• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.327-335
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• 2023

Background: Pain control is a crucial aspect of pediatric dentistry for patient management. Thermo-mechanical devices (Buzzy^TM Pain Care Labs, USA) work on the concept of vibration and cooling and have shown promising results in pain control during local anesthesia in pediatric dentistry. On the other hand, audio distraction has also been used for pain management. The amount of pain endured is determined by the patient's perception and attentiveness. Thus, if audio function is added to the thermomechanical device it might increase its efficiency. Hence, the present study aimed to compare pain on injection using a thermo-mechanical device with and without audio during inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) injection in children aged 5-10 years old. Methods: Twenty-eight children aged between 5 and 10 indicated for IANB were included in this randomized study. Children who were undergoing the dental procedure were divided into 2 groups, with 14 children in each group. The study group was the thermo-mechanical device with audio distraction; the control group was the thermo-mechanical device without audio distraction. IANB was administered. Subjective pain evaluation was performed using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPR) and objective pain evaluation was done using the Faces, Leg, Activity, Consolability, Cry (FLACC) scale. Results: The outcome depicted a significant reduction in pain on injection for both objective and subjective evaluations in the thermo-mechanical device with an audio distraction group. Conclusions: Less pain on injection was observed, when a thermo-mechanical device was used with audio distraction for IANB procedures.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.123-132
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status and contents of communication courses in dental hygiene programs in South Korea. Methods: Survey on dental communication training courses was done, and 51 schools (62.2%) responded among a total of 82 dental hygiene schools in Korea. The questionnaire was sent via e-mail and additional telephone calls were used to facilitate response. Statistical analysis and frequency analysis were done through SPSS 23.0 for windows program (copyright(c) SPSS Inc., USA). Results: The current establishment rates of dental communication courses in 3-year or 4-year dental hygiene programs were 96.9% and 84.2%, respectively. Such courses were identified as graduation requirement courses in 38.7% of the 3-year hygiene programs and 62.5% of the 4-year dental hygiene programs. When practical training sessions are included within such courses, 70% of such courses included 'discussion and presentation' and 'audio-visual aids' as a part of their contents, while 48.3% of them were utilizing 'role-playing'. Conclusions: As dental communication is one of the most important core competencies of dental hygienists, it should be included as a required course for graduation, and practical training such as 'role-playing' should be implemented in order to enhance communication skills in students.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.743-752
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• 2020

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to investigate the distribution and level of periodontopathic bacteria with the general characteristics and oral health condition of the elderly. Methods: A total of 335 elderly individuals aged 65 years or older who lived in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, were included in the study. Oral examination, investigation through a questionnaire, and collection of saliva were carried out. The collected saliva was analyzed for the distribution and levels of bacteria (red and orange complex bacteria) by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square test, t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson's correlation coefficient with SAS statistical software version 9.4. Results: Among the general characteristics, there were significant differences in the distribution of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Parvimonas micra depending on sex, age, and dental visits (p<0.05). The number of remaining teeth and denture use were related to the distribution of periodontopathic bacteria, except T. denticola (p<0.05). Additionally, periodontitis was related to the distribution of P. gingivalis (p<0.05). As the number of remaining teeth increased, the copy number of red and orange complex bacteria also increased (p<0.05). Those individuals who did not use dentures and had periodontal disease had more periodontopathic bacteria (p<0.05). Conclusions: The distribution and copy number of periodontopathic bacteria in the elderly were more related to oral health condition than to general characteristics. In particular, the distribution and copy number of periodontopathic bacteria were higher in subjects with multiple remaining teeth, no dentures, and periodontal disease.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.297-303
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oral health status of the disabled people in Ulsan. Methods : Two dentists taken a calibration training for national oral health survey examined the Oral health status on 110 disabled people in Ulsan, in 2009. The surveyed disabled people, 6 to 19 years old, have been supplied with the oral health care services by dentists, oral hygienists and volunteers at dental clinics of schools and a dental clinic supported from Ulsan Metropolitan City Nam-Gu Health Center since 1997. The obtained data from these surveys were analyzed with the SPSS statistical package. Results : Among subjects aged 12-14 years, DMF rate was 38.2%; Active D rate, 17.6%; DMFT index, 1.15; DT rate, 33.33%; MT rate, 0.00%; FT rate, 66.67%. Oral heath status of disabled people in Ulsan were evaluated to be a similar level to the Ulsan non-disabled citizens from 2010 Korean National Survey. Conclusions : The oral health care programs for disabled people using voluntary dentists, oral hygienists and other workers in Ulsan are evaluated to be effective for the disabled people.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2017

