ABSTRACT
Aim: To compare the homeopathic drug Arnica with ibuprofen as an analgesic for postextraction pain control in children. Materials and methods: Forty-four healthy children between 8 and 12 years of age requiring two clinical sessions of tooth extraction in two different quadrants of the oral cavity were selected for the study. All the children received both the drugs in this crossover trial with a washout of 10 days. Patient-rated and operator-assessed pain was compared to a 10-point validated Visual Analog Scale at baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours using the paired t-test. Acceptance to taste and frequency of dosing was recorded at the end of three days using a five-point Likert scale and were compared using the Chi-squared test. Kappa statistics were performed to assess intraoperator variability. Results: Pain reduction by Ibuprofen was significantly more than Arnica only at 48 hours with respect to both patient-reported and operator-assessed pain [(t = 3.567, p < 0.05), (t = 2.834, p < 0.05)]. As the age of the child increased, patient-reported pain significantly decreased. Children preferred the taste of Arnica over that of Ibuprofen (x 2 = 56.76, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: There was no difference between Arnica and Ibuprofen in the postextraction pain management in 8-12-year-old children. Clinical significance: The results of this study suggest that Arnica may be considered as an alternative to ibuprofen in managing postextraction pain in 8-12-year-old children, especially those with asthma, COPD, or known allergy to ibuprofen. How to cite this article: Thakur JH, Katre AN. Comparison of the Efficacy of Homeopathic Drug Arnica and Ibuprofen on Postextraction Pain in Children: A Triple-blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(3):332-337.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease and a dynamic process that can be prevented and reversed during the early stage. Risk assessment is an important step in decision-making and treatment planning. There are no valid tools available for the Indian population. Caries risk assessment for treatment (CRAFT) is a chairside tool for caries risk assessment and management. Valid, reliable, economical, and chairside caries risk assessment tool is the need of the hour for general and pediatric dentists. AIM: To evaluate CRAFT as a tool for caries risk prediction among 3-years to 6-years-old children and to validate it against Alban test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pilot study was conducted, including forty 3-years to 6-years-old children. Salivary samples were collected and inoculated on B.C.G.-Dextrose Agar. Caries activity was assessed using Alban test. Their parents/guardians completed the CRAFT assessment in entirety. RESULTS: The data were tabulated and subjected to suitable statistical analysis. High positive correlation between CRAFT scores and Alban's test (Spearman's Rho = 0.874) was found. CONCLUSION: CRAFT scores were highly correlated with Alban scores in 3- to 6-year-old children. CRAFT could be successfully employed as a reliable, economical, chairside, and clinically feasible risk assessment tool with further research on a larger sample size. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: CRAFT can provide a framework for the clinician for preventive care and enhance patient-participation for CRA. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Thakur JH, Subhadra HN, Jawdekar A. Evaluation of CRAFT as a Tool for Caries Risk Assessment in 3- to 6-year-old Children and its Validation against Alban's Test: A Pilot Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(6):538-542.
