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Biomedical subjects

L C Niessen

Publications and source records attributed to L C Niessen.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

New directions--constituencies and responsibilities.

Six critical questions are discussed as background information for the participants as the future direction for dental public health in North Carolina is considered. (1) Why should a dental program exist as part of the state public health program? (2) Who are the current and future constituents? (3) What programs will be necessary? (4) Where will dental public health programs function in the future? (5) How will dental public health programs function in the future? and (6) When will dental public health programs change? The Future of Public Health Report and the Year 2000 Objectives consider many of these questions for public health and dental public health. In addition to this information, the inequities of oral health status, access to care among various population groups, constituency building, and the roles of government agencies have to be considered. This presentation challenges public health to visualize possibilities for a future that cannot be seen, but that needs to be anticipated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Issues in financing dental care for the elderly.

The elderly make up an increasingly larger segment of the patient population in dental practices. This article reviews recent epidemiologic, demographic, and health services research, and concludes that significant segments of the elderly are at high risk for oral disease and/or limited access to dental treatment, and consequently warrant classification as high-risk groups for policy considerations. It then proposes policy options to the dental community and public decision makers. Oral care can be viewed as having three components. Two basic components are the primary care component--which includes diagnostic, preventive restorative, and periodontal care--and the acute care component--i.e., the treatment of oral pain, trauma, and infection. The third, rehabilitative component, has to do with the restoration of oral function, including prosthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. Viewing dental care in this perspective may help link funding for dental primary care services with that for other primary health services, and link restoration of function and improvement of quality of life with similar health services, like hearing, vision, and social services. In addition, approaching dental care policy makers on several levels--i.e., federal, state, and local--will contribute to our ability as a profession, in the decades ahead, to meet the oral health needs of more elders: including the frail, those at high risk for oral disease, and those with limited access to care.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Causes of tooth loss in a veteran population.

Tooth loss in adults over age 35 usually is attributed to periodontal diseases. However, certain adult populations are known to have high caries rates. It is not clear to what extent caries contributes to tooth loss in adults. This pilot study examined the causes of tooth loss in a veteran population residing in an 800-bed, primarily long-term care facility. The study retrospectively reviewed 572 patients' dental records and documented causes for dental extractions. Of the sample population, 168 teeth were extracted in 51 patients who had 860 teeth present before treatment. Mean age of the patients undergoing extractions was 57.7 years, lower than the sample population of 60.1 years. Of the 168 teeth extracted, 105 (63%) were attributed to caries and 33 (20%) were documented as root tips, suggesting the presence of root caries. Fifty-five (33%) were extracted due to periodontal disease and six (4%) were extracted for prosthodontic reasons. Of the maxillary teeth, 67 percent were extracted for caries and 25 percent of periodontal reasons. Caries accounted for 57 percent and periodontal disease accounted for 42 percent of the mandibular teeth extracted. The order in which teeth were most frequently extracted was maxillary anteriors, mandibular anteriors, maxillary and mandibular premolars, and maxillary and mandibular molars. This study supports the recent work of authors who have found caries contributing significantly to tooth loss in adult populations.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The demands of the summer season.

Dentistry in the summer season of a practice can be a balancing act in integrating career and family needs. In addition, the complex concerns of continuing education, participating in professional organizations, and changing financial planning needs must be addressed in this stage. Although dental schools are responsible for formal education, continued learning for personal and professional growth rests with the individual.

Dentists, Women↗
PubMed1989

Health maintenance issues of the elderly. Oral health.

The risk for the most serious oral disease, oral cancer, increases with age as does the prevalence of other oral soft tissue diseases. Tooth loss is not part of normal aging. As more elderly retain their natural dentition, they are at continued risk for tooth-related diseases such as caries and periodontal disease. Preventive dental programs, including an oral exam as part of the physical examination, will be indicated for adults.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Practice patterns of male and female dentists.

The 1985 ADA Survey of Dental Practice was used to compare practice characteristics of 1,414 males and 110 females who graduated from dental school in or after 1975. Similarities and differences in practice, patient, and productivity characteristics were identified among male and female dentists. Additionally, multivariate analyses showed gender, practice type, and age as significant predictors of productivity.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Practice characteristics of women dentists.

The literature on practice characteristics of women dentists is discussed to identify the information available on how women practice dentistry. Few reports have been published that describe or analyze such data. Of the available studies, few are national in scope and even fewer compare male and female age-matched graduation cohorts. With the increase in the number of women dentists, human resource planning and analyses and design of educational curricula will require improved knowledge of the practice characteristics of men and women dentists.

Dentists, Women↗
PubMed1984

Oral health changes in the elderly. Their relationship to nutrition.

Poor oral health is not a result of normal aging, but rather reflects systemic disease, use of medications, inadequate nutrition, or lack of preventive dental care. The primary care physician usually sees elderly patients much more often than does the dentist and thus has an important role in maintenance of good oral health status. He or she thus should be familiar with normal orofacial anatomy and should routinely include a complete oral examination in the general physical examination. A patient with poor oral health should be referred to a dentist for necessary treatment and preventive care.

Aged↗