Review suggests a relationship between obesity and dental caries

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Diet is a contributory factor to both obesity and dental caries and a number of studies have linked these two global public health problems. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate and quantify the relationship between obesity and dental caries in children. Searches  of the Embase, MedLine, ScienceDirect, Ovid and PsychInfo [read the full story…]

Review revisits old evidence linking vitamin D and dental caries and suggests there may be a benefit

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A link between vitamin D and dental caries was suggested back in the 1920s as it has an important role in calcium and phosphate metabolism.  The aim of this study was to review the available trial data on supplementation with vitamin D for dental caries prevention compared with no such supplementation, in any population. The [read the full story…]

New Cochrane Protocols for Oct and Nov 2012

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October saw one new Cochrane protocol published on the Cochrane Library which slipped passed the Elf’s gaze. Cope A, Francis N, Wood F, Mann MK, Chestnutt IG. Systemic antibiotics for symptomatic apical periodontitis and acute apical abscess in adults (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD010136. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010136. The principal [read the full story…]

Vital pulp therapy for permanent teeth

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The Journal of the American Dental Association has published an appraisal of a 2011 review by Aguilar & Linsuwanont  under the auspices of the American Dental Association Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry. The review looked at whether vital pulp therapy is successful in permanent teeth. The appraiser considered that search strategy was thorough although the included [read the full story…]

School- based trial shows benefit of sealants for caries prevention in high-risk population at 1 year

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Fissure sealants have been available since the 1960’s  and a 2008 Cochrane review by  Ahovuo-Saloranta et al  highlighted their effectiveness for preventing occlusal caries noting that their effectiveness is obvious in high caries risk children.   The aim of this new study by Muller-Bolla  et al, was to assess their effectiveness in a school-based dental sealant [read the full story…]

Topical fluorides for moderate to high caries risk adults

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There is a tendency to focus on the prevention of dental caries in children yet is it is a problem that continues to affect old and young alike.  While considerable time and effort is spent on preventive programmes for children far less consideration to adults. The American Dental Association Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry has published [read the full story…]

Professional oral hygiene interventions and follow-up support provided short term improvement in oral health for in older adults

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An increasingly elderly population  have benefited from improvements in oral health care resulting in the retention of an increasing number of natural teeth. This brings the challenge of maintaining these  teeth and their replacements in good disease free condition.  However, studies indicate that oral health in this group is often poor.  The aim of this [read the full story…]

Limited evidence for caries risk assessment systems

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Assessing an individual patient’s risk of caries is considered to be an important element of contemporary treatment planning, for example the 2004 NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) recall guidance recommended risk-based recall intervals. The aim of this review was to assess the evidence supporting four caries risk assessment (CRA) systems:- Cariogram, Caries [read the full story…]

Is there a relationship between dental crowding and caries?

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The crowing of teeth disrupts the normal proximal and occlusal contacts and creates area for potential plaque and food accumulation. As a consequence it has been considered a risk factor for dental caries. However, studies looking at a relationship between crowding and caries have been contradictory. The aim of this review was therefore to assess [read the full story…]

Maternal counselling using a motivational-interviewing approach reduced caries in indigenous children

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The aim of this trial was to test the use of motivational interviewing (MI) as an approach to control caries in indigenous children. This cluster-randomised trial was conducted in Cree communities in Quebec. Cree women who recently had given birth or were between the 12th and 34th weeks of pregnancy were recruited. Mothers allocated to [read the full story…]