Career patterns of dental hygienists in Scotland.

OBJECTIVE: To study career patterns of dental hygienists in Scotland. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to all the dental hygienists enrolled with the General Dental Council in 1998 who had addresses in Scotland and those who were alumni of Scottish School of Dental Hygiene within the past 10 years. RESULTS: There was a 58.7% response (334 out of 569). A net loss of trained hygienists was not found. The results suggested that most would remain in employment for at least 30 years and about a third would retire early. Half were in full-time employment and 60% had been in continuous employment. Most of the remainder had personal reasons for ceasing work. 39% had refused employment because of the poor level of pay. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of the 2-year course has reduced output from schools of dental hygiene and demand for hygienists is high. Little hard information exists to support manpower planning in this area. This study suggests that there is little wastage of trained dental hygienists in Scotland. More data is required concerning employment opportunities and potential unmet demand for this group of PCDs to establish the number of training places required.

The contribution by medical radiology departments to dental radiology in general dental practice in Scotland.

AIM: To determine the availability of the services of medical radiology departments to general dental practitioners in Scotland. METHODS: Fifty-seven hospitals were identified as likely to have services available to general dental practitioners; 41 were within central urbanised areas (the 'Central Belt') and 16 in the more remote rural areas, (the 'Borders, Highlands and Islands'). The available services were identified by questionnaire. RESULTS: All 57 questionnaires were returned. Although there were significantly fewer larger hospitals in the 'Borders, Highlands and Islands', there was no significant difference in availability of services to general dental practitioners between the two parts of Scotland. CONCLUSION: The services of medical radiology departments are generally available to general dental practitioners in both the 'Central Belt' and the 'Borders, Highlands and Islands'.

The incidence of cleft lip and palate deformities in the south-east of Scotland (1971-1990).

This retrospective study reports the incidence of infants born with the cleft lip and palate anomaly within the Edinburgh Cleft Units catchment area, between 1 January, 1971, and 31 December, 1990. The importance of accurate data collection for local, regional, and national data bases is discussed with reference to the recent CSAG report on cleft lip and palate services in the UK. Five-hundred-and-two cleft lip and palate patients were identified (291 males, 211 females). The incidence is reported as 1.4 per 1000 live births (1 in 711). Twenty-five per cent of clefts affected the primary palate, 45 per cent affected the secondary palate, and the remaining 30 per cent were clefts of both the primary and secondary palate. Overall, a higher percentage of males were affected (58 per cent males to 42 per cent females). Clefts of the secondary palate, however, were more common in females (56 per cent females to 44 per cent males). Data presented in this study is similar to that previously reported from UK centres. It is suggested the accuracy of the UK cleft lip and palate data collection needs to be improved. Prospective data collection in a standardized format carried out on a national basis has to be a priority as recommended by the CSAG report.

[Primary amyloidosis of the gastrointestinal tract and liver--two case reports]. / Primäre Amyloidose des Gastrointestinaltraktes und der Leber--Zwei Fallberichte.

In primary amyloidosis the gastrointestinal tract and the liver are commonly involved, but clinical features and prognosis are mainly determined by the extent of cardiac and renal involvement. We review two cases with primary amyloidosis of the gastrointestinal tract and the liver. The predominant symptoms were malabsorption and hepatomegaly with cholestasis. The clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of primary amyloidosis of the gastrointestinal tract and the liver are discussed in the context of the current literature.

[Comparative studies of in-vivo and in-vitro contraction behavior of gallbladders with impaired function]. / Vergleichende Untersuchungen des Kontraktionsverhaltens funktionsgestörter Gallenblasen in vivo und in vitro.

The contractility of human gallbladders without calculi of 10 patients with typical biliary pain was investigated in vivo (n = 7; pharmacosonography) and in vitro (n = 10; isometric registration). In 6 out of 7 cases, investigated in vivo as well as in vitro, the contractility was identical--therefore the smooth-muscle-preparation in the organ-bath could be an interesting model for studies with CCK-antagonists. 3 of the in-vitro-preparations showed hypomotility consecutive to acetylcholine- and CCK-stimulation. Histologically, the destruction of the normal gallbladder wall structure by scars, chronic inflammation and the evidence of so-called Rokitansky-Aschoff-sinuses could be proved. The importance of these findings probably causal to the process of cholelithogenesis is discussed.

Deprivation and dental health. The benefits of a child dental health campaign in relation to deprivation as estimated by the uptake of free meals at school.

