Effectiveness of school dental health education on the oral health status and knowledge of children: A systematic review

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of school dental health education on the oral health status, oral health-related knowledge, and practice behavior of 6–12-year-old children. Methods: Hand search and electronic search based on the keywords on school dental health education in seven search engines till 2017 identified 7434 articles. Trials involving school-based dental health education with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months were screened. Risk of bias assessment was done independently by two authors. Results: Among the 18 articles which fulfilled the eligibility criteria, six were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 12 were non-RCTs. Quality assessment showed that 12 trials had a low risk of bias. Oral health-related knowledge improved in children. Oral health-related practice behaviors such as frequency and duration of brushing improved. Use of fluoridated toothpaste was increased. Plaque scores and gingival bleeding scores reduced. Conclusion: School dental health education had a positive impact on the oral health status, knowledge, and practice behavior of children. There is a definite need for high-quality RCTs analyzing the effectiveness of school dental health education on specific oral health outcomes.

Objective and subjective parameters of oral health in South Indian children: A cross-sectional study

Oral health of schoolchildren is a strong predictor of their overall well-being. This study was planned to assess and compare the objective and subjective parameters of oral health of South Indian school children. Methodology: Three hundred and sixty school children participated in this cross-sectional study. Their oral hygiene status, dental caries status, and treatment needs were assessed. Two questionnaires were filled by these children, to assess their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and their knowledge on oral health. Their academic scores were collected from the schools. Statistical analysis was done using Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA test and Spearman correlation test appropriately. Results: Children with no caries had better OHRQoL (P = 0.02). There was a negative correlation between dental caries status and OHRQoL score (P = 0.003) and dental caries treatment needs and OHRQoL score (P = 0.01). There was a positive correlation between knowledge on oral health and OHRQoL score (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Children with no caries had a better OHRQoL when compared to children with caries. Children with caries had more treatment needs, poor oral hygiene, low quality of life, and performed lesser in academics. However, they had adequate knowledge on oral health. Hence, both objective and subjective parameters of oral health should be given importance while treating children.

Two-rooted mandibular second premolars: case report and survey.

Mandibular premolars have earned the reputation for having an aberrant anatomy. Literature is replete with reports of extra canals in mandibular second premolars, but reports about the incidence of extra roots in these teeth are quite rare. This paper attempts at explaining a rare case of successful endodontic management of a two-rooted mandibular second premolar with diagnostic, inter-operative and postoperative radiographic records along with a substantial data on the incidence of extra roots in these teeth. The standard method of radiographic appraisal was maintained as the criteria for determining the presence of extra roots. Totally, 600 patients were examined for a period of four months by three endodontists. Out of them, eight patients had an extra root in one of the mandibular second premolars and three patients showed a bilateral presence of two roots.

Restoration of a vertical tooth fracture and a badly mutilated tooth using canal projection.

Management of vertically fractured tooth or a perforation frequently poses problem during endodontic management. Such teeth often need a pre-endodontic restoration prior to initiation of root canal therapy to aid in the placement of rubber dam clamp. This paper describes a simple method of placement of a pre-endodontic restoration using the canal projection technique using hollow metallic needles as sleeves.

MB2 in maxillary second molar.

Occurrence of the second mesiobuccal canal (MB2) is a frequent finding. Literary reports have shown it to be found more in the cases of the maxillary first molar. However the maxillary second molars have also been found with this variation in a number of canals. This paper presents a case report on the occurrence of a second mesiobuccal canal or the MB2 in the maxillary second molar.

Assessment of the efficacy of an indigeniously developed pulse oximeter dental sensor holder for pulp vitality testing.

Current routine methods of assessment of pulp vitality rely on stimulation of nerve fibres and give no direct indication of blood flow within the pulp. Pulse oximeter is a proven, atraumatic method of measuring vascular status, by evaluating oxygen saturation. This study explores the use of customized dental pulse oximeter sensor holder to assess pulpal vascular oxygen saturation in permanent teeth. Pulse oximeter readily differentiated between known vital and nonvital teeth. Vital teeth consistently provided oxygen saturation values that were lower than the values recorded on the patient's fingers. Pulse oximeter is an accurate, atraumatic clinical alternative to the present electrical and thermal methods of assessing pulp vitality in teeth.

Endodontic management of taurodontic teeth.

Taurodontism is a morpho-anatomical change in the shape of the tooth in which the body of the tooth is enlarged and the roots are reduced in size. Although taurodontism is a dental rarity, this unusual radicular form should merit circumspect considerations in planning and treatment. Endodontic management in taurodont teeth has been described as complex and difficult. The present paper describes the successful completion of endodontic treatment in three taurodontic teeth with appropriate use of instruments and techniques and also emphasizes the need for post endodontic rehabilitation.

Carpal tunnel syndrome: survey of an occupational hazard.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of a number of muscle-tendon and nerve related disorders that affect people performing intensive work with their hands. Hand and wrist disorders are receiving most of the attention although their symptoms are reported less often by dental workers than symptoms of neck/back disorders. The lack of data pertaining to the behaviour of Indian general dental practitioners towards carpal tunnel syndrome was the basis behind this descriptive study to evaluate the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.

Bilateral mandibular canines with type two canals.

Presence of two canals with type II pattern in mandibular canine is around 15%. Even though the incidence rate is high, multiple angled diagnostic radiographs are not regularly taken. This article highlights the importance of multiple angled radiographs and indicates that the dentist should have a mind set to look out for extra canals in all root canal cases.

Criteria for management of calcific metamorphosis: review with a case report.

Calcific metamorphosis is seen commonly in the dental pulp after traumatic tooth injuries and is characterized by deposition of hard tissue within the root canal space. Opinion differs among practitioners as to whether to treat these cases upon early detection of calcific metamorphosis or to observe them until symptoms or radiographic signs of pulpal necrosis are detected. In this article, the clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic appearance of calcific metamorphosis is described; a review of the literature is presented to address these issues in an attempt to establish sound rationale for treatment. Approximately 3.8% to 24% of traumatized teeth develop varying degrees of calcific metamorphosis. Studies indicate that of these, approximately 1% to 16% will develop pulpal necrosis. Most of the literature does not support endodontic intervention unless periradicular pathoses is detected or the involved tooth becomes syptomatic. It may be advisable to manage cases demonstrating calcific metamorphosis through observation and periodic examination. A report of a case where in non-surgical endodontic intervention was successfully carried out a patient suffering from calcific metamorphosis with periapical pathoses is also presented.