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Background: Acidogenic, acid-tolerant bacteria induce dental caries and require D-alanyl glycerol lipoteichoic acid (D-alanyl LTA) on their cell surface. Because fluoride inhibits acid-mediated enamel demineralization, an elevated antibody response to D-alanyl LTA may indicate subjects with more acidogenic bacteria and, therefore, an association of DMFT with fluoride exposure and gingival health not apparent in low responders. Methods: Cluster analysis was used to identify low antibody content. Within low and high responders (control and test subjects), the number of teeth that were decayed missing and filled (DMFT), or decayed only (DT) were regressed against fluoride exposure in the water supply and from dentrifice use. The latter was determined from gingival health: prevalences of plaque (PL) and bleeding on probing (BOP), and mean pocket depth (PD). Age was measured as a possible confounding cofactor. Results: In 35 high responders, DMFT associated with length of exposure to fluoridated water (F score), PL and BOP (R² = 0.51, p < 0.001), whereas in 67 low D-ala-IgG responders, DMFT associated with PL, age, and PD (R² = 0.26, p < 0.001). BOP correlated strongly with number of 7 7 decayed teeth (DT) in 54 high responders (R² = 0.57, p < 0.001), but poorly in 97 low responders (R² = 0.12, p < 0.001). The strength of the PD association with DMFT, or of BOP with DT, in high responders significantly differed from that in low responders (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Caries associates with gingival health and fluoridated water exposure in high D-alanyl LTA antibody responders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: While Job Corps Centers vary in size, location, and administrative structure, they are subject to uniform requirements for health services, established by federal regulation and must make individual decisions about whether to furnish dental care on-site or by some alternative arrangement in the community. Analysis of cost and utilization data indicated that expenditures for on-site dental care are > for off-center care. However, on-center care results in more dental visits and a lower cost/visit. These observations hold even for the smallest size centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Breast self-examination (BSE) is an important adjunct to the detection of breast cancer at an early stage. High school students were instructed in the importance and methods of BSE. By use of questionnaires, the program was evaluated for interest, acceptability, and compliance. It was found that high school students were not adverse to learning about BSE, found the program acceptable. and maintained some compliance at one year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]