Showing papers by "Ohio Department of Health published in 1996"

The use of dental sealants by Ohio dentists.

Abstract: Objectives: To assess the extent to which Ohio dentists report using pit and fissure sealants and factors associated with sealant use. Methods: A mail survey of a random sample of Ohio dentists was conducted in 1989 and repeated in 1992 with a newly drawn sample. Only responses from general dentists were analyzed using univariate analyses and multiple regression. Results: Dentists who reported using sealants increased from 79.4 percent in 1989 to 91.8 percent in 1992. In 1992, 42.9 percent were low-level users ( 39%). Over three-fourths of sealant-using dentists expressed some degree of willingness to seal incipient caries. The level of sealant use was associated with dentists' knowledge about sealants, conservative management of dental caries, number of children seen in the practice, and influence of insurance coverage for sealants. The regression model explained 22.0 percent of the variance. Clinical factors associated with the level of use were: dentists' willingness to seal premolars; caries-free teeth; teeth with deep, narrow pits and fissures; teeth with small, frank occlusal caries; and patients 18 years of age or older. This regression model explained only 15.1 percent of the variance. Conclusion: The great majority of Ohio dentists report using sealants. The percent of reported sealant users increased between 1989 and 1992. Ohio dentists are not consistent with regard to the percent of their child patients for whom they apply sealants or their willingness to seal incipient caries. Dentists continue to identify lack of insurance coverage for sealant application as a major barrier to patients receiving the service.

Clozapine and risperidone: refining and extending their use.

Abstract: The recent advent of atypical antipsychotic medications has provided new clinical options and set higher expectations for the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychoses. Two such drugs, clozapine and risperidone, are currently employed in the United States. Researchers continue to fine-tune treatment with these agents and to seek possible new uses for them. For clozapine, refinements in use (optimal duration of trial, optimal dose, use of drug plasma level to optimize efficacy) are described, along with side effects and the specificity (or lack thereof) of the drug's action upon primary negative symptoms. Also discussed is use of clozapine in new subgroups of patients–-for example, those with first-episode schizophrenia, polydlpsia syndrome, or a dual diagnosis. For risperidone, use in patients with first-episode schizophrenia, affective disorders, autism, and other disorders is described. Cost-benefit considerations are presented for both drugs. The psychosocial needs of patients taking these medicat...

Risperidone for treatment-resistant schizophrenia: Initial clinical experience in a state hospital

Abstract: Objective: To examine the efficacy of risperidone, a new antipsychotic with combined serotonergic-dopaminergic antagonism, in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia in state facilities. Methods: Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) evaluations were performed on 21 patients with schizophrenia who had received risperidone therapy for 10 weeks in a state facility. Results: Five patients showed a 20% reduction on their pretreatment BPRS score. A corresponding number of patients showed an increased BPRS score during treatment, and the remainder attained a modest reduction (2–17%) in symptoms on the BPRS. Conclusions: Although risperidone was an effective antipsychotic for patients with chronic treatment-resistant schizophrenia, only a subgroup of these patients achieved substantial clinical improvement over a 10-week period.

Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance - United States, Fourth Quarter, 1995

Abstract: CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance program (ABLES) monitors elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) among adults in the United States (1). This report presents ABLES data for the fourth quarter of 1995.