DentalCare

This course is a review and update of cosmetic and therapeutic dentifrices, their impact on market shares and the development of multi-benefit dentifrice technologies. The first therapeutic dentifrice contained fluoride and entered into the market place in the mid 1950's. The public was not convinced of the importance of such a product until the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance was awarded to a product in 1964. Both public and market pressures have resulted in a continued development of new and improved products which not only have therapeutic value but also cosmetic value.

This course was one of the first courses available on dentalcare.com.  The course has been updated without changing the original content, which is still valid.  The update includes information on new technologies emerging for caries detection and evaluation as well as information on the evidence-based approach for dentistry in the area of demineralization and remineralization.  This primarily includes the use of fluorides with information and resources on how to approach evidence-based dentistry for clinical practice.  This course begins with a historical perspective on caries as a concern in the 1940's as a major public health problem and moves to the clinical practice today . . . from cure to prevention.  Recent changes in the knowledge of the caries process in both enamel and root caries are detailed through the discussion of demineralization/remineralization.  This course has been widely used by clinical staff (dental assistants, hygienists, and dentists in clinical practice) as well as students from all over the world.  This course is not meant to be a comprehensive cariology course but rather an introduction to the concepts of demineralization and remineralization and how they can and should be incorporated into clinical practice.  Upon completion of this course, participants will understand the continued need for fluoride in the ongoing challenge to tooth structure, secondary lesions and root caries.  Participants will also appreciate the need to examine the literature and evidence when applying clinical preventive techniques for caries prevention.

This is part 5 of a 10-part series entitled Caries Process and Prevention Strategies.  In this course, the dynamic process of demineralization and remineralization is discussed, paying particular attention to tooth hard tissue structure, the role of acid production by cariogenic bacteria, and the critical pH at which tooth enamel begins to dissolve.  The role of acid-reducing bacteria, saliva, and fluoride in tooth hard tissue remineralization will also be explained.

This is part 2 of a 10-part series entitled Caries Process and Prevention Strategies.  Dental caries is a multifactorial, infectious disease affecting a significant percentage of the population.  This course describes the etiology and pathways of progression of dental caries, including an in-depth review of the role of dental plaque and oral bacteria.

This is part 4 of a 10-part series entitled Caries Process and Prevention Strategies.  In this course, the role of fermentable carbohydrates is discussed, paying particular attention to how caries can be influenced by the cariogenic potential of ingested sugars and starches, the physical traits of ingested carbohydrates (such as their adhesiveness), and the frequency of intake and exposure to sugars.  The Stephan curve, which illustrates the dental pH changes over time in response to a carbohydrate challenge, is also introduced, with a discussion of how factors such as the type of carbohydrate, the buffering capacity of bacteria, and the type and amount of bacteria present in plaque affect dental plaque pH responses.

This is part 3 of a 10-part series entitled Caries Process and Prevention Strategies.  It has been established that a host must be present for caries to develop.  In this course, three host factors – the tooth, saliva, and the oral cavity’s immune response – are introduced, and their roles in the caries process are explained.

This is part 1 of a 10-part series entitled Caries Process and Prevention Strategies.  Oral epidemiology is the area of public health that deals with the distribution and the impact of oral disease on the human population.  In this course, emphasis is placed on the relevance of epidemiology to clinical practice and information about the prevalence, incidence, and trends of dental caries in the United States is presented.  The term DMF (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) is introduced, along with variations and limitations of the DMF index, and an explanation of how to calculate DMF scores.