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Biomedical subjects

H D Sgan-Cohen

Publications and source records attributed to H D Sgan-Cohen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Dental status among native and immigrant young Israeli adults.

BACKGROUND: New immigrants, originating from different cultures, often demonstrate dental health, behavior and treatment levels, which are different to native born populations. Immigrants are often classified as 'high-risk' populations. The goals of this study included comparing caries prevalence levels and different modes of treatment and dental health behavior, among immigrants from the former USSR and Israeli born young adults. METHODS: 581 young adults (average age 18 years) answered a questionnaire and were clinically examined. RESULTS: Socio-demographic variables were significantly different: number of siblings and years of schooling were higher among the Israeli born population; father's occupation was less professional among the immigrants. Untreated caries and lower father's occupation were significantly associated. Most immigrants reached the dentist's office only when they suffered pain, in contrast to the Israelis who were more regularly taken care of. Smoking was more prevalent among immigrants and significantly associated with caries levels. The caries prevalence among the Israelis was: DMFT = 4.7 +/- 4.13, D = 1.09 +/- 1.81, M = 0.11 +/- 0.37, F = 3.51 +/- 3.85, and among the immigrants: DMFT = 5.98 +/- 4.66, D = 2.78 +/- 2.77, M = 1.01 +/- 0.51, F = 2.70 +/- 3.22. These differences were statistically significant (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Immigrants should be considered as a high risk group and demand a specific call for public health action.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

A review of satisfaction with dental service at a Jerusalem community clinic serving elderly patients.

AIM: The audit of dental satisfaction and its association with the reported outcome of a dental health care programme for elderly patients. DESIGN: A telephone survey of 162 patients in a Jerusalem municipal dental clinic for geriatric patients, who had completed a treatment course in oral rehabilitation. RESULTS: The average age of the respondents was 73.2 +/- 8.45 years, over 80% of who were very satisfied or satisfied with the treatment given by the dental clinic staff. Only 1.8% were not satisfied (the remaining 17.9% were unable to answer the question). Among those who responded, 91.6% were currently using their full dentures, 80.4% reported an improvement in chewing ability, and 82.3% an improvement in appearance. Respondents who reported daily use of dentures and improved chewing and appearance, also reported higher levels of satisfaction with the clinic. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate a potentially important role of satisfaction with dental staff in optimal compliance and success of a geriatric oral health care programme.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Oral health promotion for children in boarding schools].

INTRODUCTION: In Israel there are approximately 9,000 "sheltered" children who are lodged in several boarding schools. These children have been removed from their parents' guardianship, some with their parents permission and some by court order, usually due to neglect or abuse. This article describes these children and the efforts implemented regarding oral health: dental care insurance, a preventive program which has been conducted for approximately 10 years among 80 boarding schools and family care shelters, evaluation of these services and caries levels among the children. METHODS: A sample of 123 children was examined in four Israeli boarding schools. The DMF(T) index was employed according to WHO guidelines, by one examiner, using a torch, plane dental mirror and probe when required. RESULTS: An average DMF(T) level of 4.62 was detected among 12 year olds. Among all the children from ages 1-18 years, only 30% were caries free. The rate of caries-free children decreased with age. CONCLUSIONS: Caries prevalence among this population was higher than levels reported in Israel and abroad. There is a clear need for oral health promotion among this community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Community-oriented oral health promotion for infants in Jerusalem: evaluation of a program trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to measure the effect of a community health education program on reported infants' bottle-feeding practices and infants' toothbrushing behavior, with or without distribution of toothpaste and toothbrushes. METHODS: In this quasi-experimental comparison group design study conducted in mother and child health centers in Jerusalem, parents of 727 children were surveyed by telephone at baseline and six months later. The cohort of infants was aged 6-12 months at baseline. The program group received structured health education. The control group received no organized educational intervention. Within the program and control groups, half of the centers were randomly given toothpaste and toothbrushes. RESULTS: Parents' reports revealed a secular 32.5 percent increase in toothbrushing for infants with no intervention, 45.1 percent for infants only receiving toothpaste and toothbrushes, 43.7 percent for infants only receiving the health education program, and a 60.4 percent increase for infants receiving health education together with toothpaste and toothbrushes (chi-square, P = .0002). Modification of bottle-drinking practices, in this program, was unsuccessful. CONCLUSION: The free distribution of toothpaste and toothbrushes, together with an oral health education program, is recommended as a potentially practical and effective method of promoting early oral hygiene practices.