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the overall effect of the 1989 Lothian dental health education campaign on 8-year-old school children's dental health knowledge and behaviour and to examine the relationship between free meals and the children's benefit from the campaign. Altogether 874 children were randomly selected and included in the study. Sugar-free meals and drinks were provided in all primary schools throughout the campaign week. Dental officers held 30-minute information sessions with each class and encouraged teachers to continue dental health activities. Dental knowledge and behaviour were evaluated by interviews immediately before and after the campaign. The results showed a significant increase in knowledge about diet and dental health and a significantly higher proportion of children claimed to choose non-cariogenic foods and drinks as a result of the campaign. Toothbrushing frequency also increased significantly. Ninety-eight per cent of the children enjoyed the campaign and 66 per cent discussed it with their family. Each school was classified according to the proportion of children receiving free school meals, and this showed a statistically significant negative correlation with the proportion of children who chose non-cariogenic meals and drinks before the campaign but not afterwards. Toothbrushing frequency showed a significant negative correlation with free meals both before and after the campaign. A positive correlation was found between free meals and the proportion of children who claimed to have received new information during the campaign and ate healthier food because of it.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The use of a computer to measure linear and angular variables for an assessment of symmetry of the base of the skull]. / Zastosowanie komputera do liniowych i katowych pomiarów symetrii podstawy czaszki.

The use of a computer is described to make linear and angular measurements of the base of the skull. A group of 19 adult skulls from mediaeval Poland were chosen for this study. The cephalometric analysis defined 11 linear and 9 angular morphological variables. An assessment of method error due to point location by the cursor was made by duplicate determination, and an assessment of symmetry was carried out by comparing angular values derived from basion (ba) for right and left sides of the maxillary dental arch, zygomatic arch and cranial base. The results demonstrate that skull measurements could be recorded with a small method error of 0.2 mm for linear, and 0.2 degrees for angular recordings. Mean values for the 21 variables in the sample were recorded and statistically tested for point placement accuracy using measures of skewness and kurtosis to detect gross distribution errors.

A survey of the use of micro-computers in general dental practice in Scotland.

The aim of the study was to determine current and future use of micro-computers in general dental practice. A piloted questionnaire was sent to 736 general dental practitioners in Scotland, with the intention of contacting one principal from every dental practice known to the Scottish Dental Estimates Board. A total of 390 (53%) of the questionnaires were returned. If it is assumed that those dentists who did not reply have a low interest in computers then the results of the survey are not likely to lead to an overestimation of trends. Six per cent of the 736 practices that were contacted are using a micro-computer, mainly for practice management and particularly for word processing. In addition, 25% of the replies showed some interest in introducing micro-computers in the future. Thirty-four per cent of current users and 19% of prospective users indicated a high degree of interest in direct data transmission between the practice and the Scottish Dental Estimates Board.

[Morphologic changes in the small intestine following experimental resection of 75% of the midsection of the small intestine and surgical procedures delaying intestinal passive]. / Morphologische Veränderungen am Dünndarm nach experimenteller Resektion von 75% mittleren Dünndarmes und passageverlangsamenden Operationsverfahren.

The present study was performed in male Wistar rats. They underwent a 75% removal of the middle part of the small intestine and various procedures to delay the passage time in order to manage short bowel syndrome. Comparisons were made between the following groups: animals with subtotal resection of the small intestine and counterpositioning of a segment of the small intestine, myotomy, isoperistaltic segment, and animals with removal of the small intestine without delayed passage time, and a group of healthy non-operated controls. One year after surgery the following examinations were carried out: gross measurement of length and width of the intestine, eye microscopy, calculations of the intestinal surface, and morphometric investigations in histologic specimens of the intestinal mucosa. The most extensive increase of the residual lumen was observed in animals with antiperistaltic segment interposition. The inhibition of the passage due to the antiperistaltic segment has remained effective during the entire test period despite extreme loading and despite the morphological changes described in the article.

[Results following reflux-free stomach resection with Roux-en-Y anastomosis in gastroduodenal ulcer]. / Ergebnisse nach refluxfreier Magenresektion mit Y-Roux-Anastomose beim Gastroduodenalulkus.

