Teenagers' attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors related to oral health

This survey documents the meagerness of teenagers' knowledge and behavior about dental health. They knew that brushing before bed and checkups are desirable. Otherwise, they were sorely lacking in fundamental knowledge about what is needed for optimum oral health. Except for 6 of the 2,517 sophomores, there was no evidence that they knew about plaque. Small minorities thought about using floss and then for removal of food, not plaque. Fewer than a fourth knew that periodontal disease was a disease of the gingiva. Brushing was the major oral health practice. But it was rarely checked with disclosing tablets and mouth mirrors. It is questionable whether most knew about these. Flossing was rarely done. Curtailment of sweet foods or drinks as an oral health measure was even rarer. One would expect some improvement in the six years since this study was done, given the greater emphasis on plaque control in dentistry. Yet, the possibility that many more of a similar group of teenagers at this time would be preventively oriented seems unlikely. Plaque control programs are not that common in dentistry. And only 42% of the sample studied could be said to go to the dentist for preventive checkups in the first place. Morever, recent interviews I have done with patients at a public clinic did not uncover much awareness or behaviors related to plaque control. The respondents in the study reported here were students in their tenth year of public school. Their schooling was preparing them for many things, including common problems of everyday life. Very few problems are as common as tooth decay and periodontal disease. Yet the teenagers knew little about and were doing relatively little to prevent these problems. Obviously, their need for instruction is great.

The use of intraoral dexamethasone after extraction of mandibular third molars

All oral surgeions have encountered problems associated with edema, trismus, and pain after intraoral procedures. In third-molar surgery, pain and trismus are often directly proportional to edema. Therefore, in the patient with minimal edema, pain and trismus should be proportionally reduced. Parenteral use of the corticosteroid dexamethasone, given as a transoral injection at the time of operation, appears to be effective in the prevention of postoperative edema.

Intraoral suction drain for reduction of postoperative edema

A simple intraoral suction drain has been described. It is inexpensive, easy to fabricate in the operating room, and is convenient to use. When the drain is taped to the face, the patient has complete mobility and minimal inconvenience.

An appliance to prevent and treat microstomia from burns

The development and use of a dynamic splint, Microstomia Prevention Appliance, is described. It is effective in preventing microstomia as a consequence of burns and is capable of enlarging a contracted mouth if used before maturation of the scar.

Simplified technique to reduce perioral edema in intraoral sagittal split osteotomies

A simplified technique has been developed for the prevention of the severe perioral edema that is routinely associated with intraoral sagittal split osteotomies of the ascending ramus of the mandible. By the use of gauze sutured through the cheeks in the region of the oral commissures, trauma caused by retraction of instruments is significantly diminished.