- Email: [email protected]
Influence of weather and the moon
the information and psychological support to be able to confidently talk about the topic, (2) the chance to discuss the topic with patients during a short consultation, and (3) the motivation to engage in the behavior. The required components for the dentist in this behavior change are education and training, guidelines and regulation of daily practice, and the limit of the behavior to be expected.
Clinical Significance.—To change behavior it is necessary to identify the behavioral component to be changed through the COM-B model, consider what theoretical domain must be
addressed by consulting the TDF, and examine the BCTs to determine which is best for a specific behavior. No specific BCT has as yet been identified as the best way to enhance oral health behaviors.
Asimakopoulou K, Newton JT: The contributions of behavior change science towards dental public health practice: A new paradigm. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 43:2-8, 2015 Reprints available from K Asimakopoulou, Unit of Social and Behavioural Sciences, King’s College London, Guy’s Hosp, Flr 18, Tower Wing, London SE1 9RW, UK; e-mail: [email protected]
Endodontics Influence of weather and the moon Background.—People often believe that factors such as the weather or lunar activity affect the occurrence of dental problems, such as odontogenic abscesses (OAs). However, evidence-based studies are both sparse and inadequate to support these views. The relationship between OA incidence and daily weather patterns and lunar activity was investigated in a single emergency unit in Germany. Methods.—A retrospective review of the charts of all the dental emergency patients seen at the AllDent Zahnzentrum Emergency Unit in Munich, Germany was conducted. The 1211 records indicated oral pain, diagnosis of OA, and surgical treatment of the problem. OA incidence was correlated with daily meteorological data, biosynoptic weather analysis, and cyclic lunar activity. Results.—The 539 women and 672 men ranged in age from 18 to 75 years (mean age 43 years). OA incidence per month was a mean of 3.5%, and mean daily OA incidence was 3.0%. Mean temperature, relative humidity, total precipitation, and total sunshine duration showed no statistically significant correlation with OA incidence. However, a statistically significant but weak correlation was noted between OA incidence and barometric pressure. As barometric pressure rose or fell, OA incidence decreased or increased, respectively. Analysis revealed that barometric pressure accounted for about 4% of the OA incidence. Biosynoptic weather class demonstrated no significant correlation with OA incidence. Additionally, no
276
Dental Abstracts
relationship was noted between lunar phase and OA incidence. Discussion.—Although dentists and oral surgeons may express a strong belief that weather conditions can influence the incidence of oral pain caused by oral abscesses, the evidence indicates that this is not true. No strong statistically significant relationship was demonstrated between OA and either weather patterns or lunar activity.
Clinical Significance.—How environmental factors influence pain, inflammation, or disease activity remains to be determined. However, we now know that weather patterns and lunar activity show no correlation with the experience of OA. Dental professionals should rely on evidence such as this and not on myths or unfounded ideas passed down through generations.
Ristow O, Koerdt S, Stelzner R, et al: A dental myth bites the dust – no observable relation between the incidence of dental abscess and the weather and lunar phase: An ecological study. BMC Oral Health 15:21, 2015 Reprints available from S Koerdt, Dept of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Technical Univ Munich, Ismaninger Str 22, D-81675 Munich, Germany; e-mail: [email protected]
Clinical Significance.—To change behavior it is necessary to identify the behavioral component to be changed through the COM-B model, consider what theoretical domain must be
addressed by consulting the TDF, and examine the BCTs to determine which is best for a specific behavior. No specific BCT has as yet been identified as the best way to enhance oral health behaviors.
Asimakopoulou K, Newton JT: The contributions of behavior change science towards dental public health practice: A new paradigm. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 43:2-8, 2015 Reprints available from K Asimakopoulou, Unit of Social and Behavioural Sciences, King’s College London, Guy’s Hosp, Flr 18, Tower Wing, London SE1 9RW, UK; e-mail: [email protected]
Endodontics Influence of weather and the moon Background.—People often believe that factors such as the weather or lunar activity affect the occurrence of dental problems, such as odontogenic abscesses (OAs). However, evidence-based studies are both sparse and inadequate to support these views. The relationship between OA incidence and daily weather patterns and lunar activity was investigated in a single emergency unit in Germany. Methods.—A retrospective review of the charts of all the dental emergency patients seen at the AllDent Zahnzentrum Emergency Unit in Munich, Germany was conducted. The 1211 records indicated oral pain, diagnosis of OA, and surgical treatment of the problem. OA incidence was correlated with daily meteorological data, biosynoptic weather analysis, and cyclic lunar activity. Results.—The 539 women and 672 men ranged in age from 18 to 75 years (mean age 43 years). OA incidence per month was a mean of 3.5%, and mean daily OA incidence was 3.0%. Mean temperature, relative humidity, total precipitation, and total sunshine duration showed no statistically significant correlation with OA incidence. However, a statistically significant but weak correlation was noted between OA incidence and barometric pressure. As barometric pressure rose or fell, OA incidence decreased or increased, respectively. Analysis revealed that barometric pressure accounted for about 4% of the OA incidence. Biosynoptic weather class demonstrated no significant correlation with OA incidence. Additionally, no
276
Dental Abstracts
relationship was noted between lunar phase and OA incidence. Discussion.—Although dentists and oral surgeons may express a strong belief that weather conditions can influence the incidence of oral pain caused by oral abscesses, the evidence indicates that this is not true. No strong statistically significant relationship was demonstrated between OA and either weather patterns or lunar activity.
Clinical Significance.—How environmental factors influence pain, inflammation, or disease activity remains to be determined. However, we now know that weather patterns and lunar activity show no correlation with the experience of OA. Dental professionals should rely on evidence such as this and not on myths or unfounded ideas passed down through generations.
Ristow O, Koerdt S, Stelzner R, et al: A dental myth bites the dust – no observable relation between the incidence of dental abscess and the weather and lunar phase: An ecological study. BMC Oral Health 15:21, 2015 Reprints available from S Koerdt, Dept of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Technical Univ Munich, Ismaninger Str 22, D-81675 Munich, Germany; e-mail: [email protected]