Chronic periodontitis affects between 5-20% of the population. Scaling and root planing (SRP) is one of the most effective methods of treatment. The aim of this review was to assess whether the adjunct of amoxicillin and metronidazole (AMX/MET) to SRP increased its effectiveness compared to SRP alone. The authors searched eight databases and hand-searched a [read the full story…]
Oral mucositis is a common side effect of the treatment of malignancy with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Two Cochrane reviews (see below) have looked more broadly at interventions for prevention and treatment of this unpleasant side effect of treatment. The aim of this review was to assess the protective effect of honey in head and neck [read the full story…]
Seasonal affective disorder (winter depression) is a type of depression that recurs in the autumn and lasts until the spring. It is similar to regular depression except sufferers are usually very tired and have an increase in their appetite. It is more common in countries with few daylight hours in winter. People with seasonal affective [read the full story…]
Maxillary expansion is a common orthodontic treatment used for the correction of posterior crossbite resulting from reduced maxillary width. The aim of this review recent was to assess the effectiveness of various modalities of orthopaedic/orthodontic expansion of maxillary arches with crossbite and the associated 6 month post retention stability. The authors searched ,Cochrane Central Register [read the full story…]
Caring for someone who is terminally ill can often lead to considerable personal distress. In some cases caregivers may suffer from hopelessness and negative mood, in others they may experience anxiety disorders, clinical depression or other mental or physical health problems. This Cochrane systematic review assesses the effects of supportive interventions that aim to improve [read the full story…]
We recently reported on a other fluoride varnish study in a similar age group conducted in the UK. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of 5% sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish application in reducing caries increments in the permanent dentition of rural Brazilian school children over the course of 12 months. Children [read the full story…]
Fissure sealants are a recommended procedure for the prevention of occlusal caries in permanent molars. The aim of this review was to assess the clinical retention of pit and fissure sealants in relation to observation time and material type. The authors searched the Embase, Medline and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) databases for [read the full story…]
The prevalence of persistent dry mouth varies but a conservative estimates is that about 20% in the general population, with increased prevalence in women (up to 30%) and in the elderly (up to 50%). The aim of this Cochrane review was to determine which topical treatments for dry mouth are effective in reducing this symptom. [read the full story…]
In the past 30 years most developed countries have seen a decrease in the prevalence and severity of dental caries in children, with most disease now found in children often characterised by a low socioeconomic status. The aim of this Cochrane review was to evaluate the efficacy of fluoride supplements for preventing dental caries in [read the full story…]
By the age of 19, between a fifth and a quarter of young people have suffered from a depressive disorder. There are associations between depression and self-harm, suicide, substance abuse, poor academic performance and social dysfunction. The most robust evidence exists for two particular psychological interventions: cognitive behavioural therapy and interpersonal therapy. There is evidence [read the full story…]
