Poor Gingival Health Research Articles

Quality of life in children and adolescents with blood coagulation disorders and hemoglobinopathies.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of oral conditions and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children and adolescents with blood coagulation disorders and hemoglobinopathies (BCDH). The study was cross-sectional and included 61 individuals aged 2 to 18 years with BCDH. Exams for dental caries (dmft/DMFT index), oral hygiene (simplified oral hygiene index - OHI-S), and gingival health (modified gingival index - MGI) were performed. The pediatric quality of life inventory™ (PedsQL™) generic core scale and oral health scale were used to measure HRQoL and OHRQoL. Spearman's correlation coefficient (ρ) and the Mann-Whitney test (α = 0.05) were conducted to assess the relationship between covariates and the PedsQL™ oral health scale. The mean PedsQL™ oral health scale score was 76.66 (SD = 21.36). Worse OHRQoL was correlated with poor oral hygiene (ρ = -0.383; p: 0.004), poor gingival health (ρ = -0.327; p = 0.014), and better HRQoL (ρ = 0.488; p < 0.001). Greater untreated dental caries experience was associated with worse OHRQoL (p = 0.009). Worse oral health status in children and adolescents with BCDH negatively impacts OHRQoL, and OHRQoL and quality of life analyzed from a generic perspective are positively correlated constructs in this population.

The effect of orthodontic banding on gingival health of first permanent molars.

Objective: To determine the effect of orthodontic banding on gingival health of first permanent molars. Study Design: Quasi Experimental. Setting: Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar. Period: 15th December 2020 to 15th June 2021. Material &amp; Methods: This study was conducted on 70 patients by non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Both genders, adult (age 18-40 years) needing orthodontic fixed treatment and having all first permanent molars were included. Patients with medications and medical conditions affecting gingival health and history of periodontal disease were excluded. The gingival health was assessed using gingival and plaque indices before and six months after banding of molars. Paired t test was used for comparing the gingival and plaque indices before and six months of treatment. Results: The mean age was 27±10.12 years. The males were 29(41.42%) and female were 41(58.58%). The mean gingival index score was 1.09±1.10 before banding and was 1.87±1.63 after six months and was statistically significant (p=0.001). Similarly the change in plaque index was very highly statistically significant (p&lt;0.001). Both gingival (p=0.02) and plaque (p=0.04) indices were statistically significantly aggravated in those not brushing their teeth. Similarly the patients who are not using any sort of interdental aids had significantly increased plaque (p=0.01) and gingival (p=0.03) indices. Conclusion: Orthodontic banding can adversely affect the gingival health in patients receiving fixed appliance treatment. Lack of proper oral hygiene maintenance further aggravates poor gingival health.

Alzheimer’s Disease: Criteria for Dental Treatments

Among manifestations of neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer Disease (AD) contributes for 60-70% to elderly dementia. AD patients suffer from impaired cognitive function and from a compromised capacity to perform activities of daily living. Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by neuronal loss, dystrophic neurites, and cerebrovascular amyloid. AD occurs more often in woman (2/3 of AD cases) compared with men. The presence of extracellular β-amyloid peptide and hyper phosphorylated tau protein are typical of the physiopathology of the AD brain. Developed under the age of 65 years, the PSEN1 gene is located on chromosome 14q24.3. In the elderly over 65 years, the late-onset of AD, the gene coding for PSEN2 is located on chromosome 1q31-q42. For the late onset AD, the apolipoprotein E was associated to the main risk factors of developing the disease (including molecules such as clusterin, complement receptor, phosphatidylinositol binding clathrin assembly protein and sortilin). Four genes have been identified on chromosome 11. The Amyloid P Protein precursor (APP) encoded by the gene (APP) is located on chromosome 21q. Altered APP processing and Aβ accumulation shed light on the AD pathogenesis. TNFα may act as a diagnostic marker with high sensitivity and specificity in patients with AD. Studies have identified altered oral health conditions (periodontitis, caries, gingival bleeding, probing depth &gt;4 mm). Poor gingival health and oral hygiene increase with the severity of dementia. Dental professionals should use behaviour management techniques for developing preventive strategies in order to stabilize the lesions.

