Immune responses in oral lichenoid drug eruptions.

The Objective was to investigate the distribution of circulating basal cell auto­antibodies, relative frequency of activation of Langerhans cells and the utility of detection of lichen planus specific antibodies in the differentiation of oral lichen planus from oral lichenoid drug eruption.

This was achieved by direct and indirect immunofluorescence and immunocytochemistry, of oral biopsies. The outcome was a series of publications as follows:

1. Lamey PJ, McCartan BE, Macdonald DG, MacKie M. Basal cell cytoplasmic autoantibodies in oral lichenoid reactions. Oral Surgery Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology 1995; 79: 44­49.

2. McCartan BE, Lamey PJ. Expression of CD1 and HLA­DR on Langerhans cells in oral lichenoid drug eruptions and idiopathic oral lichen planus. Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine 1997; 26: 176­180.

3. McCartan BE, Lamey PJ. Lichen planus specific antigen in oral lichen planus and oral lichenoid drug eruptions. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology and Endodontics, in press.

Development Potential

Biochemical and psychological markers of anxiety and stress in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

The objectives were to investigate a) The associations between salivary cortisol levels and anxiety as measured by standard psychological questionnaires in patients suffering from recurrent aphthous stomatitis and b) correlations between increased anxiety levels and onset of specific episodes of ulceration in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Method: Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, radioimmunoassay of salivary cortisol using a novel microencapsulated antiserum and bi­weekly diaries of ulceration activity.

The outcome was two publications:

1. McCartan BE, Lamey PJ, Wallace AM. Salivary cortisol and anxiety in recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine 1996; 25: 357­359.

2. McCartan BE, Candon L, Lamey PJ, Kelly A. The relationship between anxiety scores and episodes of ulceration in recurrent aphthous stomatitis. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Development Potential

Evaluation of the utility of screening for presymptomatic oral cancer and potentially malignant lesions in the reduction of deaths from oral cancer.

The objective was to critically analyse previously published work on the behaviour patterns of presymptomatic oral cancer and potentially malignant lesions with a view to establishing the utility of screening programmes for oral cancer. It approaches existing data from a different angle to show that such screening programmes cannot at present meet the standard criteria for screening for presymptomatic disease.

The outcome to date is two publications:
1. McCartan BE, Cowan CG. Early detection of oral cancer and precancer: I the value of cancer screening. Under revision for: British Dental Journal.

2. McCartan BE, Cowan CG. Early detection of oral cancer and precancer: II. leukoplakia as a surrogate in cancer screening. Under revision for: British Dental Journal.

Pain assessment in clinical dentistry

The objectives were a) A comparison of patient self completed visual analogue scales and verbal descriptors in the measurement of pain of dental origin and b) An assessment of patient pain experience and analgesic use following oral mucosal biopsy.

This was achieved by visual analogue scales and verbal descriptor questionnaires administered to dental outpatient complaining of pain and patient completed pain diaries with visual analogue scales and analgesic use questionnaire in the week following surgery.

The outcome was two publications:
1. McCartan BE, Kearns HPO, Lamey PJ. Verbal descriptors in the measurement of dental pain. Pain Clinic 1997; 10: 35­37

2. Kearns H, McCartan B, Lamey PJ. Patients' pain experience following oral mucosal biopsy under local anaesthesia. Submitted to: British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Joint IADR/BSDR conference, Belfast, 10­12 April 2001

Irish Division IADR conference, Cork, 25­26 January 2002

This is an annual conference of oral and dental researchers held under the aegis of the International Association for Dental Research.

In 2001 it will be held jointly with the British Society for Dental Research in Belfast on 10­12 April and in 2002 it will be held in Cork on 25­26 January.

All those interested in all aspects of oral and dental research are welcome to attend.

The main objectives of the conference are; to share knowledge in recent advances in oral and dental research and research techniques, to foster collaboration in research and to develop partnerships with other academic institutions, institutional agencies and commercial partners.

The conference proceedings are published in the Journal of Dental Research, prizes are awarded for outstanding research presentations young researchers are encouraged to develop their research skills. Winners of research prizes have gone on to win international research awards such as the Hatton Award.
Irish Division IADR Meetings have been held annually since 1984. The Irish Division hosted the world meeting of the IADR in 1989.

Lecture resources are required, including a projector, screen and poster boards.

Conference is funded through sponsorship and registration fees of participants.

Development Potential

The conference serves to develop research ideas and further communication between oral researchers.

In 2003 a meeting of all the European divisions of the International Association for Dental Research will be held in Cardiff.

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