A number of polluting chemicals in the ecosystems must be characterized as hormone disruptors. Among others, male animals appear to become feminized by the action of the so-called pseudoestrogens and under their influence mens’ fertility is said to decrease. Composites and sealants based on Bis-GMA resin may contain bisphenol-A as an impurity and Bis-DMA, from which in saliva bisphenol-A will be formed by hydrolytic degradation. Therefore, in extreme circumstances a weak estrogenic effect is not impossible on the short-term. However, the amounts of these probably not very potent estrogenic compounds are small, thereby resulting in a tolerable risk on the short term. Long-term- effects and synergism with pseudo-estrogens from other sources prompt further studies in order to verify the safety of the Bis-GMA containing products.

In the last decades there is circumstantial evidence for an increased incidence of cryptorchidisme and hypospadia in new-born boys and an increased incidence of testicular cancer in adults. Moreover, there are indications that sperm quality is declining. Exposure to endocrine disrupters in utero and during adulthood is a possible explanation for the impairment of male reproductive health. Exposure to mercury may lead to deposition in the pituitary gland and the testicular tissues causing impairment of testicular function, especially spermatogenesis. Evidence based research.

With the aim to get information on oral health, professional dental care and oral hygiene habits a study was performed on persons aged 60 up to 79 years in Haarlem, the Netherlands. After an interview an oral examination was performed, using a mirror and a pocket lamp. Of all persons approached, 376 (38%) participated in the clinical part of the study. In elderly persons with natural teeth (52% of all participants) the mean numbers of present teeth (third molars excluded), FT and obvious DT were 18.1, 10.8 and 0.7 respectively. The percentage of persons with natural teeth showed a strong relationship with level of education. A comparison with results of a study performed in 1986 showed that oral health in elderly persons is improved. Of all the elderly with natural teeth 91% visited their dentist periodically at least one time a year and 76% of them brushed their teeth at least two times a day.

A randomized clinical trial which included a follow-up of one year was applied to 118 myogenous TMD-patients. The therapies investigated were: physiotherapy of the masticatory system or splint therapy for patients without occlusal interferences, and occlusal adjustment therapy or the combination of splint and occlusal adjustment therapy for patients with pronounced occlusal interferences. Counseling, which yielded a reduction of 27% of the scored pain intensity, will most likely eliminate any further need for treatment of patients with a low level of myogenous TMD signs and symptoms. Otherwise, physiotherapy might be preferred as a starting option with respect to splint therapy because of 1. A similar efficacy; 2. A shorter treatment duration so that either chronic facial pain is earlier relieved or a patient can undergo a second type of therapy earlier; and 3. Lower costs. One third of the patients selected had pronounced occlusal interferences. Using stringent criteria it might be possible to apply occlusal adjustment therapy without involvement of splint therapy yielding a similar therapy efficacy and with advantages of a shorter treatment duration and lower costs. All types of therapy diminished not only facial pain but also pain of neck and shoulder areas.

In case of a combination of hypersalivation and mucosal disease that rapidly progresses towards becoming indisposed, one has to consider an underlying general disease. In this paper a patient with these complaints, who visited the emergency department of the Groningen University Hospital, is described. The patient appeared to be suffering from a specific form of erythema multiforma, viz. the syndrome of Stevens-Johnson.

Schizophrenia is a frequent psychiatric disorder, that presents itself in many different forms and varies in course. The patients are disturbed in language, affection, thinking and social relationships. The cause(s) is/are unknown and the psychiatric approach often is difficult and not very successful. The disease means a great burden for the patients but also for their environment. The medical costs but particularly the other costs generated by the disorder are enormous.

The information offered on the internet is overwhelming, but to find just that piece of specific information you are looking for, appears to be quite complicated. The use of one of the known searchmachines (for instance Alta Vista, Yahoo) seems a good solution, but the results are often disappointing, as what is delivered often is not specific enough or even hasn´t got anything to do with the search term in first place. In this issue we will deal with a number of more effective methods which will be described and focus will be on a Dutch dental ´collecting´ website, a so-called starting-page.