A Validation and Cost-Analysis Study of a Targeted School-Based Dental Check-Up Intervention: Children's Dental Program.

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists to inform best practice approaches to implement school-based dental screening to address child retention via referral for dental services. This research tested the null hypothesis that a targeted school-based dental check-up program (intervention) has a 75% child retention rate for public dental care (H0 = 0.75). METHODS: A prospective non-randomised controlled trial was conducted with a convenience sampling approach in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Children in the intervention group were recruited from two preschools and two primary schools from a low socioeconomic area. Children in the standard care group were recruited from the local public dental service. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata IC Version 12. RESULTS: Children in the intervention (45%) were significantly less likely to have never had a dental check-up compared to standard care (20%) (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference for the child retention rate for the intervention group when compared against the null hypothesis (p = 0.954). The total society costs were AU$754.7 and AU$612.2 for the intervention and standard care groups, respectively (p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: This validation study provides evidence that a targeted school-based dental check-up program can achieve a 75% child retention rate and should be considered for program expansion.

Endodontic treatment in the primary dentition.

A number of factors are involved in the development of pulp and periapical disease in primary and permanent teeth, with dental caries being the main factor. Although these factors are similar, the clinical management of a primary or permanent tooth with pulp or periapical disease may be quite different. This is based mainly on the differences between the two types of teeth, with primary tooth longevity, coronal structural integrity, root canal morphology, and root anatomy being important features to be taken into account when treatment planning. This paper reviews some aspects of primary teeth and the various treatment options for the management of pulp and periapical disease.

Endodontic retreatment of an autotransplanted lower first premolar: a case report.

A 24-year-old female with no contributory medical history had been treated by orthodontic alignment and transplantation of the lower left first premolar to the upper left first premolar site to correct for congenitally missing upper premolars. Subsequently, the transplanted premolar was treated by conventional endodontics and apical surgery for persistent periapical periodontitis over a span of 12 years. A combination of conventional endodontic retreatment and periapical surgery resulted in periapical healing. This case outlines the need for careful preoperative case assessment.

Continuing professional education in endodontics in New Zealand.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the uptake of and wants of New Zealand general dental practitioners for continuing education in endodontics. DESIGN: Mail-out survey questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey form was sent to general dental practitioners on the Dental Register and data were analysed using SPSS. RESULTS: The response rate was 79 percent. The majority of respondents (92 percent) stated they were either very interested or moderately interested in endodontics, with nearly 34 percent being members of the national endodontic society. Seventy-six percent had attended an endodontic course in the past three years and 85 percent wanted to attend a course. Hands-on courses were the most popular. CONCLUSIONS: Endodontics is a popular discipline in New Zealand, with over 75 percent of respondents having regularly attended refresher courses and wanting to attend further courses.

Use of rubber dam and its association with other endodontic procedures in New Zealand.

The use of rubber dam for endodontic treatment in New Zealand was analysed by a national survey of general dental practitioners. The response rate was 79 percent. Rubber dam was used routinely by 57 percent, its use increasing among practitioners graduating since 1969. A greater percentage of practitioners with less than 10 years experience used rubber dam than did more experienced practitioners. Use of rubber dam was associated with sodium hypochlorite and EDTA as canal irrigants. Reamers were the favoured hand instrument of non-users of rubber dam. No significant differences were found in the canal obturation techniques of users and non-users, but rubber dam users used the long-cone paralleling method of radiography significantly more than non-users. Practitioners in solo practice used rubber dam significantly less than those in group practice. Rubber dam users attended significantly more refresher courses in endodontics than non-users.