse effects-including tooth or gum pain, gum swelling, gum bleaching, and systemic toxicity-was collected through a parent-reported questionnaire within 1 wk after every SDF or placebo application. Information of parental satisfaction on children's dental appearance was collected at baseline and 30-mo examination. At the 30 mo, 799 children (90%) remained in the study. No acute systemic illness or major adverse effect was reported. No differences of all minor adverse effects among the 4 groups were found ( P > 0.05). Overall, prevalence of tooth and gum pain as perceived by patients and reported by parents was 6.6%, while gum swelling and gum bleaching were 2.8% and 4.7%, respectively. Blackening of carious lesions was common among all groups, with 36.7%, 49.5%, 65.6% and 76.3% in groups 1 to 4, respectively (χ2 test, P < 0.001). The proportion of parents who were satisfied with their children's dental appearance in groups 1 to 4 was as follows: 67.6%, 61.5%, 70.8%, and 62.3%, respectively (χ2 test, P > 0.05). Based on parental reporting, SDF does not cause acute systemic illness. Tooth or gum pain, gum swelling, and gum bleaching were uncommon and not significantly different among the study groups. Parental satisfaction with children's dental appearance was similar among all groups. The use of SDF following the study protocol for caries arrest is safe for preschool children. Collecting information on parental satisfaction and adverse effects is beneficial for dental professionals when deciding to adopt SDF treatment for preschool children (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02385474). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Background: New sedation guidelines have included best practice recommendations relating to written information provided for conscious sedation that is provided to dental patients.The audit presented here compares the currently available patient information within one community dental service against standards derived from the new guidance, along with the availability and quality of the literature provided to patients. Method: All patient information sheets, relating to dentist provided forms of conscious sedation from 10 sites of a community dental service, were collected.The collected sheets were then compared against pre-defined criteria, derived from national guidelines. Results: There was insufficient available patient information in relation to patient options, age-appropriate information, material for the learning disabled, and separate information sheets for escorts currently available at any site.The quality of available information was variable, with areas for improvement including: out of hours contact details, subjective feelings of sedation, and descriptions of the dental procedures. Practical preparation of the patients, as well as risks and benefits, were well documented. Conclusion: This audit highlights that the new guidance places new best practice standards on the written information that we provided to patients, and indicates areas of potential change that may need to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-based dental education (CBDE) allows dental students to be immersed in community settings and provide care to populations that are underserved. Exposure to those groups during training may impact provider attitudes, which may be strengthened by supporting students' reflection and exploration of their own attitudes. The aim of this study was to describe the implementation and preliminary results of a pilot longitudinal reflection curriculum integrated into a community-based clinical experience (CBCE) for senior dental students at one U.S. dental school and to report the impact of the reflection curriculum and CBCE on student experiences with populations that are underserved. In academic year 2015-16, all 35 senior dental students at one U.S. dental school were invited to complete an 11-item survey before and after completing a 12-week CBCE with integrated, longitudinal online reflections. Students received feedback from a faculty member after each reflection. All 35 students completed the survey, for a 100% response rate. After the CBCE, the students reported improved clinical efficiency and increased confidence in treatment planning and in treating dental emergencies and dentally anxious patients. They also reported improved understanding of the structure and relevance of community health centers, the role of different health care team members, and the impact of health policy. There was no significant difference in future plans to work with groups that are underserved. These results suggest that the CBCE and reflection curriculum had a positive impact on the students' clinical confidence as well as expanding their understanding of the broader oral health care delivery system. To address persistent oral health disparities, dental schools should continue to adopt CBDE programming that will prepare providers to effectively care for populations that are underserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This 10 weeks feasibility study investigated whether residential care nurses with 12 hours advanced oral health training in assessments and saliva testing could formulate, implement and monitor individualised oral care plans of early dementia residents.Method: Four trained lead advocate nurses using SXI-D, OHIP14, oral health assessment tool (OHAT) assessments and a modified saliva test formulated nurse scheduled comprehensive oral care plans (NSCOCPs) by selecting and scheduling preventive products and procedures multiple times throughout the day to alkalise the mouth of 8 residents as an adjunct to assisted brushing and high-fluoride toothpaste.Results: Nurse assessments, saliva tests and care plans were validated against oral health therapist (OHT) findings. Care plan agreement between Nurse and OHT intervention selection and scheduling was high (75%-88%). Untrained nurse compliance was very high, 86%-99% for the 4930 scheduled interventions. Untrained nurses delivered multiple scheduled interventions by following NSCOCPs despite initially not understanding the reason for each of 9 interventions categories. NSCOCPs could track and monitor whether a recommended intervention had been completed by general nursing staff over 3 nursing shifts.Conclusion: The role of nurses may have to be expanded beyond traditional roles to meet the growth and changes in oral health needs in residential facilities. Intensive training of a few lead advocate nurses to assess risk and formulate individualised NSCOCPs provides a method to transfer knowledge to untrained staff and deliver multicomponent preventive interventions soon after entry into residential care where timely visits by dental professionals to examine residents and prescribe preventive interventions are infrequent or unlikely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess how individuals in three rural communities in Ecuador self-rate their oral health status. