Articles - Tooth decay and children

1. Water Fluoridation and the Association of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Dental Caries in Australian Children.
By Armfield, Jason M.; Spencer, A. John; Roberts-Thomson, Kaye F.; Plastow, Katrina. American Journal of Public Health. Mar 2013, Vol. 103 Issue 3, p494-500. 7p
Abstract: Objectives. We examined demographic and socioeconomic differences in the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), its association with dental caries in children, and whether exposure to water fluoridation modifies this association. 
Conclusions. Consumption of SSBs should be considered a major risk factor for dental caries. However, increased exposure to fluoridated public water helped ameliorate the association between SSB consumption and dental decay. These results reconfirm the benefits of community water fluoridation for oral health.[ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] .

2. Dental caries in children: a sign of maltreatment or abuse?
By Heads, David; Ahn, John; Petrosyan, Vahe; Petersen, Helen; Ireland, Anthony; Sandy, Jonathan. Nursing Children & Young People. Jul 2013, Vol. 25 Issue 6, p22-24. 3p
Abstract: Healthcare professionals are required to complete regular training in safeguarding children and, in this training, dental caries and poor oral hygiene are often cited as potential indicators of neglect. Nurses may be the first healthcare professionals to detect poor oral health in a child, although unfortunately the relationship between neglect and dental caries in children is unclear.

3. Empowering Head Start to Improve Access to Good Oral Health for Children from Low Income Families.
By Milgrom, Peter; Weinstein, Philip; Huebner, Colleen; Graves, Janessa; Tut, Ohnmar.
Maternal & Child Health Journal. Oct 2011, Vol. 15 Issue 7, p876-882. 7p
Abstract: Surveys over 20 years have documented worsening in the dental health of preschoolers. Healthy People 2010 Midcourse Review reports the country moving away from oral health goals for young children; the slip is 57%. Exacerbating this is the inability of Medicaid to provide for those in need. Most children receive examinations only: few receive comprehensive care. We urge Head Start grantees to adopt a new approach to oral health goals and in this paper offer: (1) a review of the problem and premises preventing a solution; (2) a proposal that Head Start adopt a public health perspective; and (3) specific roles staff and dental personnel can take to mount aggressive strategies to arrest tooth decay at the grantee site.[ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] .

Articles - Dementia

4. Validation of the Environmental Audit Tool in both purpose-built and non-purpose-built dementia care settings.
By Smith, Ronald; Fleming, Richard; Chenoweth, Lynn; Jeon, Yun-Hee; Stein-Parbury, Jane; Brodaty, Henry. Australasian Journal on Ageing. 01/09/2012, Vol. 31 Issue 3, p159-163. 5p
Abstract: Aim: To provide further validation of the Environmental Audit Tool (EAT) by describing data on scores from 56 facilities and comparing the scores of facilities with a purpose-built dementia environment with those with non-purpose-built designs. 
Conclusion: The EAT can assess the quality of homelike environments in residential aged care facilities for people with dementia, differentiate between the quality of design in various types of facilities and provide an evidence basis for devising improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR].

5. Adherence, persistence and continuation with cholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease.
By Le Couteur, David G; Robinson, Maxine; Leverton, Ann; Creasey, Helen; Waite, Louise; Atkins, Kerry; Mclachlan, Andrew J. Australasian Journal on Ageing. 01/09/2012, Vol. 31 Issue 3, p164-169. 6p
Abstract: Aim: To determine adherence, persistence and continuation beyond 6 months with cholinesterase inhibitors in Australians with Alzheimer's disease. Conclusions: Persistence and adherence with cholinesterase inhibitors was reasonable once treatment was established. There was an unexpectedly high continuation rate beyond six prescriptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR].

6. Risk of suicide in patients with dementia: a case study.
By Nicholson, Linda. Nursing Standard. 11/13/2013, Vol. 28 Issue 11, p43-49. 7p.
Abstract: Evidence indicates that the risk of attempted suicide is a significant issue among people with dementia, however there is a lack of information to guide professional practice. This article uses a case study to reflect on the risk management strategies and ethics of suicide and assisted suicide in relation to a specific patient with dementia. It analyses recommendations aimed at improving the lived experience of people with dementia and those involved in their care, including providing patients with a formal diagnosis as early as possible.[ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

7. Managing long term mental health conditions in primary care.
By Saxton, Louise. Practice Nurse. 9/20/2013, Vol. 43 Issue 9, p15-19. 5p
Abstract: The article discusses ways in which practice nurses in Great Britain can help improve the physical health of the mentally ill. Figures are presented on the percentage of the British population diagnosed with mental disorders such as psychosis, schizophrenia and bipolar disease. The pharmacology and use of drugs for psychiatric disorders including mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medications, and antidepressants are also described..

8. More than just a listening ear.
By Allen, Daniel. Nursing Standard. 8/7/2013, Vol. 27 Issue 49, p22-23. 2p
Abstract: A new breed of community practitioner is reaching out to people with dementia who might otherwise be missed, says Daniel Allen.[ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] .

