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OBJECTIVE: To characterize the prevalence of geographic tongue (GT) among US adults. DESIGN: Population-based case-control study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The presence or absence of GT. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data from 16 833 adults examined during The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994 (NHANES III), a study based on multistage probability sampling were analyzed using SAS-callable SUDAAN 9.0.1. RESULTS: Geographic tongue point prevalence was 1.8% (95% CI: 1.4, 2.3). Multivariate logistic regression showed significant effects of race-ethnicity, with Whites (AOR = 1.8; 1.3, 2.5) and Blacks (AOR = 1.6; 1.2, 2.1) having greater odds of GT than Mexican-Americans; current corticosteroid therapy (AOR = 3.7; 1.54, 8.6). Cigarette smokers had lower GT prevalence (AOR = 0.4; 0.3, 0.6). Fissured tongue (FT) was strongly associated with GT among non-smokers: AOR = 17.5 (7.8, 39.5). We did not find significant associations with age, gender, oral contraceptive use, diabetes mellitus, allergy or atopy, psychological or dermatological conditions as previous research has suggested. CONCLUSIONS: Geographic tongue was more prevalent among Whites and Blacks compared with Mexican-Americans, positively associated with FT, and inversely associated with cigarette smoking.

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BACKGROUND: Solitary pigmented lesions of melanocytic origin are uncommon in the oral mucosa. These lesions include the oral and labial melanotic macule, oral melanocytic nevus, oral melanoacanthoma, oral melanoma and atypical melanocytic proliferation. The purpose of the study was twofold: to report a large series of solitary melanocytic lesions from one source, and to determine the relative frequency of these lesions. METHODS: The study was based on a systematic search of the files of the Pacific Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Laboratory, University of the Pacific, San Francisco for solitary pigmented melanocytic lesions (benign and malignant) accessed during the years 1984-2002. RESULTS: Of the 89 430 biopsies accessed during the 19-year period, 773 (0.83%) cases of solitary pigmented melanocytic lesions in the oral mucosa were identified. Oral and labial melanotic macules were the most common melanocytic lesions comprising 86.1% of the entire group and 0.7% of the total number of accessed biopsies. The vermilion border and gingiva were the most common sites (31.1% and 31.0% respectively). Oral melanocytic nevi comprised 11.8% of the entire melanocytic group and 0.1% of the total number of biopsies. The most common site was the palate (44%). Intramucosal nevi were the most common (64%), followed by compound nevi (16.5%) and common blue nevi (16.5%). Junctional nevi were uncommon (3.0%). Oral melanoacanthoma comprised only 0.9% of the entire melanocytic group and 0.008% of the total number of biopsies. Oral melanoma and atypical melanocytic proliferation were the least common lesions each comprising 0.6% of the entire melanocytic group and 0.006% of the total number of biopsies. The most common site for oral melanoma was the palate (60%). CONCLUSION: The palate was the most common location for both melanocytic nevi and oral melanoma. Thus, all melanocytic lesions in the palate should be viewed with caution and biopsy is recommended to rule out melanoma. Further studies are required to elucidate the entity of oral atypical melanocytic proliferation.

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Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), the ligand for the c-met proto-oncogene product, is a multifunctional protein that enhances tumor cell motility, extracellular matrix invasion, and mitogenic or morphogenic activities of various cell types. In this study we examined the expression of the c-Met receptor in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in vivo and in vitro to explore its relationship to tumor progression and invasiveness. Biopsy specimens of human oral SCC were immunohistochemically stained for c-Met. Nearly all primary oral SCC lesions and lymph node metastases consistently showed intense staining for c-Met, whereas normal oral mucosa showed faint to negative staining only on basal cells. In a panel of human oral SCC cell lines, we found a strong correlation between the levels of c-Met expression and the cells' response to HGF in motility and invasion assays. Sensitivity to HGF also correlated with the expression of the c-Met 9-kb mRNA. When the non-invasive HOC-605 cell line, which expresses a low level of c-Met receptor, was transfected with an expression plasmid containing human c-met cDNA, the transfectant cells showed motile and invasive responses to HGF. Immunostaining and immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that E-cadherin and c-Met were physically associated at SCC cell-cell junctions, suggesting a direct role for c-Met in induction of junctional integrity. Importantly, HGF caused a rapid elevation of unbound beta-catenin, suggesting its availability for nuclear signal transduction and triggering of cell motility and invasiveness. Thus, overexpression of c-Met may facilitate disruption of E-cadherin junctions. Collectively, these results suggest that HGF/c-Met signaling is a common event in oral SCC that may trigger phenotype modulation and enhanced invasion and metastasis.

