Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth Research Articles

Comparison of traditional regression modeling vs. AI modeling for the prediction of dental caries: a secondary data analysis

IntroductionThere are substantial gaps in our understanding of dental caries in primary and permanent dentition and various predictors using newer modeling methods such as Machine Learning (ML) algorithms and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The objective of this study is to compare the accuracy, precision, and differences between the caries predictive capability of AI vs. traditional multivariable regression techniques.MethodsThe study was conducted using secondary data stored in the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry electronic health records system (axiUm) of pediatric patients aged 6–16 years who were patients on record at the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic. The outcome variables considered in the study were the decayed–missing–filled teeth (DMFT) and the decayed–extracted–filled teeth (deft) scores. The predictors included age, sex, insurance, fluoride exposure, having a dental home, consumption of sugary meals, family caries experience, having special needs, visible plaque, medications reducing salivary flow, and overall assessment questions.ResultsThe average DMFT score was 0.85 ± 2.15, while the average deft scores were 0.81 ± 2.15. For childhood dental caries, XGBoost was the best performing ML algorithm with accuracy, sensitivity. and Kappa as 81%, 84%, and 61%, respectively, followed by Support Vector Machine and Lasso Regression algorithms, both with 84% specificity. The most important variables for prediction found were age and visible plaque.ConclusionsThe machine learning model outperformed the traditional statistical model in the prediction of childhood dental caries. Data from a more diverse population will help improve the quality of caries prediction for permanent dentition where the traditional statistical method outperformed the machine learning model.

Periodontal inflammatory and microbial profiles in healthy young African Americans and Caucasians.

This study aimed to compare microbial and inflammatory profiles in periodontally/systemically healthy African American (AA) and Caucasian (C) individuals. Thirty-seven C and 46 AA aged from 5 to 25 years were evaluated regarding periodontal disease, caries, microbial subgingival profile via 16-s sequencing, as well as salivary and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) inflammatory profile via multiplex assay. Greater probing depth percentage was detected in AA (p = .0075), while a higher percentage of caries index (p = .0069) and decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) index (p = .0089) was observed in C, after adjusting for number of teeth, sex and age. Salivary levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNFα were higher for C, whereas GCF levels of eotaxin, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, IL-2 and MIP-1α were higher in AA (p < .05). Different microbial profiles were observed between the races (p = .02). AA presented higher abundance of periodontopathogens (such as Tanerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, Filifactor alocis, among others), and C presented more caries-associated bacteria (such as Streptococcus mutans and Prevotella species). Bacillaceae and Lactobacillus species were associated with higher DMFT index, whereas Fusobacterium and Tanerella species with periodontal disease parameters. A different inflammatory and bacterial profile was observed between healthy AA and C, which may predispose these races to higher susceptibility to specific oral diseases.

Dental Health Benefits of Swimming in Chlorinated Water.

Poor oral health is an important concern for athletes, as it can affect both general health and athletic performance. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of activity in chlorinated water on oral health in elite swimmers compared to non-swimming athletes. This cross-sectional study included 101 swimmers and 100 other athletes aged 13-26 years with a minimum training intensity of five hours per week (for at least the preceding two years). Oral health was assessed using the approximal plaque index (API) and the decayed/missing/filled teeth (DMFT) index. A DIAGNOcam was used to detect caries. Results show that swimmers were younger (15 years vs. 18 years), were more likely to be female (54% vs. 17%), and had a lower body mass index (20.1 kg/m2 vs. 21.9 kg/m2) and a lower juice consumption (9% vs. 24%). Non-swimmers had significantly more decayed, missing, or filled teeth due to caries and plaque. In conclusion, by comparing elite swimmers and athletes competing in different sports, we have shown that competitive swimmers have a lower incidence of dental caries and plaque. Further research is needed to test our findings and to understand this relationship in greater detail.

Oral Hygiene Status, Salivary and Microbiological Parameters Among Visually Impaired and Normal-Sighted Children After Specialized Oral Health Education: An Interventional Study.