Comparison of the Conventional Band and Loop Space Maintainers with Modified Space Maintainers: A Split-mouth Randomized Clinical Trial.

Aim and backgroundSpace maintainers (SMs) are used to preserve space created by premature loss of primary teeth. The most commonly used band and loop (B&L) SMs have several demerits, e.g., non-functional, poor gingival health, limited survival, laboratory work for fabrication and multi-sitting procedure, etc. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of conventional B&L SMs with conventional tube and loop (CTL), bonded tube and loop (BTL) and bonded B&L in terms of gingival health, survival time, and patients’ and parents’ satisfaction.Materials and methodsFifteen children between 4 years and 8 years of age with at least two fresh extraction sites of primary molars contra- or bilaterally in each child (total 30 fresh extraction sites) were included in the study. Conventional B&L on one site while bonded loop (BL)/CTL or BTL on the other site were delivered, based on random allocation. An evaluation was done at 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 9th months for survival time, gingival health, and patients’/parents’ satisfaction. Results were statistically analyzed using independent t-test and Chi-square test under SPSS version 20.0 software.Results100% B&L and CTL while only 60% BL and 80% BTL survived till the end of the study. For gingival health, statistically significant differences were obtained at 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 9th month's intervals (p < 0.05) when CTL was compared with B&L, BL, and BTL. In terms of patients’ acceptance, all the SMs were well accepted by the patients. However, on the intergroup comparison, patients’ acceptance was higher with bonded SMs.ConclusionConventional tube and loop SMs were found to be most efficacious in terms of survival time, gingival health, and patients’ satisfaction.Clinical significanceTo find a better alternative for the conventional B&L SMs.How to cite this articleTyagi M, Rana V, Srivastava N, et al. Comparison of the Conventional Band and Loop Space Maintainers with Modified Space Maintainers: A Split-mouth Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(S-1):S63–S68.

Do composite restorations in primary molar teeth have a higher survival rate following total or selective caries removal?

Study design A double-blind randomised clinical trial, conducted between June 2009 and June 2011, in a paediatric dental department in a Brazilian dental school.Study selection Children aged 3-8 years, in good general health, with deep carious lesions (caries radiographically located in the inner quarter of dentine) affecting either one or two surfaces in primary molars were eligible for inclusion. Teeth were excluded if clinical or radiographic evidence of pulpal inflammation or necrosis or clinical mobility were observed. Pre-cooperative children were also excluded.Clinical procedures and success criteria Following a coin toss, 120 teeth were randomly assigned to two groups: 55 in the total caries removal (TCR) group and 65 in the selective caries removal (SCR) group. Procedures were carried out by three paediatric dentists under local anaesthesia and restored, using a layering technique, with composite under rubber dam. Restorations were evaluated at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months, using the US Public Health Service (USPHS) scale, by a single-blinded and calibrated examiner. A Charlie or Delta score, on the USPHS scale, at the margins of the restorations was considered as restoration failure. Gingival bleeding score, type of cavity (one or two surfaces) and presence of caries (active or inactive) were recorded as secondary outcomes; however, presence alone did not constitute restoration failure.Results Average survival rate of restorations across all teeth was 68% after 36 months, with SCR statistically significantly lower at 57% compared to TCR at 81% (p = 0.004). Annual failure rates for SCR and TCR were 17.3% and 6.7%, respectively. Two-surface restorations had lower survival rates (58%) compared to single-surface restorations (87%) (p = 0.02). Type of cavity and gingival bleeding statistically influenced the chance of restoration failure at 36 months.Conclusions Composite restorations placed after SCR in primary molars were found to fail more often compared to those restored after TCR. Two-surface cavities and poor gingival health negatively impacted restoration success.

