Message from the President

Lesley Naidoo

2010 is here… for those who haven’t yet awoken to the momentous stride of the profession and association. It’s time the resounding success of our association alarms you to rise and be part of the progress being made. The time for complaining, despondency, depression and despair is officially over. DENTHASA is now plotting new strategies to take quantum leaps in various sectors of the association and the business of our profession.

Dentine hypersensitivity

What is hypersensitivity?

Dentine hypersensitivity (or sensitive teeth) is a common complaint. In fact, about 30% of people suffer from the short, sharp pain that characterizes the condition.¹

Necrotizing gingivitis of Kaposi sarcoma affected gingivae

L Feller: DMD, MDent. Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), South Africa.
J Lemmer: BDS, HDipDent, FCD(SA)OMP, FCMSAae. Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), South Africa.
NH Wood: B.ChD., DipOdont (OP). Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), South Africa.
EJ Raubenheimer: M.ChD., PhD., DSc., FCPath (SA). Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), South Africa.

Correspondence to:
L Feller: Head: Dept of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Box D26 Faculty of Dentistry, MEDUNSA campus, University of Limpopo 0204, South Africa, Tel: (012) 521 4834, Fax: (012) 521 4835, e-mail: lfeller@medunsa.ac.za

Abstract

Necrotizing gingivitis and oral Kaposi sarcoma are common concomitants of HIV infection and both are regarded as indicators of HIV infection. Their simultaneous appearance in an HIV seropositive subject therefore, should be relatively common; but other reports do*****enting such cases could not be found. This article do*****ents an uncommon case of necrotizing gingivitis superimposed on Kaposi sarcoma-affected gingiva, occurring in a patient with chronic periodontitis. The nature of necrotizing gingivitis and Kaposi sarcoma and the possible differential diagnosis of the periodontal attachment loss are discussed.

Plasma cell gingivitis: Does it exist? Report of a case andreview of the literature

Y Jadwat: BDS, MDent (POM). Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), South Africa.
R Meyerov: Bsc, BDS, MDent (OMP). Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), South Africa.
J Lemmer: BDS, HDipDent, FCD(SA)OMP, FCMSAae, Hon.FCMSA. Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), South Africa; Professor Emeritus, Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, University of the Wi*****ersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
E J Raubenheimer: Mchd, Phd, Dsc, Fcpath (SA). Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), South Africa.
L Feller: DMD, MDent(OMP). Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), South Africa.

Corresponding Author:
L Feller: Professor L Feller. Head: Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Box D26 School of Dentistry, University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), 0204, South Africa, Tel: (012) 521 4834, Fax: (012) 521 4835, E-mail: feller@ul.ac.za

Abstract

Plasma cell gingivitis is an uncommon inflammatory condition of uncertain aetiology. It is characterized clinically by enlarged erythemathous gingivae, a velvety texture and histopathologically by a dense plasmacytic infiltrate in the lamina propria.

Ethics and legal - Part 1

Lesley Naidoo: President of DENTHASA

Our responsibility as dental practitioners must first be to our conscience, then to those who trust us to take care of them – our patients, then to society. It is an overwhelming distaste within South African business culture for the evil of unethical, illegal and fraudulent daily activities we all see in the media, ranging from presidents to taxi conductors. This culture is not only evident in South Africa but plagues Africa greatly and the rest of the world.

Understanding business

Luambo Benson Mudau: Dental Therapist by profession and studying LLB (Law) with UNISA.

As a law student and a Dental Therapist by profession, I found it necessary to share legal issues with other health professionals in the country.

Dental records and ownership of x-rays

Members often call the SA Dental Association’s (SADA’s) offices seeking clarity about ownership, access and retention of dental records - in particular, ownership of and access to radiographs and other images. Members keen on creating space and faced with constant patient request for copies of their records often seek guidance about access, copies, storage, retention periods and destruction of records. The Medical and Dental Professions Board of the statutory Health Professions Council has now clarified some questions raised by SADA in February 2009.

Sector news

ME Nkanyan: Head of Private Sector, DENTHASA

The private sector committee is slowly gearing up for aligning itself with the changes which are continuously happening in the private health industry.