Nermin Yamalik

Patient safety and dentistry: what do we need to know? Fundamentals of patient safety, the safety culture and implementation of patient safety measures in dental practice

Although concern for patient safety is inherent to the practice of the health care professions, its transformation into a specific body of knowledge is relatively recent and thus patient safety may be considered as a comparatively new discipline. Its main objectives are to avoid the occurrence of preventable adverse events (accidents, errors and complications) associated with health care and to limit the impact of inevitable adverse events. Despite these simple definitions, patient safety is multifaceted, quite complex in nature and includes many key elements. Thus, it cannot be simply defined as the provision of safe health care or the protection of patients from harm by health care providers because there are economic, fiscal, social, cultural and organisational aspects of a patient safety climate. It is essential for all health care practitioners and health care organisations to become more familiar with the general context of patient safety, to actively participate in efforts to implement patient safety measures in daily practice and to establish a patient safety culture.

Effect of inflammation on cytokine levels and bone remodelling markers in peri-implant sulcus fluid: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVESnSince ingredients of peri-implant sulcus fluid (PISF) may be related to the bony structure surrounding dental implants, analyze of specific markers related to bone resorption in PISF seems to be suitable for long term monitoring of peri-implant health. It is suggested that analysis of PISF may serve for detection of inflammation. The aim of this study is to analyze PISF interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-10, osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) levels to determine whether the diagnostic value of PISF can be used to evaluate early changes around implants.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnA total of 47 dental implants either healthy/non-inflamed (n=20) (Group I), or gingivitis/inflamed (n=27) (Group II), were classified. Peri-implant status has been evaluated by clinical evaluation (plaque index, gingival index, probing depth and gingival bleeding time index) were recorded and PISF samples were also obtained. PISF IL-1β, IL-10, RANKL, and OPG levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Potential volumetric changes in PISF were also evaluated.nnnRESULTSnAll clinical parameters and volume of PISF were higher in Group II and these differences were statistically significant except volume values. IL-1β, IL-10 and OPG levels in PISF were significantly higher in Group II. Although the PISF RANKL level in Group II was higher than the level of Group I, the difference between groups did not reach the statistically significant level.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThese data suggest that a balance of inflammatory- and osteoclastogenesis related molecules locally produced may play an important role in the development of inflammatory peri-implant lesions.

Determination of Pseudocholinesterase Activity in the Gingival Crevicular Fluid, Saliva, and Serum from Patients with Juvenile Periodontitis and Rapidly Progressive Periodontitis

By use of a spectrophotometric method, pseudocholinesterase (PCE) activities were determined in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), saliva, and serum from patients with juvenile periodontitis (JP) and rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP) and from controls. The PCE activity in the GCF samples was 181 ± 48 U/L in the JP group, 588 ± 135 U/L in the RPP group, and 88.5 ± 29.1 U/L in the control group. Saliva PCE activity levels were 9.1 ± 1.7 U/L in the JP group, 21.8 ± 4.5 UlL in the RPP group, and 12.7 ± 0.8 UlL in the control group. GCF contained a higher PCE activity than saliva but a lower one than that of serum. The RPP group had a significantly higher PCE activity in both the GCF and saliva samples. No significant differences could be found regarding serum enzyme levels. Also, no significant correlations were present between biochemical values and the severity of periodontal disease. GCF may be an important source for the PCE content of saliva. It is suggested that the increased PCE activity seen in RPP patients might be caused by either the direct production of esterases by bacteria or the induction of esterases during periodontal destruction.

Analysis of Human Gingival Tissue and Gingival Crevicular Fluid β-Glucuronidase Activity in Specific Periodontal Diseases

BACKGROUNDnβ-glucuronidase (βG) is one of the enzymes involved in the destruction of non-collagenous components of the extracellular matrix. It is also considered an indicator or predictor of periodontal disease activity. The present study was conducted to determine the presence and the levels of βG activity in gingival tissue and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in periodontal disease and health status. The validity of 2 expressions of data, total βG activity versus βG concentration, and the correlations between clinical periodontal status and βG profile was also evaluated.nnnMETHODSnβG activities in gingival tissues and GCF samples from 57 individuals, divided into 3 equal groups of adult periodontitis (AP), early-onset periodontitis (EOP), and periodontally healthy subjects were spectrophotometrically examined.nnnRESULTSnBoth patient groups had higher βG levels in both gingiva and GCF than controls. Significant differences were observed among all groups when total GCF βG activities were examined (P <0.05). However, the difference between AP and controls was not significant when concentration values were compared (P >0.05). The highest GCF βG activity, with both expressions, was detected in EOP group. No absolute correlations between clinical parameters and βG activity were observed, except for random correlations in the patient groups with mean total βG activities. Also GCF/gingiva βG levels and the 2 expressions did not show absolute correlations.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe findings of the present study confirm the relationship between βG activity and periodontal diseases. The differences in data concerning GCF total βG activity and βG concentration may suggest that they are not matching measures. Data presentation seems to be an important factor in GCF/enzyme profile studies. J Periodontol 2000;71:618-624.