Aim and objectives To assess oral hygiene status and salivary and microbiological parameters among 12 to 15-year-old visually impaired and normal-sighted children before and after oral health education (OHE). Methodology An interventional study was conducted among 25 visually impaired children (Group A) and 25 normal-sighted children (Group B) in the age range of 12 to 15 years. Simple random sampling was used to select the study participants. A questionnaire was designed to record socio-demographic data and the dietary habits of the children on pre-decided days. The oral hygiene practices and the Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) index were recorded, and salivary physicochemical parameters for all the selected children were evaluated, followed by saliva collection for microbial analysis. After baseline assessment, the Audio-Tactile Performance technique for Group A and the animated visual performance technique for Group B children were used to impart OHE. Periodic assessments of salivary parameters were conducted at one-month and three-month intervals. Unpaired T test/Mann-Whitney U test, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA)/Friedman test, followed by Bonferroni's post hoc test were carried out to determine the difference between and within groups, respectively. All statistical tests were performed at a significance level of 5%. Results Group A demonstrated a greater change in salivary pH (6.20 ± 0.41 to 6.96 ± 0.20), salivary buffering capacity (5.80 ± 0.82 to 7.20 ± 0.65), andStreptococcus mutanscount(9.36 ± 0.41 to 8.7 ± 0.45 x 104CFU/mL) when compared to Group B. Group B demonstrated a greaterLactobacillus acidophiluscount reduction (7.96 ± 0.66 to 7.50 ± 0.64 x 104CFU/mL) when compared to Group A. Conclusion The appropriate use of specialized OHE holds particular significance in the improvement of oral hygiene status and salivary parameters, along with a reduction in the bacterial count in both visually impaired children and normal-sighted children.

Analysis of relationship between caries index and stunting in preschool children in Indonesia

A condition known as stunting results from a persistently low nutritional intake during the first 1000 days of life. It is characterized by a height based on age that is less than two standard deviations from the World Health Organization's (WHO) median standard. There are two categories for stunting: short (Z Score -2 SD) and very short (Z Score -3 SD). Stunting results in a number of oral health issues, including delayed milk tooth eruption, atrophy of the developing salivary glands, reduced salivary flow, and an elevated risk of dental caries. The aim of this research is to analyze the relationship between the caries index and stunting in preschool children (3-6 years) in Indonesia. This research is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 98 children taken randomly in Sidenreng Rappang Regency, Indonesia. Determination of nutritional status based on anthropometric measurements, such as height and weight measurements based on age groups. The Decay Missing Filled-Teeth (DMF-T) examination is conducted by looking at teeth that are decayed, filled and missing. Furthermore, the severity of dental caries is categorized into low (DMF-T 0-2.6), medium (DMF-T 2.7-4.4), and high (DMF-T &gt; 4.5) with data analyzed using the chi-square test. The results of measuring nutritional status showed that 78 children (79.6%) experienced stunting. There are 17 children (17.34%) with DMF-T scores in the low category, 7 children (7,114%) in the medium category, and 26 children (26.53%) in the high category. The results of bivariate analysis show p = 0.000 so that there is a significant relationship between stunting and the severity of dental caries in preschool children in Sidenreng Rappang Regency. It is necessary to increase health promotion efforts related to stunting and dental health through health education activities that involve the role of parents in choosing food intake and maintaining the cleanliness of children's teeth and mouths.

Association of Dental Caries with Different ABO Blood Groups

BACKGROUND: ABO blood type affects general and oral health, as salivary physiochemical features are different among various blood kinds. Thus, these may affect the dental caries severity. This work studied the caries experience prevalence in individuals displaying various blood types. This work tested the association between ABO blood group and dental caries. Also, this work evaluated which ABO groups are associated with a higher vulnerability to dental caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty Tikrit University students were randomly selected and were put into four groups based on blood type, and dental caries experience was diagnosed and scored based on the index of Decay Missing Filling Teeth and Surfaces (WHO, 2013). This index scores caries lesions by severity. RESULTS: The blood type O was the most frequent (37%), followed by B, A, and AB types. Caries experience (DMFS and DMFT) was statistically significantly higher among the B blood group (P&lt;0.05). CONCLUSION: ABO blood group was associated with dental caries disease.

