[Oral health related quality of life among Iranian children: Part I - Validity, reliability, prevalence and seventy assessment of daily impact factors]

Given the current need for studies evaluating oral health related quality of life among the Iranian children, this study was designed to test the validity and reliability of a Persian version of Child-OIDP index and also evaluate the prevalence and impact of oral disorders on the quality of life of 11-14-year-old Iranian children. In this cross-sectional study, after translation of Child-OIDP instrument into Persian language, the psychometric properties of this index were evaluated in terms of face, content and construct validity. In addition, the internal and test-retest reliability were evaluated. A sample of 384 Iranian children aged 11-14-years old completed the instrument via a face-to-face interview. Each interview was followed by a clinical examination as well as completion of a self-administered questionnaire providing the information on demographic and oral health behaviors. The Persian version of Child-OIDP demonstrated excellent validity and reliability. The index showed significant associations between perceived oral treatment needs and perceived satisfaction regarding their oral cavity [P<0.001]. ICC was 0.784, and Cronbacrf s alpha was 0.59. About 54% of children reported dental disorders over the past 3 months that impacted on daily performances, according to Child-OIDP index. The most prevalent affected activities were eating and oral hygiene performance. The most prevalent oral disorder leading to impact were sensitivity tooth and gingival bleeding. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the Persian version of Child-OIDP index is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluation of oral health-related quality of life as applied to Iranian children. The prevalence of oral impacts was moderate. The pattern of impacts differed according to the type of self-perceived oral problem

[Effect of mixed chlorhexidine fluoride gel made in Iran on the level of Mutans Streptococci around orthodontic brackets]

Patients with fixed orthodontic appliances often experience an increase in the rate of dental caries. Appling chlorhexidine and fluoride is known to be an effective method to solve this problem since Mutans Streptococci is described as the most important bacteria related to the etiology of dental caries. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinically the application of a chlorhexidine-fluoride gel made in Iran on the level of Mutans Streptococci in plaque adjacent to bonded orthodontic brackets. In this double blind clinical trial 37 patients were selected. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those treated with chlorhexidine-fluoride gel five times with one week interval [group A] and those treated with placebo gel [group B]. The level of Mutans Streptococci in the plaque of canine and second premolar of Maxilla before and after treatment was evaluated and compared by Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. The range of changes in group A was compared with group B by Mann-whitney test. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between baseline and final colony count results in group A [P<0.0001] but no significant difference in group B and also Mann-Whitney test showed a significant difference between the 2 groups [P<0.0001]. Chlorhexidine-fluoride significantly decreased the level of Mutans Streptococci in plaque around the orthodontic brackets