Oral health status of 6- and 12-year-old school going children in Bangalore city: An epidemiological study.

Background: Oral health is an essential component of health throughout life. However, millions of individuals suffer from dental caries and periodontal disease, resulting in unnecessary pain, difficulty in chewing, swallowing and speaking, and increased medical costs; hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate the oral health status of school children which would help us in planning and implementing necessary preventive measures. Aims and Objectives: 1. To assess the prevalence of dental caries among school children, using the Dentition Status and Treatment Needs Index. 2. To assess the prevalence of malocclusion among the study population, using the WHO criteria. 3. To assess the prevalence of dental calculus among the study population using the criteria of Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at a school in Bangalore city. The study population comprised of school children of two age groups - 6 and 12 years. A total of 430 subjects of both the sexes were surveyed, out of which 229 were in 6-year age group and 201 in 12-year age group. Results: No significant difference was observed between the age groups - 6 and 12 years - with respect to the proportion of dental caries (P > 0.05). Highly significant difference was noticed between the two age groups with respect to calculus (P < 0.01) and malocclusion (P < 0.05).

Peripheral ossifying fibroma.

The peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) is a reac-tive gingival overgrowth occurring frequently in the anterior maxilla in teenagers and young adults. The pediatric patient with a POF has special manage-ment considerations compared to the adult, as it requires early recognition and treatment by the dentist. It requires proper treatment protocol with close postoperative follow-up. The present report describes a case of POF in a girl, which was surgically excised from the palatal mucosa in the maxillary incisor area. Some features of the differential diagnosis and therapy when it occurs are discussed.

Management of dentoalveolar injuries in children: a case report.

Children aged 6-15 years old experience more injuries to their teeth and the injuries sustained are more serious as evidenced by a higher percentage of luxations, avulsions, fractures and dislocations. The mandible is the most frequently fractured facial bone and mandibular alveolar injuries have been reported to range between 8.1-50.6%. Those with mandibular or midface fractures have a higher incidence of associated chest, extremity, abdomen and cervical spine injuries. The growing patient with facial injuries presents the clinician with a series of thought-provoking circumstances. Dentoalveolar and mandibular injuries are especially important to understand because of the potential complications related to tooth eruption, alveolar development, occlusion and facial growth. However, the principles involved in the treatment for children need to be modified by certain anatomical, physiological and psychological factors specifically related to childhood. This case report documents the trauma, management and follow-up care of an 11-year-old boy who sustained undisplaced infraorbital, nasal fractures and mandibular dentoalveolar fracture along with other associated injuries of the extremities.

Management of facial trauma in children: A case report.

Children are uniquely susceptible to cranio facial trauma because of their greater cranial mass to body ratio. Below the age of 5, the incidence of pediatric facial fractures in relation to the total is very low ranging from 0.6-1.2%. Maxillo-facial injuries may be quite dramatic causing parents to panic and the child to cry uncontrollably with blood, tooth and soft tissue debris in the mouth. The facial disfigurement caused by trauma can have a deep psychological impact on the tender minds of young children and their parents. This case report documents the trauma and follow up care of a 4-year-old patient with maxillofacial injuries.