In 2002 a dental survey amongst 6- and 12-year-old schoolchildren in The Hague had been carried out. The 2002 survey suggested that in the period 1996-2002 the caries prevalence (% of cariesfree children) and the caries experience (mean dmfs/dmft scores) among 6-year-old children did not have changed significantly. Children of low socio-economic status in 2002 had an average higher dmfs/dmft count compared to 6-year-olds of medium and high SES. However, the survey suggested in the period 1996-2002 a significant increase of cariesfree 12-year-old children in low SES. Among 12-year-olds socio-economic differences in caries experience of the permanent dentition have diminished in 2002. In 1998 and 2002 respectively 3 and 23% of the 12-year-olds showed the prevalence of any dental erosion. This increase of the prevalence of dental erosion is in agreement with data from other European countries.

A number of teas with fruit aroma and ice teas has been tested on erosivity. The teas with a fruit taste have at their drinking temperature (45 °C) a pH between 6.2 to 7.4. Even teas with a citron or citrus flavour are neutral. The most acidic tea tested has a mango-peach-taste, but contains no buffer system. After mixing 1 ml of total saliva up to 10 ml tea or by rinsing the oral cavity with tea the pH of oral fluid was hardly lowered (minimum 6.3). In contrast, ice teas are rather acidic (pH < 4) and have a strong buffer capacity. Rinsing the oral cavity with 5 ml ice tea resulted in a decrease of the pH of the oral fluid to 4.1-4.9. However, within 2 minutes the pH in the oral fluid was already increased to 5.9-7.1 and after 5 minutes to 6.3-7.1. In other words, the teas with fruit aroma, based on organic taste components, do not have an erosive potential. On the other hand, ice teas decrease the pH of the oral fluid drastically to a level that they become erosive. Therefore, from a dental point of view, teas with only a taste of fruit can be advised to replace drinking of soft drinks, but ice teas not.

Bruxism (tooth grinding and clenching) is generally considered a contraindication for dental implants, although the evidence is usually based on clinical experience only. So far, studies to the possible cause-and-effect relationship between bruxism and implant failure do not yield consistent and specific outcomes. This is partly due to the large variation in the technical and the biological aspects of the investigations. Although there is still no proof that bruxism causes overload of dental implants and their suprastructures, a careful approach is recommended. Practical advices as to minimize the chance of implant failure are given. Besides the recommendation to reduce or eliminate bruxism itself, these advices concern the number and dimensions of the implants, the design of the occlusion and articulation patterns, and the use of a hard nightguard.

Autotransplantation of a tooth is probably the most natural method to replace a missing or lost tooth. This treatment has been performed successfully already for more than twenty years. The prognosis of a transplanted tooth is determined by tooth type, stage of root formation at the time of transplantation, surgical technique used, and duration and way of splinting. Determining the optimal stage of root formation of the tooth is very important in planning the autotransplantation. If the transplantation is carried out successfully, the transplanted tooth behaves at its new location just like before: it erupts, the root formation is continuing, it shows physiological mobility and it can be displaced by orthodontic forces. Most cases of autotransplantation require teamwork between oral surgeon, orthodontist, and dentist

Cocaine has a strong vasoconstrictive effect. It is seldom used in modern medicine. The only known regular application is by otorhinolaryngologists as a decongestive for the nasal mucosa. In a pilot study it was measured if the amount of blood loss in patients who underwent a Le Fort-I osteotomy in combination with a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy was reduced by application of a combination of cocaine and adrenalin on the bottom of the nose during surgery. The results of the pilot study suggested a positive effect of the combination of cocaine and adrenalin on blood loss. This preliminary finding seems to justify further study.

The nasolabial cyst is an uncommon, non-odontogenic soft tissue cyst, which arises in the canine fossa region. Most likely, the cyst develops from the nasolacrimal duct. The treatment of choice is surgical excision; recurrence is rare.

More and more medical journals publish their articles on internet. Access to full text articles is offered immediately with the publication of the journal or with a certain delay. On internet a website is available, which offers a collection of about 1300 medical journals, including 15 dental journals. The admission to full text articles is free of charge.