Browsing by Author "Peters, R."

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    A comparison of two liner materials for use in the ferric sulfate pulpotomy
    (University of the Western Cape, 2004) Mohamed, N.; Peters, R.
    Pulp therapy in the primary dentition has always been a source of much controversy. Different pulpotomy techniques and medicaments have been covered extensively in the literature but due to the increasing awareness of the potential deleterious effects of some of these medicaments, a need has arisen in the dental profession to fmd safer, alternative pulpotomy agents. Ferric sulfate and calcium hydroxide have been suggested as possible, more biologically acceptable alternatives to formocresol, which is known for its toxic side effects. Ferric sulfate is one of the most recent agents used in vital pulp therapy and has enjoyed reasonable success. Further controversy also exists in terms of the type of base which is placed over the amputated pulp. The choice of the base seems to determine the pulpal response. Two bases, calcium hydroxide (Dycal) and zinc oxide-eugenol (Kalzinol) have both been used in separate studies but have never been compared. The aim of this study is to compare the success rate obtained when applying one or the other of these two bases following a ferric sulfate pulpotomy. Presently it is unknown which base is best. In this study, after haemostasis was achieved with damp cotton pellets, ferric sulfate was applied to the pulpal stumps. Half of the cases then received a Dycal base followed by a cured layer of Vitrebond and a permanent amalgam restoration. The other half of the cases received a base of zinc oxide-eugenol (Kalzinol) followed by an amalgam restoration. Overall, teeth treated with Dycal demonstrated a higher failure rate when compared with those that received the Kalzinol base. Abscess formation and internal resorption were the most common causes of failure. Even though the Kalzinol base demonstrated greater success, there were still quite a few failures. This study demonstrates, that even with the use of a haemostatic agent, calcium hydroxide cannot be recommended as a medicament in primary tooth pulpotomies. It also highlights the need for alternative pulpotomy medicaments that are not irritating or harmful to the pulp.
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    Small medium micro enterprise business goals and government support: a South African case study
    (APM, 2013) Peters, R.; Naicker, Visvanathan
    Small and medium-scale enterprises (SMMEs) form the majority of the enterprises in the South African economy. The South African government has identified the SMME sector as one of the potential enablers to achieve its objectives of improving job creation opportunities, reducing poverty and creating a more equitable distribution of wealth. The aim of this article was to provide a perspective on the success government support initiatives has had on the SMME sector. To achieve this, the study sought to analyse the perceived strengths and weaknesses of government's national strategy and its institutions tasked with creating an enabling environment for the sector. The study employed a survey research design methodology in which mixed methods were used. The national business strategy employed by government was critically analysed. Empirical data was collected from 282 respondents in order to answer the research question. The results show that the government's approach has favoured 'supply-side interventions' including, providing access to training, credit, mentoring and information to existing and new business. Furthermore, this study has identified the lack of awareness as the primary reason for the under-delivery of the government support initiatives in SMME development. Respondents indicated that they frequently made use of the services of business consultants and external specialists from which they perceived added more value to their respective businesses.