Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that leads to the overproduction and accumulation of mucus in the lungs, which can result in airway obstruction and life-threatening bacterial. Four risk factors related to CF are considered to increase the risk of dental caries; a 20- fold increase in intraoral Streptococcus mutans levels; gastroesophageal reflux disease [read the full story…]
Introduction This briefing has been prepared for clinical commissioners, commissioning managers, and everyone who works with multi-ethnic populations. It combines the findings from the Sheffield Hallam University project “Evidence and Ethnicity in Commissioning (EEiC) with other research, and practical experience. The aim of the Briefing is to demonstrate how health organisations can improve commissioning for [read the full story…]
Family and friends often play a very important role in supporting older people with long-term, severe mental health problems. It is estimated that 25% of the 6 million carers in the UK are supporting someone with a mental health problem (Carers Trust, 2007). Stress has been cited as having a major impact on the wellbeing [read the full story…]
The authors of this qualitative study were interested in looking at the experiences of growing up with a brother or sister with an autism spectrum disorder from the perspective of their siblings. What they did was carry out a number of semi-structured interviews with 12 typically developing adolescents who had a brother with an autism [read the full story…]
People with learning disabilities have been found to have increased risk of developing mental health problems. The knowledge of mental health issues amongst support workers however is also known to be sometimes lacking. The authors of this study were interested in looking at what support workers knew about mental health of older people with learning [read the full story…]
Cognitive decline describes increasing problems with memory, comprehension, language and mental agility. Mild cognitive impairment means that a person has cognitive decline beyond that which might be expected for their age, but generally do not experience problems with everyday living (Alzheimer’s Society, 2012). Dementia has similar symptoms, but these are more severe and people with [read the full story…]
Periodontitis is a common problem with severe periodontitis being ranked as the 6th most prevalent condition in the 2010 Global Burden of Disease study (Marcenes et al 2013). The aim of this study by Thomson et al was to describe changes in the occurrence of periodontal attachment loss (AL) , and to evaluate risk factors [read the full story…]
The latest update of the Cochrane review on fissures sealants (Ahovuo-Saloranta et al 2013) confirmed the use of resin-based sealants as a effective method of preventing or controlling occlusal caries. The Cochrane review included 15 trials comparing glass ionomer with resin sealants and there was insufficient evidence to make any conclusions about the superiority of [read the full story…]
Bipolar disorder is a term applied to conditions that are characterised by extreme mood swings. These swings in mood range from periods of overactive excited behaviour (known as mania) to deep depression. Some people also see or hear things that others around them don’t (known as having visual or auditory hallucinations) or have strange, unshared, beliefs (known [read the full story…]
Regular toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste has strong evidence for its effectiveness. Brushing at least twice a day is more effective that once a day or less and ‘Twice a day” is has been a long-standing oral health message. The aim of this qualitative study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the issues parents facing [read the full story…]
