An electronic communication device for selective mutism.
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Child↗
Biomedical subjects
D S Fung
Publications and source records attributed to D S Fung.
Dental caries status of preschool children in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the dental caries status of preschool children in Hong Kong and factors which affect their caries status. DESIGN: 658 preschool children aged 4 to 6 years from six randomly selected kindergartens in Hong Kong were surveyed in December 1997. A questionnaire to investigate possible explanatory variables for caries status was completed by their parents. Dental caries was diagnosed according to the criteria recommended by the World Health Organization (1997). RESULT: Caries experience as measured by the mean number of decayed, missing and filled primary teeth (dmft) of the 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old children were found to be 0.9, 1.8, and 3.3 respectively. Overall, 61% of the children had a zero dmft score. Children born in Mainland China had a higher mean dmft score (4.6) than those born in Hong Kong (1.4). Statistically significant correlations were found between the children's dental caries status and their oral health practices as well as their socio-economic background. Parents' education level, dental knowledge and attitudes were also associated with the children's dental caries experience. CONCLUSION: In general, the caries status of Hong Kong Chinese preschool children was similar to that of children in industrialised countries and was better than that of children in the nearby areas. However, special dental programmes should be made available to children from lower socio-economic classes and new immigrants from Mainland China because they are the high risk groups for caries in Hong Kong.
Attitude to Health↗
A clinical study of 100 new admissions to an adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit in Singapore.
BACKGROUND: Psychiatric inpatient services for children and adolescents in Singapore began in 1982 when Woodbridge Hospital started the Child and Adolescent Inpatient Unit. To date, this is the only unit with specialised facilities and staff in the management of young patients. Admissions were mainly based on a need for custodial management of acute major behavioural disturbances. Patients were discharged for outpatient treatment once these behaviours subsided. METHODS: This is a retrospective clinical study of 100 consecutive new patients admitted from April 1993 to August 1994. RESULTS: Majority of admissions (92%) were adolescents above age 12, who were either attending secondary or vocational school. Most came from nuclear families. Forty-eight percent of referrals were intradepartmental. Ten percent were from general hospitals with 16% as self referrals. Psychoses accounted for the diagnosis in 43%, schizophrenia being the main type. Neurosis and adjustment disorders formed the other main diagnoses. All patients received individual and family treatment. Liaison with schools was required in a third of the cases. Sixty-one percent received pharmacological treatment. Ninety-one percent were discharged home after a stay of less than 3 months. Majority returned to school upon discharge from the hospital. CONCLUSION: The main criteria for admission in this unit, located in an adult psychiatric hospital, is that of custody of young patients with disturbed and unmanageable behaviour. This provides additional stigma for the admissions of young patients with minor psychiatric problems and interferes with comprehensive care including admission required for some adolescents with psychiatric problems.
Adolescent↗
A clinical study of seven cases of trichotillomania in Singapore.
The aims of this paper were: to study the profile of trichotillomania cases referred to a child guidance clinic in Singapore, to identify potential risk factors and to study the management and outcome of these cases. This is a descriptive, retrospective study of all cases of trichotillomania presenting to the clinic between January 1996 and January 1998. There were 7 cases seen in a 2-year period which is less than 1% of new cases seen at the clinic. The female to male ratio was 1.33:1 with a mean age of 9.3 years. All cases met the DSM-IV criteria for trichotillomania. All 6 pulled their hair in tufts with 1 who was almost hairless. Associated problems included tics, nail-biting, anxiety and shortness of temper. Treatments included behavioural treatment, stress management, parental education and counselling as well as medications. Two improved and were discharged, with 3 still undergoing treatment and 2 defaulted follow-up. The 7 cases seen in Singapore are similar in clinical features to cases found overseas. A behavioural approach with reduction of environmental stress is most effective. Drugs were less effective. More systematic studies need to be done.
Behavior Therapy↗
Doctors' and lawyers' perspectives of child abuse and neglect in Singapore.
AIM OF STUDY: To investigate the Singaporean doctor's and lawyer's definition of child abuse and neglect, their attitudes towards reporting and their manner of handling suspected cases. METHODS: A self-addressed questionnaire survey was carried out in a population of hospital doctors, family physicians and lawyers. A total of 368 respondents participated in the survey. RESULTS: Most respondents had similar parenting attitudes. The majority felt that child abuse occurred sporadically but 25% of family physicians felt it seldom occurred. Thirty-eight per cent of family physicians had a personal definition of child abuse compared to less than a third of hospital doctors. There was a high consensus among all 3 groups concerning 21 behaviours studied. In all 3 groups, more than 80% agreed that having sex, burning child, tying child and not protecting the child from sexual advances were both unacceptable and abusive. More than 80% of respondents felt that some form of compulsory reporting is necessary in Singapore. Doctors preferred to refer cases of physical abuse to the hospital while lawyers preferred the police. All agreed that sexual abuse is a matter for the police. Respondents were more likely to act in cases of physical abuse and sexual abuse than for cases of emotional abuse and neglect. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to formalise definitions of child abuse in our society. More education and training in the understanding and handling of child abuse by doctors and lawyers may be necessary.
Adult↗
Preparation and crystallization of 41-dinitrophenyl ribonuclease S.
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Amino Acids↗
Dental hygienists in Hong Kong: present and future status.
PURPOSE: This study assessed the current employment status of dental hygienists practicing in Hong Kong, investigated factors affecting their employment, evaluated the satisfaction of local dental hygienists and their employers, and explored the career prospects of dental hygienists in Hong Kong. METHODS: All registered dental hygienists (n = 64), all dentists who employed dental hygienists (n = 25), and a systematic sample of dentists who did not employ dental hygienists (n = 278) were surveyed in June 1994 concerning employment situation, salaries, job satisfaction, and opinions on future prospects for dental hygienists. RESULTS: Response rates were 86% for dental hygienists (n = 55), 88% for employers (n = 22), and 63% for dentists at large (n = 175). Among the dental hygienists, 87% still were employed as dental hygienists, and both the dental hygienists and their employers agreed that the employment situation was satisfactory; however, several dental hygienists were considered to be working below their level of qualification. Major reasons for dentists not to employ a dental hygienist were having only one operatory and having an inadequate number of patients. In general, employers expressed satisfaction with the performance of the dental hygienists. Major reasons for employing a dental hygienist were that a dental hygienist would add professional and economical benefit to their clinic. Few dentists would support expanded duties for dental hygienists. CONCLUSIONS: In Hong Kong, dental hygienists and their employers comprise a small group with limited impact on oral healthcare services. Dental hygienists' perceptions of their future roles and ambitions are higher than those of their employers. To further the development of dental services in Hong Kong and meet documented oral healthcare needs in the population, greater utilization of dental hygienists should be promoted.
Career Mobility↗