Association between malocclusion, caries and oral hygiene in children 6 to 12 years old resident in suburban Nigeria

BackgroundThere are conflicting opinions about the contribution of malocclusions to the development of dental caries and periodontal disease. This study’s aim was to determine the association between specific malocclusion traits, caries, oral hygiene and periodontal health for children 6 to 12 years old.MethodsThe study was a household survey. The presence of malocclusion traits was assessed in 495 participants. The caries status and severity were assessed with the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft/DMFT) index and the pulpal involvement, ulceration, fistula and abscess (pufa/PUFA) index. The Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and Gingival Index (GI) were used to assess periodontal health. The association between malocclusion traits, the presence of caries, poor oral hygiene, and poor gingival health were determined with chi square and logistic regression analyses. Statistical significance was inferred at p < 0.05.ResultsSeventy-four (14.9%) study participants had caries, with mean (SD) dmft/DMFT scores of 0.27 (0.82) and 0.07 (0.39), respectively, and mean (SD) pufa/PUFA index scores of 0.09 (0.43) and 0.02 (0.20), respectively. The mean (SD) OHI-S score was 1.56 (0.74) and mean (SD) GI score was 0.90 (0.43). Dental Aesthetic Index scores ranged from 13 to 48 with a mean (SD) score of 20.7 (4.57). Significantly greater proportions of participants with crowding (p = 0.026) and buccal crossbite (p = 0.009) had caries. Significantly more children with increased overjet (p = 0.003) and anterior open bite (p = 0.008) had moderate to severe gingivitis. Poor oral hygiene (OR: 1.83; CI: 1.05–3.18 p = 0.033), crowding (OR: 1.97; CI: 1.01–3.49; p = 0.021) and buccal crossbite (OR: 6.57; CI: 1.51–28.51 p = 0.012) significantly increased the odds of having caries. Poor oral hygiene (p < 0.001), increased overjet (p = 0.003), and anterior open bite (p = 0.014) were the only significant traits associated with gingivitis.ConclusionsCrowding and buccal cross bite were associated with caries, whereas increased overjet and anterior open bite were associated with gingivitis. These findings justify the recommendation of orthodontic treatment to improve oral health.

Evaluation of the Knowledge Levels of Dental Health of Parents of Primary School Students: Pilot Study

