Michele Darby

New discoveries and directions for medical, dental and dental hygiene research: low temperature atmospheric pressure plasma

The study of plasma integrates physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering, and has recently engaged medicine and dental hygiene in research efforts. The study of plasma holds promise for a myriad of applications ranging from lasers and electronics, hazardous waste management, decontamination, sterilization and disinfection of foods, soil, water, instruments, to medical uses in wound healing and treating certain types of tumours and cancers. Plasma represents a new state-of-the-art sterilization and disinfection treatment for certain oral and enviornmental pathogens, heat-sensitive materials, contaminated medical waste, hard and soft surfaces, and ventilation systems may assist health care facilities in the management of various health concerns. The role that Low Temperature Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (LTAPP) could play in the inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms might prove to be a new, faster, noncorrosive, more economical alternative, as well as support green healthcare.

A brief motivational intervention for heavy alcohol use in dental practice settings: Rationale and development:

Although brief alcohol interventions have proven effective in a variety of health care settings, the present article describes the development of the first brief intervention for heavy drinkers in dental practice. Elements of motivational interviewing and personalized normative feedback were incorporated in a 3- to 5-minute intervention delivered by dental hygienists. The intervention is guided by a one-page feedback report providing personalized normative feedback regarding the patient’s current oral health practices, their drinking in comparison to others, and oral cancer risk associated with current smoking and drinking. Future publications will present data regarding intervention effectiveness from an ongoing randomized trial.

Understanding Muslim patients: cross‐cultural dental hygiene care

BACKGROUND Healthcare providers who understand the basic pillars of Islamic beliefs and common religious practices can apply these concepts, anticipate the needs of the Muslim patient and family, and attract Muslim patients to the practice. OBJECTIVE Cross cultural knowledge can motivate dental hygienists to adopt culturally acceptable behaviors, strengthen patient-provider relationships and optimize therapeutic outcomes. Trends in Muslim population growth, Islamic history and beliefs, modesty practices, healthcare beliefs, contraception, childbearing, childrearing, pilgrimage, dietary practices, dental care considerations and communication are explained. MATERIALS AND METHODS This paper reviews traditional Muslim beliefs and practices regarding lifestyle, customs, healthcare and religion as derived from the literature and study abroad experiences. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Recommendations are offered on how to blend western healthcare with Islamic practices when making introductions, appointments, eye contact, and selecting a practitioner. The significance of fasting and how dental hygiene care can invalidate the fast are also discussed. CONCLUSION The ultimate goal is for practitioners to be culturally competent in providing care to Muslim patients, while keeping in mind that beliefs and practices can vary widely within a culture.

Effectiveness of a Screening and Brief Intervention protocol for heavy drinkers in dental practice: A cluster-randomized trial

Results of a cluster-randomized trial of a Screening and Brief Intervention for heavy drinkers in dental practice are reported. Data were obtained from 103 heavy drinking patients recruited from randomized intervention (7; n = 50) and control (6; n = 53) practices. Analysis of data revealed that 6-month decreases in total drinks per week were significantly (p < .05) greater for heavy drinking intervention (43%) than control patients (21%)—a 4 drink per week difference. Similar decreases were obtained for quantity and frequency among intervention patients compared to control patients. Despite power limitations, the 6-month results support the effectiveness of the Screening and Brief Intervention.

Bactericidal effects of low temperature atmospheric pressure plasma on Porphyromonas gingivalis

The biomedical application of low temperature atmospheric pressure plasma (LTAPP) is a collaborative interest for engineering, medical, dental and biological researchers. This laboratory study tested whether LTAPP can limit growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a periodontal pathogen strongly associated with periodontal disease, disease progression, and refractory periodontitis. Methods: After extensive pilot trials, the study consisted of 24 agar plate samples of P. gingivalis- 20 samples were exposed to LTAPP at 5, 7, 9 and 10 minutes and 4 control samples were exposed to helium gas only. Immediately after exposures, the samples were incubated anaerobically for 72 hour at 37°C. After 72 hours, zones of inhibition were measured. Results: After 5, 7, 9, and 11 minutes of exposure times, results reveal a statistically significant difference in the bactericidal effect of the LTAPP on P. gingivalis compared to control bacteria not exposed, as measured by zone of inhibition (cm) (p0.0001). Differences in the bactericidal effects were significant for each pair of consecutive time points: 5 minutes verses 7 minutes, 7 minutes verses 9 minutes, and 9 minutes verses 11 minutes (p= 0.0360, p= 0.0009, and p0.0001, respectively).

Low temperature atmospheric pressure plasma applications in dentistry: Two independent studies

Low temperature atmospheric pressure plasma (LTAPP) may be used for various biomedical applications as this technology has the potential to inactivate and destroy microorganisms1,2. Purpose: The purpose of these two independent studies was to evaluate the efficacy of LTAPP on the inactivation of Geobacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus cereus and Streptococcus mutans. The microorganisms of the study are of dental relevance. Methods: In Study 1, 981 samples were processed (762 experimental samples exposed to LTAPP, 219 control samples). Experimental samples of G. stearothermophilus and B. cereus (vegetative cells and spores) were exposed indirectly or directly to cold plasma at various time intervals for each microorganism state and type of exposure (indirect exposure time range: 1 minute-30 minutes; direct exposure time range: 30 seconds-30 minutes). In study 2, 90 samples were processed (72 experimental samples exposed to LTAPP, 18 control samples). Experimental samples of S. mutans were exposed directly to cold plasma for 60, 120, 180 or 300 seconds. In both studies: control samples were not exposed, colony forming units were counted, percentage kill/ inactivation factor were determined and data were analyzed at 0.05a significance. Analysis for study 1 included one-way ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis and Tukeys tests and study 2 used repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Study 1: Statistically significant reduction of G steraothermophilus vegetative cells and B. cereus vegetative cells and spores (indirect and direct exposure p-values O.025). There was no statistically significant reduction for G stearothermophilus spores (indirect p=3D0.7208, direct p=3D0.0835). Study 2: Statistically significant reduction of S. mutans at all time exposures: 60 (p=3D0.0272), 120, 180 and 300 seconds (p=3D0.0001). Conclusions: Results demonstrate that LTAPP effectively kills G stearothermophilus vegetative cells, B. cereus vegetative cells and spores and S. mutans. G stearothermophilus spores were not significantly inactivated.