Background Characteristics and Cognitive Factors as Determinants of Oral Health in Pregnant Women, Tehran, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: Pregnancy can lead to oral health issues, yet many women remain unaware of the potential negative impact on their pregnancy. This study aimed to assess the dental and periodontal health of pregnant women in Tehran, Iran, and identify its associated factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 221 pregnant women attending 12 randomly selected public health centers in Tehran, Iran. A self-administered questionnaire gathered data on background characteristics, oral health knowledge, and self-reported health. Periodontal status, oral hygiene, and dental health were assessed using bleeding on probing (BOP), simplified oral health (OHI-S), and decayed-missing-filled teeth (DMFT) indices. Statistical analysis included simple and multiple linear regression (P<0.05). Results: The participants' ages ranged from 18 to 42 years (mean: 27.9 years, SD: 5.5). On average, participants scored 4.1 out of 11 (SD: 1.7) for general oral health knowledge and 1.62 out of 4 (SD: 0.9) for knowledge about oral health during pregnancy. The mean DMFT was 8.28 (SD: 5.7), with 65.6% of women having fair oral hygiene according to the OHI-S. Participants reporting poor general health had more debris (B: 0.276, P=0.043), while those with higher general oral health knowledge had fewer missing teeth (B: -0.183, P=0.048). Conclusion: Despite partial free oral health care provided to pregnant women in Iran, the dental and periodontal conditions of the participants were unsatisfactory. Implementing motivational educational programs within the primary health care system could be instrumental in improving the oral health of pregnant mothers.

Radiation-induced xerostomia and cariogenic dietary habits

PurposeDespite the availability of various prevention methods, dental caries continue to be diagnosed in patients receiving head and neck radiotherapy (RT). Since conventional approaches do not evaluate posttreatment alterations in dietary behaviors, we aimed to assess the influence of radiation-induced xerostomia on post-RT cariogenic dietary habits in patients.MethodsFifty-seven patients completed the Xerostomia Questionnaire (XQ) and answered questions regarding daily cariogenic food and beverage (CFB) intake, daily tooth brushing, fluoride application, and subjective total taste acuity (STTA). They also underwent evaluations to determine the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) score, Saxon test score, number of decayed-missing-filled teeth (DMFT), and proportion of DMFT to the test teeth (DMFT rate). Clinical records were searched for information regarding RT modalities, including the median of the mean dose to the parotid glands, days after the completion of RT, submandibular gland resection, whole-neck irradiation, and the DMFT value and rate before RT. The patients were divided into low and high XQ score groups based on the median XQ score of 47.5 for the two sample tests. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were used to identify independent factors for frequent CFB intake.ResultsHigher XQ scores were associated with a significantly greater frequency of CFB intake (p = 0.028*). Regression analysis also identified a higher XQ score (p = 0.017*) as an independent risk factor for frequent CFB intake.ConclusionRadiation-induced xerostomia increased the frequency of CFB intake.

Comparison of perceived stress and oral health status using perceived stress scale and DMFT index between healthy, undiagnosed hypertensive, and known hypertensive dental patients.

Subtle and asymptomatic nature of high blood pressure results in increase in mortality and morbidity. Dentists may play a vital role in identifying patients with suspected hypertension who are not yet diagnosed to refer them timely to physicians for diagnosis and management of the condition. The aim of this study was to compare the oral health status using decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) index and perceived stress score using perceived stress scale (PSS-10) between systemically healthy dental patients, and patients with undiagnosed and known hypertension attending dental out-patient department of Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Lahore Medical College & Institute of Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan. It is a cross-sectional descriptive study in which 108 patients participated selected through purposive sampling method, 36 in each group. According to Kruskal Wallis H test, there were significant associations seen among the three groups with age (p < 0.001), DMFT (p < 0.001), and PSS-10 scores (p = 0.003). According to Spearman's matrix correlations, moderate positive correlations were observed between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and DMFT (r = 0.46, p < 0.001), and MAP and age (r = 0.38, p = 0.001), DMFT and PSS-10 (r = 0.47, p < 0.001), and DMFT and age (r = 0.33, p = 0.004) in healthy and patients with undiagnosed hypertension. It may be concluded that patients with raised blood pressure have higher perceived stress and deteriorated oral health.

Body mass index, oral health status and OHRQoL among special health care needs children and parenting stress: a case-control study in Southern Saudi Arabia.

