Biomedical subjects

P L Simard

Publications and source records attributed to P L Simard.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Efficacy of APF treatments without prior toothcleaning targeted to high-risk children.

A clinical field trial was conducted, over a 2-yr period, to evaluate the efficacy of bi-annual APF gel topical applications without previous prophylaxis in reducing dental caries among high-risk children living in non-fluoridated communities. 488 children 6 yr old, presenting at least three cavities on proximal surfaces of their primary teeth, were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group received bi-annual topical APF gel applications and the control group received a placebo. All treatments were given at school without any prior toothcleaning. The APF gel provided a 34.3% reduction in caries incidence (P-value = 0.03) among the children with 3-14 cavities on their primary teeth at the beginning of the study. However, the treatment did not show any efficacy in reducing caries incidence among the higher-risk children having initially more than 14 cavities. These findings suggest that the efficacy of APF gel applications without previous prophylaxis varies according to the individual risk of the subjects and that more comprehensive programs should be targeted to very high-risk children.

Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride↗

PubMed1992

Factors affecting the ingestion of fluoride dentifrice by children.

Several factors affecting the amount of fluoride ingested during toothbrushing by 2- to 7-year-old children were investigated. The specific purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of age, the amount of dentifrice used, and rinsing after brushing to the variation in the ingestion of fluoride dentifrice. Four hundred and five children brushed their teeth in front of a portable sink. The tubes of dentifrice in gel (0.24% NaF) were weighed before and after use to determine the amount of toothpaste used. The fluoride content of the collected liquids was determined with a fluoride-ion-specific electrode. The amount of fluoride ingested was derived by determining the difference between the amounts used and recovered. The amount of dentifrice used, the age, and the rinsing habits, entered in a multiple regression model, explained up to 66 percent of the total variation in the amount of fluoride ingested. The amount of dentifrice used accounted by itself for 60 percent of the total variation. Therefore, these results indicate that the quantity of dentifrice used was the most important factor affecting the ingestion of fluoride through toothbrushing by young children.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1992

A multivariate model to predict caries increment in Montreal children aged 5 years.

A study was carried out in Montreal (Canada) to predict caries development over the period of one year in primary teeth of kindergarten children (mean age 5 years 8 months +/- 4 months) living in a non-fluoridated area. The 302 children were examined at school on two occasions, one year apart. At the first examination selected predictors were collected: caries experience, salivary S. mutans and lactobacilli, buffer capacity, debris index, parents' education, fluoride consumption and family structure (one or two parents). Regression analysis was performed to select the significant factors. A total of 143 children developed new caries over the study period; the mean increment for the whole group was 2.1 dmfs. Sensitivity (Sn) and specificity (Sp) were calculated for each predictor and for the final model. The best model comprised only two factors, caries experience and lactobacillus. This could identify 81.8 per cent of children who would develop new caries during the next 12 months (Sn) and 77.4 per cent of those who would not (Sp). Among the single predictors caries experience alone reached 78.3 per cent for sensitivity and 77.4 per cent for specificity. None of the other predictors, except parents' education, was very good at predicting caries increment over one year.

Chi-Square Distribution↗

PubMed1991

Ingestion of fluoride from dentifrices by children aged 12 to 24 months.

The increase of dental fluorosis is largely imputable to the ingestion of dietary fluoride supplements and fluoride toothpastes. However, the toothbrushing habits of very young children is poorly documented. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the toothbrushing habits of 12- to 24-month-old children and to estimate the quantity of fluoride ingested during toothbrushing. Fifty-nine parents completed a questionnaire regarding the toothcleaning habits of their children. When a dentifrice was used, a dental hygienist scheduled a meeting with the parents in order to observe and measure the amount of toothpaste used. Of the 36 parents who cleaned the teeth of their children, 69% used a toothpaste. Furthermore 20% of the children ingested more than 0.25 mg of fluoride per day by toothbrushing alone. Therefore the practice of toothbrushing and the use of fluoridated dentifrices are widespread among 12- to 24-month old children, and the amount of fluoride ingested from toothpaste could constitute a substantial proportion of the total daily intake of fluoride. Several measures are suggested to enhance the safe use of fluoride dentifrices.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1990

Variability in the ingestion of toothpaste by preschool children.