Objectives: Dental plaque is composed of 700 bacterial species. It is known that some oral microorganisms produce porphyrin, and thus, they emit red fluorescence when illuminated with blue light at a specific wavelength of <410 nm. Porphyromonas gingivalis belongs to the genus Porphyromonas, which is characterized by the production of porphyrin. The aim of this study was to evaluate red fluorescence emission of some oral microorganisms interacting with P. gingivalis. Methods: Five bacterial strains (P. gingivalis, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei, Actinomyces naeslundii, and Fusobacterium nucleatum) were used for this study. Tryptic soy agar medium supplemented with hemin, vitamin K3, and sheep blood was used as a growth medium. The fluorescence emission of bacterial colonies was evaluated under 405 nm-wavelength blue light using a Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence Digital (QLF-D) camera system. Each bacterium was cultured alone and co-cultured in close proximity with P. gingivalis. The red/green (R/G) ratio of fluorescence image was calculated and the differences of R/G ratio according to each growth condition were compared using the Mann-Whitney test (P<0.05). Results: Single cultured S. mutans, L. casei and A. naeslundii colonies emitted red fluorescence (R/G ratio=$2.15{\pm}0.06$, $4.31{\pm}0.17$, $5.52{\pm}1.29$, respectively). Fusobacterium nucleatum colonies emitted green fluorescence (R/G ratio=$1.36{\pm}0.06$). The R/G ratios of A. naeslundii and F. nucleatum were increased when P. gingivalis was co-cultured with each bacterium (P<0.05). In contrast, the R/G ratios of S. mutans and L. casei were decreased when P. gingivalis was co-cultured with each bacterium (P=0.002, 0.003). Conclusions: This study confirmed that P. gingivalis could affect the red fluorescence of other oral bacteria under 405 nm-wavelength blue light. Our findings concluded that P. gingivalis has an important role for red fluorescence emission of dental biofilm.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.199-203
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• 2018

Objectives: The market for bottled water is increasing steadily in South Korea. Bottled water contains several naturally occuring minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and fluoride. Fluoride is proven to be effective in preventing dental caries. In South Korea, the maximum permissible concentration of fluoride is 2 ppm for bottled water and 1.5 ppm for tap water. The aim of this study was to investigate the fluoride content of different commercially available brands of bottled water in South Korea, and compare the measured fluoride concentration to the concentration written on the label of each brand of bottled water. Methods: Twenty-seven of the 59 different brands of bottled water produced in South Korea were investigated in this study. Three bottles of each brand were purchased from supermarkets, marts, and convenience stores in each region of Korea in August 2016. For each bottled water brand, the fluoride content was measured three times using a fluoride-ion selective electrode (Orion ionplus Fluoride Electrode 9609, Orion Research, USA). The calibration curve was generated using 0.2 and 2 ppm standard solutions, and confirmed using a 1 ppm standard solution. Results: The mean fluoride content of the 27 brands of bottled water was $0.374{\pm}0.332mg/L$ (range=0.040 to 1.172 mg/L). The fluoride content was labeled by the manufacturer, on each of the tested brands of bottled water. In eight brands, the labeled fluoride content differed from the experimental data. The minimum to maximum fluoride content measured from 10 brands showed a variation of 0.3 mg/L or more when compared to the labeled fluoride content. Conclusions: This study investigated the fluoride content of various brands of bottled water produced in South Korea and compared the measured fluoride levels with fluoride information on the bottle labels. To ensure that consumers are suitably informed regarding their exposure to fluoride, correct labelling of fluoride content in bottled water is important.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.118-123
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• 2018

