This study examined differences in oral health behavior between individuals who received the regular dental check-up ("check-up group") and those who did not ("non-check-up group"). A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all attendants at a dental show, and after completion, the questionnaires were recovered on site. There were 146 respondents over 15 years old (52 males and 94 females). The responses to all questionnaires were valid and used for statistical analysis. Among the "check-up group", the rate of the dental floss use and the frequency of one's toothbrush were significantly higher than those habits among the "non-check-up group". It was supposed that the former group was highly conscious about their own oral health, based on both attendance at the dental show and toothbrush selection. Furthermore, the experience of receiving teeth brushing instruction was prevalent among the "check-up group". In conclusion, having the regular dental check-up can induce good oral hygiene habits and the strong awareness of oral health.

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The authors previously reported that phosphoryl-oligosaccharide calcium salt (POs-Ca) can be extracted from potato starch hydrolysates and markedly increases the solubility of calcium. This study examined the effects of a sugar-free chewing gum containing POs-Ca on remineralization of enamel in situ. Twelve healthy volunteers (6 males and 6 females ; mean age=21 y old) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=4 per group) and participated in an intraoral study using a double-blind cross-over design. Each participant wore a removable palatal appliance containing demineralized enamel disks and chewed a xylitol gum, a xylitol plus 2.45% POs-Ca gum or a sucrose gum 4 times a day (period : 2 w per type of gum). During the study period, there was no fluoride agent used and great care was taken not to dry the enamel disks. The enamel disks were microradiographed to quantify mineral distributions. The lesion depth (ld) in the POs group (Mean±SD=37±7μm) significantly reduced by 51% compared with that in the sucrose gum group (75±19μm ; p<0.01) and by 44% compared with that in the xylitol gum group (66±28μm ; p<0.05). The proposed mechanism of mineral accumulation by POs-Ca is the elevation of the salivary Ca/P ratio toward the level in hydroxyapatite (1.67) thus maintaining a state of supersaturation of calcium facilitating enamel-enhancing remineralization. In conclusion, it was suggested that daily use of a sugar-free chewing gum containing 2.45% POs-Ca (4 times a day) enhances remineralization in enamel lesions considerably.

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Recenly in the field of clinical dentistry, and particularly in gerodontics, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of nutrition. A lack of chewing ability might be associates with nutritional deficiency, but there is hardly any substantial evidence to support this assumption. This study investigated the effect of chewing ability on intake of total calories, and nutrients by healthy elderly people. The study sample consisted of 512 elderly residents in Niigata City (265 males, 247 females) aged 70 years, who were in good general health and did not require as stance to perform their daily activities. Chewing ability was divided into two categories : being able to chew all foods (15 test foods) was considered "good", and not being able to chew any of the foods was considered "poor". To determine quantitative food intake, a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was utilized during interviews by nutritionists. A personal interview was performed about lifestyle and oral health. QOL (Quality of life) was evaluated using a "Face Scale". Oral examinations, body measurements and blood tests were performed. We evaluated the relationship between chewing ability and subjective symptoms of oral health using odds ratio. Furthermore, relationships between chewing ability and total calorie intake, nutrient and food were investigated using a linear multiple regression model. Poor chewing ability was found in 48% of males and 60% of females. The mean number of teeth present was 17.88 (SD=9.49) for males and 17.01 (SD=9.00) for females. The mean total calorie intake was 1,706.3 kcal (SD=350.8) for males and 1,474.9 kcal (SD=252.3) for females. The variables that significantly affect low chewing ability and the odds ratios were gender (female 1.62), number of teeth present (edentulous participants 8.51, participants with 1-10 teeth 6.03, participants with 11-20 teeth 5.29 compared with participants with 21 or more teeth), the presence of swelling and pain in the gums (2.47), the presence of mobile teeth (1.92), the degree of saliva flow (sufficient 3.13, undetermined 1.70), lower QOL (2.02). In males, total calorie intake and vegetable and fruit intake were significantly lower in the poor chewing category than in the good category according to multiple regression analysis. In females, there was no significant association between the 2 chewing ability categories. Low intake of vegetables and fruits leads to low dietary fiber and vitamin intake. Especially vitamin C, E and carotene are known as antioxidants, and adequate intake of these were thought to prevent cardiovascular disease and gastro-intestinal disease. Lower chewing ability might be a risk factor for these diseases in healthy males aged 70 years or older. In conclusion, the findings suggested that chewing ability might affect total calorie intake and vegetable and fruit intake in healthy males aged 70 years or older.

