Evaluation of Sex and Age Factors Contributing to the Diagnosis of Oral Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Adults / 치위생과학회지

Background@#With increasing interest in health in old age, aspects of oral aging are being considered. The Korean Academy ofGeriatric Dentistry recently proposed the diagnostic criteria for oral frailty in older adults in Korea. This study aimed to conduct a cross-sectional survey of factors related to oral frailty among community-dwelling older adults and identify differences in oral frailty status according to age and sex. @*Methods@#Among 217 older adults aged ≥60 years who visited a senior center in Wonju, 206 completed all tests for oral frailty.Among them, data from those with a Korean Version of the Modified Barthel Index score ≥90 were used in the final analysis. After evaluating oral frailty diagnostic factors such as chewing ability, occlusal force, tongue pressure, oral dryness, oral cleanliness, and swallowing function, oral hypofunction was determined according to the oral frailty diagnostic criteria. Subsequently, the evaluation results were compared based on sex and age. @*Results@#Significant differences in chewing ability, maximum occlusal pressure, and maximum tongue pressure were observedbetween sexes. However, these differences did not affect oral frailty diagnosis. All diagnostic factors of oral frailty, except for the risk of oral dryness and swallowing dysfunction, showed significant differences with age. However, no significant difference was observed in the prevalence of oral frailty. Additionally, this study found no relationship between sex and oral frailty factors using the oral frailty diagnostic criteria. However, it also found that age plays a significant role as an oral frailty diagnostic indicator, in addition to oral dryness and swallowing function. @*Conclusion@#Sex and age did not affect oral frailty diagnosis. However, patients’ chewing ability, occlusal force, and tongue pressure were affected by sex and age. Therefore, sex and age should be considered when diagnosing and intervening in oral frailty in the future.

Comparison of Clinical Characteristics of Fluorescence in Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence Images according to the Maturation Level of Dental Plaque / 치위생과학회지

Background@#Proper detection and management of dental plaque are essential for individual oral health. We aimed to evaluatethe maturation level of dental plaque using a two-tone disclosing agent and to compare it with the fluorescence of dental plaque on the quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) image to obtain primary data for the development of a new dental plaque scoring system. @*Methods@#Twenty-eight subjects who consented to participate after understanding the purpose of the study were screened. Theimages of the anterior teeth were obtained using the QLF device. Subsequently, dental plaque was stained with a two-tone disclosing solution and a photograph was obtained with a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera. The staining scores were assigned as follows: 0 for no staining, 1 for pink staining, and 2 for blue staining. The marked points on the DSLR images were selected for RGB color analysis. The relationship between dental plaque maturation and the red/green (R/G) ratio was evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation. Additionally, different red fluorescence values according to dental plaque accumulation were assessed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Scheffe’s post-hoc test to identify statistically significant differences between the groups. @*Results@#A comparison of the intensity of red fluorescence according to the maturation of the two-tone stained dental plaque confirmed that R/G ratio was higher in the QLF images with dental plaque maturation (p＜0.001). Correlation analysis between the stained dental plaque and the red fluorescence intensity in the QLF image confirmed an excellent positive correlation (p＜0.001). @*Conclusion@#A new plaque scoring system can be developed based on the results of the present study. In addition, these study @*results@#may also help in dental plaque management in the clinical setting.

Relationship between Saliva Factors Measured Using the SILL-HaⓇ Saliva Test System and Blood Cell Counts according to Perceived Stress Scale Scores in Female College Students / 치위생과학회지

Background@#Stress as a cause of mental health problems is known to be more prevalent in women than in men and has a negative effect on several aspects of physical health, such as the composition of blood and saliva. This study investigated the relationship of perceived stress with blood cell counts, saliva flow rate, and saliva factors. @*Methods@#We recruited women in their 20s with a high prevalence of stress. Stress was evaluated using the Korean version of the perceived stress scale. Blood tests included white blood cell, hemoglobin, and platelet. We then examined the saliva flow rate and cariogenic bacteria level, acidity, occult blood, buffer capacity, leukocyte level, protein level, and ammonia level using rinse water with the SILL-HaⓇ saliva test system. @*Results@#In a total of 70 participants, the average age was 21.64 years old, the average perceived stress score was 16.96±4.32, and high levels of stress were reported by 80% of the participants (n=56). The high-stress group had lower hemoglobin levels. In addition, the high-stress group showed a lower saliva flow rate than the low-stress group, and there was a difference in the salivary acidity and buffer capacity. The total perceived stress score showed a positive correlation with acidity and negative correlation with buffer capacity and the hemoglobin level. @*Conclusion@#This study found that stress in female college students might affect the composition of blood and saliva. High levels of stress were positively correlated with the hemoglobin level, saliva flow rate, and acidity and negatively correlated with the buffer capacity.

