Stevia vs. triple antibiotic paste: An intracanal battle?

BACKGROUND: Intracanal medicaments are vital in treating the infections of the deciduous dentition due to the large percentage of accessory canals that hasten the microbial spread to the periradicular region. Though countless medicaments have been produced to reduce the microbial load and aid symptomatic relief, they still do not fulfill every function of an ideal medicament. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of Stevia rebaudiana (S. rebaudiana) and triple antibiotic paste (TAP) against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present in vitro, parallel, double-blinded study had an equal allocation ratio. The specimens were prepared, randomly divided into 4 groups and inoculated with E. faecalis (ATCC35550). Following incubation, the first 3 groups were treated with S. rebaudiana, triple antibiotic therapy or carbopol gel, respectively, with the 4th negative control group left untreated. The microbial samples were collected before and after treatment, and the counts of colony-forming units (CFUs) were compared. The results were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn's post-hoc and Wilcoxon's signed rank tests. RESULTS: The first 2 groups displayed a significant decrease in CFUs after drug application, while the carbopol and control groups showed an exponential increase. There was no statistically significant difference between the stevia and TAP groups (p = 0.630). CONCLUSIONS: Stevia gel was comparable to TAP in terms of antimicrobial efficacy, and can therefore be considered a new alternative in intracanal treatment.

Pediatric dentist attire and relationship with anxiety in children and parents during Covid-19 pandemic

Aim The study aimed to evaluate children's and parent's preferences of dentist's attire during Covid-19 pandemic and their relationship with dental anxiety. Methods A total of 139 Children(71 boys, 68 girls) aged 6-12 years were shown videos of a pediatric dentist working with different attire such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and pedoscrub, and they were asked to express the way they preferred their dentist to be dressed. Children's anxiety levels with different attire of paediatric dentists were assessed in different age groups and for boys and girls separately and recorded it using the Facial image scale. A questionnaire regarding dental anxiety was created online and completed by 139 parents (76 females, 63 males) of various ages and different educational backgrounds who were asked to choose between two outfits. Results were tabulated and statistically analysed using Chi-square test. Results Children aged 10-12 years preferred PPE by 50.6%, whereas 48.1% of children aged 6-9 years least preferred PPE (<0.05). About 46 (33%) were scored as anxious children and they had a preference for pedoscrub. Also, nonanxious children 43(31%) preferred PPE. All educated parents (100%) selected PPE over pedoscrub and the result were shown to be statistically significant. (<0.05). Conclusion Ultimately, the majority of the anxious children chosen pedoscrub, whereas non - anxious children have chosen PPE. Furthermore, the data reveals that both educated parents and older children preferred PPE as their attire for paediatric dentists.

Estimation of fluoride uptake in soil and staple food crops produced in highly fluoridated and non-fluoridated regions of Raichur District, Karnataka.

Background and Aim: A staple food crops have varied role in diet of people living in particular regions of world; hence, it is critical to recognize their productivity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to estimate fluoride concentration in staple food crops grown in highly fluoridated and non-fluoridated regions and its correlation with soil. Method: Total 36 samples were collected of which 18 samples consisting of each three samples of rice, redgram and jowar were selected. Likewise 18 corresponding soil samples from both areas were collected. All samples were ashed for 4-6 hours at 550°C in muffle furnace. The samples were allowed to cool, after which 10 ml distilled water was added to each sample and fluoride concentration was determined using ion selective electrode method, before each sample analysis the instrument was standardized using fluoride containing TISAB (III) buffer solution. The data was tabulated and subjected to cross-sectional observational statistical analysis using SPSS software applying unpaired t-test and Pearson's test. Result: The mean fluoride concentration in crops and soils were rice (0.79 ppm), redgram (4.26 ppm), jowar (8.8 ppm) and in soil of rice (1.23 ppm), redgram (1.23 ppm) and jowar (1.21 ppm) respectively in fluoridated area. Where as in non-fluoridated area rice (0.07 ppm), redgram (0.81 ppm), jowar (0.81 ppm) and in soil of rice (0.61 ppm), redgram (0.07 ppm) and jowar (0.52 ppm) respectively. The resultant correlation between staple food crops with their corresponding soils were found highly significant in both regions with P value <0.005; hence, crops in fluoridated region exhibited increased fluoride retention, whereas crops in non-fluoridated region had optimal fluoride levels. Conclusion: Fluoride concentration in food crops has strong correlation with their respective soils and water irrigation properties.

Comparative Evaluation of Novel Herbal Rice Husk Mouthwash with Kidodent against Streptococcus mutans: A Parallel Double-blinded Randomized Control Trial.

