ABSTRACT
Teeth mineralization is an essential factor in preventing dental decay as calcium is the most important mineral in the hard structure of the teeth. In the first six months after birth, calcium is provided to infant mostly via milk. The first deciduous mandibular molar crown is developed roughly during this suckling period and can be considered as one of many calcium intake indicators. This study is the first in the world of this kind to measure the calcium levels in the first deciduous molar crown in a group of 9- to 12-year-old children at the time of their natural exfoliation, living in Lebanon over the last decade, attending pediatric dentist clinics in Beirut and who were either breast- or formula-fed. Children with mixed feeding mode were eliminated from the study. Only children fed either feeding mode in the first six months of their lives were included. Calcium levels [g/kg] in molars were determined by ICP/MS following a microwave acid digestion. The mean calcium level of the first deciduous molar in our study was 358 +/- 150 g/kg. Comparing the two groups, it was 370 +/- 166 g/kg in the breastfed children and 347 +/- 136 g/kg in the formula-fed children. There was no significant statistical difference between the two modes [p = 0.580] in terms of teeth calcium content. No significant difference was found between girls and boys [p = 0.440]
ABSTRACT
Background: The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry have recommended that the child's first dental visit should be during the child's first year of life for dental disease prevention and to decrease the invasive restorative interventions. In Lebanon, no study has been conducted to determine the age and the reasons of the first dental visit of children and who requested the first dental screening
Objectives: To assess at what age occurred the first dental visit in a group of Lebanese children visiting a private pediatric dental clinic and to explore the reasons for their first dental consultation
Materials and methods: An observational crosssectional study was conducted. During a five-year period, all children visiting the pediatric clinic were invited to participate in the study. Parents were asked about the general health status of their child, the use of antibiotics before the age of 2 years. Parents were also requested to give the dental reasons for their initial visit to a pedodontist
Results: Two hundred and twenty children [mean age 4.24 +/- 1.35 years] visited the pedodontic care office for the first time and were included in the study. All participants had visited a pediatrician before the age of 1 year. Fifty-seven [25.9%] children were referred by a dentist and 163 [74.1%] came with their parents without referral. All participants had at least one reason for the first consultation; the most common were the presence of decayed teeth [50.9%] and a dental pain perception [29.5%]
Conclusion: All participants had visited a pediatrician at an earlier age but none was referred to a pedodontist by a pediatrician for check-up or prevention. Children came upon the decision of their parents. A dental problem was the major reason which triggered the first visit. Therefore, pediatricians in Lebanon need to keep themselves updated on recommendations regarding children oral health and be encouraged to play an important role in prompting oral health and first dental visits