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Children rinsed twice daily with one of two concentrations of calcium glycerophosphate or a placebo. Plaque was collected at two-week intervals for eight weeks, and Löe and Silness Indices determined. Results indicate a lower index rating and a higher phosphorus content for experimental groups than for the control at the four-week examination.

Since the AIDS epidemic began, it has been determined that dental professionals can play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease and that they must meet ethical and legal obligations to offer treatment. Studies report, however, that dentists prefer not to treat AIDS patients, that they are only moderately knowledgeable about the disease and its oral manifestations, that they lack the skills to treat AIDS patients, and that their use of infection control procedures falls below established standards of care. It also appears that traditional forms of education have failed to improve this situation. In this article the authors propose educational interventions designed to influence knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of dentists and thereby improve the delivery of dental care to the HIV-positive population.

This is the second of two articles reviewing the recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force for interventions by physicians, nurses, and other clinicians to prevent the major oral diseases and conditions. Physicians and other health professionals should be aware of their many opportunities to assist in preventive oral health care and should take appropriate action in collaboration with the patient's dentist.

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