A factor that may result in erroneous: the effect of honey on Streptococcus Mutans (a report of study pitfalls)

To obtain the effect of natural honey on the effect of Streptococcus mutans, a study was released. This cross-over, clinical trial study was performed on 24 dental students. 2 cc of saliva from two groups were initially made. The honey was held to case group and they were asked to do instruction for a week. The instruction was swishing the honey daily by rate of 5 ml in their mouth for 5 minutes, and then swallowing it. After 2 weeks wash out, switching between the groups was performed and changes in salivary mutans streptococci were determined by statistical analysis with Mann-U-Whitney test. The Streptococcus mutans in the saliva of the control group at baseline was 54250±30482 CFU/ml, and after the intervention, was 37042±27900 CFU/ml (p<0.001). Saliva levels of Streptococcus mutans in case group at baseline were 26000±34667 CFU/ml, which was changed to the rate of 54167±35129 CFU/ml (p<0.001). For estimation of the laboratory reliability‚ 4 cc saliva of 4 students were taken. Each sample was divided in two parts‚ and the entire 8 samples were sent for estimation of Streptococcus mutans colony numbers. The difference between them was 17500±95749 CFU/ml (p<0.04). A pilot study is preferable to estimate the laboratory reliability in order to gaining the best results.