Arabs↗
PubMed2000

Periodontal status by CPITN, and associated variables in an Israeli permanent force military population.

AIMS: The objectives were to determine periodontal treatment needs using the CPITN index, of Israeli permanent force military personnel. METHODS: The study population consisted of 1300 military personnel aged 25-44 years (mean age 33.8 +/- 5.4), who attended obligatory routine medical and dental examinations. Clinical examinations were conducted by 3 calibrated examiners, employing flat dental mirrors, the specially designed WHO periodontal probes (FDI probes) and following CPITN criteria. The frequency distributions were studied with regard to age groups, gender and education, as well as differences in the severity of the disease. Also, the mean number of sextants affected per person by age was assessed. RESULTS: Only 1.19% of the subjects demonstrated healthy periodontal tissue. Shallow pockets were similarly found among all age groups, and the number of persons with deep pockets increased with age. Deep pockets were found almost 3 x more among males (18.66%) in comparison with females (6.19%). Persons with higher education (> 12 years), had less deep pockets and bleeding than individuals with less than 12 years of education (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with data from other countries reported by the WHO, this periodontal status indicates a relatively high level of treatment needs. This survey provides a substantial contribution to the national oral health data bank concerning the adult working population in Israel.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Trends in caries and associated variables among young Israeli adults over 5 decades.

This study was conducted among a representative sample of 7,139 21-year-old Israeli adults, upon release from compulsory military service. Data were collected between 1994 and 1997. The average DMFT level found was 8.49+/-4.95. Untreated caries (according to the D component of DMFT) was 2.25+/-2.90 and significantly higher among males. Untreated caries was also significantly associated with geographic origin: higher among subjects of African or former USSR descent; and with family size: higher among subjects with four or more siblings; with education: caries was higher among subjects with less than 12 years of schooling; and with smoking: caries was more extensive among those who smoked (P<0.0001 for all the associations). Caries severity (DMFT) was found to be significantly associated with father's country of origin and number of siblings (highest among subjects of Asian and African descent and those who had four or more siblings). This is the largest and most representative Israeli survey of young adults to date. Data were compared with available data from studies conducted in 1956, 1966, 1973, and 1985. DMFT scores had previously increased from the 1950s until the 1980s. Treatment levels had increased since the 1980s. The present data, together with results of studies conducted among Israeli children, indicate a recent national decrease in caries experience. This study indicates a further increase in caries treatment level, but a persisting inequity according to social variables.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Relationship of blood glucose level to community periodontal index of treatment needs and body mass index in a permanent Israeli military population.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to find a possible link between blood glucose levels and periodontal disease. METHODS: In a prospective study the dental health of 10,590 military service men and women was examined. The relationships of periodontal condition, expressed as CPITN index, and blood glucose levels were tested. The effect of gender, body mass index (BMI), and smoking was also evaluated. RESULTS: Blood glucose levels were significantly and positively associated with severe periodontal disease, men, and higher BMI. Smoking did not affect blood glucose levels. CONCLUSIONS: Blood glucose levels might be associated with severe periodontal disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Dental knowledge and attitudes among Arab schoolteachers in northern Israel.

