Teeth In Children Research Articles

Evaluation of ultrasonic and mechanical methods for assessing dentin demineralization in children's permanent teeth in vitro

Relevance. With the advent of advanced methods for functional diagnostics, dentists have gained new opportunities for detecting carious lesions. However, the diagnostic sensitivity of these methods requires further investigation.Purpose. To evaluate the condition of intact and demineralized dentin in children's permanent teeth using both ultrasonic and mechanical methods.Materials and methods. Divided cross-section" models were created from premolars extracted from children for orthodontic purposes. After a 20-day exposure to a demineralizing buffer solution with a pH of 4.5, both the intact and demineralized dentin cross-sections were tested using ultrasonic and mechanical methods.Results. Statistically significant differences were observed in the mean ultrasonic signal speed C between two independent sample groups: intact dentin (Group 1) and demineralized dentin (Group 2), based on Mann-Whitney U-test calculations (p = 0.01). In Group 2, the mean value of C was 27% lower compared to Group 1. Additionally, significant differences were found in the mean ultimate strength σ between two independent groups: intact dentin (Group 3) and demineralized dentin (Group 4), with Group 4 showing a 29.5% reduction in the mean σ value, according to Mann-Whitney U-test calculations (p = 0.01).Conclusion. Demineralization leads to significant changes in both the ultrasonic and mechanical properties of dentin. Statistical analysis of the laboratory test results using the "divided cross-section" model supports the effectiveness and diagnostic sensitivity of the methods applied for evaluating the extent of dentin demineralization.

“The Study Of Eruption Of Teeth In Children From Birth To 12 Years Of Age In Western Maharashtra Region.”

Human beings show 2 sets of dentition- deciduous and permanent2. Variation of tooth has been an enduring interest to clinical practitioner as well as from anthropological and forensic point of view7 . These variations in the form of teeth are characteristics of race, are of anthropological, genetic and forensic interest.2,7hence studies have been done using teeth for age, sex determination1,8 . As existing eruption schedule of dentition is based on western population this study is done in western Maharashtra region to find out variation in time number, form and pattern of eruption in deciduos and permanent teeth as well as in males and females.

Dental Caries and Erosive Tooth Wear Among 12-Year-Old Hong Kong Children

ObjectiveThis study is to investigate the dental caries, erosive tooth wear status, and oral health-related habits of 12-year-old Hong Kong children. MethodsThis cross-sectional survey recruited 12-year-old children using clustered random sampling from three main districts. The trained examiner examined the children's caries status using the criteria recommended by the World Health Organization and recorded their caries experience using the decayed, missing, and filled tooth (DMFT) index. The children's tooth wear status was determined using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) index. Their oral hygiene practice was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. ResultsWe recruited 445 children and 396 children participated (response rate: 89%). Their mean DMFT was 0.29 ± 0.73. Seventy children (18%, 70/396) had caries experience (DMFT > 0) and they had 116 teeth suffered from caries. Among these 116 carious teeth, 75 teeth (65%, 75/116) were filled (FT), one tooth (1%, 1/116) was extracted (MT), and 40 teeth (34%, 40/116) were carious (DT). Five children had more than one decayed tooth (DT > 1), and one child had the highest number of decayed teeth (DT) at 4. BEWE results showed 284 (72%, 284/396) children had no erosive tooth wear (BEWE = 0). No child had severe erosive tooth wear (BEWE = 3). However, children consuming lemon tea or lemonade and vitamin C drinks 3 times a week or more showed significantly higher BEWE scores. Additionally, 380 (96%, 380/396) children brushed their teeth daily and 116 children (29%, 116/396) flossed their teeth. ConclusionMost 12-year-old Hong Kong children had neither caries experience nor tooth wear, and their oral health-related habits were satisfactory. SignificanceThis study updated the caries status of the permanent dentition of 12-year-old Hong Kong children. The information offers updated oral health data for the local, regional, and global authorities for planning effective public health programmes to improve the oral health of children.

