Associations between maternal mental health, child dental anxiety, and oral health of 6- to 12-year-olds in Nigeria

Abstract Maternal mental health affects their children's oral health. This study assessed the associations between maternal mental health and dental anxiety level, dental caries experience, oral hygiene, and gingival status among 6- to 12-year-old children in Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study that recruited mother-child dyad participants through a household survey conducted in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Data collected included the independent (maternal mental health risk, depressive symptoms, and child's dental anxiety), and dependent (caries experience, oral hygiene status, and gingival health status) variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the associations between dependent and independent variables after adjusting for confounders (mothers' age, child's age, sex, and socioeconomic status). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Of the 1411 mothers recruited, 1248 (88.4%) had low mental health risk, and 896 (63.5%) had mild depressive symptoms. As for the children, 53 (3.8%) had caries, 745 (52.8%) had moderate to high dental anxiety, 953 (63.0%) had gingivitis and 36 (2.6%) had poor oral hygiene. The maternal mental health risk was not significantly associated with the child's caries experience (AOR: 1.012; 95%CI: 0.860-1.190; p = 0.886), poor oral hygiene (AOR:1.037; 95%CI: 0.975-1.104; p=0.250), and moderate/severe gingivitis (AOR:0.887; 95%CI: 0.764-1.030; p = 0.115). Maternal depression status was not significantly associated with the child's caries experience (AOR: 0.910; 95%CI: 0.802-1.033; p = 0.145), poor oral hygiene (AOR: 1.016; 95%CI: 0.976-1.057; p = 0.439), and moderate/severe gingivitis (AOR: 0.963; 95%CI: 0.861-1.077; p = 0.509). Maternal mental health risk and depression do not seem to be risk factors for schoolchildren's oral health in Nigeria. Further studies are needed to understand these findings.

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.

Erosive potential: Laboratory evaluation of tooth dissolution in cough syrups

AIM: To evaluate the associated weight loss of extracted teeth after immersed in cough syrups for a period of time so as to predict the erosive potential of the liquid medicines. MATERIAL AND METHODS: pHs of the medicines were measured at the start of the study. 25 extracted test teeth were weighed to 0.01 mg and assigned at random to each syrup under evaluation. The test medicines were placed in 10 mL screw-cap plastic containers and the test teeth were weighed after 7 days. RESULTS: 88 % of the medicines caused reduction in weights of the test teeth after seven days of immersion. Weight loss of the test teeth also noticed with basic syrups. Also lowest pH syrup did not produce the greatest weight loss. CONCLUSION: Majority of the cough syrups caused loss of weight of the test teeth. Thus, they possess the potential to cause dental erosion.

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.

Evaluation of shade matching practices among nigerian dentists / Avaliação dos procedimentos de determinação de cor de restaurações entre dentistas niegerianos

OBJECTIVES: To assess tooth shade matching practices among Nigerian Dentists. MATERIALSAND METHODS: The data was collected by paper questionnaire mailed at random to dentists insome Nigerian Teaching Hospitals and General Hospitals. The questionnaires comprised of two aspectsthat inquired about their biographical data and basic methods of shade selection. About 95% of thequestionnaires were retrieved and analyzed. RESULTS: 160 (83, males; 77 females) dentists participatedin the study. 71% performed tooth shade matching often, with restorative dentists (100%) mostlyinvolved than other specialists. 67% agreed that shade matching should be done in consultation withothers. However, only 40.6% actually consults others during shade selection. Also, 85% of the dentistsresponded correctly that shade matching should be done under natural lights. However in their clinicalpractice, majority (97%) selected their teeth under dental lights. CONCLUSION: The study revealedthat majority of the dentists practicing in the Nigerian Teaching and State Dental Hospitals are involvedin shade matching practices. Majority of the dentists performed tooth matching procedure withoutconcurrence from others and under dental light source. However few dentists reported complaintsfrom their patients. Emphasizing color science in dental curriculum and teaching new shade matchingsystems could be essential for improved restorative outcomes.

OBJETIVOS: Determinar os procedimentos de determinação de cor entre dentistas nigerianos.MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionários em papel,enviados aleatoriamente a dentistas em alguns hospitais de ensino e hospitais gerais. Osquestionários compreenderam dois aspectos de questões sobre dados biográficos e métodos básicosde seleção de cores. Em torno de 95 % dos questionários foram recuperados e analisados.RESULTADOS: 160 dentistas (83 homens, 77 mulheres) participaram do estudo. 71% executamescolha de cores, sendo que 100% dos dentistas restauradores o fazem, em número bem maior doque as demais especialidades. 67% concordam que escolha da cor deve ser feita em conjunto comoutras pessoas. Entretanto, somente 46,6 % realmente consultam uma segunda opinião durantea seleção de cores. Também 85% dos dentistas responderam que a escolha da cor deve ser feitasob luz natural. Entretanto, em sua prática clínica a maioria seleciona a cor sob luz de refletores.CONCLUSÃO: O estudo revelou que a maioria dos dentistas atuantes nos centros pesquisadospraticam a seleção de cores dentárias. A maioria procede sem consultar segunda opinião e sobluzes de refletores. Entretanto, poucos dentistas relataram queixas de pacientes. A ênfase daciência da cor no currículo dental e ensino de novos sistemas de escolha de cores poderia seressencial para a melhora dos resultados restauradores.