Amaç: Günümüzde diş çürükleri ve periodontal hastalıklar başta gelen halk sağlığı problemlerindendir. Çocuğun diş sağlığı davranışlarının geliştirilmesinde diş hekimine olduğu kadar aileye de görevler düşmektedir. Çalışmada ilköğretim okullarında (İÖO) eğitim gören öğrencilerin velilerinin diş sağlığına yönelik bilgi düzeylerinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı olarak planlanan çalışma, gerekli yasal izinler sonrası, 01 - 30 Nisan 2014 tarihlerinde Sakarya Arifiye ilçesine bağlı ilkokullarda okuyan öğrencilerin velileri ile yapıldı. Araştırmacılar tarafından literatürden yararlanılarak oluşturulan 22 soruluk anket formunun, çalışmaya katılmayı kabul eden toplam 288 veli tarafından doldurulması istendi. Veriler SPSS 21 istatistik programında analiz edildi, p&amp;lt;0.05 anlamlı kabul edildi. Bulgular: Katılımcıların 268’i(%93.0) kadın, 20’si(%7) erkek olup yaş ortalaması 35.6 ± 8.5 (18-79) yıldı. Görüşülen velilerin 178’i(%61.8) ilköğretim, 60’ı(%20.8) ortaöğretim, 12’si(%4) önlisans, 38’i(%13.2) lisans mezunuydu. Diş fırçalama şekli sorulduğunda; 35’i(%12.1) sağa-sola fırçalama, 68’i(%23.6) yukarı-aşağı fırçalama, 180’i(%62.5) sağ sol, yukarı aşağı ve dairesel fırçalama yöntemleriyle dişlerini fırçalarken 5’i dişlerini nasıl fırçaladığını bilmiyordu. Diş bakımı için velilerden 215’i(%74.6) diş fırçası, 33’ü(%11.7) kürdan, 26’sı(%9.0) diş ipi, 5’i diğer yöntemler kullanırken 9’u hiç diş bakım materyali kullanmamaktaydı. Velilerin 7’si(%2.4) kendi diş eti sağlığını çok kötü, 37’si(%12.8) kötü, 121’i(%42.0) orta, 78’i(%27.0) iyi, 16’sı(%5.5) çok iyi olarak tanımlarken; 29’unun(%10.0) kendi diş eti sağlığı hakkında fikri yoktu. Diş eti kanamasının nedenine 108’i(%37.5) bilmiyorum cevabı verirken; 80’i(%27.7) diş eti çekilmesi, 87’si(%30.2) diş eti iltihaplanması, 13’ü(%4.5) sağlıklı diş etine bağlı olduğunu ifade etti. Diş eti plağını 103’ü(%35.7) bilmezken; 109’u(%37.8) diş yüzeyindeki taşlar, 51’i(%17.7) diş yüzeyindeki tabaka, 25’i(%8.6) diş yüzeyindeki renklenme olarak belirtti. Kalıcı dişler ne zaman çıkar sorusuna; 35’i(%12.1) 3 yaş, 159’si(%55.2) 6 yaş, 52’si(%17.0) 10 yaş, 37’si(%12.8) 12 yaş, 5’i bilmiyorum cevabını verdi. “Diş hekimi kontrolü neden önemlidir?” sorusuna 57’si(%19.7) erken teşhis, 145’i(%50.3) diş sağlığının korunması, 66’sı(%22.9) genel sağlığın korunması, 9’u(%3.0) ucuz ve kolay tedavi nedeni cevabını verirken 11’i konu hakkında fikri olmadığını ifade etti. Sonuç: Çalışmamızda, ailelerin diş eti hastalıkları, diş plağı, kalıcı dişlerin çıkma süresi konularında yeterli bilgiye sahip olmadıkları görüldü. Oral hijyenin bilinmesi, sağlanması ve sürdürülmesi amacıyla velilerinde eğitim süreçlerine dahil edilmesi ve konuyla ilgili erişkin eğitim planlamaları ile bilgi düzeylerinin artması gerekliliği düşünülmüştür.

Effect of Electronic Cigarette Usage on Oral Health: A 6-Month Prospective Study

A growing trend towards a new type of alternative device where cigarette smokers use electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) to receive nicotine is a concern to global health. Questions have been raised about the safety of the prolonged used of e-cigarette as it claims as the system to substitute nicotine from tobacco. However, to date there has been little documented evidence regarding the oral health effects of e-cigarette users. The objective of this study was to evaluate the oral health status of e-cigarette users based on time effect. This observational, cohort study conducted at Kulliyyah of Dentistry, International Islamic University Malaysia, involved 45 participants. Oral health examination was conducted by a single trained examiner at baseline and 6-month according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Dental caries was evaluated using the DMFT index, while the periodontal parameters that were assessed used plaque, gingivitis, gingival bleeding, and calculus indices. The results were compared using Paired t-test, the outcomes of which were significant for Gingival Index (p=0.048), Calculus Index (p=0.034), and DMFT Index (p=0.002). In conclusion, e-cigarette posed a detrimental effect on oral health status with increased caries prevalence and poorer gingival health.

Oral health status among children and adolescents in governmental and private schools of the Palestinian Territories

