Biomedical subjects

Maria Wierzbicka

Publications and source records attributed to Maria Wierzbicka.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

BaY2Si3O10: A new flux-grown trisilicate.

BaY2Si3O10, barium diyttrium trisilicate, is a new silicate grown from a molybdate-based flux. The structure is based on zigzag chains, parallel to [010], of edge-sharing distorted YO6 octahedra, linked by horseshoe-shaped trisilicate groups and Ba atoms in irregular eight-coordination. The layered character of the structure is caused by a succession of zigzag chains and trisilicate groups in planes parallel to (-101). The Ba atoms occupy narrow channels extending parallel to [100]. The mean Y-O, Si-O and Ba-O bond lengths are 2.268, 1.626 and 1.633, and 2.872 A, respectively. The two symmetry-equivalent terminal SiO4 tetrahedra in the Si3O10 unit adopt an eclipsed conformation with respect to the central SiO4 tetrahedron; the Si-O-Si and Si-Si-Si angles are 136.35 (9) and 96.12 (4) degrees, respectively. One Ba, one Si and two O atoms are located on mirror planes; all remaining atoms are in general positions. The geometry of isolated trisilicate groups in inorganic compounds is briefly discussed.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Chlorhexidine-containing glass ionomer cement. A clinical investigation on the fissure caries inhibiting effect in first permanent molars.

UNLABELLED: Glass ionomer cement with addition of chlorhexidine used as a varnish on tooth surfaces has been shown to reduce the number of interproximal mutans streptococci (ms). The effect of a single application of such a varnish containing 2.5% chlorhexidine on occlusal caries development of the first permanent molars on 6-year-old children in a high caries incidence area was investigated. The children were examined according to WHO criteria and 262 children with 2 caries free contra-lateral molars were selected for treatment. Salivary ms samples were collected using the Strip-mutans (SM) method. After brushing the occlusal surfaces with a toothbrush and pumice in water slurry, rinsing and drying with a cotton roll, glass ionomer cement containing chlorhexidine (GI-CHX) and glass ionomer (GI) were applied randomly with a micro brush and the varnish was covered with occlusal wax. At baseline, the mean defs was 18.18 and DMFS was 0.25 and after one year 18.24 and 0.83 respectively. The salivary ms scores were high or very high (SM 2 and 3) in 85.6% at baseline. At the one-year follow up, the GI-CHX and GI materials could not be detected in the fissures. Also, a large number of fissure sealants had been placed in the molars outside the study protocol; thus 4% of the GI-CHX and GI, and 70% of the untreated were sealed at year one. Overall, there was no significant difference between the caries-reducing effect of GI-CHX and GI, but a trend towards a higher effect was seen for GI-CHX. Excluding the sealed molars the reduction was 74% in the GI-CHX-group, and 71% in the GI-group. CONCLUSION: Addition of 2.5% chlorhexidine to glass ionomer did not seem to increase the caries-reducing effect of the varnish in this high caries incidence population.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗

PubMed2004

Oral health of Polish three-year-olds and mothers' oral health-related knowledge.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the oral health of Polish three-year-olds, to investigate oral health-related knowledge, habits and educational levels of their mothers, and to determine whether mothers' health-related knowledge influenced caries severity in their children. DESIGN: A cross-sectional. nationwide oral health survey of three-year-olds was performed in 2002. Their mothers completed self-administered questionnaires. PARTICIPANTS: The oral health survey covered 1,114 three-year-olds chosen by stratified random sampling. OUTCOME MEASURES: Dental caries was recorded according to WHO criteria and methods. Questionnaires investigated demographic factors, mothers' and children's oral health-related habits and oral health knowledge. RESULTS: A total of 43.8% of three-year-olds were caries-free. Mean dmft was 2.9, with the greatest component being decayed teeth (2.8). Nearly two-thirds of mothers had never taken their child to a dentist; a similar proportion declared care of the deciduous teeth to be unnecessary. Mothers' opinions concerning their children's oral health was over-optimistic. A strong interdependence was found between oral health and mothers' level of oral health-related knowledge, and between mothers' level of knowledge and their level of education. CONCLUSION: The level of dental caries in Polish three-year-olds was alarmingly high, and was associated with a low level of oral health-related knowledge among mothers, suggesting an urgent need for the implementation of systematic oral health education and promotion for expectant mothers and mothers of small children.