Oral Health Literacy and Patient Education Practices Among Non-Dental Professionals in Chongqing, China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND Preventing oral diseases is a critical aim in maintaining general health. Non-dental professionals (NDPs) should understand oral health-related knowledge to help patients maintain oral and general health. We investigated the oral health knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes of NDPs regarding patient education and intersectoral collaborations for oral health. MATERIAL AND METHODS For this cross-sectional study, a web-based questionnaire of 36 questions was designed to collect characteristics, oral health knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes of spreading oral health knowledge. A total of 406 NDPs, including 166 doctors and 240 nurses, at 3 randomly selected hospitals in Chongqing, China, were included. Data were collected electronically and statistically analyzed using the chi-square test. RESULTS Only 35.96% and 39.41% of respondents disagreed with "extraction can cause loosening of adjacent tooth" and "tooth loss is a natural part of aging", respectively. Of the respondents, 92.12% were aware of oral healthcare needs before pregnancy; 67.48% agreed with cleaning the gums before the eruption of children's teeth; only 57.14% and 56.16% knew the start time of dental cleaning for children and the relatively safe period of dental treatment for pregnant women, respectively; 73.40% of respondents were interested in oral health knowledge, and they mainly consulted dental professionals; 95.56% agreed with intersectoral collaborations for oral health; and 68.47% thought to conduct oral health education in the future. CONCLUSIONS NDPs knew about common oral health knowledge; however, the oral healthcare knowledge for special groups was insufficient. NDPs should improve their ability to educate the public on oral health and establish intersectoral collaborations.

Tooth brushing time table media as an effort to increase the independence of brushing teeth in preschool children

Background: Based on the Basic Health Research in 2018, in Banten province, the population who have dental problems in the form of damaged teeth, cavities or pain in the 3 - 4 year old group with a percentage of 36.4% and the 3 - 4 year old group who do tooth brushing care with the correct time is only 1.1%. Therefore, it is necessary to provide dental health education to children using methods and learning media that are tailored to child development. One of the methods used is by monitoring toothbrushing using toothbrush time table media. Objective: analyzing toothbrush time table media as an effort to increase the independence of brushing teeth in preschool children Methods: This study used a quasi experiment with pretest and post test design, conducted on 77 students as respondents obtained using the total sampling technique. The type of data used is primary data, which is data obtained directly by measuring the level of children's tooth brushing independence. The instrument used was a tooth brushing independence checklist sheet. Results: The results of the study before and after using the toothbrush time table media on 77 respondents, with the category needing guidance as many as 64 students (83.1%), became excellent toothbrushing independence as many as 60 students (77.9%), and the mean of toothbrushing independence with the results of 47.9, namely the category needing guidance changed to 87.9 with an excellent category, with independence p-value of 0.001 (p <0.05). Conclusion: The tooth brushing time table media can increase the independence of tooth brushing in preschool children

In Vitro Fracture Strength of Primary Canine Teeth Reinforced With Prefabricated and Customized Fiber-Reinforced Post Systems.

The demand for esthetics has increased in today's worldand most parents prefer to preserve their children's primary anterior teeth until their natural exfoliation. However, an intracanal post is required to provide retention for reconstruction of severely damaged anterior teeth due to caries or trauma. Various materials and methods may be used for the fabrication of intracanal posts. This study assessed the fracture strength and fracture mode of primary canine teeth reconstructed with prefabricated and customized polyethylene and glass fiber posts. This in vitro study evaluated 60 extracted primary canine teeth in four groups (n = 15). After pulpectomy and post space preparation with 4 mm depth, composite resin post, prefabricated glass fiber post (Whitepost), customized glass fiber post (Interlig), or customized polyethylene fiber post (Ribbond) were placed in the root canals to provide retention, and the tooth crown was restored with bulk-fill composite resin. The fracture strength was then measured in a universal testing machine. The fracture mode was also evaluated visually. The mean fracture strength was 22.45 ± 5.06, 33.10 ± 8.5, 30.20 ± 7.33, and 32.61 ± 5.73 N/mm2 in the composite resin post, Whitepost, Interlig, and Ribbond groups, respectively. The fracture strength was significantly lower in the composite group than in the remaining three groups (p = 0.000). No other significant differences were found (p > 0.05).Also, no significant difference was observed among the study groups in the fracture mode (p = 0.241). The composite resin post yielded a significantly lower fracture strength than the prefabricated and customized glass and polyethylene fiber posts, but the fracture mode was not significantly different among the four groups.

