application of the health belief model in oral health education

The goal of this study was to determine the application of health belief model in oral health education for 12- year-old children and its effect on oral health behaviors and indexes. A quasi-experimental study was carried out on twelve-year-old girl students [n-291] in the first grade of secondary school, in the central district of Tehran, Iran. Research sample was selected by a multistage cluster sampling. The data was obtained by using a valid reliable questionnaire for measuring the perceptions, a checklist for observing the quality of brushing and dental flossing and health files and clinical observation. First, a descriptive study was applied to individual perceptions, oral behaviors, Oral Hygiene Index [OHI] and Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth Index [DMFTI]. Then an educational planning based on the results and Health Belief Model [HBM] was applied. The procedure was repeated after six months. After education, based on HBM, all the oral health perceptions increased [P<.05]. Correct brushing and flossing are influenced by increased perceptions. A low correlation between the reduction of DMFTI and increased perceived severity and increased perceived barriers are found [r= -0.28, r= 0.43 respectively]. In addition, there was a limited correlation between OHI and increased perceived benefits [r= -0.26]. Using health belief model in oral health education for increasing the likelihood of taking preventive oral health behaviors is applicable

Evaluation of intelligence quotient in children with early first permanent molar eruption

There are many unknown systemic and local factors influencing tooth growth and development. Likely, tooth eruption may be under such influence as well. Despite delayed tooth eruption, studies on early tooth eruption are very scarce. Therefore, this study was conducted in order to evaluate the relationship between intelligence quotient [IQ] and early tooth eruption in normal children [with no disease or disorder]. By using study criteria, 44 children were recruited after oral examination of 652 children [337 boys and 315 girls]. Oral examination was conducted by one dentist using plastic disposable mirror, under day light. The Raven's test was taken blindly under standard conditions for all subjects by a psychologist. [Case] subjects were defined as individuals who had partially or fully erupted molars earlier than the expected normal time. [Control] subjects were similar to [cases] but without erupted molars. Statistical analysis was conducted using student T-test. The intelligence test was performed on 44 subjects consisted of 22 boys [IT'case] and 1 T'control]] and 22 girls [11 [case] and 11 [control]]. IQ in two sexes did not have significant difference [P<0.05]. But the mean IQ difference between [case] and [control] groups was about 11 points that was statically significance [P<0.01]. Healthy children with early first permanent molar eruptions, have higher IQ compared to their peers [P<0.01]. This criterion may be used to identify high IQ children for provision of special care and training for faster advancement of individual and society

[General dental practitioners and management of traumatic dental injuries in children]

Usually, traumatic dental injuries are considered a bad experience to children. It is important to treat these conditions as soon as possible. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge of general dentists practicing in Tehran regarding the management of such injuries. This cross sectional survey was carried out in Tehran. A total of 165 general private dentists were included in this study. A questionnaire was used to collect information from the study participants. The SPSS statistical software package [Version 11.5] and Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, Independent sample t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for statistical analyses. Knowledge of dentists regarding traumatic injuries to children's teeth was 64% and the amount of their Knowledge had inverse relation with their age and direct relationship with the time of graduation from dental school. Based on the results of this study, general dentists practicing in Tehran have relatively adequate knowledge of dental trauma. However, it is necessary to further expand their knowledge through continuing medical educations

[Comparison of salivary calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase in children with severe, moderate caries and caries free in Tehran's kindergarthens]

The most common dental disease in childhood is dental caries. This study was carried out to recognize the components of saliva which are protective factors in children in order to evaluate and predict caries susceptible and caries resistant individuals. A total of 75 subjects of either sex aged 3-5 years old from kindergartens in Tehran were selected and divided into 3 groups [case group: dmft>6, control group 1: 10.05]. However, the results showed that salivary phosphate and alkaline phosphatase in caries free group and calcium in the group with severe caries was somewhat more than those in other groups. Despite the results of the present study, the relationship between salivary components and caries rate in children remainslcontroversial. So, more and wide studies are necessary to achieve some practical criteria for predicting dental caries, recognition of susceptible persons and finally prevention of caries in children

[Assessing DMFT index in 12 years old students attending hearing impaired schools in Tehran]

Extensive studies on the epidemiology of teeth and oral diseases are an important part of health care programs specially for hearing impaired groups. For adequate programming in this field, proper situation analysis is mandatory. The aim of this study was to assess the DMFT [decayed missed filled teeth] of 12 years old students attending hearing impaired schools in Tehran and exploring the relation between sex, hygiene and hearing threshold with the index. This cross sectional descriptive study was based on examining 12 years old [ +/- 6 month] students [117 cases] attending hearing impaired schools in Tehran. A questionnaire was filled for each case. T, Chi-square and Kruskall-Wallis tests were used to analyze the results with p<0.05 as the limit of significance. The mean DMFT in these students was 3.07. Mean DMFT in students with very severe hearing loss was 2.99. Mean ranked DMFT in girls and boys was similar [56.09 in boys and 61.96 in girls]. Mean ranked DMFT in students who didn't use floss [66.40] was higher than those who used floss [46.71]. Mean ranked DMFT in students who seldom brushed, was the highest [72.82] and in students who brushed once a day was the lowest [51.26]. The DMFT index in hearing disabled children was 3.07. Regular brushing and flossing reduced the index

Effect of high fluoride concentration in drinking water on children's intelligence

Human and animal studies linking fluoride with diminished intelligence have been published. Although adverse effects of high intake of fluoride on intelligence and mental acuity continue to be reported, they are still controversial. The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between fluoride in drinking water and children's intelligence. In this cross sectional study, 41 children were selected from the high fluoride area with 2.5mg/l [ppm] fluoride in the drinking water and 85 children were selected from low fluoride area with 0.4mg/l [ppm] fluoride in the drinking water. The intelligence quotient [10] of each child was measured by the Raven's test. The history of illnesses affecting the nervous system, head trauma, birth weight [>2.5kg or < 2.5kg], residental history, age and sex of children were investigated by questionnaires completed by the children's parents. Data were analyzed by Chi-Square test with p<0.05 as the limit of significance. In the high fluoride area the mean 10 of children [87.9 +/- 11] was significantly lower than in the low fluoride area [98.9 +/- 12.9] [P=0.025]. Based on the findings of this study, exposure of children to high levels of fluoride may carry the risk of impaired development of intelligence