Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 on Dental Service Utilization of Korean Children and Adolescents / 대한소아치과학회지

This study aimed to investigate the frequency of dental visits after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children and adolescents in comparison to that of adults. The data on the number of dental visits on the basis of different classification and treatment codes for all the age groups were provided by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from January 2017 to December 2020. To reduce the impact of the population change, dental visits per 1000 people was used. After the start of the pandemic, dental visits per 1000 people decreased in all age groups when analyzed for the diseases of pulp and periapical tissues classification code and dental visits per 1000 people decreased over 5 years age groups when analyzed for the pulp treatment code. Regarding the restorative treatment code, visits in the 0 - 19 years age group decreased after the pandemic. Based on the comparison of the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to that of monthly dental visits by treatment codes, the change rate of pulp and restorative treatments gradually decreased after the waves of the pandemic in February and August 2020 in Korea. Furthermore, dental visits per 1000 people for gingivitis and periodontal disease classification code increased after the pandemic in all age groups. The rate of decrease in dental visits per 1000 people for restorative treatments in children and adolescents was higher than that in adults. The rate of decrease in the number of dental visits for multi-visit pulp treatments showed a rapid decrease as compared to that of 1-visit pulp treatments after the pandemic. This study identified changes in the number of dental visits of children and adolescents after COVID-19 transmission in comparison to that observed in adults.

National Oral Health Screening for Infants and Children: A Survey on its Perception, Requirements and Accuracy of Parents and Dentists / 대한소아치과학회지

This study aimed to investigate parents’ and dentists’ perceptions of the national oral health screening for infants and children (OHS), and evaluate the dentists’ accuracy of analyzing the results of OHS. A questionnaire survey was conducted, face-to-face or online, for 90 parents of children who received OHS in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Yonsei University Dental Hospital and 100 dentists working at local clinic or university dental hospital from May to October 2021. Most parents and dentists were aware of the importance of OHS, and approximately 96.7% of parents were satisfied with OHS. The requirements of parents and dentists about OHS were different. The reasons for having difficulties in explaining parents after OHS and the opinions on appropriate period and number of OHS were disagreed between pediatric dentists and general dentists. Regardless of dentists’ major, work experience, elapsed period after taking online education program, the accuracy of the examination result was low. In this study, various opinions of parents and dentists on OHS were collected. Efforts should be made to enhance the oral health of infants and children by considering the requirements of parents and dentists and improving the accuracy of examination results.

Correlation of Left Mandibular Third Molar Development and Chronological Age / 대한소아치과학회지

The aim of this study is to evaluate the development of the left mandibular third-molar development with modified Demirjian method and its relation to chronological age.A total of 1653 digital panoramic radiographs of healthy individuals aged between 7 and 23 years who visited Yonsei University Dental hospital were selected. The developmental status of the left mandibular third molars was assessed using dental maturity scoring proposed by Demirjian et al. The mean age of the first appearance of mineralization, complete crown formation, and complete root formation were around 9, 14, 21 years respectively. Statistically significant differences between males and females in the development stage of D and G were revealed that crown formation and root length completion were attained earlier in males than in females. There was significant positive relationship between age and third molar development in both sexes, and new formula was presented to estimate age of children and adolescents based on their developmental stages of third molars.In this study, the use of left mandibular third molar as a developmental marker is appropriate, and age estimation can be attained with dental maturity stage.

Assessment of the Caries Detection Ability of Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence (QLF) in Primary Teeth in vitro / 대한소아치과학회지

The aim of this study was to evaluate QLF (quantitative light-induced fluorescence) technology for the caries detection in primary teeth and validate the relationships between the cavity volume of carious lesions and QLF analysis results. Total 125 tooth surfaces include 53 occlusal surfaces, and 72 proximal surfaces were investigated with the portable QLF device for detection of dental caries in primary molars. Micro-CT radiograph was also performed to classify carious lesions and calculate the cavity volume. QLF showed good accuracy and reliability (sensitivity 0.75 - 0.94, specificity 0.82 - 0.95, and AUROC 0.88 - 0.98) for the caries detection in primary teeth except ΔR average results of proximal caries which showed relatively low values. Statistically significant relationships were found between ΔF average, QS-Index and the cavity volume according to Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients (r = 0.805 - 0.832, p < 0.001). QLF detection method would be a harmless and reliable way for children to diagnose dental caries without the concern about radiation exposure.

Effects of Essential Oil Containing Mouth Rinse in Children with Black Staining : Two Case Reports / 대한소아치과학회지

Black staining of the teeth in children and adolescents does not cause pain or serious illness, but it can be socially debilitating for esthetic reasons. Black staining is easily removed through periodic professional mechanical tooth cleaning and ultrasonic scaling, but it can easily recur within few months. Using essential oil-containing mouth rinses diluted at 50% twice per day could prevent the black staining from returning after it is removed, reducing the need for mechanical treatments and improving esthetics.