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that utilized a survey to assess the community awareness of risk factors for oral health. Because fluorosis is an issue that affects these communities, local water systems were tested for excess fluoride. Results: One hundred and eighty-five individuals aged 18 years and older participated in the study. Two-thirds of the participants described the state of their teeth as average or poor and more than half stated that they had sought dental care due to pain and need for treatment during the past year. Age and education had a statistically significant effect on how people described the state of their teeth. Significant associations were found between number of years of education and age and number of natural teeth the participants had (rs = 0.43, n = 177, P ≤ 0.001; rs = -0.53, n = 178, P ≤ 0.001). Likewise, significant associations were found between number of years of education and age and how participants described the state of their teeth (rs = -0.228, n = 177, P ≤ 0.001; -0.617, n = 177; P < 0.001). A very high-fluoride level (4.86 mg/L) was found in one of the communities. Conclusions: Social and physical determinants of health seem to have a significant impact on the oral health of rural communities in Ecuador. Lack of regular access to dental care and low levels of education are important barriers for oral health in these communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary The government and other organisations say that improving health care is important for people with learning disabilities., We asked people with learning disabilities and the people who look after them what it was like for them when they went to the dentist., Those we asked said that when they went to the dentist, they knew that those they saw knew about looking after their teeth., Some of those we talked to though said that certain things needed to be better., Abstract Background The government alongside other health and social care organisation have identified the need to improve the care provided for people with learning disabilities. Materials and Methods This service evaluation aimed to explore the experiences of people with learning disabilities and their carers who accessed community dental services using a qualitative research design. Adults with learning disabilities ( n = 4) and their carers ( n = 6) took part in one to one, face to face semi structured interviews. Results and Discussion Generally, participants were satisfied with community dental services and in particular valued the skills and the competence of practitioners. However, when dissatisfaction was expressed this was generally as a result of poor communication and the transition from child to adult dental services. Conclusions A number of recommendations are identified and discussed in relation to engagement with adults with learning disabilities and their carers in the development and delivery of community dental services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral health teams can work with both information of the people related to the family context as individual epidemiological through risk ratings, considering equity and service organization. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the association between tools that classify individual and family risk. The study group consisted of students from the age group of 5-6 years and 11-12 years who were classified regarding risk of caries and whether their parents had periodontal disease, in addition to the family risk. There was an association between the risk rating for decay in children (n = 128) and family risk classification with Coef C = 0.338 and p = 0.01, indicating that the higher the family's risk, the higher the risk of caries. Similarly, the association between the risk classification for periodontal disease in parents and family risk classification with Coef C = 0.5503 and p = 0.03 indicated that the higher the family risk, the higher the risk of periodontal disease. It can be concluded that the use of family risk rating tool is indicated as a possibility of ordering actions of the dental service, organizing their demand with greater equity, in this access door. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the state and federal legislative and regulatory agencies, affecting dental public health and dental profession, that had been monitored by the Indiana Dental Association's Department of Government Affairs, the Council on Governmental Affairs, Legislative Issues Committee, and IDPAC. The organizations facilitate communication to and from IDA members regarding Indiana legislative issues and assist the Board of Trustees by recommending legislative and regulatory positions.

Obstructive sleep apnoea ( OSA) is an increasing problem worldwide. Yet, a large number of patients may remain undiagnosed. Dentists could suspect OSA, but little is known about their knowledge and attitudes towards the topic. An email questionnaire was sent to dentists working in Helsinki Health Centre, Helsinki, Finland ( n = 226). It consisted of demographic data, items on dentists' overall knowledge of OSA and factors associated with it, and their possibilities and willingness to take part in the recognition and treatment of OSA patients. Altogether, 70·9% ( n = 134) of dentists eligible for the study completed the questionnaire. Of them, 79·1% ( n = 106) were general practitioners and 20·9% ( n = 28) dentists with specialty training. Continuous positive airway pressure ( CPAP) (99·3%) and weight control (99·3%) were both generally acknowledged as effective methods to treat OSA. Regarding the efficacy of other treatment modalities, significant differences were found between general practitioners' and specialists' opinions. For example, mandibular advancement devices ( MAD) were less often reported by general practitioners (69·8%) than specialists (89·3%) ( P < 0·05). The possible risk factors, signs and symptoms, and consequences of OSA were overall well recognised regardless the years in dental profession, but specialists saw more often that nocturnal sweating ( P < 0·01) and snoring ( P < 0·05) may signify OSA. Dentists could play an important role in suspecting OSA, but they may need more education to cope with that. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the final report of the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) mobile dental hygiene trailer program. The program reportedly started in 1975 under an Allied Health Professions Special Improvement Grant and was envisioned as an extension of an already existing dental program. Ending in 1983, the program reportedly accomplished several goals in community dental health issues. Each community that was touched by the program gained a great awareness of the importance of dental care and participation was reportedly excellent in school programs. At some visit sites, the program received the cooperation of the local city council, fetching them greater support and publicity.

