Association of Early Childhood Caries with Body Mass Index, Dietary Habits, and Socioeconomic Status among Preschool Children of Kelambakkam.

Introduction: One of the most prevalent oral diseases affecting preschoolers, early childhood caries (ECC), can significantly lower a child's quality of life. The pain and discomfort that ECC causes will alter the child's eating habits, which will have an impact on both their physical and mental health, as shown by the deviation from the body mass index (BMI). Dental caries and deviation from the normal BMI are both significantly influenced by children's eating habits and socioeconomic status (SES). Aim: To determine the association of ECC with BMI, dietary habits, and SES among 3-6-year-old preschool children. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 375 preschool children of 3-6 years of age. The decayed, missing, or filled teeth (deft) index was used to determine the caries status. Measurement of height (m) and weight (kg) was done using a stadiometer and electronic weighing machine. For each child, the BMI (kg/m2) was calculated, and the child's body weight status was assessed using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-based classification. Questionnaires were collected with demographic details, 3 days diet diary, and the SES of parents. The dietary habit and SES were obtained from the healthy eating index-2005 (HEI-2005) score and Modified Kuppuswamy's Scale 2018. All the data were entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software V 20.0. Result: The prevalence of ECC was 44.8%. On comparison of mean height, weight, and BMI scores, there was a significant difference in mean weight (p = 0.006) and BMI (p = 0.001) among the two study groups. Children with ECC had a lower HEI-2005 score and belonged to a lower social class compared to caries-free children (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Children with ECC are significantly associated with BMI being overweight, or risk of being overweight; lower grades of SES and lower total score of HEI-2005 with poor diet and diet that needs improvement. How to cite this article: Suresh A, Srinivasan D, AR SE, et al. Association of Early Childhood Caries with Body Mass Index, Dietary Habits, and Socioeconomic Status among Preschool Children of Kelambakkam. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(4):565-571.

A Comparative Evaluation of Dissolution Rate of Three Different Posterior Restorative Materials used in Pediatric Dentistry: An In Vitro Study.

Aim: The study aimed to compare and assess the dissolution rate, color stability, and other mechanical parameters, such as compressive and flexural strength, of three distinct posterior restorative materials used in pediatric dentistry. Materials and methods: The three posterior restorative materials used in pediatric dentistry are divided into group I-Zirconomer, group II-Composite, and group III-Cention N. Around 111 cylindrical specimens were grouped into three groups of 37 each. According to the manufacturer's standards, all materials were proportioned and handled. The materials were thermocycler in a chewing simulator and were subjected to various tests to estimate the dissolution rate, compressive strength, flexural strength, and color stability of the three individual groups. Results: The dissolution rate was highest in Zirconomer, followed by Cention N and Composite, which were highly significant (p = 0.05). Compressive strength was highest with Cention N, followed by Composite and Zirconomer, which was highly important (p = 0.05). Cention N had the greatest flexural strength, followed by Composite and Zirconomer, which were highly significant (p = 0.05). Finally, the Composite had the highest color stability, followed by Cention N and Zirconomer among the three groups. Conclusion: It is concluded that resin-based restorative materials outperform glass ionomer-based Zirconomer cement in terms of dissolution rate, compressive strength, flexural strength, and color stability. Clinical significance: Because of the widespread improvement in dental materials, many dental restorative types of cement have emerged on the market. The features of good restorative materials are mechanical strength, fluid dissolution rate, and retention. How to cite this article: Raman V, Srinivasan D, AR SE, et al. A Comparative Evaluation of Dissolution Rate of Three Different Posterior Restorative Materials used in Pediatric Dentistry: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(S-1):S20-S26.

Assessment of Oral Hygiene Status and Prevalence of Dental Caries and Traumatic Injuries to Anterior Teeth among Visually Impaired Children in Chennai City.

