Validation of reported dentoalveolar relationships in the Swedish Quality Registry for Cleft Lip and Palate.

OBJECTIVES: The present study validated data that had been reported to the Swedish Quality Registry for Cleft Lip and Palate (CLP) under new requirements from 2016, when use of the 5-year-old (5YO) and the Modified Huddart and Bodenham (MHB) indices for rating occlusion in children born with unilateral CLP (UCLP) was introduced. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample included blinded study casts (n = 97) and photos (n = 4) of 5-year-old children who had been born with UCLP in 2009-2011 and were enrolled at one of six cleft centres in Sweden. Fourteen orthodontists from the centres assessed the patients (n = 101) using the 5YO and the MHB indices. Median 5YO and MHB scores of the 14 assessments were compared with original registry data (n = 61). Each centre devised code keys to protect the identities of their patients in the registry. RESULTS: Interrater agreement among the 14 orthodontists was good for the 5YO index (quadratic-weighted kappa: 0.72-0.92) and the MHB index (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.991-0.994). Comparisons of median 5YOs for each identifiable child with their registry data (n = 61) found total agreement for 70.5 per cent. Comparisons between median MHBs and registry data showed very good or good agreement in 93.4 per cent of the cases. LIMITATIONS: Two teams lost their code keys, which reduced the sample to 61 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The dentoalveolar outcome data in the CLP registry was trustworthy. There was good agreement among the Swedish cleft teams assessing the 5YO and MHB indices in children born with UCLP at age 5 years.

Combining the perspectives of midwives and doctors improves risk assessment in early pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, risk identification in early pregnancy in Swedish antenatal care [ANC] is performed by the midwife at booking, and confirmed by the doctor at a routine visit in early pregnancy, but this extra visit has been questioned. This study compared the risk assessment by the two professions. METHODS: In a cluster randomised trial, a planning conference, where midwives reported new mothers to a doctor, replaced the routine consultation with the doctor. Ten ANC-clinics with the new program (942 mothers) were compared to 10 clinics with standard care (758 mothers). Risk factors were registered independently by midwives and doctors. Degree of agreement in risk identification between midwives and doctors was estimated by the kappa coefficient. RESULTS: The degree of agreement in risk registration was good for previous pregnancy complications (kappa = 0.62; CI: 0.55-0.68), and recommendations for the doctor's consultation (kappa = 0.67; CI: 0.62-0.72); fair for social problems (kappa = 0.29; CI: 0.03-0.55), and poor for registration of symptoms and problems in index pregnancy (kappa = 0.09; CI: 0.03-0.21) and psychosocial aspects, such as anxiety (kappa = 0.09; CI: 0.03-0.21). Significantly more risk factors were registered in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: Replacing the routine consultation with the doctor early in pregnancy with a planning conference had no negative impact on risk identification. The results support that the different perspectives of the two professions in combination are important for the safety of surveillance and the psychosocial support expected from antenatal care.

3-year evaluation of a new open sandwich technique in Class II cavities.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the durability of a new open sandwich restoration with, as shown in a previous scanning electron microscope study, improved interfacial adaptation. A polyacid-modified resin-based composite (PMRC; compomer) was placed as an intermediate layer and covered with resin composite (RC). A direct RC restoration was used as control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 57 patients, each received at least one pair of Class II restorations, one PMRC/RC open sandwich and one RC control. In total, 75 pairs of Class II restorations, 68 premolars and 82 molars, all in occlusion, were placed by two dentists. Most of the cavities were surrounded by enamel. The restorations were evaluated at baseline, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months by a slightly modified USPHS criteria. RESULTS: Five of 148 restorations evaluated during 3 years were rated as unacceptable. Two, one in each group, because of endodontic treatment and one RC restoration was replaced because of tooth fracture. Secondary caries was observed contiguous to one restoration in each group at the 36-month recall. Except for the two patients with pulpitis, none of the others reported postoperative sensitivity. No significant differences were seen between the restoration techniques. For marginal adaptation a significant change occurred between baseline and 6 months in both groups. For marginal discoloration, a significant change was observed at 6 months in the sandwich group and at 36 months in the RC group. Color match of the resin composite material changed significantly in both groups at 36 months. It was concluded that both techniques showed good durability during the 3-year follow up.