Factors associated with Mexico City dentists' willingness to treat AIDS/HIV-positive patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics and infection control practices of dentists in Mexico City in relation to their willingness to treat AIDS/HIV-positive patients. STUDY DESIGN: The population study encompassed Mexico City dentists who were selected according to a geographic criterion. A questionnaire was delivered personally to each participant, and multiple logistic regression was used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 598 dentists participated in the study. The response rate was 99.3% (598/602). Seventy-four percent (444) of the dentists said they would be willing to treat AIDS/HIV-positive patients. Among the variables associated with the prediction of willingness to treat these patients were glove-wearing patterns (odds ratio, 2.39; confidence interval, 1.4-4.2), types of available sterilization equipment (odds ratio = 2.42; confidence interval, 1.4-4.1), fear of losing non-AIDS/HIV-positive patients (odds ratio = 4.28; confidence interval, 2.3-8.4), and risk perception of HIV transmission (odds ratio = 2.66; confidence interval, 1.5-4.9). An interaction was found between perception of risk of HIV transmission and increase in costs (odds ratio = 3.35; confidence interval, 1.3-8.9). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 26% of the Mexico City dentists included in the study were not willing to treat AIDS/HIV-positive patients. Educational programs aimed at misperceptions appear to be warranted.

Use of fissure sealants by dentists in private practice in Mexico City.

This paper presents findings on the use of pit and fissure sealants by dentists working in private practice in Mexico City. A total of 386 dentists participated in the study. Dentists working in high, middle, and low socioeconomic areas of the city were personally interviewed and their patients' records of the last 5 working days were reviewed. 45% of the dentists indicated that they used sealants and 10% used them during the 5 days studied. A greater proportion of recent dental graduates used sealants compared with older graduates. The dentists who utilized sealants were more likely to apply fluoride treatments in their practice than dentists who did not utilize sealants. The proportion of sealants in relation to all treatments provided was low (0.8%), and even lower in the low socioeconomic areas (0.02%). Considering the high dental caries experience of Mexican children, the use of dental sealants should be promoted by Mexico City dentists. In addition, school-based sealant programmes should be established, particularly in low socioeconomic areas.

Prevention as a treatment of excellence--a view from Mexico City.

Using survey data from Mexico City recorded in 1982 and 1989, the results of this paper suggest that practice-based, disease-orientated, one-to-one technical dentistry is failing to solve the problems of oral health. Prevention constitutes a much better alternative as it can be provided for a greater number of people, more easily and more cheaply. Recommendations are made on how dental practitioners can adopt measures to change professional behaviour in order to institute preventive measures.

A social anthropology model to evaluate curricula of dental schools.

The purpose of the research project was to construct a model to evaluate curricula of schools of dentistry following the social anthropology paradigm. The point of departure for the project was practical experience gained in looking for information which could aid better decisions about how to conduct and change a dental curriculum. Information was obtained from the different people involved in the educational project: teachers, students and patients. Qualitative as well as quantitative curriculum information was included. The general questions posed were not only about 'how much', but also 'what, why, who, where and when?' The model used in the project seems to have been of value. It gave a base for considering why things were happening in the way they were, and facilitated a general explanation about how the main purposes of the school were accomplished.

[Prevention of caries with lactobacillus (final results of a clinical trial on dental caries with killed lactobacillus [streptococcus and lactobacillus] given orally)]. / Prevención de caries por lactobacilos (resultados finales de un ensayo clínico sobre caries dental con lactobacilos muertos [estreptococos y lactobacilos] por vía oral).

Caries prevention with lactic bacteria. (Final results of a dental caries clinical trial using heat killed lactic bacteria [streptococci and lactobacilli] orally.) The results of a dental caries clinical trial in 245 seven-year-old children are reported. Chewable tablets of two different types were prepared: A) Containing pyridoxine (Vit. B6) and heat killed lactic bacteria. B) Placebo tablets with pyridoxine only. They were randomly given once a week for 16 weeks to experimental and control groups respectively. Four evaluation surveys were conducted during 24 months of follow up, using the "Decay, Missing, Filled, Surfaces" index (DMFS) for the clinical evaluation of the permanent teeth. A consistent reduction in the incidence of dental caries in the experimental group was observed in all 4 surveys. After 2 years of follow up a 42% reduction in the incidence rate of dental caries was observed in the experimental group compared to the control group. Summary tables and discussion of the clinical evaluation surveys are given. The potential use of these clinical findings as support for a future dental caries vaccine evaluation project is proposed.

Final results of a dental caries clinical trial using heat killed lactic bacteria (Streptococci and Lactobacilli) orally.

The results of a dental caries clinical trial in 245 seven-year-old children are reported. Chewable tablets of two different types were prepared: A) Containing pyridoxine (Vit. B6) and heat-killed lactic bacteria. B) Placebo tablets with pyridoxine only. They were randomly given once a week for 16 weeks to experimental and control groups respectively. Four evaluation surveys were conducted during 24 months of follow up, using the "Decay, Missing, Filled, Surfaces" index (DMFS) for the clinical evaluation of the permanent teeth. A consistent reduction in the incidence of dental caries in the experimental group was observed in all 4 surveys. After 2 years of follow up a 42% reduction in the incidence rate of dental caries was observed in the experimental group compared to the control group. Summary tables and discussion of the clinical evaluation surveys are given. The potential use of these clinical findings as support for a future dental caries vaccine evaluation project is proposed.

[The context of dental education]. / Contexto de la educación odontológica.

The author suggests a series of points for reflection and discussion about dental education, beginning with an analysis of the educational process: "why," "for what purpose" (goals), "how" (strategies), and "what" (content). He also explores various aspects of the target population, the sequence, location in time and space, and problems related to financing and resources. He proposes some ideas about the orientation and structure of the curriculum, for discussion by the university and dental care communities.

[Training and use of dental manpower resources in Mexico]. / Formación y utilización de recursos humanos odontológicos en México.

The introductory section describes the general situation of dental care in Mexico, analyzes the prevailing service model (including the kind of work done by the dental professional and the technology he employs), and briefly reviews the evolution of dentistry in the country. There follows an account of a series of new approaches to service and manpower training in experimental implementation since 1972 in the stomatology curriculum at the Xochimilco campus of the Metropolitan Autonomous University, at the National School of Professional Studies at Zaragoza, in the School of Dentistry of Nuevo León Autonomous University, Monterrey, and in the Dental Services at Ciudad Netzahualcóyotl. In each case, the background, characteristics, and objectives of the programs, and their evolution and prospects are described.