Aim: The purpose of the study is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of rice husk extract mouthwash (RHM) and Kidodent mouthwash (KM) for reduction in salivary Streptococcus mutans count. Materials and methods: After approval from institutional review board and institutional informed consent, 45 children who met the inclusion criteria were divided into three groups. In group A, children received rice husk mouth wash whereas in group B placebo is specified and in group C, intervention being KM. The unstimulated saliva is collected at baseline, 7th, 10th, and 15th days and subjected to microbiological analysis. The data are statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Rice husk mouthwash showed equivalent, significant, and effective reduction in S. mutans count similar to KM (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The rice husk mouthwash showed potential therapeutic effect in reduction of S. mutans.Clinical trial registry india (CTRI No) : CTRI/2020/10/028594. How to cite this article: Havale R, Rao DG, Bemalgi N, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Novel Herbal Rice Husk Mouthwash with Kidodent against Streptococcus mutans: A Parallel Double-blinded Randomized Control Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(3):356-361.

Comparative evaluation of pain perception following topical application of clove oil, betel leaf extract, lignocaine gel, and ice prior to intraoral injection in children aged 6-10 years: a randomized control study.

BACKGROUND: In the field of dentistry, topical anesthetics play an important role in reducing pain during needle pricks. The anesthetic property of betel leaves remain unexplored, even though they have been widely used for the treatment of various ailments. The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate pain perception following topical application of lignocaine gel, clove gel, ice, and newly developed betel leaf extract gel during intraoral injection in children. METHODS: Sixty children aged 6-10 years who met the inclusion criteria were divided into four groups. Topical anesthetic agents, 2% lignocaine (Lox-2% Jelly, Neon, Mumbai, India), 4.7% clove gel (Pain Out Dental Gel, Colgate Palmolive India Ltd, Solan, India), 10% betel leaf extract gel, and ice were applied to each group for one min, followed by administration of infiltration anesthesia. Pain perception was analyzed during needle insertion. The Wong Bakers FACES pain rating scale (WBFPRS) was used for subjective assessment and the Sound, Eye, Motor (SEM) scale for objective assessment. Recorded values were tabulated and subjected to appropriate statistical analysis using SPSS software with a P value set at 0.05. RESULTS: The clove oil and betel leaf groups demonstrated the highest WBFPRS scores, followed by the ice and lignocaine groups. The clove, betel leaf extract, and ice groups showed equal and highest SEM scores, followed by the lignocaine group. The mean WBFPRS and mean SEM scores were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Betel leaf extract gel is effective in reducing pain and can act as an alternative topical anesthetic agent.

Dermatoglyphics as a Novel Method for Assessing Intelligence Quotient in Children Aged 5-11 Years: A Cross-sectional Study.

AIM: To measure the IQ and record dermatoglyphic patterns of children including intellectually disabled aged between 5 years and 11 years and to correlate them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted in two private schools in the city corporation limits. A total of 300 children aged between 5 years and 11 years were equally allocated into three groups based on IQ using covariate adaptive randomization. IQ of the children was measured using Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices. Bilateral palmar and finger prints were obtained on A4-size papers by ink method using rolling technique. Prints thus obtained were analyzed for dermatoglyphic variables using magnification lens and are read based on Cummins and Midlo classification for fingertip patterns and Bali and Chaube classification for palmar flexion creases. The data were entered and statistically analyzed. For statistical significance, a two-tailed probability value of less than 0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: The current study suggests a relationship between different fingertip patterns of digits of I, II, III, and IV of left and right hand and also digit V of right hand with various levels of IQ. CONCLUSION: Hence, dermatoglyphics can be considered as a preliminary noninvasive approach for the determination of IQ. Also, it plays an imperative role, especially in distinguishing genetic intellectual disabilities. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Tharay N, Nirmala SVSG, Bavikati VN, et a l. Dermatoglyphics as a Novel Method for Assessing Intelligence Quotient in Children Aged 5-11 Years: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(4):355-360.

Acceptance or rejection of biological restoration: An educational interventional study.

BACKGROUND: The quest for an ideal restorative material has led to the discovery of biological restoration that is, the use of natural tooth as a restorative material. Thus, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the knowledge about biological restorations and efficacy of health education. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a questionnaire-based pre- and post-educational interventional study. Around 386 parents reported to the department and willing to participate were included in the study. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The study was carried out in three phases where the second being the health education by individual approach. The data were further subjected to statistical analysis. RESULT: Our study comprised of 117 (30.3%) fathers and 269 (69.7%) mothers. When enquired about the awareness of biological restoration and tooth banks 96.6% and 95.3% of the parents were unaware of it respectively. About the acceptance of biological restoration treatment before the intervention, only 26% of parents accepted the treatment. However, after the educational intervention, the acceptance increased to 93%. CONCLUSION: A lacuna exists as per the knowledge and awareness of biological restorations was concerned. Health education can be considered as a pioneering approach in the creation of awareness and there is an increased need to conduct such educational interventions to improve parents' attitudes.

