More than 20 years have elapsed since Japan promoted the 8020 campaign (that 80-year-old people should have more than 20 teeth); however, most 80-year-old people still have fewer than 20 teeth. This study surveyed people of 65 years of age or older in the eastern region of Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan regarding the risk factors associated with elderly people having less than 20 teeth. Additionally, this is studied less well in Hokkaido. The study subjects were 85 elderly people (60 men and 25 women: who were given an award at an elderly good teeth contest in 2010) who had more than 20 teeth, as well as 79 elderly people (19 men and 60 women: who had participated in a dental examination by a public relations magazine in 2005) who had fewer than 20 teeth. The survey items used were age, sex, height, weight, history of systematic disease, experience of smoking, experience of alcohol drinking, physical activities when young, exercise, eating frequency of past and current foods, oral health behavior, and so on (38 items). Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of various variables related to the number of present teeth were evaluated using univariate analysis by employing the unconditional logistic regression model by sex and multivariate analysis using a stepwise procedure by sex. The results of the univariate analysis were as follows: Males with fewer than 20 teeth had significant factors such as being aged 78 years or more (OR=8.00, 95%CI: 2.10-30.46), having a systematic disease (OR=4.95, 95%CI: 1.29-18.98), a walking time of less than 5 hours per day due to work and so on when young (OR=0.22, 95%CI: 0.07-0.66), alcohol drinking more than or equal to once a week (OR=0.21, 95%CI: 0.06-0.71), less frequent intake of vegetables (OR=2.99, 95%CI: 1.03-8.69), less frequent intake of processed foods (OR=3.21, 95%CI: 1.11-9.31), having no personal dentist (OR=10.21, 95%CI: 3.06-34.08), and no use of dental floss and an interdental brush (OR=9.14, 95%CI: 1.08-77.68). Females with fewer than 20 teeth had significant factors such as a high BMI (OR=3.42, 95%CI: 1.27-9.19), having a systematic disease (OR=7.57, 95%CI: 2.40-23.88), doing less than half an hour of exercise a day (OR=40.00, 95%CI: 8.20-195.22), less frequent intake of vegetables (OR=0.36, 95%CI: 0.14-0.96), less frequent intake of vinegar dishes (OR=0.36, 95%CI: 0.13-0.98), not taking vitamin supplements (OR=4.50, 95%CI: 1.36-14.89), having no personal dentist (OR=6.66, 95%CI: 1.43-30.97), and no use of dental floss and an interdental brush (OR=6.44, 95%CI: 2.08-19.97). The results of the multivariate analysis were as follows: Males with fewer than 20 teeth had significant factors such as being aged 78 years or more (OR=12.78, 95%CI: 1.92-85.02), alcohol drinking more than or equal to once a week (OR=0.09, 95%CI: 0.01-0.71), less frequent intake of processed foods (OR=6.48, 95%CI: 1.03-40.57), and having no personal dentist (OR=17.04, 95%CI: 2.21-131.75). Females with fewer than 20 teeth had significant factors such as a high BMI (OR=13.82, 95%CI: 1.21-157.50), doing less than half an hour of exercise a day (OR=41.30, 95%CI: 3.87-441.19), and no use of dental floss and an interdental brush (OR=16.31, 95%CI: 1.40-189.67). We need to highlight that these results are available for health promotion planning for the municipality in the eastern region of Hokkaido Prefecture.

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The aim of this study was to explore factors influencing attitudes towards HIV-infected patients, knowledge related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/universal precautions, and infection control practices (ICPs) of Japanese dentists, and to analyze the relationship between the attitude toward HIV-infected patients and knowledge related to HIV/universal precautions, and infection control practices in a population of Japanese dentists. Data on attitudes towards HIV-infected patients, knowledge related to HIV/universal precautions, and ICPs were obtained from 3,316 dentists in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, through questionnaires, which were then statistically analyzed. Overall, an age of 49 years or younger, specialist in oral surgery, and seeing 36 or more patients per day were positive significant predictors for attitudes towards HIV-infected patients, knowledge related to HIV/universal precautions, and ICPs. Those aged 49 years or younger were more likely to report desirable responses for all attitude items than older dentists. Those seeing 36 or more patients per day were more likely to report desirable ICPs in all but one item than those seeing 35 or less. In addition to being younger, specialty in oral surgery, seeing 36 or more patients per day, and having a higher knowledge index were significant positive associating factors for a higher infection control practice index. Dentists who are younger, have a specialty in oral surgery, or see more patients per day showed positive attitudes for dental care provision toward HIV-infected patients, greater knowledge related to HIV/universal precautions, and better compliance for ICPs. Knowledge related to HIV/universal precautions was positively related to ICPs.

