Composite resin is a widely-used direct tooth coloured restorative material. Photoactivation of the polymerisation reaction can be achieved by visible blue light from a range of light sources, including halogen lamps, metal halide lamps, plasma arc lamps, and Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights. Concerns have been raised that curing lights may induce a temperature rise that could be detrimental to the vitality of the dental pulp during the act of photoactivation. The present study examined heat changes associated with standardised class V restorations on the buccal surface of extracted premolar teeth, using a curing time of 40 seconds. The independent effects of type of light source, resin shade, and remaining tooth thickness were assessed using a matrix experimental design. When a conventional halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp and two different LED lights were compared, it was found that both LED lamps elicited minimal thermal changes at the level of the dental pulp, whereas the halogen lamp induced greater changes, and the metal halide lamp caused the greatest thermal insult of all the light sources. These thermal changes were influenced by resin shade, with different patterns for LED versus halogen or halide sources. Thermal stress reduced as the remaining thickness of tooth structure between the pulp and the cavity floor increased. From these results, it is concluded that LED lights produce the least thermal insult during photopolymerisation of composite resins.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were asked to report their perceptions as to whether stress can trigger disease flares. A total of 54 patients treated at two District General Hospitals in Essex were included in the analysis. They were 4 males and 50 females and were 20 Caucasians, 22 Asians, and 12 Africans/Afro-Caribbean. Thirty-three of 54 patients (61.1%) reported stress to be a trigger for disease flares. Although most (85%) of the Caucasian patients reported that stress triggered their disease flares, only 50% of the African/Afro-Caribbean patients and 45.4% of the Asian patients reported stress as a trigger for disease flares. No correlation was found between reported number of flares per year and characteristics such as age (P = 0.4), age at diagnosis (P = 0.8), age at disease onset (P = 0.6), or disease duration (P = 0.2). A trend towards a significant correlation was observed between the number of reported flares per year and the number of children a patient has (P = 0.07).

Objectives Managing oral health after the treatment for head and neck cancer requires meticulous daily oral hygiene practices and regular professional dental care; however, the individual factors and health system structures required to achieve oral health are often not well considered. This study aimed to explore how oral health was understood and managed after head and neck cancer treatment and identify factors that influenced oral health behaviours and dental service utilization. Methods A qualitative, inductive approach was used for data collection and analysis. Sampling of participants was purposive, using a maximum variation approach, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants were recruited from the maxillofacial clinic at a tertiary facility in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Results Twenty‐one participants took part in the study. Findings described individual and structural factors that influenced the management of oral health post‐treatment. Individual determinants of oral health behaviours included a cognitive shift towards lifelong oral health; management of unexpected barriers; and management of competing priorities. Structural factors included availability, accessibility of services, and continuity of care. The ability to fund oral health emerged as a salient theme that influenced both individual and structural factors. Conclusions Strong self‐efficacy and financial and spousal support enhanced the management of oral health, whereas difficulty managing competing issues post‐treatment, such as psychological and financial stress, limited participants’ capacity to prioritize and manage oral health. Policy initiatives are needed to address the structural barriers caused by a lack of timely access to general and preventive dental care post‐treatment.

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