Coronal pulp: An age biomarker - A cross-sectional radiographic study in children.

BACKGROUND: Age plays an important role in personal identification, treatment planning, forensic dentistry, and legal issues. It is one of the key identification tools for distinguishing one person from another and one population from another. An intraoral radiographic technique for age estimation is an easier approach. The widely accepted age estimation method in children is the Demirjian system. Tooth coronal index is another method that gained popularity for adult age estimation. AIM: This study aims to estimate the tooth coronal index (TCI) of mandibular right and left second deciduous molar and its correlation with chronological age to derive a regression equation. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The present study is a cross-sectional radiographical study which is conducted in AME's Dental College and Hospital, Raichur, Karnataka, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 children aged 5-10 years were selected. Digital intraoral periapical radiographs were taken for right and left deciduous mandibular second molar. The length of the tooth crown and the coronal pulp cavity were measured. Statistical Analysis: Further, the data are subjected to student's unpaired t-test and ANOVA test for the statistical analysis and simple linear regression to derive the regression equation. RESULTS: TCI showed a statistically significant reduction with increasing age in both right and left mandibular deciduous second molar (P ≤ 0.05), and the strength of the correlation is moderate (r = -0.59) if age is correlated with TCI using simple linear regression. CONCLUSION: The tooth coronal index method is found as a simple, noninvasive, nondestructive and cost-effective method for age assessment in children.

Assessment of Efficacy of Virtual Reality Distraction in Reducing Pain Perception and Anxiety in Children Aged 6-10 Years: A Behavioral Interventional Study.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of virtual reality distraction on pain perception and state anxiety levels undergoing restorative treatment in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an interventional study with 30 children of age 6-10 years came to the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry. The intervention was distraction with virtual reality eyeglasses and the parameters considered includes pain perception analyzed subjectively by Wong Baker FACES pain rating scale and objectively by FLACC scale; anxiety was analyzed physiologically by measuring pulse rate and oxygen saturation levels using pulse oximeter. The parameters were recorded before the treatment, i.e., baseline, during and as well as after the restorative treatment procedure. The values noted were tabulated and subjected to appropriate statistical analysis with p value set at 0.05. RESULTS: The study displayed a very high statistical significance in reduction of pain perception and anxiety levels in all the comparisons made at three time periods, i.e., baseline, during and after treatment procedure (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Virtual reality distraction can be considered as a budding distraction tool in the arena of behavior management that helps adapt the child to dental environment and able to deliver qualitative dental care. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Managing an anxious child is one of the challenging tasks for a pediatric dentist in the day-to-day life. As the world progresses with newer interventions, virtual reality distraction is one among them that has the ability to reduce pain perception and anxiety in children with a positive approach. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Rao DG, Havale R, Nagaraj M, et al. Assessment of Efficacy of Virtual Reality Distraction in Reducing Pain Perception and Anxiety in Children Aged 6-10 Years: A Behavioral Interventional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(6):510-513.

Apgar index as a probable risk indicator for enamel defects in primary dentition: a cross sectional study.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of Apgar index with that of enamel defects and to explore gender predilection as a co-variable in the formation of enamel defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A random sample of 108 individuals (46 boys and 62 girls) aged 4-5 years (mean - 4.4 years) were included in the study. A questionnaire containing subject's demographic information, Apgar Index (AI), enamel hypoplasia and hypocalcification was collected. Intraoral examination of the subjects was performed by using the type III diagnostic criteria recommended by WHO for oral health surveys. According to the modified index for developmental enamel defects, visual and tactile examinations of the entire primary dentition were performed.The data obtained was analysed using chi-square test. RESULTS: Of all the examined individuals 18 (16.7%) showed enamel defects, of which 10 (9.3%) were having enamel hypoplasia, 4 (3.7%) were having enamel hypocalcification and 4 (3.7%) were having both. Correlation of the enamel defects such as hypoplasia, hypocalcification and both had no significant relationship with the gender (P = 0.36). CONCLUSION: Subjects with lower Apgar Index exhibited more hypoplastic and hypocalcified teeth both qualitatively and quantitatively. If the Apgar value is less than 6, the vulnerability for the development of enamel defects has considerably increased. Gender of the individuals did not influence the final outcome.