RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The greater effectiveness of the power toothbrush compared with a manual toothbrush is well-documented. Despite this, acceptance by dental professionals is still low. METHODS: This general practice study evaluated the effectiveness of a power toothbrush (Braun Oral-B Ultra Plaque Remover, Braun GmbH) in 16,903 patients, based on the clinical opinions of dental professionals in regard to patients' changing oral health status. In addition, a survey assessed the attitudes of dental professionals and patients toward the power toothbrush. RESULTS: The power toothbrush was considered by dental professionals to have had a positive effect on the oral health of 80.5 percent of their patients; the noticeable benefits with respect to a number of clinical criteria included plaque removal and improved gingival condition. Most patients in the study (88.9 percent) reported that they would continue using the power toothbrush once the study was completed. At the end of the study, many more dentists and hygienists considered the power toothbrush to be the most effective way of brushing, and almost 70 percent said that they would now be more likely to recommend a power toothbrush to their patients. CONCLUSIONS: The power toothbrush improved the oral health of patients in this practice-based study, and the number of dental professionals who said they would recommend a power toothbrush increased markedly during the study. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Enabling dental professionals to evaluate the effect of a power toothbrush reinforces the findings from controlled clinical studies and increases their awareness of its potential to improve oral hygiene.
Assuntos
Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde , Escovação Dentária/instrumentação , Adolescente , Adulto , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Atitude Frente a Saúde , Odontólogos/psicologia , Odontólogos/estatística & dados numéricos , Desenho de Equipamento , Humanos , Entrevistas como Assunto/métodos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Telefone , Escovação Dentária/psicologia , Escovação Dentária/estatística & dados numéricos , Estados UnidosRESUMO
This article lists fourteen open problems in artificial life, each of which is a grand challenge requiring a major advance on a fundamental issue for its solution. Each problem is briefly explained, and, where deemed helpful, some promising paths to its solution are indicated.
Assuntos
Inteligência Artificial , Evolução Biológica , Simulação por Computador , Vida , Processamento Eletrônico de Dados , Ética , HumanosRESUMO
Females of three species of tropical rain forest ithomiine butterflies orient to swarms of army ants (Eciton burchelli) and feed on bird droppings found there. The antbirds associated with swarm raids of these ants provide a predictable source of droppings, an otherwise sparsely distributed resource.
