STATE REPORTS

VictoriaWe have had two lectures over the winter season. InJune, Tom Sunderland, a Melbourne oral and maxillo-facial surgeon gave us a broad update on oral surgicaldiagnosis and treatment, with relevance to endodontics.He covered the pathology and treatment of acute andchronic sepsis. Chronic actinomycosis in particular can bedifficult to diagnose. He also mentioned cysts, sealerextrusion, hypochlorite extrusion and bisphosphonatepatient management. The final topic was coronectomy ofimpacted lower third molars close to the inferior dentalnerve. The idea is to cut away the crown but to leave theroots in place, and therefore avoid possible nerve trauma.We wondered what might be the fate of the residualradicular pulp, which is left untreated. He hopes itremains aseptic and vital with primary intention closureof the surgical flap. His parting message was to commu-nicate well with colleagues, especially medical ones, asthey may be particularly helpful in diagnosis of non-odontogenic disease.

The September lecture was from Melbourne endodon-tist Seung Tae Kim on diagnosis of myofacial pain. Myo-facial pain is not perfectly understood, but essentiallystress and parafunction can cause isolated regions ofmuscle tissue to contract. The contraction causes localischaemia, which then further prevents removal ofmetabolites, prolonging the contraction. Such isolatedtense and sore muscle regions are called trigger points; socalled because when rubbed they cause pain not only atthat site, but also at distant sites. This referred pain may befelt in the teeth, and hence there is the possibility ofan incorrect diagnosis of a pulpitis or other dental pain.It is therefore critical to be able to differentiate betweenmyogenic and odontogenic pain. Seung Tae gave a goodexplanation of diagnostic differentials and so we hope to beable to avoid unnecessary root fillings when Tempero-Mandibular Dysfunction (TMD) treatment would beappropriate.

We have one more lecture for the year in October withDavid Figdor, another Melbourne endodontist, address-ing the single visit question. He has a strong researchbackground and so we can expect a rigorous treatment ofthe available facts to help us decide when single visittreatment might be appropriate. The Hobart conference isalso eagerly anticipated. See you there.

Martin GaleState Correspondent

Western AustraliaThe ASE WA Branch continued its series of lectures thistime with a presentation given by Dr Ray Heffer and DrSiang Hsu. The event was held at the ADA House with agreat dinner that was free for all members of the ASE.Fifty-five people attended the lectures that summarisedthe research done by the two speakers as part of theirMasters degrees. Dr Heffer and Dr Hsu presented theresults of their work in a very scientific and enjoyableway and they outlined the clinical applications and rel-evance of this work. The attendees were very satisfiedwith the organisation and with the lectures.

As a matter of interest, the ASE WA Branch hasdonated some money to the School of Dentistry as part ofthe educational support that the ASE has as one of itsaims. The money has been invested in the acquisitions ofa Satelec ultrasonic unit for the undergraduate and post-graduate Endodontic Clinics.

The Branch Committee has been working hard tryingto offer the members and the dental community ingeneral, a variety of high-standard academic lectures.

The ASE WA Branch is looking forward to the Trans-Tasman Endodontic conference to be held in Novemberand hopes that all its members will travel to Hobart toparticipate in the great programme that the ASE FederalOffice and the New Zealand Society of Endodontics haveorganized.

Cary DryState Correspondent

New South WalesThe third diner meeting for 2008 was the 26th presenta-tion of the annual Barry Barker Memorial Lecture. Thislecture, in recognition of the contribution made by DrBarry Barker in the field of dental research, is presentedby either academics or recently graduated endodontists.

This year’s lecture was a conjoint presentation by DrGeoff Young and Dr Thai Yeng. Both endodontists arerecent graduates of the University of Melbourne’s endo-dontic programme and both presented research fromtheir thesis.

Dr Thai Yeng’s questionnaire-based research investi-gated two factors that may influence the level of care ofdental trauma by dentists namely Dentists’ knowledge ofmanaging injuries to permanent maxillary incisors and

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their perceptions of barriers to providing such treatment.He achieved a good response rate to his questionnaire andwas able to conclude with significance that most dentistswho participated in this survey did not find treatingtrauma to maxillary permanent incisors in children to beunappealing. However, his research also suggested that agreater level of training in management of dental traumais desired in both undergraduate and postgraduatecurriculum.

Dr Geoff Young explored the use of molecular tools foridentification of microorganisms in the infected rootcanal system. Specifically, he investigated the validity ofthe polymerase chain reaction in characterising the endo-dontic flora by detection of DNA. Both research presen-tations were clear and concisely presented.

In other news the committee has now been finalisedthe lecture programme for 2009 and members willreceive notification of the programme in the comingmonths.

Donna RichardsState Correspondent

QueenslandThe third dinner meeting for the Branch in 2008 wasover subscribed because Dr David Figdor, an endodonticmicrobiologist of world renown, was visiting from Mel-bourne. David’s appearance at the meeting attracted ASEmembers from all over South East Queensland includingthe Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, and from both of theDental Schools in Queensland, namely Griffith Universityand the University of Queensland. David’s keynote lecturewas titled ‘Size matters – a big role for the very small’.

David has an intimate knowledge in the field ofendodontic microbiology. He was able to impart some hisinvaluable experience that cannot be found in scientificjournal articles or text books in a keynote lecture seriesthat included: a history of the advances made in endo-dontic microbiological techniques and methods, theapplication of microbiological principles to everydayaseptic clinical technique, a discussion that compared andcontrasted usefulness of culture and molecular micro-biological methods for identifying endodontic bacteria,and some contemporary endodontic controversies suchas single-versus multi-visits and the trend in larger apicalpreparation sizes. Unfortunately, for the audience therewere necessary time limitations on the evening and sothey were left looking for more . . .

Ward RutleyState Correspondent

South AustraliaFriday 13 June sees a very busy day for local memberswith two interstate guest speakers presenting to the SABranch and as expected the turnout to hear both DrPhilippe Zimet and Dr Steve Cohn was excellent with alllocal members of the state branch and many guestsincluding the federal president of the ASE Dr PeterDuckmanton, and dental students in attendance.

Philippe Zimet presented a half day afternoon coursetitled ‘The Endodontic Revolution: Give your EndodonticKnowledge a Makeover’. Philippe is well known to mostin Australia as being a thoroughly professional and enter-taining presenter and he did not disappoint. Philippe’sthoroughness and enthusiasm are infectious and all inattendance agreed that it was a most entertaining andinforming session. This was the second time in 4 yearsthat Philippe has presented the SA Branch and we lookforward to inviting him back again soon.

On the evening of the 13 June following Philippe’s halfday presentation the third Geoffrey Heithersay Orationwas presented by Dr Steven Cohn on the topic of ‘Endo-dontics and Implants: Contemporary Perspectives andCurrent Challenges’. Steve paid respect to Geoff Heither-say during his introduction and highlighted Geoff’s sig-nificant contribution to the ASE at a state and federallevel particularly in the society’s formative years. Asexpected Steve’s presentation was thought provokingand well balanced. The evening ended with dinner forthe branch members and their guests.

The last meeting of 2008 will be in October and atwhich Dr Vijay John from Melbourne will presenton endodontic radiology. Dr John’s presentation will

Dr Bayardo Martell, president of the Queensland Branch (left) and

Dr David Figdor after David’s keynote lecture that was well received by the

audience.

State Reports

139© 2008 The Authors

Journal compilation © 2008 Australian Society of Endodontology