Are there any limits to the dental treatment of children?

The objective of this paper is to describe and discuss the most commonly occurring limits in care provision between a dentist and a child, i.e. provider and recipient. The study was conducted online in the form of an anonymous questionnaire survey. We were looking for dentists to answer two basic modeled situations during the treatment of deciduous teeth (filling and extraction) in 4-year-old and 8-year-old children. Each modeled situation had 9 possible clinical scenarios. The age was chosen to factor the cooperation of a preschool- and a school-age child. The experience gained through clinical practice and the number of treated children show to be fundamental for the treatment of child's deciduous teeth and for the selection of a treatment method. Dentists acquire sufficient knowledge through their education in the faculties of medicine. The limit is the child itself, therefore it is desirable to build specialised centres for their treatment.

The Effectiveness of Video Tutorials to Increase Knowledge and Practices of Brushing Teeth in Preschool Children (Study of Preschool Children at Putra Harapan and Dewi Sartika Kindergarten Tuban)

Preschool children are children aged between 3-6 years, at this age, children like to imagine that they have the strength to do any activities without help. During the development period, children will increase their independence to a greater extent. The stage of development that indicates independence is that they can brush their teeth without help. One effort to increase children's independence in brushing their teeth is by providing education about brushing their teeth using video tutorial media. Problem: Low knowledge and practices of brushing preschool children's teeth. Method: The type of research is pre-experimental with a pre-test and post-test Control Group Design, with a population of 38 preschool children. The data collection instrument used was an observation sheet. The data analysis technique uses the Wilcoxon test and Mann-Whitney test. Results: There was a difference in the effectiveness of education using video tutorials to increase the knowledge and practices of brushing teeth in preschool children at Kindergarten Putra Harapan and Kindergarten Dewi Sartika Tuban after 21 days of observation. Conclusion: There was an increase in preschool children's knowledge and teeth-brushing practices before and after education using video tutorial media. There are differences in the effectiveness of education using video tutorials to increase the knowledge and practices of brushing teeth in preschool children.

Multilevel Interventions and Dental Attendance in Pediatric Primary Care

Untreated tooth decay is disproportionately present among low-income young children. While American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines require pediatric clinicians to implement oral health care, the effectiveness of these oral health interventions has been inconclusive. To test the effectiveness of multilevel interventions in increasing dental attendance and reducing untreated decay among young children attending well-child visits (WCVs). The Pediatric Providers Against Cavities in Children's Teeth study is a cluster randomized clinical trial that was conducted at 18 pediatric primary care practices in northeast Ohio. The trial data were collected between November 2017 and July 2022, with data analyses conducted from August 2022 to March 2023. Eligible participants included Medicaid-enrolled preschoolers aged 3 to 6 years attending WCVs at participating practices who were enrolled at baseline (WCV 1) and followed-up for 2 consecutive examinations (WCV 2 and WCV 3). Clinicians in the intervention group received both the practice-level (electronic medical record changes to document oral health) and clinician-level (common-sense model of self-regulation theory-based oral health education and skills training) interventions. Control group clinicians received AAP-based standard oral health education alone. Dental attendance was determined through clinical dental examinations conducted by hygienists utilizing International Caries Detection and Assessment System criteria and also from Medicaid claims data. Untreated decay was determined through clinical examinations. A generalized estimating equations (GEE) approach was used for both clinical examinations and Medicaid claims data. Eighteen practices were randomized to either intervention or control. Participants included 63 clinicians (mean [SD] age, 47.0 [11.3] years; 48 female [76.2%] and 15 male [23.8%]; 28 in the intervention group [44.4%]; 35 in the control group [55.6%]) and 1023 parent-child dyads (mean [SD] child age, 56.1 [14.0] months; 555 male children [54.4%] and 466 female children [45.6%]; 517 in the intervention group [50.5%]; 506 in the control group [49.5%]). Dental attendance from clinical examinations was significantly higher in the intervention group (170 children [52.0%]) vs control group (150 children [43.1%]) with a difference of 8.9% (95% CI, 1.4% to 16.4%; P = .02). The GEE model using clinical examinations showed a significant increase in dental attendance in the intervention group vs control group (adjusted odds ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.69). From Medicaid claims, the control group had significantly higher dental attendance than the intervention group at 2 years (332 children [79.6%] vs 330 children [73.7%]; P = .04) but not at 3 years. A clinically but not statistically significant reduction in mean number of untreated decay was found in the intervention group compared with controls (B = -0.27; 95% CI, -0.56 to 0.02). In this cluster randomized clinical trial, children in the intervention group had better dental outcomes as was evidenced by increased dental attendance and lower untreated decay. These findings suggest that intervention group clinicians comprehensively integrated oral health services into WCVs. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03385629.

