Thirty children were randomly assigned to one of three groups prior to receiving dental treatment. One third of the children were assigned to a stressinoculation group, one third to an attention control group, and one third to a no-treatment group. The stress-inoculation group received instruction in relaxation and in positive self-talk. Observations by an individual who was blind to treatment ...

This ecological study investigated the association between social and environmental inequities and dental caries among indigenous people in Brazil. Dental caries data were gathered from articles identified from electronic databases for the period between 2000 and 2007. Independent variables were obtained from the census of Health Information System for Sanitation Indigenous Populations. Multipl...

Dental decay is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide. A variety of factors, including microbial, genetic, immunological, behavioral and environmental, interact to contribute to dental caries onset and development. Previous studies focused on the microbial basis for dental caries have identified species associated with both dental health and disease. The purpose of the current st...

The prevalence of oral diseases in many parts of the world is staggering. 1 Consequently, many countries have, or are developing, a large cadre of professional and auxiliary personnel trained to deliver dental services. The education of these persons has tended to stress skills for reconstructing teeth and their supporting tissues after disease has occurred; teachers in most dental schools seld...

Chronic fluoride over-exposure during pre-eruptive enamel development can cause dental fluorosis. Severe dental fluorosis is characterized by porous, soft enamel that is vulnerable to erosion and decay. The prevalence of dental fluorosis among the population in the USA, India and China is increasing. Other than avoiding excessive intake, treatments to prevent dental fluorosis remain unknown. We...

Mercury, as any other heavy metal, may cause environmental damages due to its accumulation and biotransformation. Dental offices, whether private or institutional, use dental amalgam as a restorative material on a daily basis. Dental amalgam is composed of mercury (50%), silver (30%) and other metals. Approximately 30% of the amalgam prepared in dental offices (0.6 g per capsule) are wasted and...