Comparison of oral midazolam with a combination of oral midazolam and nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalation in the effectiveness of dental sedation for young children.

Aim: To compare the effectiveness of 0.6 mg/kg oral midazolam sedation alone and a combination of 0.6 mg/kg oral midazolam plus nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalation sedation, in controlling the behavior of uncooperative children during dental treatment. Study Design: The study had a crossover design where the same patient received two different sedation regimens, that is, oral midazolam 0.6 mg/kg and oral midazolam 0.6 mg/kg with nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalation during two dental treatment visits. Materials and Methods: Thirty children (17 males and 13 females) were randomly selected for the study, with a mean age of 55.07 (+/- 9.29) months, ranging from 48 - 72 months. A scoring system suggested by Houpt et al. (1985) was utilized for assessment of the children's behavior. Results : There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in the overall behavior assessment between the two sedation regimens, that is, oral midazolam alone and oral midazolam plus nitrous oxide-oxygen. However, the combination of midazolam and nitrous oxide-oxygen showed significantly (p Conclusion: Compared to oral midazolam alone, a combination of oral midazolam and nitrous oxide inhalation sedation appears to provide more comfort to pediatric dental patients and operators during critical stages of dental treatment.

Caries prevalence, oral hygiene and orthodontic status of Saudi Bedouin children.

The objectives of the study were to determine caries prevalence, oral hygiene and orthodontic status of Bedouin children in a desert around Al-Qasseem Region of Saudi Arabia. One hundred and fifty three children were examined for caries, oral hygiene and orthodontic status with mirror and explorer utilizing natural light. These children were divided into two groups for analyses. The primary dentition group consisted of 77 children, 39 (50.6%) male and 38 (49.4%) female with a mean age of 4.0 (+/- 1.4) years. The mixed dentition group consisted of 76 children, 67 (88.2%) male and 9 (11.8%) female with a mean age of 9.7 (+/- 2.9) years. In Primary dentition group, 16 (20.8%) children were caries positive and mean DMFT was 0.91 (+/- 2.42). There was a highly significant relation (p < .001) between oral hygiene and caries. In the mixed dentition group, 15 (19.7%) children were caries positive. The mean DMFT and DMFT scores for these children were 0.72 (+/- 1.96) and 0.74 (+/- 1.48) respectively. There was a significant relation (P > .01) between oral hygiene and caries. One hundred and fifty one (98.6%) children had class I molar relation and 2 (1.4%) children had class II molar relation. Anterior open bite, anterior crossbite and posterior crossbite were found in one case (0.7%) each. The caries experience of these Bedouin children was low both in terms of prevalence and severity. There was a significant relation between oral hygiene and caries. The orthodontic problems were almost nonexistent in the study population.

Classification of cervical burnout and its distribution in the dentition.

A retrospective analysis of 25 full mouth intra oral radiographs, including bitewing films was carried out from the hospital records of King Saud University College of Dentistry in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, A new classification of cervical burnout (CB) based on shape was attempted. Analysis of the data revealed greater frequency of CB in maxillary teeth (67.5%) than in the mandibular teeth (32.5%). The highest frequency among maxillary teeth was in incisors (75%), while the least was in the molars (30%). In mandible, the corresponding findings was in the canines (40%) and in the molars (15.3%). Seventy per cent of CB disappeared in bitewing view in maxillary and mandibular premolars while remaining teeth showed this phenomenon in less than 50% cases. It was concluded that the frequency of CB was greater in maxillary teeth than mandibular teeth. Maxillary incisors and mandibular canines are more likely to show CB. In molars and premolars, CB present in periapical radiographs may disappear in a bitewing view.

Use of sweet snacks, soft drinks and fruit juices, tooth brushing and first dental visit in high DMFT 4-6 year olds of Riyadh region.

A total of 68 children, 4-6 years old and equally distributed by gender were selected for the study. Information about use of sweet snacks, soft drinks and fruit juices/drinks, tooth brushing/cleaning, and first dental visit of the children was obtained through a self-administered questionnaire completed by the parents of the selected children. Sixty (88.2%) children were given sweetened snacks. Fifty one (75%) children were using canned soft drinks and packed fruit juices. Twenty eight (41.2%) children were not brushing/cleaning their teeth. The mean age of first dental visit among the study children was 63 (S.D 16.9) months. It may be concluded that the lack of dietary discipline and good oral hygiene habits were most probably responsible for caries in these children.

Internship program in King Saud University College of Dentistry. Attitudes of interns.

The objective of the present survey was to look into the attitudes of the interns towards their training program in King Saud University College of Dentistry. A self administered questionnaire was designed for this purpose. One hundred and twenty four interns participated in the survey. The branch of dentistry in which they liked to work most was restorative dentistry (20.3%) followed by prosthodontics (18.9%) and, oral surgery (16.2%) and endodontics (16.2%). The greatest faculty assistance was required in orthodontics (46.3%) followed by oral surgery (20.9%) and diagnosis (17.9%). 80.5% of the interns were interested in further studies. The most favorite subject for further studies was oral surgery (37.9%) followed by restorative dentistry (18.9%) and prosthetics (17.9%). A considerable majority of the interns had a very positive attitude towards dentistry as a profession.

Caries activity indicators. A review.

Caries activity is the sum total of new carious lesions and the enlargement of existing cavities during a given time. An objective evaluation of caries activity requires clinical examination of quantification of factors associated with the pathogenesis of caries. Caries activity tests have been in use in dental research and clinical dentistry for years. They are useful in establishing categories of risk for caries, and for targeting specific preventive measures to these groups. They are even more useful in situations of limited resource availability. The limited resources can be concentrated on those identified by caries activity indicators as in most need of help. In recent years a number of techniques to diagnose caries have emerged. It is important for the clinical practitioner to utilize cost-effective measures in diagnosing those at risk. The objective of this paper is to review the current types of caries activity indicators and their relative efficacy.

Relationship between caries, water fluoride level and socioeconomic class in 15-year-old Indian school children.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between caries experience, water fluoride level and socioeconomic class among the 15-year-old school children of Tamilnadu. The study children were stratified on the basis of water fluoride level and socioeconomic (SE) class. The children were divided into low, medium and high SE classes. There was a highly significant (P < .001) difference in the carious experience of 15-year-old children from low fluoride (LF) areas in relation to the SE class, the low SE class having the highest caries experience. There was almost no difference between the caries experience of low SE class 15-year-old children from the LF area and high fluoride (HF) area (Z < 1.96 and P > 0.05). The difference between caries experience of 15-year-old children from LF and HF areas was not statistically significant (Z < 1.96 and P > 0.05). The present study has indicated towards the need of provision of more vigorous preventive efforts in lower SE class children in both the urban and rural population.