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BACKGROUND: There is limited data on access to radiotherapy services for CARICOM nations. METHODS: This was a descriptive mixed-methods observational study which used data collected via survey from staff working in Radiation Oncology in 14 CARICOM countries. Benchmark recommendations from the International Atomic Energy Agency were compared to existing numbers. The Directory of Radiotherapy Centers, World Bank, and Global Cancer Observatory databases were all accessed to provide information on radiotherapy machines in the region, population statistics, and cancer incidence data respectively. Both population and cancer incidence-based analyses were undertaken to facilitate an exhaustive review. RESULTS: Radiotherapy machines were present in only 50% of the countries. Brachytherapy services were performed in only six countries (42.9%). There were a total of 15 external beam machines, 22 radiation oncologists, 22 medical physicists, and 60 radiation therapists across all nations. Utilizing patient-based data, the requirement for machines, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and radiation therapists was 40, 66, 44, and 106, respectively. Only four (28.6%) countries had sufficient radiation oncologists. Five (35.7%) countries had enough medical physicists and radiation therapists. Utilizing population-based data, the necessary number of machines, radiation oncologists, and medical physicists was 105, 186, and 96 respectively. Only one county (7.1%) had an adequate number of radiation oncologists. The number of medical physicists was sufficient in just three countries (21.4%). There were no International Atomic Energy Agency population guidelines for assessing radiation therapists. A lower economic index was associated with a larger patient/population to machine ratio. Consequentially, Haiti had the most significant challenge with staffing and equipment requirements, when compared to all other countries, regardless of the evaluative criteria. Depending on the mode of assessment, Haiti's individual needs accounted for 37.5% (patient-based) to 59.0% (population-based) of required machines, 40.1% (patient-based) to 59.7% (population-based) of needed radiation oncologists, 38.6% (patient-based) to 58.3% (population-based) of medical physicists, and 42.5% (patient-based) of radiation therapists. CONCLUSION: There are severe deficiencies in radiotherapy services among CARICOM nations. Regardless of the method of comparative analysis, the current allocation of equipment and staffing scarcely meets 50% of regional requirements.

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ABSTRACT The purpose of this preliminary study is to evaluate the push-out bond strength (PBS) of experimental dentin posts (EDPs) obtained from human and bovine teeth sterilized by autoclaving and gamma radiation. Eighty-four mandibulary premolars were obturated and divided into three post groups: the glass fiber group (Fb) human EDP group (Hm) and the bovine EDP group (Bv). Three subgroups (n=12) were obtained for each EDP groups according to the sterilization methods; no sterilization (Cnt), steam autoclaving (Aut), and gamma radiation (Rad) a total dose of 25 kGy. All posts were cemented to root canals using a dual cured resin cement (Panavia SA). After the micro slices (1mm in thickness) were obtained of each subgroup, PBS test was performed. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison tests (α=.05). The post type and sterilization method was significantly effective on the PBS values according to the ANOVA (P<.001). No sterilization apllied EDP groups showed significantly higher PBS values than the sterilized groups (P<.001). Bv_Cnt (9.42 ±1.31) showed significantly lower PBS values than both Fb (12.36 ±1.54) and Hm_Cnt (11.06 ±1.38) groups (P<.001). Both steam autoclaving and gamma radiation affect the PBS values and fracture modes of EDPs negatively. The bovine EDPs are not as effective as human EDPs with regard to the PBS to the root dentin.

RESUMEN El propósito de este estudio preliminar es evaluar el push-out bond strength de los postes de dentina experimentales (PDE) obtenidos de dientes humanos y bovinos esterilizados por autoclave y radiación gamma. Ochenta y cuatro premolares mandibulares fueron obturadores y se dividieron en tres grupos experimentales de postes: el grupo de fibra de vidrio (Fb) grupo PDE humano (Hm) y el grupo PDE bovino (Bv). Se obtuvieron tres subgrupos (n=12) para cada grupo de PDE según los métodos de esterilización; sin esterilización (Cnt), autoclave a vapor (Aut) y radiación gamma (Rad) con una dosis total de 25 kGy. Todos los postes se cementaron a los conductos radiculares utilizando un cemento de resina de curado doble (Panavia SA). Después de que se obtuvieron las micro rebanadas (1 mm de espesor) de cada subgrupo, se realizó una prueba de push-out bond strength. Los datos se analizaron utilizando ANOVA de dos vías y las pruebas de comparación múltiple de Tukey (α=.05). El tipo de poste y el método de esterilización fueron significativamente efectivos en los valores de push-out bond strength según el ANOVA (P <.001). Los grupos de PDE no aplicados a la esterilización mostraron valores de push-out bond strength significativamente mayores que los grupos esterilizados (p <0,001). Bv_Cnt (9.42 ±1.31) mostró valores de push-out bond strength significativamente más bajos que los grupos Fb (12.36 ±1.54) y Hm_Cnt (11.06 ±1.38) (P <.001). Tanto el autoclave al vapor como la radiación gamma afectan negativamente los valores de push-out bond strength y los modos de fractura de los PDE. Los PDE bovinos no son tan efectivos como los PDE humanos con respecto a la fuerza de adhesión a la dentina de la raíz.

