Effectiveness of dental checkups incorporating tooth brushing instruction.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of dental checkups incorporating tooth-brushing instruction (TBI) with that of conventional dental checkups. A team consisting of one dentist and three dental hygienists saw an average of 60 employees per day on-site at an airline company. The patient's teeth were stained with a disclosing tablet and the results recorded on a Plaque Control Record (PCR) chart. The patient was then given TBI. After recording the relevant data, including TBI given and PCR scores, the charts were stored. Checkups were performed in a total of 3,854 patients between 2001 and 2005 and changes in annual scores investigated. In addition, annual shifts in mean score in patients receiving checkups over all five years were compared with those in patients receiving checkups for the first time in each of the five years. The mean score in patients receiving a checkup in 2001 was 35.1%, declining by 2.6 points to 32.5% in 2005. Among patients receiving checkups over all five years, the mean score in 2001 was 34.0%, declining by 11.2 points to 22.8% in 2005. Over the five-year period, the mean score in patients receiving checkups was 34.1%. In patients receiving checkups over all five years, the proportion with PCR scores <30% increased each year. This was because the number of patients with PCR scores ≥60% decreased each year. These findings suggest that TBI is effective in reducing poor plaque control. When compared with in patients who had not received TBI, five consecutive years of checkups was clearly effective. These results indicate that checkups incorporating TBI are more effective than conventional dental checkups that simply check for caries. In future, this type of checkup should contribute to improved preventative dentistry with minimal intervention.

Two-year follow-up of treatment of intrabony periodontal defect with enamel matrix derivative.

The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to evaluate 2-year follow-up results following regenerative periodontal surgery for intrabony defects using enamel matrix derivative (EMD). Thirteen patients (mean age: 53 years) with a clinical diagnosis of chronic periodontitis were subjected to data analysis. A total of 25 sites with intrabony defects received regenerative therapy with EMD. Follow-up continued for a minimum of 2 years. Treatment of intrabony defects with EMD yielded a statistically significant improvement in the mean values of probing depth and gains in clinical attachment level (CAL) at 2 years compared with those at baseline (p<0.001). Sites treated with EMD demonstrated a mean CAL gain of 3.4 mm and 3.2 mm at 6 months and 2 years, respectively. No statistically significant difference in gain in CAL was found between the 6-month and 2-year results. A gain in CAL of ≥3 mm from at baseline was found in 17 sites at 2 years. This gain was achieved with minimal recession of gingival margin and was sustained over a given period of time. A trend toward a progressive increase in radiopacity, suggestive of bone-fill, was observed. In summary, treatment of intrabony defects with EMD resulted in clinically favorable outcomes. The clinical improvements obtained with regenerative therapy with EMD were maintained over a period of 2 years.

Surgical periodontal therapy at Tokyo Dental College Suidobashi Hospital: a statistical profile in 2010-2011.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the profile of surgical periodontal therapy performed at the Suidobashi Hospital of Tokyo Dental College, during the period of April 2010 through March 2011. A total of 112 periodontal surgeries in 69 patients (mean age: 51.4 years; 28 men and 41 women) were registered for the data analysis. The surgical interventions performed by 17 dentists comprised 79 cases of open flap debridement, 27 cases of periodontal regenerative therapy with enamel matrix derivative and 6 cases of periodontal plastic surgery. Eighty percent of the surgical sites were in the molar region and 41 cases had furcation involvement. In these patients, an improvement in oral hygiene status was observed prior to surgery: the mean plaque score of 45% at initial visit was significantly reduced to 31% after initial periodontal therapy (p<0.01). At sites that subsequently received open flap debridement or periodontal regenerative therapy, the mean probing depth and clinical attachment level after initial therapy was 6.4 mm and 7.6 mm, respectively. These values were significantly lower than those at initial visit (p<0.01). Lower prevalence of sites with positive bleeding on probing was observed after initial therapy. The initial periodontal therapy performed was considered to be effective in improving the periodontal condition of the sites prior to surgery. More effort, however, is indicated in improvement of patient oral hygiene status.

Health professional's perceptions of and potential barriers to smoking cessation care: a survey study at a dental school hospital in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is currently accepted as a well-established risk factor for many oral diseases such as oral cancer and periodontal disease. Provision of smoking cessation care to patients with oral problems is a responsibility of health care professionals, particularly dentists and dental hygienists. This study examined the smoking-related perceptions and practices of dental school hospital-based health professionals in Japan. FINDINGS: A cross-sectional study design was used. The sample was formed from dentists, dental hygienists, physicians and nurses of a dental school hospital in Tokyo, Japan (n = 93, 72%). Participants were asked to complete an 11-item questionnaire assessing demographic variables and smoking history, provision of smoking cessation advice or care, attitudes about smoking cessation, and perceived barrier(s) to smoking cessation care. Eighteen percent of participants reported being current smokers and 15% reported being ex-smokers, with higher smoking rates reported by dentists compared with other health professionals (p = 0.0199). While recognizing the importance of asking patients about their smoking status, actual provision of smoking cessation advice or care by participants was relatively insufficient. Interventions such as 'assess willingness to make a quit attempt' and 'assist in quit attempt' were implemented for less than one-quarter of their patients who smoke. Non-smokers were more likely to acknowledge the need for increased provision in smoking cessation care by oral health professionals. 'Lack of knowledge and training' was identified as a central barrier to smoking cessation care, followed by 'few patients willing to quit'. CONCLUSIONS: A need for further promotion of smoking cessation activities by the health professionals was identified. The findings also suggest that dentists and dental hygienists, while perceiving a role in smoking care, do require training in the provision of smoking cessation care to hospital patients. In order to overcome the potential barriers, it is necessary to provide staff with appropriate training and create an atmosphere supportive of smoking cessation activities.