Are Vitamin Beverages Good for Dental Health? / 치위생과학회지

Background@#Although the consumption of vitamin beverages has increased because of the recent interest in health and beauty, guidelines addressing appropriate consumption habits are lacking. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the erosive potential of several vitamin beverages and to propose guidelines for the appropriate intake of these drinks. @*Methods@#Five vitamin beverages were selected after a pre-investigation of the current beverage market. Coca-Cola and mineral water were selected as the control beverages. The pH of the beverages was measured with a calibrated pH meter, and the titratable acidity (TA) was determined by using 1 M sodium hydroxide to reach pH 5.5 (TA5.5) and 7.0 (TA7.0). The screening method suggested by the International Organization for Standardization was used to measure pH variation (pH) by using an under-saturated hydroxyapatite solution to determine the difference between the initial and final pH of the screening solution. All measurements were performed in triplicate. @*Results@#All vitamin beverages tested in this study exhibited a low pH (2.53∼2.99), similar to Coca-Cola, which is known to be a highly acidic beverage. The highest TA5.5 and TA7.0 values of the vitamin beverages were 7.03 ml and 8.81 ml, respectively. The largest change in pH determined by using the screening solution was found in Bacchus D (pH 1.44±0.05). The mean pH of the vitamin beverages was 1.12±0.29, which was higher than that of Coca-Cola (positive control, pH 0.58±0.05). @*Conclusion@#Vitamin beverages exhibited an erosive potential capable of damaging enamel surfaces. Therefore, the frequency of vitamin beverage intake should be limited, and individuals consuming these drinks should try to restore normal oral pH as quickly as possible.

Possibility of a Standardized System for Task-Related Hierarchal Positions of Dental Hygienists / 치위생과학회지

Background@#Despite the demand for greater competence of dental hygienists in recent times, and the consequent standardization of systems in the organizations, there is a lack of a proper system for hierarchal positions of dental hygienists.The aim of this study was to identify the tasks performed by Korean dental hygienists in various work settings and hierarchal positions to suggest a standardized system for task-related hierarchal positions. @*Methods@#A survey was conducted by sending questionnaires to 966 dental hygienists, and responses from 757 participants were included in the final analysis. The survey comprised questions regarding participants’ general characteristics, tasks, current positions, and the internal policies or standards of the respective organizations to define these positions. The participants’ positions were analyzed as frequency and cross-sectional analysis with respect to their general characteristics, their place in the organizational charts, the size of their workplaces, and differences in the tasks performed. @*Results@#Data showed that 82.6% of the hospitals and clinics in Korea have organizational systems to determine the positions, and there was a significant difference in the systems according to the size of the health facility (p＜0.05). The standards or policies used to define positions within general or university hospitals were determined by internal regulations or bylaws, whereas work experience was the major determinant of positions in smaller dental hospitals or clinics. The main tasks performed by dental hygienists in Korea were dental assistance (81.2%), routine dental hygiene tasks (53.4%), and administrative tasks, such as reception and billing (46.1%). @*Conclusion@#Most dental hygienists in Korea are actively involved in dental assistance. Therefore, their specific tasks and responsibilities should be standardized more effectively. The data obtained from this study can be used to establish a standardized position system.

Percutaneous Transabdominal Metallic Stent Placement for Palliation of Afferent Loop Syndrome: A Case Report

The authors report a successful outcome after percutaneous transabdominal placement of a self-expandable metallic stent in a patient who had afferent loop syndrome caused by recurrent common bile duct adenocarcinoma. Enhanced abdominal CT showed marked dilation of the afferent loop adjacent to the anterior peritoneum, multiple hepatic metastases and lymph node metastasis around the choledochojejunal anastomosis site without marked dilation of intrahepatic bile ducts. Percutaneous drainage catheter was successfully placed to the dilated afferent loop just below the abdominal wall. Subsequent successful palliation of the afferent loop obstruction was achieved by placing a self-expandable metallic stent via the transabdominal route with the aid of cone-beam CT.

Adenomyoma in the Body of Stomach Presenting as a Pedunculated Polyp Treated by Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

An adenomyoma is a rare, benign tumor, characteristically composed of a mixture of glandular structures with intervening bundles of smooth muscle. An adenomyoma is considered to be a variant of an ectopic pancreas, without exocrine or endocrine components. Adenomyomas of the gastrointestinal tract are found most frequently in the stomach and the small intestine is rarely involved. Gastric adenomyoma is frequently localized in the antrum or pylorus and very rarely occurs in the body. Adenomyomas often appear as a submucosal mass. A 48-year-old man was referred for further management of a 2.5-cm pedunculated polyp in the stomach. The resected tumor was diagnosed as an adenomyoma of the stomach. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature of gastric adenomyoma that presented as a pedunculated polyp in the body and was treated completely with endoscopic resection.