The appropriateness for determining Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of special children by their caregivers must be thoroughly assessed. The present study was conducted to assess the Oral health related quality of life of children with disability and the stress levels of their parents. Moreover, the study also evaluated the plaque, DMFT (Decayed, missing, filled teeth) and BMI (Body Mass Index) of disabled children (cases) and healthy children (controls). The present case-control study was carried out on 150 parents of disabled children and 30 parents of healthy children (control group) at King Khalid University, Abha, KSA. The Arabic version of the 36-item parenting stress index-short format (PSI-SF) instrument was used for the assessment of parental stress, and the WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version) Arabic version questionnaire was used for the assessment of quality of life of children. The parents or the caregivers who would be mainly occupied in assisting and rendering care to their children with different disabilities (certified by a pediatrician, aged between 4-14 years), were included in the study. Data were analyzed using statistical software. The total mean value score of the PSI scale of parents of cases was statistically found to be significantly higher compared to the mean scores among parents of controls (p = 0.004). The correlation between BMI and plaque & BMI and DMFT+df of cases indicated no statistically significant correlation while a statistically significant correlation between plaque and DMFT+df values in cases was observed. The mean score of the social relationship domain was statistically significantly different across the four levels of parents' educational status. The severity of dental caries, plaque accumulation and education-level of caregivers had a significant impact on the OHRQoL, however, BMI did not show a significant relation with DMFT and plaque scores. The parenting stress was found to be statistically higher among the parents of cases compared to the parents of controls.

Impact of tobacco habits on poor oral health status among bone-factory workers in a low literacy city in India: A cross-sectional study.

Oral health is a vital indicator of well-being that is influenced by various habits and lifestyles of individuals. Oral diseases are the bottleneck in the effective control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) due to chronic in nature and reciprocal relationship as sharing the common risk factors and habits such as sugar, tobacco, and alcohol consumption that increase the risk of developing various inevitable diseases. However, there is a lack of literature highlighting the relationship between risk factors for oral diseases and general health among individuals. This cross-sectional study was carried out among 500 study participants aged 20 to 64 years who gave written informed consent and were recruited by Multistage Stratified Cluster Sampling technique among workers in five bone factories, working for at least one year since January 2001 to March 2022 in Sambhal city, Uttar Pradesh. WHO-Basic Oral Health Survey-1997 was used to record the data regarding sociodemographic and oral health status variables. We used the modified WHO-STEPWISE pre-structured questionnaire to record tobacco consumption habits and oral health-seeking behavior. We scheduled a clinical intra-oral examination to record the Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and the interview on the premises of five bone factories. Among the 500 bone-factory workers, the total number of males was 342 (68.40%) and 158 (31.60%) were females. The mean age (Standard Deviation) was 33.18 (10), and the mean DMFT score of factory workers was 2.84 (3.12). Production workers had the highest mean DMFT score of 4.60 (3.25). More than half of the factory workers (53.2%) were tobacco users. Tobacco users were 3.52 times more likely to have a severe DMFT index. Most common pre-cancerous lesions were oral submucous fibrosis and leukoplakia. Compared to non-tobacco users, mild tobacco users have 6.80 folds higher odds of oral lesions. Tobacco consumption is not only harmful for oral health but also leads to several non-communicable and systemic diseases. NCDs and dental caries are chronic and preventable conditions with a bidirectional relationship implicated by modifiable major risk factors such as tobacco consumption. Decreasing the consumption of tobacco use may improve oral health and reduce the risk of the development of NCDs. Also, regular dental visits should be scheduled to monitor the oral health status of factory workers. Additionally, tailored intervention for tobacco cessation should be implicated to maintain the general and oral health of industrial workers.

Oral Health Behaviour and its Influence on Oral Health Status and Related Quality of Life among Dental Outpatients - A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to predict oral health behaviour (OHB) using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and determine its influence on oral health status and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among subjects attending the outpatient department of a tertiary dental hospital in India. A pre-validated questionnaire was used among 240 randomly selected study subjects to record their demographic details, attitudes (Att), subjective norms (SN) and perceived behaviour control (PBC) with regard to dietary habits (DH), oral hygiene habits (OH) and dental attendance (DA) behaviours. OHRQoL and oral health status of study participants were recorded using Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Assessment Form (2013), respectively. Multivariate analysis was performed after the necessary bivariate comparisons. Among demographic characteristics, the Socioeconomic status (SES) of the study subjects highly influenced their DH and OH (P < 0.05). DA was largely affected by the age of the study subjects (P < 0.05). While attitude of the study participants greatly affected their DH, PBC largely influenced their OH and DA behaviours (P < 0.05). The OHRQoL and Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) levels were strongly influenced by the participants' DA behaviours (P < 0.05). DMFT scores and OHRQoL were highly influenced by DA behaviour besides others. DA instead was influenced by PBC. Hence, there needs to be a conscious shift towards strengthening the skills of the population to promote oral health.

