To determine the severity of dental fluorosis in selected populations in Chiang Mai, Thailand with different exposures to fluoride and to explore possible risk indicators for dental fluorosis. Subjects were male and female lifetime residents aged 8–13 years. For each child the fluoride content of drinking and cooking water samples were assessed. Digital images were taken of the maxillary central incisors for later blind scoring for TF index (10% repeat scores). Interview data explored previous cooking and drinking water use, exposure to fluoride, infant feeding patterns and oral hygiene practices. Data from 560 subjects were available for analysis (298 M, 262 F). A weighted kappa of 0.80 was obtained for repeat photographic scores. The prevalence of fluorosis (TF 3+) for subjects consuming drinking and cooking water with a fluoride concentration of 0.9 ppm F the prevalence of fluorosis (TF 3+) rose to 37.3%. Drinking and cooking water at age 3, water used for infant formula and water used for preparing infant food all demonstrated an increase in fluorosis severity with increase in water fluoride level (p < 0.001). The probability estimate for the presentation of aesthetically significant fluorosis was 0.53 for exposure to high fluoride drinking (≥0.9 ppm) and cooking water (≥1.6 ppm). The consumption of drinking water with fluoride content >0.9 ppm and use of cooking water with fluoride content >1.6 ppm were associated with an increased risk of aesthetically significant dental fluorosis. Fluoride levels in the current drinking and cooking water sources were strongly correlated with fluorosis severity. Further work is needed to explore fluorosis risk in relation to total fluoride intake from all sources including food preparation.

To determine if a novel dual camera imaging system employing both polarized white light (PWL) and quantitative light induced fluorescence imaging (QLF) is appropriate for measuring enamel fluorosis in an epidemiological setting. The use of remote and objective scoring systems is of importance in fluorosis assessments due to the potential risk of examiner bias using clinical methods.

Objective To evaluate the effects of implementing a healthy eating policy on nursery schoolchildren's dietary practices in nurseries in Phrae Province, Thailand. Design Quasi-experimental action research was used to compare the effects of school healthy eating policy on the diets of nursery schoolchildren in eight intervention and eight matched control schools. Setting Sample was 219 nursery schoolchildren aged four to five years attending 16 schools in Muang district, Phrae Province, Thailand. Method School healthy eating policy was implemented in intervention schools with the active participation of the school board members, teachers and parents. Snack intakes of 219 nursery schoolchildren in intervention and control groups were assessed through direct observation by trained observers and a three-day dietary record. Dietary data on snack consumption was collected at baseline and nine months after implementing a healthy eating policy. Results After nine months, the consumption of every snack item, except non-sugar milk, decreased significantly in intervention schools compared to the baseline (p < .05), but not in control schools. In intervention schools the mean frequency of intakes per day decreased for cariogenic snacks, fresh fruits, Thai desserts, crispy snacks and sugary drinks. On the other hand, in control schools, the mean frequency of consumption per day of cariogenic snacks, non-sugar milk and crispy snacks increased significantly (p < .05). In the control schools, no difference was found between baseline and after nine months in consumption of fresh fruit, Thai desserts and sugary drinks consumption. Conclusion Healthy eating policy for nursery schoolchildren was effective in reducing snack consumption in intervention schools.

To assess the ability of fluorescence imaging to detect a dose response relationship between fluorosis severity and different levels of fluoride in water supplies compared to remote photographic scoring in selected populations participating in an observational, epidemiological survey in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Objective. To assess the prevalence and severity of tooth wear in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods. Attendees at a diabetic clinic at Wiang Pa Pao Hospital in Chiang Rai province, Thailand, were invited to take part in this cross-sectional study. All participants were aged 35–74 and had type 2 diabetes. Participants were required to have been diagnosed with diabetes for at least three months. 179 subjects accepted a clinical oral examination and completed the questionnaire. Tooth wear was assessed clinically using the Smith and Knight Tooth Wear Index. Results. The mean age of diabetic patients was 56.5 ± 7.8 years. The majority (44.1%) had diabetes more than 5 years. The average years of having had diabetes was 6.5 ± 6.3 years. The most prevalent type of tooth wear was attrition (99.4%). The prevalence of erosion, abrasion, and abfraction were 64.8%, 31.3%, and 7.3%, respectively. The majority of the tooth wear was moderate to high severity (62.1%). Erosion and abfraction showed significant association with age group (p<0.05). Age group was significantly associated with the severity level (p=0.017). Mild tooth wear severity was the highest in age groups 35–44 and 45–54 (53.8% and 41.2%, respectively). Moderate tooth wear was the highest proportion in age groups 55–65 and 65–74 (52.2% and 44.0%, respectively). There were no significant differences between specific diabetic symptoms and types of tooth wear. Conclusion. There was a high prevalence of tooth wear among diabetic patients. The role of prevention is vital in maintaining the integrity of the teeth and to avoid treating these worn teeth in diabetic patients.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of toothpaste and mouth rinse containing 0.14% zinc lactate on the reduction of three volatile oral malodor gases. Ten subjects with good health were recruited to take part in a crossover design study with a 7-day washout period. They were randomly assigned to use the test (toothpaste and rinse containing 0.14% zinc lactate) or placebo (negative control) treatment regimens within the two-week period. All subjects were asked to refrain from tooth brushing and eating in the morning prior to the gas collection periods. The assessment of malodor measured the quantity of three volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) using an OralChromaTM device. Oral gas collecting was divided into four time periods; before breakfast and the morning oral hygiene practice (baseline); after oral hygiene at 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours. After the baseline assessment, each subject used the test or placebo treatment regimen for 7 days. After 7 and 14 days, subjects returned to the study site to repeat the same procedures with different products. Kruskal-Wallis was used to analyze the mean differences of malodor gases between the two test regimens. The baseline mean of total VSCs in test and control groups was 6.5±3.7 and 1.7±9.3 ng/10 ml, respectively. The percent reduction of H2S at 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours was statistically significant (p<0.005) in both treatments. The percent reduction of (CH3)2S and total VSCs in both treatments after 1 hour was statistically significant (p<0.005). The test treatment regimen was more effective than the placebo treatment regimen. Key words:Zinc lactate, molodor, volatile sulphur compound, mouth rinse, toothpaste.