Application of the European-modified dental clinical learning environment inventory (DECLEI) in dental schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate undergraduate dental students' self-perceptions of their clinical dental environment using a valid, concise and more practical version of the Dental Clinical Learning Environment Inventory (DECLEI) questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 24-item DECLEI was self-administered to fourth- and fifth-year undergraduate dental students from public and private dental schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the 2014-2015 academic year. Factor analysis revealed three underlying factors associated with the clinical learning environment. Independent sample t-tests were used to evaluate any associations amongst the items, the factors, the total DECLEI score and other demographic variables. For the scoring system, 6-point Likert scale responses were scored on a 100% scale ranging from excellent to poor. RESULTS: The mean DECLEI total score was 64.1 (good) of 100. Amongst the factors, the highest mean score, 71.3 (good), was obtained for the patient interactions and professionalism, and the lowest mean score, 50.2 (moderate), was observed for all the negatively worded statements in the DECLEI. The instrument exhibited good discriminant validity as it was able to record significant differences between genders and between public and private institutions in the total DECLEI, the factors and most of the items scored. CONCLUSIONS: The new DECLEI scale identified several areas of strength and some aspects that could be improved. Overall, the dental students rated the clinical undergraduate programme as more positive than negative.

Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of tricalcium phosphate, calcium sodium phosphosilicate, and casein phosphopeptide - amorphous calcium phosphate in reducing streptococcus mutans levels in saliva.

BACKGROUND: There are only limited studies that have determined the antibacterial effects of various remineralizing agents that can be beneficial to children. AIM: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of tricalcium phosphate (TCP), calcium sodium phosphosilicate (CSP), and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) enhanced with fluoride in reducing the Streptococcus mutans (SM) levels in saliva of children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 245 children, 120 of them with SM colony forming units (CFU)/ml in the range of 104-106/ml of saliva were assigned to four groups: (I) TCP; (II) CSP; (III) CPP-ACP enhanced with fluoride; and (IV) control. Salivary samples were collected at intervals of 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks and the number of CFU/ml of SM in saliva were counted post 48 hour incubation. RESULTS: After 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks, there was a significant reduction in the mean score of SM (P < 0.05). The maximum reduction in the CFU/ml in the saliva was seen in the 1st week after the commencement of the brushing in all the three test groups. Group III children demonstrated the maximum reduction of 15 × 105 CFU/ml, followed by Group II children with 10 × 105 CFU/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Twice daily use of CPP-ACP with fluoride, CSP, and TCP caused a significant reduction in the levels of SM in saliva.

The Role of Feeding Practices as a Determinant of the pufa Index in Children with Early Childhood Caries.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of untreated dental caries among young children (aged <6 years) with early childhood caries (ECC) using the pufa index and to examine the relationship between caries and feeding practices. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of children with ECC was undertaken in two stages: a questionnaire survey based on interviews and an intraoral examination using the defs and pufa indices. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of untreated dental caries in our sample of 238 ECC-affected children was 72.3%. The abscess component (code a) was the most common condition. There was an increase in the ECC patterns and the severity of untreated dental caries with increasing age for all teeth groups. ECC and untreated caries lesions for the various teeth groups and study sites varied inversely with current feeding status. The majority of the children had posterior ECC, and the fewest were affected by ulceration (code u) as a consequence of untreated dental caries. Except for the posterior caries pattern, all other caries patterns and pufa components (code u alone, p<0.05) had a significantly higher prevalence among children with nocturnal feeding practices (p<0.001). Binary logistic regression analyses revealed that older age (p<0.05) and nocturnal feeding practices (p<0.001) were significantly associated with pufa scores>0. CONCLUSION: These data provide valuable evidence of the effect of nocturnal feeding as an important determinant of the increased prevalence of untreated caries lesions among children with ECC.