Many studies suggest that mutans streptococci (MS), Lactobacillus (LB), and salivary buffering capacity are important risk factors for dental caries. However, target populations for most studies were children. In adult patients, the same risk factors affect the number of fillings or prostheses or secondary caries. It is therefore important to investigate these risk factors as predictors of caries in adults. In the present study, we evaluated the oral conditions of adult subjects at private dental offices using bite-wing radiographs. Detection of salivary LB level using Dentocult LB had a statistically significant correlation with the number of flat surface caries and approximal caries (P < 0.001). Detection of salivary MS level using Dentocult MS and salivary buffering capacity did not predict dental caries. Thus, detection of salivary LB level using Dentocult LB may be a useful tool for detecting approximal and secondary caries.

Objectives The evaluation of Mutans streptococci (MS) is one of the index for caries risk. Dentocult TM and CRT TM are commercial kits to detect and evaluate MS, conveniently. However, the evaluation of MS has also been carried out simply using an instruction manual. But the instruction manual is not easy to use for evaluation of MS. The aim of this study was to examine the utility of modified Mitis-Salivalius Bacitracin (MSB) agar medium compared with MSB agar medium and commercial kits, and to establish a convenient kit (mMSB-kit) using modified MSB agar. Methods The MS in stimulated saliva from 27 subjects were detected by MSB, modified MSB agar medium and commercial kits. Laboratory and clinically isolated strains of MS were similarly evaluated. The ratios of MS in detected bacteria were compared by ELISA. Results The scores using an mMSB-kit on the basis of modified MSB agar medium were tabulated. Saliva samples showed different levels of MS between culture methods and the commercial kit. Some samples which were full of MS were not detected by the commercial kit. The detection of MS by modified MSB agar medium and mMSB-kit were significantly higher when compared with MSB agar medium,CRT TM , (P< .01) and Dentocult SM TM (P<.05). Conclusion The sensitivity for detection of MS is higher for modified MSB agar medium when compared with MSB agar medium. The mMSB-kit can be used simply, and can be an important contributor for the evaluation of MS as a caries risk factor.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dental clinic credibility and patient satisfaction with regular dental check-ups, to compare the level of satisfaction of patients who had regular check-ups with those who did not, and to identify factors associated with regular dental checkups. Thirty-nine private dental clinics in 17 prefectures throughout Japan participated in this study. A total of 9024 questionnaires were distributed to the patients at these clinics, and patients returned the questionnaires using a pre-paid envelope (response rate 56.8%). The questionnaires consisted of items related to patient demographics and 11 items concerning the level of patient satisfaction with the dental clinic. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, the strongest correlation was found between dental clinic credibility in regular checkups and the technical competence of the dentist. The responses to those items concerning making an appointment, and the cleanliness and neatness of the waiting room were different between patients who had regular check-ups and those who did not. To investigate the factors that encourage regular dental check-ups, correlation of factors with regular check up experience were analyzed. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios indicated a strong association between regular dental check ups and both the technical competence of the dental hygienist and the cost of treatment.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk factors for dental caries in young children in Japan. We studied 645 children attending 13 of 30 elementary schools in two areas in Japan. Total salivary level of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were evaluated at preschool medical checkups. Other factors we evaluated included use of fluoride containing dentifrices, administration of fluoride varnish in a private dental office, having regular checkups , use of mouthwash with fluoride, and daily intake of sweet juice or snacks. Oral examinations were carried out at annual medical checkups with 2.5 years follow-up and finally 585 children were analyzed. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, only three factors; gender, salivary levels of mutans streptococci and the presence or absence of dental caries in deciduous teeth had a statistically significant correlation with the incidence of dental caries after 2.5 years of follow-up. At age 8, odds ratios were 1.821 for female gender, 1.259 for mutans streptococci (log 10 cfu/ml) and 2.262 for dental caries in deciduous teeth. Although the prevalence of dental caries has declined in Japan, mutans streptococci remain a risk factor. and children at high risk 1,2). Therefore, risk factors for dental caries should be reexamined in order to inform public health strategies for the prevention of dental caries 3). The etiology of dental caries has been investigated and risk factors have been proposed from both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies 4,5). Most have been confirmed by epidemiological studies 6,7) which indicate that the presence of oral bacteria such as mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli (LB) correlate with the prevalence of dental caries 8,9) .

The aim of this study is to evaluate the povidone-iodine for the suppression of oral cariogenic bacteria and compare its effects to that of fluoride in children. We carried out a randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of povidone-iodine to those for sodium fluoride. Preschool children (n‫)012ס‬ with more than 10 5 cfu/ml mutans streptococci in their stimulated saliva were randomly sampled and randomly allocated into three groups. We planned the preventive program by 3DS (Dental Drag Delivery System). The groups that provided preventive programs were the povidone-iodine group (n‫)07ס‬ and the sodium fluoride group (n‫.)07ס‬ A control group (n‫)07ס‬ received no intervention. Povidone-iodine or sodium fluoride was applied to the tooth surface using custom made trays. Subsequent home care was obligatory for one month. After one month, the salivary levels of mutans streptococci were low level when compared to the based data. However the difference in salivary levels of mutans streptococci among groups was not statistically significant when comparing the povidone-iodine group with the sodium fluoride group (P‫.)526.0ס‬ After 2.5 years follow up, differences in incidence of new dental caries among the three groups were not statistically significant (P‫.)385.0ס‬ Clinical application of anti-microbial drugs may be effective, but only a single intervention is not sufficient to reduce the incidence of new dental caries. dental caries is high for premature permanent teeth. At this stage, caries prevention programs may be effective 2). Many studies have tested fluoride for prevention 3-5). These studies have shown the efficacy of fluoride in improving public health. However, it has been suggested that dental caries are a multifactorial disease. Mutans streptococci (MS) and Lactobacilli are well known as cariogenic bacteria 6,7) and these remain as risk factors among preschool children in Japan 8). MS including Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Streptococcus sobrinus