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WORDS MATTER
LETTERS ceeding membership levels in comparable organizations. WORDS MATTER
The recent trend by some dental manufacturers to use the word “condensable” as a description for some newly developed composite materials for Class II restorations is disingenuous at best. It is done to lay claim, falsely, to what is seen as a benefit of amalgam—namely, condensability. If action is not taken, this term will undoubtedly creep into the literature as these materials eventually appear in articles and studies. I believe it is appropriate at this time to utilize your office to edit not only studies and articles, but also advertisements that use the term “condensable” in conjunction with composite resins. What’s wrong with “packable” as an appropriate substitute term? Advertisements notwithstanding, at the present time, there are no commercially available composite resins that fulfill the dictionary definition of “condensable”. Quoting from Webster’s New World Dictionary, to “condense” is: 1) to make more dense or compact; reduce the volume of; compress, or 2) to change (a substance) to a denser form; [other inapplicable definitions excluded]. Clearly, none of the materials marketed today as “condensable” fulfill this definition. Neither do they fulfill the commonly accepted dental definition of “condensable” from many years’ use of amalgam, where excess mercury is brought to the surface of the amalgam during the condensation procedure. My concern is with the inappropriate usurpation of a word
that has a distinctly understood meaning within the profession— as well as a distinct definition in the English language—by manufacturers in order to improve sales of materials that do not, in fact, meet the definition of the term. I sincerely hope that ADA Publishing Co. Inc. can take the lead in consistent application of the language within the pages of JADA and ADA News, both in published papers and in advertisements. While I do represent a dental manufacturer, these views are my own and should not be taken as those of 3M Dental. Richard J. Simonsen, D.D.S., M.S. St. Paul, Minn. TREATING ONCOLOGY PATIENTS
I would like to contribute to the recent article entitled “Dental Considerations and Treatment of the Oncology Patient Receiving Radiation Therapy,” by Stephen J. Meraw and Charles M. Reeve (February JADA). In my opinion, oncology patients should be mentally prepared for the possible consequences of the disease and treatment right from the day they are diagnosed. This may be done in several visits. In this way, they will understand more about their condition and be willing to cooperate, especially in the oral health care part. Apart from that, oral health care should be made simpler and more effective. Too-frequent visits to the dentist may cause noncompliance. Teeth cleanings are difficult due to a sore mouth caused by mucositis. The article mentioned using 2 percent viscous lidocaine or dyclonine hy-
drochloride rinses as palliative treatment. If this liquid is used during tooth brushing, cleaning will possibly be more effective because of pain reduction. In addition, patients can use pulsated jet oral irrigators at home. This instrument is good for subgingival cleansing. With methods mentioned in the article such as use of pilocarpine, a lot of sips of water, topical fluoride therapy and a few suggestions as above, it is hoped that the incidence of root caries and periodontal disease will be decreased in these patients. Roszalina Ramli, B.D.S. London PAYING HIS DUES
I am always somewhat amused at those perennial folk for whom the system just cannot do enough. They seem to be everywhere, and I can see that the ADA is no exception. Personally, after more than 30 years (if you count dental school) as a member of the ADA, I never look at the dollar amount of my dues statement. I just get out my checkbook and pay it. Dentistry has provided my family and me the opportunity to travel all over the world and to witness the practice of both dentistry and medicine. The poor souls who feel their ADA dues are too high have obviously not had the benefit of such experiences. Besides the many benefits the ADA has provided throughout the years, I am sure there are innumerable things the ADA has done for me and for my family of which I am unknowingly the beneficiary. In a recent survey of elected officials and bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., the individuals interviewed felt that the
JADA, Vol. 129, July 1998 Copyright ©1998-2001 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.
819
The recent trend by some dental manufacturers to use the word “condensable” as a description for some newly developed composite materials for Class II restorations is disingenuous at best. It is done to lay claim, falsely, to what is seen as a benefit of amalgam—namely, condensability. If action is not taken, this term will undoubtedly creep into the literature as these materials eventually appear in articles and studies. I believe it is appropriate at this time to utilize your office to edit not only studies and articles, but also advertisements that use the term “condensable” in conjunction with composite resins. What’s wrong with “packable” as an appropriate substitute term? Advertisements notwithstanding, at the present time, there are no commercially available composite resins that fulfill the dictionary definition of “condensable”. Quoting from Webster’s New World Dictionary, to “condense” is: 1) to make more dense or compact; reduce the volume of; compress, or 2) to change (a substance) to a denser form; [other inapplicable definitions excluded]. Clearly, none of the materials marketed today as “condensable” fulfill this definition. Neither do they fulfill the commonly accepted dental definition of “condensable” from many years’ use of amalgam, where excess mercury is brought to the surface of the amalgam during the condensation procedure. My concern is with the inappropriate usurpation of a word
that has a distinctly understood meaning within the profession— as well as a distinct definition in the English language—by manufacturers in order to improve sales of materials that do not, in fact, meet the definition of the term. I sincerely hope that ADA Publishing Co. Inc. can take the lead in consistent application of the language within the pages of JADA and ADA News, both in published papers and in advertisements. While I do represent a dental manufacturer, these views are my own and should not be taken as those of 3M Dental. Richard J. Simonsen, D.D.S., M.S. St. Paul, Minn. TREATING ONCOLOGY PATIENTS
I would like to contribute to the recent article entitled “Dental Considerations and Treatment of the Oncology Patient Receiving Radiation Therapy,” by Stephen J. Meraw and Charles M. Reeve (February JADA). In my opinion, oncology patients should be mentally prepared for the possible consequences of the disease and treatment right from the day they are diagnosed. This may be done in several visits. In this way, they will understand more about their condition and be willing to cooperate, especially in the oral health care part. Apart from that, oral health care should be made simpler and more effective. Too-frequent visits to the dentist may cause noncompliance. Teeth cleanings are difficult due to a sore mouth caused by mucositis. The article mentioned using 2 percent viscous lidocaine or dyclonine hy-
drochloride rinses as palliative treatment. If this liquid is used during tooth brushing, cleaning will possibly be more effective because of pain reduction. In addition, patients can use pulsated jet oral irrigators at home. This instrument is good for subgingival cleansing. With methods mentioned in the article such as use of pilocarpine, a lot of sips of water, topical fluoride therapy and a few suggestions as above, it is hoped that the incidence of root caries and periodontal disease will be decreased in these patients. Roszalina Ramli, B.D.S. London PAYING HIS DUES
I am always somewhat amused at those perennial folk for whom the system just cannot do enough. They seem to be everywhere, and I can see that the ADA is no exception. Personally, after more than 30 years (if you count dental school) as a member of the ADA, I never look at the dollar amount of my dues statement. I just get out my checkbook and pay it. Dentistry has provided my family and me the opportunity to travel all over the world and to witness the practice of both dentistry and medicine. The poor souls who feel their ADA dues are too high have obviously not had the benefit of such experiences. Besides the many benefits the ADA has provided throughout the years, I am sure there are innumerable things the ADA has done for me and for my family of which I am unknowingly the beneficiary. In a recent survey of elected officials and bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., the individuals interviewed felt that the
JADA, Vol. 129, July 1998 Copyright ©1998-2001 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.
819