Political conflicts in the Palestinian Territories (PT) have resulted in systematic deterioration of socio-economic conditions and health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasised the negative impacts of social crisis on children' oral health and quality of life. To assess the prevalence and trends in dental caries and poor gingival health of schoolchildren in the PT through the scholastic years 1998/1999 to 2012/2013. This is a retrospective study. Prevalence data on dental caries of primary and permanent dentitions among children 6, 12 and 16 years of age were gathered from annual oral health reports of the School Dental Health Programme (SDHP)-Ministry of Health. Caries was recorded according to WHO methods and criteria. Decayed, missing and filled teeth indices for primary (dmft) and permanent (DMFT) teeth were calculated. Gingival health status was examined according to the Community Periodontal Index (scores 1 and 2). Statistical analysis used SPSS. In 2012/2013, dental caries prevalence rates and the index scores among schoolchildren were as follows, respectively: 56.4% and 2.7 dmft at age 6; 42.0% and 1.4 DMFT at age 12; and 38.7% and 1.7 DMFT at age 16. For all age groups, the d/D-component of the caries indices was high. Trends of dental-caries prevalence, caries experience and gingival bleeding were fairly constant over time from 1998/1999. The SDHP was established in order to prevent and control oral diseases among schoolchildren in the PT. The Programme is fairly passive and the survey indicates an urgent need for reorientation of activities towards population-based prevention and health promotion. The application of the WHO Health Promoting Schools concept is highly recommended.

Free gingival graft: An effective technique to create healthy keratinised gingiva

The high labial frenal attachment in mandibular anterior segment is most commonly associated with inadequate width of attached gingiva. Insufficient attached gingiva contributed to the difficulty in oral hygiene maintenance and ultimately poor gingival health. Frenectomy, vestibular extension and gingival augmentation procedures either alone or in combination are often required to maintain adequate health of the gingiva.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Before and After Dental Health Education among Hearing and Speech Impaired Children

Objective: To evaluate the level of dental health awareness, existing status of dental hygiene and extent of compliance to basic dental health education in hearing and speech impaired children. Setting: Govt. higher secondary school of special education for hearing impaired, Faisalabad, where around 300 hearing and speech impaired students from play-group to intermediate are under educational program. Age group: 7-11 years. Sample Size: Total 90 children had mixed dentition stage and were selected because this group is most vulnerable to poor dental health. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Duration: April-May 2015. Sampling technique: Non-Probability convenient sampling. Methodology: Under the supervision of their parents and teachers, using their sign language to communicate, the children were assessed for their knowledge about dental health through a pretested and close ended questionnaire and their prevailing oral hygiene status especially their gingival health was examined visually. Any sign of gingival inflammation with glazing, redness, edema and/or hypertrophy was marked as gingivitis. Followed by a session of basic dental health education, which was delivered to these differently-abled (deaf) children through specially designed presentations with maximum picture and video messages, which were easy for them to understand. After 45 days, re-examination was done to find out the percentage improvement in their gingival health. Results: Of the total 90 children, 66 of them had never visited a dentist for a routine dental check-up. Yet 47 of them had a good knowledge that dental brushing prevented tooth decay, but only 25 children knew that sweets causes dental decay and only 18 were aware that fizzy drinks adversely affects the teeth. On oral examination, 61.11% of these children were found to have compromised gingival health status; gingivitis. When after they were given basic dental health education and examined again on 45th day, number of children having gingivitis dropped to only 28.88%, indicating that 32.22% of these hearing and speech impaired children having poor gingival health previously, showed up improvements. Conclusion: Comprehensive oral health awareness education to these children can largely bring a change in their knowledge, attitudes and practices in maintaining dental health.

Perception of gingival bleeding and oral health practices in dental anxious and nonanxious Nigerian teachers

Introduction: The objective of this study was to examine the perception of gingival bleeding and oral health practices in dental anxious and nonanxious Nigerian primary school teachers. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional was conducted among public primary school teachers in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Self-administered questionnaire which elicited information on demography, dental anxiety, gingival bleeding, teeth cleaning, and dental attendance was the data collection tool. Dental anxiety was assessed using Modified Dental Anxiety Scale and participants with scores ≥19 and <19 were considered as dental anxious and nonanxious, respectively. Results: A total of 151 teachers participated in the study giving 83.9% retrieval rate. Of the 151 teachers studied, 29 of them reported dental anxiety giving 19.2% prevalence. Dental anxious participants erroneously considered gingival bleeding during teeth cleaning as the manifestation of dental caries and gingival recession more than the nonanxious participants. Dental anxious participants reported lower gingival bleeding preventive measures awareness and took more actions other than visiting the dentist for gingival bleeding than the nonanxious participants. Dental anxious participants reported more daily teeth cleaning for reasonable duration using a combination of chewing stick, toothbrush, and toothpaste than the nonanxious participants. Dental anxious participants reported more irregular dental attendance and fair/poor gingival health status than nonanxious participants. Conclusion: Data from this study revealed that dental anxious participants generally had better oral self-care practices, poorer gingival health, more irregular dental attendance, lower gingival bleeding preventive measures awareness, more erroneous belief, and took more improper steps for gingival bleeding management than the nonanxious participants. Clinical Relevance to Interdisciplinary Dentistry Dentists and periodontologists must take into consideration the effect of dental anxiety on oral self-care, dental attendance practices, and periodontal health to ensure holistic dental healthcare awareness, utilization, and delivery.

