Journal of the American Dental Association 

About: Journal of the American Dental Association is an academic journal published by American Dental Association. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Population. It has an ISSN identifier of 0002-8177. Over the lifetime, 14417 publications have been published receiving 317989 citations. The journal is also known as: American Dental Association. Journal & J. Am. Dent. Assoc..

Prevention of infective endocarditis: guidelines from the American Heart Association: a guideline from the American Heart Association Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease Committee, Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young, and the Council on Clinical Cardiology, Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, and the Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Interdisciplinary Working Group.

Abstract: Background The purpose of this statement is to update the recommendations by the American Heart Association (AHA) for the prevention of infective endocarditis, which were last published in 1997. Methods and Results A writing group appointed by the AHA for their expertise in prevention and treatment of infective endocarditis (IE) with liaison members representing the American Dental Association, the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The writing group reviewed input from national and international experts on IE. The recommendations in this document reflect analyses of relevant literature regarding procedure-related bacteremia and IE; in vitro susceptibility data of the most common microorganisms, which cause IE; results of prophylactic studies in animal models of experimental endocarditis; and retrospective and prospective studies of prevention of IE. MEDLINE database searches from 1950 through 2006 were done for English language articles using the following search terms: endocarditis, infective endocarditis, prophylaxis, prevention, antibiotic, antimicrobial, pathogens, organisms, dental, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, streptococcus, enterococcus, staphylococcus, respiratory, dental surgery, pathogenesis, vaccine, immunization and bacteremia. The reference lists of the identified articles were also searched. The writing group also searched the AHA online library. The American College of Cardiology/AHA classification of recommendations and levels of evidence for practice guidelines were used. The article subsequently was reviewed by outside experts not affiliated with the writing group and by the AHA Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee. Conclusions The major changes in the updated recommendations include the following. (1) The committee concluded that only an extremely small number of cases of IE might be prevented by antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures even if such prophylactic therapy were 100 percent effective. (2) IE prophylaxis for dental procedures should be recommended only for patients with underlying cardiac conditions associated with the highest risk of adverse outcome from IE. (3) For patients with these underlying cardiac conditions, prophylaxis is recommended for all dental procedures that involve manipulation of gingival tissue or the periapical region of teeth or perforation of the oral mucosa. (4) Prophylaxis is not recommended based solely on an increased lifetime risk of acquisition of IE. (5) Administration of antibiotics solely to prevent endocarditis is not recommended for patients who undergo a genitourinary or gastrointestinal tract procedure. These changes are intended to define more clearly when IE prophylaxis is or is not recommended and to provide more uniform and consistent global recommendations.

Health and Social Security

Abstract: Fifteen years have passed since Harvey Cushing wrote one of his most important essays, entitled "Medicine at the Crossroads." 1 Now, in 1948, the forces of medicine are assembling at a point of decision which may well determine the nature and the freedom of medical practice for many years in the future. The 80th Congress, which was harshly criticized by the President in his campaign speeches because of its failure to enact some legislation which he favored and for enacting other legislation which he did not favor, paid much attention to problems of health and medical care. Extensive hearings were held on both the Taft-Smith-Ball-Donnell bill, which proposed to advance medical science by the well established principle of federal grants to the individual states, and the Wagner-Murray-Dingell bill, which would establish a nationwide system of compulsory sickness insurance. Few persons realize how greatly our federal government enters into the care

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010: An update

Abstract: Background The U.S. Department of Agriculture developed Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, by taking into consideration evidence-based nutritional science, changes in the food supply and environmental influences. Conclusions The 2010 guidelines emphasize the importance of maintaining caloric balance to support a healthy weight and selecting nutrient-dense foods and beverages to ensure adequate nutrient intakes. Americans’ compliance with previous dietary guidelines has been poor, and the 2010 guidelines acknowledge the need for collaboration among individuals, the community, government and industry to ensure consumers’ access to and acceptance of appropriate foods. Clinical Implications As part of the greater community, the oral health practitioner will find that familiarity with the 2010 guidelines will enable him or her to assist patients in making better food choices for oral and systemic health.

Comparative cleansing efficiency of manual and power brushing

Abstract: The purpose of the studies described in this report was to evaluate the efficiency of a reciprocating motion toothbrush as an instrument for cleaning the teeth. These studies were initiated during the early stages of the development of the device; therefore, they reflect both pro­ gressive engineering improvements and the accumulation of information showing that the danger of hard tissue abrasion and soft tissue laceration was not an im­ portant consideration with this device. The two main criteria that could be used to judge efficiency were speed of cleaning and thoroughness of cleaning. From a practical standpoint, however, speed per se is not a reliable measure of efficiency because the factor of pleasure cannot be disregarded. For example, if the use of a power device encouraged the subject to brush longer than he ordinarily did with a hand brush and this factor alone resulted in an improved state of oral hygiene, the application of power to the toothbrush would be justified. Since early studies with the electric device re­ vealed that important pleasurable fea­ tures were associated with its use, the criterion of thoroughness of cleaning in­ dependent of time was adopted as the main measure of cleaning efficiency.