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To properly assess a patient, a variety of questions are necessary to evaluate signs and symptoms of medical problems and to find out about diagnosed medical problems and specific medical treatments, including the use of drugs or medications. All of these factors can have a bearing on dental management. Because of the diversity of the population, a variety of languages are spoken in California and the United States. So that dentists can communicate with those diverse groups, a health history form developed at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry has been translated into 10 languages. The translated forms and the corresponding English form are presented along with an explanation and rationale for their use.

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The purpose of this article is to assist the clinician in establishing a clinical approach to the diagnosis of focal, flat pigmentations of the oral mucosa. These pigmentations include lesions that may be blue, purple, red, black, or brown. The etiopathogenesis may be variable and the pigment may originate from an exogenous (extrinsic) or endogenous (intrinsic) source. Exogenous pigmentations are of a traumatic or iatrogenic origin. Intrinsic pigmentations are either vascular or melanocytic. Clinical approaches include a thorough history and physical exam coupled with diascopy (blanchability), radiographs, and tissue examination (biopsies). An algorithm is presented to clarify the diagnostic approach. The diagnosis may vary from pathologic entities that require no treatment to others that may involve malignancies and their associated management. It is therefore extremely important that these lesions are identified and properly managed in an expeditious manner.

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There are few guidelines available for dental school faculty and administrators in the management of hepatitis B e-antigen positive (HBeAg+) dental school applicants. It is apparent that this serostatus is unique and requires a different approach from that used for applicants with other infectious diseases, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The issue is examined from a number of perspectives, including the science, policy, legal, and ethical considerations confronted in establishing a policy for the HBeAg+ dental school applicant.

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This article describes two approaches to the classification of oral mucosal lesions. One is based on the etiopathogenesis of the lesion and the second on the clinical appearance. These two approaches are compared and contrasted, and their integration is described. Combining these two classification schemas allows an excellent understanding of the various lesions so than an expeditious and correct diagnosis can result. Appropriate management and treatment can then follow.

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Dental health care professionals continue to suffer exposure incidents from instruments contaminated with blood and/or body fluids from patients. Each of these cases requires that a rigid protocol be followed for their evaluation. New information regarding the risk factors for HIV-seroconversion following an exposure incident have been identified. Recent data has demonstrated that a 79 percent reduction in disease transmission may be possible with a new combination drug therapy. The anti-retroviral drugs included in this new regimen are now standard in the management of occupational exposure to HIV. Several factors set dentistry apart from other health care occupations, and these differences appear to have an effect on the risks associated with occupational exposures. This article explores these risk factors and the new recommendations for postexposure care.

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Over-the-counter products can be useful and effective in alleviating the pain from ulcerations of the oral mucosa. This article reviews over-the-counter medications that are available to treat ulcerative lesions. Among the categories included are covering agents, local anesthetics, and mouthrinses.

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BACKGROUND: Dentists' competence and comfort level in detecting oral cancer may be strongly influenced by their dental school training. The purpose of this study was to compare the demonstrated knowledge of oral cancer topics among students receiving lectures and those learning the material through self-instruction at two dental schools. METHODS: Students at School 1 received 17 hours of lectures on various topics in oral cancer, including epidemiology, etiologic factors, histopathology, clinical appearance, clinical management and treatment, and oral complications. Lecture topics reflected material in the assigned text. Students at School 2 received only an introductory lecture, followed by a ten-week self-paced course using the same text used in School 1. At the end of the courses, the students at the two schools received identical 50-item final examinations. RESULTS: The students who had received the lectures and assigned readings scored significantly higher than did those assigned self-instruction alone (mean score of 91.2% vs 81.3%; p < 0.0001). This difference remained after statistical adjustment for entering grade-point average and Dental Aptitude Test score. CONCLUSIONS: Self-study of assigned readings may result in lower levels of knowledge of oral cancer topics than more traditional lecture-based teaching. The impact of this difference on clinical performance has not yet been demonstrated.