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The purpose of the present study was to determine the levels of knowledge and awareness of halitosis and oral care in young Japanese women, as well as the association between halitosis and their communication behavior. The subjects were 121 female university students (mean: 18.5 years old) living in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka, Japan. Written informed consent from each was obtained prior to the study. The subjects were given an original questionnaire consisting of 30 questions. Our results showed that greater attention was given to the smell of breath and caries among a variety of oral conditions, while a higher percentage expressed concerns about malocclusion, and the discoloration of teeth and gums. Most subjects were aware of their own halitosis, though few knew of practical means to prevent it. In addition, most who noted an unpleasant experience with the halitosis of another person, replied that the person was a friend or teacher, and not a family member. Statistical analysis of the influences of halitosis on human relationships revealed significant correlations between "anxiety about my own halitosis" and "have occasionally distanced myself from others because of their halitosis," and between "want to have halitosis pointed out" and "have pointed out halitosis to others." Also, subjects who expressed greater levels of anxiety about halitosis in others noted that it had a higher risk of negatively influencing mutual communication. Taken together, our findings indicate that the young women in the present study were interested in oral care including oral esthetics and the prevention of halitosis, while they did not have adequate knowledge or information regarding oral care. It is also possible that heightened awareness of halitosis may affect interpersonal communication. We concluded that a community-based health educational program is needed to distribute useful health information and promote oral health, including measures to prevent halitosis.

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Labial closure force, reflecting the function of the orbicularis oris muscles, is related to oral function. The orbicularis oculi muscles, which might regulate visual acuity, are mechanically connected with the orbicularis oris muscles. The orbicularis oculi muscles and orbicularis oris muscles are innervated by the facial nerve. We hypothesized that labial closure force might relate to visual acuity. A total of 396 children aged 7-12 years participated in this cross-sectional study. The children, except sixteen children with malocclusion, were divided into two groups: high (≥20/20) and low (<20/20) visual acuity groups. The high and low visual acuity groups consisted of 264 and 116 children, respectively. The high visual acuity group had significantly higher labial closure force (p=0.024), a higher proportion of males (p=0.045), lower age (p=0.001) and lower Hellman's dental stage (p=0.002) than the low visual acuity group. Logistic regression analysis showed that labial closure force was significantly associated with visual acuity after adjusting for gender, age and Hellman's dental stage (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.04-2.64, p=0.004). This study suggested an association between visual acuity and labial closure force in elementary school children.

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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is characterized by generalized muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, and bulbar paralysis. We describe the results of a weekly home visit dental program for a 54-year-old Japanese male with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He was followed up for 5 years with this program, which consisted of weekly cleaning of his mouth, health education delivered by a clinician, and evaluation of his quality of life using the face scale. Inflammation of the periodontal tissue improved and bleeding of the gingiva decreased. In addition, his view of life became very positive and quality of life improved. This type of treatment program appears to empower the patient, and, as a result, improve their quality of life.

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[in Japanese]

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Nagasaki University conducted dental treatments and professional oral health care programs for the evacuees and the residents, who were still staying at their own homes, in the area of 20 to 30km from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Minami Soma City with 70,772 populations because of a proposal from Fukushima prefectural government. The Japanese government had taken the measures to stay indoors and recommended the sufferers to evacuate voluntary from the area. Therefore, more than 70% of the citizens of Minami Soma City including medical staffs and caregivers were evacuated from the area. However, a number of aged and/or challenged people remained in the area. With following the name list of remained residents which was made by municipal offices, the six medical teams consisted of medical doctors, nurses, and municipal officers, started to go around the area and carried out medical examinations and treatments for the people, specially very old and challenged individuals. We requested the doctors to examine simply the oral cavity and to fill out the record form for oral care needs. On the basis of the forms we visited them with significant needs of oral care, especially old and/or challenged people on the next day. We visited also the evacuees staying at the shelters besides going around the area. The number of evacuees complaining oral conditions was relatively small; therefore, we could examine the decrepit elderies' oral cavities and conduct professional tooth cleaning and first-aid treatment if necessary. For six days we treated 87 individuals (15 residents aged 62 to 93yrs, 72 evacuees aged 1.6 to 93yrs). When a regular treatment was required, we referred him/her to a dental clinic just re-started. Since a much amount of dental plaque built up in many of both residents and evacuees, we conducted mostly oral health care including denture cleaning. Under collaborating with municipal officers and Japan Self-Defense Forces, sharing patient's information among the medical team, dental team, and local dental clinic was leading to efficient dental support for failed patients.

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