SITUATION OF DENTAL CARIES AND GINGIVITIS AMONG ETHNIC MINORITY STUDENTS AT BOARDING SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN TUYEN QUANG PROVINCE IN 2017

Objectives: To describe the current status of dental caries and gingivitis among ethnic minority students at boarding secondary schools in Tuyen Quang province in 2017. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study on 1,665 ethnic minority students at 6 boarding secondary schools in Tuyen Quang Province. The characteristics of the incidence of dental caries and gingivitis were evaluated according to gender; the rates of caries of primary and permanent teeth were evaluated according to school; the rates of caries and the index of lost fillings of primary and permanent teeth, dental caries, the prevalence of tartar, and bleeding gums were evaluated according to school. Results: The rate of dental caries accounted for 59.3%, of which the rate of permanent tooth decay accounted for 52.3%; the rate of baby tooth decay was 44.6%. Among students with tooth decay, 44.4% had enamel caries; dentin caries rate accounted for 34.2%, and 21.5% had complicated caries. The index of decayed, missing, filled, teeth (DMFT) was 1.93, of which permanent teeth were 1.61, lost teeth were 0.20, and filling teeth were 0.11. The index of DMFT of milk teeth was 1.48, the index of decayed teeth was 1.21, the missing teeth were 0.15, and the filling teeth were 0.13. Gum disease accounted for 46.3% of the students studied. The rate of students with tartar was 34.1%. The average rate of students with bleeding gums was 12.3%. Conclusion: Dental caries, gingivitis, and tartar accounted for a relatively high rate among ethnic minority students at boarding secondary schools in Tuyen Quang Province.

Effect of Chewing Gum Containing Glycyrrhiza glabra, Honey, and Vitamin E on Oral Health

IntroductionDental caries and periodontal diseases are the most prevalent human diseases. Honey, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and vitamin E have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate chewing gum containing G glabra, honey, and vitamin E as an antioxidants on oral and gingival health. MethodsA total of 155 dental students were selected and divided into five groups. A chewing gum (containing G glabra, honey, and vitamin E) and a placebo were prepared separately. Two questionnaires were filled out for each student before and after the intervention. Bleeding on probing, plaque index, gingival index, Decay Missing Filling Teeth (DMFT) index, and salivary bacteria counts were recorded before and after the intervention. All statistical analyses were performed using Stata 14 software. ResultsGingival index, bleeding on probing, and plaque index decreased in all the groups after intervention. The highest reduction was related to gingival inflammation in the case group. There was a decrease in salivary bacterial counts in all the groups after the intervention. The highest reduction was seen in the case group. ConclusionsThe chewing gum containing G glabra, honey, and vitamin E enhanced oral health. Gingival index, bleeding on probing, plaque index, and salivary bacterial counts decreased in all the groups after the intervention, especially in the case group.

Comparative evaluation of plaque removal efficacy and quantitative analysis of &lt;em&gt;Streptococcus mutans&lt;/em&gt; in saliva after using nylon and charcoal bristles toothbrushes in children: A clinico-microbiological study

Background: Dental biofilms are the primary aetiologic factors in the 2 most prevalent oral diseases, dental caries and periodontal disease. Among all oral hygiene methods available, mechanical plaque removal with a toothbrush is the primary mode of maintaining good oral hygiene.Objectives: Comparative evaluation of plaque removal efficacy and quantitative analysis of Streptococcus mutans in saliva after using nylon and charcoal bristles toothbrushes in children.Method: Forty healthy children aged 8-10 years having decayed-missing-filled-tooth (DMFT) score less than 5 were randomly allocated into two groups, one using charcoal bristles and the other using nylon bristles toothbrush. Loe &amp; Silness Plaque Index was recorded along with saliva sample collection for Streptococcus mutans count before and after using the respective toothbrushes for 1 week.Results: A significant reduction in plaque index was observed in each group with a non-significant reduction in Streptococcus mutans CFU. However, the comparison between the two groups was not statistically significant.Conclusions: This randomised, parallel, singleblinded clinical study demonstrated that both nylon and charcoal bristles toothbrushes significantly enhanced plaque control but there was no significant difference in the two methods. There was no significant reduction in Streptococcus mutans CFU.