Aim: To assess the oral hygiene status and prevalence of dental caries and trauma to anterior teeth among visually impaired children in Chennai city. Settings and design-a cross-sectional study was conducted in institutionalized blind schoolchildren. Materials and methods: A total of 130 children from two blind schools were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Oral hygiene status was assessed using the oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S). Dental caries were assessed using decayed-missing-filled teeth (DMFT) and decayed, extracted due to carries, filled teeth (deft) index for permanent and primary dentition, respectively. Trauma to anterior teeth was assessed using Ellis and Davey classification. Statistical analysis used-all the data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software 20.0. Results: The assessment of oral hygiene status showed that 54.6% of children had good oral hygiene, 45.4% had fair oral hygiene, and none had poor oral hygiene. The prevalence of dental caries in permanent and primary dentition was found to be 40 and 63.1%, respectively. The prevalence of trauma to anterior teeth was found to be 35.4%. Conclusion: Primary prevention approaches should be taught to parents and school teachers for early intervention of oral health problems. How to cite this article: Kannappan J, Srinivasan D, Chiriyankandath JL, et al. Assessment of Oral Hygiene Status and Prevalence of Dental Caries and Traumatic Injuries to Anterior Teeth among Visually Impaired Children in Chennai City. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(1):93-96.

Evaluation of the mother's anxiety and child's fear in two different age groups in the child's first and second dental visit.

The anxiety of the mother influences the child's behaviour in a dental setting. Objectives: The study aimed at evaluating the mother's anxiety and a child's fear of first and second dental visits in two different age groups. Study Design: The cross-sectional study design consisted of a total of 100 mother-child pairs attending Pediatric Dental clinics was included in the study. Group I consisted of 50 mother-child pairs of 6-8 years of age. Group II consisted of another 50 mother-child pairs between 12-15 years of age. Short Form of the Dental Subscale of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule (DFSS-SF) was administered to the child. Corah's Dental anxiety scale was administered to the mother. The Tell-Show-Do (TSD) technique was used in all children before the treatment. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS software 21 was used for descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for bivariate correlation between variables in the study. Results: The anxiety level of mothers on both appointment days in both age groups was found to be highly significant. The correlation of maternal anxiety to the gender of the child in both groups was found to be highly significant. Conclusion: The fear of dental treatment was commonly found in children irrespective of gender in both age groups. The TSD technique was found to reduce fear in the subsequent appointment.

Effectiveness of Parental Participation in a Dental Health Program on the Oral Health Status of 8-10-year-old School Children.

Aim: Prevention-focused school dental health program (SDHP) is a cost-effective intervention that countries can use to lessen the problem of dental diseases by educating on oral health. The current study aims to assess the effectiveness of parental participation in an SDHP held at periodic intervals on the oral health status (OHS) of children aged 8-10 years attending a local school in Southern India. Materials and methods: The longitudinal study was scheduled between September 2018 and June 2019 (36 weeks) in 120 participants who were healthy school children aged 8-10 years at a private school in Kelambakkam. This 36-week duration study assessed the effectiveness of school dental health education program with and without parents at every 12 weeks interval. The OHS of subjects was assessed using the standard indices [i.e., Decayed, Missing and Filled permanent teeth (DMFT), decayed, extracted, and filled primary teeth (deft), and Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S)]. Friedman's test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for analyzing the data as indicated. Results: In postintervention visits, children with parental participation had significantly lower caries increments than children without parental participation. While the oral hygiene index scores have improved significantly in both groups over time, the improvement in the parental participation group was greater. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the SDHP is an educational driver that showed a constructive impression on the oral health of children. The participation of the child's parents in SDHP has significantly improved the OHS of children. How to cite this article: Sowmiya Sree RA, Joe Louis C, Senthil Eagappan AR, et al. Effectiveness of Parental Participation in a Dental Health Program on the Oral Health Status of 8-10-year-old School Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(4):417-421.

An Evaluation of Occlusal Relationship and Primate Space in Deciduous Dentition in Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu, India.

AIM: The objective of the study was to evaluate the occlusal characteristics of primary dentition in 3-5-year-old children in Kancheepuram district. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on children aged 3-5 year old in the Kancheepuram district. A total of 603 children were examined. Occlusal relationship was assessed separately on both right and left side and was classified as a flush terminal plane, mesial step, or distal step. Similarly, occlusal relationship of primary canine was examined and classified as Class I, II, or III. Primate space was measured in both the arches using digital Vernier caliper. RESULTS: Pearson Chi-square test was used. Statistical significance was noted on both right and left side primary molar occlusion as well as in the canine occlusion across the three age groups. Primate spaces in both arches have been found to be significant across the three age groups. Mann-Whitney test between gender and occlusal relationship was found to be not significant. CONCLUSION: Flush terminal plane is the most common primary molar occlusion found in the present study which is statistically significant. Most of the children had primate space present in upper and lower teeth which is statistically significant.

