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Mitocans are drugs selectively killing cancer cells by destabilizing mitochondria and many induce apoptosis via generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the molecular events by which ROS production leads to apoptosis has not been clearly defined. In this study with the mitocan α-tocopheryl succinate (α-TOS) the role of the Bcl-2 family proteins in the mechanism of malignant cell apoptosis has been determined. Exposure of several different cancer cell lines to α-TOS increased expression of the Noxa protein, but none of the other proteins of the Bcl-2 family, an event that was independent of the cellular p53 status. α-TOS caused a profound conformational change in the pro-apoptotic protein, Bak, involving oligomerization in all cell types, and this also applied to the Bax protein, but only in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Immunoprecipitation studies indicated that α-TOS activates the two BH1-3 proteins, Bak or Bax, to form high molecular weight complexes in the mitochondria. RNAi knockdown revealed that Noxa and Bak are required for α-TOS-induced apoptosis, and the role of Bak was confirmed using Bak- and/or Bax-deficient cells. We conclude that the major events induced by α-TOS in cancer cells downstream of ROS production leading to mitochondrial apoptosis involve the Noxa-Bak axis. It is proposed that this represents a common mechanism for mitochondrial destabilization activated by a variety of mitocans that induce accumulation of ROS in the early phases of apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both the dental health professional and the patient are responsible for the patient's failure to act on advice, the subsequent failure of treatment and worsening oral health. This paper looks at what can cause the failure and suggests various new ways of helping a previously non-compliant patient maintain their oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communication plays a vital role in breaking down barriers between the patient and dental health professional, and in strengthening the treatment alliance. This paper discusses the ways that communication can be enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the ways that the dental health professional can, sometimes unwittingly, discourage the patient from seeking dental treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses those factors which may prevent a patient from accessing dental care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the role of psychosocial factors as determinants of health behaviour. It examines the development of dental health attitudes from the patient, professional and societal perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper looks at the psycho-social factors influencing patients use of dental care, and what the dentist can do to help when things go wrong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The argument for and against the presence of the mother in the surgery while her child undergoes a dental procedure has been contentious. Using a psychodynamic framework, this paper suggests that the mother's presence is necessary for the dentist-child relationship to function correctly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reflects on professional and lay perspectives of the dentist-patient interaction. Impact of oral symptoms; Translation of oral symptoms into dental care.

This paper describes various elements of the dentist-patient relationship, how they interact and illustrates them with case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first of a multipart series on the psychology of the dentist-patient interaction. This part asks why dentists need to be aware of psychology and introduces the rest of the series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data sourcesPubMed, Embase, PsycoInfo, Scielo, Scopus, Web of Science, BBO, Lilacs and York databases supplemented by Google scholar.Study selectionQualitative studies with findings derived from individual or group interviews and structured questionnaires reporting factors that drove dentists towards or away from incorporating caries preventive measures were considered. Two reviewers conducted selection independently.Data extraction and synthesisData were abstracted independently by two reviewers and a qualitative metasummary carried out. This involves the extraction, grouping and formatting of findings and the calculation of frequency and intensity effect sizes in order to provide mixed research syntheses and to conduct a posteriori analyses of the relationship between reports and findings.ResultsSeven qualitative studies and 41 surveys (36,501 participants) were included. The reports were grouped together into six categories that were judged to be topically similar; education and training, personal beliefs, work conditions, remuneration, gender, place of residence and patients. Biologicism (27%), low remuneration (25%), length of time since graduation (22%) and male dentists (19%) were found to be the highest frequency effect size driving dentists away from using preventive approaches, and team work (21%), post-graduation (12%) and professional understanding of the benefits (12%) were identified as the main reasons for dentists' adherence to preventive measures.ConclusionsDespite the questionable quality of the included reports the evidence that emerged seems to indicate that further education and training coupled with a fairer pay scheme would be a reasonable approach to change the balance in favour of the provision of dental caries preventive measures by dentists. The results of this review could be of value in the planning and decision-making processes aimed at encouraging changes in professional dental practice that could result in the improvement of the oral health care provided to the population in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To explore the association between school bullying and traumatic dental injuries (TDI) among 15-16-year-old school children from East London.Design Data from phase III of the Research with East London Adolescents Community Health Survey (RELACHS), a school-based prospective study of a representative sample of adolescents, were analysed. Adolescents provided information on demographic characteristics, socioeconomic measures and frequency of bullying in school through self-administered questionnaires and were clinically examined for overjet, lip coverage and TDI. The association between school bullying and TDI was assessed using binary logistic regression models.Results The prevalence of TDI was 17%, while lifetime and current prevalence of bullying was 32% and 11%, respectively. The prevalence of TDI increased with a growing frequency of bullying; from 16% among adolescents who had never been bullied at school, to 21% among those who were bullied in the past but not this school term, to 22% for those who were bullied this school term. However, this association was not statistically significant either in crude or adjusted regression models.Conclusion There was no evidence of an association between frequency of school bullying and TDI in this sample of 15-16-year-old adolescents in East London. