title: Dental light curing and its effects on color perception.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Light curing has become increasingly popular for orthodontic bonding, partly as a result of improvements in light-curing unit technology and higher light intensities. The aim of this study was to determine orthodontists' knowledge of dental light-curing units, their safety aspects, and the possible effects on color perception.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires were administered to 120 specialists or trainees to assess their knowledge of light curing and safety issues. In addition, 15 orthodontists and 15 nonorthodontists were asked to complete the Farnsworth Munsell 100 hue test to assess color perception.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred four questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 86.6%. Light-emitting diode lights were the most popular (73.4%), followed by quartz-halogen (9.2%) and plasma lights (5.5%); 11.9% were unsure of the type of light used, 84% did not know the intensity, and 67% did not know the wavelength of the lights. Although most used safety equipment-eg, paddles-7% used no safety measures. Seventy-six percent were either unsure or took no precautions during light curing for staff or patients who had previous cataract surgery, and up to 99% were either unsure or took no precautions during light curing for staff or patients taking photosensitizing medications. With the Farnsworth Munsell test, 28 participants had average color discrimination, with 2 demonstrating superior discrimination. There were no differences between the orthodontists and the controls, or between men and women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Orthodontists' knowledge of dental light-curing units and hazards is poor. Although potential risks are associated with the long-term use of these light-curing units, no effect on color discrimination was detected.
authors.affiliation: Child Dental Health, School of Oral and Dental Science, University of Bristol, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McCusker
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Naresh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Jonathan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sandy
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ireland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003118:Color Perception / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003119:Color Perception Tests; D055117:Curing Lights, Dental / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D055115:Light-Curing of Dental Adhesives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009970:Orthodontics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult