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Biomedical subjects

J F Beal

Publications and source records attributed to J F Beal.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

The use of socio-demographic profiling of patients to monitor changes in the provision of care by the Community Dental Service.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the socio-demographic profile of patients using the Leeds Community Dental Service (CDS) in 1996/97 and to determine any changes in profile since 1991/92. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: The area served by Leeds Health Authority. SUBJECTS: A total of 8,051 patients who had used the Leeds CDS in 1996/97 together with 9,372 patients from 1991/92. OUTCOME MEASURES: Socio-demographic profile, including age group; ethnicity; deprivation (Townsend index) and disability. RESULTS: Of children under 16 years old using the CDS in 1996/97, 24% were of South Asian ethnic origin, much higher than the 6% reported for Leeds in the 1991 census. Over the period of the study there was a reduction in the proportion of patients aged 5-15 years (75% to 65%, P < 0.001) and an increase in those aged 16-64 years (13% to 19%, P < 0.001). Increases were also seen in the proportion of patients from districts in the two most deprived quintiles (60% to 67%, P < 0.001) and for patients with special needs (19% to 28%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated an increased emphasis by the CDS on targeting groups likely to be unable or unwilling to seek treatment from the GDS. Socio-demographic profiling can be useful in monitoring the progress of changes in primary dental care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The relationship between deprivation, ethnicity and dental health in 5-year-old children in Leeds, UK.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between material deprivation, ethnicity, dental health and related behaviour in the five-year-old population of Leeds. DESIGN: Analytical survey using a stratified cluster sample of primary schools and a questionnaire to parents. Children were assigned to one of five bands according to the ranking of the Townsend deprivation index for the census enumeration district in which they lived. Standard clinical criteria were used. SETTING: Clinical examinations were carried out in school by four trained and calibrated examiners. PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand six hundred and seventy seven children were examined and 1881 parental questionnaires were returned (70 per cent response). OUTCOME MEASURES: Caries experience expressed as mean dmft. RESULTS: Caries experience increased significantly with deprivation. Deprivation gradients were found in reported dental visiting, parental dental attendance and use of the Community Dental Service. Differences in caries experience between ethnic groups were independent of deprivation score with Asian children from the most deprived districts having a higher mean dmft than their white Caucasian and Afro-Caribbean counterparts (4.80, 3.21, 2.00; P < 0.001). Muslim Asians had significantly higher (P < 0.001) caries experience (dmft = 4.63) than non-Muslim Asians (dmft = 2.08) and the difference was maintained when the effect of deprivation was controlled (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The Townsend index is a useful indicator of dental health and related behaviour among populations but does not explain variations between ethnic groups.

Asia↗
PubMed1996

Representations of St Apollonia in British churches.

St Apollonia is the patron saint of sufferers from toothache. Many medieval churches contain pictures of saints. Fifty-five representations of St Apollonia in British churches are listed. A large number of these are in the West Country and East Anglia. The majority are on rood screens or stained glass windows.

Architecture↗
PubMed1993

An investigation of non-response bias by comparison of dental health in 5-year-old children according to parental response to a questionnaire.

Non-response bias is a potentially serious problem in studies involving human subjects. A parental questionnaire/negative consent form was used in a dental epidemiological survey of 5-year-old children in Leeds. The aim of this study was to determine whether and to what extent there was any variation in caries experience and oral cleanliness between responding and non-responding groups. 6,494 children were examined and completed questionnaires were returned for 4,069 (63 per cent). The response was higher for white children (65 per cent) than for Asian (39 per cent) and Afro-Caribbean children (45 per cent). Lower response rates were found from parents living in inner city areas associated with social deprivation. Children of non-responders had poorer oral cleanliness and higher caries experience (mean dmft). This study demonstrated that members of a non-response group are likely to be substantially different from responders.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1989

A photographically recorded assessment of enamel hypoplasia in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas in England.

This study assesses the effect on enamel formation of the use of fluoride toothpaste in a fluoridated area. The prevalence of enamel hypoplasia in 251 9-10-year-old children born and raised in a fluoridated city (Birmingham) was compared with that in 319 similar children born and raised in a non-fluoridated city (Leeds). Observer bias was eliminated by the use of a new photographic technique, enabling colour slides of both groups to be assessed together in a random order. Scoring was done using both the Jackson-Al-Alousi (J-A) index, which is designed to record nonspecific hypoplasias and the Tooth Surface Index of Fluorosis (TSIF). Both were compared to the results from conventional clinical recording using the J-A index. The results showed that the photographic method was highly reproducible and more sensitive than conventional recording and showed a higher level of mild fluorosis in the fluoridated area. However, no evidence of an increase in the higher grades of fluorosis was found. It is concluded that the use of fluoride toothpaste by young children in fluoridated areas is unlikely to produce aesthetically unacceptable levels of enamel fluorosis.

Child↗
PubMed1989

Photographic technique for the recording of children's teeth for signs of enamel mottling.

A photographic method is described for recording children's teeth in large numbers on location. The essential features of the dental study were that the photography should be consistent, accurate, and fast, since the subjects were to be photographed at a rate of 45 children per hour. Details are given on how this was achieved including the technique and equipment used.

Child↗
PubMed1984

DHE in the classroom.

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Health Education, Dental↗