title: Intensity of quartz-tungsten-halogen light polymerization units used in dental offices in Brazil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the intensity of quartz-tungsten-halogen light polymerization units in dental offices in El Salvador, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  A team of researchers visited 100 offices in 2003. The team measured light intensity with a radiometer. The age and make of the units and the availability of light meters were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred twenty quartz-tungsten-halogen units were tested. Intensity ranged from 10 to 1,000 mW/cm2, with mean of 255.8 mW/cm2. Almost half (48%) of the units had values equal to or less than 200 mW/cm2. Their age ranged from 1 to 21 years. None of the offices had light meters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinicians should periodically monitor light intensity and carry out maintenance on their light polymerization units.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Clinic, Federal University of Bahia, Faculty of Dentistry, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gildo Coelho
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Maria Jacinta Moraes Coelho
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: El-Mowafy
authors.forename: Wafa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: El-Badrawy
mesh_terms: D003188:Composite Resins / Q000528:radiation effects; D003748:Dental Equipment; D006219:Halogens; D006244:Hardness; D008027:Light; D044367:Phase Transition; D010783:Photometry
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins; D006219:Halogens