Biomaterial Database

Roles of dentists and dental hygienists in two major earthquakes. 2012

Ryoichi Hosokawa, and Katsuhiko Taura, and Emi Ito, and Takeyosi Koseki

Department of Oral Health and Development Sciences, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan.

BACKGROUND In recent years, disasters that overwhelm the capacity of humans have been frequent. However, international cooperation has been swift as a result of advances in transportation, enabling the more prompt administration of First Aid. METHODS We have had two opportunities to observe outcomes in oral hygiene immediately after and 10 months after two different major disasters. RESULTS The types of food provided to survivors altered their sense of taste and resulted in the occurrence of dental caries several months after an earthquake. In addition, it is difficult to practise good oral hygiene in the aftermath of a disaster. CONCLUSIONS We observed the occurrence of previously undocumented problems related to dental issues, such as changes in children's sense of taste caused by unfamiliar types of food provided in relief shelters. Dentists and dental hygienists who are involved in the relief of survivors in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster should focus on maintaining good oral health in order to prevent the occurrence of dental caries.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007564	Japan	A country in eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula. The capital is Tokyo.	Bonin Islands
D009910	Oral Hygiene	The practice of personal hygiene of the mouth. It includes the maintenance of oral cleanliness, tissue tone, and general preservation of oral health.	Dental Hygiene,Hygiene, Dental,Hygiene, Oral
D012066	Relief Work	Assistance, such as money, food, or shelter, given to the needy, aged, or victims of disaster. It is usually granted on a temporary basis. (From The American Heritage Dictionary, 2d college ed)	Humanitarian Assistance,Assistance, Humanitarian,Assistances, Humanitarian,Humanitarian Assistances,Relief Works,Work, Relief,Works, Relief
D002099	Cacao	A tree of the family MALVACEAE, order MALVALES, whose seeds are processed to yield cocoa and CHOCOLATE.	Cocoa Plant,Theobroma,Theobroma cacao,Plant, Cocoa
D002182	Candy	Sweet food products combining cane or beet sugars with other carbohydrates and chocolate, milk, eggs, and various flavorings. In the United States, candy refers to both sugar- and cocoa-based confections and is differentiated from sweetened baked goods; elsewhere the terms sugar confectionary, chocolate confectionary, and flour confectionary (meaning goods such as cakes and pastries) are used.	Confection,Caramel Candy,Candies,Candies, Caramel,Candy, Caramel,Caramel Candies,Confections
D002326	Cariogenic Agents	Substances that promote DENTAL CARIES.	Agents, Cariogenic
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D003731	Dental Caries	Localized destruction of the tooth surface initiated by decalcification of the enamel followed by enzymatic lysis of organic structures and leading to cavity formation. If left unchecked, the cavity may penetrate the enamel and dentin and reach the pulp.	Caries, Dental,Carious Lesions,Dental Cavities,Dental Cavity,Dental Decay,Dental White Spots,Carious Dentin,Decay, Dental,Dental White Spot,White Spot, Dental,White Spots, Dental,Carious Dentins,Carious Lesion,Cavities, Dental,Cavity, Dental,Dentin, Carious,Dentins, Carious,Lesion, Carious,Lesions, Carious,Spot, Dental White,Spots, Dental White
D003756	Dental Hygienists	Persons trained in an accredited school or dental college and licensed by the state in which they reside to provide dental prophylaxis under the direction of a licensed dentist.	Dental Hygienist,Hygienist, Dental,Hygienists, Dental
D003778	Dentures	An appliance used as an artificial or prosthetic replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. It does not include CROWNS; DENTAL ABUTMENTS; nor TOOTH, ARTIFICIAL.	Denture