ABSTRACT
When treating an orally traumatized patient, the dentist has no fewer professional and legal responsibilities than when treating a nonemergency patient. After obtaining proper consent, the examination, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of the patient must not be made negligently. Minimally, the dentist must not practice below the standard of care of a similar practitioner acting in the same or similar circumstances. The dentist also may be called on to further assist that patient in his or her attempt to obtain compensation for loss brought about by the trauma.
Subject(s)
Dental Care/legislation & jurisprudence , Emergency Medical Services/legislation & jurisprudence , Tooth Injuries , Expert Testimony , Humans , Informed Consent , Liability, Legal , Tooth Injuries/therapy , United StatesABSTRACT
This study indicated that when inoculated onto dental charts, both viruses and bacteria were capable of survival allowing the potential for transmission of infection within the dental office. The conscientious dental practitioner can take steps to reduce this possible mode of infection by removing contaminated surgical gloves or washing hands before handling the chart. An additional method of reducing this potential would be to wipe the chart with an antiseptic solution. Although this study has shown that there is a potential for the spread of infection with the organisms tested, the actual extent of dental chart contamination and resultant illnesses contracted are the basis for further study. Additional studies are needed to follow the pattern of chart distribution from person to person within the dental office, determine the types and quantities of pathogens present in the mouth that would contaminate the charts, and sample the charts under actual clinical conditions to determine the types and viability of the organisms present.
Subject(s)
Bacterial Physiological Phenomena , Dental Records , Saliva/microbiology , Simplexvirus/physiology , Herpes Simplex/transmission , Humans , Occupational Diseases/transmission , Picornaviridae Infections/transmission , Rhinovirus/physiology , Staphylococcus aureus/physiology , Streptococcus pyogenes/physiology , Time FactorsABSTRACT
An experimental animal model system for reproduction of oroparanasal communications in the guinea pig is reported. Standard clinical closure techniques, both immediate and delayed, are used, as well as a new graft material-reconstituted collagen. The clinical and histologic findings are discussed. Results indicate that an oroparanasal defect in the guinea pig can be maintained, that the use of reconstituted bovine collagen as a xenograft to the defect is an aid to closure and contour, and that further study is warranted for eventual application in humans.
Subject(s)
Collagen/therapeutic use , Fistula/surgery , Maxillary Diseases/surgery , Nasal Cavity/surgery , Oroantral Fistula/surgery , Animals , Cattle , Fistula/pathology , Guinea Pigs , Male , Maxillary Diseases/pathology , Nasal Cavity/pathology , Nose Diseases/pathology , Nose Diseases/surgery , Oroantral Fistula/pathology , Transplantation, Heterologous , Wound HealingABSTRACT
Collagen was extracted with acid from fresh calf skin, reconstituted and crosslinked with one of four aldehydes, and implanted into surgically created defects in rabbit mandibles. All grafts were histocompatible, with no signs of infection or rejection. There was partial degradation of simple aldehyde cross-linked collagen grafts, with new bone formation evident throughout as early as 4 weeks and complete by 3 to 4 months. The greater the degree of aldehyde-induced cross-linking, the longer the time of degradation, with dialdehyde-fixed specimens not starting to degrade for 6 months and highly cross-linked grafts intact and stable after 1 year. In grafted animals the mandible regained its original contour, while in control animals a defect remained after 1 year.