Relationships between implant stability, image‐based measures and nitric oxide levels

For monitoring of dental implants, practitioners seem to use simultaneously a variety of image-based and laboratory measurements. This longitudinal study was conducted to analyse the possible relationships between nitric oxide (NO) content of peri-implant sulcus fluid (PISF), marginal bone levels and implant stability in terms of resonance frequency analysis (RFA) at immediately (IL) and conventionally (CL) loaded mandibular molar dental implants from the same individuals. Dental implants were placed in 10 patients who had first molar loss bilaterally in the mandibular area. One site of the patient was determined as IL and the other site was CL. PISF samples, marginal bone level and RFA were taken for all dental implants during a 12-month follow-up period. For both types of loading, there were no significant changes at implant stability (ISQ) and PISF volume during the whole study period. The lowest total nitrite levels were observed at the end of 12 months. Marginal bone gain of 0.22 and 0.09 mm was noticed between 6 and 12 months in IL and CL groups, respectively. During the study period, negative correlation was noted between radiographic bone level and ISQ at both IL and CL sites; however, this correlation reached a significant level only at 6 months in CL implant group (P = 0.015). Although not significant, marginal bone loss seems to have a negative relationship with the implant stability values regardless of the mode of loading. NO metabolism around IL and CL dental implants may not demonstrate a significantly different pattern.

Oral health workforce planning part 2: figures, determinants and trends in a sample of World Dental Federation member countries†

BACKGROUND AND AIMnA range of factors needs to be taken into account for an ideal oral health workforce plan. The figures related to dentists, specialists, auxiliaries, practice patterns, undergraduate and continuing dental education, laws/regulations, the attitudes of oral health-care providers and the general trends affecting the practice patterns, work conditions and preferences of oral health-care providers are among such determinants. Thus, the aim of the present study was to gather such information from a sample of World Dental Federation (FDI) member countries with different characteristics.nnnMETHODSnA cross-sectional survey study was carried out among a sample of FDI member countries between March 2, 2012 and March 27, 2012. A questionnaire was developed addressing some main determinants of oral health workforce, such as its structure, involvement of the public/private sector to provide oral health-care services, specialty services, dental schools, trends in workforce and compliance with oral health needs, and a descriptive analysis was performed. The countries were classified as developed and developing countries and Mann-Whitney U-tests and chi-square tests were used to identify potential significant differences (P > 0.05) between developed and developing countries. All data were processed in SPSS v.19.nnnRESULTSnIn the18 questionnaires processed, the median number of dentists (P = 0.005), dental practices (P = 0.002), hygienists (P = 0.005), technicians (P = 0.013) and graduates per year (P = 0.037) was higher in developed countries. Only 12.5% of developed and 22.2% of developing countries reported having optimal number of graduates per year. It was noted that 66.7% of developing countries had more regions lacking enough dentists to meet the demand (P = 0.050) and 77.8% lacked the necessary specialist care (P = 0.015). Although developing countries reported mostly an oversupply of dentists, regardless of the level of development most countries did not report an oversupply of specialists. Most developed countries did not feel that their regulations (87.5%) complied with the needs and demands of the population and most developing countries did not feel that their undergraduate dental education (62.5%) complied. Migrating to other countries was a trend seen in developing countries, while, despite increased numbers of dentists, underserved areas and communities were reported.nnnDISCUSSIONnThe cross-sectional survey study suggests that figures related to optimum or ideal oral health workforce and fair distribution of the available workforce does not seem to be achieved in many parts of the world. Further attention also needs to be dedicated to general trends that have the capacity to affect future oral health workforce.

Analysis of the possibility of the relationship between various implant‐related measures: an 18‐month follow‐up study

Better clarification of the long-term relationship among the various implant-related measures could improve the evaluation process for dental implants. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the potential correlations among the volumetric features and nitric oxide content of peri-implant sulcus fluid (PISF) and measures of implant stability, and the marginal bone loss. Completely edentulous patients (n=15) treated with dental implants and ball attachment mandibular over dentures were included. Resonance frequency analysis (RFA), marginal bone level measurements, PISF volume and spectrophotometrically determined nitrite levels were recorded for all dental implant sites. Measures for early (n=16) and delayed (n=14) loaded dental implants were comparatively analysed for a period of 18 months. Some random correlations between PISF volume and marginal bone level, PISF nitrite level and marginal bone level and PISF volume and PISF nitrite content, and RFA and PISF volume were observed. However, the only constant correlation was noticed between implant stability (RFA scores) and marginal bone level. This correlation was negative and significant for all dental implants and for delayed loaded implants (P<0.05). The pattern of loading seemed to affect the extent, but not the pattern of this relationship. While some of the implant-related measures may be strongly associated (e.g. dental implant stability and marginal bone level), not all measures from a single implant site are likely to be related. Such associations may be under the influence of a variety of factors including the loading protocol of dental implants.

