ABSTRACT
Dental caries is a transmissible infectious disease in which mutans streptococci are generally considered to be the main etiological agents. Although the transmissibility of dental caries is relatively well established in the literature, little is known whether information regarding this issue is correctly provided to the population. The present study aimed at evaluating, by means of a questionnaire, the knowledge and usual attitude of 640 parents and caretakers regarding the transmissibility of caries disease. Most interviewed adults did not know the concept of dental caries being an infectious and transmissible disease, and reported the habit of blowing and tasting food, sharing utensils and kissing the children on their mouth. 372 (58.1%) adults reported that their children had already been seen by a dentist, 264 (41.3%) answered that their children had never gone to a dentist, and 4 (0.6%) did not know. When the adults were asked whether their children had already had dental caries, 107 (16.7%) answered yes, 489 (76.4%) answered no, and 44 (6.9%) did not know. Taken together, these data reinforce the need to provide the population with some important information regarding the transmission of dental caries in order to facilitate a more comprehensive approach towards the prevention of the disease.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Health , Caregivers/psychology , Dental Caries/microbiology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Parents/psychology , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Cooking and Eating Utensils , Dental Care , Dental Caries/prevention & control , Female , Food Microbiology , Humans , Infant , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical , Male , Mouth/microbiology , Streptococcus mutans/physiology , Toothbrushing/instrumentationABSTRACT
Dental caries is a transmissible infectious disease in which mutans streptococci are generally considered to be the main etiological agents. Although the transmissibility of dental caries is relatively well established in the literature, little is known whether information regarding this issue is correctly provided to the population. The present study aimed at evaluating, by means of a questionnaire, the knowledge and usual attitude of 640 parents and caretakers regarding the transmissibility of caries disease. Most interviewed adults did not know the concept of dental caries being an infectious and transmissible disease, and reported the habit of blowing and tasting food, sharing utensils and kissing the children on their mouth. 372 (58.1 percent) adults reported that their children had already been seen by a dentist, 264 (41.3 percent) answered that their children had never gone to a dentist, and 4 (0.6 percent) did not know. When the adults were asked whether their children had already had dental caries, 107 (16.7 percent) answered yes, 489 (76.4 percent) answered no, and 44 (6.9 percent) did not know. Taken together, these data reinforce the need to provide the population with some important information regarding the transmission of dental caries in order to facilitate a more comprehensive approach towards the prevention of the disease.
Subject(s)
Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Attitude to Health , Caregivers/psychology , Dental Caries/microbiology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Parents/psychology , Cooking and Eating Utensils , Dental Care , Dental Caries/prevention & control , Food Microbiology , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical , Mouth/microbiology , Streptococcus mutans/physiology , Toothbrushing/instrumentationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This paper describes the case of a 7-day-old girl who was referred to a paediatric dentistry clinic because of the presence of a pedunculated mass protruding from the front of her mouth. CASE REPORT: The mass was attached to the maxillary alveolus to the right of the midline, and was clinically diagnosed as a congenital epulis. The baby had no airway obstruction and was able to feed well. A conservative treatment was proposed, with monthly follow-up appointments to monitor the lesion. CONCLUSION: After 8 months, the lesion had completely regressed, meaning that the girl did not have to be exposed to unnecessary surgical procedures in her first few days of life. The eruption of the upper anterior teeth was not affected.
Subject(s)
Gingival Neoplasms/congenital , Gingival Neoplasms/physiopathology , Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous , Female , Humans , Infant, NewbornABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: Traumatic injuries to the teeth and their supporting structures are frequent in children. Among the traumatic injuries, dental avulsion results in the major functional and esthetic disturbances for patients. PURPOSE: The present study's aim was to assess the mothers' level of knowledge and attitude concerning dental avulsion. METHODS: A questionnaire contained 6 objective questions for the assessment of the mothers' knowledge and attitude regarding the management of dental avulsion and emergency procedures. RESULTS: A total of 242 mothers participated in the study. A lack of technical information was observed among the mothers. CONCLUSION: This study showed the need of a more effective communication between dental professionals and mothers to better handle dental emergencies. Educational campaigns and preventive programs on dental trauma must be organized to improve the emergency management of dental avulsion.
