Objective: To determine the effect of two adhesive systems and a glass ionomer coating resin on fluoride release and concurrent pH changes over a period of 168 days. Material and methods: Four restorative materials were investigated: a giomer Beautiful II, an “alkasite” material Cention, a conventional composite Filtek Z250, and a glass ionomer cement Fuji IX Extra. Light-cured composite specimens were coated using G-aenial Bond and Clearfil Universal Bond Quick. Glass ionomer specimens were coated using GC Fuji Coat LC. Uncoated specimens were used as references. Quantitative fluoride release and pH changes were measured after 1 h, 24 h, 2 days, 7 days, 28 days, 84 days, and 168 days. Results: The cumulative fluoride release after 168 days increased for uncoated specimens in the following order: Filtek Z250 < Beautifil II < Cention < Fuji IX Extra. A comparatively lower fluoride release was measured for the composites coated with Clearfil Universal Bond Quick, with cumulative values after 168 days increasing in the following order: Filtek Z250 < Beautifil II < Cention. The composites coated with G-aenial Bond showed lower fluoride release compared to the uncoated specimens, with cumulative values increasing in the following order: Filtek Z250 < Beautifil II < Cention. The composites coated with G-aenial Bond showed pH values in the acidic range (4.4- 5.7) after 1 h and 24 h. Conclusion: Fluoride release varied among the investigated restorative materials and depended on the use of dental adhesives and coatings. The pH of all materials, coating types and time points varied.

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The effect of saliva on the amount of KOH-soluble fluoride formed on a sound enamelsurface after application of amine fluoride solution of varying fluoride concentrations (1, 0.5 and 0.25% F) and pH (5.3, 4.5 and 4.0) was examined in an in vitro study. The saliva pretreatment increased the amount of KOH-soluble fluoride at the highest pH value. For any given fluoride concentration, the presence of saliva did not influence the amount of KOH-soluble fluoride. These data suggest that saliva could enhance the amount of KOH-soluble fluoride if the topical fluoride preparations are not highly acid.

Background The objective of this study was to assess the attitude, practice, and knowledge of Croatian dentists regarding infective endocarditis (IE) prophylaxis. Material and Methods A cross-sectional, self-reporting questionnaire survey was conducted with the participation of 348 Croatian dentists. The questionnaire was designed to collect information on participants’ work experience, place of work, their attitudes related to the treatment of IE-risk patients, knowledge and adherence to IE antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines. Results Knowledge and adherence to the current guidelines decreased with the higher years of experience. Compliance with the current guidelines varied, mostly because of respondents’ insecurity regarding which guidelines to follow. AHA guidelines have been most frequently the first choice (25% participants). Surprisingly, 23% of dentists didn’t follow any of the official guidelines. The majority of participants (68%) have declared a lack of preparedness or willingness to treat the patients at risk of IE. Dentists with specialty or working at university/hospital have shown a higher level of knowledge and preparedness to treat IE-risk patients. Conclusions The lack of knowledge of guidelines and consequent inconsistencies in IE antibiotic prophylaxis in Croatian dental practice indicates the need for urgent improvement. Key words: Antibiotic prophylaxis, dentistry, infective endocarditis.