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A workshop to discuss primary oral melanomas was convened at the annual Western Society of Teachers of Oral Pathology meeting in Bannf, Alberta, Canada. Fifty oral melanomas, identified from the files of the participants, were reviewed in order to better understand the clinical features, histologic spectrum, and natural history of these perplexing lesions. Results confirmed that oral melanomas occur in adults almost three times more frequently in men than women and have a decided predilection for the palate and gingiva. Some lesions exhibit a clinically detectable and prolonged in situ growth phase, whereas others seem to lack this property and exhibit only or predominantly invasive characteristics. Recurrences, metastases, and death from tumor were characteristic of the follow-up of a limited number of patients. Until definitive prospective data are collected that elucidate natural history, oral mucosal melanomas should be tracked separately from cutaneous lesions. All oral pigmented lesions that are not clinically diagnostic should be biopsied. Lesions with equivocal histopathologic features might be referred to as "atypical melanocytic proliferation" and should be excised. Recognition of lesions in an early in situ phase and aggressive treatment should have a favorable effect on prognosis. To enhance future or prospective study of these rare neoplasms, guidelines for reporting oral melanomas are suggested.

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OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors associated with chapped lips in soldiers during prolonged exposure to a hot, dry environment. METHODS: We examined 1,053 of 2,500 soldiers (42%) participating in a desert training exercise at Fort Irwin, California, in September 1983. We measured the prevalence of chapped lips during the third week of a 4-week training period. Our independent variables (complexion, sex, lip protectant use, age, and the prevalence of recurrent herpes labialis) were obtained by observation and interview. RESULTS: We found severe chapping in 150 (10%) and moderate chapping in 247 (23.5%) of the soldiers. Stepwise ordinal logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with chapped lips and to determine the prevalence odds ratios (OR). Risk factors with statistically significant associations with chapped lips were the presence of recurrent herpes labialis (OR = 2.88), very fair complexion (OR = 3.23), and fair complexion (OR = 1.58). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to severe chapping occurred in approximately one-third of the soldiers. Lip protectants appeared to be relatively ineffective in the prevention and treatment of chapped lips but were associated with a lower prevalence of recurrent herpes labialis.

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With the advent of medical waste and OSHA infection control regulations, many practitioners are unsure about the legal, proper handling of extracted teeth. This article outlines the options available for the disposal of extracted teeth and explains the role each regulatory agency plays in the process.

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Ten HIV-infected patients who had bilateral hairy leukoplakia on the tongue were treated with topical podophyllum resin 25% solution. Only one side of the bilateral lesion was treated and the other side served as the control and was not treated. The lesions on both the treatment and control sides were evaluated at day 2, 7, and 30 by an investigator who had not been involved in the initial treatment and had no knowledge of which side had been treated. Therefore the treatment side is compared with the control side in a single-subject design, single-blind control setting. The lesions were judged by the degree of resolution and assigned a number of 0 to 4 with 4 indicating the highest degree of resolution and 0 indicating no resolution or worsening of the condition. The results were analyzed by Student's t test. Significant resolution of hairy leukoplakia was noted on the treatment side compared with the control side at the 2-, 7-, and 30-day levels; the 2-day results were the most significant. Furthermore, the patients reported minimal side effects, which included burning sensation, bad or altered taste, and pain, that were of mild intensity and short duration. The side effects were reported to occur immediately after the topical application. Patient tolerance and acceptance were found to be very favorable. No systemic side effect was reported. We conclude that single topical application of podophyllum resin 25% solution is efficacious in producing significant short-term resolution of HIV-related oral hairy leukoplakia. We also conclude that it is a safe topical regimen with minimal side effects.

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A survey was performed on 1,062 of 2,500 (42%) Army personnel participating in a desert training exercise at Fort Irwin, California, in September 1983. The prevalence of recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) and chapped lips was observed during the third week of a four-week training period. Complexion, sex, lip protectant use, age, and time spent outdoors were obtained by observation and interview. Recurrent herpes labialis was found in 46 subjects (4%). Stratified analysis and stepwise logistic regression were used to identify risk factors associated with RHL and to determine the prevalence odds ratios (POR). Risk factors with statistically significant associations with RHL were lip protectant use (POR = 0.19), chapped lips (POR = 2.87), being female (POR = 5.00), and light complexion (POR = 2.48). These findings strongly support the use of lip protectants during prolonged exposure to hot, dry climates as a prophylaxis against recurrent herpes labialis. Additional studies should focus on excitatory factors of RHL; and clinical trials of the efficacy of the lip protectants to protect against RHL and chapped lips should be undertaken.

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A case report of a developmental anomaly known as a radicular groove is presented. This case is unusual in that it is believed to be the first reported case of complex involvement of the entire facial aspect of a tooth root. An alveolar crest to apex facial root defect in a maxillary right lateral incisor of a 12-yr-old black female led to early pulpal necrosis and periapical rarefaction. Clinical and histologic findings as well as morphologic and treatment ramifications are discussed.

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