Dental Public Health and Education Commons^™

Oral And Dental Health Of College Students On A Private University Campus, David Abafi, Laura Frable

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Theoretical Proposal

The Development And Structure Of The Tooth Enamel And The Nature Of Deterioration, Anderson Hill

Senior Honors Theses

The tooth enamel is developed through a careful process to give its characteristic hardness, but bacteria colonization in the form of plaque and certain dietary habits can compromise this. The development of the tooth involves an intricate process that incorporates proteins and minerals to produce the toughest tissue in the human body. The enamel possesses a distinct crystal lattice with many minerals involved. Under acidic conditions, the integrity of the crystals that make up the tooth enamel can become compromised. Harmful bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans of the mouth combine with carbohydrates that are consumed to produce acids that are …

Periodontitis And The Elderly: An Overview Of The Disease And Its Impact On An Aging Population, Nicole Grace Weissenfluh

Senior Honors Theses

Periodontitis affects millions of Americans each year, and is especially prevalent among the elderly. Since periodontitis is a chronic, progressive condition, uninterrupted disease progression leads to irreversible oral damage; therefore, periodontitis often reduces the oral health-related quality of life. Furthermore, research strongly suggests a correlation between periodontitis and other systemic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus), highlighting the importance of understanding, treating, and preventing periodontitis. This thesis explores the pathology and etiology of periodontitis, with special focus given to the prevalence and impact of the disease in the elderly population. Additionally, the connection between periodontitis and other systemic diseases …

The State Of Oral Health On The African Continent, Megan E. Josefczyk

Senior Honors Theses

The African continent has continuously suffered from poverty, poor sanitation, and malnutrition, leaving it an open feeding ground for infectious disease and premature death. Along with poor oral hygiene and an unavailability of dental clinics, oral disease is allowed to thrive and cause great harm. In the last two decades, the World Health Organization and others have tried to implement better systems of oral health care for the African people and have advocated for more well-trained dentists, dental clinics, equipment, and affordable dental care. Progress has been made in some African countries, but the continent is still in serious need …