title: A new portable sulfide monitor with a zinc-oxide semiconductor sensor for daily use and field study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  For measuring oral malodor in daily clinical practice and in field study, we developed and evaluated a highly sensitive portable monitor system.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined sensitivity and specificity of the sensor for volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) and obstructive gases, such as ethanol, acetone, and acetaldehyde. Each mouth air provided by 46 people was measured by this monitor, gas chromatography (GC), and olfactory panel and compared with each other. Based on the result, we used the monitor for mass health examination of a rural town with standardized measuring.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sensor detected hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide with 10-1000 times higher sensitivity than the other gases. The monitor's specificity was significantly improved by a VSC-selective filter. There were significant correlations between VSC concentration by the sulfide monitor and by GC, and by organoleptic score. Thirty-six percent of 969 examinees had oral malodor in a rural town. Seventy-eight percent of 969 examinees were motivated to take care of their oral condition by oral malodor measuring with the monitor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The portable sulfide monitor was useful to promote oral health care not only in clinics, but also in field study. The simple and quick operation system and the standardized measuring make it one of parameters of oral condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Tohoku University Hospital, 4-1 Seiryo-machi Aoba-ku Sendai 980-8575, Japan. ntanda@mail.tains.tohoku.ac.jp
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tanda
authors.forename: Jumpei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Washio
authors.forename: Kyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ikawa
authors.forename: Kengo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Takeyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koseki
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iwakura
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000295:instrumentation; D008875:Middle Aged; D012666:Semiconductors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012903:Smell; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D013457:Sulfur Compounds