Dental extractions in Saudi children under general anesthesia at Armed Forces Hospital in Riyadh

The aim of this study was to investigate the extraction pattern of teeth in children under general anesthesia at the Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In the study, 546 children were examined and referred to pediatric dentistry and after clinical radiographic re-evaluation, had extractions performed under general anesthesia. Mean extractions per child were 5.92 [ +/- 2.12] teeth. Most of the extractions were done in primary dentition and in age group 5-9 years. Primary first molar was the most commonly extracted tooth. In the permanent dentition, first molar was again the most commonly extracted tooth. Based on this study and data, it is recommended that intensified and more preventive programs in dental health care be implemented for Saudi children to reduce caries prevalence which was found to be the main cause of dental extractions in these children

Dental health status and caries pattern of preschool children in al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia

The objective of this study was to assess dental caries and its relation to plaque, tooth brushing habit and past dental attendance, and to determine the caries pattern in primary dentition of preschool children. One hundred and three, 5-year-old children, from preschool nurseries in Al-Kharj, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were studied in 1994. The World Health Organization criteria was used to determine caries. Only 16.5% were caries free. The mean decayed missing filled teeth [dmft] was 7.1, and by excluding caries free children it was 8.5. The decay component of dmft was predominant [82%]. Almost 90% of the children had plaque present on their teeth and one-third never brushed their teeth while two-thirds had never been to a dentist. All children who never brushed their teeth had plaque and caries. Molars were the teeth, which were most frequently carious, and caries among all teeth was always bilateral. There was high prevalence of untreated caries and high dental needs with concomitant poor dental health among these preschool children

prevalence of fractured permanent maxiliary incisors among visually impaired children in Lahore, Pakistan. A preliminary study

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to collect data on the prevalence of trauma to the maxillary incisors among visually impaired children [VIC]. MATERIALS and METHODS: Sixty children were examined from three schools of VIC in Lahore. Maxillary permanent incisors were examined for fractures of enamel, enamel and dentine and enamel and dentine with pulp exposure. In the study population, 60% of children were partially sighted while in 40% there was a complete loss of eyesight. Maxillary permanent incisor fracture were more common in male and totally blind children. Among males the older group while in females the younger age group children had a higher percentage of tooth fractures. Enamel fractures were more prevalent in males. The most commonly fractured tooth was the maxillary central incisor. It is concluded from the study that fractures of maxillary incisor teeth werd more common in totally blind children as compared to the study population consists of partially sighted and totally blind children partially sighted children. Children who sustained injuries did not seek any kind of dental care. It is therefore suggested that dental health care facilities should be provided to this disadvantaged group and their caretakers should be trained about prevention strategies in order to avoid dental trauma to these VIC