Staphylococci may indeed cause acute dental infections [7]

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Prevalence of malnutrition and risk factors in geriatric patients of a convalescent and rehabilitation hospital

Objectives. To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition in geriatric patients admitted to a convalescent and rehabilitation hospital. Design. Cross-sectional study. Setting. Regional hospital, Hong Kong. Patients. A total of 120 patients (aged 60 years or older) referred to Tung Wah Eastern Hospital. Main outcome measures. Anthropometric, biochemical, and haematological parameters were measured for nutritional assessment. Malnutrition was defined as a body mass index of lower than 18.5 kg/m2 and serum albumin level of lower than 35 g/L. The clinical outcomes of patients were also recorded. The predictive value of the Chinese Mini Nutritional Assessment as a nutritional screening tool was assessed. Potential risk factors associated with malnutrition were evaluated according to established protocols. Results. The mean age of patients was 80.3 years (standard deviation, 7.4 years), and the mean body mass index was 21.9 kg/m2 (standard deviation, 4.4 kg/m2). The prevalence of malnutrition was 16.7%. The age distribution of malnourished patients (mean, 86.2 years; standard deviation, 7.0 years; n=20) was significantly different to those nourished (mean, 79.1 years; standard deviation, 6.9 years; n=100) [P=0.0001]. Mortality was also higher in malnourished patients (25%) than nourished patients (4%) [P=0.001]. Based on the Chinese Mini Nutritional Assessment, 16.9% of patients were classified as malnourished (cut-off value, 18.5). The Chinese Mini Nutritional Assessment was useful as a screening tool to exclude patients who were not malnourished, ie it had a high negative predictive value (95%). Being totally dependent for the performance of activities of daily living, living in a home for the elderly, and being chair- or bed-bound posed a significantly increased risk of malnutrition. The presence of mental depression (geriatric depression scale score of 8 or higher), moderately or severely impaired cognitive function (abbreviated mental test score of lower than 7), or polypharmacy (five medications or more) did not significantly affect risk of malnutrition. Conclusions. Malnutrition was common in the geriatric patients studied and was associated with an increased mortality. The Chinese Mini Nutritional Assessment was a useful screening tool to exclude malnutrition. Significant risk factors of malnutrition were total dependence, living in a home for the elderly, and being chair- or bed-bound.published_or_final_versio

Imaging modalities for preoperative assessment in dental implant therapy: an overview

Preoperative assessment of patients for dental implant therapy often requires extensiveradiographic examination. Many imaging modalities have been reported to be usefulincluding periapical, panoramic, lateral cephalometric and tomographic radiography,computed tomography, interactive computed tomography, and magnetic resonanceimaging. This paper reviews various imaging techniques, their applications and limitationsin dental implant treatment planning.published_or_final_versio

Oral health of renal transplant patients in Hong Kong

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Detection of Treponema, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, and Candida species in root canal infections in Southern Chinese

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Prevalence of impacted teeth and associated pathologies - A radiographic study of the Hong Kong Chinese population

Objectives. To investigate the prevalence and pattern of impacted teeth and associated pathologies in the Hong Kong Chinese population. Setting. The Reception and Primary Care Clinic, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, Hong Kong. Design. Retrospective study. Subjects and methods. The records of 7486 patients were examined to determine whether the chief complaints were related to impacted teeth and associated pathologies, which were investigated using panoramic radiographs. Results. A total of 2115 (28.3%) patients presented with at least one impacted tooth. Among the 3853 impacted teeth, mandibular third molars were the most common (82.5%), followed by maxillary third molars (15.6%), and maxillary canines (0.8%). Approximately 8% of mandibular second molars associated with impacted third molars had periodontal bone loss of more than 5 mm on their distal surfaces. Caries were also found on the same surfaces in approximately 7% of the second molars. Approximately 30% of patients with dental impaction had symptoms, and 75% had complaints limited to one side of the mouth. Conclusions. The prevalence of impacted teeth was high, and there was a predilection for impacted third molars in the mandible. More than 50% of maxillary third molars had erupted, creating potential trauma of the pericoronal tissues of the partially erupted mandibular third molars. Caries and periodontal diseases were commonly seen in relation to the impacted third molars, whereas cystic pathology and root resorption were rarely observed.published_or_final_versio

Predominant cultivable subgingival flora of renal transplant recipients

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Oral health conditions and medical complications of type 2 diabetics

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Oral health status of Chinese diabetic patients in Hong Kong

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Contrast ratio and colour difference of Procera veneers over different backgrounds

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