Caries prevalence and molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) in children. Is there an association? A systematic review.

Molar incisor hypomeralisation (MIH) is a dental condition clinically characterised by the presence of morphological and qualitative enamel defects involving the occlusal and/or incisal third of one or more permanent molars or incisors. Its worldwide prevalence ranges between 2.4 and 40%. Several harmful conditions, such as genetic or medical problems during pregnancy, may act together and increase the risk of MIH. The main objective of this systematic review is to assess whether there is a correlation between MIH and dental caries in mixed or permanent dentition. An electronic search was performed on PubMed (Medline), Scopus and Cochrane Library for articles published from August 2022 to April 2023. Cohort, cross-sectional, retrospective and prospective studies were included. In vitro and animal studies, as well as clinical cases and systematic reviews, were excluded. Studies not differentiating between mixed and permanent dentition were excluded. The observed variables were DMFT (Decayed Missed Filled Teeth) score, DMFS (Decayed Missed Filled Surface) and DMF scores related to FPM (First Permanent Molar) and the clinical prevalence of MIH. DMFT, DMFS and DMFT on FPM scores are significantly different between the group of patients with MIH and the control group. The available evidence supports a correlation between MIH lesions and caries. Caries indexes scores increase proportionally to the severity of MIH.

Knowledge and attitude of pregnant women in Urmia, Iran, about oral health care during pregnancy.

Physiological changes during pregnancy make mothers susceptible to periodontal diseases, in particular gingivitis, which could be prevented by good oral hygiene. Therefore, their knowledge and attitude could affect their oral hygiene and general health. This study therefore aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding oral hygiene, of pregnant women living in a city in Iran. It was a cross-sectional studythat was performed in Urmia City in 2019. After completing an informed consent form, pregnant women completed a specially designed questionnaire, which included questions on demographic characteristics and assessed participants' knowledge and attitude about oral health care during pregnancy. A clinical examination of each participant's oral cavity was performed and dental plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and number of decayed, missed, filled teeth (DMFT) index were recorded. Any correlations between participants' knowledge and attitude and oral health indices were evaluated. A paired t test and Pearson's correlation coefficient were employed for statistical analysis. A total of 96 pregnant women (mean age of 29.11 ± 6.80 years) participated in this study. Among them, 67 had a moderate level of knowledge. There was no significant correlation between participants' knowledge, and attitude levels and educational level (p = .88 and p = .43, respectively). Also, there was no correlation between knowledge and attitude levels and GI, PI, and DMFT (p > .05). This study showed that the knowledge and attitude of the pregnant women who participated were not favorable and their oral hygiene needed to be improved.

Assessment of Oral Health Status and Treatment Needs of Institutionalized Children With Special Needs in Poonamallee, Chennai: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Dental caries represents a pervasive chronic pediatric ailment that significantly hinders normal patterns of nutrition intake, speech articulation, and daily activities. Notably, children with special needs emerge as a particularly susceptible demographic concerning dental afflictions, specifically in the context of dental caries and periodontal diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the oral health status of children with special needs in Poonamallee, Chennai, India. Methodology This cross-sectional survey involved a total of 1,114 children with special needs, classified into two groups, namely, intellectually disabled and physically challenged. The assessment of various oral health parameters in the study population was performed using the World Health Organization's Oral Health Assessment Form for Children 2013. For quantitative variables, mean and standard deviations were considered. The significance of the difference between quantitative variables was tested using an independent t-test. Statistical significance was set at p-values ≤0.05. Results Of the 1,114 children, 552 were females and 562 were males. Overall dental trauma was noted in 21%. The average decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT) value was 0.74, with intellectually disabled children exhibiting a higher mean compared to the physically challenged group with a mean value of 0.72. Additionally, when assessing gingival conditions, children withintellectual disabilities displayed more unfavorable outcomes compared to their physically challenged counterparts. A need for dental intervention was observed in 97.3% of the pediatric population. A statistically significant difference was found for missing teeth (M) in the DMFT index between the intellectually disabled and physically challenged groups. Conclusions The results of this study emphasize the less-than-ideal oral health condition among children with special needs, highlighting the urgent necessity for the creation of a comprehensive dental healthcare program tailored to their specific needs.