Background: Australians outside state capital cities have greater caries experience than their counterparts in capital cities. We hypothesized that differing water fluoridation exposure was associated with this disparity.Methods: Data were the 2004-06 Australian National Survey of Adult Oral Health. Examiners measured participant decayed, missing and filled teeth and DMFT Index, and lifetime fluoridation exposure was quantified. Multivariable linear regression models estimated differences in caries experience between capital city residents and others, with and without adjustment for fluoridation exposure.Results: There was greater mean lifetime fluoridation exposure in state capital cities (59.1%, 95% confidence interval = 56.9, 61.4) than outside capital cities (42.3, confidence interval = 36.9, 47.6). People located outside capital city areas had differing sociodemographic characteristics and dental visiting patterns, and a higher mean DMFT (capital cities = 12.9, non-capital cities = 14.3, p = 0.02), than people from capital cities. After adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and dental visits, DMFT of people living in capital cities was less than non-capital city residents (regression coefficient = 0.8, p = 0.01). The disparity was no longer statistically significant (regression coefficient = 0.6, p = 0.09) after additional adjustment for fluoridation exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To assess and evaluate the confidence of the undergraduate dental team in Irish dental schools regarding their training in the field of special care dentistry ( SCD). Method A questionnaire was distributed amongst the undergraduate dental teams within Cork University Dental School and Hospital ( CUDSH) and Dublin Dental University Hospital ( DDUH). The data were analysed to assess for differences between the median responses of the various groups. Results A total of 139 students participated in the study; 82 from DDUH (59 dental science students, seven dental hygiene students and 16 dental nursing students) and 57 from CUDSH (43 dental science students and 14 dental hygiene students). Twenty-two per cent ( n = 30) of respondents agreed that their training had been sufficient in providing treatment or assistance for patients requiring SCD. Seventy-five per cent agreed that more emphasis should be placed on clinical training in SCD ( n = 76). Thirty-one per cent of students anticipated a high level of confidence in treating patients requiring SCD upon graduation ( n = 43), with dental science students feeling the least prepared amongst the dental team. Conclusion Confidence levels of the undergraduate dental team were low with regard to SCD. The existing hands-on clinical training in SCD was deemed insufficient by the respondents. Students believed more emphasis should be placed on SCD training in the undergraduate curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A questionnaire survey was performed within a dental emergency clinic at a London teaching hospital to determine patients' reasons for attendance and satisfaction with their care. Questionnaires were distributed to all patients registering for the dental emergency clinic over a four week period. A total of 1,058 questionnaires were returned, with an average satisfaction score of 9.3/10. The majority of patients (58%) reported symptomatic dental attendance. Common reasons for irregular attendance were lack of perceived 'need' for care and concerns about cost of care. Patients with irregular attendance were significantly more likely to report their past dental care had been affected by cost than regular attenders. Fifty-one percent of all respondents had tried to make an appointment with a dentist prior to attending the emergency clinic, and 21% of patients with a GDP reporting difficulty accessing urgent care at their practice. Forty-nine percent of patients attending the emergency clinic were referred to oral surgery clinics. Overall, this survey revealed high levels of satisfaction with care in this dental emergency clinic. Patients' reasons for attendance at the clinic can be considered in terms of 'push' and 'pull' factors, deterring them from primary dental care and drawing them into secondary/tertiary care environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil is the only country in the world to propose a universal health care system with the aim of guaranteeing delivery of all levels of health care, free of charge, to a population of over 200 million inhabitants by means of a unified health system ("Sistema Único de Saúde" [SUS]). The national policy of oral health, also known as Smiling Brazil ("Brasil Sorridente"), was implemented in 2004. Oral health was designated as 1 of the 4 priority areas of the SUS, transforming oral health care in Brazil, with the objective that the SUS achieve the integrality of care envisaged at its creation. The aim of this article is to share part of this experience in order to prompt reflection about the inclusion of oral health care in other health care systems around the world. The most significant results of Smiling Brazil can be seen in 3 areas: (1) oral health epidemiological indicators, (2) financial investment and professional development, and (3) the building of an oral health care network throughout the 10 y of the policy. The "Discovery!" article presented here portrays 10 y of evolution; however, it is important to point out that this is a process undergoing construction and that the oral health care network needs to be further expanded, refined, and solidified so that over time and through changes in the political parties in power, Smiling Brazil prevails as a perennial policy and not merely an action by a single government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of RGO: Revista Gaúcha de Odontologia is the property of RGO: Revista Gaucha de Odontologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate via a questionnaire the knowledge of school teachers regarding traumatic dental injuries in school children. Materials and method: A modified questionnaire from the one used in study by