Efficacy of dentifrices containing policresulen in controlling dental plaque and gingivitis formation / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This clinical study aimed to investigate if dentifrices containing policresulen would help to control dental plaque and gingivitis. METHODS: Seventy-eight eligible adults participated in this double-blind and randomized clinical study after an initial oral examination, calculus removal, and tooth prophylaxis. Two weeks after the procedure, the participants were assigned to three groups using the following dentifrices: (1) a dentifrice containing 0.22% NaF (control group); (2) a dentifrice containing 0.22% NaF and 100 ppm policresulen (policresulen group); and (3) a dentifrice containing 0.22% NaF, 100 ppm policresulen, and 1.00% bamboo salt (policresulen/bamboo group). The participants used only the provided dentifrice (for 1 min, twice a day, over 8 weeks) when brushing their teeth and followed their normal brushing habits. Dental plaque accumulation and gingivitis measurements were conducted using the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein plaque index (PI), the Loe and Silness gingival index (GI), and the percent bleeding on probing (%BOP) to obtain baseline data and 4- and 8-week data after grouping. RESULTS: A total of 73 participants aged 35.92+/-11.46 years (mean+/-SD) completed the study. The results after 8 weeks demonstrated statistically significant group-by-time interactions for PI, GI, and %BOP (P<0.001). The PI observed in the control groups increased over time up to 6%, while that observed in the dentifrice groups containing policresulen decreased by 5% (P<0.001). For GI and %BOP, the control group exhibited significantly higher values after 8 weeks, while the policresulen and the policresulen/bamboo groups revealed similar index values as the baseline after 4 and 8 weeks. The changes in all indices were significantly different between the control and the two experimental groups. There were no significant differences in the results obtained from the policresulen/bamboo group and the results obtained from the policresulen group. CONCLUSIONS: Use of dentifrices containing policresulen over 8 weeks demonstrated anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis efficacy compared to a control dentifrice.

Assessing the clinical validity of a new caries activity test using dental plaque acidogenicity / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at evaluating the clinical usability of a new caries activity test (Cariview(R)), which was based on the acidogenic potential of plaque by evaluating it's correlation with the DMFT index and comparing the results of Cariview(R) with those of previous caries activity tests in an adult group. METHODS: Teeth of 74 subjects were examined, and the DMFT index was calculated according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria to determine the past caries experience. Caries activity tests were performed according to manufacturer's instructions. For Cariview(R) test, plaque samples were collected from the tooth surface by using a sterile cotton swab and incubated at 37degrees C for 48 h; an indicator was added to observe the color changes according to the plaque acidogenicity. The subjects were classified into three groups (Low, Moderate, High) according to the level of caries risk. The data were assessed using one-way ANOVA to compare the caries experiences of risk groups according to the caries activity test results, and the relationships between the caries activity tests and the DMFT index were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall mean DMFT index was 5.70+/-4.42. There was a significant difference in the DMFT index among the caries risk groups (Low, Moderate, High) according to the Cariview(R) test result (P=0.036). Further, there was a positive correlation between the Cariview(R) score and the DMFT index (r=0.23, P=0.047) and between the Cariview(R) score and the previous caries activity tests score (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The new caries activity test (Cariview(R)) can be easily used at dental clinics and enables precise caries risk assessment.

Ultrasonographic Assessment of Nonsurgical Treatment of Postburn Hypertrophic Scar

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of nonsurgical treatment and to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasonographic assessment in postburn hypertrophic scar. METHODS: The subjects were twenty-seven burn patients with hypertrophic scar. Hypertrophic scars were treated by four different methods: triamcinolone acetonide injection (Group I), pressure garment application (Group II), combination treatment of triamcinolone acetonide and garment (Group III) and no treatment (Group IV). To assess the effectiveness of each treatment method, ultrasonographic measurement of scar thickness and punch biopsy of scar were done before and after treatment. RESULTS: After 4 weeks treatment, the scar thickness decreased by 14.9 9.4% in Group I, 4.7 8.4% in Group II and 20.5 13.2% in Group III. However the scar thickness increased by 10.0 13.5% in Group IV (no treatment). The pathologic findings didn't show significant change. CONCLUSION: The TA solution injection therapy and pressure garment therapy were effective methods for the treatment of the postburn hypertrophic scar, but the combinations of both therapies was more effective than each single therapy. The ultrasonography can be used as objective measure to assess effectiveness of therapy.