Cost-effectiveness of dental caries prevention strategies in South African schools

BackgroundIn South Africa, an estimated 85% of the population relies on the public sector for oral health services. With poor infrastructure and inadequate personnel, over 80% of children with dental caries remain untreated. To reduce this burden of disease, one key goal is to promote good oral health and address oral diseases through prevention, screening, and treatment among children. While all policies have been proven to be effective in the control and prevention of dental caries, it is unclear which of those strategies provide value for money. This study evaluated five caries preventative strategies in terms of the cost and benefits among South African school children.MethodsThe study uses a hypothetical South African population of school aged learners aged 5–15. The context and insights of the strategies utilized at the schools were informed by data from both grey and published literature. Using Markov modeling techniques, we conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride (APF) application, atraumatic restorative treatment (ART), sugar-reduction and fissure sealants. Markov model was used to depict the movement of a hypothetical patient cohort between different health states over time. We assessed both health outcomes and costs of various interventions. The health outcome metric was measured as the number of Decayed, Missing, Filled Tooth (DMFT). The net monetary benefit was then used to determine which intervention was most cost-effective.ResultsThe results showed that school-based caries prevention strategies are cost-effective compared to the status quo of doing nothing. The average cost per learner over the 10-year period ranged from ZAR4380 to approx. ZAR7300 for the interventions considered. The total costs (including screening) associated with the interventions and health outcome (DMFT averted) were: sugar reduction (ZAR91,380, DFMT: 63,762), APF-Gel (ZAR54 million, DMFT: 42,010), tooth brushing (ZAR72.8 million, DMFT: 74,018), fissure sealant (ZAR44.63 million, DMFT: 100,024), and ART (ZAR45 million, DMFT: 144,035). The net monetary benefits achieved for APF-Gel, sugar reduction, tooth brushing, fissure sealant and ART programs were ZAR1.56, ZAR2.45, ZAR2.78, ZAR3.81, and ZAR5.55 billion, respectively.ConclusionBased on the net monetary benefit, ART, fissure sealant and sugar-reduction appear to be the most cost-effective strategies for preventing caries in South Africa. In a resource-scarce setting such as South Africa, where there is no fluoridation of drinking water, this analysis can inform decisions about service packages for oral health.

The Level of Knowledge and Decay Missing Filling -Teeth (DMF-T) Index in Children Aged 12-15 years old in Coastal Area of Southeast Minahasa Regency Indonesia

Plaque is a soft layer of a collection of bacteria and sticky that adheres to teeth. One of the efforts to control it is to brush your teeth regularly and regularly use mouthwash. Currently, many mouthwashes have been developed with traditional plant ingredients that have antiseptic and antibacterial properties with side effects. One of these traditional plants is Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) and Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt). The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of gargling with steeping green tea (C. sinensis) and nutmeg (M. fragrans Houtt) on the decline in plaque index of adolescents aged 17-19 years. The type of research used is quasi-experiment research one group pre-post test. This research was conducted in October-December 2022. The subjects of this study were Polytechnic students of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Manado aged 17-19 years and willing to be research subjects. The number of samples obtained in this study was 42 people. The treatment given is gargling with steeping green tea (C. sinensis) and nutmeg flowers (M. fragrans houtt). The variable measured is the plaque index. This research instrument uses diagnostic tools and plaque index assessment format. The data obtained were analyzed using a paired sample t-test statistical test. The results of this study showed that the average plaque index before gargling steeping green tea (C. sinensis) was 2.09 and after that was 1.35, had a difference in decrease of 0.74 points. The average plaque index of steeping nutmeg (M. fragrans houtt) before was 2.03 and after that was 1.03, had a difference of 1.00. Based on analysis using paired sample t-test shows there is a significant difference seen from the value of p = 0.00 (0.00&lt;0.05). It can be concluded that the gargling with steeping green tea (C. sinensis) and nutmeg flowers (M. fragrans houtt) can make the plaque index of adolescents aged 17-19 years better.