Attitude to Health↗

PubMed2003

Clinical response of two brush-applied peroxide whitening systems.

OBJECTIVE: A randomized, examiner-blind parallel design study was conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of two brush-applied, peroxide-based tooth whiteners. METHODOLOGY: A total of 38 subjects were randomized to Colgate Simply White, an 18% carbamide peroxide paint-on liquid in an applicator bottle, or Crest Night Effects, a 19% sodium percarbonate system in unit dose sachets that dries to form an adherent film. Treatment was for 14 days. The 18% carbamide peroxide gel was applied twice daily, while the 19% sodium percarbonate film was applied for overnight use. Subjects were evaluated at baseline, and again after 7 and 14 days of treatment using digital images to assess tooth color, and oral examinations to establish safety. Whitening efficacy was determined by evaluating the reduction in tooth yellowness (delta b*), increase in tooth brightness (delta L*), reduction in tooth redness (delta a*) and overall tooth color change relative to pure white (delta W*). RESULTS: After 14 days, the mean change in yellowness (delta b*) was -1.43 +/- 0.20 for the 19% sodium percarbonate film, and -0.44 +/- 0.06 for the 18% carbamide peroxide gel. Mean change in brightness (delta L*) was 1.13 +/- 0.13 and 0.55 +/- 0.13 in the film and gel groups, respectively. Between-group comparisons showed highly significant (p < or = 0.003) whitening for the 19% sodium percarbonate film compared to the 18% carbamide peroxide gel for all 14-day color measurements (delta b*, delta L*, delta a* or delta W). Both products were well-tolerated, with no subjects discontinuing treatment early due to a causal adverse event. CONCLUSION: In a direct clinical comparison of two brush-applied products over 14 days, Crest Night Effects provided significant and meaningful improvement in tooth color, representing more than double the whitening measured for the Colgate Simply White.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

3.3 Human resource management.

The most valuable of all resources in a dental teaching hospital are human intelligence and wisdom. Increasingly, universities recognize that their mission to become a centre of academic (and clinical) excellence is dependent on the most constructive and empowering use of their staff and faculty. The appropriate management and empowerment of individuals will help to maximize intellectual potential, research abilities, educational, clinical and management skills to the mutual benefit of all.

Developing Countries↗

PubMed2002

Changing oral health status and oral health behaviour of schoolchildren in Poland.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the occurrence of dental caries over time in Polish schoolchildren, to analyse the oral health behaviour of children and mothers, and to compare the levels of dental knowledge and attitudes of mothers and schoolteachers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional oral health surveys of children aged 6 and 12 years were carried out in 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2000; questionnaire surveys of a sample of mothers and schoolteachers were conducted in 1999. SETTING: The surveys in schools intended to aid planning and evaluation of the revitalised school oral health programme in Poland. SUBJECTS: Children of age six years comprised: 1995 (n = 1860); 1997 (n = 922); 1999 (n = 2290); 2000 (n = 3391). The surveys of 12-year-old subjects covered: 1995 (n = 1859); 1997 (n = 2743); 1999 (n = 3060): 2000 (n = 3391). Mothers (n = 1040) of a randomised subsample of children (response rate 83%) and 471 schoolteachers (response rate 95%) were identified for the questionnaire surveys in 1999. OUTCOME MEASURE: Dental caries in children was recorded by WHO methods and criteria, self-administered questionnaires were used to gather information on dental knowledge, attitudes and practices of children and mothers while self-administered questionnaires for teachers covered dental knowledge, attitudes and involvement in health education. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The proportions of 6-year-old children being caries-free were 13% in 1995, 17% in 1997, 18% in 1999 and 12% in 2000. The mean DMFT of children aged 12 years was 4.2 in 1995, 4.0 in 1997, 4.0 in 1999 and 3.8 in 2000; the D-component was particularly high for rural children. In 1999, toothbrushing at least twice a day was reported for 64% of children and this practice was relatively frequent in urban areas. Dental visits were made by 71% of children and 56% of mothers. Knowledge and attitudes were low, particularly in rural areas. Dental care habits of children were highly influenced by dental attendance and level of education of mothers. Knowledge and attitudes were higher for teachers than mothers. The teachers knew about the poor dental conditions in children and wanted to become involved in oral health education. In conclusion, the need for oral health education of children and mothers was shown and the continuous implementation of school oral health programmes is most relevant.

Analysis of Variance↗