Treatment of periodontal defects with enamel matrix derivative: clinical evaluation at early healing stages.

The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to evaluate the treatment of intrabony periodontal defects with enamel matrix derivative (EMD) during the early stages of healing. Sixteen patients aged 38-77 years with a clinical diagnosis of chronic periodontitis were subjected to data analysis. A total of 25 teeth with various osseous defects received regenerative therapy with EMD, and were followed for a minimum of 6 months. Post-operative healing was uneventful in the majority of cases. Treatment of the intrabony defects with EMD led to a statistically significant improvement in the mean value of probing depth at 3 months compared with that at baseline (p<0.001). Mean values of attachment gain at 3 and 6 months were of clinical significance: 3.6+/-1.8mm and 3.2+/-1.5mm, respectively. Reduction in probing depth was achieved with minimal recession of gingival margin and was sustained over a time course of 6 months. A progressive increase in radiopacity, suggestive of initial signs of bone-fill, was observed by 6 months. In summary, the results suggest that treatment of intrabony defect with EMD induces favorable periodontal healing with a high level of predictability.

Root coverage technique with enamel matrix derivative.

Various periodontal plastic surgical techniques are employed in obtaining root coverage. Recently, the use of an enamel matrix derivative (EMD) has been reported in such treatment. We report 2 cases of root coverage surgery with a coronally positioned flap in combination with EMD (CPF+EMD) and connective tissue graft in combination with EMD (CTG+EMD). Case 1: The patient was a 25-year-old woman referred to Suidobashi Hospital, Tokyo Dental College for root coverage surgery on the lower right first premolar. Gingival recession was classified as Miller Class II, as no alveolar bone loss or loss of attachment was observed in the interdental area, although recession had progressed to the mucogingival junction. The patient was diagnosed with local gingival recession caused by excessive tooth brushing. Primary conservative treatment failed to reduce the gingival recession. Subsequently, root coverage surgery with CPF+EMD was carried out. As observation at the 1-year follow-up revealed complete root coverage and no recurrence of root exposure or subjective symptoms, the postoperative course was considered to be favorable. Case 2: The patient was a 39-year-old woman referred to Suidobashi Hospital, Tokyo Dental College for root coverage surgery on the lower left canine. Gingival recession was classified as Miller Class II. Root coverage surgery with CTG+EMD was carried out. As observation at the 2-month follow-up revealed complete root coverage and no recurrence of root exposure, the postoperative course was considered to be favorable. These 2 cases indicate the effectiveness of root coverage surgery with CPF+EMD and CTG+EMD.

Assessment of oral self-care in patients with periodontitis: a pilot study in a dental school clinic in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Oral hygiene education is central to every stage of periodontal treatment. Successful management of periodontal disease depends on the patient's capacity for oral self-care. In the present study, the oral self-care and perceptions of patients attending a dental school clinic in Japan were assessed using a short questionnaire referring to existing oral health models. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used. The study population consisted of sixty-five patients (age range 23-77) with chronic periodontitis. The pre-tested 19-item questionnaire comprised 3 domains; 1) oral hygiene, 2) dietary habits and 3) perception of oral condition. The questionnaire was used as a part of the comprehensive assessment. RESULTS: Analyses of the assessment data revealed no major problems with the respondents' perceived oral hygiene habits, although their actual plaque control levels were not entirely adequate. Most of the respondents acknowledged the importance of prevention of dental caries and periodontal diseases, but less than one third of them were regular users of the dental care system. Twenty-five percent of the respondents were considered to be reluctant to change their daily routines, and 29% had doubts about the impact of their own actions on oral health. Analyzing the relationships between patient responses and oral hygiene status, factors like 'frequency of tooth brushing', 'approximal cleaning', 'dental check-up' and 'compliance with self-care advice' showed statistically significant associations (P < 0.05) with the plaque scores. CONCLUSION: The clinical utilization of the present questionnaire facilitates the inclusion of multiple aspects of patient information, before initiation of periodontal treatment. The significant associations that were found between some of the self-care behaviors and oral hygiene levels document the important role of patient-centered oral health assessment in periodontal care.

Chronic desquamative gingivitis and oral health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Chronic desquamative gingivitis is a clinical description of the gingiva which is often a presenting manifestation of dermatoses or mucocutaneous disorders. The patients often experience oral discomfort and pain, which can significantly compromise their life qualities. MAIN OBSERVATIONS: Here we present a case of chronic desquamative gingivitis in a 77-year-old woman with periodontitis. After establishment of oral hygiene, initial periodontal therapy including topical steroid application was performed. Subsequent periodontal surgery resulted in further reduction of local inflammation. These interventions lead to a significant improvement in gingival lesions as well as oral health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic desquamative gingivitis is often a presenting manifestation of dermatoses or mucocutaneous disorders. Correct and early diagnosis is important. Management of inflammatory conditions including periodontitis can contribute to the clinical resolution of chronic desquamative gingivitis and improve life quality of the patient. A greater awareness of this condition among dentists and dermatologists would be helpful in providing patient-centered care.