Inequalities in children’s tooth decay requiring dental extraction under general anaesthetic: a longitudinal study using linked electronic health records

BackgroundDental extraction under general anaesthetic (DGA) is the most severe and irreversible dental treatment for childhood tooth decay. We investigated inequalities in DGA in an ethnically diverse, disadvantaged school-age population...

Effectiveness of Using Linanty Smart Dent Alarm As A Reminder to Brush Teeth for Primary School Age Children In Medan City

According to the data on the number of dental caries in elementary school students in Medan City is quite high, with an average value of caries of 6, meaning that there are 6 caries teeth in each child's oral cavity, One of the efforts made to remind and attract the attention of children to routinely brush their teeth properly and correctly is to make a media, introduce and use a reminder alarm to brush children's teeth that is packaged as attractive as possible, Embedded brushing song also as an alarm tone. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of using Linanty Smart Dent Alarm as a reminder to brush the teeth of elementary school-age children in the city of Medan. The first year of research (in 2023) carried out the creation of Linanty Smart Dent Alarm, to produce Alarm media embedded with brushing songs, the distal alarm sounds at the time of 2 minimum brushing times, namely, after breakfast and before going to bed at night. In obtaining the results of Linanty Smart Dent Alarm, trials were carried out by experts, namely by media experts, psychologists and education experts. In obtaining the results of Linanty Smart Dent Alarm, trials were carried out by experts, namely by media experts, psychologists and education experts and tested for feasibility by elementary school students. Due diligence results of 86.7% stated that Linanty Smart Dent Alarm is useful and very feasible to use.

Aprils Mophie Model Improves Toothbrushing Skills Of Intellectual Disabilities Children: Is It Effective?

Children with intellectual disabilities are children with below average intelligence who experience a decline in intellectual function, difficulty communicating and adaptive behavior, arising before the age of 18 years. This child has not been able to brush his teeth properly, for that audio-visual media is used as a tool that can be seen and heard in his delivery, one of which is the development of April's Mophie model to improve the toothbrushing skills of children with moderate intellectual disabilities. Produce April's Mophie model as a learning medium to improve toothbrushing skills in children with moderate intellectual impairment. Research using Research and Development (RD) method. Quasi-experimental research design (pre-post with control group design). Purposive sampling technique with 11 children of the intervention group and 11 children of the control group, with a duration of treatment given 21 days. Data were tested using Interclass Correlation Coefficient, Paired T-Test, Wilcoxon Test, and Mann-Withney. April's Mophie model showed a p-value of 0.000 which means that this model is feasible as an effort to improve toothbrushing skills in children with moderate intellectual impairment. The implementation of this model effectively increased the action of brushing children's teeth (p = 0.041), as well as a decrease in children's debris index (p = 0.037) compared to the control group. April's Mophie model effectively improves toothbrushing skills in moderately impaired children.

Validation of an improved questionnaire assessing the social cognitive constructs of the Health Action Process Approach among parents regarding brushing their children's teeth.