A practice-based evaluation of the prevalence and predisposing etiology of white spot lesions.

To use an alumni-centered, practice-based research network to evaluate white spot lesions (WSLs) among treated orthodontic patients. An initial survey was conducted to ascertain whether orthodontic alumni from Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry were willing to participate. Twenty randomly selected alumni participated, providing 158 treated cases. Each alumnus (1) obtained internal review board consent; (2) submitted pre- and posttreatment photographs of 10 consecutively finished cases; (3) completed a treatment survey; and (4) had the patient/parent complete the American Dental Association (ADA) Caries Risk Assessment. Almost 90% of the alumni surveyed were willing to participate in the practice-based research, primarily because a fellow alumnus asked them to. Approximately 28% of the patients developed WSLs. The average patient developed 2.4 white spots, affecting 12.7% of the teeth examined. WSLs were significantly (P < .001) more (2.3-3.2 times) likely for patients who were identified on the ADA Caries Risk Assessment. The risk of developing WSLs during treatment was also increased for those with fair (2.7 times) or poor (3.5 times) oral hygiene, poor gingival health (2.3 times), and extended treatment times (2.1 times). There is a substantial risk of developing WSLs among private practice patients, depending partially on the length of treatment. Patients at greatest risk can be identified prior to treatment based on the ADA Caries Risk Assessment, oral hygiene, and gingival health.

Relationship between Gingivitis and Autism in Children: A Matched Case-control Study

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed in early childhood. Studies have shown that autistic children have poorer gingival health and hence chances of higher incidence of gingivitis may occur in autistic than non-autistic children. Gingivitis is characterized by gingival inflammation without loss of attachment due to continuous exposure to dental plaque. Studies on the gingival health of autistic children in Malaysia are lacking. Hence, this study aims to evaluate and compare the gingival health status of autistic and non-autistic children. Materials and Methods: A total of 86 children were recruited and an oral assessment was performed on each child to assess the degree of calculus, plaque accumulation and gingival Original Research Article Sikarwar et al.; BMRJ, 7(4): 174-179, 2015; Article no.BMRJ.2015.109 175 inflammation using the calculus, plaque and gingival indices respectively. Pooled dental plaque (supragingival margins and gingival crevices of the buccal surface of the anterior maxillary molar and lingual of mandibular molar teeth) samples were collected and transferred to Stuart transport media. Samples were diluted and 100 μl aliquots were cultured on Columbia agar with 5% sheep blood. Plates were incubated in an anaerobic environment at 37oC for 7 days. Colonies were Gram stained and examined for cellular morphology followed by indole and catalase test. Bacterial identification was done using the Rapid ID 32 A kit. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Chi-square, MannWhitney U, Odds ratio and Spearman’s correlation analyses were used to analyze the data. Results: The prevalence of dental calculus was significantly elevated in the autistic group with 43 sample size in each group (p = 0.001). However, the prevalence of gingivitis and plaque were not significantly different between the two groups. The presence of plaque (p = 0.001) and calculus (p = 0.004) were significantly associated with the development of gingivitis. Conclusion: While the autistic children had significantly more calculus, the occurrence of gingivitis and plaque were similar between autistic and control groups. Measures to control dental plaque and calculus among the autistic children should be improved to prevent gingivitis.

