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The Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioral Inventory (HU-DBI) has not been adequately translated to the Arabic language. The aim of this study is the translation and cultural adaption of the English HU-DBI into standard Arabic. The English HU-DBI was translated into Arabic by three bilingual dental academics. A nonmedical professional performed backward translation into English. The three bilinguals compared both English versions and accordingly modified the Arabic version. English and Arabic versions were answered by 58 bilingual participants. Focus groups and cognitive interviews were conducted to pretest the working version, after which the final Arabic version was tested for test-retest validity on 58 dental students. Bilingual validity and test-retest validity were assessed using the kappa statistic. Responses were similar in the English and Arabic versions for bilingual individuals and on both tests in the test-retest sample. Kappa values ranged from 0.85 to 1.00 for bilingual validity and between 0.82 and 1.00 for test-retest reliability. In conclusion, the Arabic HU-DBI will enable the assessment of knowledge and attitudes toward oral diseases and their prevention in Arab countries and will allow meaningful comparisons between different countries in the region., Competing Interests: None declared., (© Atlantis Press International B.V.)

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess caries and enamel fluorosis in a sample of 1433 children aged 6-8, 12, and 15 years from 48 schools in 6 regions of Lebanon, selected by probability proportional to size., Methods: Children were examined according to the World Health Organization criteria., Results: Our results showed a mean of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) of 0.6 (dft of 5.15), 3.42, and 5.44 corresponding respectively to the groups of 6-8-, 12-, and 15-year-old children. In the same groups, the percentage of DMFT = 0 for the 6-8-year-old category was 74%, the 12-year-old category was 20.9%, and for the 15-year-old category was 9.7%; Ten (2.1%) 12 year olds had moderate and one (0.2%) severe scores; these children had been born in other countries., Conclusions: Survey results confirm the need to implement nationwide dental caries prevention measures. Since water fluoridation is not feasible, salt fluoridation would be the alternative., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest

The aim of the current study is to examine the various factors, which contribute to high levels of mercury (Hg) in the hair of Lebanese dentists. The survey, which was carried out on ninety-nine dentists in the greater Beirut area, included a structured questionnaire designed to provide information about the parameters that influenced their occupational exposure to Hg. These included: precautionary measures, dental fillings, work habits and lifestyle of the tested dentists. The study showed that two of the four investigated precautionary measures had a significant effect on Hg level. The results revealed that, at the 95% confidence levels, Hg concentration in hair was significantly lower among the dentists who always used gloves and masks. Multiple regression analysis showed that the use of masks (P = 0.055) had significant effects on mercury accumulation in hair. In addition, dentists who saw more than eight patients per day had marginally higher mercury levels in their hair than those who did not. Since it was shown that precautionary measures could limit exposure to Hg concentration, then the use of protective measures needs to be emphasized.

This survey is the first epidemiological investigation to be carried out at the national level in Lebanon. It provides a first series of basic data indicative of the present oral health situation in the country. The results of this survey should contribute to the elaboration of a National Oral Health Plan and to the development of a broad strategy for the implementation of preventive measures [8]. Indeed, experience clearly indicates that dental caries cannot be successfully eradicated nation-wide through curative measures only and that preventive measures must also be implemented. The main effort in the field of oral health care should mainly focus on health promotion and education, leading in turn to improved oral hygiene.

Little is known about Lebanese college students' oral hygiene and the factors associated with how often they brush their teeth. The authors used a structured questionnaire to investigate these issues in a sample of 954 new students at the American University of Beirut in fall 1998. The results indicated poor flossing habits and unfavorable dietary habits among the group. Moreover, using logistic regression analysis, they found that variables such as gender, father's education, exercise, and dietary habits, were significantly correlated with the how frequently the students brushed their teeth. Appropriate promotional activities to improve flossing and dietary habits associated with better oral hygiene are recommended. In addition, the authors call for further research to elaborate on the deficiencies in oral health practices and explore a wider variety of lifestyle behaviors and their correlation.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the oral health status and treatment needs of a Lebanese adult population., Design: An epidemiological survey of 401 Lebanese adults aged 35-44 years was carried out in 1996. It followed the WHO methodology in assessing the oral health status and treatment needs of adult populations. A structured questionnaire and a standardised oral health exam were used for the investigation., Results: Showed that the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index was 16.3 and that 1.5 per cent of the sample had a DMFT score of zero, whereas, 55 per cent had a score of less than 4. Of the 401 subjects, 24 per cent had at least one bridge and 16 per cent had a removable prosthesis. Compared to other neighbouring countries, Lebanon ranked the highest in the DMFT index and its separate components. Close to 60 per cent of the sample was in need of operative treatment, 31 per cent needed tooth extraction and 60 per cent were in need of a crown or a bridge. Significant variations were observed in the oral health status as well as treatment needs of the sample when examining gender, socio-economic status, and place of residence differences., Conclusion: This study can be used as a stepping stone in the direction of building the base of knowledge on oral health in Lebanon. The planning and implementation of any strategy for oral health status improvement is crucial, alongside the country's infrastructure development.