Prevalence and possible aetiological factors of molar incisor hypomineralisation in Saudi children: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: A new charting system for molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) was recently published and is based on the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD) criteria. This charting system aims to standardise MIH data collection. Therefore, there is a need for new MIH prevalence studies using the currently recommended charting-form. AIM: To investigate the prevalence and possible aetiological factors of MIH in randomly selected Saudi schoolchildren aged 8-12 years in Riyadh. DESIGN: A randomly selected sample of Saudi schoolchildren aged 8-12 years attending elementary schools in Riyadh was examined using the EAPD short-form charting, which was recently recommended for the standardised collection of epidemiological data on MIH. To investigate possible aetiological factors of MIH, we collected demographic, pregnancy, and medical history using a questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 1,562 children participated in the study (48.8% girls, 51.2% boys). The prevalence of MIH was 15.2%, without a significant difference in the prevalence between the sexes. Among those with MIH, 79.4% had affected incisors and 55.9% had hypomineralised second primary molars. The most prevalent clinical defect was demarcated opacities, and the maxillary arch was more affected. Permanent incisors were more affected in boys than in girls. Defects of the first permanent molars were more severe in terms of clinical status and lesion extent than defects of the permanent incisors. MIH was significantly more prevalent in children with a history of early childhood ear infections, respiratory distress, and tonsillitis. CONCLUSIONS: MIH is common in Saudi schoolchildren living in Riyadh, with no gender predilection. Hypomineralised second primary molars can be used to predict MIH. MIH was significantly associated with childhood illness during the first three years of life, including ear infection, respiratory distress, and tonsillitis.

Newly graduated dentists' knowledge of temporomandibular disorders compared to specialists in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: General dentists are often the first healthcare professionals to see patients with orofacial pain (OFP). OFP conditions associated with the temporomandibular joint are often confused with dentoalveolar disorders, which leads to mismanagement. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among newly graduated dentists compared to OFP specialists in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study utilizing an anonymous validated questionnaire assessing professional knowledge regarding TMDs in newly qualified dentists and OFP specialists. The questionnaire interrogated four domains including chronic pain/pain behavior, etiology, diagnosis/classification, and treatment/prognosis. OFP specialists were used as the reference group. RESULTS: A total of 393 dentists participated, a response rate of 67.6% in newly graduated dentists and 77.3% in OFP specialists. The degree of agreement between newly graduated general dentists and OFP specialists was highest for the "chronic pain and pain behavior" domain. The consensus among specialists was highest for the "treatment and prognosis" domain and the least for the "chronic pain and pain behavior" domain. CONCLUSION: Newly graduated general dentists have limited knowledge of TMD in almost all domains compared to specialists. Given that a lack of knowledge of TMD can lead to clinical mismanagement, dental school curricula must address this important knowledge gap.

Evaluation of stain removal and inhibition properties of eight denture cleansers: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the ability of eight denture cleansers to remove and inhibit tea-stain build-up on acrylic resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the stain removal study, Perspex(®) (cast heat polymerised resin) specimens previously soaked in saliva were stained using multiple exposures of chlorhexidine and tea solutions. Specimens were exposed for 1 min to one of the eight denture cleansers for five cycles, washed and dried and their optical density read on a uv/vis spectrophotometer at 295 nm. In the stain inhibition study, clear specimens were exposed to saliva followed by cleansers then tea solution, for five cycles. The build-up of stain at each cycle was measured, and differences in optical densities from baseline were calculated. RESULTS: All denture cleansers were significantly more effective than water in removing stain (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in cleaning ability between cleansers (p < 0.001), Dentural(®) and Kleenite(®) were particularly effective. The stain inhibition experiment showed that most cleansers were significantly more effective than water in inhibiting stain (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in inhibition ability between cleansers (p < 0.01). Kleenite(®) and Equate were particularly effective. CONCLUSIONS: All denture cleansers had a capacity to remove stain and most had an inhibitory effect on staining. Kleenite(®) was particularly effective in controlling stain formation.