Faculty Bibliography

A sensitive high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay was developed for the qualitative and quantitative determination of carbohydrate sweeteners and organic acids in oral fluid. To separate these compounds, an ion-moderated partition resin HPLC column (Aminex HPX-87H) was used. All components of the HPLC system were interconnected using stainless steel capillary tubing. Isocratic elution with 0.01N sulfuric acid provided the profile of both compound classes. The compounds were detected using a refractive index detector. The method employed computerized data collection and integration (Omega-2 system) with a detection sensitivity of 0.1 micrograms compound per HPLC assay (80 microliters). This method is useful in caries research, because it detects minute amounts of sugars and organic acids in oral fluid during clearance studies of various foods in the mouth.

Saliva may be considered as being similar to enamel but in a liquid phase. Saliva, the mechanics of remineralization and demineralization, the acquired pellicle and the enamel surface all act to maintain the status quo, resisting mineral loss from the enamel.

Dental caries is the most prevalent disease among young people in the United States today. Yet, most parents don't realize that early dental care is the best insurance against adult dental disease. Because prevention should begin at birth, long before the first dental visit, nurse practitioners can play an important role in educating parents about the need for early attention to their children's dental health. This article presents to the nurse practitioner an overview of preventive dental techniques, including the effectiveness and application of fluorides, the value of early and regular oral cleaning habits and the importance of early and regular consultations with health care professionals.