The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors that might influence a patient’s choice of mouthrinse. A structured questionnaire to determine the pattern of usage of and reasons for choosing mouthrinses was distributed to 68 outpatients at Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital. The participants were also asked to rate, in a randomized double-blind manner, the taste, refreshing feeling, mucosal irritation, recognition of the effect, and overall impression of four mouthrinses [ConCool F^® (CHG), Listerine^® (LF), Listerine^® Natural Care (LN), and GUM^® NightCare (CP)] on a 5-point scale.

Twenty-seven percent of the participants used a mouthrinse on a regular basis. The ranking of the reasons for the choices of mouthrinses showed significant consistency. The antimicrobial effect, a refreshing feeling, and the taste were chosen as important reasons. CP and CHG showed a significant difference in comparison with LF and LN for the overall impression. There was no significant difference between LF and LN for any of the estimated factors. A positive correlation was observed between the scores for taste and overall impression.

The taste and refreshing feeling in addition to the antimicrobial effect should be promoted as the properties of mouthrinses.

There have been many reports of water in dental unit waterlines (DUWs) being contaminated with microorganisms. Accordingly, here, we aimed to clarify the level of bacterial contamination in DUW output water and investigate the efficacy of a decontamination system. The system used dilute hypochlorous acid introduced into DUWs for controlling bacterial levels in DUW water. DUWs were continuously filled with dilute hypochlorous acid for two weeks after system installation. Hypochlorous acid-treated water was used for dental treatment during the day, while the DUWs were filled with tap water at night. We investigated the number of microorganisms, particularly heterotrophic bacteria, in water from various parts of the DUWs, including the cup filler, water syringe, high-speed handpiece, and low-speed handpiece. Before installation of the decontamination system, high levels of microorganisms were found in all 20 output water samples, and pre-flushing with water from a low-speed handpiece could not control water contamination. During weeks 1 to 8 after its installation, however, few or no microorganisms were detected in any of the 36 output water samples. After 5 years of using the system, microorganism levels in 10 of 12 output water samples were 350 colony forming units (CFU) /mL or lower, and the values of 11 of the 12 output water samples were lower than the cut-off value for water contamination (2,000 CFU / mL or lower) proposed by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. There was a leakage of water in one of three dental units two months after system installation, and it was repaired with new instruments. After that, there was no problem with those dental units related to the system. These results indicate that this system using dilute hypochlorous acid might be suitable for the long-term control of water contamination in DUWs.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of health guidance about eating quickly by dental professionals on obesity in participants in the Specific Health Checkups and Specific Health Guidance in Japan. We used the data from participants who received the Specific Health Checkups and Guidance System held in two areas (A and B) of Kagawa Prefecture both in 2009 and 2010 or both in 2010 and 2011. The participants were divided into four groups: 1) a group that received health guidance about eating quickly and standard health guidance about metabolic syndrome in area A, 2) a group that received standard health guidance about metabolic syndrome in area B, 3) a control group that did not receive guidance and were matched for the age and body mass index (BMI) in area A, and 4) a control group that did not receive guidance and were matched for the age and BMI in area B. In the group that received health guidance about eating quickly and standard health guidance about metabolic syndrome in area A, the changes in body weight and BMI were significantly greater than those in the other groups. Among the participants who reported eating quickly, the body weight, BMI, and waist circumference significantly decreased only in the group that received health guidance about eating quickly and standard health guidance about metabolic syndrome in area A during the one-year period. These results suggest that combining health guidance for eating quickly with standard guidance by dental professionals may have effects to reduce obesity in participants receiving the Specific Health Checkups and Specific Health Guidance in Japan.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the ability to determine the presence of determine the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is promoted by adding contents related to the diet and oral function to a questionnaire prior to a specific health checkup in men and women. A total of 902 people received a specific health check up in Ohnan-cho, Shimane Prefecture, Japan in 2012. Among them, 869 people (356 males and 513 females) also participated in a dental examination and were our subjects. Their average age was 66.5 ±7.8. We investigated components and factors of MetS, and classified them into the following four groups: (1)Age, questionnaire prior to a specific health checkup, and participant’s medical history. (2)Diet-related factors. (3)Mastication-related factors. (4)Other dental factors.

We carried out sex-stratified analysis. Then, using a cross table, we determined the presence or absence of MetS. The groups of variables, (1) to (4), were gradually added. A logistic regression analysis (forced entry method) was performed, and the results were analyzed to clarify the change of the value of the contributing ratio (Pseudo R²). We searched for the most suitable models using the step-wise method.

As the result of this analysis, males’ Pseudo R² doubled by introducing the groups of variables (2) and (3) compared with parameter group (1). Among the models in which the groups of variables (1), (2), and (3) were added in the step-wise method, the males, who did not cook creatively, whose objective assessment of mastication was low, and whose number of teeth was low, had a significantly higher rate of MetS . In contrast, females’ Pseudo R² did not increase as much as that in males by adding the groups of variables (2) and (3). Among the models in which groups (1) and (2) were added in the step-wise method, the women, who did not cook for themselves, significantly came under the category of MetS.

In conclusion, the contribution ratio (Pseudo R²) of the value of masticating factors in males related to the presence or absence of MetS is greater than in women.

Personalised caries prevention (PCP) programmes – dental caries prevention programmes which are based on caries risk assessments (CRAs) – are still a new service among the Japanese people. According to Rogers’ diffusion theory of innovation, key persons at this early phase of diffusion have greater knowledge of innovations. We hypothesised that difficulty accessing PCP programmes is hampering their widespread diffusion. The aim of this study is to investigate this hypothesis by: (1) estimating the percentage of PCP adopters, (2) summarising reasons for patients not receiving PCP programmes, and (3) determining if knowledge of caries risk is linked to access to PCP, among an adult group (aged 20+) sampled through a non-profit organisation (PSAP) whose purpose is promoting risk assessment of caries and periodontal disease. This study uses questionnaires with: patients of previously-enrolled PSAP dental members (group A: N=389), patients of newly-enrolled PSAP dental members (group B: N=78), and newly-enrolled PSAP public members (group C: N=68). The main outcome variables are PCP adoption by patients, reasons for not receiving PCP programmes, percentage of respondents choosing eight caries risk factors/indicators, and the total number of chosen risk factors/indicators. The application rate of PCP programmes was significantly lower in group C, at 27.9% (99% CI=13.4–42.5), than in group A, at 83.0% (99% CI=71.4–94.7). The principal reason given by Non-PCP adopters in group C for not receiving PCP programmes was that this service was not provided by their dentist, although they showed better results regarding knowledge of caries risk than Non-PCP adopters in group AB (combined groups A and B). Accessing a PCP programme was determined based on the services dentists provide; patients’ knowledge of caries risk was not linked to PCP access. Further efforts are necessary to increase the availability of PCP programmes.