The amount of dentifrice used and ingested on three occasions by a group of 48 children aged between 3 and 5 years was measured. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the variability in the amount of dentifrice used and ingested. The quantity of toothpaste ingested was derived from the differences between the amounts used and rejected. On average, the difference in the amount used between any two brushings was less than 0.250 g for 66% of the subjects, and the difference in the amount ingested was less than 0.100 g for 69% of the children. There were no statistically significant differences in the quantities used and ingested between the three brushings.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1990

Caries predictors suitable for mass-screenings in children: a literature review.

This paper reviews the predictors used to identify children and adolescents at high risk of developing dental caries. They are presented with their degree of association with caries, their validity as screening tests and their methods of determination. The most promising predictors are identified and caries prediction models are also briefly reviewed. The article concludes with some comments about weaknesses encountered in the conduct of screening studies and makes some suggestions for improving the validity of the prediction models.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Quebec dental manpower and demand for dental care from 1985-1988.

The rapid growth in the number of practising dentists is a major concern of the dental profession in industrialized countries. Three surveys conducted in Quebec in 1971 (N = 1552), 1985 (N = 840) and 1988 (N = 1059) examined the growth in dental manpower and demand for dental care between 1985 and 1988 and made a comparison with the 1971-1985 period. On average, the yearly increase in the number of active dentists was 4.2 per cent between 1971 and 1985 whereas the yearly increase between 1985 and 1988 was only 2.5 per cent. The percentage of the population using dental services annually was 47 per cent in 1988, compared to 51 per cent in 1985. An age-specific comparison with the United States showed that the proportion of Quebec adults visiting the dentist within the last 12 months varied between 30 per cent and 63 per cent and that of the U.S. between 41 per cent and 61 per cent. Thus, as the number of active dentists continues to grow, albeit at a slower rate, the demand for dental care appears to have reached a plateau and has attained the American level for adults under 50 years of age.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

[Behavior and conditions related to denture wearing in edentulous Quebecers over 60 years of age].

A study was conducted among 367 persons aged 60 and over in order to determine the type and severity of digestive and nutritional problems experienced by edentulous elderly not wearing functional dentures. This article summarizes the information collected through an interview. The data describes the prosthetic status and experience of the elderly, their use of dental services and their methods of hygiene. In addition, information is provided on the level of satisfaction relative to their dentures and the need for repair or replacement of the latter.

Aged↗

PubMed1990

Recruitment and compliance in school-based FMR programs.

A study on the effectiveness of a fluoride mouthrinse program was conducted over a 20-month period among 610 children attending grade 5 in two unfluoridated communities. The results showed that the preventive agent had no significant cariostatic effect. Participation and compliance problems were investigated as possible explanations. Comparisons were made between children who refused to participate or dropped out of the program and those who completed it, to see whether group-specific characteristics could be responsible for the low reduction of caries resulting from the mouthrinse. The relationship between compliance and DMFS increment was also examined. The analysis revealed that the children who refused to participate in the study or who dropped out showed sociodemographic characteristics associated with a high caries risk. This suggests that children who need the program most might not benefit because of low participation or failure to remain in the program. Moreover, the DMFS increment over the 20-month period was lower among the children exposed to 50 rinse sessions or more.

Child↗

PubMed1989

[Oral health of University of Montreal students in the early 60's].

This article reviews the data which was assimilated relative to the dental health status of first year students during the 1962-63 and 1963-64 school years. The majority of the students were in the 20-29 year old age group. 29.4% of these students were women. In the 20-29 year old age group: 8% were completely edentulous; and, on average, they were missing 6.3 teeth; they had 7.9 carious lesions requiring treatment; and they had 7.8 teeth which had been restored with fillings. Several statistics are similar to those found in the 1968 Simard-Lussier study and the 1970-72 Nutrition Canada study.

Adult↗

PubMed1988