Lip Closing Force and the Related Factors in Elementary School Children / 대한소아치과학회지

Abnormal orofacial functions such as lip incompetency in the period of growth and development can cause morphological anomalies of the craniofacial complex. Therefore, it is crucial to make an early diagnosis based on the evaluation of the myofunctional conditions, and to make appropriate treatment plans.The objectives of this study were to quantitatively evaluate the standard lip closing force (LCF) of each age in the elementary school children, and to evaluate the relationships between LCF and affecting factors.The sample consisted of 765 children who were 7 – 12 years old in Jeonju city. Clinical examination about occlusal conditions and lip competency, and LCF measurement were performed by a single examiner. LCF was measured three times for each children with the LCF measuring device.The LCF was correlated positively with age in both sexes. The distribution of LCF groups was correlated significantly with Angle's classes and lip competency (p = 0.016, 0.004). The proportion of children with high LCFs was greater in the “competent lip” group, whereas the proportion of those with low LCFs was greater in the “incompetent lip” group.

Knowledge and Attitude of Parents of Preschool Children about Early Childhood Caries and Dental Caries Prevention / 대한소아치과학회지

To investigate knowledge and attitude of parents about early childhood caries and dental caries prevention, a questionnaire survey was conducted on 247 parents of children who had oral screening experience among 3 to 5 years old children in 3 kindergartens in Jeonju city.A total of 220 completed questionnaires were selected for final analysis. The overall perception of the parents about oral health of the children was 82.3 points (10.7 / 13) in terms of 100 points. There were statistically significant correlations between maternal age (p = 0.027), maternal education level (p = 0.002), household monthly income (p = 0.000) and maternal oral health knowledge level. The main source of oral health information was ‘dentist and dental hygienist’(83.6%) followed by ‘Web search’(22.3%).Compared with the previous studies, the level of knowledge of parents about oral health of the children was improved. However, in order to raise awareness of the parents about the poorly assessed items in this study, it is necessary to increase the participation rate by advertising the national dental screening program for infants and children and make efforts to improve the quality of oral health education in screening.

Dental Management in a Patient with Turner Syndrome with Dental Anomalies: A Case Report / 대한소아치과학회지

Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by monosomy of the X chromosome, with complete or partial absence of the second sex chromosome. Anomalies of root morphology have been found to occur more often in patients with TS, which make endodontic treatment challenging and requires special handling. The patients with TS may also have systematic problems such as cardiac or renal malformations, so in treating these patients it is important for clinicians not only to be aware of the characteristic intraoral findings, but also to make the patients have regular dental check-ups to prevent oral complications in advance.An 12-year-old girl who had been diagnosed with TS at the age of 10 years was referred due to discomfort in the bilateral mandibular premolar regions. Dens evaginatus and taurodontism were detected in all the mandibular premolars characteristically. The bilateral mandibular first premolars had three roots and the bilateral mandibular second premolars had periapical lesion with two roots. Due to the complexity of the root canal anatomy, root canal treatment were completed with a dental microscope to ensure adequate visualization. After 2 years of regular follow-up examinations, there were no clinical sign or symptom associated with the teeth, and no periapical lesion, was found.This case report describes the characteristic oral features and dental management of TS patients.