Bolton's index efficacy with manual vs digital measurements

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo assess whether there is a variation in the values of Bolton index, making measurements manually or digitally.Material and methods70 pairs of study models were analyzed and measured on two occasions: one using a compass and a millimeter rule, and the other using an electronic vernier.ResultsNo statistically significant difference was found between the two measurements.ConclusionBoth ways to perform mesiodistal dental measurements are good choices for Bolton analysis

EVALUATION OF LATERAL CONDENSATION ENDODONTIC TECHNIQUE WITH 7/D11 SPREADER, FINGER SPREADERS AND AN ULTRASONIC ACTIVATED TIP

The aim of this study was to compare the apical sealing ability,evaluating dye penetration in root canals filled with lateral condensationtechnique with the use of a 7/D11 spreader, a finger-spreader and anultrasonic activated tip. 90 distal roots of mandibular first molars wererandomly divided into three groups, each with 30 roots. Additionally wereused 4 roots as positive control and 4 as negative control. The preparedcanals were obturated with lateral condensation technique with sealer andgutta-percha cones condensed with 7/D11 in group 1, finger-spreader ingroup 2 and a tip activated by ultrasound in group 3. The samples wereimmersed in India ink and subsequently submitted to a demineralization andclearing process. The extent of dye penetration was measured using astereomicroscope with software Motic Images Advanced 3.0. The lowestmean leakage values were observed for 7/D11 group and the highest wereobserved for the ultrasound group. The difference between 7/D11 by oneside and finger spreader and ultrasound on the other was statisticallysignificant (p <0.05). Between ultrasonic tip and finger spreader groups thedifference was not significant.Under the conditions of this study it can be concluded that the use of the7/D11 instrument during condensation of gutta-percha showed better sealingability by allowing less leakage of the dye between the interphaseguttapercha-dentin than finger spreader and the ultrasonic tip

TRACKING LEAD (Pb) IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF JAKARA, KANO STATE, NIGERIA

Lead is considered a toxic substance that is already available in environment and has health impacts. The objective of the present study is to track the availability of lead in the environment of Jakara, Kano State, Nigeria. Lead was tracked in water, soil, and vegetables including lettuce, spinach, and onion. Study methodology involved taking random samples from water, soil, and vegetables at Jakara. Samples were prepared and assayed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Study findings showed that the mean concentration of lead in water was 0.115±0.023 mg/l, while it was in soil 2.46 ±0.95 μg/g. The mean concentration of lead in both lettuce and spinach was the same (22.95+ 3.28 mg/kg), and in onion was 19.67 ±3.28 mg/kg . Conclusions: the present study showed that there is a lead contamination of Jakara region by heavy metal (lead). This contamination is evident in water, soil, and vegetables

Clinical and Non-Clinical Variables Associated With Preventive and Curative Dental Service Utilisation: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Central Mexico

Objective The present study aimed to identify preventive and curative dental health service utilisation (DHSU) in the context of associated clinical and non-clinical factors among adolescents and young adults in Mexico. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Applicants to a public university in Mexico. Participants Participants were 638 adolescents and young adults aged 16–25 randomly selected from university applicants. Interventions Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire filled out by the students. For assessment of dental caries experience, we used the index of decayed, missing and filled teeth. Primary outcome The dependent variable was DHSU in the previous 12 months, coded as 0=non-use, 1=use of curative services and 2=use of preventive services. Results The mean age was 18.76±1.76 years, and 49.2% were women. The prevalence of DHSU was 40.9% (95% CI 37.1 to 44.8) for curative services and 22.9% (95% CI 19.7 to 26.3) for preventive services. The variables associated with curative services were age, sex, mother’s education, dental pain in the previous 12 months, caries experience, use of self-care devices and oral health knowledge. For preventive services, the variables associated were mother’s education, dental pain in the previous 12 months, caries experience, use of self-care devices and self-perception of oral health. Conclusions While differences emerged by type of service, a number of variables (sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics as well as dental factors) remained in the final model. Greater oral health needs and socioeconomic inequalities remained as predictors of both types of DHSU. Given the differences revealed by our study, oral health policies should refer those seeking dental care for oral diseases to preventive services, and promote the use of such services among the poorer and less educated population groups

Saber popular de especies forrajeras en la zona central de Nicaragua: un estudio en grupos focales

En el presente estudio se hace una descripción de la tecnología local de manejo de pasturas y se analizan las percepciones locales sobre el consumo de plantas por el ganado. Se estudia la clasificación local y valoración que los lugareños otorgan a las especies herbáceas y leñosas forrajeras presentes en los potreros. El estudio se realizó en la zona piloto del proyecto Pasturas Degradadas en Centroamérica (PD) en Muy Muy, Nicaragua. Los datos fueron obtenidos mediante diferentes técnicas de investigación cuantitativa y cualitativa. Se aplicaron técnicas cualitativas para recabar información en profundidad del acervo de conocimiento local respecto al uso de vegetación arbórea, arbustiva y herbácea en las fincas ganaderas. Se registró un total de 25 especies herbáceas forrajeras, siendo las variedades más reportadas la grama natural (Paspalum sp), pasto estrella (Cynodon plectostachyus K. Schum.) Pilg. y jaragua (Hyparrhenia rufa). De la misma manera, fueron identificadas las especies leñosas más frecuentes en las fincas ganaderas el guácimo (Guazuma ulmifolia Lam), madero negro (Gliricidia sepium Jacq.) y roble (Tabebuia rosea). Se concluye que el conocimiento de los productores es empírico y funcional. Esto significa que es derivado de la experiencia práctica y generalmente en función de las actividades realizadas por su propia voluntad o inducida por agentes externo