Oral cleanliness and gingival health among Special Olympics athletes in Europe and Eurasia.

BackgroundSpecial Olympics athletes, as well as the general population of people with intellectual disabilities, are expected to have poorer gingival health. The aim of the study is to explore the prevalence of gingival signs of inflammation and its relationship to oral cleanliness and age among Special Olympics athletes from Europe and Eurasia.Material and MethodsA retrospective longitudinal study was performed with data collected through standardized oral from 15.941 athletes from annual Special Olympics events held in 49 countries, from Europe and Eurasia between 2007 and 2012. The data was analysed descriptively, with One-Way ANOVA test and Chi-Square test.ResultsThe level of significance was predetermined at a p value < 0.05. A total of 7,754 athletes presented with gingival signs (48.64%). There were no significant differences (p= 0,095) in mean gingival signs between age groups, however the association between mouth cleaning and age, was statistically significant.ConclusionsThe data suggests that there is a high prevalence of gingival signs among individuals with special needs; over 50% in more than 20 countries. Therefore, there is a serious need for education and preventive programs for the patients, their parents and caregivers. Key words:Gingivitis, prevalence, hygiene, disability, Special Olympics.

Banded vs Bonded Space Maintainers: Finding Better Way Out.

ABSTRACTObjectives: Of this in vivo study was to evaluate various space maintainers in terms of survival rate, gingival health and presence of caries.Design: A total of 60 extraction sites in the age group of 4 to 9 years were divided into four groups and different space maintainers were placed in them viz (conventional band and loop, prefabricated band with custom made loop, Ribbond, Super splint).Results: Prefabricated bands with custom made loop showed maximum success rates (84.6%), while super splint (33.33%) was found to be least successful.In terms of gingival health, prefabricated band with custom made loop reported minimum cases with poor gingival health (27.2%), while maximum cases with poor gingival health (50%) were reported with Super splint.None of the space maintainers developed caries at the end of 9 months.How to cite this article: Setia v, Pandit IK, Srivastava N, Gugnani N, Gupta M. Banded vs Bonded Space Maintainers: Finding Better Way Out. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2014;7(2):97-104.

Oral health status and treatment needs of substance abusers attending de-addiction centers in Bangalore city

Introduction: Studies in different countries, demonstrated high caries prevalence, poor gingival health, poor motivation and oral hygiene practices with substance abusers. The substances may be natural or synthetic, the use of which has a psychoactive effect and alters or modifies the functions of a living organism. Aim: To assess the oral health status and treatment needs of substance abusers attending de-addiction centers in Bangalore. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 426 substance abusers admitted in the wards who were randomly selected from 5 selected de-addiction centers from April 2009 to September 2009. The study population consisted of four groups namely alcohol, nicotine, alcohol + nicotine and other drugs group from the selected de-addiction centers. The oral health status of the patients was determined based on the WHO proforma1997. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's Chi-square test and ANOVA tests were applied. Results: The study population consisted of 426 male subjects in the age group of 16-65 years old with an average of 36.35 years. Alcohol + nicotine group had significantly more temporomandibular joint clicking than other groups (P < 0.05). Ninety-Six oral mucosal lesions were found in the study. Alcohol group had significantly higher mean CPI code 3 (pockets 4-5 mm) than the other groups (P < 0.05). The prevalence of decayed, missing, filled teeth in the study population was 83.33%. The mean DMFT of the study population is 4.15 ± 3.74 standard deviation. The mean DMFT of the Alcohol group was significantly higher than the other combinations group (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The oral health status of substance abusers was poor. There were a large number of oral mucosal lesions noted in them. The dental caries status and periodontal status was the worst in the alcohol group.

Oral hygiene and gingival health status of children with Down syndrome in Yemen: A cross-sectional study.

