Whilst NaOCl was used in almost all states, regional differences were found regarding the choice of additional irrigants, which were mainly determined by the irrigation protocols taught at different universities.

IntroductionExtended exposure to high-speed handpieces and other noise-intensive devices might put dentists at risk for possible hearing impairment. The aim of this study was to determine the hearing ability of dentists and other scientists for comparison.MethodsAfter approval by the ethics committee, 115 subjects (dentists and other academic professionals as controls) of both genders were enrolled in the study. Exclusion criteria were colds, ear-blockages or abnormal hearing-thresholds. An audiometric determination (Oscilla USB audiometer, AudioConsole 3, Inmedico A/S, Denmark) was performed in the frequency range of 125Hz to 8 kHz for both ears. Anamnestic data and number of years in the profession were assessed using a questionnaire. Differences between groups were analyzed with the Mann–Whitney-U-test.ResultsData from 53 dentists and 55 other academic professionals (69.4% male, 30.6% female) with a mean age of 51.7 ± 9.6 years and similar gender distributions in both groups were analyzed. The audiometric tests for the right and left air conduction showed that the hearing of dentists tended to be slightly more impaired than in the control subjects. For the frequencies 3 kHz and 4 kHz these differences were statistically significant for both ears. In contrast, no significant differences were found in this range for bone conduction.ConclusionsHearing impairment in dentists was slightly higher than in controls. Although other factors like environmental noise exposure were comparable for both groups, occupational exposure to high-speed handpieces and other noisy devices can be an additional burden for the hearing.

In line with a feminisation of the workforce in dentistry, a well-structured working environment and well-thought-out time management may play an increased role in future work force planning (Gender dentistry: International vergleichende Studie zu Karrierewahl und Spezialisierungswünschen von Zahnmedizinstudenten. Ulm: Universität Ulm).

Only little is known as to the significance of the cyclic nucleotide-mediated signal transduction in the control of the function of human vaginal smooth musculature. Recently, the presence of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzymes 4 (cAMP-PDE) and 5 (cGMP-PDE) in the human vagina was reported. Thus, it was the aim of the study to elucidate the effects of some PDE inhibitors on the tension induced by endothelin 1 (ET-1), as well as on levels of cGMP and cAMP in isolated human vaginal wall tissue. Using the organ bath technique, the ability of norepinephrine (NE), carbachol, serotonin (5-HT), oxytocin and ET-1 to contract isolated vaginal wall muscle strips was evaluated. In another set-up, the effects of the PDE4 inhibitor rolipram and PDE5 inhibitors sildenafil and vardenafil (1 nM-10 microM) on the tension induced by 0.1 microM ET-1 of human vaginal wall tissue strips were investigated. In order to measure drug effects on tissue levels of cGMP and cAMP, vaginal tissue was exposed to different concentrations (0.1, 1 and 10 microM) of the compounds and the accumulation of cyclic nucleotides was determined. The adenylyl cyclase stimulating agents forskolin and nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (0.01, 0.1 and 1 microM) were used as reference compounds. While NE, carbachol and oxytocin failed to contract the vaginal tissue, ET-1 and, to a certain degree, 5-HT elicited contractile responses of the isolated strip preparations. The tension induced by 0.1 microM ET-1 was dose-dependently reversed by the drugs. The rank order of efficacy was sildenafil > forskolin > rolipram >or= vardenafil > SNP. Rmax values ranged from 24% (SNP) to 50% (sildenafil). With sildenafil being the only exception, none of the compounds reached an EC50 value. The relaxing effects of the drugs were paralleled by a fourfold to tenfold increase in tissue levels of cGMP and/or cAMP. Our results demonstrate that PDE inhibitors can relax human vaginal tissue and increase levels of cyclic nucleoside monophosphates. The findings with regard to the PDE5 inhibitors may indicate that the NO-cGMP pathway is, to a certain degree, involved in the control of vaginal smooth muscle tone. This might be of significance with regard to the pharmacological treatment of disorders connected with female sexual arousal and the ability to achieve orgasm.

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is defined as childhood neurobehavioural disorder. Due to short attention span, oral hygiene and dental treatment of such individuals can be challenging. Aim of this study was to evaluate the oral health of children and adolescents with and without ADHD living in residential care in rural Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Methods: Included in the study were 79 participants (male/female:58/21, age 9-15 years) living in residential care: 34 participants with ADHD and 45 participants without ADHD (control). Oral examination included the following parameters decayed, missing, filled teeth in the primary dentition (dmft), decayed, missing, filled surfaces/teeth in the secondary dentition (DMFS/DMFT), approximal plaque index (API), bruxism and orthodontic treatment. Additionally, oral hygiene, last dental visit and treatment performed, and dietary habits were assessed by questionnaire. Results: There were no significant differences in dmft, API, bruxism and oral hygiene habits between groups. However, participants with ADHD tended to have higher DMFS/DMFT values than the control group. Ongoing orthodontic treatment was found more often in the control group. The ADHD group tended to consume acidic/sugary beverages and sweet snacks more often than the controls. Different treatments (control visit/prophylaxis, dental therapy, orthodontic treatment) were performed at the last dental visit in the two groups. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, oral health was similar in children and adolescents with or without ADHD from the same residential care setting. Parents/guardians need instructions for better supervision of oral hygiene and dietary habits to improve the poor oral health of children with or without ADHD.