The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) describes social cognitive constructs related to behaviour change. A validated questionnaire is needed to measure these constructs in paediatric dentistry. The aim of this study was to improve an existing HAPA-based questionnaire for parents regarding brushing their children's teeth and to assess its validity and reliability in a population of parents of high caries risk children. Parents of high caries risk children of 3-10 years filled out the adjusted HAPA-based questionnaire. Mokken scale analysis, graded response model analyses, factor analyses and reliability analyses were performed according to the protocol of Dima. Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing the mean scores of the HAPA constructs between two groups of participants, based on different levels of caries experience, brushing frequency and education level of the mother. The Mokken scale analysis and factor analyses indicated a multidimensional eight factor scale. The graded response model did not fit our data. The subscale action control could be identified as a two-factor subscale. Reliability indices from the Dima protocol varied, for instance Cronbach alpha ranged from 0.73 to 0.96. The constructs coping self-efficacy, action planning and action control discriminated between brushing frequencies. The adjusted HAPA-based questionnaire is an improved, valid and reliable instrument that could be used to evaluate HAPA-based interventions to improve children's oral health.

Parents' Knowledge and Awareness About the Importance of Primary Teeth and Space Maintainers in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Primary teeth are important for eating, speaking, and esthetics, as well as for guiding the eruption and maintaining the space for the permanent teeth. The best space maintainers (SM) for permanent dentition are the natural primary teeth. The aim of this study was to assess parents' knowledge and awareness of the importance of primary teeth and SM in Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study invited parents who were living in Saudi Arabia via different social media platforms to complete a validated questionnaire. The data collected included demographic characteristics, questions about parents' knowledge of their children's oral hygiene, and the importance of primary teeth, as well as questions about knowledge of SM. A total of 392 participants completed the questionnaire. Dental problems and pain were the most common reasons for visiting the pediatric dentist (n=260; 66.3%). With respect to the age at which the first primary tooth erupted, more than half of the parents (n=270; 68.9%) knew the correct age. Only 43.3% (n=168) of the parents had received any information about SM and only 39.5% (n=155) of them knew their purpose. Most parents agree that treating primary teeth is important for their children's oral health and development. However, most are unaware of an SM's purpose. We recommend that dentists discuss SM's importance with parents actively after extracting their child's teeth. This will help increase parents' awareness and understanding of SM and encourage them to be more informed about this dental treatment option.

Evaluation of children's oral diagnosis and treatment using imaging examination using AI based Internet of Things.

Although cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases, its image segmentation method needs to be further improved, and there are still objections about the clinical application effect of general anesthesia (GA) on children's dental fear (CDF). This study aimed to investigate the application value of CBCT based on intelligent computer segmentation model in oral diagnosis and treatment of children in the context of biomedical signals, and to analyze the alleviating effect of GA on CDF. Based on the regional level set (CV) algorithm, the local binary fitting (LBF) model was introduced to optimize it, and the tooth CBCT image segmentation model CV-LBF was established to compare the segmentation accuracy (SA), maximum symmetric surface distance (MSSD), average symmetric surface distance (ASSD), over segmentation rate (OR), and under segmentation rate (UR) between these model and other algorithms. 82 children with CDF were divided into general anesthesia group (GAG) (n= 38) and controls (n= 44) according to the voluntary principle of their families. Children in GAG were treated with GA and controls with protective fixed intervention. Children's fear survey schedule-dental subscale (CFSS-DS) and Venham scores were counted before intervention in the two groups. CFSS-DS scores were recorded at 2 hours after intervention and after recovery in children in GAG. CFSS-DS and Venham scores were performed in all children 1 week after surgery. The results showed that the S⁢A value of CV-LBF algorithm was higher than that of region growing algorithm (P< 0.05). OR, UR, MSSD, and ASSD values of CV-LBF algorithm were evidently lower than those of other algorithms (P< 0.05). CFSS-DS scores were lower in GAG than in controls 2 hours after intervention and at return visits after 1 week of intervention (P< 0.001), and Venham scores were lower in GAG than in controls after intervention (P< 0.001). After intervention, the proportion of children with Venham grade 0, 1, 2, and 3 was obviously higher in GAG than in controls (P< 0.001), while the proportion of children with Venham grade 4 and 5 was clearly higher in controls than in GAG (P< 0.001). The results revealed that the computer intelligent segmentation model CV-LBF has potential application value in CBCT image segmentation of children's teeth, and GA can effectively alleviate anxiety of children with CDF and can be used as biomedical signals.