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fluoride-containing acidic tea beverages on bovine teeth surfaces. Methods: The pH values and fluoride concentrations of 11 kinds of mineral water and 23 kinds of tea were measured. The fluoride-containing Seopyenje black tea beverages with pH 3.48 were chosen for the experimental group. Distilled water that did not contain fluoride and had the same pH value as that of the Seopyenje black teas served as the positive control. The Jeju Samdasoo mineral waters with neural pH (pH 7.52) and no fluoride were chosen as the negative control. Bovine teeth in each group were submerged for 10 minutes. Thereafter, surface microhardness of each bovine teeth was measured and the results were analyzed. Results: The pH value range was 6.94-8.09 ($mean=7.37{\pm}0.08$) for the 11 kinds of mineral water and 3.48-6.74 ($5.62{\pm}0.05$) for the 23 tea beverages. Titratable acidity of the Seopyenje black tea beverages was higher than that of the distilled water mixed with citric acid, and the pH was 5.5 and 7.0, respectively. The fluoride content of the 11 kinds of mineral water was 0-1.09 ppm ($mean=0.44{\pm}0.02ppm$) that of the 23 tea beverages was and 0-0.74 ppm ($0.64{\pm}0.06ppm$). In terms of enamel microhardness reduction of the bovine teeth, the tea beverages had the largest effects. There was no significant difference in microhardness reduction between the tea beverages and distilled water mixed with citric acid (P>0.05). Conversely, a significant difference was found between the kinds of mineral water and tea beverages, and also between mineral water and distilled water mixed with citric acid (P<0.05). Conclusions: Acidic tea beverages appeared to erode the surfaces of bovine teeth. The amount of fluoride in the tea beverages was not enough to inhibit erosion. Therefore, frequent intakes of acidic tea beverage are likely to increase erosion on the surfaces of bovine teeth, by affecting the enamel microhardness of teeth.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.969-981
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• 2017

Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the preventive effects of exposure to liquid fermented milk containing various concentrations of added calcium on dental erosion, and to investigate the optimal concentration of calcium effective in reducing dental erosion. Methods: The present study consisted of a total of 6 experimental groups: a mineral water group, a fermented milk with no added calcium (0%) group, and four fermented milk with various concentrations of added calcium (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2%) groups. Twelve specimens were immersed for 1, 3, 5 and 10 minutes in each experimental drink and the change in surface microhardness was measured. Additionally, the surface was observed using a scanning electron microscope. Results: The difference in surface microhardness before and after 10 minutes of immersion in the experimental drink was the highest in the Ca 0% group, followed by the Ca 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2% group and the mineral water group, in that order. The groups with a calcium concentration of more than 0.5% showed statistically significant differences in surface microhardness compared to the Ca 0% group. In addition, when the surface morphology of enamel was observed under a scanning electron microscope, the results showed that the highest level of surface damage was observed in the Ca 0% group, followed by the Ca 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2% group, in that order. Conclusions:The present study confirms that a higher calcium concentration in fermented milk is associated with a higher possibility of preventing dental erosion. The addition of 0.5% calcium, which is a relatively low concentration, did not completely prevent dental erosion, but significantly inhibited dental erosion compared to fermented milk without any added calcium. Therefore, it is suggested that consumers should be educated and provided with guidance to consider the calcium content when choosing fermented milk.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.123-128
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• 2011

The notion that dental amalgam is a potential source of mercury exposure remains a controversial issue. However, there are few epidemiological analyses that have addressed whether this occurs in children. We aimed in our current study to identify the relationship between dental amalgam filling surfaces and the blood mercury levels in a cohort of 711 South Korean children aged between 8-9 years. Oral examinations were conducted to detect the number of amalgam filling surfaces on the teeth of these individuals. Blood samples were also taken from these children to assess the levels of mercury accumulation in the body. The amalgam filling surfaces were classified into four groups based on their number: 0 (n = 368), 1-5 (n = 219), 6-10 (n = 89), and 11+ (n = 35). The blood mercury levels in the children with more than 10 amalgam surfaces was 0.47 ${\mu}g$/L higher on average than those with no amalgam surfaces after adjusting for the frequency of fish or seafood consumption, age, and gender (P < 0.05). We found from our data that a higher number of dental amalgam fillings correlated with a higher blood mercury level in Korean children. Further studies are needed to investigate whether these elevated mercury levels exert neurotoxic or nephrotoxic effects.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2017

Objectives: Dental caries and periodontitis are major oral bacterial infections associated with dental plaque. Infection and inflammation play a role in carcinogenesis, and a significant link has been found between some highly prevalent oral and dental diseases and some types of cancer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between cancer and oral health among Korean adults. Methods: Data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to analyze the incidence of cancer according to oral health. Demographic and socioeconomic statuses and oral behavior of the participants was analyzed using complex chi-square tests. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between a high DMFT index and cancer by calculating the 95% confidence intervals. Results: In total, 6,450 case-control subjects were included. Significant difference was observed in the DMFT index, but not in periodontal diseases, between the cases and controls. The odds ratio for cancer was 1.80 (95% confidence interval: 1.18 to 2.73) in the high-risk group. However, no significant difference was observed after adjusting for age, education level, and income. Conclusions: The results provide potential evidence of a significant association between cancer and oral disease.