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The present study aimed to assess the influence of curing distance on the loss of irradiance and power density of four curing light devices. The behavior in terms of power density of four different dental curing devices was analyzed (Valo, Elipar 2, Radii-Cal, and Optilux-401) using three different distances of photopolymerization (0 mm, 4 mm, and 8 mm). All devices had their power density measured using a MARC simulator. Ten measurements were made per device at each distance. The total amount of energy delivered and the required curing time to achieve 16 J/cm(2) of energy was also calculated. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's tests (p < 0.05). The curing distance significantly interfered with the loss of power density for all curing light devices, with the farthest distance generating the lowest power density and consequently the longer time to achieve an energy density of 16 J/cm(2) (p < 0.01). Comparison of devices showed that Valo, in extra power mode, showed the best results at all distances, followed by Valo in high power mode, Valo in standard mode, Elipar 2, Radii-Cal, and Optilux-401 halogen lamp (p < 0.01). These findings indicate that all curing lights induced a significant loss of irradiance and total energy when the light was emitted farther from the probe. The Valo device in extra power mode showed the highest power density and the shortest time to achieve an energy density of 16 J/cm(2) at all curing distances.

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The present study aimed to assess the influence of curing distance on the loss of irradiance and power density of four curing light devices. The behavior in terms of power density of four different dental curing devices was analyzed (Valo, Elipar 2, Radii-Cal, and Optilux-401) using three different distances of photopolymerization (0 mm, 4 mm, and 8 mm). All devices had their power density measured using a MARC simulator. Ten measurements were made per device at each distance. The total amount of energy delivered and the required curing time to achieve 16 J/cm2 of energy was also calculated. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s tests (p < 0.05). The curing distance significantly interfered with the loss of power density for all curing light devices, with the farthest distance generating the lowest power density and consequently the longer time to achieve an energy density of 16 J/cm2 (p < 0.01). Comparison of devices showed that Valo, in extra power mode, showed the best results at all distances, followed by Valo in high power mode, Valo in standard mode, Elipar 2, Radii-Cal, and Optilux-401 halogen lamp (p < 0.01). These findings indicate that all curing lights induced a significant loss of irradiance and total energy when the light was emitted farther from the probe. The Valo device in extra power mode showed the highest power density and the shortest time to achieve an energy density of 16 J/cm2 at all curing distances.

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Data related to 11 y of high-energy photon radiotherapy beam dosimetry are presented and analysed. Dosimetric evaluations were carried out using water phantoms and thimble ionisation chambers and are part of the radiation protection regulatory licensing process for medicine facilities of Brazilian government. Measurements were done at reference conditions for a standard absorbed dose of 100 cGy [cGy (=1 rad)]. The absolute per cent deviation between the measured and presumed delivered doses should not exceed the tolerance level of +/-3%. The first dosimetry survey from 1996 to 1998 showed a situation that was an object of concern. Deviations of 22 and 18.7% could be measured, although small deviations were also obtained. After 1998, the improvement in dosimetry quality control by the radiotherapy centres became clear, with most of the deviations situated within the +/-3% range. The decrease in the measured deviations presents the effective success of the Institute of Radiation Protection and Dosimetry audit programme for the improvement in the control of radiotherapy photon beams in Rio de Janeiro. Also, it is possible to recommend to Brazilian regulatory organisation a decrease in the tolerance level for dosimetric deviations in order to achieve a more precise dose delivered to patients in radiotherapy centres.

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