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data sourcesMedline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences), CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), Wanfang (China) and the South African Department of Health databases were searched. In addition the archives at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nutrition and Oral Health at Newcastle University and reference lists of reviews were searched and experts contacted for further relevant papers.Study selectionIntervention, cohort population or cross sectional studies were considered where there was any intervention to alter the intake of sugar or the intake of sugars or change of sugar intake was monitored. The main outcome was caries incidence. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation) system was used to assess study quality.Data extraction and synthesisSeparate data abstraction forms were designed for RCTs and observational studies and meta-analyses were to be conducted where possible.ResultsSixty-five papers reporting 55 studies were included. No RCTs were identified. Three studies (four papers) were interventional, eight (12 papers) were prospective cohort, 20 (25 papers) were population based and 24 (25 papers) were cross-sectional. Data variability limited meta-analysis. Of the studies, 42 out of 50 of those in children and five out of five in adults reported at least one positive association between sugars and caries.Five of the eight cohort studies allowed comparison of dental caries development when sugars consumption was equivalent to a level < 10% E (Energy) or > 10% E. All eight studies found higher caries with sugars intake > 10% E compared with < 10% E.ConclusionsThis in-depth systematic review shows consistent evidence of moderate quality supporting a relationship between the amount of sugars consumed and dental caries development. There is evidence of moderate quality to show that dental caries is lower when free-sugars intake is < 10% E. Dental caries progresses with age, and the effects of sugars on the dentition are lifelong. Even low levels of caries in childhood are of significance to levels of caries throughout the life course. Analysis of the data suggests that there may be benefit in limiting sugars to < 5% E to minimise the risk of dental caries throughout the life course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data sourcesMedline and the Social Science Index Citation databases were searched.Study selectionStudies had to have used measures of dental anxiety completed by children themselves (≤16 years), been published in English and reported primary data. Non-validated measures, those using proxy measures and non-dentally specific measures were excluded.Data extraction and synthesisData were extracted independently using a standardised form. Validity and reliability of the questionnaires were assessed, and measures were evaluated against a theoretical framework of dental anxiety. A qualitative summary of the measures is presented.ResultsSixty studies met the inclusion criteria. These covered seven 'trait' and two 'state' measures of dental anxiety used to assess children's dental anxiety over the past decade.ConclusionsThe findings from this systematic review can be used to help guide dental academics, clinicians, psychologists and epidemiologists to choose the most appropriate measure of dental anxiety for their intended use. Future work should involve evaluating the content and developmental validity of existing measures with further consideration given to the use of theoretical frameworks to develop this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DesignThis was a randomised controlled trial (RCT).InterventionParticipants were randomised to viewing positive images of dentistry and dental or dentally neutral photographs for 2 min in the waiting area prior to their appointment.Outcome measureAnticipatory anxiety assessed by the Venham Picture Test.ResultsA significant difference in anticipatory dental anxiety was found between the two groups (median-positive images, 0; median-neutral images, 3; P<0.001). Anticipatory anxiety was not correlated with age (0.04; P>0.05) and there was no significant difference between male and female participants in their level of anticipatory anxiety (median for males, 0.5; median for females, 1; P>0.05).ConclusionsViewing positive images of dentistry and dentists results in short-term reductions in anticipatory anxiety in children.Evidence-Based Dentistry (2007) 8, 5–6. doi:10.1038/sj.ebd.6400493 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offers advice regarding the use of fluoride toothpaste in two areas with a school-based milk fluoridation program and one without such a program. Description of the knowledge and practice of general dental practitioners working in England; Advice given for child patients regarding the use of fluoridated toothpaste; Dentists' adherence to clinical guidelines relating to the use of fluoride toothpaste.

Aim To establish how widespread the emotional effects of tooth loss are. Method A questionnaire, distributed to 100 edentulous people undergoing routine prosthetic care in the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry at Guy's, King's and St Thomas' Dental Institute (GKT), was used to explore the emotional effects of tooth loss. Results Ninety four people completed the questionnaire of whom 42 stated that they had experienced difficulties in accepting the loss of their teeth. In comparison with people who had no difficulties in accepting the situation, these people were: more likely to feel less confident about themselves; more likely to feel inhibited in carrying out everyday activities; and less able to accept the inevitable change in facial shape which occurs following the loss of teeth. Additionally, they took longer to come to terms with their tooth loss (All these differences were statistically significant). Just over three-quarters of the people who were unprepared for the loss of their teeth, felt that an explanation from the dentist prior to dental extractions would have helped. Conclusion The impact that tooth loss can have on people and their lives should not be underestimated. In this study it affected 45% of the participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]