Intraoral use of ultrasonic scalers may generate aerosols that contain infectious microorganisms and therefore pose a hazard to the health of the dental professional. The purpose of this in vivo study was to determine if an aerosol reduction device for an ultrasonic scaler would be effective in reducing the amount of contaminated aerosols produced during ultrasonic instrumentation. Twelve adult subjects participated in the study. A split-mouth design was utilized, and two treatments (in separate rooms) were performed on each subject: 1) ultrasonic scaling for 5 minutes with the aerosol reduction device; and 2) ultrasonic scaling for 5 minutes without the aerosol reduction device. The right or left side of the subject's mouth was randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. After instrumentation, the subject and operator remained motionless for 25 minutes during collection of aerosol particles. Air samples were collected on blood agar plates 6 inches from the subject's mouth. Replicate organism detection and counting plates were used to sample microorganisms present on the investigator's face shield. All plates were incubated for 3 days at 37 degrees C. The results, using the paired t-test (P < 0.001), indicate that the ultrasonic scaler without the aerosol reduction device had a significantly greater quantity of mean colony forming units (CFUs) 6 inches from the subject's mouth (45.1 +/- 28.9) than the ultrasonic scaler with the aerosol reduction device (2.6 +/- 3.6). No significant difference was evident in the number of CFUs found on the investigator's face shield. These data suggest that an aerosol reduction device is effective in reducing the number of microorganisms generated during ultrasonic scaling, therefore decreasing the risk of disease transmission.

This study compared 30% dipotassium oxalate (DO) and 3% monohydrogen-monopotassium oxalate (MO) on the reduction of dentin hypersensitivity in vivo. Four treatments were utilized: (1) distilled water followed by 30% DO; (2) distilled water followed by 3% MO; (3) 30% DO followed by 3% MO and (4) distilled water only. Treatments were randomly assigned so that each of the 17 participants received all four treatments, one per tooth tested. Response to cold at baseline and immediately, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks posttreatment was measured. Testing began with water at 20 degrees C and decreased at 5 degrees C intervals until a positive response was obtained or until 0 degrees C was reached. No differences were found for time when compared across treatments. When treatments were compared across time, significant reductions occurred in immediate and 4 week posttreatment measurements for treatment 2. In addition, highly significant reductions occurred in 1 week and 2 week posttreatment measurements for treatment 3. Results suggest a decrease in dentin hypersensitivity following the application of 3% MO alone, and 30% DO followed by 3% MO.

The purpose of this study was to determine the nonmedical use of prescription attention deicit disorder (ADD) stimulant medication among dental and dental hygiene students. A questionnaire was used to examine demographic information, student experiences, and perceptions of prescription stimulant medication and to determine if students used a prescription stimulant nonmedically. In 2008, 401 surveys were mailed to dental education institutions in the south-central region of the United States, and 243 surveys (61 percent) were returned. The survey found that 12.4 percent of these students used a prescription stimulant nonmedically and, of those, 70 percent took it to improve attention and/or concentration. The most commonly reported stimulant medication used nonmedically was Adderall (77 percent). The majority (87 percent) of the students obtained the medication through friends, and 90 percent began using the drug in college. Even though 74 percent of the students reported being stressed, chi-square analysis found no signiicant association between nonmedical use of ADD stimulant medication and stress level (p=0.585). Sixteen percent of the students surveyed felt it was easy to obtain stimulant medication for nonmedical use at their school, and 17 percent thought it was a problem within their institution. These results may help administrators and faculty members become aware of potential problems with the misuse of ADD stimulant medication.

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