Prevalence of dental caries and associated social risk factors among preschool children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of dental caries, and associated social risk factors among preschool children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Methods: The study consisted of a random sample of 3 to 5 years- old preschool children who were examined in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 388 children [184 boys and 204 girls] were examined from 10 different preschools. Each surface of their teeth was examined for dental caries utilizing modified WHO criteria [WHO, 1997]. Data information about age, gender and social factors status were obtained by questionnaires that had been answered by parents

Results: About 69% of children had dental caries with dmft score of 3.4 [ +/- 3.6] and dmfs of 6.9 [ +/- 9.9]. There was no statistically significant difference between boys and girls. Less caries was observed among children whose parents worked and it was statistically significant as well as whose mothers had high or low educational level. Increased number of family members appeared to have a high incidence of dental caries which was also statistically significant. There was no significant difference in dental caries prevalence with birth order

Conclusions: Dental caries among preschool children in Saudi Arabia was still very common. Improvement of preventive measure at early age should be emphasized by parents and dental health professionals. More attention is required for Non-working parents telling them about the risk of dental caries affecting their children and the awareness of preventive care of dental health

Pediatric dentists' choices of restorative materials for primary molars

The aim of the study was to examine selection of various restorative materials in children; and the basis for the selection in a group of pediatric dentists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to obtain demographic information and present the respondents with six hypothetical clinical scenarios for selection of the restorative materials in primary teeth. A total of forty four pediatric dentists [52% males and 48% females] completed the questionnaire. Two-third of the respondents were seeing children between age 6 to 14 years. A great majority [89%] reported that a successful alternative of amalgam is available. More than two-third [68%] were using tooth-colored restorative materials more frequently than amalgam. Almost half [45%] of the respondents reported that the most influencing factor in the choice of restorative material for vital primary teeth is cavity design. The choice of restorative materials was discussed more with parents [84%] than children [43%]. For Class I and II cavity preparations in primary molars; amalgam was used by 43% and 50% of the respondents respectively. For restoring two proximal lesions in primary molars; 66% preferred Stainless Steel Crown [SSC] followed by amalgam [29%]. It can be concluded that amalgam is still popular for deep Class I and II cavities; whereas SSC is the most common choice for restoring primary teeth with multiple surfaces carious lesions

Validity of moyers mixed dentition analysis for Saudi population

Objectives: To evaluate the applicability of Moyers probability tables and to formulate more accurate mixed dentition prediction tables in the Saudi population

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the College of Dentistry, Kind Saud University, Saudi Arabia. The data were collected from 410 [203 males and 207 females] orthodontic study models, which had erupted mandibular permanent incisors, maxillary, mandibular canines and premolars. The mesiodistal widths were measured using a digital caliper with an accuracy of 0.01 mm. Student's paired t-test was used to compare the mean width values derived from this study with the values derived using the Moyers table. Simple linear regression was used to evaluate the linear relationship between the combined mesiodistal widths of the mandibular permanent incisors and the canine-premolar segments in each dental arch

Results: The regression equations for the maxillary canine-premolar segment [males: Y=10.27+0.48X; females: Y=11.71 + 0.39X] and the mandibular canine-premolar segment [males: Y=9.71 + 0.40X; females: 11.28 + 0.39X] were used to formulate new probability tables on the Moyers pattern. Statistically significant differences were observed between predicted widths in our subjects and the widths obtained using Moyers tables

Conclusions: The new prediction tables derived in this study provided a more precise mixed dentition space analysis than Moyers prediction tables in estimating tooth dimensions in the Saudi population

Postgraduate specialties interest, career choices and qualifications earned by male dentists graduated from King Saud university