Mohan das U etal was used in this study. A total of 100 school teachers were enrolled in the study, with randomly chosen 10 school teachers from each school. Results: the study results showed that teachers had completely inadequate knowledge regarding management of dental trauma. Conclusion: The present study revealed considerably low knowledge of the participants regarding the first aid management of dental trauma. As teachers get an opportunity to attend a case of dental trauma, strategies to improve the teachers knowledge seem crucial [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the BDS curriculum, dental public health and the importance of social responsibility is clearly emphasised though often in a didactic manner, without practical application. Preventative concepts are taught and relayed to individual patients being treated within a dental school. The impact of oral disease on general health within disadvantaged communities is a problem commonly addressed by healthcare professionals. Part of this responsibility should be shared with and experienced by the next generation of dental practitioners through health education outreach programmes within the undergraduate curriculum. Not only will this benefit recipients within disadvantaged populations such as the homeless, but it will also develop and encourage a philosophy of social responsibility throughout the future careers of undergraduate dental and hygiene/therapy students. To explore the feasibility of achieving this objective, we devised an oral health awareness programme to address the needs of 'hard to reach' homeless people within the communities served by the Community Dental Service of Tower Hamlets, City and Hackney, London. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which describes the characteristics of those children who experience financial barriers due to the cost of dental care and identify those groups who could benefit from the additional Australian government support on a dental scheme, Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). It mentions that the study uses data from the National Dental Telephone Interview Survey (NDTIS) 2010. It is inferred that additional support must be given to low income households for dental care.

One Day Denture Camp is a unique community programme of the Department of Prosthodontics, A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, A Constituent College of Nitte University, Mangalore. It is the first of its kind in India, to deliver oral and dental care for the masses at their doorsteps, free of cost, for the rural and semi urban population under institutionalized approach. This article gives an overview of treatment procedures and management of single day complete denture camps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two instrumentation and irrigant techniques in smear-layer removal from root canals. Methodology: Thirty single-rooted teeth were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 (continuous irrigation) was prepared using Self-adjusting file, and group 2 (manual irrigation; conventional needle irrigation) was prepared using with ProTaper file system. Groups were irrigated using sodium hypochlorite (5%) as an initial irrigant following MTAD in a closed system. Canals were bisected and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Smear layers were evaluated using a five-point scoring system with 2500x magnification. Results: Smear layers were eliminated in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of the root canal, respectively, in 93%, 80%, and 60% of samples in the group 1, and 67%, 60%, and 27% in the group 2, of the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of the root canals, respectively. Evaluation by SEM showed continuous irrigation differed not-significantly from the manual irrigation group in all areas (P >0.05). Conclusions: Smear layer can be removed properly with suitable irrigation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Why oral health status outside capital cities is poorer than that in capital cities has not been satisfactorily explained. The aim of this study was to determine if the reason was poorer access to dental care. Methods : Data were obtained from the Australian National Survey of Adult Oral Health (2004-06). Oral health status was measured by DMFT Index, and numbers of decayed, missing and filled teeth. A two-step analysis was undertaken: comparing the dependent variables by location, socio-demographic confounders and preventive dental behaviours, and then including six access to dental care variables. Results : Of the 14 123 people interviewed, 5505 were examined, and 4170 completed the questionnaire. With socio-economic parameters in the first regression model, non-capital city people had higher DMFT (regression coefficient = 1.15, p < 0.01), more decayed (0.42, p < 0.01) and missing teeth (0.85, p < 0.01), but not filled teeth (−0.11, p = 0.71), than capital city based people. In the second step analysis, non-capital city people still had a greater DMFT (1.01, p < 0.01), more decayed (0.27, p = 0.03) and missing teeth (0.74, p < 0.01), but not filled teeth (0.00, p = 0.99) than capital city based people. Conclusions : Access to dental care was not the only reason why people outside capital cities have poorer oral health than people living in capital cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 4th Annual AADR Fall Focused Symposium (FFS), “Oral Health Disparities Research and the Future Face of America”, took place on November 3-4, 2011 in Washington, DC. The FFS strategy was developed by the AADR to help provide additional opportunities for members to engage in research discussions during the year by identifying specific research topics of interest among the 21 Scientific Groups and 4 Networks of the IADR and targeting a focused topic area for the FFS. The conference attracted an international group of approximately 120 registrants, including participants from Canada, India, Mexico, and China; 4 oral sessions and 32 poster presentations were offered. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]