The ulcer risk of Billroth-II-Y-Roux anastomosis, following distal two-third to three-quarter gastrectomy for complicated duodenal ulcer, ventricular ulcer, and pepto-jejunal ulcer was checked in 29 of 31 patients after surgery. (One patient had died after the operation and one rejected follow-up check for absence of complaints.) The same group of 29 patients underwent postoperative clinical examinations 1.6 years later, with additional nucleomedical, endoscopico-bioptic, and histological tests applied to 27 and additional secretion analysis to twelve of them. Twenty-eight patients were rechecked by Visick grading, approximately 3.9 years, following surgery. All 29 or 28 patients were clinically found to be in keeping with Visick I and II (100 per cent). Nucleomedical and endoscopic examinations did not reveal reflux in any of the 27 patients thus tested, and no recurrent ulcer was endoscopically recorded. Three patients refused to undergo endoscopy for absence of complaints. The time span of postoperative follow-up checks was as short as 1.6 years on average (between ten months and 4.5 years). Only trend information could, therefore, be derived from the histomorphological findings regarding minor mucosal changes, as compared to conventional techniques of resection. Reflux-free Y-Roux repair may be recommended as a mucosa-productive technique without increased ulcer risk, provided that gastrectomy is performed about 2 cm to 4 cm distal to the cardia.

[The splendor and misery of Whipple's disease]. / Glanz und Elend des Morbus Whipple.

On the basis of two cases diagnosed by ourselves, and a review of literature the problematic Whipple's disease is demonstrated. The treatment of this rare disease is very successful but it is too seldom included in the differential diagnosis of arthralgia and malabsorption. Therefore fatal false diagnosis results very often.

[Disaccharidases and peptidases of intestinal mucosa after experimental subtotal small intestinal resection with and without retardation of the passage]. / Disaccharidasen und Peptidasen der Darmschleimhaut nach experimenteller subtotaler Dünndarmresektion mit und ohne Passagebremsung.

Several operating methods for retardation of the passage were compared together after resection of 75% of the mid-small-bowel for preventing a malabsorption syndrome. Morphologic and enzyme-histochemical findings of the intestinal mucosa allow conclusions on the absorptive capacity of the residual intestine. The investigations were carried out one year after the operation. The lay-out of an antiperistaltic segment for the surgical therapy of the short bowel syndrome appears specially suitable after the results of this investigation.

[Autoradiographic findings in the small intestine after experimental subtotal small intestine resection]. / Autoradiographische Befunde am Dünndarm nach experimenteller subtotaler Dünndarmresektion.

The intestinal mucosa is among the mitotically most active tissues of the organism. Several authors described an alteration of the enterocytic proliferation after extensive small-bowel resection. Own autoradiographical investigations were carried out in the intestine of rats after subtotal small-bowel resection with and without additional operation for passage retardation. Not any different mitotic value was provable after one year in all rats with subtotal small-bowel resection in comparison to normal rats. From this follows that the adaptation of the residual intestine is already up concluded to this moment.

[Procedure for the biological testing of substances in the guinea pig subcutaneous test. I. The results of an improved semiquantitative assessment of the histological criteria]. / Verfahren zur biologischen Prüfung von Werkstoffen mit dem Subkutantest an Meerschweinchen. I. Ergebnisse der verbesserten semiquantitativen Bewertung histologischer Merkmale.

Different materials were implanted into the subcutaneous connective tissue of guinea pigs to evaluate biotolerance by means of the tissue response. The investigations were carried out with reference materials and newly developed implant materials in short-term studies and in case control studies. The semiquantitative valuation standards lead mostly only to informing statements in the sense of a compatibility degree. Alternative assertions are possible when comparing very different materials.

[Procedure for the biological testing of substances in the guinea pig subcutaneous test. III. The results of the quantitative determination of the cell division pattern in the area of reaction]. / Verfahren zur biologischen Prüfung von Werkstoffen mit dem Subkutantest an Meerschweinchen. III. Ergebnisse der quantitativen Bestimmung der Zellverteilungsmuster in der Reaktionszone.

The counting of the type of cells in the surroundings of implanted materials enables the estimation of specific material effects and improved the statement of the biologic testing methods. The explained method is described in the example of reference materials and is applied to different new materials for the estimation of their histocompatibility.

[Confirming a mediastinal lipoma with cardiac computerized tomography]. / Sicherung eines mediastinalen Lipoms durch Kardio-Computertomographie.

It is reported on an at present 32-year-old male patient, in whom at the age of 30 years an excessive mediastinal lipoma was excised. For 12 years the cardiological diagnosis was not clear and could completely be clarified only with the help of the computed tomography of the heart.

[Differential diagnosis of the malabsorption syndrome]. / Zur Differentialdiagnostik des Malabsorptions-Syndroms.

The paper reports on a cachectic patient who hitherto was treated as a case of pernicious anaemia. After a 20-year course of the disease a malabsorption syndrome as a result of an atrophic duodenitis was diagnosed.