The Impact of Climate Change on Paediatric Dentistry

The effects of global warming and climate change are happening at a faster rate than expected, and they are going to get worse. Global climate change has already started to show the effects on environment—fast melting glaciers, accelerated sea level rise and base shifting of native flora and fauna. There has been an increase in temperature globally with a few countries already showing intense heat waves and extreme cold temperatures. The interrelation between dentistry, environmental impact and human health is still in its nascent stage, but studies in medicine show that the healthcare industry contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, poor air quality, food and water insecurity, extreme weather events and vector?borne illnesses. The concept of eco?friendly dentistry has evolved in this context for providing environmentally feasible dental solutions. Paediatric dentistry is no exception. The concept of prevention has to be promoted more in paediatric dentistry to provide a positive impact on environment. The prevention of oral diseases will lead to less travel to paediatric dental clinics, less use of dental materials, lesser energy usage, minimal use of single?use plastics and less use of nitrous oxide/general anaesthesia for behaviour management. The greenhouse gases have an effect on teeth of children in relation to early childhood caries (ECC). Here, we discuss the impact of climate change on paediatric dentistry and what changes can be made to provide environment?friendly solutions

The Role of Online Teaching Among the Undergraduate Dental Students During the Current COVID-19 Pandemic in India: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the usefulness of online teaching for undergraduate students during this Corona pandemic, to point the drawbacks of online teaching, and to learn the areas of improvement in online teaching for the future. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study on 130 students was done in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. The questionnaire consisted of two parts, personal details and specific information. The first part of the questionnaire consisted of questions related to age, gender, etc. The second part had questions pertaining to online teaching. Pearson's Chi-square test was applied and the level of significance was set at 5%. Results: Most of the students (83.3%) were in the view that classroom lectures are the best mean of imparting knowledge, which was significant (p<0.001). A significant number of students (88.1%) agreed that online teaching is the best method of teaching apart from classroom teaching. Almost all the students (93%) agreed significantly that online teaching is the best way to learn in this present pandemic scenario. Most students (59.6%) agreed that connectivity/network issue is a major drawback in online teaching, which is again significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Here in these testing times, the role of online teaching becomes important for medical/dental students, both undergraduates and postgraduates, to keep up with their studies.

Knowledge and attitude of general and specialist dentist in pediatric dentistry: A pilot study in Odisha, India

Background: Pediatric dentists (PDs) treat children in a manner that builds a positive dental attitude in them. The treatment modalities for pulpally involved teeth in children are different by general dentists (GDs) as compared to PDs. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the attitudes of PDs, GDs, and dentists of other specialties toward endodontic treatment of primary teeth. Materials and Methods: A structured 14-item questionnaire was formulated in English and distributed to PD, GDs, and dentists of other specialties. The filled questionnaire survey was statistically analyzed using simple descriptive analysis, and inferential analysis was performed. Results: Of the total survey respondents, 12 (20.68%) were PDs, 28 (48.27%) were GDs, and 18 (31.03%) were from other specialties. About 91.6% of the total respondents preferred endodontic procedures in the primary teeth. Conclusion: The study concluded that the GDs, PDs, and dentists of other specialties differ in their treatment recommendations for primary teeth. The GDs and dentists of other specialties were regularly performing pulp therapy in the primary teeth and should frequently update their knowledge about endodontic procedures in the primary teeth.

Parental Presence in Dental Operatory as a Behaviour Management Tool on Children in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

Objective: To interpret the change in child's behaviour in presence/absence of parents during dental care. Material and Methods: Sixty children were examined till the age of 12 years visiting the out patient department of pediatric dentistry where parents along with the child were allowed in the operatory. After sometime parents were asked to leave and behavioural changes were noted. During revisit again the behaviour was noted according to Frankl scale. McNemar test was applied to test the behaviour response of children with parental absence/presence. The significance level was set at 5 %. Results: In 1st visit, 78.3% showed positive behaviour and 21.7% showed negative behaviour in parental absence, indicating that the child has more likelihood of showing positive behaviour in the presence of parents (p<0.001). More positive behaviour of the children is noticed, when the parents are present in 3 -5 year age group. In other 6-8 and 9-12 year age group, no difference was noticed in the presence or absence of the parents (p>0.05). In second visit, the negative behaviour reduced. When parents were absent 21.7% showed negative behaviour (p=0.000). This indicated that the child has more likelihood of showing positive behaviour in the presence of parents. Age group-wise analysis revealed that in the 3-5 years age group presence or absence of parents is a significant factor for child's behaviour. This factor is a non-issue in the elder age group like 6-8 years and 9-12 years. When the parents are absent, no significant difference was observed (p>0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in parental presence/absence in elder children while the same can't be said for younger children.