Associations between prenatal metal and metalloid mixtures in teeth and reductions in childhood lung function

BackgroundMetal(oid)s have been cross-sectionally associated with lung function outcomes in childhood but there is limited data on their combined effects starting in utero. Child sex may further modify these effects. ObjectiveExamine associations between in utero and early life exposure to metals assessed via novel dentine biomarkers and childhood lung function and explore effect modification by child sex. MethodsAnalyses included 291 children enrolled in the Programming Research in Obesity, Growth, Environment and Social Stressors (PROGRESS) study, a longitudinal birth cohort study in Mexico City. Weekly dentine levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) were measured from 15 weeks pre-birth to 15 weeks post birth in deciduous children's teeth. Lung function was tested at ages 8–14 years and then modeled as age, height and sex adjusted z-scores. Associations were modeled using lagged weighted quantile sum (LWQS) regression to evaluate the potential for a time-varying mixture effect adjusting for maternal age and education at enrollment and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in pregnancy. Models were also stratified by sex. ResultsWe identified a window of susceptibility at 12–15 weeks pre-birth in which the metal mixture was associated with lower FVC z-scores in children aged 8–14 years. Cd and Mn were the largest contributors to the mixture effect (70 %). There was also some evidence of effect modification by sex, in which the mean weights and weighted correlations over the identified window was more evident in males when compared to females. In the male stratum, Cd, Mn and additionally Pb also dominated the mixture association. ConclusionsPrenatal metal(oid) exposure was associated with lower lung function in childhood. These findings underscore the need to consider both mixtures and windows of susceptibility to fully elucidate effects of prenatal metal(oid) exposure on childhood lung function.

Effective prevention of secondary caries in children’s permanent teeth using oral hygiene products

Relevance. In Russia, caries prevalence rate in permanent teeth of 12- year-olds is 75, 6%, and in 15-year-olds, it is 87, 5%. Alongside with high prevalence of caries in permanent children’s teeth, the problem of secondary caries is very significant as well. Toothpastes containing fluoride use for caries prevention. Now, there are known toothpastes containing hydroxyapatite enriched with complex (PGC) with amino acid threonine. It is advisable to study this paste effect on secondary caries occurrence.Materials and methods. Clinical and laboratory examinations and treatment of 92 children, aged 7 to 15, aged (97 teeth) were carried out during one year. They were given dental treatment, including that of dentine caries, in permanent teeth (K02.1). Fillings marginal integrity was assessed using G. Ryge (1998) criterion and electrometry method. Carious process intensity in study groups was determined using indices DMFS and ICDAS-II (code I, code II).Results. In group using toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite enriched with complex (PGC) with amino acid threonine, frequency of unsatisfactory restorations was detected only in 6% of cases; in group using fluoride containing pastes – 12%. Electrical conductivity of hard tissues in these groups increased only by 9,6 % and 36% respectively. Frequency of restorations with secondary caries signs at the end of the study was 27% in group with no preventive measures, and according to electrometric method, electrical conductivity at the border of fillings with hard dental tissues increased by 130%. Reduction of caries growth in group using toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite was 78,6%, in group with fluoride containing toothpaste – 64,3%.Conclusion. Application of a toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite enriched with Polyol Germanium Complex with amino acid threonine increases efficiency of secondary caries prevention in children's permanent teeth.

How well do parents identify their child's baby teeth? Engagement and accuracy of parent-reported information on a tooth checklist survey.