Comparison of Orthopantomogram and Lateral Cephalogram for Mandibular Measurements.

AIM: The aim of the present study is to clarify the possible application of orthopantomogram (OPG) for evaluating craniofacial specifications such as angular and linear measurements of the mandible by comparing with lateral cephalogram. MATERIALS AND METHODS: OPG and lateral cephalogram were taken from 100 patients of age group 16-35 years from Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute. Linear measurements (body length and ramus height) and angular measurement (gonial angle) were assessed both in lateral cephalogram and OPG. Independent t-test was performed for comparison of OPG and lateral cephalogram using SPSS with a probability level of P < 0.05 considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: The results of the present study show that there is no statistically significant difference in ramus height and gonial angle when compared between OPG and lateral cephalogram while statistically significant difference exists for body length between OPG and lateral cephalogram. CONCLUSION: It may be concluded that panoramic radiography can be used to determine the gonial angle and ramus height as accurately as a lateral cephalogram. However, clinicians should be vigilant when predicting horizontal measurement from OPGs.

Morquio's Syndrome: A Case Report of Two Siblings.

Morquio syndrome or MPS IVA is a rare type of lysosomal storage disease associated with highly specific dental abnormalities. We present two siblings with enamel hypoplasia and skeletal abnormalities. A diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA was reached based on the clinical, radiographic, and dental findings of the patients. The dental findings are useful diagnostic aid for the early diagnosis of this debilitating disorder.

Evaluation of caries in deciduous second molar and adjacent permanent molar in mixed dentition.

AIM: This study was done to evaluate association of caries in deciduous second molar and adjacent permanent first molar, tooth surface more involved in permanent first molar and to assess the parental awareness regarding the eruption of permanent first molar. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and ten children (160 boys, 150 girls) of mixed dentition aged between 6 and 11 years were included. Presence or absence of paired association of caries in primary second molar and adjacent permanent first molar, of both the jaws, were noted. Parental awareness regarding the child's dentition was asked by pointing the maxillary and mandibular permanent first molar. RESULTS: Pearson Chi-square test was used. Significance was noted in both sexes between paired nonassociation of caries in mandibular primary second molar and mandibular permanent molar (P =0.01) and paired nonassociation of caries in primary maxillary second molar and maxillary permanent first molar in girls only (P =0.04). Parental awareness that permanent first molar has erupted was 24.83% and not to be exfoliated and replaced was 22.9% for both the sexes. In permanent teeth of both the sexes, the occlusal surface was more involved with caries in maxillary teeth; the buccal surface was more involved in mandibular teeth. About 10% of the sample did not have caries in both maxillary and mandibular permanent first molar. CONCLUSIONS: Paired association of caries of primary second molar and permanent first molar though found in large number of cases was not significant. It is clear that parental awareness is less regarding the child's oral health. Thus, community-based awareness program has to be conducted to emphasize on pediatric oral health status and care.

Comparative evaluation of formocresol and mineral trioxide aggregate as pulpotomy agents in deciduous teeth.

AIM: To evaluate and compare mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and formocresol as pulpotomy medicaments by clinical and radiographic assessments and to assess the histological features of both pulpotomy medicaments in deciduous teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed on 100 mandibular deciduous molar teeth requiring pulpotomy treatment. Children between age four and six years were randomly selected and divided into formocresol or MTA group. The patients were recalled after 3, 6, 9, 12 months respectively and evaluated clinically and radiographically. Histological assessment was done on lower deciduous canine teeth, which were undergoing serial extraction for interceptive orthodontic purpose. Pulpotomy was done on four teeth with formocresol and another four teeth with MTA. The teeth were extracted after six months following pulpotomy procedure and histologically evaluated. Two freshly extracted carious teeth were taken as controls. RESULTS: Clinical and radiographic criteria were laid and Chi analysis revealed significant difference in mobility ( P≤0.05), periodontal ligament widening ( P≤0.01 level) and inter - radicular radiolucency ( P≤0.02 level) between two groups at the end of 12 months. Histologically, in MTA group, a layer of new dentine formation with less dentinal tubules at the pulpotomized site was found. In formocresol group, increased inflammatory cells, a zone of atrophy, were noted in radicular portion of pulp. CONCLUSION: MTA is superior to formocresol clinically, radiographically. Histological analysis showed better reparative ability with hard tissue barrier formation with MTA compared to formocresol.