Purpose:The objective of the present study was to assess the oral hygiene and gingival health status among Yemeni children with Down syndrome.Materials and Methods:The study sample comprised 101 children with Down syndrome attending special needs schools in Sana’a, Yemen. The calculus index (CI), plaque index (PI), and the gingival index (GI) were used to assess oral hygiene and gingival health status.Results:All subjects had gingivitis; the mean CI, PI, and GI scores were 0.58 ± 0.61, 1.45 ± 0.57, and 1.54 ± 0.64, respectively, with no significant difference found across gender. Stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that the best predictors in the descending order for CI were age and mother's education, and the best predictors for PI were IQ level, age, and father's education. Having severe mental retardation, older age, less educated parents were the most important predictors for poor gingival health status.Conclusions:These findings show that children with Down syndrome have poor oral hygiene and high levels of periodontal diseases. Hence, appropriate oral health education should be tailored to the needs of these children with the support of their teachers and parents.

Comparative Assessment of Levels of Total Proteins in Saliva on Control and Diabetic Patients

Abstract Diabetic Patients frequently report for Dental prob-lems; however assessment of their diabetic status thou-gh empirical is quiet challenging. Either patients do not know about their diabetic status or are not willing to get it done due to financial constraints or chances of cross infection. Some of them get it checked but do not report at proper time. Though serum analysis has alwa-ys been a gold standard for diagnosis of various dise-ases, but serum assessment at dental clinic is not pos-sible because of non-existence of such culture. In the recent past assessment of other body fluids such as Saliva as diagnostic tool has gained importance. Aim of this study was thus to assess level of Total Proteins in saliva of control and diabetics and correlate between Total Protein levels and incidence of caries and gin-gival health. Study was conducted on 90 subjects; 30 control and 60 diabetics. Sample was selected on the basis of history, HbA1c levels, serum sugar levels and salivary sugar levels. Un-stimulated whole saliva from diabetics and control group was then collected, stored and freezed at -20°C. Saliva samples were then defros-ted centrifuged and its supernatant portion was analy-zed by Dimension Clinical Chemistry System for Total Proteins. SPSS 17.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results showed that salivary Total protein levels were higher for the diseased group when compared with control group and were correlated statistically signifi-cantly with caries and poor gingival health. Key Words: Serum Glucose Level, Salivary Total Protein Level, Diabetes Mellitus, Caries, Gingival Health.

School‐based intervention to promote preadolescents’ gingival health: a community trial

Evaluation of the effectiveness of a school-based oral health promotion intervention on preadolescents' gingival health. A community trial designed for a 3-month intervention study in a representative sample of 9-year-olds (n = 457) in 16 schools in Tehran, Iran. The schools were randomly assigned to three intervention groups and one control group, each group comprising two boys' and two girls' schools. The first group of children (n = 115) received intervention via class work, solving a set of puzzles containing oral health messages, under supervision of their health counsellor. The second group (n = 114), intervention via parents, included an oral health education leaflet and a brushing diary for supervising the child's tooth-brushing; the third group (n = 111) received a combination of both these interventions. The control group (n = 117) had no intervention. Effects of the intervention were assessed as changes in dental plaque and gingival bleeding. Improvements in gingival health were recorded when half of the index teeth with plaque at baseline became clean (acceptable oral hygiene) or when all index teeth with bleeding at baseline became healthy (healthy gingiva). Statistical analysis included chi square, anova, t-test, Number Needed to Treat (NNT) and generalized estimating equations (GEE). At baseline, none of the children were free of plaque and all except for three boys had bleeding. After the trial, acceptable oral hygiene was more frequent in the parental-aid (P < 0.001) and the combined groups (P < 0.05), and healthy gingiva in both groups (P < 0.001) in comparison with the control group. Outcomes in the class-work group did not differ from those in the control group. The GEE models confirmed a strong intervention effect on healthy gingiva in both groups where parents were involved: parental-aid group (OR = 7.7, 95% CI: 2.2-27.7) and combined group (OR = 6.6, 95% CI: 2.0-22.1). In all intervention groups more girls than boys achieved healthy gingiva (OR = 2.5-2.6). Parents' education showed no impact on the outcome. When a school-based oral health intervention involves parents it may result in a significant improvement in the gingival health of preadolescents with poor gingival health at baseline.