Naturally exfoliated primary teeth are being increasingly collected in child development studies. Most of these odontological collections and tooth biobanks use parent-reported information from questionnaires or tooth checklists to collect data on offspring teeth. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no studies have assessed parental engagement in tooth checklists, nor parental accuracy in identifying their child's baby tooth. This study aimed to evaluate these dimensions by analysing data from the about this tooth checklist returned with donated primary teeth in a natural experimental study called STRONG (the Stories Teeth Record of Newborn Growth). Parental self-reported information were analysed on checklists returned with 825 primary teeth belonging to 199 children. The percentage of blank answers was calculated for each question. The accuracy of parents-reported tooth identification was evaluated by comparing parental ratings to researchers' ratings. Reliability of researchers' tooth identification was first evaluated by calculating intra-observer and inter-observer agreements, as well as Cohen's Kappa values. The percentage of accuracy of parents' tooth identification (relative to researcher's) was then calculated, and logistic regressions were used to evaluate if time elapsed between when exfoliation occurred and the checklist was completed associated with parental accuracy in tooth identification. Parents returned 98.4% of the checklists and completed 74.9% to 97.7% of the questions. Excellent reliability was demonstrated for researchers' intra- and inter-rater tooth identification (agreement percentages >90%; Cohen's Kappa values >.83). Moderate accuracy of parents-reported tooth identifications was found, with parents correctly identifying 49.5% of the donated tooth. Better parental accuracies were highlighted for partial identifications (87.1% of correct jaw, 75.6% of correct tooth type, and 65.8% of correct lateralization). Logistic regressions showed the odds of correct parental identifications decreased on average by 1.8% every 30 days of distance between tooth exfoliation and checklist completion. While parental engagement is high, parents-reported tooth identifications have moderate accuracy, which decreases over time. High accuracy is however found for partial identifications. Parent-reported information on the accompanying questionnaire of naturally exfoliated primary teeth collection or tooth biobanks, even when filled in a long time after exfoliation took place, should be encouraged. However, expert identifications of teeth should remain best practice.

Parental acceptability of silver diamine fluoride: The UK and US experiences.

International data suggest that parents may have reservations about the use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF). The aims of this study were to: (1) examine the acceptance of parents/carers towards the use of SDF for the management of caries in children's primary teeth in secondary care dental settings in the UK and the United States and (2) determine which factors may affect the acceptance of the use of SDF. This was a cross-sectional questionnaire of SDF acceptability, completed by parents of young children. It was validated and adapted to local populations. Data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Of the 113 Sheffield parents, 73% reported that they would accept SDF treatment of children's posterior teeth, with 58% reporting this for anterior teeth. Parents having less concern about posterior aesthetics had a statistically significant effect on reported acceptance of SDF (p = .013). In the Colorado sample (n = 104), 72% reported that they would accept SDF on posterior teeth, and 58% reported that they would accept SDF on anterior teeth. Concerns about aesthetics had an effect on decreasing SDF acceptance overall (p = .0065) in anterior (p = .023) and posterior teeth (p = .108). The majority of parents in the two study populations accepted the treatment using SDF. However, concern about aesthetics had an influence on acceptability.

Current Status and Family Factors Influencing Caries in the Deciduous Teeth of Children 3-6 Years of Age in Families Residing in Rural Heishanzui Township.

To determine the caries status in children's deciduous teeth and examine the influence of family oral health behaviours on the caries status. This cross-sectional study included 329 children aged 3-6 years in rural Heishanzui Township, Hebei Province, China, and used a completely random sampling method. These children underwent physical and oral health examinations. The questionnaires were given to the parents and caregivers of the examined children. The prevalence of caries in the deciduous dentition among children aged 3-6 years was 80.55%, with a dmft index of 4.93. Children in the caries group ate sweets, chocolates, and carbonated drinks more frequently than did children in the caries-free group (p < 0.05). Children in the caries-free group brushed their teeth more frequently, with parents helping their children brush, more often than did those in the caries-affected group (p < 0.05). The level of parental education and annual household income also had statistically significant effects on the prevalence of caries in the two groups (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the frequency of eating sweets was a risk factor for caries in deciduous teeth (odds ratio = 2.20; p < 0.05). The prevalence of caries in deciduous teeth among children aged 3-6 years in rural Heishanzui Township was high. Compared to children in the caries-affected group, the families and children in the caries-free group had better oral hygiene behaviours. Moreover, the frequency of eating sweets was shown to be a risk factor for caries in deciduous teeth in children aged 3-6 years.