A representative random sample of 597 Arab school-teachers in northern Israel, was surveyed regarding sources and levels of knowledge and attitudes about dental caries prevention. Data were measured according to a self-administered questionnaire from a 91.4 per cent response rate. When ranking the effectiveness of different caries preventive measures teachers on average listed optimal water fluoridation as a lower priority compared to toothbrushing, dental visits, fluoride mouthrinses and eating fewer sweet products. Placing of fissure sealants was ranked as the second least effective caries preventive measure, with 39.6 per cent not knowing the effectiveness. Only 68.5 per cent of the school-teachers were aware of the anti-bacterial role of fluoride, and only a small minority knew of fluoride's potential in healing incipient caries. Teachers seemed less motivated to being involved in dental health school programmes which involved dedicating school time and their active involvement, such as fissure sealant programmes at school, supervision of brushing and flossing, and school mouthrinsing programmes. They revealed positive attitudes towards: informing parents about the importance of oral hygiene and teaching children about preventive dentistry. Teachers' main reported source of knowledge was the dental office. It is the responsibility of the dental profession to ensure that updated knowledge is correctly conveyed to schoolteachers, who are an important and potentially influential sector of dental health consumers and health education agents.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The prevalence and treatment of dental caries among Israeli permanent force military personnel.

A survey was conducted to determine dental caries prevalence and treatment among 1,095 25- to 44-year-old permanent force Israeli military personnel. Caries experience, by decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT), was 11.66, with an average of 1.37 untreated caries, 2.40 extracted teeth, and 7.90 treated teeth. Caries was positively associated with age (p < 0.001). Females demonstrated statistically higher DMFT levels than males (p = 0.009). Negative associations were detected for education levels and untreated and extracted components (p < 0.001), and a positive association was detected for the treated caries component (p < 0.001). Permanent military personnel treated by private dentists exhibited 17.6% untreated caries, compared with 9.4% among personnel treated in the army. Officers had lower levels of untreated caries (8.6%) than others (13.3%). Among the present population, 77% had attended a dental clinic in the preceding 2 years. Permanent force personnel are offered free, comprehensive, and accessible dental treatment. The data emphasize a need for further dental health education.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Changing caries prevalence in primary and permanent teeth of children in a Jerusalem neighbourhood.

The objective of the present study was to conduct cross-sectional surveys of caries prevalence in Jerusalem schoolchildren from one geographic region over time (9 years for 6-year-old first graders and 6 years for 9-year-old fourth graders), and to examine possible changes in caries levels. Dental caries was assessed among school children in one Jerusalem neighbourhood, employing the DMFS and dmfs indices, for permanent and primary teeth respectively. One epidemiologist in the team of examiners participated in all stages of the surveys and served as the calibrator. Data indicated a decline among 6-year-old children of mean DMFS scores from 1.64 in 1983, to 0.32 in 1992, and of mean dmfs values from 13.95 to 8.09. Among 9-year-old children, mean DMFS scores declined from 3.50 in 1986 to 2.50 in 1992. The water supply of Jerusalem was optimally fluoridated to 0.9 ppm in 1988, and this is suggested as a contributor to the decline in caries prevalence.

Child↗
PubMed1996

The effectiveness of an amine fluoride/stannous fluoride dentifrice on the gingival health of teenagers: results after six months.

The objectives of the present study included examining the effect of non-supervised tooth brushing with an amine fluoride/stannous fluoride (AmF/SnF2) dentifrice on gingival health of teenagers in a field trial over six months. Jerusalem high-school adolescents (246) participated in a double-blind study with a NaF dentifrice serving as control. No oral hygiene instruction or supervision was given. Examinations took place at baseline, three weeks, three months and six months. In all examinations, no differences were revealed for plaque levels. Other results indicated a consistent advantage for the AmF/SnF2 group. Gingival Index (GI) scores were significantly lower in the test group at the three month examination (GI = 0.85, compared to GI = 0.89; p = 0.036) and at the six month examination (GI = 0.72, compared to 0.78; p = 0.042) than among controls. Mean bleeding on probing scores were lower in the AmF/SnF2 than in the control group at the six month examination (0.53, compared to 0.63; p = 0.041). No side effects, including staining, were reported, nor found, among the AmF/SnF2 group. In addition to the well established caries preventive role of fluoride dentifrice, these data indicate an additional and important public health role of a AmF/SnF2 dentifrice, in preventing gingivitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

One month evaluation of the manually rotating "Bio-Bright" toothbrush for clinical safety and efficiency.