Selected articles - Nursing Ethics [Journal]

9. Values for contemporary nursing practice: Waving or drowning?
By Gallagher, Ann. Nursing Ethics. Sep 2013, Vol. 20 Issue 6, p615-616. 2p
Abstract: The author reflects on the value of sustaining ethical practices in medical care services in Great Britain. She discusses her experience of visiting New Zealand and Australia wherein she was impressed by the work ethics of hospital and university staff and students. She explores the proliferation of values statements imposed on medical personnel including one from the Chief Nursing Officer. She comments that nursing is a profession based on values and nurses must be committed to uphold them..

10. How to avoid and prevent coercion in nursing homes: A qualitative study.
By Gjerberg, Elisabeth; Hem, Marit Helene; Førde, Reidun; Pedersen, Reidar. Nursing Ethics. Sep 2013, Vol. 20 Issue 6, p632-644. 13p.
Abstract: In many Western countries, studies have demonstrated extensive use of coercion in nursing homes, especially towards patients suffering from dementia. This article examines what kinds of strategies or alternative interventions nursing staff in Norway used when patients resist care and treatment and what conditions the staff considered as necessary to succeed in avoiding the use of coercion. According to the staff, their opportunities to use alternative strategies effectively are greatly affected by the nursing home’s resources, by the organization of care and by the staff’s competence.[ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] .

11. Surgical patients’ and nurses’ opinions and expectations about privacy in care.
By Akyüz, Elif; Erdemir, Firdevs. Nursing Ethics. Sep 2013, Vol. 20 Issue 6, p660-671. 12p
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the opinions and expectations of patients and nurses about privacy during a hospital admission for surgery. The study explored what enables and maintains privacy from the perspective of Turkish surgical patients and nurses.  It is remarkable that while nurses focused on the physical dimension of privacy, patients focused on informational and psychosocial dimensions of privacy, as well as its physical dimension..

12. Trust in nurse–patient relationships: A literature review.
By Dinç, Leyla; Gastmans, Chris. Nursing Ethics. Aug 2013, Vol. 20 Issue 5, p501-516. 16p
Abstract: The aim of this study was to report the results of a literature review of empirical studies on trust within the nurse–patient relationship. A search of electronic databases yielded 34 articles published between 1980 and 2011. Evidence from this review suggests that the development of trust is a relational phenomenon, and a process, during which trust could be broken and re-established. Nurses’ professional competencies and interpersonal caring attributes were important in developing trust; however, various factors may hinder the trusting relationship.[ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] .

Journal - Table of Contents

13. From Nursing Standard, Volume 28, No 10; November 6-12 2013
Analysis
13A. All NHS staff to be handed a role in dealing with patient complaints
Clinical digest
13B. Pessimistic outlook can lead to binge drinking in expectant women
13C. ‘Good bacteria’ ineffective in treating antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in older patients
13D. Mutual support among people bereaved by suicide linked to higher risk of complicated grief
13E. Extremes of BMI raise east Asians’ chances of death from cardiovascular disease
13F. Psychological intervention in hospital can protect against further coronary events
Clinical update
13G. Depression in young people
Feature
13H. Is early diagnosis best? [A claim that the drive for early dementia diagnosis is harmful has provoked a storm]
13I. It pays to exercise [Physical activity has major benefits for people living with cancer]
Art & Science
13J. Tailoring genetic/genomic services and information to the individual
13K. A critical analysis of Compassion in Practice
CPD
13L. Promoting sexual health and wellbeing: the role of the nurse

Conferences 

14. Medical Law
Examining the legal challenges, decisions and changes facing the medico-legal scene in New Zealand
Date: 17 - 18 Mar, 2014
Venue: Wellington
More information: http://www.conferenz.co.nz/conferences/medical-law-0

15. Confidentiality & Privacy Law for Health Providers
Date: 21 Aug, 2014, Auckland
Date: 22 Sep, 2014, Wellington
More information: http://www.conferenz.co.nz/training/confidentiality-privacy-law-health-providers

News - National

16. Severe tooth decay affecting Kiwi kids
By Rebecca Quilliam - Wednesday Nov 20, 2013
About 13 per cent of the country's 5-year-olds have such poor oral health it affects their eating, sleeping and school work, an oral health expert says. Professor Bernadette Drummond of Otago University's dentistry faculty, will be speaking on the subject at the Paediatric Society of New Zealand 65th Annual Scientific Meeting in Dunedin on Friday
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11160240

17. Other options for fluoride favoured
NZ Herald - Friday Nov 22, 2013
There are better ways to safeguard children's teeth than putting fluoride in drinking water, says Wanganui Mayor Annette Main. The Government is being urged to give district health boards the final say on putting fluoride in town water supplies. The parliamentary health committee this week recommended investing in a nationwide oral health campaign, and transferring responsibility for water fluoridation from local councils to the Ministry of Health
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11161134

News - International

18. Britain's rates of cancer and stroke survival on par with Eastern Europe, study finds
The Telegraph - 21 Nov 2013
Britain's survival rates for cancer and strokes are on a par with Eastern Europe despite Government promises to improve care for those with the major killer diseases, a report has found. The international study also shows health spending has fallen in real terms in Britain in the past two years, while waiting lists for many common operations got longer
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10463743/Britains-rates-of-cancer-and-stroke-survival-on-par-with-Eastern-Europe-study-finds.html

19. OECD says Australians take too many pills and must tackle nation's obesity problem
Sydney Morning Herald - 22 Nov 2013
http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/oecd-says-australians-take-too-many-pills-and-must-tackle-nations-obesity-problem-20131121-2xyqn.html