Polio, hepatitis B and AIDS: an integrative theory on a possible vaccine induced pandemic.

The hypothesis that simian virus 40 (SV40) infected polio vaccines may be linked to the evolution of acquired immunodeficiency disorder (AIDS), and certain cancers, has been advanced. Most recently, investigators discussed the likelihood of gene-reshuffling following SV40 infection as a precursor to acquired immune dysfunction. Findings of recent SV40 infections in four children born after 1982 suggest infections were transmitted vertically along gene lines. Earlier observations proved activation of a retrovirus gene by a hepatitis B virus (HBV) protein. This paper proposes a new integrative theory on the origin of AIDS. It advances the possibility of genetic recombinations with oncogene activation by HBV involving simian viruses that likely infected polio vaccinated blood donors to the initial hepatitis B (HB) vaccine trials conducted on gay men in New York City and Ugandan Blacks in the early to mid-1970s. The socio-economic and even military ramifications associated with this politically challenging thesis are discussed.

Murder and cover-up could explain the Florida dental AIDS mystery.

This article reconsiders the murder theory regarding the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from Dr David J. Acer to at least six dental patients which was initially dismissed by American investigators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Florida Health and Rehabilitative Service Department (HRS). In the light of withheld behavioural evidence from medical records, legal testimonies, and personal interviews obtained during the investigation, the information presented here strongly supports the conclusion that these transmissions were most likely intended by the dentist to execute a political and social vendetta.

Risk communication in dental practice: responding assertively to AIDS, fear and infection control.

There is great value in applying the science of risk communication in contemporary dental practice. Dental professionals can respond most assertively to anxious patients by developing active listening skills while engaging patients' negative beliefs and attitudes regarding dental care in the age of AIDS. This paper addresses the need to reestablish dental professional confidence and credibility along with patient trust through a grass-roots effort of applying risk communication strategies for improved dental public relations. Recommendations are provided to enable dental professionals to achieve optimal success in responding to the psychological, emotional and economic challenges of AIDS, irrational fear, and media-driven concerns about dental office infection control.

Comparing shower-based oral hygiene with traditional and electric toothbrushing.

Despite the importance of self-care for disease prevention, dentists and hygienists have been largely unsuccessful as oral hygiene motivators. Because of competing values, patients commonly fail to comply with prescribed oral hygiene regimens. In this investigation, attitudes of 84 adult dental patients were evaluated following a 30-day trial in which a shower-based oral hygiene system (SBOHS) was compared with manual and electric toothbrushing regimens performed in traditional settings. While attitudinal differences between manual and electric toothbrushing groups were insignificant, the SBOHS was perceived as substantially more enjoyable, convenient and reinforcing than either conventional or electric toothbrushing performed outside the shower. Significantly more SBOHS users reported spending more time on oral self-care, taking better care of their teeth and gums, feeling better about plaque control, appreciating oral hygiene practices more and perceiving cleaner teeth and a fresher mouth after oral hygiene than either the conventional or electric toothbrush users.

Survey on AIDS, fear and infection control: attitudes affecting management decisions.

As a result of increased public concern about AIDS and dental treatment, dental professionals need to cope with legislative reactions, increased infection control costs, patient anxiety and vigilance on the part of law enforcement agencies regarding compliance with "universal precautions." Recommendations abound for educating patients about dental office infection control to allay irrational fears and market dental office asepsis, but few studies quantitatively measure these needs or address the behavioral concerns patients have about AIDS infection related to dental care. In this investigation, dental patients were surveyed to determine their beliefs, attitudes and behaviors regarding AIDS and dental office infection control. Several important educational caveats were identified. This paper considers these challenges and provides patient education and practice management recommendations consistent with a preventive focus on allaying dental patients' fears while building more successful dental practices.

Multidisciplinary patient care in preventive dentistry: idiopathic dental pain reconsidered.

Pain is a complex phenomenon which challenges healthcare providers to develop multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment competencies. This paper reviews literature on idiopathic odontalgia and tooth hypersensitivity without apparent cause, and considers the role bioelectric mechanisms may play in the onset and treatment of these moderately common disorders. The hypothesis considers that such pain may be associated with health disturbances in areas remote from the teeth and periodontium. A multidisciplinary approach to preventive dental health is discussed along with factors which may impact the outcome in the treatment of dental pain.

Dental patient education: self-care to healthy human development.

Credited with a long history of providing preventive care, dentists are challenged by increasing demands from better educated consumers interested in improving their health and caring for themselves. The task of administering patient education services, identifying patients at risk, targeting specific behaviors for change, and managing costs is the subject of this case study. The Self-Care Motivation Model described here, is used to develop a patient education/smoking cessation/lifestyle change program for a patient with numerous dental and general health disturbances. Time and cost saving methods for administering such total patient care are discussed. Suggestions for reframing the context of dental patient education and health behavior change initiatives to include general healthy human development competencies are provided.

Self-care motivation: a model for primary preventive oral health behavior change.

Attempts to promote compliance of children with preventive health practices are most successful when strategies for motivating self-care behavior change address the physical, cognitive, and affective components of individuals. This study evaluated the effectiveness of using a Self-Care Motivation Model and curriculum to promote oral health and hygiene behavior change among 92 third grade students randomly selected according to homeroom assignments in five Gloucester, Mass., public schools. Student gingival health and oral hygiene measures were obtained two weeks prior to, and two weeks, three months, and one year after educational sessions. Group one, comprised of mid-high socioeconomic status family students, served as an oral examination control. Groups two-five received educational sessions designed to teach students various aspects of oral health. Significant improvements (p less than .001) in gingival health and dental plaque scores were observed in all experimental groups for up to three months. During a period of three months to one year, mean group scores returned to baseline and worsened for all groups except group five, the lowest socioeconomic family status group and the only group receiving the full series of self-care motivation curriculum sessions. Experimental group teachers reported that most children responded favorably to the program, and specific attitude and behavior changes were observed in many children. Further research evaluating the efficacy of using this self-care motivation model in primary preventive health education programs is indicated.

The self-care motivation model: theory and practice in healthy human development.

Effective health education and behavior motivation programs are needed to promote the compliance of children and young adults with preventive health care practices. Health promotion and primary prevention programs must consider the entire individual as well as his or her environment if positive behavior changes are to be maintained. This paper introduces an innovative model for self-care motivation curriculum development. The model prescribes the use of value clarification, enhanced physical/cognitive/affective awareness, positive lifestyle choices, and self-reinforcement skills training whereby individuals learn to become self-motivated and reinforcing agents for their own primary preventive health practices. It is theorized that by developing self-care and self-regulation skills, students will achieve and maintain higher levels of wellness, thus improving the quality of their lives and ensuring healthy human development.