A clinical trial, based on the guidelines of the American Dental Association, was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Bio-Bright, a new manually rotating toothbrush. The brush was used by 28 adults and compared to a group of 26 adults who used an ADA-accepted toothbrush (Oral-B 35). Examinations were recorded for safety, plaque level, gingival inflammation and gingival bleeding at baseline, 15 days and one month. Analysis of the data revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups at any of the measurement periods. When calculating the cumulative longitudinal effect on plaque increase or decrease, a consistent and statically significant advantage was revealed for the Bio-Bright group, as compared to the control. No significant differences were demonstrated when comparing safety, gingival, and bleeding indices between the two groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

A treatment need index: a pilot study.

The traditional caries index, DMF, provides inadequate information to assess dental treatment needs of a community. Dental health planners are often called upon to estimate the treatment needs, costs, time and personnel required for a proposed programme. A treatment needs index (TNI) is presented which provides important data for dental health planning. The index defines seven basic levels of treatment: (0) no treatment needed; (1) preventive treatment; (2) fissure sealants; (3) initial conservative restorations; (4) moderate conservative restorations; (5) advanced conservative restorations; and (6) radical treatment, including pulp therapy, prosthetic restorations and extractions. A pilot study and an example comparing data of both DMF and TNI demonstrates the values of the latter index. The Treatment Needs Index provides a more accurate description of caries severity and extent than does the traditional DMF index, and can be used to estimate the time required to treat a community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Dental caries and its determinants among recent immigrants from rural Ethiopia.

Adults (35-45 yr old) and children (5 and 12 yr old) recently arrived in Israel from rural areas in Ethiopia were examined. Caries levels were low: e.g. DMFT = 0.31 among 12-yr-olds, and 1.27 amongst adults. The 5-yr-olds were 86.8% caries-free, while 12-yr-olds were 81.8% and adults 54% caries-free respectively. According to interview data, the diet in Ethiopia had been based on local agricultural products and was almost sugar-free. The mean total count of salivary bacteria, as determined on blood agar, was 3.4 x 10(8); mean count of Streptococcus viridans, on mitis salivarius, was 6.7 x 10(7); and mean count of S. mutans, as determined on mitis salivarius with bacitracin, was 1.7 x 10(7). These levels were all high and were not significantly different from a control group of 20 Israelis. The mean number of lactobacilli, on Rogosa agar, was 2.75 x 10(4), which was significantly higher than among the controls (3.6 x 10(3). Salivary pH levels were generally similar between the Ethiopian group and the controls. Salivary flow was significantly higher for the Ethiopians (1.93 ml/min) than for controls (1.16 ml/min). Low levels of caries in this population can be attributed to an almost sugar-free diet and high salivary flow, but not to the composition of oral microflora.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Periodontal treatment needs, by CPITN, among employees of a Jerusalem hospital.

A survey, employing the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN), was conducted among 344 employees of a Jerusalem hospital. Of the population surveyed, 2.2 per cent demonstrated totally healthy mouths, 1.5 per cent had, at the worst, bleeding symptoms, 13.3 per cent had calculus, 53.4 per cent had 4-5 mm ('shallow' according to WHO) pockets and 29.6 per cent had deep pockets (6 mm or more) as their worst CPITN scores. Results revealed an average of 0.55 edentulous sextants, 0.68 healthy sextants, 0.87 sextants with bleeding symptoms, 1.36 with calculus, 1.95 with 4-5 mm pockets and 0.61 sextants with deep pockets. In general, females were healthier than males, had a significantly greater number of healthy sextants, less sextants with calculus and less sextants with deep pockets. A deterioration in periodontal health with age was evident, according to mean number of sextants per person by CPITN scores. Associations were also analysed between CPITN and demographic variables. Few significant associations were revealed. Based on FDI and WHO estimates, the calculated periodontal treatment needs for the hospital employees was found to be about 2 hours per person. Compared with data for other countries, as reported by the WHO, this status demands serious efforts to be made towards periodontal health promotion.

Age Factors↗