Barriers in the Treatment of Early Childhood Caries amongst the General Dentists - A Cross Sectional Study in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

Objective: To find out the barriers in treating early childhood caries in children by general dentists. Material and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was undertaken among fifty general dentists in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, following a simple random sampling. Each selected candidate was given a barrier in childhood caries treatment (BaCCT) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the absolute and relative frequencies, mean, median and standard deviation. Results: The general dentists exhibited quite a few barriers in providing treatment for early childhood caries. The children don't like to sit on dental chair (74%), they don't like the sound of drill (78%) and they are fearful of dental treatment (86%). Providing care for children can be stressful and troublesome for the dentist (80%) and that they feel time constrained, i.e they do not spend much time with children (70%). Training in the field of management of child behaviour enhances their ability to handle early childhood caries. Conclusion: The general dentists should be given proper training in handling children in their curriculum or through continuing education programmes so that they can act as a larger workforce to be able to treat early childhood caries effectively and efficiently for the benefit of society.

Parental Acceptance of Various Behaviour Management Techniques used in Pediatric Dentistry: A Pilot Study in Odisha, India

Objective: To assess the parents' acceptance towards the behavior management techniques commonly used in the pediatric dentistry. Materials and Methods: Fifty parents participated in the study. Parents were asked to view a power-point presentation on 10 behavior management techniques: 1) Voice control, 2) Tell-Show-Do, 3) Positive reinforcement, 4) Mouth prop, 5) Modelling, 6) HOME, 7) Physical restraint, 8) Oral premedication 9) N2O-O2 sedation and 10) General anesthesia. Parents were asked to arrange various behavior management techniques from most accepted technique to least accepted technique. Results: In the present study population, the preferred behavior management technique was Tell-Show-Do followed by positive reinforcement and the least preferred behavior management technique was HOME followed by voice control and physical restraint. Conclusion: The parental acceptance of various behaviour management techniques have changed. Tell-show-do technique is still the most acceptable technique; however, sedation and general anesthesia acceptance has increased as shown in this study.

Peripheral Cemento-ossifying Fibroma -treatment and Follow Up of a Recurrent Case.

Peripheral cemento-ossifying fibroma is a non neoplastic growth of soft tissue which often arises from the interdental papilla and is mostly seen in teenagers and young adults. Here we discuss a case of peripheral cemento-ossifying fibroma in a 15 years old male which had been surgically excised previously and recurred after a period of 8 months in the same region. Keeping in mind the recurrence rate, meticulous surgical excision and aggressive curettage of the nearby tissues are to be done to prevent further recurrence.

Combination of Platelet Rich Fibrin with Hydroxyapatite in Treating a Large Periapical lesion-Case Report of Young Patient.

The primary goal of any dental treatment is the maintenance of the natural dentition in health and for optimum function, and esthetics. Successful treatment for periapical lesion depends on removal of lesion along with causative microorganisms. In cases where conventional root canal therapy fails to eliminate the lesion surgery is the last alternative. Peri-apical surgery aims to eliminate the pathology and thus aims to achieve complete wound healing. There have been many attempts to devise a wonder material which can achieve healing and regeneration and platelet rich fibrin is one such material. Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) is a wonderful tissue engineering product and has gained much popularity due to its promising results in wound healing bone induction. The platelets release growth factors which lead to rapid healing and regeneration. Along with the addition of hydroxyapatite this combination can achieve regeneration and repair in no time. This case report illustrates the use of this combination in a 16- year- old male for better and faster healing.