Habit-breaking methods employed by mothers of children with nonnutritive sucking habits resident in suburban Nigeria

Parents are often concerned about their children's nonnutritive sucking (NNS) habits and may institute mechanisms to try to break them. Aim: The study identified various methods instituted by mothers resident in a suburban Nigeria to break NNS habits of children, reasons for wanting to break the habit, and the association between instituted methods and sociodemographic profile of the mothers. Materials and Methods: The data of 129 mothers of children aged 4 years to 12 years who had NNS habits at the time of conducting a household survey were analyzed. Statistical Analysis: Tests of associations were conducted to determine the association between maternal age and level of education and methods employed to break child's NNS habits. Results: Eighty-four mothers (65.1%) made efforts to break the habit. Habit persisting to older age was the main concern. The most common method employed for breaking habits was punishing the child (54.8%).Only 7 (20.0%) mothers who were concerned about NNS habit(s) sought professional advice. A greater though insignificant percentage of mothers in the 25–34 years age group (57.2%; P = 0.48) and those with secondary school level of education (56.0%; P = 0.12) made efforts to break their children's NNS habits. Conclusions: The majority of mothers were concerned about their children's NNS habits. However, very few concerned mothers sought professional advice. Efforts need to be made to improve the public awareness about the availability of professional services for managing NNS habits and potential impact of employing nonprofessional methods to break habits.

Evaluation of self-perceived dental aesthetics and orthodontictreatment need among young adults / Avaliação da autopercepção da estética dental e da necessidade detratamento ortodôntico entre pacientes adultos jovens

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the self-perception of dental aesthetics and orthodontic treatment need in a group of young adults. Materials and methods: Perception of dental aesthetics and orthodontic treatment need was assessed among 189 first year university undergraduates using the Oral Aesthetic Subjective Impact Scale (OASIS), a visual analogue scale (VAS), and the Aesthetic component (AC) scale of the Index of Orthodontic treatment Need (IOTN). Data analysis was done using SPSS version 11.0. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to identify differences in the mean VAS and OASIS scores according to perceived orthodontic treatment need on the AC scale of IOTN. The relationship between the various scales was examined using correlation tests. Statistical significance was set as p < 0.05. Results: The mean OASIS and VAS scores were 13.61 ± 5.98 and 75.64 ± 18.40 respectively. According to the AC scale of IOTN, 86.8% of participants rated themselves as having no need for treatment, 7.4% borderline need and 5.8% great need for orthodontic treatment. Comparison of mean OASIS and VAS scores according to the AC category showed a trend towards higher mean OASIS scores and lower VAS scores with greater treatment need. ANOVA showed there were significant differences between the AC groups in mean OASIS and VAS scores. Spearman‘s correlation tests between the 3 scales gave low results. Conclusion: There was a low correlation between the OASIS, VAS and AC scale of IOTN in evaluating self-perception of dental aesthetics and orthodontic treatment need. The OASIS and VAS were able to discriminate between participants with different degrees of treatment need.

Objetivos: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a autopercepção da estética dentária e necessidade de tratamento ortodôntico em um grupo de adultos jovens. Materiais e métodos: A percepção da estética e a necessidade de tratamento ortodôntico foram avaliadas entre 189 estudantes universitários do primeiro ano, usando a Escala Ortodôntica de Impacto Subjetivo (OASIS), uma escala visual analógica (VAS), e a Escala de Componente Estético (AC) do Índice de Necessidade de Tratamento Ortodôntico (IOTN). A análise dos dados foi feita usando SPSS versão 11.0. Estatística descritiva e Qui-quadrado foram utilizados. Análise de variância (ANOVA) foi utilizada para identificar diferenças entre as médias e pontuações de VAS e OASIS de acordo com a necessidade percebida de tratamento ortodôntico na escala AC de IOTN. A relação entre as várias escalas foi examinada utilizando ensaios de correlação. A significância estatística foi definida como p < 0,05. Resultados: As medias e desvios padrão de OASIS e VAS foram 13,61 ± 5,98 e 75,64 ± 18,40, respectivamente. De acordo com a escala AC de IOTN, 86,8% dos participantes se classificaram como não tendo necessidade de tratamento, 7,4% ficaram na situação limítrofe de necessidade, e 5,8% relataram grande necessidade de tratamento ortodôntico. A comparação entre as medias de OASIS e VAS de acordo com a categoria AC mostrou uma tendência de maior escore para OASIS e mais baixo escore para VAS, com maior necessidade de tratamento. ANOVA mostrou que houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos OASIS e VAS. Testes de correlação de Spearman entre as três escalas apresentaram resultados baixos. Conclusões: Houve uma baixa correlação entre o OASIS, VAS e escala de AC de IOTN na avaliação de autopercepção da estética dentária e necessidade de tratamento ortodôntico. OASIS e VAS foram capazes de discriminar entre os participantes com diferentes graus de necessidade de tratamento.

The relationship between malocclusion, lip competence and gingival health in a group of schoolchildrenp / Relação entre má-oclusão, incompetência labial e saúde gengival num grupo de crianças em idade escolar

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between malocclusion, lip competenceand gingival health among a sample of school children. Material and method: A multi stagesampling technique was used to randomly select 239 school children. Malocclusion was evaluated andgraded from the children’s dental casts using the Dental Aesthetics Index (DAI) and Littles’ IrregularityIndex (LII). The lips were examined for competence according to Jackson’s classifi cation. Gingival healthwas assessed using the Plaque Index and Index of gingival infl ammation. Results: A mean DAI scoreof 26.37 ± 6.67 was obtained while the mean score of the LII was 1.88 ± 1.68 mm. Majority of thechildren (97.1%) had competent lips. Results of correlation tests between DAI scores and the periodontalindices were low and not statistically signifi cant, while that of the LII score and periodontal indiceswere also low but statistically signifi cant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A cause and effect relationship couldnot be established between malocclusion and gingivitis. A weak correlation exists between malocclusionassessed by the DAI and LII and periodontal indices used. This supports the opinion that prescribingorthodontic treatment solely for the purpose of maintaining periodontal health is not justified.

Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a relação entre má-oclusão, incompetência labial e saúde gengivalnuma amostra de crianças em idade escolar. Material e método: A técnica de amostragem em estágios múltiplos foiutilizada para selecionar aleatoriamente 239 crianças escolares. A má-oclusão foi avaliada e graduada por modelosdentários das crianças utilizando o índice dentário estético (DAI) e o índice de irregularidades de Little (LII). Oslábios foram examinados e classifi cados – quanto à competência – pela classifi cação de Jackson. A saúde gengival foideterminada pelo índice de placas e índice de infl amação gengival. Resultados: O escore médio DAI de 26,37 ± 6,67foi obtido, enquanto o escore médio LII foi 1,88 ± 1,68 mm. A maioria das crianças (97,1%) tinha lábios competentes.Os resultados dos testes de correção entre escores DAI e índices periodontais foram baixos e não estatisticamentesignifi cantes, enquanto o escore LII e os índices periodontais foram também baixos, mas estatisticamente signifi cantes(p < 0,05). Conclusão: Não foi possível estabelecer uma relação de causa e efeito entre má-oclusão e gengivite.Uma correlação fraca existe entre má-oclusão determinada por DAI e LII e os índices periodontais utilizados. Issosuporta a opinião de que prescrever tratamento ortodôntico apenas com a fi nalidade de manter a saúde periodontalnão se justifica.