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This study compared gains in knowledge about and awareness of AIDS for dental hygiene students at two different schools (N=56 and 53). The AIDS-education lecture courses at the two schools were identical, and covered one academic year. We assessed gains in knowledge and awareness by giving a pre-test at the beginning of the course and a post-test at the end. The mean gain in knowledge about AIDS in one group did not significantly differ from that in the other group. Item analysis showed that AIDS awareness was approximately the same, although we could not confirm a tendency toward large individual variations. We conclude that similar academic gains can be achieved for different student populations by administering the same AIDS-education program.

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This study investigated oral health service utilization by foreigners living in Japan and compared utilization characteristics with those of Japanese. The subjects were 969 adult patients who had been treated at Minatomachi Dental Clinic (MDC) in Yokohama between September 1997 and March 2001. Data were obtained from patient records (charts) and divided into two groups, Japanese (n=407) and foreigners (n=562) and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. The following results were obtained. 1. The mean age of Japanese and foreign subjects was 46.9 and 38.5 years, respectively and there was a significant difference in age between the two groups. 2. Seventy per cent of the foreign subjects were from Asian regions, such as the Philippines and Korea. 3. English (34%) was the major language for foreign subjects to communicate in Japan, however two-thirds of them used other languages. 4. The rate of subscribing to Japanese public health insurance holders was almost 100% for Japanese subjects and 10% for foreigners. More than half (54%) of foreign subjects were members of the Minatomachi Foreign Migrant workers Mutual Aid (MF-MASH) group. 5. The average number of dental visits for the course of dental care was 5.9 and 2.8 times for Japanese and foreign subjects respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.001). 6. The total average fee for each dental visit was 7,001 yen for Japanese subjects and 5,007 yen for foreign subjects. However direct out-of pocket payment was 1,823 yen for Japanese and 4,355 yen for foreigners. From these results, it was demonstrated that migrant patients had a tendency to receive dental treatment only for emergency care because of the high out-put-pocket cost. It is suggested that health education on the importance of self-care, health checkups and preventive care is necessary for in migrants to Japan. Likewise, the present aid system for foreign patients should be discussed from the perspective of providing greater equity in access to oral health care.

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This report describes an oral hygiene promotion program and its results in Higashiyuri-machi in Akita Prefecture, where there was a serious incidence of caries in infants in the 1980 s. This research was conducted over a ten year period with emphasis on the development of better eating habits and improved dental hygiene. Participants were advised as follows : 1. Eat three meals a day 2. Restrict snacks and beverages containing sugar 3. Have teeth brushed at bedtime by caregiver 4. Seal of infant tooth occlusal surface if possible Results in 1992 showed a great reduction in the incidence of caries in three-year-old infants. In 1993, the average number of dmf teeth per three-year-old was also considerably improved. Comparatively, in the 1980 s the incidence of caries for three-year-old was over 80%, while in 1998 it was under 40%. For the same group, the average number of dmf teeth per person was 6.1 in the 1980 s, and 2.2 in 1998. The following factors might have helped achieve these improvements : 1. Rules were made to control the frequency, size and quality of snacks 2. The intake of milk, water and tea was increased to replace other beverages 3. Teeth were brushed more frequently by caregivers. The results among sixth graders in primary schools showed similar improvements in 1998 when following the same routines : there was a decrease in the incidence of caries and a reduction in the number of DMF teeth per individual. Indications are that such a program, based on an understanding of regional characteristics, can improve the dental health of those targeted. Oral hygienists must take a leading role in developing these routines. Dentists can plan programs based on regional health characteristics, and undertake administrative roles as well.

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