Aim To investigate the types of clinical clothing worn by dentists and how frequently dentists changed into a clean set of clinical clothing. Study Type Cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey. Sample Two hundred and fifty general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the NHS with North West of England region and 250 dentists in the Dental Defence Agency (DDA). Method A questionnaire was developed which aimed to investigate the types of clothing worn for upper and lower body protection, and how frequently it was changed. This was posted to the sample of dental surgeons. Results Ninety per cent of GDPs and 99 per cent of DDA dentists reported wearing some form of clinical clothing to protect their upper body. Twenty-nine per cent of GDPs and 93 per cent of DDA dentists wore some form of designated clinical clothing to protect their lower body. Less than 50 per cent of both groups reported changing clothing on a daily basis. Thirty-six per cent of GDPs and 96 per cent of DDA dentists removed their clinical clothing before leaving work. Conclusion Dentists generally wear appropriate clinical clothing for their upper body protection but fall short of the guidelines for lower body protection. To improve cross infection control dental surgeons need to improve the frequency of changing into a clean set of clinical clothing.

Twenty-seven consecutive patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis underwent posterior spinal fusion with pediatric Texas Scottish Rite Hospital instrumentation. Coralline hydroxyapatite (Interpore, Irvine, Calif) was mixed with limited autograft from posterior iliac crest (an approximate 70/30 ratio of coralline hydroxyapatite to autograft). Patient evaluation was based on clinical and radiographic findings. On initial radiographic evaluation, a "snowstorm" appearance consistent with the exoskeleton of the coralline hydroxyapatite was observed. After two years, the fusion mass had a "marble-like" appearance with distinct decreased visibility of the disk spaces in the fusion mass. This latter stage of "marbilization" correlated with solid fusion clinically. All patients achieved solid fusion at an average follow-up of 27 months. Coralline hydroxyapatite is safe, biocompatible, and effective in augmenting autogenous bone graft in the treatment of idiopathic adolescent scoliosis with posterior spinal fusion. In addition to decreased donor site morbidity, this may be invaluable in cases where there is insufficient autograft available.

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