A 12-month evaluation of nitrite oxide metabolism around immediate and conventionally loaded dental implants.

Background:During bone remodeling, alignment of bone is affected by loading direction. Considerable amount of data also suggest nitric oxide (NO) to be involved in bone metabolism. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential changes in NO metabolism in relation to the loading style of dental implants by analyzing the nitrite content of peri-implant sulcus fluid. Methods:Dental implants were placed in 12 patients who had first molar loss bilaterally in the mandibular area. One site of the patient determined as immediately loaded and the other side were conventionally loaded. Clinical parameters were recorded and peri-implant sulcus fluid samples were obtained. Peri-implant sulcus fluid nitrite levels were spectrophoto-metrically determined. Clinical measurements and nitrite analysis were repeated at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Results:In both groups, there was a reduction between baseline and 12 months in all clinical parameters, except probing depth. Although, steady decrease was noticed in total nitrite levels during the whole experimental period in immediately loaded implants, more fluctuations were observed in conventionally loaded ones. Conclusions:The findings of this 12-month follow-up study support the association of NO in the bone metabolism around dental implants and further suggest the impact of different loading regimens on NO metabolism.

Analysis of cathepsin-K activity at tooth and dental implant sites and the potential of this enzyme in reflecting alveolar bone loss.

BACKGROUNDnCathepsin-K is an enzyme involved in bone metabolism which may make this feature important for both natural teeth and dental implants. The aims of the present study are to comparatively analyze the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF)/peri-implant sulcus fluid (PISF) cathepsin-K levels of natural teeth and dental implants, and to assess the potential relationship between this biochemical parameter and alveolar bone loss around natural teeth and dental implants.nnnMETHODSnProbing depth, bleeding on probing, gingival index, and plaque index clinical parameters were assessed, and GCF/PISF samples were obtained from natural teeth/dental implants presenting with either clinical health, gingivitis/peri-implant mucositis, or chronic periodontitis/peri-implantitis. Cathepsin-K activity levels of 42 GCF samples and 54 PISF samples were determined, and marginal bone loss (MBL) measures were calculated from digitalized standardized intraoral periapical radiographs obtained from natural teeth and dental implants by using cemento-enamel junction and the actual distance between two consecutive threads of the dental implant as reference points for natural teeth and dental implants, respectively.nnnRESULTSnComparing the natural teeth group with dental implant group with regard to MBL measure, cathepsin-K activity, and GCF/PISF volume revealed no significant differences. In both natural teeth and dental implant groups, despite higher MBL measures, cathepsin-K activity, and GCF/PISF volumes with the presence of inflammation, it was the presence of alveolar bone loss that lead to significantly higher values for these parameters.nnnCONCLUSIONnWe suggest cathepsin-K as a biochemical parameter for monitoring periodontal/peri-implant alveolar bone loss.

Implementation of evidence-based dentistry into practice: analysis of awareness, perceptions and attitudes of dentists in the World Dental Federation-European Regional Organization zone.

Based on evidence-based dentistry (EBD) being a relatively new concept in dentistry, the attitudes, perceptions and level of awareness of dentists regarding EBD, and perceived barriers to its implementation into daily practice, were comparatively analysed in six countries of the FDI (World Dental Federation-Federation Dentaire Internationale)-European Regional Organization (ERO) zone (France, Georgia, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Turkey). For this purpose, a questionnaire, The Relationship Between Dental Practitioners and Universities, was developed by the FDI-ERO Working Group and applied by National Dental Associations (NDAs). A total of 850 valid responses were received, and cumulative data, comparisons between countries and potential impact of demographic variables were analysed. Regarding EBD, similar percentages of respondents reported that they know what it is (32.8%) and they practice (32.1%). Most respondents believed that EBD is beneficial (89.1%); however, they had different thoughts regarding who actually benefited from EBD. Of the participants, 60% believed that dentists experience difficulties in implementing EBD. Although lack of time, lack of education and limited availability of evidence-based clinical guidelines were among the major barriers, there were differences among countries (P<0.05). Significant differences were also observed between countries regarding certain questions such as where EBD needed to be taught (P<0.05), as both undergraduate and continuing education were suggested to be suitable. Age, practice mode and years of practice significantly affected many of the responses (P<0.05). There was a general, positive attitude toward EBD; however, there was also a clear demand for more information and support to enhance dentists knowledge and use of EBD in everyday practice and a specific role for the NDAs.