Accuracy of Automatic Cephalometric Analysis Programs on Lateral Cephalograms ofPreadolescent Children / 대한소아치과학회지

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of 3 different automatic landmark identification programs on lateral cephalgrams and the clinical acceptability in pediatric dentistry.Sixty digital cephalometric radiographs of 7 to 12 years old healthy children were randomly selected. Fourteen landmarks were chosen for assessment and the mean of 3 measurements of each landmark by a single examiner was defined as the baseline landmarks. The mean difference between an automatically identified landmark and the baseline landmark was measured for each landmark on each image.The total mean difference of 3 automatic programs compared to the baseline landmarks were 2.53 ± 1.63 mm. Errors among 3 programs were not significantly different for 12 of 14 landmarks except Orbitale and Gonion. The automatic landmark identification programs showed significant higher mean detection errors than the manual method. The programs couldn’t be used as the 1st tool to replace human examiners. But considering short consuming time, these results indicate that all 3 programs have sufficient validity to be used in pediatric dental clinic.

Analysis of Primary Molar Relationship using Digital Photograph / 대한소아치과학회지

The aim of this study was to assess the occlusal relationships of primary dentition of Korean preschool children in Hwaseong city.Total 444 children of age group between 2 and 5 years were selected. One pediatric dentist took intraoral photos of children. Evaluation and categorization of the primary molar relationships were done by single examiner. Statistical analysis was performed with Pearson chi-squared test.Total 389 samples, which is consisted of 185 boys, 204 girls were satisfied with inclusion criteria. Bilateral mesial step was seen in 61.7%. Bilateral flush terminal plane was seen in 15.4%. When the primary molar relations of the right and left sides were not the same, the combination of the mesial step and flush terminal plane was 14.7%.The present study provides insight into occlusal relationships in the primary dentition of 2 - 5 years old of Korean children in Hwaseong city. Pediatric dentists should understand occlusal relationships of primary dentition for establishment of appropriate treatment strategies and occlusal guidance.

Evaluation of Characteristics of the Dental Maturity in Girls with Precocious Puberty / 대한소아치과학회지

Precocious puberty (PP) is defined as the early development of secondary sexual characteristics (before the ages of 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys). The aim of this study is to identify characteristics of the dental maturity in girls with PP that discriminate them from normal healthy girls. This study included 99 girls aged 6 - 8 years with PP and 99 girls without past medical history of same chronological age (control group). The study was performed on 198 panoramic radiographs (99 PP girls, 99 control group girls). Demirjian method was used to evaluate the panoramic radiographs and determine dental maturity. Difference in dental maturity score and tooth formation stages between the two groups were analyzed. The PP group showed significant higher maturity score than control group. Among mandibular teeth, mandibular 2nd premolar and 2nd molar were significantly more mature in the PP group than control group. Logistic regression analysis showed that mandibular 2nd molar was only significant predictor for PP girls.

Dental complications associated with neonatal intubation in preterm infants

This paper describes the potential oral complications in preterm infants who have undergone orotracheal intubation. Neonatal intubation may have adverse effects on the developing deciduous teeth, oral soft tissues, and even the permanent teeth. However, endotracheal intubation may be essential for the survival of premature infants, owing to incomplete tracheal development. Excessive pressure to the oral tissue must be avoided, in cases where orotracheal intubation is inevitable. Moreover, the potential oral complications must be considered when neonatal intubation is performed for the patient's survival, and subsequent reevaluation and proper oral health care are needed.

Clinical Risk Factors Influencing Dental Developmental Disturbances in Childhood Cancer Survivors / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Although studies regarding dental developmental disturbances after childhood cancer treatment have increased, they have many limitations. Studies analyzing the significance of independent clinical risk factors with regard to the dental health status are also rare. We aimed to investigate the risk factors for dental developmental disturbances, particularly severe disturbances, in childhood cancer survivors (CCS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oral examinations and retrospective reviews of medical and panoramic radiographs were performed for 196 CCS (mean age, 15.6 years). Cancer type, age at diagnosis, treatment modality, type and accumulated dose of administered drugs, and dose and site of radiation were recorded. Dental developmental disturbances were diagnosed using panoramic radiographs and graded for severity according to the Modified Dental Defect Index (MDDI). Descriptive statistics and multivariate analyseswere performed to determine the association between dental abnormalities and clinical factors. RESULTS: In total, 109 CCS (55.6%) exhibited at least one dental anomaly, and the median value of MDDI was 2.5. Microdontia (30.6%) was the most prevalent anomaly, followed by tooth agenesis (20.4%), V-shaped roots (14.8%), and taurodontism (10.2%). Multivariate analysis revealed that a young age at diagnosis (≤ 3 years), a history of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the use of multiple classes of chemotherapeutic agents (≥ 4 classes), and the use of heavy metal agents were significant risk factors for severe dental disturbances. CONCLUSION: CCS with any of the above risk factors for severe developmental disturbances should be comprehensively followed up to minimize adverse consequences to their dental development and preserve their future dental health.