To study the career development of male graduates of King Saud University [KSU], College of Dentistry in terms of pursuit of postgraduate dental education, higher degrees or Board Certification, choice of universities and countries of study, and place of work after qualification. A questionnaire survey was carried out through face to face or telephone interview among 666 KSU graduates of 1982-2004. 80% [532 graduates] response rate. [77%] finished postgraduate dental education. 17% specialized in Prosthodontics, 16% in Saudi Board Advanced Restorative Dentistry, 14% in Advanced General Dentistry, 10.5% in Orthodontics, 10% in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 8.3% in Pediatric Dentistry, 7.7% in Endodontics, 6% in Periodontics, 5.5% in Operative Dentistry, 5% in other Specialties. 61% had a Master's degree and 16% had a Doctorate degree. 23% had Board Certificates and 8% had a Fellowship Certificate. [78%] are working in the government. 15% at the university and 6% in private, and 19% in administrative positions. Most of the dental graduates were motivated and eager to continue their postgraduate education to get either clinical specialty or academic degrees from nationally and internationally well recognized and known Universities and programs

Dentists' knowledge and practices towards pulpectomy procedure of primary teeth in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and practices of general dental practitioners [CDP] and pedodontists [PD] towards pulpectomy procedure of primary teeth in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia General dental practitioners and pediatric dentists from different areas in Riyadh were requested to complete questionnaires on demographic data and current procedure in the treatment of pulpectomy A total of 124 questionnaires had been used for collecting the data and 105[85%] were returned. It was found that 71 4% of respondents were general practitioners and 286% were pediatric dentists There were differences in the treatment practices of the general dental practitioners and the pediatric dentists The most commonly used medicament for pulpectomy treatment was Zinc Oxide Eugenol paste [46.7%] followed by Calcium Hydroxide [21%] Hand instrument was the most common method used by the dentist to clean the canal with 96.2% and only 2.9% used rotary instruments. In addition, 23.8% and 22.9% of the dentists used syringe and hand condenser respectively to place the recommended materials. More than half [52.4%] of the sample restore primary teeth with stainless steel crowns after pulpectomy treatment. The results of this study show that some general dental practitioners use materials which are not recommenced for pulpectomy procedure. Zinc Oxide Eugenol is the common medicament used in the pulpectomy procedure and there is need for GDPs to attend ongoing education courses to update themselves on pulpectomy

Dentists attitudes, knowledge and practices towards pulpotomy procedure of primary teeth in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes, knowledge and practices of General Dental Practitioners [GDPs1] and Pediatric Dentists [PD] towards pulpotomy procedure of primary teeth in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. General Dental Practitioners and Pediatric Dentists from different areas of Riyadh were requested to complete specially designed questionnaire on demographic information and current procedure practiced in the treatment of pulpotomy of primary teeth. A total of 124 questionnaires were distributed and only 105 [85%] were returned. It was found that 71.4% of respondents were general dental practitioners and 28,6% were pediatric dentists. There were differences in the treatment practices of the general dental practitioners and pediatric dentists. The most commonly used medicament for pulpotomy treatment was formocresol [92.4%] with a 1:5 dilution being used by 83% of the sample. More than half [55.2%] of the sample restore primary teeth with stainless steel crowns after pulpotomy treatment. The results of this study confirm that some general dental practitioners do not follow quality guidelines for pulpotomy procedure. However, significant numbers of pediatric dentists adhere to the guidelines for pulp treatment of the primary teeth

survey of the use of space maintainers by private dentists in Riyadh - Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this study was to obtain an overview of the use of space maintainers for children by the dentists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. General practitioners and pediatric dentists from different areas in Riyadh were requested to complete questionnaires on demographic data and current practice in the treatment of primary and mixed dentitions using space maintainers. A total of 250 questionnaires had been used for collecting the data and 236 [95%] were returned duly completed. Two hundred eleven [89.5%] of respondents were general practitioners and twenty-five [10.5%] were pediatric dentists. The results of this study indicated that 35.5% of them did not use or rarely used space maintainers in their clinics and 44% of them do not take x-rays before and after treatment or rarely do. Nearly three quarters [73.8%] of the sample use Band or crown and loop in their clinics. The main cause for not using space maintainers was the cost [48.9%] while the parents' refusal accounted for 33.8%. It can be concluded that many general practitioners do not use space maintainers as a preventive method to avoid malocclusion when there is premature loss of the primary molars. However, significant numbers of them indicate that the main reasons for not using space maintainers were the cost and the parents' refusal of this type of treatment