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Background: Oxidative stress is a state of imbalance between reactive oxidants and anti-oxidants. Oxidative stress and a disrupted redox regulation in the brain might contribute to the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders and could serve as interesting new targets for clinical intervention. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the skin can be measured non-invasively and indicate cumulative oxidative stress., Aim: To investigate cross-sectional and longitudinal differences in AGE-levels in patients with recent onset psychosis (patients) and healthy controls (controls). To investigate association of AGE-levels and brain volume in psychosis., Method: An autofluorescence measurement of AGEs in the skin was performed in patients and controls. AGEs were compared in patients and controls. Furthermore, the association between AGEs and volumes of the amygdala, hippocampus and total cortical gray matter was investigated in patients., Results: AGEs in the skin were elevated by 15% (or 0.66 standard deviations) in patients (n = 86) compared to controls (n = 135) (p < 0.001). An indication of a higher AGE-accumulation rate (p = 0.07) was found in patients (n = 66) compared to controls (n = 160). We found a negative association between AGEs in the skin and hippocampus volume (standardized beta= 0.27; p = 0.03) in patients (n = 46)., Conclusion: Findings of a high level of AGEs in the skin indicate excessive oxidative stress in patients with recent onset psychosis.

Aim of this study was to investigate behavioural and emotional problems in preschool children in relation with behaviour problems during a highly stress provoking dental treatment. Eighty one healthy children between 2 and 4 years referred to the clinic of Special Dental Care (SBT) in Amsterdam were selected, based on dental need (extraction of one or more primary incisors). Each child was sedated with oral midazolam. Their behaviour was rated by registering the degree of acceptance during four consecutive time periods of the dental treatment. Prior to the treatment parents were asked to fill in a questionnaire. No significant correlations between temperament and behaviour were found with the total CBCL profile or its subscales. This confirms the results of earlier studies that the relationship of temperament, dental anxiety and behaviour problems is a complex matter and not yet fully understood. It is also indicated that within the entire treatment a child's behaviour is closely related to its behaviour in the preceded treatment step.

Due to historical developments emphasis in thinking and acting in dentistry was placed on providing care. Changes in society and dentistry resulted in a greater patients' independence and in an increased demand for service. Marketing enables to cope with the transformation of care into service and improves efficiency and quality.

A survey in an at random sample of 18-66 years old persons was conducted in the Netherlands to assess knowledge of dental treatment possibilities. The results show that 29% has an inadequate level of knowledge, 54% a moderate level and 17% a good level. With regard to the dental subjects, it turns out that knowledge was good on preventive items while a poor knowledge score was found on items of oral surgery and aesthetic dentistry. People without a dentist, with lower income and occupation have less knowledge than people that report having a dentist, a higher income and a higher occupation. The occupation has the largest effect on the knowledge score.