Comparison of Preoperative Analgesics on the Efficacy of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block with Patients Having Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative analgesics on inferior alveolar nerve blocks (IANB) during root canal treatment in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis of the mandibular molars. METHODS: This study was a randomized, double-blinded, superiority trial with a parallel study design. A total of 120 subjects with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were randomly assigned to one of four groups: group A (con- trol, Vitamin E, Evion 400 mg), group B (Diclofenac sodium, Voltral SR100 100 mg), group C (Piroxicam, Feldene 20 mg), and group D (Tramadol, Tramal 50 mg). The patients recorded preoperative pain levels, and after admin- istration of local anaesthesia intraoperative pain levels using the Heft-Parker visual analogue scale before and after the oral administration of the analgesics. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: All the analgesic groups showed a significant effect on the efficacy of the inferior alveolar nerve block in contrast to the control group (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found between the drug groups on the effectiveness of the inferior alveolar nerve block (p>0.05). No side effects were reported in the present study. CONCLUSION: Preoperative analgesics significantly increase the effectiveness of inferior alveolar nerve block in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Therefore, preoperative analgesics should be considered to increase the effectiveness of inferior alveolar nerve block in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis on the mandibular molars. (EEJ-2023-02-033).

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Dental Surgeons in managing Child Patients.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices of dental surgeons in the city of Karachi providing treatment to pediatric patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices of dental surgeons in the city of Karachi providing treatment to pediatric patients. A cluster-sampling technique was used and 200 dental surgeons from six different dental institutions were selected. A self-constructed questionnaire was distributed to the dental surgeons that comprised 20 closed-ended questions. The data was entered and analyzed for frequency and percentages by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19. The results showed that 76 (38%) dental surgeons took the responsibility of managing pediatric patient when given; 68 (34%) dental surgeons allowed the parents in the clinic; 111 (55.5%) dental surgeons are of the view that colorful and fun environment in dental clinic make the child at ease; 59 (29.5%) always demonstrate the dental procedure to the child to eradicate imaginary fears; 94 (47.0%) dental surgeons preferred the child to be treated in general anesthesia (GA) to avoid difficult behavior of the child; 135 (67.5%) dental surgeons did not show syringe needle or any instrument to the child. All the members of dental profession must be aware of patient perceptions, preferences, and fear to meet patient's needs. Dental studies should include guidelines and techniques to train the upcoming dentists for excellent practice in pediatric dentistry. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Wali A, Siddiqui TM, Khan R, Batool K. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Dental Surgeons in managing Child Patients. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(4):372-378.